"An earthquake?"Li Chengyi's heart sank.
"Yes," Sindra nodded. "Rumor has it, many people died in that parking lot. I've already sent a team to locate it."
"But when will we have confirmation?" Li pressed.
"I don't know," Sindra admitted. "It's strange. We've scanned multiple suspected sites using seismic detection—but found nothing. It's like… the entire parking lot is missing."
"Missing?" Li picked up on the unease in Sindra's voice.
"Yes. It doesn't match the historical records. We also found signs of deliberate data tampering during the investigation. It's possible the address was intentionally falsified. Finding the real location will take time."
"Well… at least we've got a name," Li said, disappointed but understanding. After all, he wasn't the one footing the bill.
Sindra chuckled. "Don't worry. We've still got a few days. I've prepared something for you."
Li could guess what he meant—and it gave him a measure of relief.
"By the way, what happened to that other assistant? I've never seen him."
"He's out investigating his own Dead Zone. Also, there's something you should know," Sindra's tone turned serious."Someone recently tried to access your mobile data—to track your location and pull up family records."
"Other than people in this company, who even knows I entered a Dead Zone?" Li's face stiffened.
"No one here would leak that info," Sindra said calmly. "And we certainly wouldn't need to hack you for it."
Li lowered his gaze. He already understood.
"The girl… she was the other survivor?"
"You're catching on," Sindra said, sitting down."Chengyi, you're smart. Determined. I've been monitoring your progress. I genuinely want you to survive your first Dead Zone."
"Thank you, Boss," Li replied sincerely.
"Don't thank me—we share the same goal. I blocked the hacker this time. But it won't be the last. Be prepared."
"I understand."
He got the message:To survive, he'd inevitably make enemies.If he hesitated, if he tried to play nice—he'd die.
"When you go back in, cooperate if possible. But if time runs out and there's no exit—don't hesitate. The rules are different in there," Sindra warned.
"I understand," Li said, eyes sharp.
"I hope you really do," Sindra exhaled.
Bzzzt.His phone rang.
He answered. The language over the line was fast and foreign—not Yiguese, not Baixingese.
Sindra's expression shifted—from surprise to delight.
He ended the call and looked at Li.
"We found it. The real location of Gelius Parking Lot. Excavation has already started. If you want to find the exit, I strongly recommend going there and walking the place yourself."
Li's eyes lit up. "When do we leave?"
"Not yet. They're still digging. We don't know how stable it is, so wait until the tunnel's safe," Sindra said. "For now, focus everything on preparing. No one knows how or when you'll be pulled back in."
Li nodded. "If it happens when I'm unarmed... I'm dead."
"Exactly. Starting today, stay on-site. Wear your gear at all times. I've packed military rations in your bag—high-calorie, long-lasting. Just be mindful of the weight."
"Understood. But—can I get an official employment letter for my family?"
"Of course." Sindra smiled. "Anyone who values family deserves support."
"You'll survive this," he added seriously.
"I plan to," Li replied.
—
As Li stepped into the elevator, a familiar woman with overdrawn eyebrows rushed in and handed him a sealed bag.
"This is from the boss."
"Thanks."
"Wear it at all times. Hide the gun well," she warned.
Li peeked inside.
A black bulletproof vest and a compact Delin G17 pistol, the very model he trained with.
"Try not to get caught. The plastic design lets it pass most scanners," she added.
"I'll be careful," Li promised, flashing an OK sign.
He put on the vest under his clothes, holstered the gun at his waist, zipped his jacket—fully armed.
Back at Happiness Complex, standing at his front door, Li hesitated.A red "Fu" character stuck to the door fluttered slightly in the wind.
"You going in or just standing there?" a sharp female voice cut through behind him.
He turned.Li Chengjiu.His older twin sister.
They looked alike—narrow eyes, upturned brows—but where his gaze was warm, hers was cold, sharp, almost sinister.
She brushed past him with a scowl, unlocking the door.
Inside, everything was familiar. But Li didn't speak—just changed shoes and went to his room.
She was already yelling again from her room. Always angry, always loud.
He sat down, drawing the G17 from its holster. He checked the mag, inspected the slide—every function practiced to precision.
Knock.
The front door opened again.His mother was home, grocery bags rustling.
Li quickly hid the gun, zipped up, and stepped into the hallway to tell them about his job.
But as he opened his door—
He wasn't home anymore.
It was the Dead Zone.
Gelius Parking Lot.
Across from him, in a vacant parking spot, stood a black-clad woman.
She turned.
Meng Dongdong.
Both froze.Recognition. Tension. Fear.
"Hey… we meet again…" she said, forcing a smile as she subtly reached for her pocket.
But she stopped after two steps.
Because Li already had his gun out.
Bang.Bang Bang Bang—
Shells flew like brass butterflies, clinking onto the floor.
Seventeen rounds. Five seconds. No hesitation.
Meng's body jerked, twitched, trembled.
Then—
She collapsed, eyes rolled back, blood pooling beneath her knees.
[💥 Interactive Ending – Shock & Suspense]One bullet. One survivor.Did Li Chengyi just save his life… or dig his grave deeper?Comment your thoughts below. And don't forget to add this book to your Library!🩸🔫