Chapter 63: Everyone Will Die!

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Everyone Will Die!

"In actual combat, when facing an enemy stronger than you, you must learn to use your delicate appearance to lower their guard."

Lin Ji did not step back. Instead, he suddenly advanced half a step, his deep black eyes fixed intently on Lin Yurou’s.

This sudden closeness narrowed the distance between them to an extremely dangerous range.

The oppressive aura of a powerful individual emanating from Lin Ji, mixed with a strong masculine scent, instantly enveloped Lin Yurou.

"Just like this."

Lin Ji’s voice was low and magnetic.

"When you appear afraid, helpless, even giving the other party the illusion that they can easily control you..."

"That’s when their mental defenses are at their weakest."

"At that moment, if you suddenly activate [Deep Slumber] to forcibly put them to sleep, the success rate will absolutely double."

Under Lin Ji’s penetrating gaze, Lin Yurou’s heartbeat involuntarily quickened, her cheeks burning.

Though inexperienced in the ways of the world, she understood Lin Ji was teaching through both words and example.

That state of a racing heart and a somewhat blank mind indeed made it difficult to organize effective mental defenses.

"I... I understand..."

Lin Yurou stammered, somewhat unable to meet Lin Ji’s eyes directly.

Seeing her shy demeanor, Lin Ji knew when to stop. He retreated a step very gentlemanly, creating distance again.

"Good that you understand."

"But that’s not enough. Your talent, besides controlling enemies, has great potential for development in team coordination."

Lin Ji adopted a serious expression and began patiently instructing.

"For example, when you discover an enemy is about to launch a large-scale mental attack, or skills like charm or intimidation."

"You can, one second in advance, briefly pull your nearby teammates, or even everyone on the entire ship, into a [Deep Slumber] state."

"Utilize the characteristic of immunity to mental probing and scanning while in slumber to perfectly evade the enemy’s lethal strike. Once the attack passes, instantly cancel the skill."

"This tactic can save the entire team at critical moments."

Hearing this entirely new tactical idea, Lin Yurou widened her eyes in surprise.

Her large, watery eyes were filled with disbelief.

She had always thought her talent was useless, only capable of making herself fall unconscious to sleep when injured, avoiding mental torment.

She never imagined that in Lin Ji’s words, it could transform into so many incredible strategic applications!

Even becoming a trump card to protect the entire team!

"So... my talent can be used like this..."

Lin Yurou murmured to herself. The look she gave Lin Ji now held not just the previous flutterings of her heart, but also a deep layer of admiration.

This man was not only immensely powerful, but his combat intelligence was terrifyingly high!

Following a Captain like him, perhaps she really could survive...

Seeing the hope rekindled in the girl’s eyes, Lin Ji nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, think more about the tactics yourself."

Lin Ji pointed upward.

"Go to the Captain’s cabin on the second floor, take a hot shower, and change into clean clothes."

"But be quiet about it. Someone is still sleeping."

Hearing she could take a hot shower, Lin Yurou’s eyes immediately lit up.

In this world where even clean fresh water is extremely scarce at sea, bathing is absolutely a luxury.

She quickly nodded, following behind Lin Ji like an obedient kitten, ascending the iron staircase to the second floor.

Pushing open the door to the Captain’s cabin, it was pitch dark inside.

Lin Ji took out the windproof lighter he bought from the Trading House and lit the torch on the wall with a "snap."

Warm firelight instantly illuminated the entire room, also lighting up that modern-style transparent glass bathroom.

"Wow..."

Lin Yurou couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp as she looked at the exquisite bathroom.

But soon, her gaze was drawn to the scene on the large bed.

Gu Yihan was sleeping soundly.

However, this former young lady from a wealthy family clearly wasn’t a very well-behaved sleeper.

The thin blanket that had originally covered her had long been kicked aside.

She was wearing one of Lin Ji’s oversized shirts, and those breathtaking, perfectly proportioned long legs were thus exposed defenselessly to the air, shimmering with a lustrous glow under the firelight.

