I’m Really Scared
Chapter 173: No, I Won't Leave

"Hungry... give me... food... hungry..."

As Guan Shan fired, he suddenly felt the [Worker Bee Pendant] hanging around his neck vibrate again, and a faint voice echoed in his ears.

The voice sounded similar to the channel of the psychic headset, as if a private chat window had been opened directly within it.

Guan Shan's pupils constricted, for the voice came from the gigantic creature beneath the swamp!

Moreover, whether it was his imagination or not, he vaguely felt the voice resembled... Li Zhiying?

Li Zhiying's voice was distinctive and highly recognizable; anyone who had heard it once would never forget it. Guan Shan had worked under her and had numerous phone conversations with her.

There was no time to think. Guan Shan took a deep breath and activated the still-cooling [Gravity Control].

While pulling everyone backward, he pushed the puppets into the swamp.

"Boom!!!"

The instant methane explosion turned into a roaring fire, igniting more methane pockets, causing continuous explosions that spread shockwaves around. Dust and debris were swept up, vegetation was devoured, and the entire mountain rumbled, shaking the ground.

The methane explosion's power far exceeded Guan Shan's expectations.

Although he had pushed them away, the force of the shockwave behind them nearly threw them out.

Fortunately, the subsequent explosions did not reach them.

Guan Shan rolled skillfully on the ground and quickly stood up.

Beside him, Bian Jie fell awkwardly, eating a mouthful of dirt.

"Spit, spit!"

Bian Jie's head buzzed, and most of his bones felt broken, but the urgency of the situation demanded immediate action. He forced himself to calm down and said, "Drone Bee One gave them 'Ascension Candy.' Some are still behind us. My ability doesn't affect 'Drone Bee One' because he uses technological attacks that don't count as abilities. I'm injured and a burden now. You go down the mountain; I'll stay and buy some time..."

[Experience +7000]

[Experience +3100]

[Experience +6500]

[Experience +2800]

...

Guan Shan's vision was flooded with experience points from the puppets killed by the explosion, all credited to him.

The puppets provided over fifty thousand experience points, leveling him up again! [lv.16→lv.17]

[Current Experience: 1600/80000]

[Current Health: 8079→9079]

The explosion injuries on Guan Shan had fully healed, leaving no trace.

However, this was of little use since [Gravity Control] was now cooling down, and the mudslide was imminent.

Unless they could fly, Guan Shan might survive, but Lin Shuman and Bian Jie would undoubtedly die.

Guan Shan turned to Bian Jie and shook his head, "No, I won't leave."

Bian Jie was stunned, then smiled wryly, "Brother, now's not the time for sentiment..."

Guan Shan's expression turned peculiar, "No, I'm not being sentimental; I just found a better way."

"Rumble..."

Bian Jie's face changed, "Oh no, the mountain is collapsing! The explosion must have shifted the mountain's structure, causing it to collapse!"

Their excuse for being there was geological instability, which was now coming true.

How much of it was natural or man-made was unknown...

The hill above was collapsing rapidly, like a flood, engulfing everything.

"Drone Bee One" stood on another peak, the "cliff" often mentioned by Baihe Village villagers.

He looked down with a faint smile.

"Using methane was a good idea, but it seems you didn't consider the consequences of a large-scale explosion in the mountains."

"Drone Bee One" pressed a hidden black earpiece in his ear, slowly turning it to search and connect to the psychic channel.

Only one channel nearby was active; he quickly connected.

In other words, "Drone Bee One" had hacked into Guan Shan and the Special Security Group's communication channel.

He then remarked, "Whether Espers or ordinary people, they are just humans. Before A-level, they cannot withstand natural disasters. Floods, tsunamis, earthquakes... even a small mudslide can bury seemingly powerful Espers."

"That's why I'm not worried about you threatening me. With a little guidance, you've built your own coffin."

"Drone Bee One's" old voice echoed in everyone's ears.

Bian Jie's eyes widened, cold sweat breaking out, "How is this possible?!"

This was the Special Security Group's secret communication channel, now hacked by "Drone Bee One."

Such a feat was not achieved overnight, implying some of the Special Security Group's secrets had been exposed.

Lin Shuman, however, remained calm, knowing from Li Li that "Death Hive" had insiders in the Special Security Group's middle and upper ranks.

But with "Death Hive" nearly destroyed, the lack of leads on the insider was worrisome.

"Drone Bee One" continued, "Guan Shan, how does it feel to be at your wit's end?"

His direct communication seemed to break the simulator's rules; his words, previously just gibberish, were now clear.

Guan Shan raised an eyebrow, "Not great."

As expected, "Drone Bee One" smiled, "If you become the next 'Drone Bee Two,' I'll stop this landslide."

Guan Shan didn't hesitate, "Alright, stop it first."

Lin Shuman & Bian Jie: "???"

The response was so decisive that even "Drone Bee One" was momentarily taken aback, then he laughed, "I knew it. You're just stringing along the Special Security Group. Deep down, you're indifferent to human lives, a natural villain. I admire you."

"Drone Bee One" kept his promise. His mechanical left arm rotated, revealing a complex hollow device with neatly arranged glass tubes.

He adjusted one filled with ice-blue crystals to the proper position, saying, "Watch closely. This is the power of an A-level Esper, or rather... a fraction of it."

"Drone Bee One" squinted as the glass tube launched.

"Whoosh—"

The tube hit the mudslide and shattered, releasing a massive amount of ice crystals, instantly freezing the mudslide and the surrounding moisture, forming strange shapes.

Guan Shan was surprised.

This old guy had somehow preserved part of other Espers' powers, turning them into "temporary skills."

This should be the power of an A-level element-type Esper, capable of freezing a mudslide with ease.

"Hmph, did you think 'Brain Domain Developers' lack combat power?"

"Drone Bee One" sneered, then softened, "I've done my part. Now it's your turn. You know how to earn my trust, right?"

Lin Shuman and Bian Jie's hearts raced.

The meaning was clear... He wanted Guan Shan's proof of loyalty. Killing them would mark Guan Shan as a high-risk Esper.

Guan Shan suddenly asked, "Is the creature below the swamp the 'Queen Bee'?"

"Hmm? You figured that out, not bad."

"Drone Bee One" praised, "Yes, the creature below is the 'Queen Bee,' the source of 'Death Hive,' but 'Death Hive' doesn't follow its orders. It has no consciousness, just a raw material."

"The 'Ascension Candy' can combine human genes thanks to its blood."

"That's why I keep it in the swamp."

Perhaps thinking Guan Shan had no other choice, he confided this secret.

"Oh..."

Guan Shan asked with a strange expression, "Are you sure it has no consciousness?"