Chapter Seventy: The Notebook

There was still one last thing to do. I operated the central console, opening the canisters and setting them to active ignition mode—only then could I ensure they would detonate, with no chance of an accident.

After I finished, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders and collapsed into the chair.

“Brother Cao, are we going to die?” Huo Bing stood behind me, gently massaging my shoulders.

I placed my calloused hand over her delicate one and sighed, “Hard to say. If this control room can't withstand the explosion…”

“Is it worth it?”

Is it worth it?

I pondered this question too. If, by chance, I ended up dead today, would it have been worth it? Honestly, in this ruined era, nothing matters more than staying alive.

Yet if I didn’t do this, in a few dozen hours I’d be dead anyway.

Since death lay ahead either way, I might as well gamble—perhaps there was still a chance to survive.

My only regret was dragging Huo Bing and Fourth Master into this, even if she was willing.

“Bing, there’s something wrong with my body. If I don’t blow up this chemical plant today, taking out a wave of corpses with it, I’ll still be dead in two days,” I said quietly.

Destroying the plant wasn’t what I wanted, but I had no choice.

There wouldn’t be another chance like this.

Huo Bing was stunned. “How could that be?”

“I can’t tell you the details, but it’s the truth—and my burden to bear. I’m sorry for dragging you into this,” I looked at her seriously.

Before, I never would have felt guilty for anyone, but after everything, I couldn’t just watch Huo Bing die.

To my surprise, her face showed no heaviness. She smiled sweetly, “Cao, you’re being too polite. You know I chose this myself. Since I decided to follow you, I’m ready for any consequence.”

She gently lifted my chin and brushed a kiss across my lips, light as a dragonfly’s touch. “If we make it through this, I’ll officially be your girlfriend. No more ambiguity with Han Shuqing.”

I laughed, patting her hand softly, “Alright, alright. With everything coming to this, what can I deny you now?”

A lovely smile lingered on her face. She twirled once, sat on my lap, and nestled silently into my arms.

My heart felt crushed beneath a wall. I stared anxiously at the timer on my wrist—countdown almost up.

At moments like this, two minutes could stretch into eternity or vanish in a heartbeat.

“Click—”

The needle reached its end.

“Bing, I, Cao Fusheng, have never made a true promise to any woman. Today, I’ll make an exception. The world is shrouded in darkness, but from now on, you are the light I’ll do everything to protect.”

My chest was already wet with tears. At the same time, Huo Bing’s voice quivered softly, “Alright.”

All the devices in the control room failed. The lights went out, plunging everything into darkness.

“Boom!”

…

“Detected host has killed [Level 1 Corpse Type] +1+1+1+1…”

“Detected host has killed [Level 2 Corpse Type] +2+2+2+2…”

“All genetic values acquired under moonlight are doubled…”

“Host has completed random mission [Ultimate Slaughter (I)], calculating rewards…”

“Congratulations, host has acquired new talent [Dimensional Space]…”

“Introducing the talent’s effect…”

[Dimensional Space]: Creates a small space within the void, expanding with the host’s genetic unlock level. Currently at Level 1, it stores up to 25 square meters of goods, accessible at will from your mind.

“Ugh…”

I didn’t know how long passed before I slowly woke, the voice in my mind repeating like a recording.

It seemed determined to keep playing until I responded, just to wake me up.

My consciousness was still hazy—my vision blurred as though a film covered my eyes, and my head throbbed with pain.

The moment the explosion hit, I thought I was dead. The control room plunged into utter darkness, followed by violent shaking. Everything collapsed and shattered, and I was knocked out cold.

Clutching my forehead, I gasped for breath, too weak to look around. I could only murmur, “Bing… Fourth Master… are you alright?”

There was no response for a long while, and dread seized my heart.

The worst pain isn’t dying suddenly—it’s watching those you care for die before your eyes.

That helplessness drives you to despair.

“Bing…” I tried calling again—still no answer.

My head pounded as if split open, but I forced my eyes open, enduring the agony. My vision remained cloudy, as though veiled by a thin membrane.

Fortunately, the control room was small. No matter what, everything was within sight.

Several minutes passed before the pain in my head abated and my vision gradually cleared.

The control room was a wreck—every instrument, cabinet, and table overturned. Still, the room hadn’t been completely destroyed; its sturdiness was evident.

Who knew what the outside looked like? Most likely, the entrance was blocked by rubble, but that hardly mattered now.

“Bing!!” I shouted again, but only silence answered me. The control room was as still as a tomb.

It felt as though I was the only living soul.

If alive, I had to see them; if dead, I had to see their bodies. I didn’t dare rest, immediately clearing all obstacles.

Ten minutes later, I froze.

How could this be?

How could this be?!

Why were they gone?

Empty! No Huo Bing, no Fourth Master—only me!

It was as if they’d never existed.

My fists clenched and unclenched. I couldn’t believe what I saw.

I found the equipment bag, the composite titanium knife—everything else was still here, except for them.

Had they left?

I stared at the door. Yes, that had to be it.

Surely they woke before me and went out to check the situation.

But what about the suits and masks? Why weren’t any left behind?

I forced down my doubts, slung the knife over my back, and strode to the door, yanking it open.

Without power, and after such a tremendous impact, the door was no longer as solid as before.

Though its material and thickness were impressive—enough to stop an A-class blade—a crack had split the middle.

It took all my strength, nearly pulling my arms from their sockets, but I finally wrenched the safety door open.