The System Arrived Four Years Early, but the Anomaly Is Still a Juvenile - Chapter 144

When Deng Yuqi mentioned this, Shen Ge immediately thought of Li Xiang’s earlier research on the red pustules found on the supernatural rats and the “Xu” entity. It was precisely that research report that had confirmed the Twelve Branches were artificial supernatural entities.

Shen Ge said solemnly, “Based on the research reports from the Haiya Research Institute, the Twelve Branches have existed for at least ten years. Back then, ‘headquarters’ was already experimenting with human-supernatural fusion. It seems that, whether for the Twelve Branches or the flesh monsters that resulted from later human experiments, this is likely their ‘weakness’…”

“Yuzhou, Dajing, Rongshi—the Twelve Branches have been conducting tests step by step. They’ve been searching for a way to prevent ultimately being consumed by supernatural entities. That’s why the infected in Luhu Shui Cheng have new variations compared to those in the Dajing supernatural disaster. When killed, new parasitic supernatural entities hatch from their bodies.”

“If we view these infected as failed products of headquarters’ earlier human experiments, then the Twelve Branches are indeed trying to achieve ‘evolution’ step by step, to become ‘new humans’ superior to ordinary humans. This way, even if supernatural entities fully erupt, they can ‘coexist’ in a world dominated by supernatural energy.”

Deng Yuqi nodded upon hearing this. Shen Ge’s analysis clarified some of her doubts and led to several conjectures about the Twelve Branches’ “goals.”

Currently, the Twelve Branches’ artificial supernatural entities have significant flaws. Either their “lifespan” isn’t very long, and they’ll eventually end up like the infected, or their ability to assume the form of their targets by consuming them has certain limitations, preventing them from lurk for extended periods.

Whatever the specific reason, the Twelve Branches are “striving” to break through and find solutions to these flaws and limitations.

“Although there’s a time difference between this supernatural space and the outside world, we must get out as soon as possible. We can’t let Rongshi suffer a supernatural disaster like Dajing,” Deng Yuqi said.

Cheng Shengnan looked at Shen Ge and said, “The supernatural space detector showed this is a triple-layered supernatural space. So far, we’ve confirmed one in the artificial lake and one underground. The one in the lake is a fish-crab variant, very large and relatively slow-moving. The one underground is an insect mutant that moves quickly underground.”

Over their sixty-plus days in the supernatural space, Cheng Shengnan and Deng Yuqi had covered most areas in search of food and had encountered the Tier 3 supernatural entities maintaining the space. However, Deng Yuqi knew her limits—with only a few supernatural energy equipment, she was no match for a Tier 3 entity—so she avoided provoking them and merely noted their general locations.

“Don’t worry, my ability to detect supernatural energy has improved. I can now pinpoint the locations of supernatural entities within the space,” Shen Ge said, opening the system map. According to the small red dots on the map, the low-tier supernatural entities and infected in the surrounding area had been cleared, leaving only two larger red dots.

Just then, the ground began to shake violently. Shen Ge saw on the map that the Tier 3 supernatural entity red dot, originally outside the villa on the lake island, had merged into the lake island area.

Due to the presence of a Tier 5 supernatural entity on the lake island, and the system currently only being at Tier 3, it could only accurately locate supernatural entities below Tier 3. Thus, the lake island was shrouded in a layer of “fog of war,” covered in black mist.

Shen Ge couldn’t determine his exact position from the map, but based on the violent shaking of the villa, he could tell it was nearby.

Boom!
Boom!

Amid the deafening crashes, the intense shaking caused many parts of the villa to collapse. A giant black cockroach, at least five to six meters tall, crawled out from underground. Its forelimbs and tentacles gripped the villa, instantly crushing the walls.

“Quick—”

Shen Ge was about to say “run,” but the word stuck in his throat. He had turned, arms outstretched to carry Cheng Shengnan to safety, only to find Deng Yuqi already holding Cheng Shengnan by the waist. Deng Yuqi leaped onto the sofa, then dashed into the living room and out into the garden in the blink of an eye.

