RHWHEG – Chapter 13 Waterways

No one knew how much time had passed when the sky grew a little lighter. Yet the oppressive scene remained—black clouds pressing down over the city, the river water surging back through the streets. At first, the sound of the downpour was so loud it made everyone’s ears ache, but gradually they got used to it.

Uncle Zhang, who had been unconscious all night, finally woke up. But the moment he moved, pain like tearing muscles shot through his whole body. Zhang Sanxi quickly helped him sit up. When Uncle Zhang asked about their situation, Sanxi told him everything honestly.

“Cough, cough… So there really is such a miraculous piece of land here… We must thank the one who saved us.” Uncle Zhang’s expression was grave. “But still, it would be best to find out more about this place. Do we have anything we can trade?”

“Dad, I was thinking of going out with Anan and Xiaomin to look for supplies. If we’re lucky, we might find some jewelry.” Zhang Sanxi said.

As it happened, Yu Qunqing came down from the second floor at that moment and asked, “Why not go together then?”

“Brother Yu!” Sun Min’s face lit up with joy as he jumped to his feet—only to knock over the iron objects they had painstakingly made overnight.

Yu Qunqing weighed the item in his hand and said, “I need someone who can repair a radio. Anyone know how?”

It was something broken he had found earlier. When the disasters struck, satellites fell from the sky, and people had turned to using radio stations to communicate. Most broadcasts were sent from official shelters—announcing evacuation routes, new technologies, and knowledge about disasters. Without such communication, how else would people scattered everywhere know to call the Rift Hounds by the same name?

“I can.” Anan spoke softly.

Xiao Jin was surprised. “Aren’t you a graduate from the Agricultural University?”

“I graduated from the Agricultural University’s Department of Electronic Engineering,” Anan corrected. She had only claimed to be a farming graduate before to boost her survival value—after all, everyone needed to eat, and farmers were the most sought-after. “Our university is comprehensive.”

Yu Qunqing handed her the radio along with soldering tin, cables, and other necessary tools.

Before long, the radio crackled with static, and then a clear female voice came through:

“This is the Temporary Research Institute of the United Human Shelter. Today marks the 100th day of silence from the Supreme Academy of Sciences. The Academy has confirmed the total loss of all its members. Let us mourn these great scientists who, in the face of disaster, developed the shelter capsules…”

A heavy silence filled the room.

“The cause of the torrential rains has been confirmed as a Level I disaster: Eight-Legged Frostfall!

…Dr. Chen has reclassified the disaster levels, further refining his Chen Particle Intensity Theory.”

“This level of destruction is only an I-class?” Xiao Jin clutched at his hair in disbelief. “Then how powerful must J-class, or even K-class disasters be? Do we humans really stand a chance?”

Yu Qunqing already knew the answer. The definition of a K-class disaster was a Chen Particle Intensity of 100% or higher, disregarding all classical physical laws, forcibly twisting reality itself. Once it erupted, it would mark the second coming of the apocalypse. Humanity and its entire ecological system would be erased from the Earth.

In his previous life, signs of a potential K-class disaster’s incubation had appeared. At the order of the shelters, nearly a thousand ability users had been mobilized to construct a city-scale trap to eliminate It.

But in the end, that trap had been aimed at him and She Lulang…

Yu Qunqing closed his eyes, burying his fury and unwillingness deep inside.

The radio continued to broadcast: “Currently, the shelters have launched an Elder Experience Mutual Aid Program. Seniors aged 65 and above are invited to the ability halls of each shelter…

Now, we honor a hero—Elder Zhou from Shelter Sector 3-0982 in Southeast Asia. When the torrential rains came, he volunteered to safeguard the shelter’s food stores. Even when a mudslide struck, he never stopped. Thanks to his efforts, the shelter preserved vital resources. The shelter will award his registered non-ability family member with an Honorary Green Mark!”

Xiao Jin was moved—after all, it was thanks to such heroes that humanity managed to cling to survival in the apocalypse. But then he thought of Grandma Sun, his former neighbor with whom he often chatted. Hearing about the Elder Program and the “honorary” reward for family members, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Three months into the apocalypse, everyone had already learned to ignore the unspoken meanings behind certain words.

In the wild shelters, such things had happened many times already. But once presented in the context of official shelters, it became harder for people to accept.

Grandma Sun had already woken up, her fever gone, though her face was still pale. She patted Sun Min kindly and said, “It’s alright. At my age, what haven’t I already seen?”

