HAGLTP Chapter 54

Just before the shadow looming over the main characters could swallow them whole, Xiao Lu left the library.

He walked a considerable distance until the library was no longer in sight before he finally stopped.

Xiao Lu tucked the whip away at his waist for easy access. The items taken from the encyclopedia would remain until the next summoning, but the encyclopedia wouldn’t keep them for you; you had to find a way to store them yourself.

Suddenly, Xiao Lu paused.

His gaze shifted to the back of his hand.

When did a black spot appear there? He remembered that the original owner didn’t have such a mole on the back of his hand.

He wiped it with a tissue, but the black spot remained, as if a small hole had opened in an endless abyss.

A rather ominous guess surfaced in his mind; it seemed he had also been affected, just like Huo Lin and the others in the main group.

Xiao Lu wasn’t sure how long a person could hold out after being targeted by the shadow. This small black spot felt like a time bomb strapped to him, announcing that his life was in countdown mode.

·

“Lu Ge! Come drink some cola!” Ai Zhenzhen approached with a large bucket of cola.

“Lu Ge, want some chips?” Hao Si said, holding a giant bag of chips that was half his height.

The reunion with these two happened about an hour ago.

Xiao Lu had encountered a group of people with black spots on the street, and upon seeing each other as strangers, the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Just as a fight was about to break out, two individuals who seemed out of place rushed out, hugging Xiao Lu and crying as if they had found a long-lost father.

Naturally, the fight couldn’t continue.

Xiao Lu was politely invited to their territory as a guest.

After Ai Zhenzhen and Hao Si disappeared into the mist, they directly arrived in this world. They were lucky to land in the territory of a faction called Iris.

This faction was composed of a group of university students in this world.

They had become accustomed to the frequent appearances of visitors from other worlds, and upon seeing the two young and terrified individuals, they welcomed them to stay in their territory.

At this moment, Xiao Lu learned that the flow of time in the two worlds was actually different.

He thought he had only been separated from the two for a few hours, but in reality, it had been a whole month for them.

“Want some milk tea?” Hao Si snapped his fingers at the empty electric kettle, and it instantly filled with clear water.

“Make it with taro,” Ai Zhenzhen skillfully placed her hand on the plug, electricity sparking from her fingertips as she began to boil water.

The two had also awakened their abilities. However, for these two who were not particularly skilled in combat, their powers had been transformed into life skills instead of combat abilities.

Thanks to them, the Iris base had water and electricity, making living conditions much better than in many other places.

The leader of Iris was named Wen Mujun. He wore a neat white shirt and simple black trousers, his black hair was clean and tidy, and he exuded a fresh and clean aura, looking every bit the model student.

Although young, Wen Mujun was organized in his work and handled various issues decisively. He had been a no-nonsense student council president and now sat firmly in a leadership position, with his subordinates behaving well and showing no signs of attempting a coup.

He was a stark contrast to the typical problem student like Chi Lu, who was also a failed leader.

Wen Mujun handed a cup of milk tea to Xiao Lu: “The mist and shadows suddenly appeared in Zone 97. These shadows can contaminate living beings, including humans.”

“You mentioned that you fought against someone contaminated by the shadows and won. That’s because you were also affected by the shadows. Only those who have been contaminated can attack the shadows; they seem to have a particular preference for you outsiders.”

“What will happen to me afterward?” Xiao Lu asked, cradling the milk tea.

“Those who have been contaminated will become stronger in combat, but their aggression and self-control will weaken, ultimately turning into those massive shadows that only know how to attack and devour, never satisfied.”

“As for how long this period lasts, it entirely depends on your self-control. The more you enjoy the powerful strength the shadows give you, the faster you will be assimilated.”

“You might be able to hold out for several years, or even a lifetime, or you could lose your self-awareness in just a few days.”

Xiao Lu said, “I once saw someone hatch a shadow butterfly from their body right in front of me; it happened very quickly. He… didn’t seem like someone without self-control.”

“That means he was quite unfortunate, directly targeted by a powerful shadow. In such cases, personal willpower becomes ineffective, and the body will instantly become a puppet of the shadow,” Wen Mujun said leisurely, taking a sip of his milk tea and slightly frowning at the excessive sugar content.

“These powerful shadows especially love to hunt in other worlds; the stronger the prey, the more they like it.”

“If you encounter such a person, my advice is to turn around and run, regardless of your previous relationship.”

Xiao Lu nodded and slowly finished the rich milk tea in his hands.

It seemed he needed to make a trip to Zone 97.

·

After bidding a reluctant farewell to Ai Zhenzhen and Hao Si, Xiao Lu left the Iris territory, preparing to head toward the direction of Zone 97 he had previously inquired about.

He needed to find a way to leave this world; he couldn’t stay in a safe territory forever.

He bought a motorcycle for zero dollars by the roadside, checked its condition, put on a helmet, and was about to start the engine.

“Mind if I join you?” a cheerful voice suddenly came from behind.

