Chapter 60: Capcom's Great Offer

"Whoa, whoa, whoa—! Marry me!"

"We were born to be together!"

"Merge with me!"

Nearby vagrants surged towards Gu Tang in a frenzy. Even the robots joined in.

Dan Heng swore under his breath and rushed to Gu Tang's side, brandishing his spear to hold back the crazed crowd. Though most of the vagrants had little combat ability, their manic behavior made Dan Heng break out in a sweat almost immediately.

He yelled to the others, who were still stunned, "Help me out here!"

March 7th and the others snapped out of it, rushing forward to assist, standing alongside Dan Heng to fend off the crowd.

Sampo reacted quickly, seizing the chaotic moment to pull out his lock-picking tools and begin working on the lock.

"Aaahhhh—!"

More and more vagrants crowded in.

Click… click…

Amid the turmoil, Sampo listened intently to the sounds from the lock.

"I feel like I'm in a zombie movie right now!" March 7th shouted as she struggled to hold back the crowd, "It's like we're waiting for the safe house to open while the tense music plays."

"Drop the 'like,' just say it straight! And where's that background music coming from?" Stelle replied.

Behind them, Gu Tang stood expressionless, holding a Bluetooth speaker.

Honestly, Stelle with her baseball bat did resemble a character right out of a zombie film.

"Sampo! Hurry up!" Seele yelled, anxious.

"Don't rush… don't rush… okay! It's open!" Sampo shouted back, quickly opening the door.

The group dashed towards the door, the vagrants and robots in hot pursuit. They rushed through the door and promptly shut it behind them.

Bang!

The heavy metal door slammed shut with a loud noise.

March 7th shot a few ice arrows, sealing the door's hinges and gaps with ice.

"Phew… that was close…" Bronya wiped her brow.

"This was more exhausting than fighting Rift creatures…" Even Dan Heng was out of breath.

March 7th, however, laughed happily, "Hehe… I've always wanted to experience the thrill of a zombie movie. I can't believe I got to do it on Jarilo-VI."

"You have the guts to watch zombie movies?" Gu Tang looked at March 7th with some surprise.

March 7th defiantly put her hands on her hips, "Of course, a mere movie can't scare me."

Of course, she wouldn't mention that whenever she watched such films, she would wrap herself tightly in a blanket and turn on all the lights in the room.

"You forgot something, March 7th," Stelle said, turning slowly towards her.

March 7th blinked, "What?"

"The scariest moment in a zombie movie isn't facing the zombie horde… it's when your companion turns into a zombie!" Stelle looked at someone next to Gu Tang.

It was Seele!

She rushed towards Gu Tang, yelling, "Have a child with me!"

Her eyes were wild, and drool hung from her mouth.

Even the Progenitor would smile at such frenzied determination to reproduce.

Thud!

Bronya knocked her out with a rifle butt.

"We should wait until Gu Tang's effect wears off before moving on," Bronya suggested.

Everyone agreed.

Dan Heng deducted 10 buddy points from Seele.

"Sampo, you saw that, right? This is what happens when you increase your charm to the limit," Gu Tang calmly told Sampo.

Sampo shivered, recalling the crazed behavior of those people earlier.

…

…

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After a brief rest, the group moved on.

The massive Hearth Hub loomed ever closer, with signs of structures appearing in the distance.

That must be Svarog's base, they surmised. Even if Svarog didn't need a home, Clara certainly did.

"We're almost there. That was pretty smooth," March 7th said cheerfully.

"Here we go again, March," Dan Heng sighed.

No sooner had she spoken than obstacles appeared.

A Jagwolf Automaton and a Grey Bear Automaton simultaneously blocked their path.

"Visitors detected. Protocol… activated. Scanning… verifying." A synthesized voice emanated from the two robots.

"Verification failed… entities do not have access permissions. Identified as intruders!"

The robots assumed combat stances.

"Are we fighting? Fine, I'm always ready." Seele drew her scythe, eager to redeem herself from earlier embarrassment.

"I trust Sampo can handle this alone," Gu Tang said with certainty.

"What?" Sampo looked at the robots' weapon-laden frames, a tearful expression on his face.

"Wait!"

A young girl's voice rang out.

Clara approached.

"It's you…" Seele put down her scythe.

"They're Clara's guests. Let them in," Clara told the robots.

"Verification successful, entities granted access permissions. Welcome, Clara's guests."

The robots stepped aside with heavy steps.

Clara smiled at Gu Tang, "I knew you would come, big brother."

Gu Tang glanced at the departing robots, "Is it really okay to let us in so easily?"

Clara shook her head, "Big brother and big sister have helped Clara so much. This is nothing."

March 7th looked at Gu Tang, "So, you've been going on adventures with Seele behind our backs, huh?"

Dan Heng crossed his arms, "You're just noticing this now?"

Gu Tang turned to Clara, "We'll be direct. We're here to see Svarog."

Bronya stepped forward, "Yes, we seek cooperation."

Clara hesitated, "I know everyone is working hard for the people of the Underworld… but Mr. Svarog doesn't trust human emotions. He only trusts calculated results."

"Calculated results? What does that mean?" Bronya frowned.

"The world is facing a terrible crisis… In Mr. Svarog's view, the surface is nearing its end," Clara said softly, her voice tinged with sadness, "According to Mr. Svarog's calculations, the people of the Underworld can't stop the disaster alone. His solution is to keep everyone away from the source of the disaster to survive a bit longer…"

Dan Heng understood, "So that's why he's controlling the Hearth Hub, to keep everyone in the Underworld. In his eyes, it's a form of protection."

"Protection? It's like being locked in a cage," Seele said angrily, "What's the difference if we die now or later? Can't we at least try to struggle?"

Clara lowered her head, "I understand Mr. Svarog. He won't be swayed by human desires. He only follows rational judgment…"

Bronya sighed, "Looks like we need a strategy meeting before seeing Svarog… Clara, can you wait for us a bit?"

Clara nodded, "Of course. Big brother and big sister are my benefactors. Stay as long as you like."