Global Survival: I Got the D-Rank Personnel Simulator-Chapter 57: The Depths of Darkness

Ranged attacks were safer, but Lin Ye would eventually encounter opponents that couldn't be dealt with through ranged combat alone. He couldn't wait until then to start considering solutions.
'Close combat is dangerous, but I have the advantage of simulation—I can practice melee fighting in simulated missions. Besides, each of these D-Class old guys has their own special skills. Every simulation is a learning opportunity.'
The body and mind influenced each other. With each simulation, Lin Ye would bring back something akin to muscle memory to his original body, so close combat wasn't exactly a weakness for him.
'As for runes, perhaps I could create some melee techniques that incorporate them. Like this movement method—while I can't achieve this level yet, quickly closing the distance to an enemy doesn't seem too difficult...'
Lin Ye pondered while eliminating the many-mouthed monsters. Unfortunately, there was no spiritual energy here, otherwise he could have used these creatures to experiment with new skills.
Even without spiritual energy, Lin Ye tried to kill the many-mouthed monsters faster and more efficiently. Close combat often relied more on instinct than intellect.
As he explored further, Lin Ye realized this facility was essentially a prison for D-Class personnel. Most of the facilities were designed for them, though it was unclear what had triggered the anomalous event.
The entire base was perfectly circular, divided into three zones: the Containment Zone, Functional Zone, and Administrative Zone. The Containment Zone occupied half the circle, while the other two zones each took up a quarter.
Lin Ye currently stood between the Containment and Functional Zones, facing a metal door. Due to the anomaly, all security systems had failed, so his main concern now was timing the door opening—no one knew what might be waiting on the other side.
The previous corridor only required closing doors. This would be the second major door Lin Ye needed to open during this simulation.
'Hopefully nothing as dangerous as instant death awaits. At least give me some reaction time.'
Checking the time, Lin Ye opened the door.
Behind it lay an all-too-familiar shelter. Without hesitation, Lin Ye slammed the door shut.
'What kind of cheap trick is this? Can't even properly replicate the Abyssal Gate and still tries to fool people?'
Lin Ye reopened the door to reveal a normal base corridor littered with corpses. At the far end stood a mounted heavy machine gun.
"Don't move! I'll shoot if you move!" An overseer aimed his weapon at Lin Ye.
"We're on the same side. Don't shoot." Lin Ye raised his hands. Their interests aligned now—having an overseer's assistance would make things easier.
"...You're D-Class? How did you get out?" Jim eyed Lin Ye suspiciously, especially his blood-soaked right hand.
"By killing my way out. I eliminated those monsters. Listen, we're all in the same danger now. I don't want to die, so I came to help. I'll assist in sealing the doors to resolve this anomaly faster."
Lin Ye stepped aside to let Jim see the many-mouthed monster corpses in the hallway.
"How do I know you're not one of those monsters?" Sweat poured down Jim's face. He wanted to trust the man, but something felt off.
"If I could kill you but chose not to, doesn't that prove... I mean no harm?" Lin Ye whispered the last part directly into Jim's ear.
"Ah!" Jim startled but didn't overreact.
"...Fine, I'll trust you for now. What should we do?"
"Do you know what caused the anomaly?" Lin Ye asked. Solving the root cause would be better than just closing doors.
"No idea. I'm just a guard. But the Captain took others to seal doors—orders from above to secure every entrance."
"Can you contact your Captain?"
Jim shook his head. "Couldn't. Ten minutes ago, our group chat was still active. But no responses for the past ten minutes, even to my messages." His tone darkened—he'd already drawn grim conclusions.
That explained his quick cooperation with Lin Ye. He simply had no other options left.
"Let's go." Lin Ye glanced at the machine gun, motioning for Jim to bring it along.
"Where to?" Jim asked reflexively.
"To resolve the anomaly, of course. Relax—as D-Class, handling anomalies is my specialty." Lin Ye headed toward the Functional Zone, letting Jim push the heavy weapon behind him.
All doors in the Functional Zone were properly sealed—the Captain had been thorough. Only the Administrative Zone and the other side of Containment remained.
They entered the Administrative Zone without incident. Though they passed several doors along the way, these passage doors were deliberately left open as escape routes. Lin Ye sealed them after passing through—they wouldn't need to return this way.
Surprisingly, most doors in the Administrative Zone were already secured too, leaving only a few passageways unsealed. Only the Containment Zone remained.
The door between Administrative and Containment Zones was shut. Lin Ye knew without thinking that trouble waited beyond—yet he opened it anyway.
For a moment upon opening, Lin Ye thought he'd accessed another zone. But amidst the piles of corpses, he recognized the distinctive many-mouthed monsters.
The corridor beyond was filled with grotesquely varied alien corpses. Prison cells along the walls had been flattened, the floor replaced by dark green earth. Faint spiritual energy permeated the air—the mental suppression had weakened.
"Captain?" Jim lifted a bisected corpse leaning against the doorframe—likely the Captain who'd sealed this door in his final moments.
Shadows pulsed in the corridor's depths. Bright lights flickered rhythmically, like some creature's breathing.
Lin Ye rapidly absorbed the ambient spiritual energy. Though Captains varied in strength, he didn't think his current self surpassed them by much. He had no intention of ending up like this bisected Captain.
Jim nervously aimed the machine gun down the corridor, finger tense on the trigger, ready to unleash firepower at the first sign of movement.
Lin Ye focused, attempting to etch runes within his body. This form had low mutation—success was uncertain.
As they stood ready, a shadow flashed. Lin Ye sidestepped instinctively, but the shadow's target wasn't him.
Jim's headless corpse collapsed. He'd never even pulled the trigger.
No time to mourn. Lin Ye dove behind the machine gun, pinning the trigger down toward where the shadow had retreated.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!
Muzzle flashes illuminated the corridor depths. Multiple shadows darted past, shredding both the machine gun and Lin Ye behind it.