Global Survival: I Got the D-Rank Personnel Simulator-Chapter 66: Pitch-Black Mine Shaft

Day 8 of Apocalypse Survival, 6:34 AM.
Lin Ye prepared a lavish breakfast and brought Brother Chicken some fresh, delicious sewer worms as requested for its egg incubation.
Opening the group chat, he began eating.
(535799/1000000)
Yu Feng: Big shots, save me!
"Nothing we can do unless you find another shelter yourself, and the survivors inside agree to let you in."
"Damn you're persistent. Other survivors without upgraded shelters all died instantly - couldn't even last 10 minutes. Yet you've held out all night."
"Keep posting photos. Since you're dying anyway, might as well leave us some intel."
"Keep it up - one useful photo earns one food ration. You don't wanna starve to death, right?"
"Buddy, you're in residential areas while I'm in office buildings. Even if I let you in, you couldn't reach me."
...
Reviewing earlier messages, Lin Ye recognized this as the survivor from last night whose talent ability involved concealment.
All other survivors without shelter upgrades had died last night. Only he remained, stubbornly alive while sharing external intel in chat.
They'd been in this city for a week yet knew virtually nothing beyond their shelters. Every survivor who ventured out died without exception.
This situation was unsustainable. If each shelter upgrade phase required ten lower-grade mutation organs, most survivors would gradually get eliminated. They needed to find ways to survive in this city without relying solely on shelters.
Many had considered this issue, hence why numerous people were urging Yu Feng to explore outside, some even offering decent rewards.
Yu Feng: Honored experts, I genuinely dare not go out! The moment I stop using my talent ability, monsters immediately breach in. Outside must be swarming with them. Also, there's constant movement in the bathroom - I don't even dare approach the stall now.
"Definitely dangerous. Brother Lin mentioned sewer worms in the pipes. Ugh, just imagining makes my scalp crawl."
"So you can't even use water now? What's the point hiding in shelter then?"
Yu Feng: Still have some supplies left. Water in canteens should last temporarily. Any experts in my building willing to take me in?
"Not nearby."
"Same here."
"Wishful thinking. Shelters are survival fundamentals - who'd let strangers in? If such people exist, be extra cautious."
"Exactly. Don't wanna get murdered in my sleep."
Yu Feng: I'd never do such things!
"Says you."
"Sigh. Talking about trust here is downright naive."
...
Lin Ye didn't comment. He wouldn't demand the other explore the city, nor offer unearned assistance. Finishing breakfast and petting Brother Chicken, he lay down to begin daily simulation.
.............
Bzzzt...
The familiar prisoner transport opening - Lin Ye was growing accustomed to D-Class routines.
[Simulated D-Class Personnel: Mason]
[Remaining Simulations: 10]
Mason was a yellow-skinned youth with decent physique and balanced build.
This transport held only Lin Ye as D-Class, guarded by the familiar four-person squad.
The truck traveled a desolate path through wilderness.
'Why only one D-Class?'
This seemed odd. For handling unknown anomalies, the organization typically deployed multiple D-Class scouts without hesitation.
'Meaning either this anomaly only requires one sacrifice, or Mason uniquely qualifies?'
Bad news for Lin Ye - likely indicating either an unsolvable anomaly, or one so troublesome the organization preferred periodic D-Class sacrifices over resolution.
'But what constitutes simulation completion? Dying as expendable fodder, or actually resolving the anomaly?'
Before further contemplation, the truck halted before an abandoned mine entrance.
Guards escorted Lin Ye via minecart deep underground, stopping before a pitch-black shaft descending into darkness.
With no protective gear, lighting, or equipment beyond prison garb, Lin Ye was shoved into the abyss.
After minutes of freefall, he assumed death was certain.
Even landing in an underground lake wouldn't save him.
Yet he struck solid ground - and didn't die.
One leg shattered, organs pulped, an eye destroyed, half his skull collapsed, multiple compound fractures... yet alive.
'...What fresh hell is this?'
Excruciating pain made Lin Ye wish for instant death, but attempting suicide risked permanent immobility if failed.
Trying to move proved futile - not even a finger twitched. Fortunately, faint spiritual energy permeated the shaft, allowing him to mutate this broken vessel.
Then faint sounds emerged. Extending his perception, Lin Ye discovered several similarly mangled flesh piles nearby.
All alive, with no telling how long they'd suffered in darkness.
Determined not to join these predecessors in eternal torment, Lin Ye accelerated mutation rune inscription.
The priest's foundational mutation research surpassed normal comprehension. Without absorbing his Mind Crystal, Lin Ye couldn't possibly inscribe mutation runes on this ruined body.
In ten minutes, partial body mutation succeeded, growing two mobility limbs.
Testing movement proved successful - the priest's practical knowledge worked flawlessly.
But Lin Ye didn't immediately explore. First, he needed offensive mutations. While unkillable, having body parts harvested would spell doom.
Uncertain about enemies, better safe than sorry.
Reviewing the priest's mutation knowledge revealed scarce combat-oriented data - he truly wasn't a fighter.
Left with no choice, Lin Ye grew two simple spiked appendages and inscribed basic Protection runes across his body.
This was his current limit. Even mutation masters couldn't work miracles without proper materials.