WebNovels

Chapter 399 - Searching for Seth

The initial operation against Hollow Zero had just concluded. Keqing, along with the New Eridu authorities, were investigating the "Ethereal infiltrator" incident. For the next few days, no one would be entering Hollow Zero.

Therefore.

Upon hearing of the incident at the Development Zone Hollow, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper, along with several others, swiftly decided to journey together to the Development Zone Hollow. Their mission: to locate Seth and Perlman, and assist Zhu Yuan in uncovering the truth behind the matter...

Mountain Shaper solemnly declared, "That girl gifted this Immortal a mobile phone last time. I shall grant her this favor."

Cloud Retainer added slowly, "That girl adores this Immortal's tales. Were she a few years younger, this Immortal would certainly take her as a disciple..."

Hearing this, Nekomata exclaimed excitedly, "Then let's depart! Destination: Development Zone Hollow, meow—"

With that, the group left the "Hollow Zero Operations Department" and headed together toward the Development Zone Hollow.

Given the urgency of the matter, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Nicole, and the others drove at breakneck speed. In less than half an hour, the massive Development Zone Hollow loomed ahead.

Tsukishiro Yanagi announced solemnly, "Everyone, prepare yourselves. We are about to enter the cavern—"

Nicole echoed loudly, "Get your W-Engines and Drive Discs ready! We're entering the Development Zone Hollow—"

The words had barely left their mouths. With a stomp on the accelerator, both vehicles plunged into the Development Zone Hollow almost simultaneously.

Much like the companion caverns they had encountered before, the moment they entered, the group felt the high concentration and heightened activity of Ether energy, along with the corruption effects and pressure it exerted. Being an A-class Hollow, the Development Zone Hollow exerted stronger corruption and pressure than ordinary caverns.

Fortunately, through their recent interactions with several Adepti, everyone had acquired considerable skills. Additionally, their W-Engines had been modified by Cloud Retainer, significantly enhancing their resistance to etheric corruption. Thus, they experienced no adverse reactions upon entering.

After entering the void, Billy suddenly realized, "We didn't even bring a Proxy. Where are we supposed to find Seth and Perlman?"

Anby replied solemnly, "The Proxy were summoned by Zhu Yuan..."

Previously, when faced with such situations, Nicole would often seek Sam Li's advice, and Sam Li would invariably provide the optimal solution.

Therefore, Nicole instinctively glanced to the side. 

"Sam Li, which way?"

Sam Li pondered briefly before saying, "For now, move forward."

Nicole immediately understood.

 "Tsukishiro Yanagi, Sam Li said full speed ahead—"

Tsukishiro Yanagi nodded. 

"Got it—"

The words had barely left her mouth before both vehicles simultaneously charged deep into the void of the Development Zone Hollow.

...

Just as Bringer led a squad of Security Personnel, Zhu Yuan commanded Qingyi, and Section 6 brought the Adepti into the Development Zone Hollow to search for Seth and Perlman...

At this very moment, somewhere within the Development Zone Hollow.

In a block of ruins, Seth dragged Perlman by one arm while leaning on his baton with the other. Gritting his teeth against his injuries, he staggered into an abandoned building.

Exhausted from blood loss, Seth's face twisted in agony. As if his strength had completely drained, he collapsed against a wall, releasing his grip on Perlman.

Seeing this, Perlman finally found his chance to escape. Without a word, he tried to leave Seth behind and flee.

But Seth's voice came from behind him. 

"This is an A-class Hollow. It's crawling with Ethereal. Run if you want to die."

Hearing this, Perlman immediately stopped in his tracks.

That was right. This was the Development Zone Hollow—an active Grade A Hollow teeming with more than one Notoriety-level Ethereal. With Perlman's slight frame, he wouldn't even be enough to fill an Ethereal's tooth gap.

Realizing this, Perlman turned back immediately, adopting a righteous expression.

"You saved me from that Bringer guy. Of course I won't abandon you. After all, I'm not exactly a bad guy..."

Seth was speechless.

"..."

Perlman continued.

"How can I help you?"

He claimed he'd help Seth, but he wasn't a medic. Back when he was a puppet boss at Vision Company, he had never dealt with anything like this...

A moment of silence passed before Seth spoke weakly.

"Help me unbutton my coat..."

Perlman startled.

"What do you mean?"

Seth's face was deathly pale.

"I need to tend to my injuries first... Also, there's an emergency medical kit in my jacket pocket. Get it out for me..."

Perlman obediently complied, all the while cursing Bringer and Miss Sarah.

"Those bastards... used me and then tried to kill me..."

Soon, Perlman unbuttoned Seth's shirt, revealing a long knife wound across his chest, a gunshot wound on his shoulder, and another on his leg.

The blood flowing out had nearly dyed Seth's entire upper body crimson.

Seeing this, even Perlman froze. He hadn't expected Seth to be this badly injured. An ordinary person with such wounds would likely be dead already.

At that moment, Seth, gritting his teeth against the pain, opened the emergency medical kit he carried and, without hesitation, administered an injection to himself.

Immediately after, he tore open a packet of powdered medicine and sprinkled it over the knife wound on his chest, as well as the gunshot wounds on his shoulder and leg.

The powder's sting sent a wave of excruciating pain through him, forcing Seth to clench his teeth.

Once the sharp pain subsided, he used gauze from the kit to wrap his leg, shoulder, and chest. Short on gauze, he tore strips from his clothing to improvise.

After finishing these preparations, Seth leaned back against the wall once more, closing his eyes to steady his breathing.

Beside him, Perlman, seeing Seth motionless, cried out, "Seth, don't you dare die—"

Seth opened his eyes and glanced at him.

"Stop shouting. I'm not dying yet."

Perlman pressed, "Then what should we do next? The Ether corruption and pressure here are overwhelming. In a few more hours, we'll both be finished..."

Seth took a deep breath.

"Wait—"

Perlman froze.

"Wait?"

Seth replied earnestly, "Yes, wait. I trust my comrades. They will find us here..."

He was now gravely wounded. Outside lurked wandering Ethereal remains, Bringer's pursuers, and possibly even Notoriety-level Ethereal threats—a situation he couldn't possibly handle alone.

His only chance of survival now was to wait for his teammates' backup.

Seth believed that once Captain Zhu Yuan and Senior Qingyi saw the convoy ambush, they would rush to his aid without hesitation.

More Chapters