Chapter 31: Survive or Die?

Under the glaring light in the basement, crates of firearms and ammunition filled the cramped 4x4 space.

Each step outside echoed with urgency in the stillness of the night. Gasps and low growls emanated from the mouths of the Blood Slaves, their ominous presence lurking just beyond the basement walls.

Jin, in the midst of modifying his trusted M4, was forced to pause at the sudden commotion. He swiftly crossed the room, heading towards the corner where a palm-sized red button beckoned him.

The button, seemingly unassuming yet possessing great power, awaited his touch.

TAP!

With a gentle push, the security shutter, reinforced with iron instead of the usual steel, sprang to life. Slowly, it descended, the sturdy barrier rolling down with a low hum, sealing off the entrance to the basement.

Jin's slit pupils and amber eyes remained fixed on the closing entrance, and amidst the descent, a flicker of movement caught his attention.

Shadows darted along a descending pathway leading to his basement, their figures appearing hurried and agitated. Their gasps grew louder, resonating with panic and desperation.

"No! Stop!" shouted the shadowy figures, their voices filled with urgency. As they drew nearer, the familiar face of Chen Ying, a young and captivating professor, emerged from the darkness.

Fear etched across her features, accentuating her beauty. Accompanying her was a tall, lanky young man, his messy black hair and laid-back attire contrasting with the seriousness of the situation.

Gone was the cold demeanor and detached attitude. Instead, Jin witnessed a mix of panic and relief in their expressions.

Chen Ying squinted her piercing blue eyes, her gaze fixated on the narrowing gap of the security shutter. Her heart pounded as the barrier continued its relentless descent.

Biting her lower lip, Chen Ying threw a glare of pure hatred towards Jin, who stood there impassively, unmoved by their suffering.

Her eyes bore into him, filled with venomous anger, as she halted on the track, both her arms pointing desperately at the closing security shutter.

"You motherfucker! Bastard, stop!" The tall and lanky young man's voice cracked with fear and panic, his pleas echoing through the basement.

His face had drained of color, beads of sweat pouring down his trembling body. They shouted at the entrance, the once well-stocked arsenal of firearms now slowly being sealed off, while Jin coldly observed their torment.

Jin maintained his frigid and indifferent demeanor, his gaze locked onto them. However, his observant eyes caught a peculiar gesture and the sudden pause from Chen Ying.

"It's her power again," he muttered, realization dawning on him.

Almost as if in response to his thoughts, the security shutter, which had been inching closer, came to an abrupt halt, suspended in mid-air. It lingered just as level with his hairs.

The duo let out a collective gasp, their relief palpable yet tinged with uncertainty. The shrill sound of a jammed machine emitted from the struggling security shutter, adding to the tense atmosphere.

It clattered and resisted, as if wrestling against an invisible force.

Jin's sharp perception caught the signs that Chen Ying had no intention of giving up. Her once alluring, red-puckered cherry lips drained of color, turning pale. Her long, slender legs trembled with the effort of maintaining her powers.

Blood dripped from Chen Ying's mouth as she bit down on her lower lip, the pain and strain evident on her face.

Her vision blurred and her senses dulled as the overwhelming exertion took its toll on her fragile body.

Jin's gaze shifted between the suspended security shutter and Chen Ying, his brow furrowing in surprise.

There was no visible white thread, unlike in previous instances when his guns seemed to come to life under her influence. However, upon further scrutiny, he noticed the missing thread manifested as an ethereal presence, hovering above him.

It was invisible yet undeniably present—an unseen force that pulled the security shutter upward, defying gravity.

"Interesting," Jin murmured, his arms crossing as he observed the unfolding spectacle. "Is this what they call telekinesis? But I wonder how long she can endure."

Meanwhile, as Chen Ying strained to hold the security shutter in place, the tall and lanky young man lunged at Jin, his bloodshot eyes filled with maddening fury.

"That gun is meant for us!" he shouted, his voice distorted and mixed with flecks of saliva that spattered around him.

Yet, in a peculiar twist, his form started blending with the surroundings, as if becoming one with nature itself.

His clothes melded seamlessly with the environment, and the expression of hatred and resentment he directed at Jin slowly faded away.

Just before his features completely dissolved, a cryptic and enigmatic smile curled upon his lips, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease.