What stood out was how Deng Yuqi held Cheng Shengnan by the waist while Cheng Shengnan instinctively wrapped her arms around Deng Yuqi’s neck to avoid falling. It clearly wasn’t the first time they’d coordinated like this.

“…” Do they really have to be this in sync?

Shen Ge complainted internally and immediately gave chase. The supernatural cockroach had fully emerged from underground, collapsing most of the villa.

“Shen Ge, lure it away. I’ll go start the helicopter,” Deng Yuqi said, still carrying Cheng Shengnan without slowing down, disappearing around the corner in an instant.

She moved so fast that Shen Ge didn’t even have time to ask, “You can fly a helicopter too?”

Snap!

Shen Ge turned and charged toward the supernatural cockroach, snapping his fingers. As his feet attached supernatural leather boots, he leaped into the air, fully armored himself mid-air, and landed on the cockroach’s head.

Then, with his supernatural gloves “Unyielding” gripping the cockroach’s “antennae” on either side, he held on tightly no matter how violently the creature shook trying to throw him off.

“Woo-hoo—”

“Go, Mantis shrimp!”

Shen Ge felt almost like he was piloting a mecha, holding onto the cockroach’s antennae as it rampaged, crashing through one villa after another.

A few minutes later, the sound of rotor blades echoed through the air. Deng Yuqi had actually managed to start the “*****” attack helicopter.

What surprised Shen Ge wasn’t that Deng Yuqi could fly a helicopter but that Cheng Shengnan was sitting in the rear cabin doorway, manning a Gatling gun and assault rifle also drawn from the system, with a box of throwables beside her.

“…” Well, well, if it isn’t Stallone teaming up with Schwarzenegger?

Deng Yuqi, piloting the helicopter, gestured toward Shen Ge, who immediately understood and leaped away using his supernatural leather boots.

Deng Yuqi then adjusted the helicopter’s direction and opened fire with the machine gun. Bullets rained down, kicking up a cloud of dust that enveloped the supernatural cockroach.

Boom!
Boom!

Ahead of the dust cloud surrounding the cockroach, the ground suddenly bulged upward, then rapidly moved forward like a mole digging through earth. Clearly, under the machine gun fire, the supernatural cockroach had “burrowed” underground.

During her time here, Deng Yuqi had observed the habits of this Tier 3 entity without provoking it. Seeing the earth mound charging toward the helicopter, she immediately lifted the aircraft and sped toward the artificial lake.

Boom!

Sure enough, the supernatural cockro burst out from underground the next second, jumping three to four meters high. Combined with its body height, if Deng Yuqi hadn’t predicted its move, the helicopter would have been struck.

The supernatural cockroach missed its target. As the helicopter flew sideways past it, Cheng Shengnan aimed a submachine gun from the cabin doorway and opened fire.

Bang! Bang! Bang!
Cheng Shengnan emptied a magazine in seconds, though her aim was off, and most bullets missed. Still, she didn’t expect the submachine gun to damage a Tier 3 entity; her goal was merely to attract its attention and lure it toward the helicopter.

After leading the supernatural cockroach to the artificial lake, Deng Yuqi maneuvered the helicopter to strafe it with the machine gun while Cheng Shengnan threw explosives into the lake.

Hand grenades exploded in the water, sending up columns of spray. Soon, with a loud splash, a massive red figure emerged from the lake.

This “aquatic hybrid” Tier 3 entity was even larger than the supernatural cockroach. As it surfaced, crab-like pincers on either side of its head thrust toward the helicopter.

Fortunately, Deng Yuqi reacted quickly and had been monitoring the water’s surface. The moment the supernatural crab emerged, she flew the helicopter toward the shore.

Using machine guns, explosives, and Molotov cocktails, Deng Yuqi and Cheng Shengnan worked seamlessly to lure both the supernatural crab and cockroach in the same direction.

