69novels Chapter 215: Fog Lantern (2)
Chapter 215: Fog Lantern (2)
Otrix spoke through the communicator, his voice still relaxed but slightly more serious.
"I know you’re all very excited, but don’t grab the lanterns and immediately run deep inside. Basic lanterns only buy you more time. They don’t turn the fog into an amusement park."
Nanoe answered: "I understand."
"If the flame weakens, replenish the core or turn back. Don’t spare a few supplies and end up becoming a monster. I don’t want next time we make contact to be talking with a bunch of people who’ve grown extra eyes on their foreheads."
Selina laughed softly.
"Have you seen that before?"
"More than a few times." Otrix answered cheerfully. "Some grew extra eyes. Some grew extra mouths. Some unlucky ones ended up with fingers sprouting all over their body. Trust me, you won’t want to look for too long."
Sunako wasn’t present in the living room, but if she had heard, she would have immediately abandoned any idea of entering the fog on her own.
Otrix continued: "One more thing. There are areas where basic lanterns can’t push back the fog. If the flame suddenly contracts or turns black, don’t stand there and investigate."
Nanoe asked: "What should we do?"
"Turn around and run." Otrix answered very quickly. "Run as fast as possible. If there’s someone slower beside you, then wish them good luck."
Selina raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Sounds very pragmatic."
"I’m always pragmatic." Otrix said with a smile. "Being cheerful doesn’t mean I want to die."
The communicator let out a soft crackle.
Before the connection was cut, Otrix added one more thing:
"If you find anything interesting in the fog, remember to contact me. I buy information, materials, and strange things you don’t know how to use. Reasonable prices, friendly service attitude."
Nanoe smiled.
"I’ll remember."
"Very good. Wishing room 2705 a happy exploration. Try not to die."
The connection ended.
The living room returned to quiet.
Morie picked up one of the lanterns and began examining its exterior structure. Then she placed it back on the table, looked at everyone, and said: "Tomorrow we begin testing. The first day only establishes the retreat route, checks consumption levels, and measures the fog’s effects. Don’t go deep. Don’t be tempted by immediate benefits."
Selina crossed her arms.
"Formation?"
"Elith scouts with spiders. Selina and Thunder Dragon handle mobile combat. Monica checks curses and abnormal fluctuations. I follow the team to control the retreat line and mark lantern placement positions. Nanoe stays in room 2705 to manage the overall situation."
Nanami sat beside her older sister and asked with slight disappointment: "What about me?"
Nanoe looked at her younger sister.
"You stay behind."
Nanami pressed her lips together.
But didn’t object.
Her body had just been resurrected. Her soul still needed more time to stabilize. Entering the fog right now wasn’t bravery, it was seeking death.
Morie turned back to the diagram and continued analyzing: "If the first route is stable, we prioritize checking structures close to the apartment complex. No need to rush into large areas immediately. First look for small shops, warehouses, utility rooms, or basements. Bring back everything that can be used, including materials whose purpose hasn’t been identified yet."
Nanoe gently nodded.
"We need to accumulate as much as possible."
Not only to get through the fourth round.
Not only to reach level 5.
But also to prepare for the territory after level 6.
Right at that moment, the light from the crack under the bedroom door suddenly grew brighter. A gentle strand of life energy spread outward, making the runes on the [Titan Soul-Sealing Tower] flicker slightly.
Nanoe turned her head toward the door.
System notifications rang out.
[Ding!]
[Deep resonance between Owner and new members detected.]
[Effect of Peaceful Bed activated.]
[Effect of Garden of Eden activated.]
[Ding!]
[Sunako has completed deep resonance with Owner.]
[Unlocking special innate gift...]
[Ding!]
[Sunako has awakened: Gemstone Hands.]
....
[Gemstone Hands]
[Initial Rank: A.]
[Type: Support innate gift.]
[Effect 1: Can inlay crystals, cores, and special materials into equipment.]
[Effect 2: Has a chance to create additional sub-attributes on equipment.]
[Effect 3: When cooperating with a suitable crafting building, inlaying effectiveness and output increase significantly.]
[Special resonance capability: Equipment Production Workshop.]
....
Nanoe looked at the notification panel. The corner of her lips slowly curved up.
Exactly as she had anticipated.
Sunako wasn’t a direct combat force. But her ability was an extremely good fit for the territory development path. The [Equipment Production Workshop] could craft weapons in mass quantities, while Sunako could inlay additional attributes. If well coordinated, Rover’s future army wouldn’t just be fully equipped, but would possess advantages far surpassing ordinary forces.
