Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1276 - 619:
Previously on Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups...
Kael advanced, one hand bracing the bottom of the heavy backpack to assist Pike in finding his balance.
Though generally quite stern with his young follower, a rare flicker of concern surfaced in his eyes at this moment.
"Walk at a slower pace, watch your footing."
Having spoken, he himself hoisted a sack of beast meat, weighing nearly two hundred kilograms, and bore it steadily on his shoulder.
With all preparations complete, the party pressed onward through the shadowy tunnel, venturing deeper into the disused subway station.
The atmosphere within was thick and heavy, saturated with the metallic tang of rust and the cloying scent of perpetual darkness.
The railway tracks underfoot showed severe corrosion, and most of the wooden sleepers had rotted into a soft, slippery blackness.
A beam from a flashlight cut through the gloom, disturbing several plump rats that scattered in fright amidst the crevices overgrown with phosphorescent moss.
Drops of murky water pattered rhythmically from the fractured ceiling, striking their heads with soft splashes.
The group navigated past the skeletal remains of a central concrete pillar and then veered left, deeper into a cavernous passage.
Bearing the significant weight of the beast meat, both Kael and Pike's steps sounded labored.
Their ragged breaths occasionally reverberated through the dimly lit corridor.
Fang Cheng, positioned in the center of their formation, carefully skirted the puddles, remarking with an air of nonchalance,
"I spent far too long in isolation amongst the mountains. What really is the state of this world now? Are all the survivors confined to living beneath the earth?"
Roken expectorated a viscous glob of blood, steadying his rifle with his uninjured hand, and grunted his reply,
"That's correct, sir. Above ground, aside from radiation potent enough to scorch human flesh, there exist monstrous beasts that prey on humans."
"Were it not for the desperate scramble for sustenance, who would willingly emerge from safety only to court death."
"What calamitous events precipitated this… I'm not particularly well-versed in history."
Fang Cheng posed another inquiry.
Pike, burdened by his large sack of meat, grunted as he walked. He twisted his head upon hearing the question, replying with an innocent expression,
"It's quite alright, Uncle. I'm also ignorant of history. In our settlement, hardly anyone possesses literacy; only Sister Ira received a proper education!"
Ira's pallid face offered a gentle smile. She lessened her stride to match Fang Cheng's pace, softly elaborating,
"Sir, we too learned from the wisdom of our elders within the Inner City from our youth. It is said that over a millennium ago, during the Old Era, civilization was incredibly advanced, boasting technological marvels beyond imagination, which ensured lives of comfort for all."
"But then, something occurred. An intensely brilliant light illuminated the heavens, followed by fiery descent…"
"What ensued was centuries of relentless warfare, ultimately culminating in the world's ruin, with the majority perishing in that conflict."
"Indeed, yes, the surface was obliterated. Radiation and poisonous gases permeated everything."
Roken, pausing to catch his breath, chimed in,
"Vegetation withered, animals mutated into monstrous forms, and combined with aberrant weather phenomena like perpetual night storms… survival for humans above ground became impossible."
Kael, leading the expedition, directed his flashlight beam towards a pit ahead, signaling his companions to avoid it, and added casually,
"I too have heard from the elders that our subterranean refuge was once part of a 'subway network' from the Old Era."
"Subsequently, the survivors who sought refuge here simply continued excavating deeper, generation after generation, utilizing these tunnels, establishing underground settlements and forging an extensive subterranean network."
"Presently, the settlements in this region are interconnected, and we periodically venture to the surface for provisions via the old subway station exits."
As Fang Cheng absorbed their narratives, the words spoken by the Masked Guest resurfaced in his mind.
It was no wonder that upon his initial arrival and subsequent extended period wandering the desolate surface, he had encountered no signs of life; they were all dwelling underground like subterranean creatures.
"Uncle, what about you?"
Pike's eyes widened with curiosity as he looked toward Fang Cheng,
"You are incredibly capable, showing no fear of the Black Monsters. You must hail from a settlement far grander than ours, correct? Is it larger than Iron City?"
Fang Cheng gazed into the oppressive darkness ahead, his expression serene,
"I originate from a place exceedingly distant, where a colossal city stands, situated adjacent to the sea."
"The sea?"
Pike blinked, his face beneath the gas mask etched with bewilderment,
"What is the sea? Is it a settlement vastly larger than Iron City? Can the rats found within it be consumed?"
