186: Solving the plague requires thoroughness

"Hurry!"

Amidst the smoke and flames, Ge Chang dragged Ge San, running quickly.

As for a certain unlucky number two subordinate… because he was knocked unconscious, he failed to avoid the rocket launcher's impact and died.

Thinking of Ge Er's tragic death, the other two wished they had two fire-and-wind wheels under their feet to make their escape.

"If we try to escape outside, we'll be walking straight into a trap."

Ge Chang was also very clear about the current situation; Cheng Zhen could still pinpoint his location, otherwise, why would he be idly bombarding an NPC's house with artillery?

"What exactly is this damned snowman? Why can it still track us?!"

Ge San saw that several snowmen had been destroyed by the explosion's flames, yet new ones kept spawning.

"We can't worry about that now!" Ge Chang swallowed a speed-boosting item, temporarily removing the slowing effect, and stared intently at the path ahead: "We can only make one last gamble on the mission in the base's underground!"

They had also obtained the alchemy items after completing a mission for an NPC earlier.

Although… it seemed to only be useful to him.

But it was also possible that Cheng Zhen had used other means to protect himself.

Ge Chang thought that both his Group Leader and the enemy NPC were secretive about the underground; if he could complete a mission on his side, he could do the same on the enemy's side.

Perhaps once he completed both missions, he would gain the greatest advantage for clearing the dungeon and find a way to turn the tables in one fell swoop.

Ge San also knew they couldn't charge through the artillery fire to Huangfu Dong's longsword; they had no other choice.

The structures of both bases were similar, and the two successfully found their way to where the alchemy room was located.

"The bombardment has stopped."

Ge San ran a few more steps and realized the explosions behind him had ceased.

"Even for the Endless Game's weapons, ammunition replenishment takes time; it can't be infinite, can it?"

Ge Chang replied casually, carefully examining the surroundings.

They bypassed the empty warehouse, which only had shelves left, and found the heavy stone door at the very back.

"What about the alchemy array outside the door?" Ge San asked. They didn't possess the NPCs' alchemy methods.

"Just blow it open."

Ge Chang pulled out his last few grenades: "Cheng Zhen isn't using the rocket launcher anymore, which means he doesn't want to destroy the mission here. And it also indirectly proves that the alchemy array here can be destroyed by external force."

"If we succeed, that's great. If we fail… we won't let him have an easy time either!"

Thinking of his hard-earned savings being gradually plundered by Cheng Zhen, Ge Chang's eyes almost spat fire.

With a heart full of rage, he pulled the pin and threw the grenade at the underground door.

"Boom!"

Fragments splattered, and dust flew. After the explosion, the alchemy array carved into the ground also shattered, fading away as if losing its power.

Seeing the underground door successfully opened (physically), Ge Chang's heart rejoiced. But in the next second, countless pairs of eyes suddenly lit up in the darkness.

Those eyes were filled with greed and madness, and the sheer malice sent shivers down one's spine.

Ge Chang instinctively felt something was wrong.

In the underground of the other base, they had seen a similar scene. However, the sense of danger emanating this time was even greater than before.

What's going on?

Invisible energy surged around them, and the feeling was like…

…

"It's like a nightmare…"

Purple Tuqi looked at the base, which had already turned into a battle-damaged mess, and he completely lost his mind.

That was the alchemy base left by Twitch!

The materials and potions inside… well, they seemed to be gone already.

But the alchemy array left by Twitch was still inside the base!

And… and beneath the base, there was still…

Even the most good-tempered Purple Tuqi couldn't hold back after seeing such a scene.

Even if you're a formidable member of the Dalabengba Association, you shouldn't do this!

The other Twitch also looked aggrieved; their home was demolished after they stepped out for a bit. Who could stand that?

Cheng Zhen bypassed the group of NPCs and then walked directly to the Team Leader, who was tied up.

The Team Leader was equally surprised to see Cheng Zhen destroy the base, but unlike the anger displayed by Purple Tuqi and others, his expression showed more… a kind of worry.

"I have a few questions I'd like to ask you, and I hope you can answer truthfully," Cheng Zhen said, looking at the copy.

The Team Leader was silent for a moment, then, filled with anger, he said: "…I've never heard of your Alchemy Association. If you truly want to solve the plague, then your actions are completely wrong!"

"If this continues, this city will only face destruction!"

"Stop, stop, stop--"

Cheng Zhen interrupted him: "I know you're definitely going to talk about some hidden complexities next. After all, you're trying to kill Twitch on one hand, and ignoring the residents' lives on the other… Now that the residents are in our hands, you're suddenly acting like you want to save them and save the city."

"So awkward, so contradictory, it's practically screaming 'I have a secret' on your face."

"And these rat-men, following Twitch, talking about some glorious evolution, but then they lose their minds after taking off their protective suits. They get amnesia, and then they shoot arrows to change your gender… or rather, your form. All the elements of an ignorant and unwitting villainous minion are perfectly assembled, aren't they!"

Cheng Zhen's words silenced both sides instantly.

It was like the feeling of a Conan mystery becoming utterly uninteresting after someone spoils the killer at the very beginning.

"I bet you still want to say something about persuading me to turn over a new leaf, but I don't want to hear it, and readers who have read 35 chapters of the dungeon definitely don't want to keep listening to a riddle-teller's backstory."

Cheng Zhen picked up the rocket launcher and smiled: "Fortunately, this rocket-propelled grenade launcher can solve all riddle-tellers."

"Now, please concisely explain where you came from, where you're going, and what you're supposed to do next. Otherwise, I'll just have to solve the plague based on my own understanding."

"For example, when you and this city no longer exist, the plague should also cease to exist, right?"