Chapter 145: Research and Development Centre (2/2)
Sure enough, a flat schematic diagram of the area appeared on the screen located in the middle of the control room. Upon the diagram were a green dot of evacuation and an arrow pointing forward.
“All right, our task is complete. Let’s leave this place at once!”
The evacuation area designated by the green dot was not hard to get to. After moving out from the master control room, they found the emergency evacuation door on the other side of the hall. Because the self-destruct sequence had been turned on, the emergency evacuation door has also automatically opened up.
The three of them ran into the evacuation door. They descended a flight of stairs through roughly five to six levels and found themselves facing an area that resembled a station.
There were six circular tunnels here, each of them were big enough for iron rails.
“It’s here! Look, there are shuttle rail cars on the rails. We can use the rail cars to leave this place!” Roddy pointed to the front.
Half of the outlets leading into the circular tunnels were empty while the other three has a metal rail car resting on its rails.
As the three of them ran inside the station, Roddy jumped first into the nearest rail car. After jumping inside however, his face sank.
“This is not right! This rail car is damaged!”
“Damaged?”
Chen Xiaolian was shocked.
The three of them quickly moved to check the rail car. The rail car was indeed damaged. There were traces of explosions and charred parts on the chassis area of the rail car. Many of its metal parts have broken down and its devices were filled with debris!
“Damn it! Check the other two!” Chen Xiaolian and Roddy separated and ran over to check.
However, they were met with disappointment!
The other two rail cars were also damaged.
One of the rail cars had its rear part blown to pieces.
“Damn it!” Roddy slammed his fist against the wall.
If it was just an ordinary malfunction, his Mechanical Heart skill would still be able to make the rail car operate.
However… the running gears have been damaged, leaving Roddy incapable of doing anything. His skill was Mechanical Heart, not Mechanical God…
“What do we do now, Guild Leader?” Nagase Komi’s voice was tearing.
Chen Xiaolian glanced at the rail cars for a moment.
He had no intention of climbing out through the tunnel on foot.
This tunnel was heading upward. Back then, it took them nearly an hour to reach this place. Although their bodies have been enhanced, there was no way for them to run upward at a speed of several hundred km per hour [1]
“We’ll head back!” Chen Xiaolian replied grimly. “Find another way out. This place could not possibly have just one emergency point!”
As they have no other options, the three of them ran back toward the emergency evacuation door and into the hall.
Right after they ran back in, they heard a loud rumbling sound.
The security fence door had crashed down!
Chen Xiaolian turned his head to check it out and saw a terrifying image!
The giant toad’s body has expanded until it was double in size compared to its earlier state.
Its huge body allowed it to finally slam down the security fence door!
For some unknown reason, the toad’s strength has increased significantly. Raising its head, the toad opened its mouth and issued out a furious roar before moving slowly toward them.
“Open fire!”
Chen Xiaolian’s MP5 fired out bursts of bullets. The three of them opened fire as they quickly retreated!
The sniper rifle in Roddy’s hands also fired out. The sniper bullet flew out, striking the toad’s body only to be bounced off as well.
The toad pummelled its way through, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Everything within the hall, the tables and chairs were flattened by it.
“Hurry! Use the left passageway!”
Roddy yelled out. Back then, he had memorized the entire schematic diagram and he now took the lead.
Chen Xiaolian finished the entire magazine on his MP5. Then, he threw it forward before turning tail and running away.
The left passageway led toward a flight of stairs. They descended it and found an elevator.
The three of them had no time to worry about the details. They simply swiped the staff ID card to open the elevator and rushed inside.
As the doors to the elevator was closing…
Bang!
Bang!
The toad slammed forward from the outside with an immense amount of strength, causing the entire elevator shaft to shake!
Fortunately, the elevator was still able to slowly descend.
They reached the bottom. However, before the elevator could fully stop, a loud crash came from over their heads!
It was as though something had descended from the skies, pounding directly onto the roof of the elevator! The top part of the elevator bent inward, forming a concave!
The ceiling of the elevator was broken and the resulting gaps exposed the toad’s body. Chen Xiaolian kicked Nagase Komi out of the elevator and pulled Roddy as they charged out of the elevator.
“Roddy!”
Chen Xiaolian shouted.
Roddy understood Chen Xiaolian’s intention. He turned around and pressed onto the elevator’s control panel. Roddy activated his skill and the doors of the elevator closed up instantly! Next, the buttons on the control panel released sparks of fire, indicating that the elevator doors have been sealed shut.
“Hurry! The elevator doors won’t hold it for long!”
Although the elevator was made from materials with special qualities, Chen Xiaolian did not place too much expectations on it.
Running out from the elevator, they found a quiet corridor. Furthermore, there were several metal security doors barring their path, all of them of the fence type. With Roddy’s skill, all of them were opened and closed after they entered.
After the three of them crossed through the third security door… Chen Xiaolian felt that those three security doors should be able to buy them some time.
“What is this place?” Chen Xiaolian asked.
“It looks like a research and development centre.”
1. Trivia: The fastest human footspeed on record is 44.64 km/h (12.4 m/s or 27.8 mph) set by Usain Bolt in the 2009 World Championship for the 100 m sprint. [Source: Wiki]