The cocoon-man’s shell had not fully receded from his feet as he strode forward, kicking up a flurry of snow-white silk across the ground. Before I could even scramble to my feet, I instinctively rolled and crawled desperately to the side!

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps charged toward us. As they neared, the sound abruptly stopped, followed by a sudden burst of violent gunfire—deafening. Immediately after the shots rang out, the silk threads dancing across the floor halted completely.

Seeing this, I dared not delay. I scrambled up and plunged forward. Unexpectedly, a strange herbal scent wafted into my nostrils, followed by a surge of clarity and strength flooding my body.

The gunfire and muffled roars continued. Turning, I saw it was the Germans firing. Down one man, the remaining group were directing their shots at the cocoon-man, their faces etched with grief and rage. The creature seemed to possess iron bones and bronze sinews; the bullets had no apparent effect upon impact, merely slowing its advance with their force, making every step a painful struggle. This only fueled its fury. It thrashed and clawed, trying desperately to strike at the Germans.

I quickly scanned the area. Old Li and Matias were both not far off. Old Li stared past me with astonishment, while Matias looked upon the scene before him with stark horror. If not now, when should we flee? I beckoned Old Li to join me.

To my surprise, Old Li paid me no mind, his gaze fixed intently on what was behind me. After a moment, he turned back to watch the fierce battle between the Germans and the cocoon-man. Anxious, I rushed over and tugged at Old Li, trying to pull him away. Yet, he still wouldn't look at me. “Old Li, hurry, run,” I urged, desperate to drag him clear.

“Look... don’t rush... look, the cocoon-man is about to fall,” Old Li murmured, his eyes locked forward, showing no concern for our safety.

I had no patience to watch the cocoon-man. If we didn't run now, what else would the Germans use to coerce us? A monster could be dodged or killed; everything was out in the open. But a person was not so easily dealt with. “Faster, faster!” I pulled Old Li toward the side.

“Ah!” Old Li gasped. I spun around to see the cocoon-man stagger and collapse. The Germans, meanwhile, kept firing sporadically, seemingly unable to believe what they were witnessing, pausing to look, then firing again.

I too was stunned. In what should have been a moment of extreme peril, before we could even attempt any resistance beyond fleeing, the creature had suddenly dropped motionless. What did this mean?

After a pause, I collected myself and asked Old Li, “What is the meaning of this?”

Only then did Old Li turn to me thoughtfully. “Technician Luo, it seems we weren't the only ones here; someone else helped us... No, perhaps they only helped you.” His expression was grave, clearly not joking.

“Me?” I pointed to my own nose, drawing out the word. “Are you sure you mean someone was helping me?”

Old Li nodded. “A plume of white smoke rose behind you just now, and immediately after, the person who followed you could stand again, and the cocoon-man nearby weakened instantly. Otherwise, do you really think those broken guns the Germans have could take it down so easily? You’ve seen the abilities of the monsters on Qiangbake Mountain; they aren't this simple to deal with, are they?”

What Old Li said seemed logical, but how could someone underground know me? “Perhaps it was just a coincidence…” I hesitated.

“How could it be a coincidence!” Matias interjected, agreeing with Old Li. “Why didn't the white smoke appear behind me and Li Zeng?” Before I could answer him, his words caught the attention of his German comrades. The three immediately ceased firing. Stauffer prodded the fallen cocoon-man with his rifle; it remained still, apparently dead. Then, they walked toward us in single file, each face heavy with sorrow.

“Matias, Mark has fallen,” Riske announced in heavily accented Chinese when they stopped a short distance away. He clearly chose Mandarin so that we could understand, though we couldn’t fathom their true intent.

“Is that so?” Matias feigned astonishment, which quickly morphed into profound grief. He beat his chest and wailed: “God, how could you treat Mark this way... I... I...” He stammered out a few more "I"s, apparently choking on tears, then crouched down, clutching his head with both hands, his shoulders shaking as if weeping most grievously.

I immediately recalled the barely concealed smile on his face when he’d mentioned the possibility of Hans and the other three meeting their end. Clearly, this display was just for his comrades. With that realization, I stopped myself from offering condolences and instead felt a sudden urge to pull him up to see the actual expression on his face.

“Never mind, never mind,” Old Li, being the more generous soul, stepped forward to pat Matias’s shoulder, urging him not to grieve too deeply. Matias continued to heave, emitting only an occasional whimper.

