Ch 249: Apocalypse Star House Hoarding

Before the authorities could address the incident publicly, Yu Xi and her teammates were already speeding out to sea on a rented speedboat.

Based on their earlier deductions, if the mastermind behind the disappearances was part of an organization—or perhaps even the local authorities—then these events were planned and systematic. It suggested the possibility of some kind of biological experiment, with the so-called “blood people” being its horrific byproduct.

However, they quickly dismissed that theory.

They’d previously received the quest prompt to uncover the origins of the “blood people,” and if that had been the correct conclusion, their phones would have awarded them a reward. Yet their devices remained silent.

Besides, the clues they’d received—Island and Full Moon—had no clear connection to a human experiment.

That left one logical conclusion: the “biological experiment” hypothesis was a red herring.

So they decided to focus on the clue: Island. Full Moon.

Paradise Island was surrounded by several smaller islands—seven or eight, depending on the tide. The larger ones spanned over a hundred hectares, while the smaller ones barely peeked above the water’s surface.

They rented a speedboat to visit every island in one day.

The journey proved frustrating.

Roughly two nautical miles from shore, the world around them suddenly plunged into darkness. Their vision blurred for a moment, and when it cleared, they found themselves inexplicably back where they’d started.

The second time it happened, Ya Tong cursed, but she didn’t stop the boat until Yu Xi reached over and grabbed the throttle.

“Boundary line,” Lin Wu said, glancing toward the distant islands. “Those two are beyond the edge. The clue can’t be out there.”

“How is this island so small?” Ya Tong grumbled.

Over the next few hours, they tried again and again, tracing the invisible perimeter in an arc around the island. Each attempt ended with the same disorienting reset.

“This is ridiculous,” Ya Tong sighed, lighting a cigarette as they idled near the edge. “We’ve eliminated every island except the main one.”

Lin Wu unfolded a detailed map across the dashboard. “If that’s true, then we’re stuck.”

Yu Xi stared at the chart for a long time, sipping her iced latte.

Then her finger shot out, tapping a spot northeast of Paradise Island.

“What about this?”

Her teammates leaned closer.

The spot she indicated wasn’t a proper island—just a cluster of rocks marked as Tide Island.

Thirty minutes later, they reached the coordinates.

The tide was high, with only a few jagged stones protruding from the water. It didn’t look like much—just a scatter of rocks jutting from the waves.

“That’s it?” Ya Tong frowned. “That’s barely a sandbar.”

“It’s only visible at low tide,” Yu Xi explained. “When we circled the island a few days ago, the water was higher, and nothing showed at all.”

Lin Wu’s expression darkened. “The full moon raises the tides, which means…”

“…that when the tide goes out, the island appears.”

Yu Xi set down her cup and reached for the scuba gear stored under the seat.

The clues made sense now. Island. Full Moon. And the breathing bubble they’d received as a reward.

This was where the mystery began.

The answer was likely hidden beneath the water here.

The group moved quickly. Since they’d already planned a trip out to sea, they’d worn swimsuits under their clothes. All they had to do was shed their sun-protective jackets, strap on their mini scuba tanks, and put on their snorkeling masks.

These compact tanks were about the length of an arm, lightweight and easy to carry. They provided just enough oxygen for short underwater dives—ideal for experienced snorkelers who could already hold their breath for long periods.

The phones they received from the Infinite Train world were waterproof, shockproof, crush-proof, and fireproof, so there was no need to worry about losing functionality underwater.

Before they jumped in, Ya Tong reminded everyone: “If anything seems off, use the breathing bubble immediately. Don’t try to tough it out.”

Once they were fully equipped, they perched on the edge of the boat and slipped into the water one by one.

The weather was clear, and visibility under the water was remarkably good. Yet the closer they got to Tide Island, the darker the water became—not from sediment, but from something else.

It was as though an oppressive shadow spread beneath the surface, an invisible, suffocating presence that gradually wrapped around them as they swam.