Most supernatural entities lack a sense of “similar.” To them, living beings and supernatural energy are food, opportunities for evolution.

Under the helicopter’s “provocation,” both the supernatural cockroach and crab believed the other was attacking them and soon began fighting each other.

They nibbled each other’s bodies, but with rapid healing abilities, the consumed parts regenerated visibly.

If left to fight, even if they flattened Luhu Shui Cheng, there might be no clear winner. Deng Yuqi continuously adjusted the helicopter’s position, using machine guns and explosives to cause trouble for both entities.

Gunfire, explosions, and the loud devour sounds of the two Tier 3 entities fighting soon attracted the hidden infected nearby.

The machine gun was ineffective against Tier 3 entities but more than enough for the infected. A sweep of fire turned them into piles of flesh and blood.

The two types of supernatural entities that “exploded” from the killed infected—the ground-crawlers were helpless against the airborne helicopter, but the flying parasitic entities were keen, fast, and evaded the machine gun fire. Deng Yuqi could only maneuver the helicopter to avoid them.

Thankfully, Shen Ge reacted quickly. Seeing the flying parasites heading for the helicopter, he leaped into the air using his supernatural leather boots.

His supernatural tentacles extended from his arms, their tips transforming into gaping mouths that swallowed the flying insects attempting to attack the helicopter.

The three decided to first clear the surrounding infected before focusing on the two Tier 3 entities. After all, both the supernatural crab and cockroach had rapid healing abilities, making them difficult to kill completely.

Two hours later, all the infected in Luhu Shui Cheng were finally cleared. The map showed only the black mist-shrouded area of the lake island.

However, the fight between the supernatural crab and cockroach on the greenland beside the artificial lake remained deadlocked.

Two entities of the same tier, both with rapid healing abilities, couldn’t easily determine a winner. Seizing the opportunity while they fought, Shen Ge entered his armor’s “red mist form,” wielded his butcher knife, and moved closer. He started by chopping at the supernatural cockroach’s forelimbs to prevent it from burrowing away.

Facing two entities, Shen Ge didn’t play favorites. He used his intangible supernatural domain’s “collapse” to sink half of the supernatural crab’s body into the ground, buying time for the cockroach.

Shen Ge weaved between the two entities like a loach. If he angered one, he’d duck behind the other’s body. Once their mutual hatred was secured, he’d strike again. After several rounds, both entities were covered in wounds, while Shen Ge remained unscathed.

After half an hour of consumption, Shen Ge finally succeeded in killing the supernatural cockroach. The supernatural crab was also on its last legs. With the cockroach dead, the crab was trapped by the supernatural domain, consumed by supernatural flames that drained its energy, then buried by “collapse” and beheaded by the butcher knife.

【Host, majestic and mighty, brave and peerless, single-handedly slayed a Tier 3 supernatural entity. Reward: System Points x300, Random F-grade Supplies x1.】

【Sell Tier 3 supernatural entity corpse? Price: 1500 System Points.】

“Yes.”

Although a Tier 3 entity’s corpse was rare and would be valuable for Li Xiang’s research, surpassing the system’s selling price, a Tier 5 entity (Trait: Three Heads, Six Arms)—a Twelve Branches zodiac member—remained in the supernatural space, posing a hidden danger. So Shen Ge decisive chose to sell it.

Plus, without locating the Tier 5 entity, it was unclear how long they’d be trapped in Luhu Shui Cheng. More system points meant more boxes of instant noodles.

【Now scanning the supernatural space.】
【Scanning—】
【Current multiple supernatural space layers: 1】
【Current multiple supernatural space maintainer: Tier 5 supernatural entity (Trait: Three Heads, Six Arms).】
【Now marking supernatural entities in the current area—】

After the system rescanned the supernatural space, no other red dots were visible in Luhu Shui Cheng except for the black mist-shrouded lake island area.

