"That's good otherwise, it would be troublesome if Brother Qingfeng transformed into an Ethereal." Billy then said seriously, "Anyway, let's not overthink things for now. Let's work together to get through this."
"As usual, Anby takes the front, and I'll provide fire support." Billy's gaze shifted from Anby to Ye Qingfeng. "As for Ye Qingfeng, just follow behind us and be careful!"
Anby and Billy led the weak and helpless Ye Qingfeng past the obstructing Ethereals. Although there was a minor mishap because a certain robot insisted on showing off, the nearby Ethereals had been cleared, and it was safe for the moment.
"Anby, there's someone over there!"
Ye Qingfeng pointed toward a shadowy figure in a cloud of dust behind them and called out warily to Anby.
As for why he didn't call Billy, who was closer—perhaps he felt Anby was more reliable…
Anby and Billy cautiously moved forward to investigate. Ye Qingfeng very sensibly kept a safe distance behind them.
Soon, the dust cloud slowly dispersed, revealing the tall figure of a human with his back turned to them.
"The safe is by his feet."
Anby was the first to notice the safe on the ground.
"It really is! Great, we don't have to search for it." But as he saw Anby start to step forward, Billy's tone suddenly turned serious. "Wait, Anby! What are you doing?"
"Capture him and retrieve the safe."
"Hold on…"
Billy suddenly grew stern, raising his firearm and aiming it at the figure ahead.
Seeing Billy aim his gun at the man, Ye Qingfeng couldn't help but tense up.
Is this about the safe? And who is this guy?
"I… cough… destroy… uh… mmm…!"
Ye Qingfeng looked up at the man just as he slowly turned his head—revealing bloodshot eyes, with the other half of his face completely showing Ethereal traits.
Ye Qingfeng's body trembled slightly.
Is this… a human gradually turning into an Ethereal?
Although he knew that humans with low Ether adaptation could transform into Ethereals inside a Hollow, knowing was one thing.
Witnessing it firsthand was a profound shock to Ye Qingfeng. Even with his 80% Ether adaptation, staying too long in a Hollow could still lead to this, couldn't it?
It definitely could. He completely dropped his earlier carelessness. Now he had only one thought: Get out of this Hollow, fast! Even if he had to die, he'd prefer a cool death!
No… I don't want to die…
But I can't leave the Hollow alone—I need Anby!
"Anby…"
Ye Qingfeng instinctively looked toward Anby, who had seemed more reliable along the way, but before he could finish, Billy cut him off.
"Just as I thought, he's already been corrupted by Ether. The mutation is this severe… it seems this guy had no Ether adaptation."
There was none of Billy's usual flippancy now; for some reason, he seemed incredibly dependable.
"…Urgh… aah—Destroy… must not take… urgh…!"
The white-haired man uttered disjointed words amid groans of pain.
"He still has some consciousness left!"
Anby watched him warily and reminded Billy beside her.
Billy shook his head slightly, his gun still trained on the man. "It's too late. Ether crystals have spread all over his body. He's already…"
"Uwaaah! Save… destroy… urgh…!"
The man's cries grew more desperate, his expression twisting further.
Ether crystals continued to spread across his head and body, and the dark sphere that had covered half his face expanded steadily.
"He's forming a core!" Billy immediately warned as he observed the change. "Damn it! He's about to fully transform into an Ethereal!"
Watching from behind, Ye Qingfeng saw the Ether crystals gradually cover the man's face until his head was entirely replaced by a core—completing the transformation from human to a mindless Ethereal.
His fear peaked in that moment.
What terrified him wasn't the Ethereal before him—it was the thought of becoming a mindless monster himself. That was something he absolutely could not accept!
He could accept dying… but not turning into a monster!!!
There is… there must be a way! The System! Yes, I still have the System! It won't just watch me die!
'System, hurry! Get me out of here! Tell me how to leave the Hollow!'
[Ding! …No can do! Only a Fissure Beacons and a proxy have the ability to lead the host out!]
"Sys… System! Send me back! Hurry! I'll die! I don't want to turn into a monster! Why did you make me transmigrate! Why me…'
Ye Qingfeng stood frozen in despair, but the Ethereal nearby wouldn't ignore him just because he stood still. It held nothing back against the three before it.
"Tch, this guy won't be easy to deal with. Anby, get ready!" After reminding Anby, Billy called back to Ye Qingfeng without turning. "Qingfeng, find somewhere to hide!"
[Ding! The host's Ether adaptation is very high, so you'll be fine for a while. Don't give up…]
"Yeah… you're right, System…" The confusion in Ye Qingfeng's eyes gradually hardened into resolve. "Sorry… I said some self-defeating things…"
Though his will to fight hadn't broken, he still lacked the means to defeat an Ethereal. Heeding Billy's advice, he quickly found a place to hide.
"Billy! Anby, go for it!!"
Wow, this one looks tough! And it comes with its own weapon? Is that even fair?!
Hiding nearby, Ye Qingfeng noticed this Ethereal was different from the ones he'd seen before—not only did it wield a large blade, but it also had a shield on its other arm.
Wasn't this clearly an elite enemy?!
Fortunately, Anby and Billy were skilled. Although it took some time, they managed to take down the Ethereal. Just as Ye Qingfeng was about to sigh in relief, he saw it stand back up as if fully restored.
That's just cheating…
"It regenerated. This thing's Ether activity is still rising!"
Anby watched the situation warily and asked Billy beside her, "Should we keep attacking?"
"No! Our current firepower isn't suited for a war of attrition!" Billy quickly thought it over and immediately rejected the idea. Instead, he fired bullets at the scattered fire extinguishers around them.
"Time to go! Qingfeng!"
The fire extinguishers ruptured by the bullets instantly released clouds of thick smoke. Seizing the opportunity, Billy didn't hesitate to call Anby and Ye Qingfeng—who was behind the wall—to retreat.
The Ethereal reacted quickly, slashing through the smoke with its blade, but it was too late—the three were already gone.
"Billy, I didn't expect you to be so cool when you're serious!"
After successfully escaping, Ye Qingfeng complimented the now-serious Billy beside him.
"Aw, shucks~"
Billy struck a deliberately dramatic pose. "I've always been cool, actually!!"
"..."
"..."
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A/n: New content and Story posted on my patreon go check it out!
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