Chapter 19: Nature?

“That’s good... otherwise it’d be a problem if Qingfeng turned into a wraith.” Billy then said seriously, “Anyway, don’t overthink it—let’s get through the rest of the journey together.”

“Same as always: Anbi takes point, I handle fire support.” Billy’s gaze shifted from Anbi to Ye Qingfeng, “Qingfeng, just stay behind us and watch your safety!”

Anbi and Billy pushed through the wraiths blocking their path, carrying the weak and helpless Ye Qingfeng along. Though a minor mishap occurred because some robot insisted on showing off, fortunately, the nearby wraiths had been cleared, and there was no immediate danger.

“Someone over there, Anbi!”

Ye Qingfeng pointed at a dark shadow emerging from a cloud of dust behind them and warned Anbi sharply.

As for why he didn’t call Billy—who was closer—it might be because he unconsciously felt Anbi was more reliable...

Anbi and Billy moved forward cautiously to investigate, while Ye Qingfeng naturally kept a short distance away from them.

Soon, the dust slowly parted, revealing a tall human silhouette before the three of them.

“The safe is at his feet.”

Anbi was the first to notice the safe on the ground.

“Really? Great—we won’t have to search for it!” Billy, seeing Anbi suddenly step forward, abruptly called out in a serious tone, “Wait, Anbi! What are you doing?”

“Capture him. Recover the safe.”

“Hold on—”

Billy suddenly grew serious, raising his firearm and aiming it directly at the man before them.

Ye Qingfeng watched as Billy suddenly raised his gun at the man, and his heart tightened with tension.

Is it because of the safe? And who is this guy?

“I... cough... eliminate... ughhhhh...!”

Ye Qingfeng looked up at the man. At the same moment, the white-haired man slowly turned his head—his eyes bloodshot, the other half of his face entirely marked by wraith traits.

Ye Qingfeng’s body trembled uncontrollably.

This... is a human gradually turning into a wraith?!

Although he knew humans with low ether adaptability would transform into wraiths inside the Hollow, knowing it was one thing.

Seeing this scene for the first time shook Ye Qingfeng to his core. Even though he had 80% ether adaptability, would he also become like this if he stayed in the Hollow too long?

It was certain... He completely abandoned his previous indifference. Now, he had only one thought: get out of the Hollow as fast as possible—even if he died, he wanted a dignified death!

No! I don’t want to die...

But I can’t leave the Hollow alone—I need Anbi!

“Anbi...”

Ye Qingfeng instinctively turned toward Anbi, the one who’d always seemed more reliable on this journey—but his words were cut off by Billy speaking first.

“I figured. He’s been corrupted by ether—his mutation level is already this deep. Clearly, this guy had no ether adaptability.”

At this moment, Billy was nothing like his usual careless self. For some reason, he now radiated an air of absolute reliability.

“...ughhhhh! Eliminate... don’t take it... eeehhhh!”

The white-haired man emitted incoherent words and agonized cries.

“He still has some consciousness left!”

Anbi watched him warily and warned Billy beside her.

Billy shook his head slightly, his gun still steadily aimed at the man. “Too late. Ether crystals are spread throughout his body. He’s already...”

“Ughhh! Save me... eliminate... eeehhhh!”

The white-haired man’s cries grew louder, his expression twisting into something more monstrous.

Ether crystals kept emerging from his head and body, and the black sphere covering half his face continued to expand.

“A core’s forming!” Billy immediately warned, “Damn! He’s about to fully transform into a wraith!”

Behind them, Ye Qingfeng watched as ether crystals crawled across the man’s face until his entire head and back had transformed into a core—completely becoming an unconscious wraith.

His fear reached its peak at that moment!

He wasn’t afraid of the wraith before him—he was terrified of becoming one himself, an unconscious monster. That he could never accept!

He could accept his own death... but never becoming a monster!!!

I’ve got it! The System! Right—I still have the System! It won’t just let me die like this!

‘System, hurry up! Take me out! Tell me how to escape the Hollow!’

【Ding!... Sorry! Only the Carrot and the Rope Master have the ability to extract the host!】

“S-System! Send me back! Quick! I’ll die! I don’t want to become a monster! Why did I get reincarnated here?! Why me...?”

Ye Qingfeng stood frozen in despair—but the wraith ahead wouldn’t spare him just because he stood still. It wouldn’t hold back on any of the three.

“Tch, this guy’s tough—Anbi, get ready!” Billy warned Anbi beside him, then turned and shouted to Ye Qingfeng, “Qingfeng, find cover fast!”

【Ding! Host’s ether adaptability is very high—you won’t be in immediate danger. Don’t give up...】

“Yeah... you’re right, System...” Ye Qingfeng’s confused gaze gradually hardened with resolve. “Sorry... I said some self-defeating things...”

Though he now had the will to fight on, without any means to defeat the wraith, he obediently followed Billy’s advice and quickly found a hiding spot.

“Anbi! Billy, go for it!!”

Wow! This thing looks tough—and it’s even armed? Is this even fair?!

Hidden nearby, Ye Qingfeng noticed this wraith was different from any he’d seen before—it carried a large sword and had a shield on its other arm.

This is definitely an elite monster?!

Fortunately, Anbi and Billy were strong. Though it took time, they finally defeated the wraith. Just as Ye Qingfeng was about to relax, he saw it rise again—as if fully healed.

That’s so cheap...

“It regenerated. Its ether activity is still rising!”

Anbi watched the situation warily and asked Billy beside her, “Keep attacking?”

“No! Our current firepower isn’t suited for a war of attrition!” Billy thought quickly and immediately rejected Anbi’s suggestion, firing bullets at the fire extinguishers scattered around.

“Let’s go! Qingfeng!”

The bullets shattered the fire extinguishers, instantly spraying thick smoke. Seizing the moment, Billy grabbed Anbi’s arm and shouted for Ye Qingfeng behind the wall to retreat.

The wraith reacted instantly, slashing through the smoke with one blow—but it was too late. The three were already gone.

“Billy, I didn’t know you could be this cool when you’re serious!”

After successfully escaping, Ye Qingfeng praised the serious-looking Billy.

“Nah~”

Billy struck a ridiculously over-the-top pose. “I’ve always been this cool!!”

“...”

“...”