Underwater

It was time to head back to the base. Because they have acquired a map from Ye Yu, it won't be hard to locate its location and it wasn't like something as large as that place could be hidden.

The two of them left the area, careful to avoid people.

The letter bothered Lilian Mo. It made her remember Lin Fang's unfortunate death and how he turned into a half-mutant.

Did the experiments began as early as four months into the apocalypse?

She shivered, her hands clenching into a fists.

"Don't overthink too much. Our current priority is to reach the base." Lu Jingren reminded. He must have seen the scary expression on her face which was why he said that.

They travelled on foot for a while before safely reaching a proper distance from Ye Yu and the others.

Then, Lilian Mo got the Marauder out of her space.

"I will drive." Lu Jingren said. "You can look at the map and watch out if we're being followed. It won't be good if those people saw you since they are aware that you should be at the base by now."

Lilian Mo hesitated. Was this an order?

"It isn't." Lu Jingren said.

Lilian Mo tensed up a bit.

"Your face is too obvious." He told her.

"It is easy to tell what people are thinking based on their expression. But don't worry, I told you that I won't hurt you, Lilian. I don't paticularly like lying."

Lilian Mo decided not to say anything and to open the map instead.

She'd be too naive to to trust his words.

Besides...

"You are not that kind."

"..."

It would take five hours before reaching their destination using the designated route, or more if they encounter enemies on the way.

"Five hours is too long. There should be a shortcut here, on the west. If we follow the river, we can reach the base faster."

Lilian Mo looked at the area that Lu Jingren was pointing to and didn't think it was a good idea.

Even the smalles bodies of water could pose some kind of danger.

"Lu Jingren, travelling near the river is too risky. These red markings here should be obvious. This should be some kind of warning sign. Moreover, the same as in the land, there should also be mutants in the water."

"Are you scared of the water?"

"No!"

Lu Jingren raised the corner of his lips as he started the engine.

"Liar."

Lilian Mo glared at him.

"Following the river will get us there much faster. It will only take us less than two hours. I am also a fast driver so it won't be a problem." He explained.

"Furthermore, we've already taken too long awag from the team. We can't let the others worry too much."

Lilian Mo's glare didn't subside. It was very easy for him to poke her weakness. Just mentioning the people waiting for them was enough for her to agree.

Moreover, whose idea was it to spy on Yeyu?

"Fine." It wasn't like Lilian Mo was weak. While the water always brings about many unpleasant memories, she wouldn't be a coward about it.

In her previous life, five years into the apocalypse, she fell into a river after being tricked by two people from the army. The only reason she fell for their trap was because she was so desperate to find Mu Qingqing and those two had 'graciously' shown her some evidence that they knew her and was willing to take Lilian Mo to her.

The passage was elusive and underground. It was also near the river.

She was still quite naive at that time.....

So under the water was when she nearly met her maker.

It is said that about 71 percent of the earth's surface is covered with water. After the gruesome near death experience of almost being eaten alive by a creature straight out of a fairytale, Lilian Mo no longer approached bodies of water.

She could never forget the feeling of being suffocated under as she fought to live. Lilian Mo also knew that fighting underwater would kill her because humans were not like marine animals and they cannot breathe underwater.

Fighting aquatic mutants in their natural habitat was like courting to death.

Since they were following the route near the river, Lilian Mo was somewhat agitated.

But then again, tricking herself into thinking that it was shallow just like the spring water in the space might do her some good.

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