Chapter 108: Explorer of the Great Hollow
Lin Ye pressed the lighting switch, turning off the electric light, plunging the basement back into darkness.
Black threads emerged from within Lin Ye's body. He didn't resist them, instead controlling them to move freely, passing through various parts of his body.
His body was like a puppet manipulated by spirit, making movements under the pull of the black threads.
The peripheral vision monster stood behind him like a shadow, neither approaching nor moving away, becoming part of the puppet.
In the darkness, Lin Ye had lost most of his sensory abilities, yet he could understand his surroundings through hidden information.
Alice curled up in the corner of the basement, trembling uncontrollably.
A shadow-like entity was squeezed out of her body, floating behind her.
Countless black threads grew from within Lin Ye's body to the outside, gradually occupying the entire basement.
The shadow left Alice and charged toward Lin Ye. The black threads passed through the shadow's body but couldn't take root within it.
Lin Ye pulled the peripheral vision monster in front of him, using black threads to control it to crash into the shadow. The shadow seemed to realize something and quickly dodged the peripheral vision monster's impact.
Lin Ye continued using the peripheral vision monster to attack the shadow, but the shadow was exceptionally agile, easily avoiding the peripheral vision monster that Lin Ye had enhanced with various runes.
After changing positions several times, the shadow finally seized an opportunity and covered Lin Ye's body.
"Got you."
"Got you."
Inside the same body, both spoke simultaneously.
The shadow finally realized something was wrong, but it was too late.
Numerous black threads pierced into the shadow's body, taking root and growing within it.
If the black threads could take root in the peripheral vision monster through Lin Ye, naturally they could also take root in the shadow through Lin Ye.
If the peripheral vision monster touched the shadow, the black threads could also take root in the shadow through it, but the shadow was too agile. Even Lin Ye, who could see hidden information, found it difficult to catch.
So the peripheral vision monster was merely Lin Ye's decoy to pressure the shadow. Without it, the shadow would have more time to think and might delay until Lin Ye was completely consumed by the black threads.
"Damn it! You're already parasitized by this monstrous thing! And it's deep parasitism! I thought this was your ability!"
The shadow spoke using Lin Ye's body, filled with resentment.
"I controlled the black threads to grow outward specifically to create this misconception for you."
Lin Ye withdrew the black threads back into his body. He had lost most of his sensations but could still manipulate his body through the black threads.
"You think you've won? Although these black threads are troublesome, they essentially belong to the same branch of rules as me. Give me some time, and I can break free from them. Meanwhile, you'll become their puppet, never to be free. I hope the organization pays you enough to justify this cost."
The shadow wasn't lying. It could speak normally without needing the black threads, indicating it could partially immune to their effects.
"You're right, but I've already won."
Lin Ye pressed the switch. Light illuminated the basement, and the black threads ceased their agitation. The shadow took the opportunity to deal with the black threads - it only needed a moderate amount of time to successfully break free.
"Why didn't you turn on the light?"
Lin Ye controlled his body to walk to Alice's side and sit down, opening a bag of snacks and placing it between them.
"...Because I'm very afraid of darkness. Only when I'm in darkness, when my spirit isn't stable enough, can it not possess me."
Unlike when she was possessed, Alice's voice was gentle, giving a warm feeling.
"Do you want to leave this place?"
Lin Ye reached his hand into the snack bag. Inside were gummy-like snacks that, unlike energy bars, tasted quite good.
The organization hadn't paid him any wages, so he could totally take on some private work during his job. He had already received his payment.
"I do, but I won't leave here. You completed your mission, and I will complete mine too."
Alice's soft voice carried an undeniable firmness. She had persisted in the darkness for a month, only having her body taken over by the shadow when Lin Ye pressed the switch and light returned.
"I respect your choice, but as a reliable adult male, I must tell you a fact: no one is special. Even if you're not here, this world will continue to operate normally. The organization will find a replacement solution. So if you ever get tired, just leave this place."
This was Lin Ye speaking from experience.
"I'll remember that."
Alice also reached her hand into the snack bag. These were her favorite snacks, which she had been saving to eat last.
"Is there anything else here that needs my handling?"
The shadow was about to break free, and he should end all this.
"Nothing. I can handle the remaining matters. The outpost will be operational normally before nightfall."
Alice answered seriously.
"Then give me a handgun. Preferably a revolver - I like classics."
Lin Ye said with a trace of malice, smiling.
Alice paused for a moment, then somewhat sadly took out a revolver.
At that moment, the box instrument suddenly emitted a piercing alarm.
This was the first time it had sounded an alarm. The peripheral vision monster wouldn't trigger the alarm, tendril archways and black threads wouldn't trigger the alarm, neither the white nor blood-red church would trigger the alarm, and even the shadow wouldn't trigger the alarm.
Only when Alice used her ability had the box sounded the alarm.
Lin Ye suppressed a certain impulse in his heart, smashed the noisy box instrument, then took the revolver, glancing at the cylinder - it contained only one bullet.
He spun the cylinder, and before it stopped rotating, Lin Ye pointed the muzzle at his temple.
"Guess whether this shot will hit?"
Lin Ye said to himself.
"You damn bastard! This will only kill you, it won't harm me in any way!"
The shadow anxiously controlled Lin Ye's right hand, trying to move the gun away while frantically pulling out the black threads from within.
"If you want to bluff, at least maintain surface calm."
Lin Ye manipulated the threads and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The bullet shattered Lin Ye's head, simultaneously eliminating the possessing shadow.
The basement returned to its usual tranquility. Alice sat beside the headless corpse, remaining silent for a long time as she finished the remaining snacks.
........................
[Simulation Ended]
[Remaining Simulation Count: 8]
[Obtained 8 random items that appeared in this event]
[Obtained Nameless One's Gift*1]
[Obtained Title: Great Hollow Explorer]
Lin Ye opened his eyes and picked up the fox sleeping beside him with squinted eyes.
"Can you predict simulation missions? Can you help me predict nighttime activities?"
This simulation time was recommended by the fox. If Lin Ye's speculation was correct, he would eventually face this simulation mission. Without the fox's special abilities, he wasn't sure if he could have dealt with the shadow in the dark basement.
"Chirp chirp."
The fox reluctantly opened its eyes, emitting a gentle yet slightly dissatisfied sound.