Lin Ye stared at the chat group, dumbfounded. These guys were truly fearless. He himself didn't even dare to casually induce Aberration in his own body.

So this is what they mean by 'the ignorant know no fear'?

Lin Ye didn't post about the dangers of Aberration in the group. He simply replied:

Lin Ye: I haven't used it. It feels pretty dangerous, so I'm a bit scared.

The reason he didn't publicize the dangers was that his own understanding of Aberration was half-baked. He wouldn't say much about things he didn't fully comprehend.

Since the System allowed them to get Aberration Cards, it meant using them was part of survival. This wasn't something Lin Ye could interfere with.

After finishing half of the tasteless Energy Bar, Lin Ye opened the trading interface. He compared the patterns on the cards, kept one of each for himself, and posted the remaining arm and leg Aberration Cards for trade, seeking cards for other body parts or different items.

Before long, Lin Ye received a private message from Zhang Liang.

Zhang Liang: Hey, Brother Lin.

Lin Ye: What's up?

Zhang Liang: Brother Lin, do you know anything about the Aberration Cards?

Lin Ye: I have some understanding, but it's not very deep. I was afraid of misleading people, so I didn't post it publicly.

Zhang Liang: Could you tell me about it?

Lin Ye: Aberration is very dangerous. It's best to wait a bit longer.

Zhang Liang: ...That's it?

Lin Ye: Yes.

Zhang Liang: Do you see any Aberration Cards you need here?

Zhang Liang sent images of several cards.

Lin Ye: I don't have the fourth one.

Zhang Liang immediately initiated a trade, sending the card to Lin Ye.

Zhang Liang: So, could you tell me more now?

Lin Ye: The principle of Aberration is that the body absorbs energy to strengthen itself, and Aberrant Organs are a phased result of this process. Aberration must be kept below a certain limit; otherwise, it will have extremely severe effects on your body and mind.

But this limit is difficult to maintain. In the Sanctuary, it's fine, but in the Red Maze, even breathing and moving will cause you to automatically absorb this energy and strengthen your body. That's why I don't recommend you use an Aberration Card.

Zhang Liang: So, even if we don't use the Aberration Cards, our bodies can still undergo Aberration just by being active in the Red Maze?

Lin Ye: No, the energy absorbed from breathing and moving affects the body very slowly, it's nothing compared to using an Aberration Card. What I mean is, if you use a card and then go into the Red Maze, there won't be any immediate effect. But if you continue, you'll be finished before you know it.

However, since the System allows you to get these cards, it implies there will be a way to resolve this issue in the future. And if you don't use it now, you might die out there anyway. That's why I don't want to say too much. Whether you use it or not is your own decision.

Zhang Liang: I understand. Thank you for the explanation.

Lin Ye: Don't thank me. You paid for it.

..................

Zhang Liang: President, I've finished asking. He took the Number 4 card. Here's the screenshot.

Wu Ming: Good work. As expected, the Number 4 card is the rarest. Our guild only has two.

Zhang Liang: Should I share this information with the other members?

Wu Ming: Disclose it in tiers. Only tell the core members about the part concerning the Red Maze.

Zhang Liang: Roger.

Wu Ming: Don't use an Aberration Card for now, the risk is too great. Let me know if you need anything.

Zhang Liang: Yes, sir. Thank you for your concern, President.

..................

In the blink of an eye, evening arrived. Just as Lin Ye finished the other half of his Energy Bar, a System notification popped up:

[Night Activity has begun]

[Tonight's Activity: Maze Exploration]

[Join?]

[09:59]

"Yes."

Lin Ye geared up in just half a minute. He had already packed everything he needed into his backpack, ready to go at a moment's notice.

The ten minutes passed quickly. Lin Ye put down the cat and watched the countdown hit zero.

[00:00]

.................

Lin Ye rubbed his head as he climbed up from the dark red floor. He was surrounded by the same familiar corridors and rooms, and his backpack and weapons were intact.

[For the first three days of the Night Activity, the appearance rate of treasure chests is increased, the appearance rate of tiered creatures is decreased, and the quality of items from treasure chests is improved. The first treasure chest opened by any participant is guaranteed to contain a Sanctuary upgrade blueprint.]

[Night Activity has begun]

[01:59:59]

[Item Acquired: Lucky Cat Tail Amulet]

[Lucky Cat Tail Amulet]

[Increases the quality of items found in treasure chests.]

Theft is never good, try looking at [ pawread dot com ].

[Note: They say a cat has nine lives, so it must have nine tails, right?]

The Lucky Cat Tail Amulet was a necklace shaped like a cat's tail. Lin Ye put it around his neck and felt a pleasant warmth.

Just then, Lin Ye suddenly remembered the Cross Necklace he had found before. However, since there had been no System prompt for it, he had no idea what it did.

The Cross Necklace was in his backpack. In fact, he had brought everything he might possibly need: the Cross Necklace, Aberration Cards, Red Liquid, food, and medicine.

Lin Ye tried putting on the Cross Necklace. In an instant, he felt as if he were back in the Tunnel, once again experiencing the Transcendent senses that only a monster could possess.

"Damn!"

Lin Ye hastily removed the necklace. The effect was so potent that he worried about potential side effects. It would be better to study it back in the Sanctuary.

After stowing the necklace, Lin Ye began searching for locked Red Rooms and Blood Corpses. He still needed five Aberrant Organs to upgrade his Sanctuary.

Now that he had bullets, he wasn't afraid of encountering ordinary Aberrant Creatures. Against a Blood Corpse like the one from before, he might not even need to waste a bullet.

In the previous Simulation, Lin Ye had learned in detail how to kill Aberrant Creatures from the perspective of an aberrant monster. The Aberrant Organ was the creature's vital point; as long as that was destroyed, the rest was easy to deal with.

The aberrant parts were generally conspicuous and easy to spot.

It only took five minutes for Lin Ye to come across a locked Red Room.

Including the Red Key he had just traded for, Lin Ye now had seven Red Keys and one special metallic Red Key for a unique room, so he didn't have to worry about running out for the time being.

Before unlocking the door, Lin Ye knocked on it out of habit. Just as he thought the room would be silent like the others, he heard faint footsteps from within.

"An unexpected bonus?"

Lin Ye knocked harder on the door. This time, a distinct roar and the sound of a body slamming against the door echoed from inside.

'Sounds like a Blood Corpse. Should I use the pistol? Feels like a waste of bullets.'

The surviving D-Class Personnel all knew some hand-to-hand combat, and Lin Ye had picked up a few moves after the Simulation.

After a moment of thought, Lin Ye holstered his pistol in an easy-to-reach spot, drew his dagger with his right hand, and used his left to unlock the door, backing away at the same time.

*Thud!*

The Blood Corpse burst through the door and lunged at Lin Ye like a madman.

Lin Ye sidestepped the attack and stomped hard on the side of the Blood Corpse's left knee.

*Crack!*

The Blood Corpse's left knee buckled under the force. Before the creature could regain its balance, Lin Ye plunged his dagger into its flank, an area that was clearly abnormal and likely the location of its Aberrant Organ.

Yanking out the dagger, Lin Ye turned and fled. The Blood Corpse limped after him for a moment before collapsing to the ground, motionless.