Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3119: Chapter 3120: Those Who Remain

Under Angel’s coordination and guidance, they spent half a day finding all the new residents in the current city.

However, finding them was one thing; not everyone could be rescued.

There was also a bit of an accident.

The absolute safe time of the safe house was only two hours; after two hours, the protective effect of the safe house would disappear. If there were corpse-grind people around, they would be able to break into the safe house.

Of course, if lucky, without corpse-grind people wandering nearby, the safe house, even after the protection time, would still be considered "relatively safe."

Most of the new residents stayed inside the safe house without moving. Ninety percent of them waited safely for rescue, but two people in the safe house unfortunately encountered an attack by corpse-grind people.

Although Angel discovered it at the first moment and tried to stop it with the remote control of the Heavenly Phenomenon Replacement Power, some people still got injured to varying degrees.

In these two safe houses, a total of seven new residents existed. Under Angel’s guidance, four people successfully and safely escaped; but the remaining three, although they eventually escaped, were more or less scratched by the corpse-grind people.

The three scratched received a unique tip belonging to the Immortal Realm.

"Virus intrusion, currently in an abnormal state."

"When an individual is in an abnormal state, the body will transform towards the form of the corpse-grind tribe, with a transmutation time of 90 hours."

"While the individual is in an abnormal state, they are not allowed to leave the Immortal Realm."

"After transformation into the corpse-grind tribe, sanity will greatly decrease."

"Completing relevant tasks can lift the restrictions."

"Note: The transformation to the corpse-grind tribe is irreversible."

Upon seeing this row of tips, Angel realized that he was right. Indeed, there was an abnormal virus inside the corpse-grind people’s bodies. They should not be scratched; being injured is equivalent to being slapped with a bunch of debuffs immediately.

However, the Immortal Realm’s tip also gave these "infected" new residents a way out.

——Completing relevant tasks can lift restrictions.

According to the text understanding, the "restrictions" here refer to three debuff effects: a 90-hour abnormal state, a restriction on leaving, and decreased sanity.

Lifting the restrictions should mean that all three debuff effects have ways to be lifted.

However, these three debuff effects must also be distinguished. Once the first two debuff effects are lifted, the new residents still belong to humans. But if the abnormal state exceeds 90 hours and they become part of the corpse-grind tribe, even if the debuff effects are lifted, they are no longer human.

Because the transformation to the corpse-grind tribe is irreversible.

At most, they can be considered... a sane corpse-grind person.

Of course, it is also possible that Angel misinterpreted it. After becoming the corpse-grind tribe, even if the restrictions are lifted, regaining sanity may not be guaranteed, which would be too unfortunate.

But regardless of how to interpret the Immortal Realm’s tip, the final key point remains "completing relevant tasks."

However, what this so-called "relevant task" is, the Immortal Realm’s tip did not specify. It might be some main quest line or possibly a side mission that exists in this dungeon?

Therefore, although the Immortal Realm’s tip gave hope to the injured new residents, the hope isn’t much.

The three infected people, unable to leave, had to stay in the dungeon.

But in this city, apart from these three, two other people stayed behind.

These two people were not infected. Their reasons for staying were different: one was the brother of the infected, unwilling to leave to protect this last remaining kinship; the other voluntarily chose not to leave, believing that the "World Grinding Day" dungeon is a land of opportunities.

His strength wasn’t considered strong, but he had a strategic mind. After the safe house’s safe time reached, he voluntarily left the safe house. With undercover observation, he learned that corpse-grind people seek out others through sound and scent, so using some found tools, he set up a trap, successfully killed the corpse-grind people, and started his hunting journey.

When Laplace found him, he had already accumulated over 100 points and unlocked the "Pointer" function. Moreover, he obtained a remote crossbow, increasing his efficiency in killing corpse-grind people.

He refused to leave the Immortal Realm, planning to continue hunting in the Immortal Realm.

Since he unlocked the pointer function, he could find the exit himself; since he wasn’t willing to leave, Laplace respected his decision, allowing him to stay.

In summary, the city initially held seventy people, of whom sixty-five left. Of the remaining people, three were infected and unable to leave, and two voluntarily chose to stay.

