Doomsday Wonderland Vol. 10: Lava [Complete]

1146: Beware of the Arms

As they gazed once more toward the Los Clothing Store, its doors stood wide open, as if inviting passersby inside. Despite the afternoon sun, the store's interior remained shrouded in an impenetrable darkness. Lin Sanjiu wasn't sure if the old smoker had calmed down or simply hadn't noticed her, now two streets away. She had managed to leave Bonnie Bunny's neighborhood with minimal commotion, yet she felt the old smoker's gaze clinging to her back like glue.

Reflecting on the events, Lin Sanjiu's thoughts shifted to a more optimistic perspective. While the old smoker's attack with the sweater and necklace seemed hostile, it proved more bothersome than perilous. It was more of an annoyance than a danger. This realization led her to speculate: if the old smoker, despite his seemingly malicious intentions, could survive under Bonnie Bunny's watch, perhaps Bonnie Bunny wasn't as formidable as Puppeteer? After all, rumors aren't always reliable. If the old smoker could endure, there was hope for Hei Zeji too.

With these thoughts, Lin Sanjiu cast a sidelong glance at Ya Jiang, who was following her closely, matching her stride for stride. Despite her confidence that there were no immediate dangers, Ya Jiang appeared overly cautious, gripping the mop as if it were a protective staff, reminiscent of a monk armed for unforeseen threats.

Clearly, Ya Jiang wasn't enthusiastic about accompanying her. The game's information was vast and intricate, making it challenging to divulge everything at once. Therefore, even after Ya Jiang's explanations, Lin Sanjiu insisted they stick together to leverage his experience. In return, she agreed to be his "goose" – to explore the areas Ya Jiang hadn't ventured into. If they failed to find Hei Zeji, their next stop would be the hospital.

"This kind of ground was originally safe," Ya Jiang said, craning his neck to look beyond Lin Sanjiu's shoulders. "I registered by stepping on this paved ground, so it was deemed secure. But now, you have to watch out for the weeds."

"If you stepped on the ground when you registered, then it won't turn into lava?" Lin Sanjiu asked, pausing at the edge of the weeds.

They were standing on a sidewalk along a major commercial street. In the distance, a small circular square, once a hub of vibrant nightlife, now lay gloomy and silent under the daylight. The decorative plants and flowers, thriving in neglect, snaked through the brick cracks with vigorous growth. Green vines, vein-like, enveloped the entire square with wild vegetation.

"It's wishful thinking," Ya Jiang scoffed. "The logic behind the lava points is obscure... but invariably treacherous. You see, even cement surfaces can turn into lava. One moment you're crossing the road, and the next, you could be in a hospital bed, missing limbs."

Lin Sanjiu felt a chill imagining such a fate.

"You haven't been to the hospital yet?" she muttered, carefully stepping onto a light-red square brick.

As they walked, they discussed the safe zones they had encountered so far. Generally, most man-made structures like rectangular rooms and doors seemed lava-free. However, this round was the first time they had come across plants.

"Wait, there's a bookstore over there," Ya Jiang whispered. "Places with words often have player messages. We still don't know how many people are in this area. Let's check it out."

Wearing her metal gauntlets, Lin Sanjiu approached and shattered the locked glass door with a few punches. Amid the crisp, crackling sounds, she looked at the brown carpet now littered with glass shards. Stepping inside, she said, "I still don't quite get the logic behind the lava points in this Lava world."

When Ya Jiang didn't respond, she continued, "The first lava I saw was in a circular object. I thought it symbolized a volcanic crater, but I've realized it's not that. Lava can appear anywhere it fits. What I mean is..."