The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Destination is the Origin

Lu Jingyu spoke first, making a point to mention Xu Qingsui.

Sure enough, both of them stared wide-eyed at the mention of Xu Qingsui’s name.

Caught up in the moment, they accepted the assignment.

”If she can do it, then of course I can.”

Shen Ling’an glanced at Xu Ruming and reached out to take her hand.

Xu Ruming sensed his intention and discreetly pulled away.

Seeing this, Shen Ling’an didn’t think much of it and boasted, ”Don’t worry, Meng Meng. With me here, I’ll make sure you don’t get hurt. All you have to do is wait to collect the dungeon reward.”

Xu Ruming didn’t answer him. Instead, she looked at Lu Jingyu with determination and said, ”I will prove myself.”

Shen Ling’an chimed in seriously, ”That’s right. We’ll prove ourselves. We absolutely won’t mess up this time.”

Lu Jingyu couldn’t be bothered with them. Just then, a cold, mechanical voice rang out.

[Dungeon: ”Deep Sea Mystery” has now opened. All human participants, please enter the dungeon in an orderly manner.]

[Time limit: 24 hours. Failure to clear the dungeon within the allotted time will result in the complete pollution of this zone.]

Hearing the announcement, everyone fell silent and stared ahead.

A ripple, like that on water, spread through the air. As the shimmer faded, a massive, moss-covered reef that radiated an ancient aura appeared before them, along with a black vortex.

The moss then began to flake away in a rhythmic pattern, revealing lines of text on the reef’s surface.

[To the brave and fearless who follow:

If you hear someone call your name from behind, do not turn around. They are the lost souls of the deep sea.

No matter what you see, stick close to your teammates. Otherwise, you will never see each other again.

Land animals may also live under the sea. If you see them, follow them; they will guide you.

When all returns to its origin, new hope shall arrive, and the future will continue.]

After memorizing the rules, Lu Jingyu led his chosen team members and walked resolutely toward the black vortex beside the reef.

Xu Ruming only came to her senses after watching Xu Qingsui follow Lu Jingyu into the black vortex.

She had never entered a dungeon before, but she had heard how dangerous they could be.

To her, the black vortex looked like a gaping, bloody maw ready to devour souls.

As her turn approached, Xu Ruming’s legs began to tremble.

”Relax, Meng Meng. I’m here. Stick close to me, and I promise you won’t get hurt.”

After reassuring her, Shen Ling’an successfully took her hand and stepped into the black vortex.

The black vortex vanished the moment the last person entered the dungeon.

Towering walls, so high their tops were out of sight, appeared before them. They stood in dense rows, with only a single entrance leading into a dark abyss.

Seeing the walls, Xu Qingsui immediately thought of a maze. Now she understood the name ”Deep Sea Mystery.”

It seemed they would have to get through the maze in one day to clear the dungeon.

But there was one thing she couldn’t figure out.

’The last rule mentioned returning to the origin. Could the maze’s exit be the same as its entrance?’

’But if that’s the case, is there any point in us entering the maze at all?’

’It can’t be that simple. It looks like we’ll only understand what the rules really mean when we reach the end.’

Waiting for the others to arrive, the group gathered at the entrance; no one ventured into the maze just yet.

Shen Ling’an and Xu Ruming were the last to enter. The moment she saw the other team members waiting, Xu Ruming instinctively shook Shen Ling’an’s hand off.

She didn’t want Lu Jingyu to see her holding hands with Shen Ling’an.

Shen Ling’an finally sensed that something was wrong and gave her a suspicious look.

”We’re in a dungeon, and with so many people around... it wouldn’t look good if they saw. They might think we’re being selfish and can’t read the room!”

Shen Ling’an thought she had a point. He looked away and led Xu Ruming over to Lu Jingyu’s side.

He wasn’t content to stand behind Lu Jingyu; he felt he should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Lu Jingyu ignored his petty games. After counting heads and confirming everyone was present, he announced, ”It looks like our first task is to get through this maze.”

”It’s complex in there, so everyone needs to stick together. Do not fall behind.”

”Furthermore, inside this dungeon, you will follow orders. If anyone’s arrogance causes them to disobey and make a mistake, I will not be lenient.”

As he spoke, Lu Jingyu shot a look at Shen Ling’an and Xu Ruming.

’Those two are the biggest troublemakers. I wouldn’t care if something happened to them.’

’But I can’t have them dragging the rest of the team down.’

Sensing the pointed remark was directed at him, Shen Ling’an’s eyes widened in defiance.

Lu Jingyu ignored him completely and began to lay out the plan.

”Xu Qingsui and I will take point...”

”Captain Lu, let me and Meng Meng take point!” The more Lu Jingyu looked down on Shen Ling’an, the more desperate he was to prove himself.

He was so eager to perform that Xu Ruming, fuming, hid behind him and pinched his lower back.

’Taking point is the nice way to put it. The ugly truth is we’d be checking for traps.’

’The maze is a total unknown. Who knows what dangers are waiting for us.’

’If we’re at the very front, won’t we be the first ones to run into trouble?’

Xu Ruming’s opinion of Shen Ling’an had already soured after seeing Lu Jingyu.

Seeing him now volunteer them for the most dangerous position, she disliked him even more.

Consequently, she grew to resent Xu Qingsui all the more for standing beside Lu Jingyu, a place she felt should have been hers.

Shen Ling’an winced in pain, his brow furrowing. Realizing what Xu Ruming was worried about, he regained some of his composure.

’But I’ve already said it. If I back down now, Lu Jingyu will just look down on me even more.’

’I absolutely cannot lose face in front of Xu Qingsui.’

Steeling himself, he reached back to grab Xu Ruming’s hand, wanting to comfort her and get her to trust him.

But his hand found only empty air; Xu Ruming had already pulled away.

It was awkward, but with Lu Jingyu still watching him, he could only press on. ”I’ll take point by myself! Meng Meng is just a guide, after all. She can stay in the middle of the formation.”

Xu Ruming breathed a sigh of relief. ’I would never put myself in danger just to scout the path for others.’

”Since you insist, I won’t argue. Xu Qingsui and I will bring up the rear.”

Hearing how Lu Jingyu’s plan kept Xu Qingsui by his side, Xu Ruming felt a pang of jealousy.

Not wanting to see them together, she stepped forward. ”Captain Lu, Xu Qingsui is a woman, and only a D level guide at that—the lowest rank. In my opinion, she should also stay in the middle of the formation. That way, if trouble really starts, she won’t be a liability without the ability to even protect herself.”

Xu Ruming put heavy emphasis on the words ”D level guide.”

She wished she could announce to the entire world that Xu Qingsui was just a D level guide.