A Night of Desperation-Chapter 72: Night Rain (2)

“Yu Hong, why are you still asleep?”

A familiar voice suddenly sounded by Yu Hong’s ear.

Under the lamp’s glow, he was startled and quickly looked around. He found himself still alone in the cave. There were no living people or ominous figures outside the door.

“Who’s there?” He leaped out of his sleeping bag and grabbed a silver rune array, scanning his surroundings warily.

“You’ve been asleep for so long! You said we’d have a team-building activity, but everyone found you asleep at home and couldn’t wake you up. So, they sent you to the hospital. You’ve been lying here for two days. Luckily, you’re starting to respond. Otherwise, they would’ve brought in specialists for a rare case consultation.” The voice continued.

Yu Hong meticulously inspected every corner of the cave to determine the source of the voice.

But to his disappointment, there was nothing around.

The voice grew fainter and more distant, like a radio signal fading.

“Chen Huiru? Is that you?” He suddenly recognized the voice as belonging to his closest female colleague at work.

“Yes, it’s me. How could you forget me after only two days? Can you see me? Can you see my hand waving?” Chen Huiru asked.

Yu Hong stayed silent.

“It seems your illness is affecting your vision,” Chen Huiru said, her voice tinged with concern.

Another male colleague’s voice followed. “Don’t worry. The company is covering 80% of Yu’s medical expenses. The hospital specialists are paying close attention and have a treatment plan in place.”

“I’m worried about his eyesight—it’s not improving. This could be tricky.” Another voice came from nearby.

“Put the gifts by the bed. Visiting hours are over soon,” a nurse’s impatient voice instructed.

“Nurse, could you tell us how Yu Hong is doing?” Chen Huiru asked.

“He’s okay, but he sees things in his dreams. He’s even attacked doctors while sleepwalking. Be careful,” the nurse warned impatiently.

Yu Hong stood in his safe house, emotionless as he listened to the voices around him.

He poured a glass of water, downed it in one go, and waited to see what the voices would do next.

“The patient’s trapped in his dream world. You visiting helps bring him back to reality,” the nurse explained.

“We understand,” Chen Huiru replied.

“We’ll come when we can,” another colleague added.

The group’s footsteps and the sound of the door closing followed.

Yu Hong walked to the door and looked at the pouring rain outside. His thoughts grew chaotic.

“Was that the Whisperer?” he pondered. “Or am I really dreaming? Is all of this just my imagination?”

He touched the rough, cold door, feeling the world’s reality.

Then, he built a fire and started cooking.

The flames leapt, radiating warmth throughout the cave.

As he added more wood, his hand suddenly felt empty—there was no more firewood.

“We’re out of firewood,” he sighed.

“Yes, we are,” Chen Huiru’s voice echoed.

Yu Hong froze and looked around again. Still, nothing. He was alone.

“He’s talking in his sleep again,” said another nurse. “Only breaking free from the dream will wake him.”

“How can he break free? Sometimes it’s funny, but mostly it’s just sad,” Chen Huiru’s voice added.

“He’s getting brain surgery soon. A brain tumor’s been causing his coma. Once removed, he should recover,” the nurse explained.

Yu Hong sat by the fireplace, expressionless.

The voices faded, replaced by the sound of something being sawed.

It was a sharp, grating noise, accompanied by Chen Huiru’s soft humming.

“I’m here to see you again. Here’s some fruit. Your surgery is soon. You’ll recover if you cooperate with the doctors,” Chen Huiru’s voice continued.

Yu Hong ate in silence and picked up a red-level detector—one of his spoils of war.

The readings were steady and normal.

He put down the detector, walked to the door, and opened the observation window.

Rain poured down, creating a misty, obscured view.

He stood at the door, unmoving, watching the rain.

*

*

* *

At the post office’s underground room, Li Runshan read a book with his daughter Aisena.

“Dad, I think I heard Uncle Yu knocking earlier,” Aisena said.

“It’s not our concern. You misheard,” Li Runshan smiled.

“But I really heard it!” she insisted.

“Even if you did, we can’t respond. Whisperer have invaded, and any response spreads infection,” Li sighed. “They’re invisible to red-level detectors. They lure victims with their deepest desires, making them believe reality is fake.” Ṛá𝐍Ȱ฿ÊŚ

“That’s terrifying,” Aisena shivered.

“I wanted to leave a note for Yu, but…” Li recalled the scene and narrowed his eyes.

Ten minutes ago.

Hearing knocking, Li went to the surface and threw a paper ball out the window.

The paper hit Yu, but he stood motionless, mechanically knocking on the door and repeating, “Is anyone there? Open the door.”

He was straight-backed and weaponless.

Alarmed, Li remembered the Whisperer’s profile and shut the window.

Yu left shortly after, ignoring the paper ball.

“How can we fight a language shadow?” Aisena asked.

“Once infected, danger grows until full outbreak at 12 hours. The only solution is enough luminous stones,” Li explained.

“How many?” Aisena asked.

“20 to 30 Great stones,” Li answered.

“He’ll be fine—he has plenty,” Aisena said.

Li said nothing but felt uneasy.

He couldn’t help but recall the scene when he saw Yu Hong earlier.

‘Judging by the timing, if I saw him just as he got infected, then now, the critical moment should be approaching.’

At this thought, a trace of worry flashed across his face. He had invested so much in Yu Hong—if the kid died, it would be a huge loss.

*

*

*

Inside the cave shelter.

Yu Hong looked at the heavy rain outside and let out a long sigh before turning to rest.

Bang.

Suddenly, a gunshot rang out in the pouring rain.

“Run!!” A very familiar female voice shouted immediately after the gunshot.

This was followed by hurried footsteps and labored breathing.

Yu Hong’s whole body trembled. He rushed back to the viewing window to look outside.

But the rain was too heavy—he couldn’t see anything.

Bang! Bang!

Two more gunshots quickly followed.

“Yi Yi!” Another familiar female voice called out. “Run! I’ll draw him away!”

“No, don’t!” A stuttering voice responded.

Hearing this, Yu Hong could no longer hold back. He quickly changed into a lighter reinforced gray lizard suit, grabbed his wolf-tooth club, and rushed out the door.

Crack.

Lightning split the sky, illuminating everything in a pale white light.

Yu Hong sprinted in the direction of the voices, crossing the yard and plunging into the rain.

His heavy footsteps left clear imprints on the ground as he ran.

However, just as he left the yard, he suddenly stopped and quickly looked ahead.

“Something’s not right.”

In front of him, all he could see was rain and trees swaying in the wind.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

The dark morning forest was empty—there was no one but him.

‘Yi Yi should be far away in Hope City. How could she suddenly appear here?’

Realizing something was wrong, his inner energy surged, and he spun around, sprinting back to the yard.

The yard was covered with lumious grass, which gave him a strong sense of security.

Once back in the yard, he decided not to go out again and headed straight back to the cave.

But just as he opened the door and stepped inside, a heavy sound came from behind.

Boom!!

“Yi Yi!” Dr. Xu’s cry sounded again.

“Your leg! What happened to your leg?!” she cried out.

Crack.

Hearing the voice, Yu Hong’s grip on the club tightened until it made a cracking sound.

He forced himself to resist the urge to run out and investigate, leaning against the wall and taking deep breaths.

(End of Chapter)