Sun Min looked indignant. “We’re not going to any shelter! I’ll stay right here.”

From behind him, he pulled out a bundle of gleaming blades and arrows. He turned to Yu Qunqing and declared: “Big Brother NPC! Please let me take on the exploration mission! I can forge lots of weapons—I won’t be a burden!”

Yu Qunqing: Thanks for the gift, but I’m really not an NPC.

Xiao Jin chimed in, “I used to be a courier. I know my way around this area of Ring One—I can guide you guys. Ow!” He jerked away from Zhang Sanxi’s grabbing hand. His back was covered in severe burns, and even a poke was unbearable.

As the two bickered over who should go, the radio suddenly emitted another burst of static—then began to play a Chopin nocturne.

“The shelter’s frequency has been hijacked.” Anan tapped the radio.

The moment Yu Qunqing heard the piano notes, he understood: “It’s the Ecological Ethics Foundation.”

In an age when systems and morals were on the verge of collapse, the shelters were not the only surviving organization. Shelters relied on the technology of the Supreme Academy, prioritizing human survival above all and housing the majority of survivors. At the same time, other groups had emerged—some worshipping the disasters, others advocating “elite survival.”

One way they recruited new members was by broadcasting their ideology.

The nocturne faded, replaced by a passionate male voice:

“Human beings themselves have obligations toward the ecosystem. When humans shirk these obligations yet continue to enjoy rights, they are bound to suffer ecological backlash. Natural disasters are nothing but ecological cleansers. To put an end to disasters, humanity must be willing to change its way of life. The Ecological Ethics Foundation hereby calls on everyone—”

Official shelters would block broadcasts from other organizations. But in wilderness shelters, with no entertainment, people often listened. Over time, it was only natural to start seeking spiritual support—if not fully believing, at least half-convinced. Back when Uncle Zhang led everyone in their escape from prison, he’d even considered joining some small organizations. Now, glancing at Yu Qunqing and then at the invigorated group, he gradually let go of that idea.

By then, Xiao Jin and Zhang Sanxi had finally hammered out an agreement: Xiao Jin would draw them maps, and since Zhang Sanxi could dive, she was better suited to exploration outside.

The expedition team was set—Yu Qunqing, Sun Min, and Zhang Sanxi.

Yu Qunqing dragged over a rubber dinghy, covered it with a waterproof tarp, and tied a few empty barrels underneath with nylon rope. He handed helmets and oxygen masks to the other two. Each of them carried two hooked crowbars, to steer during navigation.

The water on the first floor was already halfway up the walls. With a hard push, Yu Qunqing launched the dinghy out of the residential building. Outside, the world was an endless flood; the crocodile sculpture now showed only its upper half.

They hooked onto decorations along the way, pulling themselves toward the community wall.

When they reached it, they saw clearly—the water outside had already risen higher than the wall. Only the game’s protective barrier kept the flooding inside from rising so quickly. Streams of water seeped through cracks in the wall into the community. Before long, as outside waters climbed further, the enormous pressure would crush the wall entirely.

Luckily, before leaving, Yu Qunqing had restored his stamina—and acquired three hexagrams…

With a thought, the outer wall abruptly rose higher and thicker, forming into a trapezoidal dam, its surface etched with industrial-style textures.

Noticing the sudden change, Sun Min was stunned, and his conviction grew even stronger—that Yu Qunqing must be some kind of NPC, or perhaps a messenger of the crocodile god.

The moment they passed beyond the wall, Sun Min understood why Yu Qunqing had given them helmets and oxygen masks. The rain—thousands of tons of it—slashed down like blades, each drop painful. And in the dense curtain of rain, breathing was nearly impossible. Without the helmets and masks, they wouldn’t have been able to move an inch.

The dinghy was swept eastward by the current.

Suddenly the water churned. That spot used to be the supermarket—but now only a massive pit remained, with a huge whirlpool at its center. Using their hooks, they latched onto a nearby iron pole, barely avoiding being dragged in.

Next came dodging falling traffic lights, avoiding floating cars rushing from behind, steering sharply away from tall walls. Their speed was rapid. Passing a skyscraper, they saw spore creatures inside, thrashing and reaching after them. But just as the spores raised their tendrils, the dinghy had already left them far behind.

No one spoke. There was no point—only the roar of rain filled their ears. All they could do was avoid danger, keep track of direction, dodge obstacles. The process was monotonous yet fraught with life-or-death tension.

