Chapter 29: Red Maze

"Exactly, everyone should share their loot to make those who didn't go out jealous."

"If you're too scared to take risks then shut up and wait to die. Nobody owes you protection."

"Let's all share what we got to facilitate trading. Did anyone bring back toilet paper?"

"I got some, looking to trade for food."

"Rather than that, let's talk about the rifle I brought back."

"Yeah, or the batch of weapons I acquired..."

Lin Ye scanned the private messages, realizing he couldn't communicate with survivors from other zones.

"What a shame. Otherwise we could've communicated with all humans through group chat."

Lin Ye placed the four 'alien eggs' next to the Abyssal Egg, sprinkling some boiling water over the latter. Li Ji had distributed these eggs among them, claiming she had a feeling they might prove useful later.

He regretted not finding a smaller refrigerator at the supermarket - he definitely would've hauled one back otherwise.

After organizing his loot, Lin Ye posted a picture of duck blood vermicelli soup in the group chat.

"The boss is here!"

"Greetings, boss!"

"Wow, boss eating well today!"

"I crave duck blood vermicelli so bad..."

"But I'm not who I used to be either. Here's my braised pork canned meal (food pic)."

"Here's my instant noodles (food pic)."

"Check out my full table of stir-fried dishes (food pic)."

"Damn, the boss upstairs already upgraded their shelter?"

"I upgraded too, was it supposed to be hard?"

"Gonna stew some meat later. Having gas is amazing."

"Let me take a hot shower first before chatting."

"Fuck, so jealous. I'm still two mutation organs short..."

After this Nighttime Activity, many survivors had gathered enough mutation organs to upgrade their shelters, hence the flood of food pictures in the group.

Lin Ye: Everyone stop for a moment. I have something to say.

The group gradually quieted down after a while.

Lin Ye: I've collected Mutation Cards No. 1 through 10. Once complete, the system deduces a unique evolution path based on the survivor. We can follow this path to absorb spiritual energy and strengthen our bodies. The paths are extremely complex, but I've drawn a simplified version for reference (path diagram).

Lin Ye: However, guiding spiritual energy along these paths for physical enhancement isn't easy. I can't help with that part.

Lin Ye: I acquired a batch of mutation organs during this event. Will post them in the trading section soon - 10 red coins each. Limited quantity, first come first served.

10 red coins wasn't expensive - two hours of searching in the Red Maze could easily yield 20 coins. Lin Ye could've doubled the price, but 2000 coins would suffice for now.

"Holy shit, mutation organs in trading are going for 20 coins! Boss is being generous!"

"No surprise. Without the boss, at least 200,000 more would've died in our zone."

"Wait, collecting all mutation cards? I've only encountered No. 7-10. Boss, how'd you complete the set?"

"Heh, I have No. 5-10, just missing 1-4."

"Idiot, obviously the smaller numbers are rarer."

"This path diagram looks abstract as hell..."

"What do you know? This is art."

"Uh, don't wanna badmouth Brother Lin, but it really is kinda abstract."

"Then go find an art student to share evolution paths with you."

"Stop chatting! Go grab mutation organs from trading! With this demand, you could resell for profit!"

"Please leave some for us newbies! My shelter isn't upgraded yet!"

Lin Ye quickly listed all 200 mutation organs. With hundreds of thousands competing, they sold out instantly.

His room now held 2000 red coins - no more worrying about store purchases.

"Convert."

The coins disappeared, now accessible through system transactions.

After the trades, Lin Ye checked his private messages. Many wanted to deal, but current survivors had nothing he wanted - with his Red Blade and CL0 Pistol, ordinary weapons held no appeal.

Zhang Liang: Brother Lin, got a moment?

Lin Ye: Sure.

Zhang Liang: Any extra mutation organs? Mutual Aid Society will buy at 15 coins each, unlimited quantity.

Lin Ye: None left.

Zhang Liang: Understood. What would it cost to learn each mutation card's acquisition method?

Lin Ye: Wait a bit.

Zhang Liang: Okay.

Lin Ye: Posted in group chat already. Check there.

Zhang Liang: Thanks.

Lin Ye: No need.

Zhang Liang: Do you have spare No. 1-4 cards?

Lin Ye: No.

Zhang Liang: Understood. Won't disturb further.

Closing the chat, Lin Ye picked up his duck and lay down, initiating daily simulation.

Coming to his senses, Lin Ye found himself in a dark red room wearing familiar prisoner garb, completely alone.

'Dammit, no loading screen this time? Where are my teammates? The overseers?'

The familiar crimson room gave Lin Ye a bad feeling.

Jason appeared to be a muscular white male around 30, with excellent physical conditioning.

After familiarizing himself with the body, Lin Ye pushed open the door to reveal the familiar corridor.

'Fuck, why's there a Red Maze here too? No weapons, not even a dagger. Blood-corpses would be manageable, but a first-tier creature would mean certain death.'

Exploring nearby rooms yielded only trash - no useful items, red coins, or red keys.

One hour later.

Staring at the seemingly endless corridor, Lin Ye grew frustrated.

He'd overestimated this place - no monsters, no supplies, no branching paths or exit doors.

Nothing but bugged, infinitely looping maze corridors - like abandoned game terrain.

"Will I die here?"

Panic crept in. Even with ten thousand simulations, could he ever escape this maze? Each reset meant starting from scratch - previous progress meant nothing.

"Stay calm! I escaped time loops! There must be a way out here too!"

Clutching his hair, Lin Ye mentally mapped his route. If he died this simulation, he'd at least ensure next time wouldn't repeat mistakes.

Conserving energy became priority - his physical body in the shelter would have to wait. Escaping within ten simulations came first.