Chapter 284: Really Bad Luck

Cheng Shuili could find her own position, and the other few people could naturally do the same.

The main problem is that this damned place isn't just their only team, and it's been raining continuously, with the possibility of monsters appearing.

Moving rashly carries too much risk.

Several people are the backbone of Cheng Shuili's team; whoever gets hurt would be a huge loss.

Including Liang Shan Bo.

Without her, who else would have such good luck?

Isn't this also thanks to that mascot's blessing? Besides Cheng Shuili's team, who could have discovered the map this early?

Cheng Shuili shook her head, no longer pondering this.

What's most important now is whether we should gather with someone or go straight to the exclamation mark's location.

Cheng Shuili's gaze flicked quickly between the map and her teammates' information.

The pattering of acid rain on the lizard-skin raincoat and the sizzle of corroding metal wove together into an irritating background.

The scattered teammates, unknown dangers, and that glaring red exclamation mark on the map—each factor tugged at her nerves.

Should we prioritize regrouping or go straight for the target?

Regrouping means safety; more people mean greater strength, giving us more confidence to face sudden situations.

But moving through this vast, derelict factory with extremely low visibility, filled with corrosive acid rain and possibly lurking monsters, to find each teammate would consume a lot of time and involve huge uncertainty.

Moreover, who can guarantee no casualties will occur during the regrouping?

Going straight to the red warehouse is the most efficient; perhaps we can seize the initiative.

But letting teammates each cross the dangerous zone to rendezvous, especially since Xinxue seems lacking proper rain protection, is tantamount to pushing them into peril.

If monsters guard that place, the scattered teammates couldn't timely support—it would be walking into a trap.

The weight of responsibility and the scale of risk swung violently in her heart.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: @Everyone, don't act rashly first. Prioritize your own safety. @Xin Xue Chuji, where's your raincoat? Your raincoat?

Cheng Shuili's words really carried a hint of 'hating iron for not becoming steel'.

But Xinxue wasn't lagging behind.

【Xin Xue Chuji】: Boss QAQ! I'm wearing the raincoat, but the rain seems to seep in a little; touching my skin it burns! I shifted a bit into the hallway, now it's much better.

【Wan Yi】: @Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji, Boss, I suggest we simply split up and head toward the red warehouse marked on the map. Delaying might be more dangerous. I'm close to Ailin; I think I can try moving toward her direction, then we two go together.

Cheng Shuili: "......"

Could the two she's worried about be these two?

Cheng Shuili hadn't said anything yet when Ailin suddenly spoke.

【Ai Mi Li】: Don't! Wan Yi sis, don't move! Over here... ah, I think there's a monster here. I hear some sound behind the iron drum... like something is crawling...

Cheng Shuili sucked in a breath of cold air, finally realizing that even just standing still, danger would keep coming.

It's putting the cart before the horse to abandon movement out of fear of danger.

Cheng Shuili timely summoned her resolve.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Everyone, charge straight for the exclamation mark. I checked our positions—Liang Shan Bo and the exclamation mark are close; we can wait here for the others to gather, then move together. Others, be extra careful. If you encounter danger or other players on the way, be cautious. If after judging you feel you lack confidence, find a place to hide, announce your location in the group, and wait for others to arrive!

Her arrangement could be said to be very clear.

The previously chaotic group chat instantly calmed, like a swarm of buzzing bees finding nectar; each person replied in turn acknowledging receipt.

Cheng Shuili still uneasy, she asked: '@Liang Shan Bo, is your place temporarily safe? If not, switch positions immediately—don't just stay there foolishly.'

If earlier concern for Liang Shan Bo was just basic care for a teammate, this remark practically called him an idiot.

A normal person might feel uncomfortable, but our little mascot only feels warm-hearted.

The boss cares so much for her... the boss is really great...

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Good! My side's control room is temporarily safe; I can barely block the door with a cabinet. Let me examine the map more closely... wait! Why is there a small screen here?

Everyone's hearts were lifted.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: What does the screen say?!

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: It reads... 'Purification core activated; periodic acid rain intensity will peak in thirty minutes. During the peak, standard protection is ineffective.' Below is a countdown... there are still over fifty-six minutes left.

Fifty-six minutes?

They've just entered the instance for over three minutes, and the timing matches up.

In other words, after one hour in the instance, the acid rain intensity will reach its peak?!

"Peak period… standard protection ineffective?"

Cheng Shuili's heart jolted; she immediately glanced at her lizard-skin raincoat.

Right now, the only raincoat players have that can effectively resist acid rain is this one.

But if the rain intensity spikes... if this thing's protective function fails...

The sense of crisis instantly overwhelmed all hesitation!

We must quickly get indoors or find a safer shelter!

That red warehouse is very likely the key!

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Everyone, per the original plan, act now.

The order was clear and decisive, carrying an undeniable urgency.

Cheng Shuili last checked her position and route on the map, took a deep breath, and resolutely charged into the denser acid rain.

The rain almost formed a gray‑yellow water curtain, further reducing visibility.

The mire underfoot grew deeper, occasionally stepping on broken metal parts or unknown hard objects.

Night Hunt was gripped tightly in her hand; its icy touch brought a hint of calm. Her senses were heightened to the extreme—aside from rain, corrosion, and her own heartbeat, she strained to catch any discordant sound.

The rain seemed a bit heavier, making movement extraordinarily difficult.

Need to go faster!

She followed the map's guidance from memory, passing under a huge, severely rusted pipe.

Above the pipe, streams of gathered acid rainwater poured down like small waterfalls, hitting the ground and kicking up highly corrosive mud splatters.

Cheng Shuili turned sideways, pressing tightly against the pipe's inner wall, advancing with difficulty while trying to avoid those waterfalls as much as possible.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of a shadow among a pile of discarded containers ahead to the side, as if a figure flashed by.

There shouldn't be anyone here.

To be exact, there shouldn't be any teammates.

In other words... could it be a player from another team?

Cheng Shuili had indeed worried about encountering other players, but that worry was about her teammates running into them; now this person had run into her...

He really had terrible luck.