Chapter 409: 409.Chapter 409 Mutant

409. Chapter 409 Mutant

The entire underground space was filled with a strange odor that could not be described in words.

Thanks to the daylight, it was not completely dark here; even ordinary people could barely make out their surroundings.

Along both sides of the passage, there were many opened holes, covered with curtains or doors and windows, from which faint talking could be heard.

Jiang Cheng could feel many dark eyes peering through the gaps in the holes toward this place.

Obviously, these people were the scavengers who had settled here.

However, it would be better to go to the Outer City District than to live here.

But after thinking about it, he understood.

Perhaps it was not that these people did not want to leave, but that they could not.

The known ways to leave the Inner City District are only two: one is to take a flying vehicle and leave over the high wall, the other is to go through the underground passage; however, the deeper the passage goes inward, the more dangerous it becomes, and for these ordinary people to venture in is undoubtedly seeking death.

Even if, by a stretch of imagination, they were lucky enough to safely pass through the passage and reach the Outer City District, would they then live well?

Not necessarily.

To reside in the Outer City District, having no house is impossible; once discovered, they would only be thrown into the Poor District.

Being a scavenger here versus being a refugee in the Poor District—it's hard to say which is better; the contents of the trash bins in the Inner City District might even be better than what the rich in the Outer City District eat and wear.

The underground passage was not a straight line; it twisted and turned, with side branches.

The middle-aged man walked in the lead, seeming very familiar with this place, and at the fork he showed no hesitation.

After walking about a hundred meters, the light in the passage grew dim, and Chen Sao and the other two could barely see the road beneath their feet.

At that moment, the middle-aged man at the front snapped his fingers, and a fireball the size of a soccer ball floated into midair, illuminating the surrounding tens of meters as brightly as daytime.

A flash of surprise crossed Jiang Cheng's eyes.

It seemed this leader was not an ordinary Force Master, but one endowed with spirituality, capable of using various kinds of "spells".

The firelight illuminated the road, but it also attracted more onlookers; in the darkness, it seemed as if countless pairs of eyes were staring at them.

"You few, quickly put out the fire."

Just then, a hoarse voice came from ahead.

From the voice, it sounded like an old man, his whole body wrapped in a black cloth, crouched in the corner of the wall, revealing a pair of scarlet eyes.

Chen Sao and the other two were instantly startled.

Jiang Cheng was also somewhat startled.

"Sorry, we'll leave right away."

The middle-aged man smiled at him.

The old man lowered his head, seeming to agree.

But just as Lin Yue passed by, he suddenly let out a roar, thrust his legs forward, and lunged at the person ahead.

By the firelight, one could clearly see that his fingernails were thick and long, and the incisors in his mouth were sharp and fine, making him look like a rat.

In the blink of an eye, a fireball struck him in a flash, and immediately burned him to ashes.

The middle-aged man shook his head.

Speaking of which, these people are also pitiful; because they have lived here for a long time, genetic mutations in their bodies have caused physical changes.

But since the other side insisted on provoking him, he cannot be blamed for striking back.

"Xiao Yue, are you all right?"

"No, no problem." Lin Yue, also quite frightened, had a pale little face.

"If you're fine, that's good; if you're really scared, just close your eyes and open them again after we leave."

"No need, Brother Jiang Cheng; I, I'm not afraid." Lin Yue shook her head.

Jiang Cheng nodded, glanced at the old man and Chen Sao beside him, and continued leading them forward; along the way, they encountered several more attacks.

If the initial encounter with the old man involved him speaking a sentence before attacking, then the remaining ones were outright sudden assaults.

Jiang Cheng also noticed this.

Although the fireball dispelled the darkness, it also became a target for some monsters to come.

Fortunately, these monsters were of average strength; even if the middle-aged man did not act, he was confident he could handle them.

"We're almost at the breach."

The middle-aged man turned and smiled, saying, "Once out of the breach, we'll be in the Outer City District."

Jiang Cheng heard this and breathed a sigh of relief.

However, after walking not far, a strange sound rose around them, as if something was swiftly approaching.

"Oh no, it's a rat swarm!"

Qin Lao exclaimed in surprise.

As soon as his voice fell, countless pitch-black rats with glowing red eyes surged forward from both front and back like a tide.

Their bodies were about the size of small dogs, and some were nearly as large as calves.

One after another, they came forward; the scene was terrifying to the extreme.

"Don't be afraid."

The middle-aged man's voice remained as steady as ever; he waved his big hand, and thick fire pillars as wide as thighs shot up into the sky, forming a circle that protected the few of them in the center.

The flames blazed fiercely, appearing scorchingly hot, yet strangely, those inside—Jiang Cheng and the others—felt no heat at all.

At that moment, the rats from front and back had already lunged forward; however, upon touching the flames, their bodies dissipated into the air, not even having time to emit a single scream.

Even so, the rats behind still launched their charge, as if they knew nothing of death.

"Ordinary rat swarms wouldn't be this frantic; perhaps someone is controlling them from behind." said the girl holding a flute.

"No rush."

The middle-aged man chuckled, "After a while he will naturally show himself; if he doesn't show up, it doesn't matter—we'll just see whether his rats are more numerous or my primordial force is greater."

Just as his words fell, a burst of laughter rang out.

The rat horde that had been frenziedly attacking suddenly fell silent.

The rat horde ahead suddenly scattered to both sides, and several figures walked out.

I thought it was just a few clueless troublemakers showing off here, but it turns out Chief Chu has graced us with his presence; my apologies for not welcoming you from afar, my apologies for the negligence.

The leading middle-aged man laughed and said.

These people were unlike the previous ones—exceptionally clean, dressed in uniform attire, and their whole bodies exuded a dangerous aura.

However, compared to them, they seemed even more wary of this side; the middle-aged man appeared nonchalant, but his eyes were full of vigilance, and as for the few behind him, they made no effort to hide it—their faces were plainly filled with apprehension.

So it's Archbishop An of the Shadow Church.

Chu Feng withdrew the flame pillar, clasped his hands toward the man opposite, and said, "Archbishop An, don't be nervous; I'm just passing through here, I harbor no hostility."

Really?

The leading man opposite heard this and let out a slight sigh of relief.

His gaze swept over several people, finally landing on Jiang Cheng, his eyes narrowing slightly.

I don't know what extraordinary quality this young brother possesses that would cause Chief Chu to travel a thousand miles from the Base to fetch him from the Inner City District.

(End of chapter)