“You mean, it shrinks after growing larger?” Shen Mo asked.
“Yes…” The man swallowed nervously, stammering his explanation. “If it hasn’t eaten for a long time, the snake will shrink and bee shorter. That’s when it’s most dangerous! Because it’s starving! It’ll ransack every house along the way!”
As he spoke, he seemed to recall the gruesome deaths of his panions, trembling uncontrollably and muttering, “All dead… Everyone’s dead…”
Bai Youwei impatiently raised an eyebrow. “They’re dead, but you’re still alive, aren’t you? Stop rambling and get to the point!”
Shen Mo glanced at her silently.
Bai Youwei pursed her lips, snorted, and fell silent.
Shen Mo asked the man, “After you and your panions entered the maze, besides the snake, you must have also seen those small monsters with large heads and thin bodies, right?”
“Those little monsters… are the snake’s food.” The man’s expression became even more fearful, his lips trembling. “They’re poisonous, don’t touch them… you’ll rot… Anyone who touches them will rot! Don’t touch them!… Don’t…”
His words were disjointed, but barely understandable.
Bai Youwei frowned and looked at Tan Xiao’s face.
Tan Xiao had been splattered with monster blood earlier, but he seemed fine, with no signs of decay. Was the man lying?… Not necessarily. Perhaps the poison only took effect through a bite?
Something felt off…
But this place was so disgusting that it severely hampered her thinking. Even breathing felt painful!
Bai Youwei irritably covered her nose and mouth.
Shen Mo, however, remained calm and posed. He discussed with the others, “From the looks of it, there are two main problems in this maze. One is the gluttonous snake that can grow and shrink, and the other is the snake’s prey, the small monsters we saw. If we follow the rules of the Snake game, we just need to follow the snake after it grows to a certain size, and we’ll find the exit.”
“That won’t be easy…” Teacher Cheng said worriedly. “The maze is so large, following the snake is too risky, and it’s also very demanding in terms of speed and stamina.”
What if they got left behind?
What if they were discovered?
What if they encountered those skin-peeling little monsters?
What if the exit never appeared?
Shen Mo thought for a moment and said, “Tan Xiao and I are the fastest. We can go ahead and take a look. If we find the exit, we’ll e back and inform you. If we can’t find the exit…”
He paused for two seconds, his gaze falling on Bai Youwei’s face. “If we can’t find the exit, we’ll e back as soon as possible. During that time, you lead everyone and stay here. Don’t wander off.”
Bai Youwei was reluctant to be separated from him, but she knew that her wheelchair was a hindrance. She pouted and said, “…Then you must e back quickly.”
Shen Mo nodded and instructed her, “Discuss anything with Teacher Cheng. Don’t act on your own.”
Bai Youwei immediately raised her eyebrows. “When have I ever acted on my own? So much nagging!”
Shen Mo smiled and turned to Tan Xiao. “Let’s go and prepare.”
Tan Xiao nodded and followed him out.
Bai Youwei bit her lower lip in frustration, watching the two men go to the restaurant ahead. They emptied their backpacks, filled them with a small amount of food and water, and then took their respective weapons.
“…” She silently followed them and tugged at Shen Mo’s clothes.
Shen Mo looked back at her.
Bai Youwei took a doll out of her bag, stuffed it into his hand, and mumbled, “Bring this with you.”
As soon as the doll touched his palm, Shen Mo understood its purpose.
He squeezed the doll, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. “It looks a lot like you.”
Bai Youwei’s eyes lit up. “Then just pretend you’re bringing me with you.”
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