Chapter 170: Narrow Road for Enemies

Lin Chen had just finished moving the materials into the storage room with the guards when the communicator suddenly rang,

and at the same time, the system's voice exploded in his mind,

【Detected that the Starfire Mercenary Group has issued an emergency mission. Mission level: S-level (High Difficulty). Mission goal: Go to the abandoned research institute in the north of the city to obtain "Virus Antibody Sample." Mission time limit: 4 hours. Do you want to accept the mission?】

Lin Chen pressed the system: "What are the pros and cons of the mission?"

【Mission pros: 100 points, 5 ordinary medical masks; Mission cons: 1. There are "Mutant Lickers" in the institute (extremely fast, strong attack power, can penetrate ordinary protective suits).

2. If the mission fails, all current points will be deducted, and the "Absolute Zero" ability will be banned for 72 hours; 3. If you stay in the institute for more than 4 hours, the self-destruct device will be triggered, and there is no possibility of survival.】

"These pros are too trashy,

but the cons are so ruthless!"

Lin Chen couldn't help but complain, but still said to the system: "Accept the mission."

He immediately contacted Zhao Feng, confirmed the mission details, brought the Ice Blade, Purple Lightning Purification Gun, and energy core,

told Xia Nuan "Must be back within 4 hours," and drove the off-road vehicle towards the abandoned research institute in the north of the city.

On the way,

the system continued to prompt: 【Currently 15 kilometers away from the institute. Detected 10 ordinary zombies and 3 elite zombies along the way. It is recommended to clear them first to avoid obstructing the journey.】

Lin Chen accelerated, and when encountering zombies, he directly used the off-road vehicle to crash through them, saving time—he knew that the 4-hour time limit was very tight and could not be delayed.

Driving to the 10-kilometer mark,

the system suddenly prompted: 【Detected traces of human activity 500 meters to the front left. After matching, it is the Lin Guodong family (Lin Guodong, wife Liu Mei, daughter Lin Xiaoxiao).

Current state: Following 3 unidentified personnel, moving towards the institute.】

Lin Chen's heart tightened, he slowed down and stopped, and looked to the left with binoculars—sure enough, he saw Lin Guodong holding Lin Xiaoxiao,

Liu Mei following beside him, and three men in black clothes beside them, holding long guns, their attitude arrogant.

"What are they going to the institute for?"

Lin Chen frowned, and the system immediately responded: 【Detected conversation of unidentified personnel. The goal is "to seize the virus antibody sample and sell it to the black market." The Lin Guodong family is suspected of being coerced.】

Lin Chen gripped the steering wheel, hesitated for a moment, and decided to go to the institute first—the mission time limit was tight,

so he could only complete the mission first and then find a way to save the Lin Guodong family.

Continuing to drive for 5 kilometers, the abandoned research institute finally appeared in front of him—the institute's walls were covered with cracks,

the gate was blown open with a large hole, and it was pitch black inside, with strange roars vaguely audible.

System prompt: 【After entering the institute, it is recommended to go to the first basement level first to obtain the "Anti-Licker Protective Suit." This protective suit can only withstand 3 Licker attacks and needs to be used with caution.】

Lin Chen walked into the institute, turned on the night-vision goggles, and walked towards the first basement level according to the system's guidance.

Just down the stairs, he encountered an ordinary zombie, which he solved with his blade, his movements swift.

There was indeed an anti-licker protective suit in a room on the first basement level. Lin Chen immediately changed into it, and the system prompted: 【Anti-Licker Protective Suit equipped. Remaining defense count: 3.】

"Now go to get the antibody sample." Lin Chen followed the route marked by the system and set off towards the laboratory on the third floor.

A mutant Licker suddenly rushed out from the corridor on the second floor—it had a thin and long body,

its claws gleaming with cold light, and its speed was extremely fast, pouncing towards Lin Chen. Lin Chen mobilized prediction to dodge,

barely avoiding it, while slashing at its claws with his blade. With a "crack" sound, the Licker's claws were severed, it let out a scream, and turned to flee. System prompt: 【Anti-Licker Protective Suit remaining defense count: 2. Currently cleared 1 mutant Licker, 2 remain in the institute.】

Finally reaching the third-floor laboratory, Lin Chen saw a sealed test tube placed on the laboratory table—the virus antibody sample. Just as he picked up the sample,

the system suddenly prompted: 【Detected that the Lin Guodong family has entered the first floor of the institute, coerced by unidentified personnel, and is moving towards the third floor; at the same time, detected that the remaining 2 mutant Lickers are moving towards the first floor, expected to meet in 5 minutes.】

Lin Chen was startled and immediately ran towards the first floor. Just reaching the second floor,

he heard screams from the first floor—one of the unidentified personnel was scratched by a mutant Licker,

falling to the ground, blood flowing. Lin Guodong held Lin Xiaoxiao, Liu Mei hid behind him, her face full of fear. System prompt: 【1 unidentified person has died, 2 remain. It is recommended to solve the mutant Lickers first, then deal with the remaining personnel.】

Lin Chen rushed downstairs, slashed at a mutant Licker with the Ice Blade, and simultaneously mobilized Absolute Zero,

the cold air freezing its body. The other mutant Licker pounced towards Lin Guodong,

Lin Chen leaped up, kicked it away, but was scratched on the protective suit by its claws. System prompt: 【Anti-Licker Protective Suit remaining defense count: 1.】

"You guys hide quickly!"

Lin Chen shouted to Lin Guodong, while continuing to fight the mutant Lickers.

Seeing this, the remaining two unidentified personnel wanted to turn and run, but were caught up by one of the mutant Lickers and fell to the ground instantly. System prompt: 【Unidentified personnel have all died. 2 mutant Lickers remain. Current mission remaining time: 1 hour 30 minutes.】

Lin Chen concentrated his energy, solved the last mutant Licker with the Ice Blade, and the system prompted: 【Mutant Lickers have all been cleared. The Lin Guodong family is safe. Current mission remaining time: 1 hour 25 minutes. It is recommended to evacuate the institute immediately.】

Lin Chen walked to Lin Guodong: "Why are you guys here?" Lin Guodong's face was pale: "We were coerced by them to come and seize the sample, saying they would kill Xiaoxiao if we didn't cooperate." Lin Chen nodded: "Follow me now, the institute will self-destruct in 1 hour and 25 minutes."

The four ran towards the institute gate. Just running out of the gate, the system prompted: 【Virus antibody sample obtained. Mission successful! Rewards have been issued (100 points, 5 ordinary medical masks); detected that the Lin Guodong family's state is stable, no life danger; current time to institute self-destruct is 1 hour 20 minutes. It is recommended to stay away from this area.】

Lin Chen let the Lin Guodong family get into the off-road vehicle and drove the vehicle towards the base. On the way, Lin Xiaoxiao leaned in Liu Mei's arms and whispered: "Uncle, thank you just now." Lin Chen looked back and smiled: "No need to thank me, don't follow strangers again in the future." The system suddenly prompted: 【Detected follow-up hidden mission: Send the Lin Guodong family back to the base safely. No reward, no penalty for failure.】 Lin Chen didn't care, just focused on driving, thinking to himself—although the pros of this mission were trashy and the cons were ruthless, at least he saved the Lin Guodong family and completed the mission, so it wasn't a loss. ===== CHAPTER 171 =====