While Shen Ge checked the system information, Deng Yuqi landed the attack helicopter on a nearby patch of grass and joined him with Cheng Shengnan.

Deng Yuqi frowned at her supernatural space detector. “Strange. We took out two Tier 3 entities, but the supernatural energy maintaining the space hasn’t decreased much. It seems more troublesome than the supernatural space in the Yuzhou incident.”

Shen Ge said, “The system shows the final layer is maintained by the Twelve Branches zodiac captain ‘Three Heads, Six Arms.’ Although it’s labeled as Tier 5 due to the time difference, based on the ‘Yin’ we encountered at the branch, its actual strength should be between Tier 3 and 4.”

Speaking of “Yin,” Deng Yuqi also felt that this zodiac captain was much stronger than previous ones and shared her theory about their further异化 with Shen Ge.

Shen Ge agreed, but what surprised him wasn’t that the Twelve Branches zodiac captains had alienationed again, making their physicality and combat power comparable to Tier 3 entities.

It was that… these guys could actually control supernatural spaces!

“The final layer is controlled by the Twelve Branches. He’s hiding in the villa area on the lake island,” Shen Ge said, looking at the system map.

Deng Yuqi said solemnly, “But during our time here, we’ve searched almost all the villas for food and didn’t find any Twelve Branches members.”

Shen Ge was about to suggest the women find a safe place to hide while he used the system’s hint to locate the Twelve Branches member when he suddenly remembered someone.

“Director, if I recall correctly, the target we investigated recently, ‘Liu Zongrui,’ lives on the lake island in Luhu Shui Cheng, right?”

Deng Yuqi nodded. “That’s right.”

Cheng Shengnan pointed to the farthest villa on the right, closest to the circular lake area with the best geographical location. “That one is Liu Zongrui’s residence.”

“Have you been there?” Shen Ge asked.

Cheng Shengnan nodded. “Yes, but we only searched the kitchen and dining room on the first floor. We saw infected moving upstairs and left.”

“Alright, find a safe place to hide. I’ll go check it out,” Shen Ge said.

The two women nodded. In this situation, following Shen Ge wasn’t wise. It was better for him to scout alone. Even if he encountered trouble, with his armor, escaping wouldn’t be too difficult. Conversely, if they went along, they’d just be burden, and Shen Ge would have to protect them while dealing with the Twelve Branches.

After the women left, Shen Ge headed straight for Liu Zongrui’s villa. Inside, he found the layout similar to the villa where he’d found the audio to play music and lure monsters, only the furnish was more luxurious.

The kitchen and dining room on the first floor showed signs of being rummaged through, confirming Cheng Shengnan’s account that they’d only searched for food before leaving.

The infected in the villa had been drawn out by the earlier “noise” and killed by Shen Ge and the others. The house was now eerily quiet, with an invisibly oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe.

Shen Ge thought that if the Twelve Branches were hiding here, they would have attacked when Deng Yuqi and Cheng Shengnan came for food. The lack of action was suspicious.

“Little Seven, perform a supernatural energy scan,” Shen Ge whispered.

Little Seven immediately replied, “Okay, Master. Initiating supernatural energy scan. No supernatural energy traces detected currently.”

None?

Shen Ge thought of the “evolved” system. Although it could pinpoint locations within this supernatural space, the system’s usual “unreliability” made him instinctively overlook its evolution. His first reaction was still to have Little Seven scan.

“System, perform a supernatural energy scan.”

【Scanning—】
【Host is very close to the Tier 5 supernatural entity (Trait: Three Heads, Six Arms). Located at the supernatural energy convergence center of the supernatural space. Detected that the host’s current strength is no match. Please value your life and flee quickly!】

Good, the system didn’t show off its literary skills—not even a “nine deaths, one life”—meaning the hidden entity’s strength was within manageable limits.

However, Little Seven couldn’t detect the supernatural energy, but the system could not only detect it but also pinpoint its location and target rating. This was a real overtaking on a curve, outperforming Little Seven.