It wasn’t over yet.
The system notification rang out again.
[Ding!]
[Rilia has completed deep resonance with Owner.]
[Unlocking special bloodline...]
[Ding!]
[Rilia’s Ice Wolf bloodline has undergone evolution.]
[Ding!]
[Rilia has awakened a partial Ice Wolf King bloodline.]
....
[Ice Wolf King Bloodline — Incomplete]
[Rank: Epic.]
[Effect 1: Frost power increased significantly.]
[Effect 2: Recovery ability in cold environments increased significantly.]
[Effect 3: Commanding capability over Ice Wolf Tribe increased significantly.]
[Effect 4: When fighting alongside the Ice Wolf Tribe, can form a bloodline link, enhancing the power of all units within range.]
[New Skill: Frost Battle Domain.]
....
Morie looked at the information panel. Her gaze immediately changed.
"Frontline legion."
Nanoe nodded.
"Correct."
Rilia was no longer only an individual combat force. She could become a true general, and the Ice Wolf Tribe was no longer merely a tribe needing room 2705’s unconditional rescue. If properly utilized, they would become the first legion of the future territory.
The bedroom door slowly opened.
Rover stepped out first. He wore a simple shirt, the collar slightly open, his hair a bit tousled but his spirit very good. Behind him were Sunako and Rilia.
Sunako was still wearing the maid dress, but her steps were slightly unnatural. Her face was flushed. Her gaze avoided everyone, clearly just wanting to find a discreet corner to disappear into.
Rilia was much calmer, but her wolf ears were still slightly red. The layer of coldness around her had diminished, not completely vanished but grown more natural, as if she finally no longer needed to use distance to build a wall before everyone.
The moment she stepped out of the room, Rilia looked at her own hand.
A stream of cold air spread outward.
Crack!
Thin ice quickly appeared beneath her feet, then expanded into a small circle. Individual ice crystals floated in the air, forming a combat zone carrying clear pressure without losing control.
Morie observed for a few seconds, then said: "The current range isn’t large yet, but sufficient to enhance individual combat capability. If the bloodline continues to unlock and coordinates with the Ice Wolf Tribe, the value of this skill will increase very quickly."
Rilia looked at the ice beneath her feet.
For the first time, her gaze truly wavered.
This wasn’t only strength.
This was hope.
If she continued growing stronger, if Rover truly built the territory, perhaps the Ice Wolf Tribe still had a path to survival.
Sunako also looked at her own information panel. After a few seconds of surprise, she immediately brightened and walked over to Rover’s side with an extremely serious expression.
"Great Lord Rover."
Rover looked at her.
"It seems I truly can serve as accessories for you."
Rover was silent.
Sunako blinked, then immediately corrected herself.
"No, that’s not right. I can serve as accessories for your entire army."
Rover looked at her for a few seconds, then finally nodded.
"That sentence sounds much better."
Sunako immediately smiled.
Nanoe stood up from her chair and pointed toward the six lanterns lying on the table.
"We’ve purchased the fog lanterns."
Rover raised an eyebrow slightly.
He walked over and picked one up. Almost immediately, another information panel that only he could see appeared before his eyes.
....
[Basic Fog Lantern]
[Rank: C.]
[Status: Can be upgraded.]
[Upgrade requirement: 50,000 Omni Points.]
....
Rover looked at the information panel.
Then slowly curved his lips.
Nanoe stood beside him, observing his expression. Even a very small change on Rover’s face was enough for her to understand that her speculation had been correct.
She didn’t ask.
Didn’t say it aloud either.
Only gently smiled.
Rover placed the lantern back on the table. His gaze fell on the exploration diagram Morie had built. Beyond this room, fog was still covering countless structures, concealing supplies, materials, and things no Survivor had yet touched.
But the situation had changed.
Room 2705 now had lanterns.
Had people.
Had strength.
And most importantly, he could make these lanterns even more powerful.
Rover looked at everyone. His voice was very calm.
"Tomorrow we start entering the fog."
Outside the apartment complex, the gray-white fog still quietly churned, like an endless wall concealing the entire world behind it.
In the past, Survivors could only stand inside the apartment complex and look at it with frightened eyes.
But from tomorrow, room 2705 would proactively step into it.
Establish routes.
Explore structures.
Accumulate supplies.
Kill monsters.
Swallow every benefit that could be taken.
Step by step.
Until the fog-covered area around the apartment complex became their own hunting ground.