Chapter 444: Mutual Exchange of Information

Chapter 444: Chapter 444: Mutual Exchange of Information

With the Silent Sticker in place.

"Alright, we can speak freely now."

Seraphina Sullivan glanced in the rearview mirror at Chet Lucius, who still had his eyes closed in rest.

She spoke up, "So, let’s talk.

Since we’ve decided to cooperate, exchanging information will be good for both of us."

Chet Lucius slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in their narrow depths.

He nodded, his voice calm. "Alright."

Seraphina didn’t waste any time and spoke first.

She concisely recounted her experiences after entering the instance. "When I came in, I was on a military transport plane heading for Shelter No. 3.

Shortly after takeoff, we were caught in the wake of a giant sea monster called the Lord of the Ocean. Then, while still in the air, we were swarmed by a flock of bird-like monsters, and the transport crashed.

Only Flora, myself, and Sharon Lynn, who we rescued, were lucky enough to escape.

After that, on our way to the city, we saw another flying monster from a distance named Clark. It had taken over the ruins of a city on our original route, so we had to detour."

She omitted the details of how she had rescued Sharon Lynn from the crashed plane.

She also left out specifics about her Abilities, only stating the general gist of her encounters and observations.

After listening, a hint of surprise appeared on Chet Lucius’s face. "You’ve had some seriously bad luck."

He paused, then said, "I had it a little better than you.

When I entered the instance, I was in a small evacuation convoy near a frontline observation post. Dr. Ford was conducting research there at the time.

The convoy was attacked by a few waves of small monsters, and we lost some people, but we managed to break through.

We’ve been sticking to relatively remote back roads, so we haven’t encountered any of the terrifying monsters you described.

But we have run into plenty of smaller ones along the way."

He then shared the information he had gotten from Dr. Ford.

"According to Dr. Ford, these monsters started appearing sporadically around the world about a year ago. At first, they were only active in a few specific regions.

Their range of activity was limited, and the destruction they caused was relatively manageable.

But just a few months ago, the situation took a nosedive. The number and variety of monsters began to explode.

Their active range expanded rapidly to cover almost the entire globe, and they began indiscriminately attacking human settlements and infrastructure.

Civilized society collapsed in an extremely short period of time."

Seraphina Sullivan listened intently.

It reminded her of what Flora Sullivan had discovered.

She said, "While we were fighting some smaller monsters, Flora sensed a strange residual Energy inside their bodies.

Their movement patterns also seem... unnatural at times, as if they’re being influenced or even Controlled."

Chet Lucius raised an eyebrow, a surprised look on his face. "Controlled?

Are you sure?

That’s a new lead... Dr. Ford also suspected there was a driving force behind the monsters’ sudden rampage and spread, but he lacked direct evidence.

If they’re really being Controlled by some kind of Power, then the root of this monster apocalypse is probably far more complex and dangerous than we imagined."

Seraphina Sullivan shrugged. "It’s just a guess. No solid proof.

But it doesn’t feel like a simple case of biological Evolution or natural invasion."

Chet Lucius pondered for a moment. "This information is important. I’ll keep an eye out.

Perhaps after we reach the Shelter, Dr. Ford will be able to analyze this more deeply."

Next, Seraphina steered the conversation to the core of their mission. "The mission I received is to protect Sharon Lynn and get her safely to Shelter No. 3.

I imagine your mission is similar—protecting Dr. Ford, right?"

Chet Lucius didn’t hide it, nodding in agreement. "That’s right.

The primary mission is to escort Dr. Ford safely to Shelter No. 3.

It seems the nature of our missions is indeed the same."

"But the journey definitely won’t be smooth sailing,"

Seraphina reminded him. "Besides the ever-present threat of monsters, we also need to be careful to hide our identities as Players and our Special Abilities.

After all, if the Native People of this world notice anything unusual, it could cause unnecessary trouble, or even... trigger an increase in the instance’s difficulty."

Chet Lucius was in complete agreement. "Exactly.

The System didn’t state it explicitly, but exposing our status as Players would likely increase the mission’s difficulty, or even attract something more dangerous.

I’ve encountered similar hints before."

He glanced at the sleeping Dr. Ford in the back seat. "In front of Dr. Ford, I’ve been pretending to be an ordinary teenage survivor who’s skilled and fairly lucky."

Seraphina also looked in the rearview mirror at the sleeping Dr. Ford and Sharon Lynn, lowering her voice. "I’m thinking our protection targets might not be ordinary people.

That kid, Sharon Lynn, she’s young and doesn’t have any Special Abilities herself.

But she mentioned her parents work at Shelter No. 3. Maybe her parents are important figures, too.

As for Dr. Ford... since he’s an expert in biology, in this apocalyptic setting, his knowledge and experience are undoubtedly priceless.

I suspect we’re protecting them for reasons that go beyond simple humanitarianism."

A glint appeared in Chet Lucius’s eyes. "Great minds think alike.

Dr. Ford’s field of research seems to be related to the Energy traits of the Blight Beasts and the environmental mutations.

The research data and samples he insisted on bringing might be the key.

Our mission probably isn’t just an escort job. It likely has a deeper meaning—ensuring that critical information or individuals reach the safe zone."

The two exchanged information and theories, gaining a deeper understanding of each other’s missions and the instance’s background.

This frank exchange helped establish a foundation of preliminary trust and cooperation.

However, just as they had finished their round of information exchange and were about to discuss their route and coordination details—

SCREECH—!!!

Seraphina Sullivan slammed on the brakes!

Amidst the ear-piercing sound, the SUV skidded to a precarious halt right at the edge of a massive crater that stretched across the middle of the highway!

Dust billowed.

The inertia threw everyone forward. Dr. Ford and Sharon Lynn were jolted awake, staring blankly ahead.

The once-intact asphalt pavement looked as if it had been violently smashed open or gouged out by some immense force, forming a massive, bottomless pit over ten meters in diameter!

The crater’s edge was jagged, bearing terrifying claw marks and scorches.

The pit completely severed the road. The guardrails and roadbed on both sides had also largely collapsed, making it impossible for the vehicle to pass.

Seraphina Sullivan leaned out to look, then gazed at the winding road in the distance, her brows furrowed.

The map showed this was the main artery of their southern detour. Bypassing this crater meant leaving the highway and entering the unpredictable wilderness.

She sighed helplessly and turned back to the others, saying:

"Looks like... we’re going the rest of the way on foot."