21: Li Rui's chips

Inside and outside the main entrance of the library, the atmosphere was as heavy as solidified gel. Inside the door, Professor Wang led Da Liu and other young adults, who stood ready with makeshift "weapons," their gazes vigilantly fixed on the uninvited guests outside the door. Outside, Li Rui and his two companions stood still, maintaining a safe distance. They appeared relaxed, but their well-trained bodies remained subtly tensed, ready to erupt into battle at any moment.

The sunlight (or rather, the dim, yellowish glow that barely penetrated the thick cloud cover) stretched their shadows long, intertwining them on the debris-strestrewn ground.

Li Rui's gaze swept over the people inside the door again, finally settling on Lin Mo, or more precisely, on the fragment in his left hand that emitted a soft, milky white glow. The light was not strong, yet it seemed to possess a strange magic, dispelling the unsettling factors in the surrounding air. Even for someone with his strong will, approaching it significantly reduced the sense of oppression in his heart.

"Professor Wang," Li Rui was the first to speak, breaking the silence. His voice was steady and powerful, carrying an aura that made people unconsciously trust him. "The situation outside is probably worse than you imagine."

He did not rush to discuss cooperation, but instead offered information first, a way to show sincerity and value.

"This isn't a simple natural disaster or an unknown virus outbreak. It's a phenomenon we temporarily call 'reality erosion,'" Li Rui used a term that both Lin Mo and Professor Wang could understand. "Some kind of higher-dimensional power or rule-level entity is infiltrating and distorting our world. Those monsters you see, which we internally refer to as 'Corruptors,' are not biological creatures. They are more like the concretization of rule loopholes, or rather... 'cleaners.'"

"Cleaners?" Professor Wang caught this keyword, his brow furrowed.

"Yes, cleaning up existences that don't conform to the new rules—including us humans." Li Rui's tone carried a hint of imperceptible gravity. "Currently, we've observed several types of Corruptors. The lowest level are those outside the door, which we call 'Predators.' They attack living beings by instinct, are sensitive to sound and light, and possess superhuman strength and speed, but their weaknesses are also obvious: the head or energy core is their vital point."

He paused, glanced at the side and rear of the library, and continued, "More dangerous is a variant we call the 'Whisperer.' They can unleash mental pollution, causing people to hallucinate and turn on each other. There are also 'Smashers,' which are massive and destructive. And... the most troublesome, 'Weavers,' who possess some intelligence and can command lower-level Corruptors."

This information struck every survivor inside the door like a heavy hammer. What they had encountered before was indeed just the tip of the iceberg!

Lin Mo felt even more alarmed. Li Rui's description, especially the terms "cleaners" and "rule loopholes," perfectly matched the information he had obtained from the jade slip (firewall damage, cleanup protocol)! This Li Rui was definitely more than just a militia captain! The forces behind him had a considerable understanding of the nature of this disaster!

"What about the government? What about the military?" Professor Wang asked the most crucial questions.

Li Rui's face showed a hint of bitterness: "Communications are completely down, and the command system is in chaos. Most military bases and important facilities were heavily 'eroded' immediately, suffering heavy losses. Now, various regions are fighting independently. There are many small surviving forces like ours, but they lack unified coordination. Our squad's original mission was to escort an important researcher and critical data to the Seventh Shelter in the suburbs, but we encountered a Corruptor swarm led by a Weaver along the way and were scattered. The researcher also..." He shook his head, not finishing the sentence, but the meaning was clear.

"The Seventh Shelter?" Professor Wang pressed.

"It's one of several emergency Shelters secretly built before the disaster. It's said to have complete defensive fortifications and survival supplies, making it one of the relatively safe places known so far." Li Rui offered a glimmer of hope, but then poured cold water on it. "But we don't fully know its exact location or current status, only the general direction. And the journey there is fraught with danger."

He changed the subject, looking at Lin Mo again, or rather, the fragment in his hand: "However, the situation here gives us new hope. This power, capable of stabilizing the reality environment and resisting erosion, is something we've never seen before! If this power can be replicated or enhanced, it might pave a way for us to reach the Shelter, and even for more survivors!"

The dagger was revealed. Li Rui finally clearly stated the core of the cooperation—he was interested in the power of the reality stabilization anchor.

Professor Wang did not answer immediately, but instead counter-questioned, "So, Captain Li, what are your bargaining chips? Besides this information and the combat strength of you three?" He had to secure the maximum benefit for the entire group.

Li Rui seemed prepared. He gestured to the young woman behind him, who was carrying a large military backpack. The woman cautiously took off her backpack and pulled out several items:

"First, weapons and ammunition." He displayed several standard pistols, several fully loaded magazines, and a few military grenades. "While their effectiveness against high-level Corruptors is limited, they are more than enough to deal with ordinary Predators and for self-defense."

"Second, a professional medical kit and water purification equipment." Another man produced a sealed medical box and a small, hand-pumped water purifier. In this apocalypse, these were resources as valuable as gold.

