Chapter 19 – If I sleep, who’s going to protect you all?

During the seemingly endless journey, the convoy encountered another three waves of alien swarm, making it a total of four.

The number of casualties had surged from one-tenth at the beginning to three-eighths.

The road behind them was now completely engulfed in dim light. All vehicles eventually came to a stop one thousand meters away from the target location.

One after another, people stepped down from the vehicles and gathered in the open space at the center. There, they listened to the statistician’s report. “Total casualties across all position types: 48. Among them, 15 were killed in battle, and 33 were executed due to alienation infection. The dead include 3 researchers and 5 from logistics. The rest were from combat units.”

Compared to those who died in direct combat, the toll caused by alienation infection was evidently more devastating.

Amid the silence, the cold numbers fell into everyone’s ears. On their weary faces, there was little expression, dulled by growing numbness.

Emotions like sorrow and fear, once considered a luxury, had long been worn down throughout the journey. Now, only one task remained before them: to successfully bring back enough tissue samples to the lookout post.

The overall commander of this operation was Chi Dehai, captain of the Third Squad, specially transferred by the Defense Force from a high-level lookout post.

Perhaps sensing the heavy atmosphere at the scene, he clapped his hands with a smile, attempting to lift spirits. “Everyone, stay sharp! We’ve already reached the area near our destination. As long as we can collect enough tissue samples, we can go home!”

“Understood!” came the synchronized response from the squad.

It sounded somewhat forced, as if they were putting on a brave front, but under these circumstances, no one would take issue with it.

After all, even morale propped up by feigned calm was still better than none at all.

“All squads, ensure the safety of the research personnel.” This was the final order issued by Chi Dehai.

In truth, from a certain perspective, the research team was the very core of this operation.

Without prior on-site verification, no matter how much alien tissue was brought back, it would all be meaningless if the samples weren’t valid.

In the next moment, Ying Xize saw the members of the Seventh Squad gather around him all at once.

He couldn’t tell if it was merely his imagination, but he felt that the way those members looked at him carried a peculiar subtlety.

It was a kind of eerie enthusiasm.

“Our squad will be at the front, clearing the way and guarding against possible attacks from new alien swarms.” Su Fengzhou looked at Ying Xize and gave his instructions. “You and Zhuo Yu will stay in the second formation. Once the area is confirmed safe, I’ll send a signal. Then we’ll begin the sampling.”

At this moment, his tone was formal and organized, devoid of the usual teasing and sarcasm that often made him insufferable.

After seeing Ying Xize nod, he continued to look at him steadily and asked, “Any other questions?”

As their eyes met, Ying Xize could see clearly the dense bloodshot veins in Su Fengzhou’s pupils.

After a brief pause, he still gave a reminder. “Captain Su, something doesn’t seem right with your condition.”

With that one sentence, all the gazes from the surrounding members of the Seventh Squad, which had originally been fixed on Ying Xize, turned in unison toward Su Fengzhou.

Sensing the worry in his teammates’ eyes, Su Fengzhou said, “I’m fine right now.”

His tone was calm, as though there was nothing worth worrying about.

“That’s good.” Ying Xize didn’t press the issue further.

“We’re moving out.” After speaking, Su Fengzhou waved to his squad members and walked toward the Ninth Squad’s rally point, where the others were already showing signs of impatience.

Zhuo Yu, the only one who remained behind, glanced at Ying Xize’s lingering gaze, then leaned closer and quietly said, “Researcher Ying, don’t worry. With me around, I’ll make sure to protect you well.”

Only then did Ying Xize withdraw his gaze.

Looking at that youthful, sunny face, a rare trace of a smile surfaced in his eyes. “How will you protect me? Using your sniper rifle?”

Zhuo Yu scratched his head, replying with honest sincerity, “The sniper rifle probably won’t be much help. Those aliens are unaffected by bullets. But since I gave my word to the captain that I’d protect you, I’ll definitely keep that promise. Even if I have to risk my life, I’ll see it through to the end!”

He promised Su Fengzhou to protect him?

A flicker of surprise flashed across Ying Xize’s expression, but he quickly masked it without a word.

Looking at the young man who was three or four years younger than himself, he gave a smile. “You’re still young, protect yourself first.”

　　-

One thousand meters was a relatively suitable distance.

After all, they still needed to rely on these vehicles for the return journey, and this arrangement could reasonably minimize potential damage.

A portion of the personnel was left behind to stand guard at the vehicle stop point. As the advance unit set off, the squads behind began to follow one after another.

Positioned at the rear of the advance unit, Ying Xize and Zhuo Yu were encircled by members of the second formation.

As they gradually approached their destination, the situation ahead became clearer, little by little.

Everyone’s expressions grew increasingly grim.

Amid the dim yellow environment, what stood out most clearly were the scattered, pale bones lying all around.

The footage in the original video data had already been horrifying enough. Yet upon arrival, the sheer brutality of the real scene not only matched it, but it was also even worse.

