As soon as Ethan and Jiang Chenchuan approached, they heard conversations coming from the basement. Jiang Chenchuan carefully opened the entrance, looked inside with an oil lamp, and saw several dark figures hiding inside.
"who are you!"
I heard a clear question, with some immature childishness.
"We are from England, you..."
When I raised the oil lamp, the light shone in every corner, illuminating the faces of the survivors. Most of their faces were gray and their clothes were a little shabby. The candles in the deep rooms were still burning, probably because of them. The only source of light.
Hidden underground are normal people who are not infected with the curse. They have been hiding here for a long time.
I heard a younger child say that those who were looking for food, or who couldn't stay any longer and wanted to relax, never came back after leaving.
"Who are you...? Are you also infected with the curse?"
They did not dare to get close to Jiang Chenchuan and Ethan, for fear that they would be eroded by the curse. Jiang Chenchuan could only patiently explain to them and show the wounds on his body that were not cursed.
After confirming that it was correct, the group of people felt relieved. They told Jiang Chenchuan that food was stored in this basement, and the stored supplies could withstand the entire cold winter.
Originally, there were many of them who had escaped from the city and gathered here. Now, those who have left have left and those who have died, there are not many left.
Jiang Chenchuan found that it was very useful to communicate with them. Most of them came from Ronark City and they could also provide some information that they didn't know.
Gradually, these survivors also relaxed their vigilance towards Jiang Chenchuan and Ethan.
"So, none of you are the owners of this villa?"
Ethan was a little surprised.
"yes."
A woman who looked older stood up and said that she seemed to know the owner of the villa very well and could also name him.
"Can you give me a rough idea of what happened that day?"
"I heard that it was the day when the curse broke out, and the king of the city decided to close the city gate. The master's son happened to go to the city to buy some things that day, but he did not come back. The master lost his wife early, so naturally he was worried about having such a son. After taking a few of us in, he headed to the city alone."
The woman sighed softly. They were able to survive only because of the kindness of the owner of the villa. If he hadn't told everyone that there was a basement where they could hide, otherwise, the same tragedy as in the city would have happened.
"So, that master..."
Ethan turned around and asked.
"He never came back."
The woman lowered her head, looking a little sad.
"I guess I can't come back. I haven't seen anyone new since the city gate was closed.
A child muttered quietly. At that time, almost every few days, there would be fewer people in the basement, and the originally lively place ended up becoming so deserted.
"But the environment in the villa is obviously better, why don't you live up there?"
Ethan seemed to be thinking about other things, so he asked casually without paying much attention.
"No, sir, it's very dangerous up there. This villa is close to Ronark City. It might be better during the day, but at night, those mutated monsters are moving around. If you're not careful, you will be infected with the curse."
For them, being infected with a curse is equivalent to chronic suicide, and people will die in endless torture.
"So, Schioppa and the others..."
"Oops!"
Ethan stood up immediately.
The sky outside has turned completely dark. Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of the worst. The curse targets everyone with different physiques, and the duration of its effect is different. Some people die early, and some people, even if they are monsters, He is still lingering on.
Therefore, the best situation now is to move them all.
Can……
looking at this group of people
The embarrassment on their faces was mixed with a bit of fear. The children had no strength to resist. Only here could they gain short-term safety.
Jiang Chenchuan stretched out his hand and pulled Ethan, motioning him to sit down and continue talking. Ethan wanted to say something, but seeing Jiang Chenchuan's serious expression, he followed his strength and sat down again.
"I would like to ask if any of you are familiar with Ronark City, or if you have any relevant books or a map of the internal layout of Ronark City."
Jiang Chenchuan asked.
"I……"
A little boy who looked about the same age as Bellito weakly raised his hand. He was a little embarrassed, but he also mustered up his courage.
"I...I want to ask, if you ask these questions, are you going to Ronark City?"
The child seemed to have made up his mind. He raised his head and looked directly at Jiang Chenchuan with an inquiring gaze. He nodded, which was regarded as answering the child's question.
"I...can I go with you? I'm very familiar with the terrain in the city. I can show you the way without a map."
As soon as the little boy said his words, the adults next to him were shocked. No one thought that after finally escaping from the city and saving his life, no one was willing to go back and die.
Everyone just looked at each other, and no one stood up to stop the little boy, so Jiang Chenchuan probably had a rough guess about his situation.
"It's too dangerous. Aren't you afraid of death? Why do you want to go with us?"
Ethan looked like he was going to reject him.
"But, all my relatives...my parents, my grandma...are still in the city. I think...I want to go back to find them. Since you want to go, please take me with you!"
The little boy took a step forward, half-knelt on the ground, and grabbed the hands of Ethan and Jiang Chenchuan.
Jiang Chenchuan quickly helped him up. I was afraid that no one would care about his life and death unless he was alone.
"It's very dangerous to enter the city. We only need a map. As for your relatives, we can help you find them."
Jiang Chenchuan said calmly.
This is probably also the best ending.
"Let me go with you. I know a way to enter without opening the city gate. Without me, I'm afraid, you will have to face hundreds or even thousands of infected people."
The boy's face showed determination, and his words were somewhat inconsistent with the maturity of his age.
But taking him with them, Jiang Chenchuan and Ethan didn't feel low.
"Sir, it doesn't matter whether you want to take him with you or not, but it's already very late now... If the entrance is not sealed, we are worried..."
The remaining survivors looked embarrassed and hesitated to speak. Jiang Chenchuan understood that they were issuing an eviction order.
The time is up and there seems to be nothing left to talk about.
"Ethan, let's go up first."
Jiang Chenchuan stood up and was about to leave with Ethan. As soon as his feet touched the ground, the little boy caught up with him.
"Two gentlemen..."
He spoke sheepishly.
"Come up first."
Jiang Chenchuan felt helpless and stretched out his hand to the little boy.