"Oh? Planning to use your invisibility again?" Jin's initial surprise at the young man's power had transformed into keen curiosity, his slit pupils darting back and forth in search of any sign.

However, despite his best efforts, there was no trace to be found. Jin's nostrils flared as he tried to detect the distinct scent of the young man, but even with his animal bloodline coursing through his veins, he couldn't pick up any human scent.

"This is troublesome," Jin muttered, a small frown forming on his face.

His brows furrowed as he realized that not only had the young man's scent vanished, but his body had become completely invisible, leaving no physical trace behind.

It was an unsettling predicament. His instincts warned him of an approaching threat with malicious intent, but his visual and olfactory senses failed to capture it.

While the tall and lanky young man posed no immediate threat to Jin at this moment, he knew that with his invisibility, the man would become a formidable adversary as their encounter progressed.

And there was also Wei Jingyi among the group of tenants, a seemingly astute individual who showed potential in unraveling the mechanics of this enigmatic game entity.

Jin's mind raced with thoughts and considerations, realizing the escalating dangers that lay ahead. The thought of eliminating the young man crossed Jin's mind, but he swiftly dismissed it.

Killing a human was not as simple as dispatching Blood Slaves.

When he had fought the gangsters previously, it had been a matter of self-defense, leaving him without any sense of guilt.

However, in this case, the idea of intentionally taking another human life brought forth hesitation, guilt, and an uncomfortable feeling.

Jin's facial expression shifted through a range of complex emotions as his gaze settled on the young professor.

"Am I becoming too naive?" Jin muttered, his mind drifting to past memories where he had ample opportunities to kill these tenants, but had instead chosen to incapacitate them, rendering them unable to pose a threat to him.

A wry smile formed on his lips as he acknowledged his growing cowardice or rather, his fear of the consequences that came with intentionally ending another human's life with a clear mind.

Jin stood there, his mind in turmoil as he weighed the conflicting emotions and principles within him.

On one hand, he felt a deep sense of gratitude and duty towards Mrs. XXX, who had shown him kindness and provided him with a home and employment.

On the other hand, the disrespectful behavior and potential future threats from the tenants made it difficult for him to fully commit to their protection.

The memories of the tenants flooded his mind, their faces and the moments they had shared together.

Liu Yifan's advice and support during his financial struggles, Wei Jingyi's efforts and the camaraderie they had formed during their daily guard duties—it all tugged at his heartstrings.

The apathetic and cold demeanor he had displayed when dealing with the gangsters seemed distant now. He found himself questioning his own motives and the choices he was about to make.

In this crucial moment, Jin's hand hesitated, reflecting the inner conflict raging within him.

It was a profound challenge, testing his integrity and forcing him to choose between honoring his promise as a man and succumbing to selfish desires for personal gain.

As he stood there, the weight of his decision pressed upon him. He knew that whatever path he chose would define his character and shape his future.

"Forget about it. This is their last chance. Whatever happens to them, whether they live or die after this, it has nothing to do with me. I will cut ties with them to strive for a better future."

Yet, even as he concluded in his heart, the shadow of his childhood friend from the orphanage flashed for a moment.

Amidst his conflicted feelings, as if his fortuitous luck had kicked in, the security shutter that had been suspended abruptly started descending at a rapid pace.

The gears clattered loudly as the automatic mechanism closed off the entrance with speed. Amidst the closing commotion, a weak and soft moan escaped from a woman's lips, piercing through the noise.

Chen Ying, pushed to her limits, collapsed onto the ground, her breathing shallow and her vision blurred. The strain of using her powers had taken its toll, leaving her in a weakened state.

"Professor!" the young man cried out, his invisibility dissipating as he rushed to her side.

That was the final image imprinted in Jin's mind before the iron security door slammed shut, sealing off the entrance to the basement with a resounding bang.

…

Inside the now-sealed basement, Jin stood there, his mind momentarily dazed and disoriented. He took a few moments to collect himself, shaking his head as if to clear away the fog that clouded his thoughts.

With renewed focus, he turned his attention back to the workbench where his modified M4 rifle lay, adorned with numerous attachments and enhancements.

Walking briskly towards the bench, Jin's hands deftly reached for the weapon, his fingers instinctively navigating the familiar layout of the modifications.