Fang Cheng emitted a soft chuckle, about to respond, when a clear voice promptly intervened with an explanation.
"The sea is an immense, boundless body of water found on the surface."
Ira adjusted the straps of her backpack, which were digging into her sore shoulders, and added gently,
"When I was young, I saw a photo album at the orphanage. It mentioned that over a thousand years ago, the Old Era was a time of prosperity, devoid of radiation and monsters, with azure skies and deep blue seas..."
At this juncture, she paused, her gaze reflecting a bewildered curiosity about matters unknown.
"But ever since fiery debris rained down from the heavens, scorching the land, is there truly still a 'sea' in this world?"
Fang Cheng offered a nonchalant smile, opting not to reveal the existence of another dimension. He casually remarked,
"I've also heard such tales from my elders."
No one pressed the issue further.
Within the Wasteland, the origins of formidable individuals were rarely delved into.
The contingent pressed onward through the somber passage.
As they ventured deeper, the air grew increasingly frigid and heavy with moisture.
Just as Fang Cheng navigated over a mound of debris, his heart gave an unexpected lurch.
A subtle summons, originating from the depths of his consciousness, seemed to pull at him, like a faint whisper in the unseen.
He halted abruptly, directing his attention towards a specific point in the encroaching darkness.
Within his mind's eye, a spectral image of a crimson vortex flickered ominously.
"What is that?"
Fang Cheng's gaze sharpened; he immediately grasped the gravity of the situation.
Several hours had already passed since the portal to this realm was established.
It was evident that the spatial gateway within the cavern demanded a substantial expenditure of energy to remain stable, and judging by its current state, it was nearing its threshold.
Once its energy reserves were depleted, the passage would seal shut.
Without any means to reactivate it, he risked being permanently stranded in this Wasteland World.
Fang Cheng contemplated rapidly.
Partial intelligence regarding the Otherworld had been acquired, and valuable artifacts such as the Blood Core had been obtained. Further endeavors within Iron City might not justify the escalating risks.
Should he choose to remain, the peril of perpetual entrapment in the Otherworld loomed large.
Moreover, the scheduled timeframe for the physical assessment was also drawing to a close.
It was imperative to initiate an egress.
After weighing the potential advantages and disadvantages, Fang Cheng made a definitive resolution.
As for future returns, a method would be sought when the opportune moment arose.
"Hold on for a moment."
He suddenly interjected.
The four individuals preceding him promptly ceased their movement.
Observing Fang Cheng standing still, his brow furrowed, they surmised a shift in circumstances and immediately adopted a vigilant posture.
Kael dropped the provisions he carried and swiftly placed a hand on the hilt of his blade. His voice, laced with the tension of facing a grave threat, queried,
"Sir, has a situation arisen?"
"An urgent matter has just come to mind; we will not be proceeding to Iron City today."
Maintaining his characteristic composure, Fang Cheng rerouted their intended path.
"You should guide me instead to the northern exit near the mountain range."
Kael appeared taken aback by this declaration.
Despite his surprise at the abrupt alteration of plans from the formidable individual, he dared not pose further inquiries and immediately assented,
"Understood. At the upcoming junction, proceeding north reveals an disused ventilation shaft. It offers a direct route to the northernmost ruins of the city, beyond which lie the mountains.
Having expounded on the particulars, Kael
"Follow me."
The group subsequently adjusted their trajectory for the time being.
Approximately twenty minutes elapsed.
Following a gently ascending service path, the party arrived before a massive, corroded iron portal.
A narrow gap in the door allowed a chilling breeze from the surface's eternal twilight to infiltrate the space.
After exchanging his farewells with the quartet, Fang Cheng advanced, intending to push open the door and depart.
"Sir, a moment please."
Ira's voice suddenly intervened.
She advanced a couple of steps, her hands firmly gripping the clasps of her gas mask, and applied forceful pressure to twist them.
Following a faint ~hiss~ from escaping air through the valve, she removed the mask.
Her countenance, though pallid, was remarkably fine-featured.
The prolonged confinement had imparted a subtle, unhealthy flush to her complexion, and strands of sweat-dampened hair clung to her forehead.
From beneath her attire, she produced a necklace adorned with a luminescent sapphire, presenting it to Fang Cheng with both hands.
"For preserving my life, I lack the means to adequately repay you. Kindly accept this token."