Chapter 98: Tunnel (2nd Update, Asking for Monthly Tickets)

The moment Ding Junyi finished speaking, the other three’s expressions changed abruptly, and the air instantly grew cold.

As if in response, just as she finished, Lin Xian’s voice came through the transponder.

“We can come and rescue you. Please open the GF2 tunnel gate.”

Hearing this, the few people in the laboratory shot to their feet, their eyes fervent, joy overflowing in their expressions.

“They agreed! We’re saved!!”

“Director Ding was right after all…” Xu Wen said with a grim expression.

“It’s a good thing Director Ding stopped you, otherwise you would have caused a disaster.” Zhao Yan glared at Xu Wen, but she too could hardly contain her excitement.

Ding Junyi’s expression remained impassive. She had no time to argue with them. She directly operated the system to open the gate to the underground access tunnel and at the same time spoke into the communicator.

“The access tunnel has a total length of 31,650 meters with a gradient of 59.5‰. The backup power is insufficient to support the electromagnetic deceleration system, so you need to maintain a speed within 20KM/h. Also, pay attention to the thermal load of the brake shoes. Although the 127 surveillance sensor systems in the tunnel have not reported any anomalies, I suggest you turn on your lights and be careful.”

On the GF2 platform, the Infinity slowly started up. The gate to the underground city’s access tunnel opened ahead. Lin Xian and Chen Sixuan stood in the cockpit, their expressions serious as they listened to Ding Junyi’s words.

“Your name is Ding Junyi, right?” Lin Xian asked while operating the train and pressing the transponder.

“Yes.”

“This is the Infinity. I am the train master, Lin Xian.”

“Hello, Mr. Lin.”

“Where is the area where you discovered the subterranean creatures?” Lin Xian asked.

“Level 106. Currently, all levels below 100 are under construction. Elevator 3 could originally go down to the 95th sub-level, but contact has been lost below the 89th sub-level. So it’s best for you to dock at the level-four freight rail terminal on the 65th sub-level. Afterward, you can also use freight elevator 3 to directly load various supplies onto the train cars.”

“Okay, what specific area are you in on the 52nd sub-level?”

“Area F13. The elevator exit is in Area K2. There are many zombies in the corridor outside, but there are also area signs. Once you enter the elevator, I can open the image transmission. I will tell you the detailed route then. The distance is about 1.9 kilometers.”

“Alright.”

The other party’s instructions were very clear. Lin Xian had Chen Sixuan sit firmly in the driver’s seat, then controlled the Infinity to enter the dark access tunnel and began to head underground.

Whoosh~ Whoosh~

After entering the tunnel, the train began to slide downwards, the wheels making a whooshing sound. Ahead, the lights illuminated a long stretch of track. As the train continued to wind its way down, everyone on board felt a faint pain in their eardrums.

“Everyone, hold on tight!”

Lin Xian shouted to the back. At the same time, he continuously controlled the vehicle’s deceleration to avoid derailment and loss of control.

In front of the train’s headlights, yellow signs indicating the distance and level kept appearing.

[Level 10, -65M]

[Level 30, -175M]

[Level 50, -255M]

[Level 60, -301M]

The entire train was like a roller coaster, spiraling down through the dark tunnel. A damp, earthy smell from underground gradually seeped into the train cars.

Finally, after a section of gentle downward slope, the Infinity arrived at the level-four freight rail terminal of Underground City No. 9.

[Level 65, -325M]

Screech~

The wheels of the Infinity train were scorching hot, emitting searing steam as it came to a steady stop on a pitch-black platform. Through the windows, they could see many broken lights still flickering, occasionally sparking.

Shasha, Kiki, and Chen Sixuan all came to the window, peering outside with the help of the faint light.

As far as the eye could see, it was a huge freight loading and unloading platform, complete with a dedicated crane system and conveyor belts. However, it seemed that something terrible had happened here. The ground, the walls, everywhere was covered in dark red bloodstains. There were also many mutilated corpses on the platform.

The enclosed space itself created a great sense of oppression and fear. What’s more, they were now 325 meters underground. The thought that almost everyone in this underground city was dead, and that the entire underground might be buried with hundreds of thousands of zombies and unknown subterranean creatures, was enough to send a chill down one’s spine.

Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian with an uneasy expression. “How should we proceed?”

“We’ll split up.”

Lin Xian pointed to the access tunnel behind them. “There’s only one way out of here. We can’t have any accidents, otherwise we’ll have to abandon the train and fight our way up from the underground city with our bare hands.”

“Shasha, Sixuan, same as usual. You take weapons and guard the train to prevent anyone from cutting off our retreat. Kiki, Dalou, and I will go to the 52nd sub-level to rescue the people first. After we come back, depending on the time and the actual situation, we’ll decide which areas to go to to collect supplies.”

With the map unexplored, Lin Xian couldn’t just search randomly in this huge underground city. They didn’t have much time either, so they could only search for targets with a specific purpose. Otherwise, with each level having an area of ten to twenty square kilometers, by the time they searched layer by layer, they would be exhausted to death, not to mention being killed by zombies and anomalies.

The clearest plan was to find Ding Junyi’s group first, confirm the internal situation in detail, and then deploy separately according to the time to decide which areas to investigate.

The internal situation of the underground city was complex and unknown. Shasha and Chen Sixuan had no abilities, and their physical fitness couldn’t keep up with Lin Xian’s group. It would be safer for the two of them to stay on the train together.

With the tasks assigned, Lin Xian, Dalou, and Kiki were all fully armed. He brought the GK03 electric knife, a submachine gun, and a pistol. Kiki also took an automatic rifle. Dalou, as usual, had a light machine gun and brought a lot of ammunition.

At the same time, the three of them also brought the gas masks they had obtained from the outpost before. After all, it was an enclosed space, and they needed to be more thorough in their considerations.

“We don’t know how many zombies are in here. Don’t waste your energy on them.”

The cockpit door opened, and Lin Xian said to Kiki.

“I know~” Kiki didn’t seem nervous at all, giggling. “Didn’t I tell you my ability has already evolved? It won’t run out of power after just a few uses.”

Lin Xian looked at her. “Then how many times can you use it?”

“How would I know? Anyway, it’s much stronger than before.”

“Alright…”

Thump. Lin Xian was the first to step down, his foot landing on the ground of the loading platform with a crisp sound.

The ground seemed to be wet and damp.

“Everyone be careful.” Lin Xian turned back and gestured to Chen Sixuan to close the door. A mixture of musty, earthy smells and the stench of blood rushed into the car, making Chen Sixuan and Shasha feel nauseous. After closing the door, it was much better.

The walkie-talkie was currently showing a green light, indicating that short-range communication was not yet affected. Ever since encountering the three-headed spider monster in Yuchi City, Lin Xian had suddenly figured out a detail.

That was, the communication status of the walkie-talkie might give some hints as to whether there were any anomalies nearby.

This sounded a bit like a poor man’s version of the Aether Value Detector. Although it might not be completely accurate, it could still serve as a reminder.