Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Count Me In

As they spoke, Shen Yan had already led the group to the elevators. Although it was declared a condemned building, the power supply inside was still functioning normally, and the elevators were operational.

After entering the elevator, he pulled out a card and tapped it against the scanner. DING. The display indicated that the elevator was descending.

"Because of the structural cracks, the third basement level has also been affected. During our assessment, we found that some vials of serum on the second floor had shattered. The contents happened to leak through the cracks down to the third basement level, infecting some of the biological specimens.

"Furthermore, some containment facilities for the contamination sources have been compromised. At present, we cannot be certain how many specimens have been directly exposed to these sources."

The elevator finally stopped. Xu Qingsui specifically checked the display; they had arrived at the second basement level.

The elevator doors opened, and a pungent odor drifted in. Immediately after, a staff member wearing a gas mask approached, carrying a spare gas mask in hand.

The staff member originally intended to give the spare mask to Shen Yan, but upon seeing so many people in the elevator, they suddenly didn’t know who to hand it to.

Ultimately, Shen Yan waved the mask away. "Is the gas leak severe? Have you identified the substance and determined if there’s an infection risk?"

"Boss, we haven’t completed the full assessment yet. However, based on our current findings, no airborne serums have leaked. But just to be safe—"

Before the staff member could finish, Shen Yan raised his hand to cut them off. Once he was certain there were no airborne sources of infection, he stepped directly out onto the second basement level. Seeing this, Xu Qingsui, Lu Jingyu, and the rest of the group didn’t hesitate either, following him out onto the floor.

"What is the situation now?" Shen Yan asked. The staff member who had come to receive them provided the answers to the questions Shen Yan hadn’t been able to fully explain earlier.

"The infected Mutants are currently trapped on the third basement level. Fortunately, when this facility was built, the walls of that level were reinforced with cast iron. They should hold for a while longer.

"Before you arrived, the Survival Team dispatched a few Sentinels. They are currently guarding the stairwell. If there are any signs of a breach from below, they will head down immediately to intercept them."

At the mention of the Survival Team, the staff member cautiously cast a glance at Shen Yan. Everyone knew that yesterday’s incident had dealt a heavy blow to Shen Yan, so much so that their usually meticulous boss had displayed a rare look of dejection.

Shen Yan abruptly stopped in his tracks. Just as the staff member thought they had inadvertently provoked their boss, Shen Yan turned his head to look at Lu Jingyu.

"This is our current situation. The Mutants are currently trapped on the third basement level. Apart from that floor, the two levels above have not been specially reinforced. If they break through and even a single one manages to escape, there will definitely be casualties. Therefore, our best option is to resolve everything down there."

Lu Jingyu had a clear grasp of the situation. Hearing Shen Yan’s words, he simply nodded.

"Understood. But I need to know the total number of biological specimens confined below. Once I know how many enemies we are facing, I can devise a proper strategy."

Shen Yan glanced at the staff member, who quickly chimed in. "As of now, there are thirty-seven biological specimens contained down there. However, we cannot confirm if all of them are infected. The specimens held in rooms without any structural cracks are most likely uninfected."

Lu Jingyu remained silent. He was not one to be optimistic when handling matters; no matter what he did, he always prepared for the worst-case scenario. Only by calculating every possibility could he mount the most comprehensive defense against any unforeseen variables.

"Then we’ll prepare as if there are thirty-seven Mutants down there," Lu Jingyu said, looking at his team members. Since they were merely the vanguard unit, the entire team consisted of only eight people, including himself. "Everyone will be assigned to handle at least seven Mutants each. In a moment, according to—"

"There is something I must warn you about in advance." Before Lu Jingyu could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Shen Yan. "Among these specimens are two bears, a leopard, and a wolf. The other creatures are manageable, but if these four have been infected, they will likely be extremely troublesome to deal with." ree

Lu Jingyu usually disliked being interrupted, but after hearing Shen Yan’s warning, his expression instantly turned solemn.

Typically, a Mutant’s combat strength was directly proportional to its original physical capabilities. As Shen Yan had pointed out, these four creatures were ferocious to begin with. If they truly underwent mutation, their combat prowess would be extraordinary.

His brows furrowed tightly. After a brief moment of thought, he turned back to his team and said, "You heard him. Our mission down there is going to be incredibly arduous. Everyone must be on high alert.

"Regarding the four creatures Boss Shen just mentioned, if they have unfortunately mutated, leave them to me. Your primary objective will be the remaining thirty-three Mutants.

"Our goal is to eliminate the Mutants and resolve this crisis, but your paramount priority is your own survival. Do not force yourselves into actions that will lead to pointless sacrifices.

"Boss Shen, you should have a map of the third basement level, right? I need a detailed map with the locations of all the biological specimens marked on it."

Shen Yan didn’t reply verbally. Instead, he simply shot a look at the staff member who had just briefed them.

A few minutes later, a floor plan was handed to Lu Jingyu. The ink marking the locations of the various specimens had not yet completely dried, indicating that the staff had rushed to update it.

Upon receiving the map, Lu Jingyu spread it open and began assigning tasks to his team. He divided the entire third basement level into four sectors and organized his team into pairs, each assigned to explore a designated area. As it happened, two of the four dangerous creatures—the bears—were confined in the same sector, which was also the area directly beneath the prominent structural cracks. Lu Jingyu opted to lead one team member to explore that specific zone.

"Count me in!" Seeing that Lu Jingyu hadn’t included her in the assignments, Xu Qingsui voluntarily stepped forward.

Lu Jingyu furrowed his brows at this. Just as he was about to urge her to stay upstairs, Xu Qingsui beat him to it. "Like I said before, I will take responsibility for my own safety!"

Looking at Xu Qingsui’s resolute demeanor, Lu Jingyu felt as though he were looking back at the days when they fought side by side.

His heart stirred slightly, and he immediately changed his tune. "You join Li Yaru’s group. Qing Sui and I will be a team."

"Then count me in as well!" When Xu Qingsui had stepped forward earlier, Shen Yan already had a bad premonition. Now, seeing that Xu Qingsui was about to brave the dangers alongside Lu Jingyu, he grew utterly anxious. Adversity was the easiest environment to draw people closer and foster emotional bonds. They had agreed to compete fairly, and he definitely couldn’t leave all the opportunities to bond solely to Lu Jingyu.

However, the moment Shen Yan spoke, everyone’s gaze converged on him, carrying varying degrees of skepticism. Feeling the weight of their stares, Shen Yan looked thoroughly awkward.

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