Full-Time Public Enemy

"PANT—"

A massive panting sound echoed, carrying a sense of infinite fatigue that seemed to infect the professional mercenaries gathered outside the cave entrance. So tired, I just want to take a nap, they thought, as their eyelids grew heavy and their heartbeats slowed…

THUD!

The mercenaries, jolted instantly awake by the loud noise, exchanged looks of shock. "It's like a professional's power, yet like that of… a Mutant!"

They were unaware of what lay behind the cave entrance or that Dao Fu had already undergone a mutation. Chen Gu had slammed his fist against the stone wall, startling them awake.

"PANT—"

"PANT—" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"PANT—"

The panting grew nearer yet maintained a steady rhythm. Under its influence, everyone, including Xulong, despite being extremely vigilant, was once again washed over by a wave of drowsiness. They were nearly falling asleep without realizing…

"Everyone, wake up!" This time it was Xulong who suddenly snapped awake, his loud shout rousing the others. He also saw that Chen Gu had already raised his hand, ready to jolt them awake a second time.

The professional mercenaries felt fortunate for the second time, yet their hearts were filled with even greater horror: We were clearly on high alert, so how did we fall for it unknowingly again? And the same ability, no less!

Their expressions were grim, but at that moment, confronting Chen Gu was the last thing on their minds.

Xulong's expression turned even grimmer. Just before I woke everyone, I saw Chen Gu clench his fist and raise his hand, ready to strike the stone wall again. That means Chen Gu hasn't been affected by this eerie breathing at all, from start to finish! He woke us up the first time, and he was about to do it again! If it happened twice in a row... the Beast God Seal mercenary group would truly lose all face. To fall for the same ability twice?! And less than three minutes apart... Fortunately, I, the captain, woke up in time and managed to preserve that last shred of dignity for the Beast God Seal mercenaries.

Bu She still glared at Chen Gu with a hostile expression, but he no longer dared to approach and confront him. He was unaware that what Chen Gu had used to control him earlier wasn't the Biological Nuclear Explosion; he had been thoroughly terrified. The immense fear of possibly exploding at any moment, being blown to smithereens with nothing left behind, constantly preyed on his mind!

But I still firmly believe there's something wrong with Chen Gu! Otherwise, why wouldn't he let me go over there? Why did he have to force me back? Maybe he found something beneficial on the other side and kept it all to himself; perhaps he even harmed Dao Fu to get it! This guy has been up to no good from the very beginning. As for why he woke everyone up just now, it's probably because this thing crawling over is something he can't handle alone and needs everyone's help.

Dou Mao and Dao Fu were close. As soon as she regained consciousness, Dou Mao immediately asked, "Where is Dao Fu?"

She stared at Chen Gu, but Chen Gu kept his gaze fixed on the cave entrance.

Chen Gu was still pondering an earlier question: Under my Radiation Field's perception, that area over there was clearly empty. How could a gigantic stone platform and a divine statue suddenly appear? My Radiation Field's perception radius has now reached over two hundred meters, and the passage behind the cave is only tens of meters long.

Unable to resolve this puzzling thought, Chen Gu felt increasingly uneasy. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to take a risk and verify it once more.

His Radiation Field unfolded again, slowly spreading through the cave. Inside the passage, the Dao Fu Mutant was unhurriedly moving towards them.

Chen Gu immediately felt the Mutant's influence as various chaotic and evil thoughts surged in his mind.

That damned woman has been chattering non-stop the whole way; she's so annoying. I should just strangle her! And that snake, Bu She, all arrogance and no skill. I really want to punch his head right into his torso. The client... she must be very beautiful. Always so cold and aloof. I really want to tear open her Mecha and conquer every inch of her body...

Chen Gu bit down hard on his tongue. The searing pain finally suppressed the jumbled, evil thoughts. However, this also made Chen Gu even more cautious: The Radiation Field is incredibly useful; its perception reveals every detail with crystal clarity. But this same level of detailed feedback exponentially magnifies the effects of contamination. One Mutant is already this terrifying; what if it were that divine statue…

The range of his Radiation Field continued to expand. Chen Gu struggled to maintain it, as terrifying thoughts occasionally surfaced. Because this ability was area-of-effect, the Dao Fu Mutant remained constantly within Chen Gu's perception, meaning the polluting influence was continuous.

Finally, his perception reached the other side of the passage, but it still revealed nothing but emptiness…

Chen Gu recalled what he had seen earlier. That stone platform should be located over a hundred meters from the passage exit, well within my Radiation Field's range. Even if, due to the platform's height, the straight-line distance between me and the divine statue on top exceeded two hundred meters, making the statue imperceptible, it makes no sense that I couldn't even detect the platform itself.

Chen Gu expanded his Radiation Field to its maximum extent. He was certain the stone platform had to be within this range, yet he still detected nothing!

What on earth is happening?

Outside the cave entrance, Xulong and his men, as before, took up suitable combat positions, preparing to face the strange danger about to emerge from the opening.