Seed of Titan-Chapter 59: Braving a Great Danger: Jian’s Uncharacteristic Decision

Chapter 59: Braving a Great Danger: Jian’s Uncharacteristic Decision

In front of Christo’s group was a building complex with a rather modern architecture unlike the stone building before. The complex was like a tiny town, complete with a small plaza with a broken water fountain at its center.

Behind the complex was the cave wall. It seemed like Christo’s group had reached the opposite end of the jungle from the point where they had entered.

The group slowly walked toward the complex. The stepped on the paved road which covered most of the ground between the buildings.

Plants had taken over all the buildings and streets, creating a sight which resembled that from a post-apocalyptic movie.

"What is this place?" Flo asked, looking at the run-down buildings in amazement.

"I’m not sure. The buildings there look like apartments, and the ones on that side look more like offices or government buildings," Natalia said as she pointed her finger to the areas she mentioned.

"Looks like some kind of secret base to me, especially since the entrance to this whole damn jungle was pretty hidden," Jian commented.

Hearing Jian’s words, Natalia and Flo nodded in agreement. From how isolated this place was, the people who built it or lived here seemed to have really tried to be inconspicuous.

"Why don’t they put a fence around the area? Wild animals could easily enter the complex," Flo said.

"Maybe they had a different safety system like lasers or traps when the place was still active," Natalia surmised.

"Let’s just check out the area first," Christo suggested. He didn’t want to assume too much while they were still missing the important clues to what this place signified.

The others agreed, and following this, the group decided to separate and cover different areas of the complex. Auri was left lying on a bench at the innermost edge of the plaza, occasionally checked on by Flo.

Around forty minutes later, the party regrouped at the plaza.

"My earlier guess was correct," Natalia began to report. "The buildings at the left side of the town were mostly residential. Looks like the former residents weren’t in a rush when they left this place seeing that the rooms were mostly empty aside from some leftover furniture. I could’ve probably scavenged for some personal belongings if we weren’t in such a hurry."

"It could also be that the place was cleaned up after the residents had already left," Christo added, to which the others nodded.

"The places I checked were in similar conditions, but they were mostly small offices and shops," Jian said. "There were a lot of leftover desks and cabinets, but I didn’t find any documents or other things that looked important."

"Hmm... What about you, Flo?" Christo asked.

"Well, the area I was inspecting mostly had locked warehouse-like buildings that didn’t have windows, so I couldn’t tell what were inside," Flo replied, scratching her head awkwardly since she felt that she hadn’t accomplished much compared to the others.

"Nothing we can do about that," Natalia remarked before turning to Christo. "What about you?"

"My search wasn’t that different from yours and Jian’s, but I also stumbled upon what seemed to be some kind of safety bunker," Christo said. "It was mostly empty too though. However, after looking around the vicinity, I found out that there’s a large gate at the cave wall behind the complex."

"Is it an exit?" Jian asked, looking hopeful.

"I don’t know. Maybe it’s an exit to the surface, or maybe it’s just a dead end. It might even take us to another strange place or further underground. We have to confirm it by ourselves," Christo replied with a shrug.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!" Jian exclaimed. He then ran to Auri and lifted her up in a princess carry.

Natalia and Flo also prepared to head to the gate that Christo mentioned, but strangely, Christo was just standing still, seemingly not intending to follow Jian.

"Wait Jian!" Flo shouted at Jian who was hastily walking away, unaware that their leader wasn’t moving.

"What’s the matter!?" Jian shouted as he stopped in his tracks and turned around, feeling slightly annoyed that his friends were dawdling despite Auri’s worsening condition.

However, upon seeing that Christo was the reason for the others’ delay, Jian pursed his lips and slowly returned.

"What’s the matter now?" Jian quietly asked. He didn’t want to act rashly and repeat his earlier blunder of questioning Christo’s decisions.

Natalia and Flo listened closely, as they were also wondering why Christo was just standing there.

Christo looked at his friends, briefly contemplating how he would convey his thoughts.

"Honestly, my hunch is telling me that the gate would likely pose a great danger. But at the same time, it’s the only possible escape route that we currently have, or at least that we know of. So you see how I’m caught in a dilemma right now."

"Great danger..." Flo exclaimed with a worried look as her anxiety level spiked.

Meanwhile, Natalia remained silent. Her mind wasn’t questioning Christo’s statement but was trying to figure out a solution to this dilemma.

Jian also fell silent upon hearing Christo’s words. His eyes turned to the cave wall behind the complex then to Auri who was breathing heavily in his arms. He contemplated briefly before making up his mind and turning to Christo.

"Why are you thinking so hard, man!? Even this Jian has easily figured this out. Just use a diversion!"

Natalia and Flo looked surprisedly at Jian who was being haughty out of nowhere.

