Global Survival: I Got the D-Rank Personnel Simulator Chapter 68

After attaching the spider legs, Lin Ye wobbled from side to side as he practiced walking with eight legs in alternating motion. At first, he was quite clumsy, but soon he gradually adapted to the sensation of multi-legged movement, even starting to hop around the mine tunnels.

With eight legs, he could distribute his weight and even traverse along walls, which proved remarkably convenient.

Lin Ye began clearing out the Mutation Creatures in the mine, splicing parts of their corpses onto his own body while converting the rest into ammunition for his right hand.

After exterminating a nest of large sewer worms, Lin Ye discovered a peculiar multicolored ore amidst their nest. The garish, flashing ore looked utterly unnatural, resembling some kind of festive light display.

Digging briefly into the mine walls, Lin Ye soon found another similar ore fragment.

'This ore is likely connected to the anomaly here. Perhaps I can trace the anomaly's origin by following the ore density.'

Lin Ye attempted to sense the ore deposits within the mine walls, steadily moving toward areas with higher concentrations. After an hour navigating the labyrinthine tunnels, he finally reached the most ore-rich zone.

It was a massive excavated underground space the size of a football field. The walls were studded with exposed ore veins whose glow illuminated the entire chamber. There were signs that someone had conducted activities here previously, though only traces remained now.

At the far end of the chamber lay a bloated humanoid monster covered in ore growths and pustules. Were it not for some lingering human features in certain organs, Lin Ye wouldn't have recognized it was likely once human.

Embedded in the wall behind the monster was an ore-constructed door, which the creature guarded like a watchdog.

Lin Ye didn't attempt communication. Instead, he bounded forward to close the distance before greeting the ore monster with his right hand.

Boom!

The bullet obliterated the mutation organ inside the ore monster, yet the creature seemed completely unfazed, roaring as it lunged at Lin Ye.

Lin Ye hastily leaped backward, continuously firing at various parts of the monster. No matter where he struck, the wounds healed almost instantly—even severed joints would grotesquely reconnect.

However, the ore monster never left the ore chamber. Whenever Lin Ye retreated into the tunnels, it would stop pursuit and return to guard the door.

'A bit troublesome. Maybe it's time to try that special bullet.'

After several more probes to confirm conventional attacks were useless, Lin Ye decided to test the special bullet's effectiveness.

'Now the question is—after firing it, should I finish off the monster or go for the door?'

'Killing it carries huge risk. If the bullet doesn't cripple it sufficiently, I'll be the one getting killed. Even if I don't die, I might get trapped here.'

'The door also has risks—it might not open, and who knows what's behind it...'

After consideration, Lin Ye decided to investigate the door. If blocked, he could leap back, whereas approaching the monster might leave no escape route.

Decision made, Lin Ye loaded the special bullet and reentered the ore chamber.

The monster immediately charged. While not intelligent, it proved an effective sentry.

Lin Ye bounded toward it as well, firing point-blank at its upper body from less than a meter away.

Kaboom!

The monster's upper torso vaporized instantly, its lower half collapsing limply. Without hesitation, Lin Ye scrambled up the wall with all eight legs, reaching the ore door in several leaps.

As he pushed the door open, Lin Ye sensed the monster's remaining half rising again and charging toward him.

Lin Ye hastily slipped inside and shut the door.

Thud!

The monster crashed into the wall beside the door, seemingly afraid to touch the door itself, let alone pursue further.

Inside, Lin Ye found a small chamber entirely constructed from the colorful ore. Though only 50 square meters in area, its ceiling soared over ten meters high.

At the room's center stood a headless human statue, its chest embedded with a colorful crystal resembling the ore but appearing more refined.

Lin Ye cautiously scanned the chamber. Expecting danger but detecting none, he focused on the statue.

'Strange. Is the statue itself the threat?'

Approaching the statue, Lin Ye detected no hazards. He attempted to pry the crystal from its chest.

The moment the crystal touched his hand, Lin Ye convulsed and collapsed—dead.

…………………

[Simulation Terminated]

[Remaining Simulations: 10]

[No simulations consumed. Acquire core item?]

"...Acquire."

[Obtained core item: Salvation Divine Stone*1]

[Title Unlocked: Aberration]

Back in the shelter, Lin Ye realized he'd actually resolved the anomaly event. His undying state had lifted, and with his severe injuries—missing internal organs—he'd died instantly when the effect ended.

"I thought the crystal was the problem. Didn't expect it to resolve so simply."

Picking up the glowing crystal from the shelter floor, Lin Ye examined its system description.

[Salvation Divine Stone]

[Sacred relic of the Salvation Cult. Possesses redemptive power. Most who touch it become devotees of the Salvation God.]

[Note: Death is the true salvation]

"So it's Salvation Cult property. No wonder it's so sketchy."

'Entering that mine probably turns people into cultists. That's why the organization didn't send anyone to handle the anomaly? Then what's with throwing people inside? Some kind of ritual?'

'As a demi-god, I can't worship other deities—that's why I was unaffected?'

Lin Ye stored the stone in a small box, unwilling to let his shelter become a disco at night.

After dealing with the stone, Lin Ye checked his new title.

[Aberration]

[You've mutated your body and mastered using your new organs]

[Note: The beginning of the mutation path]

"Not my actual body though," Lin Ye couldn't help muttering.

The people thrown into the mine were likely dead now. Hopefully the organization would stop feeding more victims.

Brother Chicken was still incubating eggs. After preparing some delicious sewer worms for it and feeding the Mutation Flesh Plant with nutrients and warm water, Lin Ye headed to the game room for cards, completing his daily spiritual energy cycle along the way.

Under the attendant's reluctant gaze, Lin Ye returned to the shelter. With time remaining before the Nighttime Activity, he began assimilating runes and attempting new spiritual energy item creations.