Chapter 12: Race Against Time
Chen Chong's face changed for a simple reason. It was because the map marked the area near their current location as extremely dangerous in blood red font! And the specific location indicated by this font was none other than the foggy area just tens of meters ahead of them.
He looked up and scanned the towering cliffs on both sides of the riverbank, his expression becoming increasingly grim.
Once again, an unexpected situation beyond his control appeared. He had never expected that an extremely dangerous foggy area would block their path at the exit of the underground river.
What could be inside? Why was it marked as extremely dangerous?
Chen Chong looked towards the misty area not far away, which seemed hazy and unusually tranquil. His brows furrowed tightly.
Was it just his illusion or something else? As he stared at the foggy area that almost sealed off the entire valley, it seemed as if there was something faintly attracting him from within the mist, igniting an intense desire to enter.
Why would I have such thoughts?
Chen Chong was slightly startled in his heart. This sudden idea felt strange and inexplicable. He looked around and found that the prisoners around him were eagerly surrounding him, which seemed normal.
Is it just my imagination?
Still in grave danger and under urgent circumstances, Chen Chong forcefully drove away the strange thoughts in his mind. Lin Kun also keenly sensed that something was amiss with Chen Chong and immediately approached him, his expression changing:
"Extreme danger... is it the foggy area ahead of us?"
Chen Chong's gaze regained its calmness, and he handed the map to Lin Kun, saying in a low voice, "There are no signs of tampering on the map, so it's not a forgery."
After carefully examining the map, Lin Kun looked at the foggy area not far ahead and then turned to look at the cliffs on both sides. He seemed to have realized something, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.
"No wonder I felt something was off here. There should be clean water sources here, but I haven't seen any signs of radiation. If even a base housing powerful individuals like Deris marked this place as extremely dangerous, the dangers within the fog might be even greater than we imagine. It seems that this path is not passable. Then we can only..."
At this moment, the other prisoners also realized that something unexpected had occurred, and they looked at each other in confusion.
Chen Chong repeatedly scanned the map. Although the situation was extremely urgent, his mind became even calmer, rapidly processing information.
He knew very well that while they could climb the cliffs and take a detour, there was a major problem. The cliffs on both sides were steep and towering, and most of the rock surfaces seemed slippery due to the constant moisture. This undoubtedly increased the difficulty of climbing. Moreover, all the prisoners present were emaciated and had no tools in their hands. It was unknown how long it would take for them to climb this nearly twenty-meter-high steep cliff. Especially for Chen Chong himself, with one arm partially disabled and two broken ribs, he was relying entirely on sheer willpower. In this state, it would be even more difficult for him to climb the steep cliff than for the other prisoners.
But what was even more perilous was that Johnson, whom he despised to the core, and a group of guards who hated him to the bone, were chasing after them from behind! Even though the path in the cave was treacherous, they could cover the two to three kilometers distance and catch up here in at most fifteen to twenty minutes!
"Let's climb up first!"
Having barely restored some strength, Chen Chong suddenly stood up, put away the map, and looked up at the nearly twenty-meter-high steep cliff, resolutely saying, "Listen, everyone! The foggy area ahead is extremely dangerous and impassable! Johnson and his men are chasing us along the river. We must climb up the cliffs now, immediately!"
At this moment, whether he could successfully climb this cliff with only one functional arm was uncertain for Chen Chong. But given the current circumstances, he couldn't afford to consider so much anymore.
He would never sit and wait for death. Faced with two alternatives, one being the foggy area marked as extremely dangerous even by the base housing Deris, and the other being the chance to survive by climbing the cliff during these ten or so minutes of opportunity, it was obviously more advantageous to seize the chance to climb the cliff.
While the surrounding prisoners were still digesting this information, Chen Chong was already the first to stand before the cliff, declaring coldly, "What are you waiting for? Are you waiting to shake hands and bid farewell to those white devils when they catch up? Climb! We only have a little over ten minutes left! Climbing up means survival! Failing to climb means death!"
Chen Chong's harsh words reverberated in the air, causing all the prisoners present to shudder. They realized that regardless of whether this unnamed prisoner was still alive or not, he would never be able to leave here alive.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone