Chapter 58 - : Terror in The Basement (1/2)

Some of them looked at Zhang Hongtao doubtfully. “You?”

Shen Chen didn’t even intend to bring his three buddies along with him, so what was Zhang Hongtao trying to do by volunteering himself?

“You don’t have to force yourself to go,” Shen Chen said calmly while glancing at him.

But Zhang Hongtao replied earnestly, “The person who designed this hotel is a good friend of mine. I’ve seen their design plans, and I’m the only person around who knows where the backup generator is located. If I don’t come along with you, Shen Chen, you won’t be able to find it, even if you search for it the entire night.”

Shen Chen raised his eyebrows. “Looks like I have no choice but to bring you along, then.” He then turned to Guo Yuan and said, “You’re around the same size as Zhang Hongtao. Pass him your weapons and protective suit.”

“Boss, since you’re bringing someone with you, you might as well let us come along, just in case…”

“That’s enough.” Shen Chen waved his hand. “End of discussion.”

Seeing that Zhang Hongtao had already gotten ready, the two of them left the room under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Everyone was feeling a mixture of anticipation and worry.

The beam from the torchlight flickered as it lit their way down the staircase. In the dark, the staircase was like the gaping jaws of a flesh-eating monster waiting to be fed.

Fully armed, the two of them slowly made their way down the stairs. Zhang Hongtao couldn’t stop his legs from trembling. It was his first time attempting something so dangerous, and the fire axe in his hand was starting to feel heavier and heavier, and it kept threatening to slip out of his hand.

“Don’t be nervous. I’ll walk in front of you. It’ll be fine,” Shen Chen said flatly, the Black Blade in his hand glimmering in the light from the torchlight.

Zhang Hongtao swallowed his saliva, feeling a little better. “Too bad the elevators stopped working. We have to go down quite a few levels!”

Shen Chen didn’t reply, merely smiling in response. The two of them continued making their way down slowly. After some time, they finally reached B1, the first level of the basement.

There was a carpark on level B1. It was shrouded in darkness, and zombies could be heard gnashing their teeth. Hearing the sound echoing in the dark was extremely disturbing!

Shen Chen and Zhang Hongtao leaned against the blast-resistant door. Zhang Hongtao was already covered in goosebumps and was shaking uncontrollably.

The torchlight was turned off, and for the first time Zhang Hongtao realized how frightening darkness could be. He was like a drowning man trying to grasp at anything and everything that could save his life.

Shen Chen’s voice rang in the darkness. “You’re going to stay here for a while. Don’t wander around on your own, and please, whatever you do, don’t turn on the torchlight. Wait for me to return.”

Although Shen Chen spoke quietly, Zhang Hongtao heard him loud and clear. He somberly nodded in response and held on more tightly to the fire axe.

After a while, not hearing any movements next to him, Zhang Hongtao couldn’t help but panic. Fear overwhelmed him like a venomous snake wrapping itself around his heart, and he was unable to shake it off. “Shen Chen… Shen Chen? Are you still here?” he asked in a low whisper, but the darkness beside him suggested that Shen Chen had long left his side.