Chapter 98: Combined Efforts

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Combined Efforts"Let me see, let me see... Why is this potion green, could it be especially effective?" Wang Chaoqing said with admiration and longing.

"You dare to use a potion with a mysterious origin?" Xu Huo said as he took the item, "I’ll keep it safe for now."

Wang Chaoqing, with a sheepish expression, fell silent. His eyes skittered to the others, but this time, even Lin Pei made no comment.

"We should prepare for the worst," Xu Huo said, "Perhaps my items won’t work on the wall."

Whether the items would be useful was still an unknown, so infighting before confirmation was pointless.

After resting for the night, everyone got out of the car early the next morning, except for Shen Yi and Nian Hong’an, who stayed behind to drive.

"It’s your turn to deal with the traps now," Shen Xin said to Wu Qiuyi and the others.

"We can handle that, but sealing the black metal will also require Gu Yu’s help," Lin Pei said.

Gu Yu cursed under her breath, then turned to Xu Huo, "Since we have plenty of time today, make sure you choose carefully before answering the questions. I don’t want to walk blindly to my death."

The puzzles near the mayor’s office were sparse, so the group of four split up to search, still in pairs for safety.

Xu Huo listened intently to the sporadic tolling of nearby bells and occasionally took out his black gemstone watch and pocket watch to compare the times with the surrounding clocks, "None of them match."

"None of the town’s clocks are accurate, though there are some that chime at the same time, they still differ slightly from each other," Shen Xin said as he looked at the watch and then turned outside, "It seems that Wang Chaoqing and the others have found something."

Just then, a clock not far from them started to chime:

"It’s twelve o’clock, twelve o’clock, time for a pleasant lunch, let’s solve puzzles while we enjoy our meal."

"Today’s question is, how many clocks did the clock-loving Master Niese create in his lifetime?"

The same question again.

This made Xu Huo, who was about to leave, turn back. He stopped in front of the clock, "If the answer is wrong, will there be a punishment?"

"During the delightful puzzle-solving time, under the game rules set by Master Niese, no puzzle enthusiast shall be harmed."

Without needing Xu Huo to say anything, Shen Xin went out to inform Gu Yu and the others.

As usual, Xu Huo asked a few inconsequential questions and had the clock repeat the problem before giving his answer.

"20,001 clocks."

"Dudu! The answer is correct!"

"The puzzle solver has given the correct answer, Master Niese has decided to award you a little red flower."

After receiving the prize, the clock did not announce the end of the puzzle but continued, "Next is clock learning time."

"Master Niese created countless timepieces in his lifetime, but only recognized 20,001 of them."

"The 20,001st clock was the 1001st one he completed after coming to this town, and also his last. It has an elaborate and grand appearance, marking the passage of time for the town, and has the same precise seconds as the Clock Tower of C9 Wormhole Point 01 Zone, known for the most accurate time—it’s a perfect finale to his work."

"They’re done over there," Shen Xin said excitedly as he pushed open the door and came in.

Xu Huo nodded, pocketed the note, and went out into the street.

After the group met up, Gu Yu spoke first, "Based on what you did yesterday, I also set up two traps in the house."

"Even if it turns out to be useless, there’s no harm in trying."

Xu Huo smiled, and the group began discussing how to deal with the Alien creature at the east gate.

"There might be three conditions to lure out that Alien. First, making a sound over 80 decibels, second, having three people moving around in a public space simultaneously, and third, attacking the gate," Lin Pei analyzed, "Of course, attacking the gate would also create noise over 80 decibels, but we won’t know exactly which condition it is until we try."

"No matter what method we use, luring it out won’t be difficult. The real question is how to kill it?" Ke Liang asked, "With its formidable combat capabilities, it seems very difficult."

"Actually, I have an idea," Gu Yu said, "It can kill it and ensure our safety as much as possible."

She pointed to the location of the gas station on the map, "The gas station is in the direction of the east gate. If we can lure the Alien into the station, one fire can solve the problem. To retreat ten thousand steps, even if the explosion doesn’t kill it, it can still deal it a heavy blow."

"That’s also a plan," Shen Yi pondered before saying, "I’m worried the explosion might damage the underground wiring. Don’t forget, there are more Aliens underground."

"Let’s treat it as a backup plan," Lin Pei said, "Prepare in advance at the gas station. If we can’t handle the Alien, we’ll immediately draw it over there."

"The other three Aliens don’t stay out for long, as long as we get past the most dangerous time, we’ll have a chance." Searᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"What do you guys think?" Wu Qiuyi obviously agreed to be prepared for both eventualities, so she turned to Xu Huo and the others to ask.

Gu Yu and the Shen siblings had no further comment, all three turning to Xu Huo.

"How much gasoline is there at the gas station?" Xu Huo asked, "Let’s each take a can, find some fabric to soak in the oil and lay it on the alleys of the town. Let’s burn it first before anything else."

"Great idea!" Gu Yu clapped her hands, "Let’s get on it right away and finish before dark!"

With no objections from the others and one person left to drive, they split up again to work.

Lin Pei and Ke Liang went to the gas station, Wu Qiuyi, Shen Xin, and Gu Yu gathered curtains and carpets, Wang Chaoqing and Shen Yi were tasked with transporting gasoline, while Xu Huo picked out streets and alleys to set traps. They worked together to tie cut-out curtains and carpets to doors and windows, then adorn them with a string of bells and a pile of dolls, leaving a clear path big enough for one person to pass through at the front and back.

After this block, the gas station was at the back, so Xu Huo also cleared the main street of dolls, leaving a wide path.

"Let’s find something to eat," Gu Yu said, bending over and clutching her stomach, "Even an Evolver can’t fight off hunger."

"Do you think there’s an Evolver who evolved to eat one meal that lasts three days?" Shen Xin suddenly wondered out loud.

"What a great trait," Gu Yu remarked.

Wu Qiuyi pursed her lips, "That’s unlikely, normally, Evolvers require more energy than ordinary people, which is why you’re feeling so weak."

Gu Yu and Shen Xin exchanged a glance and fell silent.

Wu Qiuyi’s expression darkened, "What are they implying? Are they targeting me?"

"They’re not targeting you, they’re targeting someone who’s serious and solemn," Xu Huo turned and said to Gu Yu, "Right now it should be safe to answer the puzzles, go find something to eat."

Gu Yu and Shen Xin left together, and Wu Qiuyi said, "Isn’t this something that should be taken seriously?"

"You are correct," Xu Huo replied.

Wu Qiuyi frowned, "You’re brushing me off."

Xu Huo stopped fiddling with the watch’s hands and closed the glass door, "Yes."

"Why?" Wu Qiuyi blurted out in anger, "So many people have died, yet you can all jest and act as if nothing has happened—today the dead are the people around us, tomorrow it might be us!"