Chapter 18: Flesh and Blood Passage

"If that's the case, then everyone can survive."

Zheng Zha shook his head with a bitter expression and said

"I can't aim that accurately. Even with a stationary target ten meters away, I'm not even sure I could hit it."

"Let alone facing an agile Alien Queen that specializes in ambushes."

Looking at Zheng Zha, Chu Xuan said indifferently

"Exactly. That is why I suggest you don't aim for the smaller head. It would be more practical to shoot its torso instead."

"The Alien Queen's massive size is both an advantage and a disadvantage."

"If you can break through its defense, Zhang Jie, Zero's light weapons can also be effective..."

"So, let's distribute the tasks. If things go as I say..."

"Zheng Zha, your Spiral Sting should focus on the massive torso to destroy its defenses."

"In truth, aside from Zheng Zha, we don't possess the ability to engage the Alien Queen in melee combat."

"Therefore, I, Zhang Jie, Zhan Lan, and Li Xiao will all be responsible for providing fire cover from the periphery."

"As for you, Zero, I don't need to say much more. Just play it by ear; we will create opportunities for you."

"Although you have only just come into contact with this gun, its power is no less than that of an ordinary sniper rifle."

Hearing this, Zhang Jie suddenly spoke up and asked

"Then why did Li Xiao get half a percent of the share separately?"

"His current condition, if I may be blunt, is likely not very good!"

Chu Xuan glanced at Li Xiao, who was covered in wounds and missing an arm, and said

"The existence of the Genetic Lock far exceeds our imagination. It isn't just a single layer of lock. Who can say for certain that Li Xiao won't unlock the second layer in a moment of crisis?"

These words made Li Xiao's heart thud with anxiety.

Zhang Jie also wore a thoughtful expression, making Li Xiao feel guilty as he looked him up and down.

After speaking, the group, without needing Chu Xuan's reminder, all came to a halt as they reached a turn.

As a woman, Zhan Lan had a bit of a germaphobia.

Looking at the mucus nearby, which resembled a cluster of thick phlegm, she instinctively gagged.

There was no helping it; the color and shape of the substance were simply too disgusting.

Seeing Zheng Zha and the others picking up their weapons to prepare, Chu Xuan finally spoke.

"The number of Aliens is limited. Our luck has been good enough that we haven't been swarmed by them right from the start. Otherwise, once these four Aliens hatch and are led by the Alien Queen, we are absolutely dead."

Li Xiao's heart stirred upon hearing this. Unlike their guarded secrecy, he hadn't forgotten that these were all reward points.

One Alien was worth five hundred reward points, though such immature individuals would likely yield a significant discount.

Still, even scraps are meat.

Observing the slime on the metal corridor, Chu Xuan said to the group

"By the way, there is one more point during the battle. Once the Alien Queen is wounded and begins to bleed, we must kill it within the shortest possible time."

"Alien blood is highly corrosive, and the Alien Queen's corrosive ability is likely even more potent."

"Furthermore, our current position is right on the outer perimeter of the spacecraft. If a large hole is corroded through here by its blood..."

"I don't think you would want to see the final result!"

Zheng Zha and the others exchanged glances, forced to admit Chu Xuan's excellence.

Setting aside Chu Xuan's cold-blooded and somewhat cruel personality, this man was an absolute strategist in terms of analysis and layout.

No, perhaps for a strategist, such a personality is actually an advantage!

Although he did not approve of some of Chu Xuan's methods, having such a person in the team was undeniably a massive boost for survival in a horror movie!

Zhan Lan smiled bitterly and rubbed her temples. Under normal circumstances, she would have thought of these things.

But under the influence of high-intensity physical exhaustion, bodily pain, facing unknown horrors, and the death of teammates, her brain's efficiency was constantly declining.

As they ventured deeper, the originally thin layer of secretions became more numerous and thicker.

Chu Xuan stopped, handed out several strips of cloth, and said calmly

"Everyone, do as I do and tie your pant legs and cuffs tight."

"The acidity of the secretions ahead may increase. To be safe, make sure all your clothing is properly worn."

After Chu Xuan finished his final instructions, everyone performed their last preparations.

Zero sat with eyes closed, resting while holding the long gun in his arms.

Li Xiao and Zhang Jie familiarized themselves with the mysterious firearms in their hands.

As for Zhang Jie's Desert Eagle with infinite ammunition, it was given to Zhan Lan.

The group of six cautiously walked inward along the passage.

As they went deeper, the dark yellow, phlegm-like mucus became more prevalent.

Eventually, the entire passage—top, bottom, left, and right—was covered by a thin layer.

However, because it was somewhat transparent, the group could see clearly.

The metal surface beneath this film had been corroded by a layer.

Every movement made them feel even more apprehensive.

Chu Xuan crouched down to observe the Alien secretions on the ground

"It's alright. The acidity of this substance has decreased significantly over time. For now, it won't cause obvious harm to the human body in a short period."

Li Xiao frowned as he looked at the viscous and slippery ground beneath his feet

"I'm afraid the biggest problem with this stuff is that it restricts our mobility, right?"

Zheng Zha nodded in agreement

"Indeed. It's too slippery to step on. If it's filled with this disgusting phlegm, I'm afraid we won't be able to stand steady."

Chu Xuan thought for a moment and said

"Even if we can't stand steady, it's a double-edged sword. Having this layer of mucus might actually work in our favor. Because of this, we won't have to worry about the Alien Queen's corrosive bodily fluids. In this way, it effectively extends the time we have to kill it."

"Compared to racing against the clock to kill the monster, this will significantly increase our margin for error."

"And most importantly, while this stuff might affect us, it won't be an issue for those of you who have unlocked the Genetic Lock. The talent for perfect bodily control is no joke."

Zheng Zha was stunned for a moment, then said with a bitter smile, "True, I almost forgot."

"Something's up ahead!" Zhang Jie waved his hand, calling out in a low voice!

After Li Xiao ran over following Zheng Zha, the scene that met their eyes made even Zhan Lan—let alone the two men—feel nauseated.

At this turn, the entire four-sided metal passage had been completely covered by a dark red fleshy tissue.

At a glance, it looked like the interior of a giant organism, and the entire passage seemed to possess life, contracting and trembling.

Even Zero, the assassin who viewed life and death with indifference, frowned as he surveyed the depths.

Chu Xuan reached out and pressed his hand against it to feel

"It looks like it's in here."

"I remember in horror movies, the planet with the Alien eggs had this kind of exaggerated fleshy tissue, nurturing countless Alien embryos."