Chapter 4: Undercurrents and Fangs

The massive corpse of the bone-armored tusk boar lay across the hardware store's entrance, exuding a strong stench and lingering energy fluctuations. Inside the store fell a brief silence, save for everyone's heavy breathing and the thundering beat of their hearts, clearly audible.

The three survivors who had just been rescued sat slumped on the ground, their gazes at Chen Mo filled with the relief of having survived a disaster and a near-reverent awe for the strong. Leading them was a youth about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, of slender build, with a fresh cut on his face; his eyes still held fear, but he was calmer than the other two. He struggled to rise to thank him.

"Sit and rest, treat your wounds first." Chen Mo's voice remained calm, giving no hint that he had just endured a fierce battle. He casually slipped the 【Inferior Magic Core】 into his pocket, as if picking up a stone. Yet this offhand motion made the slender youth's pupils contract slightly—clearly he recognized or guessed its value.

Su Yu immediately stepped forward with the first-aid kit, crouched down, and began checking and treating the three people's wounds. Her movements weren't practiced, but she was meticulous—disinfecting, bandaging, leaving nothing undone. The other two were a young man and woman who looked like a couple; the girl kept softly sobbing, while the boy clung tightly to her, his face pallid.

Chen Mo walked to the roll-up door, gesturing for Zhang Yang and Wang Hu to help drag the bone-armored tusk boar's corpse and the several demonic hounds to a slightly farther street corner, to prevent the strong bloody smell from attracting more uninvited guests. Li Siwen and the store clerk quickly cleaned up the bloodstains and mess at the entrance.

After finishing all that, Chen Mo only then pulled the roll‑down door shut again, leaving just a narrow observation slit. He turned his body, his gaze falling on the slender youth.

"I'm Chen Mo. Who are you? Where did you come from? What's the situation outside?" His questions were direct and efficient, with no pleasantries.

The slender youth took a deep breath, striving to steady his voice: "I'm Han Qing, formerly a fitness trainer. These two are Liu Qian and Zhao Lei, students from a nearby university." He pointed at the couple. "We were originally hiding in the warehouse of that supermarket on the corner, about a dozen people…… but an hour ago, several of those bone‑armored wild boars charged in……"

His voice tinged with pain and dread: "They're dead, all dead…… We three were lucky, escaping through the back door, only to be chased by those monster dogs……"

"Over a dozen people, all dead?" Zhang Yang couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air. The supermarket warehouse— that should have been a stronger safehold than here.

Han Qing nodded heavily: "There's no stopping them; bullets hitting the bone armor only leave a white speck…… The ammo ran out quickly." He paused, looking at Chen Mo, his eyes complex: "You…… how did you kill it? And just now, you seemed……"

He had clearly seen the fleeting phantom of bone armor on Chen Mo's body surface.

Chen Mo didn't answer the question about the Bone Armor Technique, merely saying lightly: "Find the weakness, and there's a chance." He was more concerned with another piece of information: "You said bullets are useless? Do you guys have guns?"

"The shotgun in the supermarket's security room—only a few rounds left." Han Qing gave a wry smile. "It's okay for ordinary monster dogs, but against that big guy, it's practically useless—like scratching an itch."

Chen Mo fell into thought. Early on, thermal weapons have some effect against low‑level magical beasts, but as the beasts' levels rise and special individuals appear, they quickly become useless—only one's own attributes and skills are fundamental. This he had verified in his previous life.

"Besides this bone‑armored tusk boar and the demonic hounds, have you seen any other types of monsters? Or…… anything special about the area?" Chen Mo pressed, needing more intel on this "newbie zone."

Han Qing struggled to recall: "Monsters…… there are many kinds. There are things like rotting lizards that spit acid, and there are extremely fast shadow‑like black cats…… As for something special……" He suddenly remembered: "When we fled, we seemed to see, in the direction of the city center, a particularly thick pillar of light connecting heaven and earth—it was purple, very eerie……"

Purple light pillar?

Chen Mo's heart jolted. In his previous life he had never heard of this phenomenon in the early stages. Is it due to a different region, or…… because of his rebirth, or Su Yu's presence, that some change has been triggered?

