Even without checking the status bar, it was evident just how dire John's condition was.
His face was ashen, his lips devoid of color, his eyes bloodshot and filled with traces of blood. His breathing was weak and labored, and it seemed like he could be forcibly disconnected at any moment. There was no way he could be fine, judging by his appearance.
However, since John insisted otherwise, Exiled Immortal couldn't refuse him. After getting a nod from Helena, he got up and left.
"John, how did you end up like this?"
"I originally had good news to share, but now there's nothing worth mentioning."
John pinched the bridge of his nose, speaking weakly. "I can probably hold on for another thirty minutes before I'm forcibly disconnected. I'll explain everything about this equipment once I reconnect next time. For now, I need to figure out some of my own issues."
In less than five minutes, Exiled Immortal returned, bringing along a girl who appeared to be demure and delicate. However, when she spoke, her strong and confident voice left John momentarily stunned.
"Ahem, let me introduce her, John. This is a new member of Pioneer Squad. Uh, he's a guy."
"That's not important."
John waved his hand, unwilling to waste precious time on discussing such trivial matters as gender.
"Let me ask you, where exactly did you get this [Corrupted] equipment? Be specific, which part of the underground city?"
"In the fourth level of the underground city, near the dungeon. I found this ring in a private room. Is there a problem?"
"Just answer my questions. You don't need to ask any. Were there any other items in the room besides this ring?"
"Only some silver coins. Nothing else, really."
"Are you sure there's nothing else? Think carefully—anything you might have overlooked, symbols, engravings, anything at all."
"No... there's really nothing else. Aren't the treasure chests in the underground city supposed to have random rewards?"
Hearing this, John felt his headache intensify.
If that was the only answer, it was as good as no answer at all.
"After you got this item, did any of your other equipment show signs of being [Corrupted], or did you feel unwell in any way? What about your status bar? Any issues there?"
Meeting John's urgent gaze, the other person just shook his head, looking utterly confused.
"...Forget it, never mind."
Despite all the questions, there was no progress, leaving John more uncertain than ever.
Was it a coincidence or a sign? John felt caught in a dilemma.
"Captain, should I head back now?"
"Go ahead. Also, if you feel unwell or anything unusual happens in the next few days, let me know immediately."
"Understood, Captain."
Helena withdrew her gaze and slowly walked to the bedside. She intended to gently touch John's cheek but, considering their status, settled for placing her hand on his shoulder after a moment's hesitation.
"John, what's really going on? Are you overly anxious?"
"I wish it were just my imagination. This matter... I don't know how to explain it to you. Give me some time to figure it out.
By the way, there's one more thing. This is the armor I crafted in the past few days, [Epic]-tier Scale Armor. I'll leave it with you for now. If anyone in your team needs it, consider it a favor. If not, take it to the auction house and sell it to get some useful items for Lily.
And here's some poison, made from Basilisk venom. I've tested it—it has paralyzing effects in addition to its corrosiveness. You can have it too."
"It's just a forced disconnection. Why make it seem like a life-and-death farewell? We'll see each other again in an hour. You can handle these things yourself."
"Please, I might have to leave for a while. I need to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible."
Hearing this, the smile on Helena's face gradually faded.
"Is it that serious?"
"It concerns life and death."
"...I understand. Don't worry. I'll take care of Lily while you're gone."
"Thank you."
With that, John let out a long sigh, lay back on the bed, closed his eyes, and waited for the disconnection.
...
As the light before him was swallowed by darkness, John found himself back in that wasteland, surrounded by an eerie silence. Even the wind seemed to restrain itself, not stirring a single grain of sand.
John crawled out of his sleeping bag, opened two cans to replenish his stamina, and for the first time, stepped out of his shelter.
Since the seven-day catastrophe, this was the first time John had left the warehouse. The devastated world before him was just as he remembered.
But there was no time for John to lament. After determining his direction, he packed several days' worth of rations and drinking water in his backpack and began his journey toward the city center, map in hand.
Before the cataclysmic earthquake, the city center had suffered the most severe damage. Even just reaching the overpass leading to the city center, John's pace inevitably slowed.
Everywhere were signs of disaster—car accidents, overturned trucks, charred ground from exploded oil tankers, and crushed cars reeking of decay, creating a natural barrier that separated the outskirts from the heart of the city.
John couldn't imagine what it must have felt like to sit in a car, awaiting death during a cataclysmic event akin to the apocalypse.
It certainly couldn't have been much worse than how he felt now.
Facing the impending doom, perhaps those in their cars could have a final farewell with their families, share one last kiss with their loved ones.
But what about John?
Even if he revealed everything about the [Abyss] and the [Apostles], even if he exposed his identity as a reborn individual, who would believe him?
Even Lily would think he was talking nonsense.
At this moment, John felt like Noah. Before the flood came, no matter how he tried to warn everyone about the impending disaster, he was met with nothing but ridicule, labeled a madman.
Only when the flood arrived did people realize that Noah's prophecy had come true. They rushed onto the ark, leaving most people behind to drown in the deluge.
But they could have built more arks, saving more lives.
All John could do was to make this ark as large as possible before the flood hit.
Looking down after climbing over the wall of car wreckage, John saw the scene below.
Broken streets, collapsed buildings, and heaps of rubble.
And the blood-black monsters wandering among them.
"The city center is still about... thirty kilometers away. Given the current situation, the actual distance might be five times that."
On one side were the monsters roaming the wild, and on the other, the weight on his heart. John almost immediately chose the latter.
Though the city center didn't seem to have changed significantly—after all, once the [Abyss] appeared, the number and level of monsters would far surpass the current scale—some things needed to be witnessed firsthand to be believed.
With this thought, John leaped, plunging into the ruins below.
In an instant, the sound drew the attention of the wandering monsters. They tilted their heads, trying to discern the direction of the noise. After all, those grotesque, hideous faces lacked eyes entirely, featuring only a gaping, scarlet maw from which viscous, foul-smelling liquid continuously dripped.
However, the sound was distant and fleeting. After listening for a moment, the monsters resumed their aimless wandering.
"Phew..."
John emerged from the rubble, poking his head out and scanning the surroundings. Confirming that no monsters had noticed him, he cautiously climbed out.
He had to admit, the time spent growing stronger in the game had resulted in a significant improvement in his physical condition. Otherwise, jumping from a height of several meters and landing on a pile of debris would have been enough to kill him!
Yet, enhanced physical abilities alone wouldn't be enough to tear through the monsters' tough hides. John needed a suitable weapon, and the [Firewalker Dagger] was undoubtedly the best choice.
With a mere thought, a dagger resembling a serpent flicking its tongue appeared in John's hand.