CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 56: GREEDY AND CONFIDENT

The youth who suddenly barged into the candy house was named Xiao Wang.

The Nightmare Mother 98725 suspected that this probably wasn’t the young man’s real name, but just a title.

It knew...

The word "Wang" in the Chinese language system should have the meaning of "ruler".

Previously, it mistakenly understood "Xiao Wang" as "reserve ruler" or "Crown Prince".

As a result, 98725 wasted the last mature spore on him.

But after the successful parasitism, 98725 belatedly realized it might have made a mistake.

This Xiao Wang, similar to other hairless erect apes of little utility, was only fit to become its nourishment!

...

In the dream candy house, Xiao Wang gouged out his left eye in front of Song Chu.

The smell of rusty blood filled the small cabin.

"I trade this eye for a lifetime of inexhaustible wealth!"

Pain, that sort of thing, he had long since used in trade.

Even if he dug out his left eye, he remained unfazed.

This bizarre scene made Song Chu’s scalp tingle, feeling as if a chill had swept over him, raising goosebumps on his arms.

Meanwhile, Song Chu sorrowfully realized the hunger in his belly was growing stronger.

"If I eat this food, will I become like him?"

"Hold on..."

"Just hang in a bit longer!"

"Ma Ran should be here soon!"

Song Chu simply walked out of the candy house, closed the door, and shut his eyes.

Out of sight, out of mind.

...

When Xiao Wang gouged out his left eye in the dream candy house, the golden ball hovering in front of the shelter’s gate visibly grew larger.

excitedly released more dust.

If it could digest the brainwaves of everyone in this area...

It wouldn’t need to cower anymore!

Unfortunately, the situation of those parasitized by spores and those hypnotized by dust into dreams was different.

If the former were directly sent into 98725’s stomach, quickly digested by stomach acid,

Then the latter was held in 98725’s mouth, slowly broken down by saliva enzymes, with incomparable efficiency.

Just as 98725 was fantasying, it heard a muffled "bang".

Like a thunderclap rolling!

The underground tunnel echoed!

A scorching bullet directly shattered half of 98725’s body.

"Found you."

Ma Ran’s somewhat indifferent voice echoed in front of the shelter.

He firmly gripped the Hunting Elephant, quickly rushed towards 98725, and pressed the muzzle against its half-remaining torso: "Don’t play dead, I know you won’t die that easily."

Although 98725’s comprehension of Mandarin was very limited, Ma Ran’s body language, eyes, and expressions accurately conveyed his will.

Originally shot to bits, 98725 began to wriggle rapidly.

Pieces similar to jade-like golden fragments gradually gathered at the wound.

In just two breaths, 98725 completely returned to its original state as if it had not suffered any injury at all.

Its body structure had no vocal capabilities, yet it could transmit its emotions through simulating electromagnetic waves.

Anger!

Threat!

"Good."

"I like a tough nut."

"I hope you won’t disappoint me later."

Ma Ran nodded, expressionless, single-handedly gripping and dragging 98725 out of the underground tunnel.

He casually took an M7 high-explosive grenade from his backpack, tore off the pull ring, and hurled it fiercely.

Boom!

Brilliant fireworks burst open in the air.

The intense shock wave snapped two nearby poplar trees in half!

The grenade shrapnel, propelled by heat, shot out, obliterating the grass within the kill zone.

Using high-explosive weapons in a confined space is a rookie mistake.

If this thing exploded in the underground tunnel...

Ma Ran wasn’t sure if the Nightmare Mother would die,

But Song Chu’s eardrums would definitely burst, more likely causing internal bleeding and instant death.

"I have over a dozen of these in my backpack."

Ma Ran icily eyed 98725: "Indeed, your regeneration is impressive."

"But..."

"If these high-explosive grenades detonate in succession①, you’re dead."

"Release Song Chu and the others in the A3 District from the dream."

"Or you’ll die now!"

didn’t understand Mandarin, but it could roughly grasp Ma Ran’s intent through his behavior.

Ma Ran was counter-threatening it!

He had the ability to kill it outright but hadn’t acted yet.

Why?

Because he feared if it died, the people trapped in the dream would die too!

That was indeed the truth.

But 98725 didn’t know where Ma Ran obtained this information.

Regardless, it was a significant bargaining chip!

"No!"

A familiar voice echoed in the forest.

It was Xiao Wang’s voice.

Ma Ran followed the sound and saw him wearing his usual military uniform, staring directly at him.

However, at this moment, Xiao Wang’s left eye lacked any luster as if it had gone blind.

Having seen it all, Ma Ran immediately realized this was a negative impact of a damaged soul!

During peacetime, some experience amputations due to car accidents or disease.

After amputation, many patients experience a short-term illusion, thinking their severed limb is still there and usable.

This was the combined effect of the soul and remaining nerve endings’ instinct.

Controlled by the Nightmare Mother 98725, Xiao Wang firmly stared at Ma Ran, squeezing out a hard word through clenched teeth: "No!"

was sure if it let them go, its life would immediately be in jeopardy.

In that case, it might as well maintain the status quo and continue stalling, prolonging the stalemate!

Ma Ran, worried, would not easily destroy it!

...

Ma Ran pondered for a moment, gripping the object resembling a golden pomelo, slowly raising it before his eyes: "I understand your intention."

"I can also understand your concerns."

"How about this..."

Here, Ma Ran pointed at his chest as if compromising, actively changing his conditions: "I’ll be your hostage."

"Trade me for Song Chu!"

Guarding civilization isn’t a dinner party, an essay, a piece of painting or embroidery; it can’t be that refined, composed, mild, or courteous.

When conditions allow, one must unite all forces possible and exploit all factors available!

Only those who fully utilize their intellect and potential can be deemed excellent Civilization Guardians and have the capability to save towers from toppling and steady turbulent tides amidst recurring disasters!

In the A3 District Nightmare event, Song Chu was the bait, and Ma Ran himself was too.

Reluctant to sacrifice children, you can’t catch a wolf.

Coming to the A3 District solely to rescue, leveraging Inner Qi to the Sixth Rank, wouldn’t satisfy Ma Ran’s appetite.

He’s greedy!

Yet confident enough!

Before coming, Ma Ran had made all the necessary preparations.

He believed he would be the last one laughing.

"No... no..."

The Nightmare Mother 98725 knew "Song Chu" was a term for the tall youth.

It expressed its thoughts through Xiao Wang: "No refusal!"

① Successive explosions: A phenomenon where an explosion triggers another explosion at a location via a shock wave generated through an inert medium (like air). The difficulty depends on the shock sensitivity of the explosive, commonly used in blast operations.