Through the sheets of rain, a strip of bright cloth flapped:

“SOS.”

An international distress signal. Sun Min followed its direction. Ahead, where residential buildings clustered, the ground was slightly higher. But the buildings were low—already submerged up to the second floor. On the rooftop of one, a strip of cloth bore the desperate signal.

They were caught at a corner, finally able to make out the words.

“Someone’s there!” Zhang Sanxi shouted. She and Sun Min exchanged a glance, then turned to Yu Qunqing.

“Alright,” Yu Qunqing said. “Let’s restock on supplies.”

Sun Min’s heart surged—those who are saved can, in turn, save others. Kindness was meant to be passed on like this!

They rowed with difficulty to the residential building, threw a rope to the third-floor security bars. Sun Min and Zhang Sanxi climbed up first, while Yu Qunqing secured the dinghy.

Squeezing through the bars, Sun Min removed his helmet, shaking his head free.

Suddenly, the third-floor door burst open. Several emaciated figures rushed in, crying out: “Finally! Someone came! We’ve been waiting so long!”

One eagerly grabbed Zhang Sanxi’s helmet. “How many of you came? Can you take us to a shelter?”

“Two,” Sun Min muttered blankly.

“Two… only two…” They exchanged bitter looks, then forced a smile. “Still, it’s good you came. Do you have medical equipment? Many of us are injured.”

They led Sun Min and Zhang Sanxi upstairs. On the rooftop lay a woman with a swollen belly, unmoving.

“She’s been unconscious for so long.”

Zhang Sanxi hurried to help her up—but the body was weightless. As she pulled, the woman’s elbow bent into an impossible angle. Flipping her over, Zhang Sanxi finally saw clearly—and nearly vomited. This “woman” had no face, her body full of gaping holes, her blood long since drained dry.

In that split second, Zhang Sanxi understood everything, and tried to flee. But the door slammed shut behind them. Those who had led them up pounced, pinning Sun Min’s limbs. In the corner, a bulging-eyed, scraggly-haired old man chuckled, “Fresh mutton again. We’ve been starving so long.”

Though they were all skin and bone, their strength was terrifying. Sun Min knew at once it was a trap. With a twist, he snapped one attacker’s wrist. Zhang Sanxi grabbed a shard of glass, slashing wildly.

But the most dangerous opponents are those who don’t care about their lives. They ignored friendly fire, drawing daggers and stabbing straight in. Sun Min seized one as a shield, hot blood spraying across his face. Another clamped onto his forearm and bit down hard, sending sharp pain through him.

At that desperate moment, the iron door creaked open.

Yu Qunqing stepped in. The noise screeched in the cramped space.

The old man straightened, eyes narrowing at Yu Qunqing. Though he could only see Yu Qunqing’s silhouette, the fine features were enough to reveal he was a young, tender-skinned beauty. Joy flickered in the old man’s face.

The next second, his gaze met Yu Qunqing’s—and his consciousness snuffed out.

---

Ten minutes later.

Yu Qunqing led Sun Min and Zhang Sanxi back to the dinghy. Suddenly Zhang Sanxi inhaled sharply, using rainwater to wash blood from her face, scrubbing away the stench clinging to her hair. Her hand brushed something soft and fleshy—she immediately flung it aside.

Sun Min was dazed too, his eyes unfocused.

Yu Qunqing felt a flicker of guilt. After all, he wasn’t well-practiced with pure lightning abilities. Just now, he’d accidentally gone too far—blasting all the villains on the rooftop to pieces…

It had taken him a full nine minutes to clear the gore and salvage the supplies.

“Ahem.” Yu Qunqing shifted the subject. “My ability is only LV1, no stronger than yours.”

Seeing Sun Min thoughtful, Yu Qunqing added, “What matters most is how you use your power. If you had paid attention to the environment, you’d have noticed—the ceiling overhead, the rusted stair rails, the electrical box on the wall, pots and glass on the floor. With your cutting ability and Zhang Sanxi’s help, you could’ve wiped them out yourselves. Battle awareness is better than battle power.”

Both nodded after hearing this.

Yu Qunqing was satisfied with this lesson. The fact that these two dared to explore meant that, with some training, they’d surely become the pioneers of their community—the backbone of future mutual aid in the game.

Still… after so much match-three gameplay, he was starting to feel a bit weary.

He untied the rope, and the dinghy surged forward again, swiftly carrying them toward their main objective—West Third East Road Hospital.