The water grew colder. The tropical warmth vanished, replaced by a chill reminiscent of polar seas.

The island beneath the surface was entirely different from the small cluster of rocks that peeked above the waves. Below the waterline, the submerged portion of Tide Island was vast, extending outward like the hidden roots of a tree.

The deeper they descended, the larger the rocky mass appeared—easily ten times the size of the visible island.

At around twenty meters, they reached the seafloor and circled the island’s underwater perimeter.

Nothing stood out.

There were no unusual structures, no artificial markers, no concealed entrances. It was just an ordinary reef island.

They ascended, this time inspecting the submerged rocks closer to the surface.

Midway through the climb, Yu Xi’s flashlight illuminated a narrow crevice near the center of the island. The gap was too tight for a person to pass through, but she noticed something strange: the water near the crevice was noticeably colder than the surrounding sea.

“Small,” she thought. “But a ‘blood person’ could probably squeeze through.”

After exhausting every possible lead, they surfaced.

Even if those creatures did enter and exit through that crack, it still didn’t explain their origins.

Why didn’t the water wash away that grotesque, bloody coating from their bodies? If this wasn’t the result of some biological experiment, then what was it?

The oppressive sensation of cold and darkness lingered in their minds.

It reminded Yu Xi of the boundary they’d encountered at sea—a similar sensation, though not identical.

As this thought crossed her mind, Lin Wu opened his phone to test whether this location might be the hidden station.

No luck.

Just as Yu Xi was about to suggest trying again, the distant hum of an engine reached their ears.

A sleek, double-decked boat approached the reef, stopping just beyond the shallow waters.

The man who stepped onto the deck was someone they recognized instantly.

“Is that… Ron?” Yu Xi said, narrowing her eyes.

**

Ron wasn’t wearing his usual professional attire today. Instead, he sported casual beachwear and aviator sunglasses, blending in perfectly with the island’s tourists.

But they weren’t fooled.

The polished yacht was clearly part of a surveillance operation. Onboard, several people were gearing up with wetsuits and diving equipment.

Ron acknowledged their presence with a frown. “You again?”

“We were just about to say the same thing,” Yu Xi replied as she climbed back onto their boat.

He didn’t deny it. The “blood people” sightings had spread online; the secrecy no longer served much purpose.

“Yes,” he admitted. “The unit I lead has been investigating these incidents from the start. We’ve been tracking the creatures’ movements, which led us here.”

“So you think Tide Island is the source?” Yu Xi asked directly.

“Sorry. That’s classified.”

Ya Tong, toweling off her hair, raised a brow. “Oh, come on. We’ve already scouted the place. No harm in swapping notes.”

Ron’s mouth tightened. “This situation is more complex than you realize. It’s better if you stay out of it.”

Yu Xi smiled faintly. “Oh? Is that fear I see?”

Ron’s eyes darkened.

He hadn’t expected this young woman, who’d once feigned terror at his questioning, to dissect his behavior so easily.

Her smile sharpened. “Why are you out here, dressed like a tourist? Is it that big of a secret? Must be pretty bad if even you have to go undercover.”

He hesitated.

She’d hit a nerve.

His jaw clenched, and he abruptly turned away. “It’s dangerous here. The water’s too deep, and the currents around these reefs are unpredictable. Don’t come back.”

With that, he disappeared into the cabin, leaving his dive team to continue preparations.

The trio exchanged glances as they steered their boat away.

“They know something,” Ya Tong said, tossing the towel aside.

“They know a lot,” Yu Xi replied.

“Did you see his face when you mentioned fear?” Lin Wu asked. “He didn’t even try to deny it.”

Yu Xi tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

If a man like Ron—likely a local law enforcement officer—was afraid to speak about Tide Island, then something far more sinister was happening here.

The question was: what?

They docked the boat at the marina and returned it without incident.

Now they had a location.

But they still didn’t have the truth.