He glanced at Su Yu without changing his expression, seeing that she was also looking back, her eyes holding the same doubt and a barely perceptible worry. The 【???】 in her status bar remained glaring.

"Light pillar……" Chen Mo pondered briefly, then moved on to ask, "What talents or skills do you have?"

Upon hearing this, Han Qing and the two others instinctively focused their minds, then their faces showed a hint of bewilderment and loss.

"Mine is 'Tough Skin' E‑rank passive, slightly boosting defense." Han Qing sighed. "Liu Qian is 'Weak Healing' F‑rank, able only to barely stop bleeding from a small wound. Zhao Lei…… is 'Rapid Digestion' F‑rank, can eat and excrete……" He trailed off with a tone of helplessness. In this apocalypse, such talents are practically worthless.

Chen Mo nodded; it was about what he'd expected. Only a tiny few awaken powerful talents early on. Han Qing's E‑rank defense passive is somewhat useful, at least stronger than the basic attribute strengths of Zhang Yang and the others.

"From now on, you'll temporarily follow us." Chen Mo declared, his tone leaving no room for argument: "The rules here are simple—obey commands, fight together, distribute supplies according to contribution. You may leave anytime, but you may take only your personal share."

He didn't ask whether they were willing; he simply presented the choice. In this environment, mercy needs strength as its backing, and absolute leadership is the guarantee of survival.

Han Qing hardly hesitated, nodding immediately: "We understand! Thank you for saving us—we're willing to follow you!" Liu Qian and Zhao Lei quickly echoed, having witnessed Chen Mo's strength and knowing this is currently the best option.

Chen Mo looked at Su Yu, Zhang Yang, and the others: "Any problems?"

Su Yu shook her head. Zhang Yang, Li Siwen, and Wang Hu exchanged glances, then silently nodded. Chen Mo's strength and decisiveness had already won their initial trust; a few more helpers would improve their odds of survival.

The team expanded to eight people.

Chen Mo began reassigning duties and equipment. He kept the fire axe as his main weapon, giving the solid steel pipe to Han Qing. He had Su Yu distribute the several decent‑quality machetes and hammers she found to Zhang Yang, Li Siwen, Wang Hu, and Zhao Lei. As the sole healer, Liu Qian was placed in a relatively safe spot, tasked with guarding supplies and providing support.

The store clerk and the middle‑aged woman remained sidelined, handling some internal chores. Chen Mo didn't force them to fight, nor did he give them weapons.

"Rest for half an hour, treat your injuries, replenish stamina. In half an hour we'll move toward the northwest." Chen Mo issued the new order.

"Northwest? Where to?" Han Qing asked.

"To find a safer place with richer resources." Chen Mo gazed at the blood‑colored sky outside, his eyes deep: "If I remember correctly, in that direction there's a police station."

"Police station!" Everyone's eyes lit up. That place might mean more weapons (though their effectiveness could be limited), stronger fortifications, or perhaps…… other survivors.

Hope seemed to grow a little more.

Yet Chen Mo's heart felt little ease. The police station was certainly the goal, but the road there would by no means be smooth. The purple light pillar Han Qing mentioned, the mystery surrounding Su Yu's body, and this "game launch" that seemed slightly different from his previous life—all were like veils of fog hiding unknown dangers.

He sensed the newly acquired 【Bone Armor Technique】 and 【Keen Smell】 within him, his gaze sweeping over Su Yu silently wiping her machete, then over the new and old teammates whose faces showed anticipation but could not hide their fear.

In the apocalypse, survival is like walking on the edge of a dark cliff—each step could lead to a fall. And he must become the one who holds the lamp to light the way, while also gripping the fangs tightly.

Half an hour passed quickly.

Chen Mo rose to his feet, moved his body a bit, and his level‑3 strength and agility made him feel noticeably lighter.

"Check equipment, prepare to depart."

He walked to the roll‑up door, took a deep breath, and yanked it open.

The blood‑stained streets came into view again, the distant howls seeming denser than before.

The new journey has begun. And the undercurrents are already surging beneath our feet.