However, this was only for this city. The World Grinding Day dungeon contains three cities, with five people landing in another city.

These five people were even more intriguing.

Initially, it was thought these five had bad luck, randomly assigned to the other two cities; but later, when Laplace and Glaipnir approached, they found these five were unique, none infected, but all refused to leave.

If the previously unwilling new resident could be called an "opportunist,"

then these five were respectively "Battle Maniac, Thief, The Brave, Schemer, and Court Mage."

The "Battle Maniac" refused to leave because the peaceful life in Rabbit Town was not his pursuit; he sought endless battle, life without end.

The "Thief" refused to leave because she found numerous treasures on some corpse-grind people; leaving empty-handed was not an option according to her faith.

"The Brave" refused to leave because outside, he wasn’t The Brave; only in this perilous world does a Brave have existence value.

The "Schemer" refused to leave, searching for the conspiracy behind the corpse-grind people’s rampage. He sensed that behind this conspiracy lay incredible profits. The schemer and opportunist were generally similar, staying for opportunities.

The most unique was the "Court Mage," who was more of a chemist than a mage. He specialized in small tricks under the guise of magic but based on chemistry. He stayed because Rabbit Town didn’t have what he needed, while, although the world on Grinding Day was full of ruins, it contained everything he craved.

These five people, each with distinct "personalities," were placed in other cities, possibly because the Immortal Realm dungeon discovered their uniqueness and granted them special attention?

In short, all five refused to leave.

They each had certain means; it’s quite simple for them to surpass 100 points.

As long as they could surpass 100 points and unlock the pointer function, they too had means to freely leave. Thus, their choices were respected the same.

In the end, of the seventy-five people, sixty-five left, and among the remaining, aside from the unfortunate infected three, the others remained alive and kicking.

Overall, this rescue mission was quite successful.

As for the three infected individuals, neither Laplace nor Glaipnir can help; they can’t stay here just to seek the elusive "related quest" for these three.

However, for the other seven who stayed behind, Angel gave them orders to search for the "related quest."

This not only helps others but also helps themselves. After all, they need to remain in the Fairyland Duplication, inevitably encountering the World Grinding Corpses; should they accidentally get infected, they will have to find a way out.

Once everyone was arranged, Angel and the others left this absurd and crazy World Grinding Day Dungeon.

...

"What should we do with her?" Back in the outside world, Glaipnir pointed at the giant mushroom housing the Mushroom Concubine, asking in a low voice.

The Mushroom Concubine is currently in a non-communicative state. Glaipnir’s inquiry about what to do naturally isn’t out of concern for her but because the Mushroom Concubine is the source of the mycelium.

Keeping this mushroom here is troublesome.

Although the mycelium hasn’t spread for now, Glaipnir hasn’t forgotten that not long ago, the mycelium exploded, occupying five floors instantly.

If it explodes several more times and the mycelium spreads, Rabbit Town would be doomed, wouldn’t it?

Laplace’s eyebrows also furrowed; she cares deeply about Rabbit Town. After all, the reason the Silver Coral Island’s exit exists is because there’s a gathering place here; if Rabbit Town disappears, won’t the Silver Coral Island’s exit close as well? Where would she go sea fishing? No, not sea fishing; it’s more about finding the perfect white sandy beach for sunbathing.

Angel wasn’t surprised by Glaipnir’s concern, but Laplace’s concern did surprise him a bit. However, he did not inquire further.

"No need to worry, I took the time to investigate the general situation of this World Grinding Day Dungeon’s entrance while in the instance."

"Even though more detailed information inside requires further investigation, I already have some understanding about the outside situation..."

Based on the information retrieved, Angel obtained three relatively accurate pieces of information: First, the World Grinding Day Dungeon is indeed triggered by mushrooms, with the conditions being "mushrooms and survivors."

"Mushrooms" refer to any kind of mushroom, and as long as they appear in the Crystal Origin of Dreams, they meet half of the trigger conditions.

"Survivors" simply refers to the dungeon’s participants. This survivor doesn’t necessarily have to be humans; other life forms possessing spirit intelligence can also qualify.