Finally acting like a proper system!

Shen Ge sighed inwardly and cautiously ascended the curved staircase on the left side of the living room to the second floor.

As he stepped onto the final step of the second floor, his vision blurred briefly. Though it quickly returned to normal, that split-second change caught his attention.

Shen Ge had excellent eyesight and had never experienced this before. More importantly, that momentary trance felt more like entering a supernatural space.

He took out his supernatural space detector. After two “beeps,” the red light on the detector gradually dimmed.

Even Little Seven couldn’t scan this supernatural energy, so clearly, the detector couldn’t find anything either.

After a moment’s thought, Shen Ge continued forward, pushing open the doors to the rooms on the second floor one by one. Each room was dusty, as if abandoned for a long time.

Reaching the third floor, he felt an increasing suffocation—not mental pressure but as if the air had thickened, an invisible force weighing down on him.

Further ahead, the air seemed to shimmer slightly.

“Wait, is this… distortion space?” Shen Ge, seeing the bizarre scene before him, recalled similar occurrences when supernatural spaces of the same level collided.

He had thought that after several large-scale supernatural disasters, the Twelve Branches had perfectly fused supernatural spaces into multiple layers. He hadn’t expected distortion space to appear again.

Not daring to advance recklessly, Shen Ge took out his black bone dagger and thrust it forward experimentally. The dagger passed through the distortion air without resistance.

As he moved forward, the distortion in the air became more pronounced.

Shen Ge stopped at a bedroom door. He faintly heard rustling sounds inside, so he took out a flashlight, turned it on, and slowly turned the doorknob to push the door open.

The curtains in the room were drawn, blocking out the light. The room was pitch black.

Shen Ge swept the flashlight around but found no signs of supernatural entities or the Twelve Branches. However, rustling sounds still came from the bathroom on the right.

Activating “Silence,” Shen Ge walked toward the bathroom with his flashlight, opened the door, and immediately closed it again.

“Sorry to disturb.”

Inside—no, accurately, the “door” was no longer a door but a pair of闭合 lips. Opening it revealed teeth.

But these weren’t ordinary teeth. They resembled an insect’s oral cavity or a lamprey’s mouth—a circular red flesh tunnel with rings of teeth leading deep inside. Disgusting, terrifying, eerie…

Fortunately, under “Silence,” Shen Ge’s opening and closing of the door didn’t attract the attention of the “thing” inside.

Shen Ge hadn’t expected the door to lead directly to a supernatural entity’s oral cavity, but he quickly noticed something was wrong. First, the system had hinted that all the “small fry” were eliminated, leaving only the Tier 5 entity (Trait: Three Heads, Six Arms)—the Twelve Branches zodiac captain.

So what was the “worm” in the bathroom?
Shen Ge carefully opened the door again. Under “Silence,” there was no sound, and the insect’s oral cavity remained, full of teeth.

Disgusting as it was, it showed no movement. But upon closer observation, the oral cavity wriggled and swallowed slightly, with faint “gurgling” sounds, indicating the worm was definitely alive.

Shen Ge shone his flashlight around, peering inside. The bathroom seemed completely filled by a giant worm, with no room even for a finger.

The worm’s teeth-filled oral cavity had no visible “end.”

Shen Ge closed the door and scanned the doorframe and surrounding area with his flashlight. The air outside showed distortion and波动 phenomena.

“Could it be that the distortion collision of supernatural spaces caused a random teleportation, like when entering or exiting a supernatural space, connecting two different points? The bathroom door now leads directly to a supernatural entity’s oral cavity?” Shen Ge wondered, retreating into the bedroom to see if there were other similar distortion connection points.

Just then, his flashlight swept across a digital clock on the desk. He had only glanced at it casually, but the time shown made him freeze.

【April 23, 2028, 20:21】

Huh?
Wait, this is four years in the future?