A burial ground.

Or rather, an outright mass grave.

“What… exactly happened… here…”

Amid the sharp collective intake of breath, someone couldn’t help but mutter under their breath, unaware of the tremble that had crept into their voice.

The deeper they went, the more scattered limbs and bones they saw.

After half a month, the exposed flesh had already begun to rot, releasing a sour stench into the air.

On the skeleton that had been half-devoured by flying insects, it was still clearly discernible that the remaining half was a human skull.

Dark red and murky green blood had thickly mingled together.

Exposed to the open air, it had dried, only to be gradually consumed by the surrounding yellow sand.

In such a dim environment, a single misstep could easily land on the dismembered limbs chaotically piled atop one another, each belonging to different individuals.

The soft, faintly elastic sensation seemed to rise from underfoot and spread instantly through the entire body. Even those frontline veterans couldn’t help but gag repeatedly.

Zhuo Yu remained by Ying Xize’s side without moving an inch. His fingers, clutching the sleeve, were as tense as his voice. “Just how many people… died here?”

“Forty-six.” Ying Xize recalled the data he had seen regarding the fatal incident. He slowly reached out to brush away the flies circling the nearby remains, his gaze resting on the twisted bones still connected to soft flesh. “Judging from the current scene, nearly two-thirds of them likely died from alienation infection.”

His voice was soft, so much so that it was hard to tell whether he was stating a fact or expressing sorrow. “It appears that even the aliens do not accept these so-called ‘new kin’ created through alienation. Though these infected people weren’t executed, they still couldn’t escape the fate of being completely devoured.”

“This… they were torn apart alive…” Zhuo Yu felt a sudden chill sweep over him and instinctively tightened his collar.

Ying Xize had already opened the toolbox. After putting on protective gloves, he took out the sampling equipment inside.

Nearby, the other research personnel were also trying their best to adjust their state and had gradually begun to get to work.

However, due to the overwhelming psychological impact, the hands holding the tools still trembled slightly, unable to steady themselves completely.

The busily moving figures became the only distinct motion in the otherwise stifling atmosphere.

Yet even after a thorough and meticulous search, they still failed to obtain the results they were hoping for.

Most of the remnants left at the scene belonged to the fallen Defense Force members. On occasion, fragments of severed alien limbs could be found, but after so many days, they had completely dried out.

Once separated from the main body, alien cells rapidly lose their activity. Their rate of decay and decomposition is five to six times faster than that of ordinary human cells. It is precisely this extreme fragility that, in a way, makes the sampling process extraordinarily difficult.

“All alien cells have essentially reached the late stage of desiccation and no longer meet the required activity standards for viable samples.”

“It’s suspected that multiple alien groups passed through during this time. Most of the tissue components at the scene have been heavily devoured.”

“Damn it, not a single one is usable! F*ck!”

“Report, the area around Area 3 has been fully inspected. No active samples were found.”

“Report, nothing was found at Area 4 either.”

“Report, Area 6…”

One report after another came in, and amidst the continuous updates, a trace of impatience surfaced between the tightly furrowed brows of the commander.

Everyone understood perfectly well what it would mean if this operation ended with nothing to show for it.

If countermeasures couldn’t be developed with utmost urgency, and a large-scale outbreak of alien swarms immune to conventional weapons truly erupted, then humanity’s only fate would be to sit and wait for death.

It would be nothing short of a catastrophic disaster.

However, as the seconds ticked by with no progress, it gradually became evident that the chances of acquiring active samples were growing increasingly slim.

Chi Dehai turned to glance at the two Investigation Department squad captains standing at his side.

Xu Xuefeng gently tugged at the combat bandage wrapped around his palm. His curled fingers slowly clenched into a fist.

Meeting Chi Dehai’s gaze, he didn’t say much. He simply waved his hand and called out to the nearby Ninth Squad members, “Move quickly, go assist with the sampling!”

On the other side, Su Fengzhou had already begun striding toward the second formation with his squad.

That was where his researcher was.

Ying Xize remained intensely focused on the sampling process.

Carefully, he used a small knife to scrape away the decayed flesh on the surface, revealing the smooth, sac-like tissue within. During the meticulous cutting process, he had to avoid damaging the structural integrity. In the end, he still needed to determine whether the remaining minuscule portion met the viability criteria for a sample.

By now, he had already discarded more invalid samples than he could count.

Though every movement appeared slow and deliberate, Ying Xize had nonetheless processed the highest number of tissue inspections among everyone present.

It was apparent that this researcher had a pronounced case of perfectionism. Each severed tissue piece was neatly and precisely placed in its designated location, so meticulously arranged that, in the midst of this frantic environment, it gave off an uncanny, indescribable air.

By the time Su Fengzhou finished assigning tasks to his team and walked over, this was the scene he encountered.

He couldn’t help but comment, “Teacher Ying, are you setting up a street stall here?”