He inspected the intricate craftsmanship, ensuring that each attachment was securely in place.

The sights were adjusted for precision, the grip modified for optimal comfort, and the barrel accessorized with suppressors and muzzle devices to reduce recoil and increase accuracy.

[

Name: M4 Assault Rifle

Type: Weapon

Rarity: Uncommon

Effect:

- Increases the effective range of the weapon by 15%.

- Reduces the sound produced by the weapon, making it harder for enemies to detect the shooter's location.

- Increases the magazine capacity by 25%,a laser sight that improves accuracy when firing from the hip,

- An additional set of iron sights that can be used as a backup aiming system in case of optic failure.

- Enhances weapon control and stability, reducing recoil and improving overall accuracy.

Requirements: Required 5.56×45mm bullets.

Description: The M4 Assault Rifle has been meticulously customized with a range of attachments to enhance its performance in both close quarters and long-range combat.

The enhanced sight range increases its effective range, allowing for accurate shots even at greater distances.

The suppressor reduces the weapon's sound signature, making it ideal for stealth operations. The extra magazine provides more ammunition capacity, ensuring prolonged engagements without the need for frequent reloads ..…Read more

]

"Excellent! With my new firearms and ample ammunition, I can take down those scum," Jin declared confidently, taking a seat on a nearby chair.

As he settled into the chair, faint murmurs from the outside reached his ears, quickly followed by the receding sound of footsteps.

"They're here," Jin stated, his expression turning solemn as he focused his gaze on the closed security shutter. Despite its reinforced iron construction and the sturdy cement walls, a lingering uneasiness flickered across his face.

He had intentionally lured these Blood Slaves here, and based on his calculations, there would be over 200 of them converging on this location.

"Your survival will depend on your own abilities," he uttered with a cold and ruthless tone. Although his words seemed harsh, the potential benefits for those who managed to survive this ordeal were significant.

Jin's intention behind attracting the Blood Slaves wasn't solely driven by a narrow desire for revenge against the groups who had wronged him.

After all, they proved no match for him. Resorting to cowardly tactics against tenants who lacked proper training to handle such situations would only diminish his own value. Instead...

A game screen materialized before Jin's eyes, displaying his current statistics.

[

Name: Jin Tianyi

Class: -

Level: 11

Race: Human

Health: 232.8/232.8

Mana/Stamina: 141/141

Attributes: Strength: 50.9| Agility: 20 | Intelligence: 10.5 | Dexterity: 12.5 | Luck: 20 | Charisma: 20

]

[Free Attribute: 6]

"My level has increased to 11, but apart from Strength, the rest of my stats are rather pathetic," Jin muttered, his brows furrowing as he examined the numbers displayed on the screen.

His focus shifted from level, health, and mana to the available free attributes.

"I should utilize my free attributes as a trump card in this situation. But if I want to confront those gangsters, I'll need a substantial amount of magic crystals."

And right now, this place seemed to be teeming with those very crystals, ripe for the taking.

In previous situations, Jin had been forced to strike a balance with his stats or use the free attributes to enhance his strength, particularly when facing Level 5 Vampiric Bats.

But now that he had attained considerable power, it would be foolish to squander these valuable resources.

"I wonder just how many stat points and magic crystals I can acquire," he pondered, a thick aura of killing intent emanating from him as his slit pupils gleamed with determination.

This was his primary objective. Level 1 Blood Slaves posed no threat to him, and even Level 5 Vampiric Bats could be crushed beneath his sheer strength.

Rather than engaging in a prolonged search and kill mission against individual Blood Slaves, it would be far more advantageous if they gathered in one place.

Jin remained cautious, even with his monstrous strength surpassing that of ordinary humans. He didn't believe for a second that the gangsters wouldn't employ similar tactics as him.

"Even on the first day, they've proven to be smart enough to discover and adapt to this strange entity, not to mention their thorough preparation now," Jin mused.

The apocalyptic scenarios depicted in novels, movies, and comics he had come across didn't seem entirely far-fetched anymore.

Humans were resilient beings, capable of adapting to the most dire circumstances. Not all of them were weak and feeble, willing to accept their fate as mere playthings for blood-sucking creatures.

Many had mentally prepared themselves by consuming various forms of media—movies, books, and comics—that explored and anticipated situations like the one they now found themselves in.