The harbor ends at the bustling coastal street, but because of the “blood people” incident, tourists are now on edge, and most avoid going near the shore.

Several large electronic screens are mounted nearby, with a few people gathered below, watching an official live broadcast.

On the screen, a spokesperson appears with a serious yet sincere expression, first reassuring tourists and local residents, urging them not to worry and emphasizing that the situation is under control. Then, the spokesperson addresses the strange creature circulating online these past two days.

They explain that the creature is a result of biological mutations caused by a factory’s illegal discharge of chemical wastewater. They assure viewers that efforts are underway to capture and treat these creatures, and that experts believe the mutation can be stopped. The spokesperson asks everyone to remain calm and patient.

Since the island is small, and the transportation infrastructure limited, the sudden surge of tourists trying to leave has overwhelmed the ports and airport, resulting in the recent chaos. They promise that more ships and planes are being dispatched, and advise tourists to stay in their hotels and wait for an orderly evacuation.

Ya Tong watches the broadcast and lets out a cold chuckle. “A chemical spill from a factory on a tourist island? What a weak cover-up. Just watch, in a few days, this island will be even more chaotic.”

“Chaos or not, we still need to go out. Let’s visit the Black Bora tribe’s village tomorrow,” Yu Xi suggests.

“Good idea,” Ya Tong agrees.

**

Later that night, after Ya Tong finishes her shower and changes into comfortable clothes, she steps out of her room and sees Yu Xi lounging on the seaside terrace.

Lin Wu is reclined on a chair beside her, while a small round table between them holds an open box of durian, two slices of tiramisu, a piece of marble cheesecake, and two half-finished cups of chilled fruit tea.

Yu Xi hears Ya Tong’s footsteps and pulls another glass of fruit tea from her storage space, handing it over. “It’s ice-cold. Come join us for some fresh air.”

“Fresh air? Aren’t you worried those creatures might climb up the cliff?” Ya Tong asks as she takes the glass and sits down.

“I’m actually hoping they show up,” Yu Xi replies, grinning as she gazes out at the sea. “So far, we’ve been stuck on the sidelines while all the action happens around us. We can’t even catch one of these things.”

Lin Wu glances at her knowingly and reminds her, “This is an A-level site.”

An A-level station is never that simple.

Ya Tong takes a few sips of her drink and suddenly remembers that Yu Xi was about to say something earlier at Tide Island before Ron showed up.

Yu Xi shifts into a more upright position. “I just realized something about the ‘breathing bubble’ reward. If you think about it, we spent less than twenty minutes underwater today. Even a standard snorkeling tank can cover that time. Why would the system give us a four-hour breathing bubble unless it’s meant for something else?”

“You’re suggesting there’s another underwater area,” Lin Wu says, sitting up.

“Exactly.”

“Fair enough,” Ya Tong says as she leans back in her chair again. “We’ll keep checking suspicious areas one by one. Tomorrow we start with the village.”

The next morning, after checking the electric car, the team follows the same road Yu Xi took on her first visit and drives north.

As they pass through the city, the change in atmosphere is striking.

The night before, two more people had gone missing — one of them just a child.

Now the streets are noticeably quieter. No more laughter or children running around. Many shops have closed, and those that remain open, like the supermarkets, are filled with anxious tourists buying bottled water and canned food in bulk.

The car moves through the subdued streets and onto the winding mountain road. Soon, they reach the area where the bus had crashed days before.

Lin Wu is driving, and Yu Xi is in the passenger seat, staring at the narrow road alongside the cliff, trying to mentally reconstruct the night she climbed down to investigate.

She goes over the news report in her head: the bus, the fire, the firefighters struggling to bring water from the nearby pool, and the strange cold sensation around Tide Island…

Wait.

She sits bolt upright, gripping the dashboard.

The pool. The map. The strange chill. It all fits.

“Lin Wu, stop at the next turnout by the cliff. I think I know where we need to go!”