Ying Xize’s motion with the knife paused ever so slightly. He looked up, the sharp blade pointed squarely in Su Fengzhou’s direction, and replied in his usual icy tone, “Do you have that much free time?”

Su Fengzhou let out a low chuckle. “At the moment, yeah, I do have a bit of free time.”

Lowering his gaze, he caught sight of the fatigue clearly etched into the other’s features. He was well aware that the past few days of grueling travel had been especially harsh for a researcher accustomed to a more sheltered life. Bending his long legs, he crouched down. “How about I have Zhuo Yu escort you back to the vehicle for a bit of rest? I’ll take over here. I’ve always been pretty handy with a blade, usually get a good feel when slicing up aliens. Just walk me through it briefly, and I promise that by the time you wake up, I’ll have all the tissues neatly sorted and ready for you.”

His tone sounded quite earnest, but Ying Xize clearly had no intention of accepting the offer. “With eyes so red even a rabbit would feel embarrassed, I’d say you’re more likely to slice yourself than the samples.”

“Tsk, don’t underestimate me. How would you know if I haven’t tried?”

As if directly provoked by a sudden spark of competitiveness, Su Fengzhou had already reached out before the last word even left his mouth, not waiting for permission.

Ying Xize truly couldn’t contend with a Sentinel who charged in headfirst without warning. Before he realized it, he had already been pushed aside. After holding back for a moment, he finally asked in exasperation, “…Why don’t you go get some sleep yourself?”

Su Fengzhou didn’t even lift his head, responding with casual indifference, “If I sleep, who’s going to protect you all?”

Ying Xize said nothing in return.

He didn’t actually go back to the convoy either. Instead, he stood nearby, gaze lowered, quietly watching Su Fengzhou’s surprisingly competent handling of the task. From time to time, he couldn’t help but correct him with a word or two.

Truthfully, the distance between the two was already quite close.

They could faintly hear each other’s breathing.

If not for the grim, oppressive setting, the scene might well have been described as tranquil and serene.

Su Fengzhou indeed showed a certain natural talent for the task. And perhaps, after so many years of fighting and killing, he had developed a particular fondness for these kinds of ‘slice-of-life’ moments. He worked with a look of genuine interest.

Ying Xize was watching as Su Fengzhou skillfully completed the processing of yet another piece of alien tissue. He was just considering whether or not to offer a word of praise when a faint sound reached his ears, causing him to abruptly turn his gaze into the distance.

At the same moment, Su Fengzhou also lifted his head with sharp alertness.

The two moved almost in perfect sync. The calm expressions they had just moments ago were completely gone.

As if in confirmation of their heightened senses, a distant shout came from one of the Outpost Division members. “Level One Alert! Level One Alert! Alien presence confirmed—! At least a B Class alien swarm! All units on alert—!”

Class B—this was the largest-scale swarm they had encountered since the start of the mission.

It already qualified as a high-intensity disaster level.

But from another perspective, this sudden development also suggested a different possibility.

If this swarm of aliens happened to be the same group that had encountered the fallen Defense Force, then perhaps this could be the breakthrough they needed to obtain viable samples.

Life and death aside, sample collection remained the primary objective of this operation.

As for whether they would make it out alive—ever since the moment they chose to venture into the depths of the cavern, that outcome had already been left to fate.

Everyone held their breath, nerves stretched taut in silence.

Looking in that direction, within the already dim and murky environment, eerie silhouettes gradually began to take shape one after another.

More and more emerged, growing in number and density…

Like wave after wave of a rising tide, their oppressive footsteps closed in step by step, until the entire field of vision was completely filled.

It was chilling enough to make one shudder, as if twilight had ushered in the hour when demons begin to stir.

Gunfire erupted from the front lines, and the scent of blood burst into the air, sharp and pervasive.

Chaos broke out instantly.

Su Fengzhou had already set down the sampling tools in his hands. As he stood up, he instinctively looked toward Ying Xize, who, at that moment, was also looking at him. Their eyes met.

Amid the surrounding turmoil, the world seemed to fall into a fleeting, subtle silence.

Monsters had already surged into the crowd. With their savage fangs bared, the curtain of catastrophe was drawn.

“Stay here and don’t move. I’ll go.” Su Fengzhou tightened the special metal blade at his waist, but just as he turned around, his hand was suddenly grabbed.

He turned back, puzzled, only to find that Ying Xize wasn’t looking at him.

His distant gaze was locked onto the aliens drawing ever closer, as if those ferocious figures had filled his pupils entirely.

No one knew what Ying Xize had suddenly realized in that brief moment, but his complexion had turned slightly pale in an instant. “Make sure to cut the tissue where the tentacles are connected.”

Then, a breeze passed by, causing the pale strands of hair at his cheek to lift slightly.

His voice was slow, yet every word was clear. “Otherwise, they will regenerate endlessly.”