Lin Ye stared blankly at the chat group. These people were truly bold—he didn't even dare to casually mutate his own body. Was this the so-called ignorance being bliss?

Lin Ye chose not to share the dangers of mutation in the group, merely replying:

Lin Ye: I haven't mutated. Feels pretty dangerous, kinda scared.

He withheld warnings because his own understanding of mutation remained superficial. Regarding matters he wasn't thoroughly familiar with, he preferred staying silent. Since the system provided Mutation Cards, their usage must be part of survival—something beyond Lin Ye's interference.

After finishing his tasteless half energy bar, Lin Ye opened the trading interface. Comparing patterns, he kept one of each type and listed the remaining arm and leg Mutation Cards for trade, seeking cards for other body parts or miscellaneous items.

Soon, Lin Ye received a private message from Zhang Liang.

Zhang Liang: Brother Lin, greetings.

Lin Ye: What's up?

Zhang Liang: About those Mutation Cards... do you understand them?

Lin Ye: Somewhat, but not deeply enough. Didn't want to mislead others, so I kept quiet.

Zhang Liang: Could you explain to me?

Lin Ye: Mutation's dangerous. Better wait.

Zhang Liang: ...That's it?

Lin Ye: Yes.

Zhang Liang: Do you need any of these Mutation Cards?

Zhang Liang sent several card images.

Lin Ye: I don't have the fourth one yet.

Zhang Liang immediately initiated the trade, transferring the card to Lin Ye.

Zhang Liang: Could you elaborate more?

Lin Ye: Mutation works by absorbing energy to strengthen the body, with mutation organs being intermediate results. The process must stay within limits, or it'll cause severe physical and mental damage. But maintaining those limits is difficult. The shelter's relatively safe, but in the red maze, simply breathing and moving automatically absorbs energy that strengthens you. That's why I advise against using Mutation Cards.

Zhang Liang: So even without cards, we'll mutate through red maze activities?

Lin Ye: No. Energy absorption from breathing/moving affects the body extremely slowly—nothing compared to card usage. My point is: if you use cards then enter the maze, short-term exposure won't hurt, but prolonged exposure will destroy you. Since the system gives cards, solutions must exist later. But not using them now might get you killed outside. Your choice.

Zhang Liang: Understood. Thanks for explaining.

Lin Ye: Don't mention it. You paid for it.

………………

Zhang Liang: President, done. He took Card #4. Screenshot attached.

Wu Ming: Good work. As expected—Card #4 is rarest. We only have two in the society.

Zhang Liang: Should we share this info with members?

Wu Ming: Tiered disclosure. Only core members get the red maze details.

Zhang Liang: Received.

Wu Ming: Don't use Mutation Cards yet—too risky. Contact me for needs.

Zhang Liang: Yes, thank you for your concern.

………………

Night arrived swiftly. Finishing his remaining half energy bar, Lin Ye received a system prompt:

[Nighttime Activity Commencing]

[Tonight's Event: Maze Exploration]

[Participate?]

[09:59]

"Yes."

Lin Ye geared up within thirty seconds—his backpack already prepared for immediate departure. The ten-minute countdown elapsed rapidly. Setting down his cat, Lin Ye watched the timer hit zero.

[00:00]

…………………

Rubbing his head, Lin Ye rose from the dark red floor. Familiar corridors and rooms surrounded him. Backpack and weapons remained intact.

[First three nights: Increased treasure chest spawn rate. Reduced high-tier entity appearances. Improved chest loot quality. First opened chest guarantees shelter upgrade blueprint.]

[Nighttime Activity Commenced]

[01:59:59]

[Item Acquired: Lucky Cat Tail Charm]

[Lucky Cat Tail Charm]

[Improves treasure chest loot quality]

[Note: They say cats have nine lives—so presumably nine tails too?]

The charm was a cat tail necklace. Wearing it, Lin Ye felt warmth around his neck. This reminded him of the cross necklace found earlier—non-system item with unknown effects.

The cross necklace remained in his backpack alongside Mutation Cards, red liquid, food, and medicine—he'd brought everything potentially useful. Testing it, Lin Ye donned the cross necklace and instantly relived the tunnel experience, regaining those monstrous supernatural senses.

"Shit!"

Lin Ye hastily removed it. Such intense effects suggested possible side effects—better study this later in shelter safety. Stowing the necklace, Lin Ye began searching for locked red rooms and blood-corpses. Five more mutation organs were needed for shelter upgrade.

Now armed with bullets, ordinary mutants posed no threat. Even those previous blood-corpses might not warrant bullet expenditure. His simulation experience provided detailed knowledge of mutant biology—their mutation organs were vital weak points. Destroy those, and the rest became easy.

Mutation sites were usually conspicuous. Within five minutes, Lin Ye found a locked red room.

Between traded keys and existing stock, Lin Ye possessed seven red keys plus one special metallic red key—no shortage concerns. Following routine, he knocked first. Just as he assumed no response would come, faint footsteps sounded inside.

"Bonus encounter?"

Louder knocks elicited distinct growls and bodily impacts against the door.

'Sounds like a blood-corpse. Use the pistol? Feels wasteful.'

Most surviving D-Class personnel knew basic combat—Lin Ye had acquired some skills through simulation too. After consideration, he positioned his pistol for quick access, drew his dagger with right hand, unlocked the door with left while stepping back.

Thud!

The blood-corpse burst out, charging madly. Lin Ye sidestepped the lunge, stomping hard on its left knee's flank.

Crack!

The knee deformed instantly. Before the off-balance creature could react, Lin Ye plunged his dagger into its abnormally distended flank—likely the mutation site. Yanking the blade free, Lin Ye sprinted away. The limping blood-corpse pursued briefly before collapsing motionless.