Apocalypse: Last Traveler

"Gou!"

Lu Xi'an immediately took action, instructing Gou to investigate, then said to Yao Wei, "Hold your breath."

From the sweat scent permeating the air, Lu Xi'an could infer that the Neo-Human lurking in the shadows was likely controlling others through sweat secretion.

The sweat might contain certain compounds that affect others.

Therefore, he immediately told Yao Wei to hold her breath and dispatched Gou and the drone.

Whether holding their breath would work was uncertain; the information was insufficient for Lu Xi'an to confirm if the compound in the sweat was inhaled.

At the very least, both Gou and the drone were metal, not life forms. The compound in the sweat couldn't affect non-living things.

"Let's separate, and keep some distance."

Yao Wei suddenly suggested.

After a brief thought, Lu Xi'an understood Yao Wei's reasoning—

The person hidden in the dark was controlling others through a compound in their sweat. It seemed the most likely transmission method was airborne, though others were possible.

But regardless, the transmission should have a range and limitations.

Otherwise, why didn't the concealed Neo-Human attack Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei at other times, instead waiting until they drove ahead?

Perhaps the Neo-Human's entire ability was in controlling emotions through sweat secretion, with no other special skills, hence the stealthy attack from the shadows without daring to confront them directly.

—In direct combat, it should still be that Neo-Humans like himself and Yao Wei are stronger.

And that Neo-Human had likely been tracking the movements of the previous two people, continually confirming Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei's positions through some resonant device.

Unable to face Yao Wei and Lu Xi'an head-on, the person had been following them, trying to find an opportunity.

Finally, the ambush was executed now.

"Alright."

Lu Xi'an nodded and said, "Take Gou with you. Your aim is better than mine; if you spot them, you'll be able to react immediately. Gou will be more useful with you than with me."

Yao Wei did not refuse and picked up Gou.

Gou's small stature was advantageous at this moment; Yao Wei could hold the robotic dog in one hand and a gun in the other, with little hindrance.

Both opened the car doors and got off, running in opposite directions.

If possible, Lu Xi'an would have liked to drive away directly, but he was certain the hidden person wouldn't allow that opportunity.

If he reversed onto the road, he might fall into the trap again.

He had been lucky this time, crashing into the forest without damage, but next time?

The euphoria shooting up his spine was so sudden and intense, an indescribable sensation he even strangely missed.

If it happened again, he couldn't guarantee the car would remain undamaged.

So, staying in the car wasn't an option.

Even though the Neo-Human didn't dare to show themselves, their methods were truly bizarre.

Having acted once, there must be more to follow.

Lu Xi'an couldn't predict what the follow-up would be, but felt if he and Yao Wei stayed in the car, they might become sitting ducks.

Yao Wei probably felt the same way.

There was a sweat smell outside, though possibly weakened in the open air.

Yet, even though the scent was weaker, the Neo-Human's methods hadn't vanished.

Just as Lu Xi'an jumped out of the car, not even closing the door, he felt his emotions fluctuate, suddenly becoming despondent.

Tired, whatever, didn't want to do anything.

Why bother closing the car door in such a world, running back and forth, fighting, does it have any meaning?

Eventually, everyone dies. Hopeless world, better dead than alive. Might as well go back to the car for a nap, whatever with that Neo-Human, whatever...

...

When Lu Xi'an blearily came to, he found himself back in the driver's seat, dazed.

He suddenly jolted awake, looking over to see that Yao Wei hadn't returned to the passenger seat.

However, Yao Wei hadn't left the side of the car either and was standing at the door, a serious expression on her face.

Lu Xi'an looked around, but both inside and outside the car, there was no sign of the Neo-Human.

"Gou, nothing found?"

He asked.

The drone had long flown outside, circling above but unharmed, with no one attacking the flying machine.

The eyes of Gou in Yao Wei's hand flickered twice, indicating it had found nothing either.

"What's your status?"

Lu Xi'an asked Yao Wei again.

"Don't know...,"

Yao Wei replied solemnly, "just suddenly didn't feel like moving."

Her words indicated not an inability to understand the situation, but an inability to describe her earlier state.

In that moment, many thoughts raced through her mind, but no matter the thought, they all made her feel depressed; everything she did and faced seemed meaningless.

"This person doesn't want us to leave the car."

Lu Xi'an quickly deduced the Neo-Human's objective, suggesting the follow-up tactic might be in the car.

But Lu Xi'an checked the car inside and out, finding nothing abnormal.

Where then was the Neo-Human's move?

"Gou, keep watch. Alert me if there's anything suspicious around us."

Lu Xi'an instructed Gou again, "And keep looking, find that person as soon as possible."

The drone kept flying, moving into the forest, continuing to search. The area was wide open, only the forest offered possible concealment.

Gou was intelligent enough to know to head into the woods without Lu Xi'an's directives.

Yao Wei also held her gun ready, mainly guarding the forest ahead.

Lu Xi'an and Yao Wei didn't try to run anymore. With the Neo-Human's abilities, their attempts would likely be fruitless.

Yet after being controlled twice, Lu Xi'an noticed one thing—

The person's influence on their emotions seemed brief; in just a moment, he and Yao Wei could regain themselves.

Whether due to them being Neo-Humans with a natural resistance or just the limitation of the hidden Neo-Human's ability was unclear.

But in any case, it was a positive sign.

Once Gou and the drone located the Neo-Human, even if Yao Wei couldn't immediately react due to the control, she would have the chance to fire after the control ceased.

Gou and the drone were unaffected by the Neo-Human's control. They simply couldn't find the hidden person as of now.

Once found, the person would be unable to avoid being locked on by Gou and the drone.

Then perhaps the roles could be reversed.