"Diversion, huh? What are you suggesting?" Christo still asked despite already having an idea on what Jian was going to say.

"I’ll be the diversion and you guys can escape while I’m distracting whatever this ’great danger’ is—unless it’s some kind of death trap, then we’re all fucked, but I’ll be fucked first," Jian explained his plan.

Natalia and Flo finally realized what Jian intended to do.

"But you don’t need to do it by yourself," Natalia said. "I can also—"

"Shut up and just let me do it, okay!?" Jian quickly cut her off. "If this gate doesn’t lead to a direct exit, you guys will still need to survive and find another way out. Do you seriously think Christo and Flo can manage to safely escape in time while carrying Auri if you’re not there with them?"

"You don’t have to diss us like that, you know?" Christo remarked.

"I’m just trying to get my point through Nat, okay? How about you tell her that you agree with me, Christo?"

Hearing Jian’s request, Christo sighed before saying to Natalia, "I do think Jian’s plan has the highest probability of success, unless if we decide to avoid that gate and find another exit. And without Jian, you’re the only decent fighter left. But it’s up to you."

Natalia pondered about it briefly before she eventually turned to Christo and asked, "Can you find us another possible exit in a short time?"

"No," Christo replied, shaking his head. In fact, Christo had already tried to find an alternative after becoming aware of the gate’s potential danger, but to no avail.

"That settles it. Now let’s go. And take care of Auri," Jian said as he gently put Auri on Natalia’s back.

Seeing Jian’s determination, the others could only acquiesce to his plan.

The group then marched toward the gate which was a short distance away from the complex. Soon, Christo’s friends finally laid their eyes on the gate for the first time.

It was a large metal gate at the bottom of the cave wall. The gate looked simple, devoid of ornaments. On the right side of the gate was a red and green panel that didn’t seem to have any buttons.

When the group was still quite a distance away from the gate, Christo signaled them to stop.

"Where’s this danger that you mentioned?" Jian asked, examining the gate and its surroundings. He couldn’t see anything noteworthy aside from the panel and the gate itself.

"I don’t know. I’m not a seer. I’m just relying on my intuition, and right now, it’s screaming at me not to approach the gate any further," Christo replied.

"Your intuition can scream? Can you converse with it too?" Flo asked in surprise.

"Of course not. It’s just a figure of speech."

"Oh... I thought it was like a spirit or something," Flo said, looking slightly disappointed.

"Focus guys!" Jian scolded. "Now that we’re here, you guys should take cover somewhere nearby, but not too close. I’ll try to lure whatever this danger is away from the gate. When the path is clear, go for it."

"Okay. Let’s hide behind those trees," Christo said, pointing to a cluster of trees a few yards on their right.

As the three of them started walking to their designated spot, Natalia suddenly froze in her tracks. A few seconds later, she turned around and returned to Jian.

"Jian, Auri has something to say," Natalia said.

"You’re awake, Auri?!" Jian exclaimed.

Auri didn’t reply as she didn’t have the strength to talk loudly or move. Instead, she whispered something to Natalia from her back.

"She’s asking why you’re doing this. I think she’s shocked because you’re not acting like a troublemaking prat."

Hearing this, Jian chuckled.

"Troublemaking prat, huh? Such is the fate of side characters..."

Jian suddenly turned around, gazing at the metal gate. With his hands behind his back, he exuded a dignified air.

"One a dragon, the other a qilin—I am but a carp. Must a carp keep swimming, or can it yearn for flight? The stream may be small, yet the world is vast. Alas, this carp’s dream may just be a futile thought."

Natalia stared blankly at Jian for a few seconds before she finally said, "Cut the crap and speak clearly—Auri’s words."

"Ahem! I mean... I’ve realized that I’m sorely lacking the characteristics of a protagonist. Class-wise, Drai is overpowered. Wit-wise, I can’t beat Christo. Luck-wise, where’s my own fortunate encounter? I only have my face to boast," Jian admitted.

"More than often, an MC in cultivation stories will be greatly rewarded after passing a life-and-death ordeal. You can say that this is my attempt to trigger a change. Should I perish, that means my fortune’s so meager that I’d rather try again in the next life. But if I can help you guys escape safely, I shall leave with no regrets."

Upon hearing Jian’s words, Natalia fell silent. She couldn’t know for sure whether the man was being truthful or boastful, but she wanted to believe that her usually rash friend also had a sentimental and valorous side to him.

Turning around, Natalia said, "Auri said she understands. Be safe, Jian." She then walked away, joining Christo and Flo who had hidden behind the trees.

Jian silently nodded. With the words he had spoken, Jian’s resolve was steeled, unshaken. And unnoticeably, an auspicious spark took shape inside his lower dantian.

After all his friends had hidden themselves, Jian unsheathed his sword, ready to take on the gate.