Xiao Lu turned around and lifted his visor: “Aren’t you supposed to be in your territory?”

Wen Mujun smiled, “The Iris base has already established a self-operating system. Even if I’m not there, it can run smoothly without worry.”

“Do you want to join me for some excitement?” Xiao Lu sat on the motorcycle, casually resting his hand on the handlebar, his black earrings reflecting light like a bad student tempting a good student to skip class.

“Yeah,” Wen Mujun blinked, “I want to experience the thrill of sneaking out to race during class hours. Can I come along?”

Xiao Lu waved him over: “Get on, hold on tight; if you fall off, I’m not responsible.”

“Then I’ll have to hold on really tight,” the warmth belonging to another person pressed against Xiao Lu’s back.

Then, a pair of hands tightly wrapped around his waist, showing no courtesy.

At the Iris base.

Ai Zhenzhen was grilling meat.

She whispered, “Actually, I’m a bit scared of Boss Wen. He has this… um… I can’t quite describe it… a very fierce aura. Especially when he smiles at me; even though he seems polite, I feel like he’s going to be the future headmaster.”

Hao Si nodded, “That’s normal; if you study too hard, you won’t seem human anymore.”

“Your words sound a bit familiar.”

“Do they? When?”

“I don’t remember.”

·

The motorcycle sped down the empty highway, the scenery around them continuously retreating, streaking by like shooting stars, leaving only a blur of pale colors.

“Will what we’re looking for be here?” Xiao Lu suddenly asked.

“Why, are you worried?” Wen Mujun’s voice rang in his ear.

“Do you want to stay in a place like this forever?”

Xiao Lu waited several seconds but didn’t hear a response from the other person.

After a moment, a light laugh came from behind. They were close enough that he could feel the gentle vibration of the other’s body when they laughed.

“What are you laughing at?”

“It’s actually quite nice here.”

“…Do you need me to contact a hospital to check your brain?”

Wen Mujun’s tone carried a hint of hope for the first time: “Here, it’s free and easy; it’s almost out of that guy’s control.”

Xiao Lu blinked, realizing that the “it” he referred to was likely the world they were currently in, suggesting that this world wanted to break free from the control of the quick-wear system?

“But when those things in the mist want to eat you, they’re also quite free; once you become one of those things, you won’t be free anymore.”

“True… then let’s forget it.”

Then came a soft sigh.

So faint it felt like it might just be his imagination.

Xiao Lu felt that at this moment, the other person exuded a sense of fatigue. Like a traveler who had walked a long journey, a migratory bird that had traveled thousands of miles, or an ember burned down to its last spark.

What kind of past did his collaborator hide?

Neither of them spoke again, letting the wild wind brush past them, creating a sensation similar to flying at high speed.

As they got closer to Zone 97, the mist in the air thickened, and the entire world seemed to be deliberately shrouded in a layer of gray filter, resembling an old photograph from years ago.

The sky gradually darkened, and the cold night wind, carrying a damp chill, blew through, making one feel cold as it seeped into their collar.

At this moment, the warmth belonging to another person felt particularly pronounced.

Suddenly realizing this, Xiao Lu’s ears turned red, completely ignoring the owner’s intentions. He shifted slightly, but the other person’s hands remained firmly around his waist.

Xiao Lu said irritably, “Can’t you loosen up a bit? You’re squeezing the breath out of me.”

Wen Mujun’s hands showed no sign of moving: “That won’t do; your speed has already reached 120. If there’s a bump at this speed, I could easily fall off, and you said you wouldn’t take responsibility.”

“Can I take responsibility?”

“Responsibility for digging my grave or lighting incense?”

“Then I’ll just slow down.”

“…If you’re slowing down, why don’t you let go?!”

“80 is still too fast; it’s not safe.”

“Then how fast do you want it!?”

“Twenty, I guess.”

“Dude, this is a motorcycle! Not a senior citizen’s mobility scooter!!” Xiao Lu couldn’t help but roar.

“Ah… then I’ll have to figure it out myself.” Wen Mujun sighed in Xiao Lu’s ear, tightening his grip around his waist.

Xiao Lu suddenly felt as if the entire weight of the other person was pressed against his back, and he could feel the other’s hair brushing against the gap in his helmet, bringing a slight tickle.

Xiao Lu: “…”

When did this guy become so thick-skinned?!

His body, slender and flexible, was like a green bamboo, yet warmer than bamboo, and he could even catch a hint of refreshing soap fragrance.

The speed was already so fast that the wind was enough to blow away all scents. Xiao Lu found it hard to distinguish whether the fragrance was a figment of his imagination or something real.

Xiao Lu took a deep breath and, as if venting, twisted the throttle all the way down. The heavy motorcycle shot forward like a bullet from a chamber, speeding down the empty highway, leaving almost only an afterimage.

The howling wind was still cold, blowing away the warmth rising on Xiao Lu’s face.

However, the warmth belonging to another person surrounded him, creating a personal warm barrier against the cold wind.