The new resident on the eighteenth floor brought back mushrooms from Silver Coral Island, coincidentally meeting the two conditions, thus bringing about the Fairyland Duplication.

Second, the special NPC, Mushroom Concubine, is indeed in an "abnormal state," and to communicate with her normally, completing related quests is necessary.

Similarly, this "related quest" is well hidden; Angel could not find even the slightest clue about it. It’s quite possibly akin to Uriel’s letter, a Schrödinger’s cat scenario where until triggered, even the Fairyland Authority has no idea what subsequent tasks will entail.

As for the third, it concerns the current situation. The giant mushroom’s mechanism for luring people is through mycelium contact; the mechanism for mycelium spread requires special energy, which is closely related to "swallowing people."

The reason it spread over five floors in such a short period earlier was that it swallowed up a total of seventy-five people, providing enough energy.

Now, with no one to swallow, once the energy is depleted, the mycelium can’t spread out.

As long as the other Rabbit Town residents don’t act recklessly and don’t actively touch the giant mushroom, it’s safe even if it remains on the eighteenth floor. Even if someone does act recklessly, it would still need to swallow at least a thousand people before its mycelium would have the energy to spread outside Rabbit Town.

One person acting recklessly can be understood, but surely not everyone can be reckless, right?

That’s why Angel said "no need to worry."

After hearing Angel’s explanation, Glaipnir also breathed a sigh of relief: "Although it doesn’t have much energy to spread the mycelium right now, for safety’s sake, it’s best to first seal this Rabbit Mansion."

Angel: "I agree with regulating this Rabbit Mansion, but sealing it isn’t necessary; just setting a threshold would suffice."

"Unknown Fairyland Duplication might have some mechanisms that trick people."

"But a known and controllable Fairyland Duplication is the best resource production site."

"Not all new residents are Ivory Tower kids; some might be willing to take risks." Angel: "So, regulation is enough, no need for a ban. If someone’s physical fitness and combat awareness meet the requirements, they can be allowed inside."

In Angel’s perspective, both unknown and known Fairyland Duplication are opportunities.

Since choosing to become new residents, they need to adapt to this world themselves.

Rather than expecting the world to adapt to them.

Being overly protective may not necessarily be beneficial... Of course, if a large civilization develops here, a civilization with rationality, propriety, higher leadership with clear strategies, pillars with responsibilities, and strivers with objectives, then perhaps attitudes can shift towards trying to change the world.

But clearly, that time hasn’t come yet.

Glaipnir thought it over and didn’t argue against Angel’s suggestion, implicitly agreeing... sealing is indeed not the optimal solution.

Having established a plan makes subsequent issues much easier.

These subsequent matters, including the reassignment of new residents and the regulation of the mansion, were entrusted to Glaipnir to handle.

These all count as reverberations from the "World Grinding Day" since the situation in the World Grinding Day Dungeon has been laid bare, making them relatively simple to solve.

The only challenging aspect now is the coordination and management of resources.

Whether from Silver Coral Island or extracted from the World Grinding Day, these resources might lead to the birth of new Fairyland Duplication. Consequently, although Rabbit Town is in urgent need of resources, new residents have become apprehensive about them.

To address this, Glaipnir intends to establish three new teams: the "Resource Management Group," the "Resource Coordination Group," and the "Resource Experiment Group."

The most crucial is the "Resource Experiment Group," as resources brought out from the instance need to undergo experiments, sedimentation, and documentation, ensuring no new Fairyland Duplication is born before being integrated into town development.

Yet, currently, not many are willing to join the "Resource Experiment Group." Though Glaipnir feels somewhat disappointed about this, she eventually comes to terms with the situation.

After all, those choosing to become new residents are dissatisfied with facing "death" in reality.

If new residents die in the Crystal Origin of Dreams, they truly perish; understanding their inner fears is reasonable.

Solving this issue isn’t difficult either; just find people who can go offline to join the Resource Experiment Group.

Although not many can go offline now, it won’t take long for their numbers to increase... perhaps after the upcoming regular gathering of multiple clans, there will be a population surge, resulting in many usable individuals.