CHAPTER 573: CHAPTER 573: THIS IS A FUN ONE

Everyone stared at Chen Peng, trying to figure out what he meant.

Fortunately, he knew his explanation was too vague, so he elaborated.

"For example, we might be in a city right now, a city full of people. The Main God might cause certain disasters to break out in this city to test our abilities."

"Disasters? What kind of disasters?"

"It’s uncertain. Maybe a virus outbreak, war, gang conflict, or even natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes. Anything that fits the environment could happen."

The group exchanged looks, still not quite understanding the purpose behind the Main God’s actions.

"Are all the dangers random? Is this just a test of our ability to respond?"

"Not random." Chen Peng waved his hand. "The Main God will provide information in advance, letting you know what kind of crisis you’re about to face. Whether you can find that information depends on you. This is also part of the test."

Ethan listened quietly. He found this Main God rather interesting. However, this so-called novice trial seemed more about discovering capable Reincarnators rather than simply increasing numbers.

By now, those familiar with the infinite flow genre already understood the ’rules of the game’ in this world. They began searching the room.

As they looked around, the once eerily silent environment changed. From outside, faint sounds could be heard—people talking, cars driving.

"The protection period is over."

Fatty Wang Hai rushed toward the coffee table. His speed was surprisingly fast for his build, his movements unexpectedly agile. Everyone noticed, watching as he picked up the newspaper on the table.

He had a smug look for a moment, but his next action changed everyone’s opinion of him.

"I know my limits. With my physique, I’ll need to rely on you guys to survive. So, no matter what information I find, I’ll share it with everyone. I think this newspaper contains clues about the crisis we’re about to face. While I’m doing this, you guys should look around for anything else... My stamina’s poor, but my brain works fine, so this is what I can do."

Zhang Yi nodded and went to search another room. Zhou Shulin, the middle-aged man, thought for a moment, then approached the front door. After gently twisting the doorknob and confirming it could be opened, he didn’t step outside immediately. Instead, he stood at the doorway and looked out.

"We seem to have arrived in a foreign country?"

The diverse faces on the street, the completely different layout from the East, and the signs in English confirmed it.

Chen Peng frowned when he heard this. He glanced briefly at Ethan but didn’t say anything.

"Novice trials can indeed place you in entirely different environments. It’s also part of the test—to see if you can adapt and complete the mission in an unfamiliar setting."

Zhou Shulin shook his head.

"I only know how to say hello and goodbye. Does anyone here speak English?" He then looked at Ethan. "Ah, right, we have a foreign friend here."

"That’s not a problem. Just say you’re here for tourism, visiting relatives, or looking for work."

Ethan also walked to the window and looked out. He couldn’t determine exactly where they were, but according to Chen Peng, this should be a temporary small world created by the Main God. It looked like a North American town. In just a short while, he saw people of different ethnicities—African Americans, Eastern Europeans, Latinos, and Asians. The diversity would make it easier for them to blend in.

From the accents, it sounded like the Southwestern United States. He had spent a lot of time in Los Angeles in the Marvel universe and was familiar with that accent.

After looking for a while, Zhao Ying found a set of clothes and shoes and had already changed out of her suit skirt and high heels.

Zhang Yi circled the room and confirmed that there was plenty of food and bottled water in the kitchen, as well as a first-aid kit with bandages, hemostatic agents, and antibiotics.

"Sounds like a lot of supplies."

Zhao Ying bit her lip and took something from her clothes.

"I also found these..."

It was an inconspicuous paper packet, but when unfolded, it revealed a thick stack of banknotes.

"They’re US dollars, and quite a lot."

The men’s expressions darkened.

Zhao Ying didn’t understand why. She had considered hiding the money, since it was a large amount, but after seeing how serious everyone was about surviving, she decided to hand it over. She never expected their expressions to worsen afterward. Would they kick her out?

Chen Peng noticed her growing panic and reassured her quietly.

"Don’t overthink it. We’re just considering something else."

By then, Wang Hai had finished flipping through the newspaper, his face grim. Looking at the stack of money, he asked what everyone was thinking.

"Is our Main God really this generous? Would he give us this much at the start?"

"Usually, he wouldn’t..."

They had been provided a safe place, food and water, sufficient funds, a first-aid kit, and a newspaper full of clues. The Main God seemed unusually considerate this time.

"Never mind that for now, what’s in the newspaper?"

Wang Hai rubbed his face and summarized the news. He didn’t give his personal interpretation right away but objectively listed the contents.

After everyone had a general understanding, he shared his thoughts.

"A local gang and a new gang from out of town have been clashing frequently, with constant shootouts. The police are struggling to maintain control. The paper says a shootout last night even turned into a three-way fight between the two gangs and SWAT, with casualties on all sides."

At first glance, it seemed they only had to deal with human-made disasters, but the others who listened to the full report knew it wasn’t that simple.

"This news takes up most of the space, but some other sections shouldn’t be ignored."

Chen Peng nodded silently, letting Wang Hai continue.

Wang Hai flipped to another page and pointed it out.

"It mentions ’man-eating monsters’ appearing in the city, suspected to be caused by a rabies outbreak, and warns citizens to beware of wild animals."

The group exchanged uneasy looks.

"Zombies?"

"Possibly." Wang Hai nodded, though uncertain. Then he turned another page. "It also reports an incident at the zoo where several wolves escaped. Some people believe these so-called monsters are just the escaped wolves."

Zhao Ying, who had just relaxed a little, turned pale again.

Gang wars, wolves, and zombies?

She could understand the first two, but zombies? Those only existed in movies. Yet everything that had happened so far told her that anything was possible.

Only Ethan remained calm. None of this really concerned him. Still, he kept a solemn expression so as not to draw attention. His acting skills were apparently quite good, since no one noticed anything strange.

"There’s also a weather warning. A storm is approaching, and the city will likely be hit by a typhoon in half a month."

"Are all these arranged by the Main God? He’s overestimating us, isn’t he?"

They looked through the paper again and summarized the possible threats.

The worst-case scenario was a zombie outbreak, meaning they’d have to survive in a city full of monsters for thirty days.

Even before that, the constant gang wars already made things dangerous. Police had advised residents not to go out, especially at night. Add the wolves roaming the streets and the incoming typhoon, and this month was shaping up to be disastrous.

"If we’re lucky... maybe there won’t be zombies?"

No one responded. Finally, Wang Hai explained, "If this is truly a mission set by the Main God’s Space, then things will almost always develop toward the worst-case scenario."

He only hoped he had found all the clues. If he had missed any, an even greater disaster might strike later.

Chen Peng had remained silent ever since Wang Hai began analyzing. Ethan noticed that the guide’s job didn’t include babysitting newcomers.

The others realized this too. To survive the next thirty days, they couldn’t count on this veteran’s protection.

"Anyway, since the Main God gave us enough funds, let’s think about what to do next... or rather, how to use this money."

(To be continued.)