Chapter 110: Unreliable Teammates, Disconnecting at Critical Moments

So far, Tanya had only just realized the other's malicious intent. She felt fortunate to have Chu Ning by her side, allowing her to survive in this treacherous world.

Even with Tanya’s exceptional personal abilities, it was difficult to evade every carefully laid trap. After all, she was still a genuine novice, and surviving until now was no small feat.

Being a ghost herself was no easy matter; dangers multiplied far beyond those she faced in life. Tanya began to admire the longevity of certain spirits, assuming they must have undergone rigorous trials to earn their right to survive.

What Tanya did not know was that in other regions, the survival challenge for spirits was not so severe—perhaps even easy. Some areas had become ghostly domains where humans were merely prey.

But in Mang City, everything was reversed. Spirits struggled painfully within this ailing city, facing death anew every day.

“Chu Ning, Chu Ning, what’s wrong? Can you say something?” Tanya’s hand, which she held tightly, suddenly turned icy cold, bone-chilling in its chill. She had once been curious about Chu Ning’s body temperature, which remained near normal.

Though Chu Ning’s temperature was lower than an average human’s, it was enviable. Since becoming a ghost, Tanya’s own temperature had plummeted to an unbearable cold, hovering dangerously close to freezing.

Sensing something was amiss, Tanya quickly circled around to observe Chu Ning’s expression, wanting to confirm who was currently controlling the body so she could respond accordingly.

Chu Ning’s eyes reddened, bloodshot veins spreading across them. His face twisted unnaturally; bulging veins made his pale complexion seem grim and hostile.

The blood within him rushed faster, his heartbeat doubling, and his breathing grew rapid and shallow.

“Stay away from me, please!” Chu Ning forced himself to release Tanya’s hand despite the discomfort. He suspected the sweet fragrance permeating the air was unnatural. Since inhaling it, his vision had blurred.

Everything around him became indistinct, and he perceived a monstrous creature with a gaping maw standing nearby, mocking him relentlessly.

“The air is tainted—be careful!” After saying this, Chu Ning fell silent, immersed in a battle against the hallucinations surrounding him. He felt an intense agitation within, a violent urge to destroy.

Tanya covered her mouth and nose in terror, blinking in confusion. She had also inhaled some of the dispersed gas but experienced no ill effects; instead, the scent invigorated her.

Looking around, she saw no one else showing symptoms. Why was Chu Ning the only one affected? It made no sense.

In Chu Ning’s eyes flickered grotesque monsters—faceless, bloated beings radiating a sinister aura. None resembled human at all. Someone with weaker mental fortitude might have already broken down, either fleeing or furiously attacking these phantoms.

“Uglier than a ghost’s true form—pathetically weak!” Chu Ning watched the apparitions coolly, knowing they were mere illusions. Staying calm and standing firm without reacting was the best course of action.

He did not understand why his illness was flaring up again, a notion he found unbearable. Imagine the despair of a terminal patient relapsing: fear surged through him as he trembled in place.

The light before him dimmed steadily. Chu Ning gazed wistfully at the faintly glowing world, then finally succumbed to the boundless darkness.

“Hey, what’s going on? Don’t pass out!” Tanya’s heart pounded anxiously. She refused to believe Chu Ning had simply fainted. He was never one to be so fragile. Could the gas in the air truly be the cause?

Was he really not pretending? Why did Chu Ning always disappear when it mattered most? Tanya feigned calm as she supported his body; Chu Ning could not be allowed to fall now.

She relied entirely on him to keep up appearances and could not let others discover his collapse. Those around them would not hesitate to strike while they were down, and Chu Ning had already made many enemies.

“This is just too hard!” Tanya felt like crying but held back, waiting for Chu Ning to regain consciousness. They were like grasshoppers tied to the same string—neither could escape.

Why was it that whenever she clung to a strong ally, Chu Ning would be absent for so long? Perhaps this was the world’s cruel joke on her.

Tanya was especially grateful that they were enveloped in darkness, with no stray light revealing their position. This meant they were still safe—for now—and the fighters ahead could hold their ground.

“Hey, no way! Don’t joke around! Big brother, you need to leave here quickly! The central district is dangerous—you’ll risk your life!” Tanya watched despairingly as someone cautiously retreated in their direction. Why choose this path?

“Please, big brother, just leave! I’m begging you!” Her heartbeat raced. She could already imagine the consequences if anyone discovered Chu Ning unconscious. The piles of bodies nearby were grim proof.

The figure gestured wildly in the dark, signaling Tanya to spare him and ignore his intrusion into their safe zone.

After much inner turmoil, Tanya decided to turn a blind eye. She lacked the power to stop him and feared exposing herself. Moreover, she did not condone the law of the jungle—one reason she let him go.

The man bowed gratefully. Though his expression was unseen, Tanya imagined profound relief in his eyes.

Just as she quietly rejoiced in her decision, danger crept closer unnoticed.

“Crack!” The sickening snap of a broken neck echoed sharply in the darkness. Cold sweat broke out all over Tanya’s body. She wiped her forehead, realizing too late she had failed to detect the impending threat. She blamed herself fiercely.

It was as if they were playing with their lives. She feared others would see her leniency as weakness and exploit it.

In the shadows, a hand grasped the man’s neck and effortlessly twisted it. He met death without any resistance.