“No good, they’re moving too fast!” Jiang Hui heard someone below grit their teeth. They had switched to this path after running into trouble on the other side, where their heads nearly got blasted by flying debris. So, even knowing this route was tougher, they had no choice but to take it.
Now, their journey was halfway done, and the remaining half seemed much easier—just look at the two ahead, one of them even carrying someone on their back.
Hope was within sight, and they were close to escaping this dire situation. But reality decided to play a cruel joke on them.
Damn it, why now of all times? Why this exact moment? Couldn’t it at least wait until they reached the platform of the exit passage, or crossed the exit? Why now?!
The group cursed inwardly, but their bodies were more honest, scrambling upward in a frantic, undignified rush, all pretense of composure abandoned.
Watching the two ahead, who were moving faster and seemed more likely to escape, they couldn’t quite pin down the mix of feelings in their hearts.
The crevice on the left was growing wider, slicing horizontally and gradually turning into a terrifying “abyss.” What started as a crack just a few meters long now slanted downward toward Jiang Hui’s group, looking like it would soon cut them off below.
This was why the people below were panicking. They had seen with their own eyes how the massive crevice on the other side’s walkway prevented people from crossing the chasm to reach the exit platform. If this crevice extended toward them, splitting the path ahead, it would mean they couldn’t reach the upper platform either—and that they’d be trapped.
Their only option now was to speed up, to reach the top before the horizontal crevice stretched across their path.
That’s why they said the speed was “too slow.” Whether it was the intersection of the upper platform or the way the crack was now slanting toward them, everything suggested they’d be cut off below… while the two ahead still had a sliver of a chance.
Damn it, why couldn’t they react faster or choose this path from the start like the two ahead? With their speed, they would’ve surely outpaced them. But now, it was all pointless—no use crying over spilled milk.
In this irreversible situation, all plans and schemes were mere illusions. Everyone could only accept reality and fight for their one and only life, racing against death.
To the group lagging just a step behind, Jiang Hui and Clarens seemed relatively at ease, having secured a clear advantage.
But for Jiang Hui and Clarens, the situation was equally dire.
Sometimes, Jiang Hui truly “hated” her intuition. She saw the crevice—saw its countless possible paths, saw it stretching under countless forces, like a gaping maw widening toward them, aiming straight for their necks.
Barring any surprises, this crevice would definitely land somewhere around them, and not too far off…
If it fell behind them, that’d be ideal—they’d still have a chance to reach the upper platform. But if it landed ahead, they’d be in trouble, likely meeting the same fate as the struggling group on the other side. And if they were even unluckier… a single misstep could send them plummeting into the crevice, with unthinkable consequences.
Even the seemingly best outcome—where the crevice fell behind them—was fraught with danger. Jiang Hui hadn’t forgotten that the crevice didn’t just appear out of nowhere; its formation stemmed from the shifting chaos of the battle zone.
That battle zone’s influence was expanding, affecting the surrounding environment and people—not just those below, scrambling to climb up, but also those crowded at the exit passage above.
Weren’t those people at risk of being hit by flying debris? Didn’t they worry that the battle zone might spread directly to them? Could they really stay calm and orderly, proceeding to the exit under these circumstances?
No, they couldn’t! Things up there would only be more chaotic. Crowds pushing against each other have always been the most uncontrollable scenes of death and injury throughout history. Jiang Hui could hardly imagine the situation above. Even if they made it up, could they push through the frenzied mob to enter the passage? Could they safely traverse that not-so-short passage? It was all uncertain.
Jiang Hui wasn’t sure if she could manage it alone, but with Clarens in tow, it was almost impossible.
So, no matter the scenario, it was bad—terribly bad.
Countless harsh curses flashed through Jiang Hui’s mind, but she ultimately held back from letting those emotions spill out. She knew it was pointless and would only burden her teammate with more negativity.
“If… if I…” the other suddenly spoke, voice strained, as if struggling to get the words out. Of course it was strained—he was about to suggest that his companion leave him behind to gain a better chance at survival, to give up his own life. For a young person, that was unthinkable, yet here he was, doing just that.
Jiang Hui, carrying him on her back, couldn’t turn to see his expression. She only felt his hands gripping her shoulders tighten, trembling slightly.
What could he say at a time like this? Knowing his proud, stubborn nature, Jiang Hui could guess with a snort what he was about to say. Unable to hold back, she jolted him slightly, startling him.
“What? You think I’d toss you down? No way. Back in the orienteering battle, you carried me like this too. Even when I was a hassle, you didn’t abandon me…” So how could she abandon him now?
This was a life. To make such a sacrifice wouldn’t just betray their bond—it would mean discarding her principles, her bottom line, her basic humanity.
And would it even improve her chances of survival? Maybe, but it could just as easily backfire. The cost of such a choice would be far too great.
So, whether for reasons of emotion, duty, loyalty, or principle, Jiang Hui would never abandon Clarens—not even if he suggested it himself.
“Don’t overthink it. Focus on watching our surroundings; that’s what matters right now. I’ll move as fast as I can, and we’ll definitely make it up before the crevice catches us.”
Sensing the silence behind her, Jiang Hui continued, “Don’t worry, my luck… well, forget that. Let’s just say I’ve got a knack for surviving. I may not always turn danger into fortune, but I’m definitely hard to kill. With me here, we’ll make it out safely and meet up with the others.”
“Tonight, we’re still going to that nature restaurant to eat some good food and shake off the shock.” So, please, don’t give up just yet—
After a long pause, the hands that had briefly let go returned to rest on the girl’s shoulders. They were cold, yet carried a trace of warmth, as if touched by something comforting. It brought an inexplicable sense of calm to both of them.