"Third, and most importantly," Li Rui's voice dropped slightly, carrying a hint of solemnity, "detailed information about 'erosion' and 'Corruptors,' including their energy operation patterns, weakness analysis, and the few methods we've discovered that can temporarily interfere with or even weaken them. This knowledge might be more valuable than weapons."

The bargaining chips he offered were indeed substantial. Weapons ensured safety, medical supplies and clean water sustained life, and knowledge offered long-term hope.

"Additionally," Li Rui added, his gaze sweeping over Lin Mo again, "if we cooperate, on our way to the Seventh Shelter, we are willing to prioritize your protection and share all acquired supplies. Furthermore, I can promise to report your situation here, especially this 'stabilization technology,' to the Shelter's high command. This might secure better living conditions and resource allocation for you."

The terms were tempting. But Professor Wang and Lin Mo both knew there was no free lunch.

"Captain Li, your terms sound good," Professor Wang said slowly. "But there are a few questions. First, how can we trust you? Second, this stabilizing power," he pointed to the fragment in Lin Mo's hand, "is not a technology that can be easily replicated; it relies on a special item, and using it requires a price. Third, how great is the risk of leaving the library and heading to an unknown Shelter? We have elderly and children here who cannot endure long journeys and frequent battles."

Professor Wang's questions went straight to the core: trust, the nature of the power, and risk assessment.

Li Rui seemed unsurprised by the second question. He nodded, "I understand. This power must have its limitations. We are not trying to seize it, but rather hope to benefit from its protection. As for trust..." He pondered for a moment, then seemed to make up his mind, taking out an identification from his inner pocket, opening it, and showing it to Professor Wang and Lin Mo from a distance.

It wasn't an ordinary militia ID, but a dark blue ID with a special emblem—an Anomaly Investigation Bureau ID! The position field read: Special Operations Team, Captain.

"My true identity is Li Rui, Captain of the Anomaly Investigation Bureau's Jiangdong District Special Operations Team," he revealed his identity. "After the disaster, the Bureau suffered heavy losses, and its remaining forces were integrated into the emergency command system. We possess the most core information about this disaster. My mission is not just to survive, but to gather all intelligence and power that can possibly counter 'erosion.' Your discovery here is crucial."

Anomaly Investigation Bureau! Lin Mo's heart trembled! Indeed! His previous guess was correct! Su Wan's colleague, or rather, her superior, had appeared in this way!

Although Professor Wang wasn't entirely clear about the specific functions of the Anomaly Investigation Bureau, the terms "Special Operations Team" and "core information" made him realize that the other party had significant backing. An official background increased credibility to a certain extent, but it also meant greater responsibility and potential control.

"As for the risks," Li Rui put away his ID, his tone candid, "leaving here carries immense risks. But is staying here truly a long-term solution? Food and water will eventually run out. The Corruptors outside the door won't disappear, and might even attract more powerful entities. Based on our observations, the 'erosion' phenomenon is slowly expanding, and whether this 'stabilized zone' can be maintained indefinitely is also unknown. The Seventh Shelter is currently the most likely existing stronghold with long-term survival capabilities. Taking a gamble might offer a chance at survival; passively waiting for death might ultimately lead to nothing but..."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was self-evident.

Silence fell within the library. Li Rui's words were like a mirror, reflecting the cruel future that everyone subconsciously refused to face. Staying here, seemingly safe, was in reality slowly consuming resources and leading to a slow death. Leaving meant a one-in-ten chance of survival, but a glimmer of hope of reaching a true Shelter.

Everyone's gaze ultimately fell on Lin Mo. The fragment in his hand was key to whether they stayed or left. His decision would affect everyone's fate.

Lin Mo could feel the heavy gazes. He looked at the tired survivors around him, whose eyes held a flicker of hope, and then at the resolute Li Rui outside the door, who had ample bargaining chips.

He took a deep breath, feeling the stabilizing power from the fragment and the slowly recovering energy of the editor in his mind. If he stayed, he could slowly explore the power of the fragment and the editor, but he would have to face resource depletion and unknown threats alone. If he left, he could cooperate with official forces who had more information and resources, but he would have to embark on a dangerous journey, and his secrets might be exposed.

It was a difficult choice.

He looked up at Li Rui, asking the question he cared about most: "Captain Li, regarding the source of this 'reality erosion,' does your Bureau have any clues?"

He wanted to know how much the officials truly understood about concepts like "editor" and "firewall."

Li Rui's gaze sharpened. He looked deeply at Lin Mo and slowly said, "The source... points to some 'anomaly points' that cannot be explained by current science. We suspect that this disaster was not accidental. But more specific information is top secret. If you agree to cooperate and prove your and your 'item's' value along the way, perhaps... you might gain access to some core files."

Li Rui's answer was watertight, but it hinted at deeper secrets behind it.

Lin Mo fell silent. He knew he probably had no better choice. Fighting alone in this rapidly collapsing world was too difficult.

He looked at Professor Wang, then at the hopeful gazes behind him, and finally made up his mind.

"We can cooperate," Lin Mo's voice was clear and firm. "But on a few conditions."