In Great Misfortune

Cheng Shuili could find her own location, and naturally, so could the others.

The main problem was that this hellish place held more than just their team, and it was constantly raining, with the added possibility of monsters appearing.

Moving recklessly was far too risky.

Everyone was a core member of Cheng Shuili’s team; no matter who got into trouble, it would be a significant loss.

Including Liang Shanbo.

Without her, who else would have such good luck?

Wasn't this trip also a blessing from this mascot? Aside from Cheng Shuili’s team, who else could have discovered the map so early?

Cheng Shuili shook her head, deciding not to dwell on that anymore.

The most important thing now was whether they should find someone to group up with, or head directly to the location marked with the exclamation point?

Cheng Shuili’s gaze shifted rapidly between the map and her teammates' information.

The "patter" of acid rain hitting her lizard skin raincoat and the "hissing" of it corroding metal wove together into an anxiety-inducing background track.

Scattered teammates, unknown dangers, and that glaring red exclamation point on the map—every factor was tugging at her nerves.

Prioritize grouping up, or dash straight for the target?

Grouping up meant safety; there was strength in numbers, providing more confidence to face emergencies.

But in this vast, abandoned factory zone with extremely low visibility, filled with corrosive acid rain and potentially lurking monsters, searching for every teammate would consume a massive amount of time, with huge variables.

Besides, who could guarantee there wouldn't be casualties on the way to rendezvous?

Heading straight to the red warehouse was the most efficient option and might allow them to seize the initiative.

But letting her teammates traverse dangerous zones alone to meet up—especially since New Snow seemed to lack proper rain protection—was akin to pushing them into harm's way.

If there were monsters guarding that spot, and the scattered teammates couldn't provide timely support, they would just be walking into a trap.

The weight of responsibility and the scales of risk swayed violently in her mind.

【Angry Crow Takes Flight】: @everyone, do not act rashly for now. Prioritize ensuring your own safety. @New Snow Clearing, what about your raincoat? Where is your raincoat?

Cheng Shuili’s words truly carried a sense of frustration at their lack of preparedness.

But New Snow didn't lag behind.

【New Snow Clearing】: Boss QAQ! I am wearing the raincoat, but the rain seems to seep in a little bit, and it burns like fire when it touches my skin! I moved further into the corridor, and it’s much better now.

【Wan Yi】: @Angry Crow Takes Flight, Boss, I suggest we just split up and move toward the red warehouse marked on the map. Delaying might be even more dangerous. I am very close to Ailin, so I think I can try to move in Ailin’s direction, and then the two of us will go together.

Cheng Shuili: “......”

Was it these two that Cheng Shuili was worried about?

Before Cheng Shuili could say anything, Ailin suddenly spoke up.

【Ai Mi Li】: Don't! Wan Yi, don't move! On my side... ah, I think there is a monster here. I heard some sound behind the iron barrel... like something is crawling...

Cheng Shuili gasped, finally realizing that even if they just stood in place, danger would constantly come knocking.

Giving up on moving just because of the fear of danger was putting the cart before the horse.

Cheng Shuili seized the moment to show her resolve.

【Angry Crow Takes Flight】: Everyone, rush directly to that exclamation point. I have looked at our positions; Liang Shanbo is very close to that exclamation point and can wait in place for us to arrive so we can move together. Everyone else, be extra careful. If you encounter danger on the way, or run into other players, be extremely cautious. If you judge that you cannot handle it, find a place to hide, state your position in the group, and wait for the others to come to you!

Her instructions were, one could say, very clear.

The chaotic group chat suddenly calmed down, like a swarm of buzzing bees finding nectar, and everyone replied one by one that they had received the message.

Cheng Shuili still wasn't at ease, so she asked: “@Liang Shanbo, are you safe there for now? If it’s not safe, change your position immediately; don't just sit there like a fool.”

If her previous concern for Liang Shanbo was just basic care for a member, this sentence practically treated Liang Shanbo like an idiot.

A normal person might feel uncomfortable, but their little mascot only felt warmed.

The boss is so concerned about her... the boss is so kind...

【Liang Shanbo vs. Pig】: Okay! The control room I am in is safe for now; I can barely block the door with a cabinet. I will look at the map more carefully... wait! Why is there a small screen here?

Everyone's heart was pulled tight.

【Angry Crow Takes Flight】: What is written on the screen?!

【Liang Shanbo vs. Pig】: It says... “Purification core activated, periodic acid rain intensity will reach its peak in thirty minutes. During the peak, standard protection will be ineffective.” There is a countdown below... there is still a little over fifty-six minutes left.

Fifty-six minutes?

They had just entered the dungeon three minutes ago, so the time matched perfectly.

In other words, one hour after entering the dungeon, the intensity of the acid rain would reach its peak?!

“Peak period… standard protection ineffective?”

Cheng Shuili’s heart went cold, and she immediately looked at the lizard skin raincoat on her body.

Right now, this was the only thing players had that could effectively protect against acid rain.

But if the rain's intensity surged... and this thing’s protective effect failed...

A sense of crisis instantly overwhelmed all her hesitation!

They had to get indoors or find a safer shelter as soon as possible!

That red warehouse was very likely the key!

【Angry Crow Takes Flight】: Everyone, proceed according to the original plan, move immediately.

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

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

The rain almost merged into a gray-yellow curtain of water, and visibility decreased further.

The mud underfoot became deeper, and she occasionally stepped on broken metal parts or unknown hard objects.

Night Hunt was gripped tightly in her hand, its cold touch bringing a trace of composure. Her senses were heightened to the limit; amidst the sound of rain, the hissing of corrosion, and her own heartbeat, she struggled to catch any hint of discordant noise.

The rain seemed to get heavier, and movement became exceptionally difficult.

Must be faster!

Following the guidance of the map in her memory, she passed under a huge, heavily rusted pipe.

Above the pipe, streams of gathered acid rain poured down like small waterfalls, smashing into the ground and splashing highly corrosive mud.

Cheng Shuili leaned against the inner wall of the pipe and moved forward with difficulty, trying her best to avoid the waterfalls.

Just then, the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of a figure flashing by in the shadow of a pile of abandoned shipping containers to her side.

There shouldn't be anyone here.

To be precise, there shouldn't be any teammates here.

In other words... it was a player from another team?

Cheng Shuili had indeed worried about running into other players, but she had been worried about others in her team running into them, and now this person had bumped into her...

Then he was truly in great misfortune.