Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1361: Assimilation

Contrary to the expectations of everyone present, the anticipated assault by the shadow figure on the lone soldier did not materialize.

Zhang Yi, taken aback, questioned, "Did you not state that it attacks when it loses sight of its target?"

Yang Xinxin cast a composed glance at Zhang Yi.

"That leads to but one conclusion: the 'watching' isn't directed at a specific individual but rather the act of 'being observed' itself. As long as it remains within our field of vision, it refrains from any action."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the dozens of individuals positioned behind them.

Chodak voiced their collective apprehension, "With so many of us here, surely it won't dare to attack?"

"However, our objective isn't merely to evade attack. It is to neutralize these threats and escape this place!"

Yang Xinxin stated this with an icy resolve, her gaze fixed on Chodak.

Chodak's words faltered, and he sheepishly ran a hand through his hair.

Without a second's hesitation, Yang Xinxin gestured for the group to advance. "Let's move."

"Move?"

Chodak appeared somewhat perplexed. "Are we abandoning him here alone?"

"Precisely."

Yang Xinxin's tone remained unyielding.

Zhang Yi interjected, "Heed her instructions."

Yang Xinxin had previously emphasized the necessity of continuous experimentation to decipher the enigmatic rules governing this location.

Fortunately, Chodak's contingent of several dozen individuals provided a perfect opportunity for such trials.

The group began to withdraw, with each member meticulously scanning their surroundings in all directions to preclude any resurgence of the shadow entity.

Very shortly, they had retreated beyond the creature's line of sight.

The soldier left behind was consumed by sheer terror. While the prospect of death held little sway, the palpable dread of the unknown was a far more potent torment.

Initially, he was paralyzed, drenched in a cold sweat, utterly incapable of movement.

However, after an extended period of intense scrutiny, he observed that the shadow figure remained completely inert, akin to a cast statue.

Gathering his courage, he cautiously extended a hand and attempted to push it.

The entity was rigidly fixed, as if rooted to the spot, utterly immobile.

Time inched forward, each second amplifying the soldier's predicament. The most unnerving aspect was Yang Xinxin's directive for Chodak to maintain continuous verbal contact, querying about the unfolding situation.

"It... it isn't moving at all. What am I expected to do now?"

The soldier, his voice trembling, felt an overwhelming wave of helplessness wash over him. An urgent desire to flee seized him.

Chodak glanced towards Yang Xinxin, preparing to object to the soldier's potential desertion.

But Yang Xinxin calmly interjected, "Allow him to proceed as he deems fit."

If they were to truly comprehend the attack patterns and underlying principles of these shadow figures, a thorough analysis of real-time events was imperative.

Chodak conveyed Yang Xinxin's pronouncement.

The soldier found himself in an even more bewildering state.

He was isolated, enveloped by the disquieting and menacing Asylum, with his companions having vanished.

Before him loomed a colossal, dark monstrosity, its presence casting a menacing shadow.

Gradually, his resolve began to crumble.

He dared not close his eyes, yet they burned with exhaustion, and sweat incessantly streamed down his face, making it increasingly difficult to maintain control over his own body.

Reaching the absolute limit of his endurance, he let out a guttural roar, spun around, and bolted into the distance.

The very next instant, his desperate cries were abruptly silenced.

Yang Xinxin wasted no time, immediately reversing their course and sprinting back towards their point of origin.

Zhang Yi remained steadfastly by her side, providing a protective escort.

However, upon re-entering the corridor they had recently traversed, the scene that greeted Zhang Yi caused his pupils to constrict violently.

The soldier was nowhere to be seen.

Yet, within the dimly lit corridor, bathed in the flickering, oppressive light, two imposing shadow figures stood sentinel, their gazes fixed upon them with chilling intensity.

"This is..."

Witnessing this revelation, Zhang Yi's mind raced to a conclusion.

"Could it be that after subduing a victim, it assimilates them, adding to its own kind?"

Yang Xinxin's brow furrowed. "This implies that to counter them effectively now, we would require two individuals acting in concert. And should those two falter, four such monstrosities would emerge."

This dawning realization sent a collective shiver down everyone's spine.

How could they possibly contend with entities that were seemingly unkillable and possessed the terrifying ability to replicate themselves?

The entirety of this ordeal was intricately woven into the rules of this perilous game.

At this juncture, Fatty Xu was visibly trembling.

"Perhaps we should all huddle together and maintain unwavering eye contact? That way, no one would be forced to blink."

Old You promptly delivered a sharp rap to his head. "Are you dense? We've all agreed on the urgency of escaping this place. You propose we remain here, engaging in a staring contest for twenty-four hours?"

"Furthermore, who can guarantee that no other abominations lurk within this Asylum?"

As if to underscore Old You's cautionary words.

Suddenly, a startled cry echoed from behind.

Several soldiers instantly leveled their weapons towards a darkened alcove at the corridor's far end.

Emerging from the oppressive shadows, two additional shadow figures had materialized, utterly undetected.

"The rules stated that these entities actively hunt living beings and attack them. We've lingered here for an extended period, ample time for them to have located us," Zhang Yi declared.

"But we're incapable of defeating them, and if we flee, we risk losing our bearings and becoming assimilated. What exactly are we meant to do?" Fatty Xu's plump face was ashen, bordering on deathly pale. He nervously attempted to edge closer to the throng, seeking refuge.

At that precise moment, Zhou Ke'er, who had been lost in contemplation with her head bowed, suddenly interjected: "Perhaps there's an approach we can attempt."

All ears strained to hear her words.

Zhou Ke'er proposed, "We could employ their own aggression against them. Given that visual contact alerts them and they assail those who perceive them, why don't we arrange them to face each other, compelling them to remain fixated upon one another?"

Zhang Yi's eyes gleamed. "That concept is certainly worth exploring."

Such narrative devices are familiar in numerous tales.

For example, when confronting a sorceress whose gaze could transmute individuals into stone, one would utilize a mirror to induce self-petrification.

However, at that juncture, Yang Xinxin spoke, "The strategy is sound, yet it possesses a crucial prerequisite."

"A moment? What prerequisite?" Zhou Ke'er blinked, having just unearthed this very solution.

Yang Xinxin gestured towards the two shadowy figures ahead and stated with composure, "If you can conceive of this scenario, so can others. Therefore, observe closely – do those things even possess eyes?"

Zhou Ke'er directed her gaze at the shadowy form.

It presented as nothing more than a mass of utter blackness. Atop its neck sat a spherical shape. It lacked even a semblance of a head, let alone ocular organs.

Yang Xinxin elaborated, "The architect of this game is exceedingly cunning. They would not introduce such an evident vulnerability."

...Meanwhile, on the opposing flank, the Knights of the Round Table.

Lancelot and his companions had already sustained casualties exceeding twenty individuals in their attempts to ascertain the shadow figures' modus operandi and capabilities. Yet, these shadowy entities remained intractable, and with each added demise, their numbers grew larger.

"Persisting in this manner is futile. It appears that confronting the supernatural necessitates reliance upon supernatural abilities," declared a woman with short, silver hair. She was clad in a silver combat suit, with a sleek rapier sheathed at her hip. She was none other than the [Shining Knight], Lamorak, of the Knights of the Round Table.