Seeing this, Lin Yurou’s face instantly flushed red.

Even as a woman herself, she couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

This sister is so beautiful, and her figure is just too perfect!

As for Lin Ji, he was clearly already accustomed to such a sight.

He walked to the bedside, not only not helping Gu Yihan cover up with the blanket.

Instead, he extended his large hand and very naturally began to gently stroke that slender, smooth thigh, his fingertips carrying a hint of subtle teasing.

"Mmm..."

In her sleep, Gu Yihan seemed to sense a familiar presence and touch.

Not only did she not wake up, but like a lazy cat,

she actively moved her leg closer to Lin Ji’s hand, letting out a sweet, coquettish murmur:

"Husband... stop messing around..."

This voice sounded especially clear in the quiet night.

Lin Yurou, standing not far away, froze completely.

She was a freshman who had just turned eighteen and had never even been in a relationship before—where had she ever encountered such a scene?

Lin Yurou only felt her cheeks burning hot, her heart pounding so fast it felt like it was about to leap out of her throat, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Even deep in her heart, there was a faint, indescribable strange feeling.

Lin Ji sensed the flustered gaze behind him.

He glanced back at Lin Yurou’s flushed face, smiled, and didn’t continue with any more inappropriate actions.

Although he was a survival-first, pragmatic person who didn’t mind using forceful methods in this post-apocalyptic world,

he wasn’t the kind of beast who would take advantage of any opportunity.

For a fragile girl who had just emerged from psychological trauma, he still knew how to exercise restraint and respect her feelings.

"Go take a bath."

Lin Ji withdrew his hand and walked to the sliding door of the balcony.

"There are toiletries and new towels I bought during the day inside."

"I’m going out for a smoke."

With that, Lin Ji pushed open the door and stepped onto the terrace, closing it behind him and leaving the space to Lin Yurou.

Listening to the rushing water quickly coming from the bathroom, Lin Ji lit a cigarette, his gaze profound as he looked toward the distant, pitch-black sea.

In his mind, he began repeatedly deducing every possible detail of the battles that might occur next on the Magma Floating Island.

...

Time passed.

A little over an hour later, a faint hint of dawn finally appeared on the horizon.

Daybreak.

Lin Ji glanced at the Logbook of Navigation.

[Current Time: Day 4, 06:10]

[Stage Two · Despair Sea Fog Countdown: 17 hours, 50 minutes.]

Less than 18 hours remained until midnight today, when Stage Two would completely end and Stage Three would begin!

"Everyone, wake up and assemble!"

Lin Ji’s voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached every corner of the entire ship.

Soon, Gu Yihan, Su Qingyue, Tang Ling, and the others, rubbing their sleepy eyes, gathered on the deck one after another.

Even Lin Yurou, who had just finished bathing, timidly followed Shen Manyun out.

However, the moment they stepped out of the cabin, they instantly sensed something amiss.

The surrounding air was filled with a pungent smell of sulfur.

Even the temperature was several degrees higher than usual, giving them a stifling feeling as if they were standing beside a furnace.

"Wow!"

Tang Ling, who had just woken up, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Excitedly, she extended her right hand and gave it a light rub.

A fireball, twice as large as usual and of a deeper, more vivid Red, instantly formed in her palm!

"Captain! I feel my Fireball Technique has gotten stronger!"

"The fire elements in the air are so dense!"

Lin Ji nodded, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

"Because we’re almost there."

The women followed his line of sight and saw, less than five nautical miles ahead.

A massive island, wrapped in dark Red magma, quietly floating on the sea surface.

That was their destination for this journey—the Magma Floating Island.

Before the women could marvel at this spectacular yet dangerous sight.

Lin Ji’s voice, like ice-cold water, instantly doused their enthusiasm.

"All of you, stay on high alert."

Lin Ji turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over every woman on the ship.

His expression was unprecedentedly serious.

"I just used my talent to predict the future ahead."

"This time..."

Lin Ji paused, his tone icy to the extreme.

"All of us will die!"