“Enough, Matias. This is not the time for tears. I didn't bring this up for you to cry. I want to tell you all that we must cooperate now. We are all dependent on each other, or we are all doomed,” Riske stated coldly.

Old Li instantly retorted with an equally cold smile, showing no submission. “Mr. Riske, you saw it. Someone just saved us, so…” Here, Old Li deliberately paused, glancing at Riske’s group, especially Hans, their leader, before slowly adding, “…so we don’t necessarily need to cooperate with you. What do you think?” “Good!” I couldn't help but applaud and laugh. The Germans had held guns to our heads; now, regardless of the situation, at least verbally, we had gained some advantage.

Hans’s face immediately flushed and paled. He looked at Matias, then at Old Li and me. He turned back to Riske and Stauffer, murmuring something to them in German.

After a short conference, they pushed Riske forward to negotiate with us.

“It’s like this,” Riske said, his tone slightly less arrogant and cold this time. “We all agree that the current situation is fraught with danger. Combining forces gives us an advantage. Li Zeng understands Qimen Bagua, and Luo Lian… Luo Lian…” He seemed to be struggling to find the right way to refer to me before finally saying, “Luo Lian has extraordinary combat skills. If you add our weapons and intellect…” I didn't catch the rest because Matias leaned in and whispered to me: “Don’t trust their nonsense, Luo Lian. They are asking a favor now, which is why they are being so meek. Once they gain the upper hand—you saw it—they’d silence even me. Let alone you two.”

How could I not see through their tricks? Yet, then again, considering Matias’s shift from disdain to deference, was he any better? So, I simply nodded, saying nothing.

Old Li remained tense, constantly watching the fallen cocoon-man, afraid it might suddenly rise. He spoke to me without looking away, “Technician Luo, everything here is normal now. Relying on the compass, are we afraid we can't find a way out? Why beg others? What if, by accident, their guns suddenly find themselves pointed at our heads?”

Matias gave a cunning smile, remaining silent and noncommittal. His German companions immediately shot him furious glares.

I suddenly remembered something and asked Riske, “Where is our map?” As I spoke, I extended my hand.

Riske glared, his eyes threatening to ignite, clearly wanting to erupt, but after a long pause, his anger subsided. He turned back to converse with Hans in German. Hans initially looked furious, but eventually, he spoke haltingly, glancing around with apprehension, as if someone were monitoring him. Then he looked at me, forcing a completely submissive expression that, while perhaps meant to be placating on his part, looked utterly groveling to me.

“Luo Lian, we… we do have weapons for protection. Don’t you think… the map might be safer with us,” Riske requested, his smile nearly fawning.

“Make them give it to you immediately,” Old Li ground out through gritted teeth. “They took advantage of our peril; are we incapable of doing the same?”

I had intended the same thing without him needing to say it. So, I stared coldly at Riske, keeping my hand outstretched, saying nothing, just staring. Stauffer, beside him, grew impatient; his expression changed, and his hand moved to aim his rifle at me. Just as I prepared to dodge, Hans swiftly pressed his hand down and sharply ordered him to stop. Then Hans managed a smile toward me, signaling that it was fine.

I was completely bewildered. They seemed extremely wary of me now. But—was there anything about me that should make a group armed with heavy firepower so cautious? Weren’t they just moments ago arrogantly pointing guns at our heads, demanding the map? Such arrogance transforming into this deference left me utterly confused.

“Map,” I thought through the situation, but maintained my outstretched posture without showing any reaction.

Now Riske’s eyes flashed angrily. “Luo Lian… don’t…” His tone was slightly stiff. “Don’t push it too far…” Again, Hans interrupted Riske, hurriedly explaining something to me in German. Unfortunately, I couldn’t understand. I copied their previous arrogance, watching him coldly as he gestured, trying to communicate with me.

“Tell them to hurry up and give it!” Old Li’s voice grew agitated, rising in pitch. “If we delay any longer, the cocoon-man will revive!”

My heart leaped. I glanced sideways at the creature on the ground; it seemed to have twitched slightly. Anxiety gripped me. If this entanglement continued, who knew which wire in Hans’s mind would snap, leading them to turn hostile again. They had helped us repel the creature earlier. If the cocoon-man resurrected… then…

Hans and the others also turned to look at the creature, terror etched onto every face. Hans turned to us with a hint of pleading in his eyes, begging us not to press them further.