Zhou Wen: I still don't quite understand. Brother Lin, are you a college student?

Lin Ye: No, I graduated some time ago. College was quite enjoyable though - probably the freest period of my life.

Zhou Wen: What a shame. I was about to take my college entrance exams when all this happened.

Lin Ye: My condolences.

Zhou Wen: It's not that serious.

Hu Tingting: Could you two focus on the actual matter at hand? Stop chit-chatting.

Lin Ye: The townspeople aren't sick. They're undergoing rapid group mutations due to some cause.

Xu Changnian: Is it because of increased spiritual energy concentration in the town?

Lin Ye: This situation is indeed related to spiritual energy concentration, but the town's levels aren't nearly high enough to turn people into flesh piles.

Zhou Wen: Then what's the reason?

Lin Ye: I believe it's connected to mutation runes. Someone has been inscribing mutation runes around town. Initially there weren't many, which only caused those who came into close contact with the runes to 'fall ill' - actually symptoms of rapid mutation. The test data matches rapid mutation symptoms perfectly. Those deformed organs in the hospital are clear evidence.

Hu Tingting: So someone's conducting mutation experiments here?

Lin Ye: I can't say for certain what their goal is, but this is definitely happening here.

Xu Changnian: What should we do then? Hole up in the supermarket overnight or take the initiative to eliminate them?

Lin Ye: Obviously we eliminate them. These remaining mutation creatures have already undergone intense mutation reactions. We couldn't withstand mutations at that level. Our opponent is probably already preparing to eliminate us tonight.

Hu Tingting: I agree we should take them out. The current mission is too simple - why would the system give us such an easy task? Staying in the supermarket would be no different than waiting to die.

Zhou Wen: Actually, there's another approach. If they're attacking us using mutation runes, wouldn't we be safe if we just remove all the runes in town?

Lin Ye: No. While I don't understand the exact mechanism, I think they're triggering mutations using this mist. The mist has covered the entire town - they couldn't possibly have inscribed runes everywhere. Inscribing runes isn't simple work. Forget the effort required - just wandering around town would look highly suspicious.

Xu Changnian: So we have to eliminate them.

Hu Tingting: And we need to act fast.

Zhou Wen: The system wouldn't assign us an unbeatable enemy. Controlling mist across this entire area to trigger mutations must require some auxiliary devices. Wherever these devices are placed would cause abnormal phenomena. If we get close, I should be able to sense it.

Lin Ye: Good. You and Hu Tingting scout the town to locate their position. Xu Changnian, stay by my side. I have a mutation rune card - perfect for learning their methods before combat.

Zhou Wen: What? That kind of rune card? The only one that can kill people in shelters?

Hu Tingting: Are you insane? That's the rune card that can even override a shelter's absolute safety!

Xu Changnian: In our group, every survivor who used a rune card died. These were the top-tier survivors, including some with spiritual talent abilities. Even one with a resurrection ability died.

Lin Ye: I'll try it. Just keep the mutation creatures away from me.

Lin Ye knew this was risky, but he'd have to try using rune cards eventually. This was the perfect opportunity.

With his Seed of Spirit and ranking among the strongest survivors in spiritual energy, he might withstand the mental impact.

Moreover, he had one reality simulation opportunity. If he died this time, he could simply avoid using rune cards next time. This was why he dared have Xu Changnian guard him.

Reality simulation gave Lin Ye one advantage - the chance to experiment.

Avoiding risks meant wasting this advantage, slowing his growth, until eventually dying ten times straight in some simulation.

Lin Ye took out the Basic Rune - Mutation and used the rune card without hesitation.

A flood of mutation-related knowledge surged into Lin Ye's brain. He instantly lost control of his body, but the Seed of Spirit shone within his consciousness, helping him quickly regain control.

Opening his eyes, Lin Ye saw Xu Changnian backed against the supermarket entrance, watching him warily.

Lin Ye: What happened?

Struggling through the chaotic information in his mind, Lin Ye forced out the question despite his headache.

Xu Changnian: You were inscribing mutation runes around us just now. You almost mutated me.

Lin Ye: I see. Now I understand how those people died.

Zhou Wen: How did they die?

Hu Tingting: Focus on finding their base... How did they die?

Lin Ye: Their brains became overloaded with rune knowledge, losing body control. Their knowledge-influenced brains issued commands to inscribe runes, but shelters have no spiritual energy...

Zhou Wen: ...So they walked out of the shelters themselves.

Hu Tingting: That's why the shelters' absolute safety couldn't save them - they weren't inside anymore.

Xu Changnian: I see. So can we use rune cards here then?

Lin Ye: Hard to say. Without shelter protection, you might not withstand the rune knowledge - could turn into vegetables.

Zhou Wen: What if we tied ourselves up inside the shelter?

Lin Ye: Could you guarantee you wouldn't break free?

Hu Tingting: No way. Who knew such traps existed? Too dangerous.

Xu Changnian: The system already warned you - those with insufficient spiritual energy should use caution.

Zhou Wen: Every system note has such heartwarming reasons behind it.

Hu Tingting: Warms me to death.

Zhou Wen: Found it! The town church, north side.

Lin Ye: Good. Return here first. Give me thirty minutes to rest.

Lin Ye took out a Spirit Potion from his backpack and drank it in one gulp.

His spiritual energy instantly surged, soon exceeding his previous maximum.

Lin Ye rapidly consumed spiritual energy to digest and organize the rune card's knowledge and techniques. By the time the potion's effects faded, he had mostly processed everything.

Lin Ye: Everyone ready? If so, time to go say hello.

Zhou Wen: Ready. Should we share our talent abilities?

Hu Tingting: Mine is combat-related.

Xu Changnian: Same.

Zhou Wen: Mine is spiritual - should be able to interfere with their rune usage.

Lin Ye: Mine leans support, but most first-tier mutation creatures can't survive one strike from me.

Zhou Wen: Wow.

Lin Ye: If there are no issues, let's move out. Best solve this before they realize what's coming.