As a Charming Mushroom, I Fell into the Apocalypse (MUSHROOM)
Hui Gu hesitated. He had never felt such a strong craving for fresh flesh and blood before.
This aroma was like a bewitching fragrance luring a mushroom into hell, constantly teasing and igniting flames in his heart. The slightest carelessness could lead him to indulge completely.
But this was the Incubator he had personally chosen, different from all those followers who had been drawn to him before—an extremely special existence.
How could he even think of eating him?
As a mushroom who was often chased and bitten, he knew the pain all too well.
For the first time, Hui Gu felt the urge to let go of something he desired. He turned his head away, so dizzy he nearly lost his grip on Gu Wang’s waist.
His stomach wasn’t even hungry yet, but the desire in his heart refused to be suppressed.
It was as if a part of him that had never been satisfied was protesting vehemently.
He didn’t even know what he was holding onto.
As a mushroom, why should he care about humans?
But he kind of liked this human.
He was different.
But… how was he different?
Logically, he should be the same as all those underlings he had subdued before.
Why was he so reluctant to take a bite?
His chaotic mind let his thoughts drift until a sharp, escalating argument snapped him back to reality.
Only then did Hui Gu notice that Yu Zhenxin and the people he brought were arguing fiercely over the mutant creature’s corpse, the atmosphere growing tense.
They had identified the half-human, half-spider’s pre-contamination identity through fragments of clothing—it was Xiao Bao’s missing mother.
They had even summoned the ordinary person who had previously been responsible for introducing her to jobs, hoping to learn what she had been exposed to before her transformation.
But the ordinary person’s nerves were weak. The moment he saw the spider, he collapsed to the ground in terror, tears welling up, his legs shaking uncontrollably. When questioned, he could only repeat that he didn’t know anything.
Seeing his pathetic state, Yu Zhenxin knew he wouldn’t get any more clues from him. Unable to contain his frustration, he suddenly kicked out.
How could an ordinary person withstand a new human’s kick? He fell to the ground with a cry of pain.
Even then, he showed no resentment toward Yu Zhenxin. Instead, he lay on the ground trembling in fear, apologizing meekly and humbly.
Everything that was happening had clearly exceeded Yu Zhenxin's original plans. He even abandoned the noble Shelter Director persona he had maintained in front of Gu Wang, his face twisting into a grimace as he spat, "Worthless!"
He raised his foot to kick again, this time putting more force into it, but Gu Wang stopped him.
The man merely lifted his hand slightly, a black ancient sword materializing like a shield between them, radiating a chilling aura.
Yu Zhenxin's expression contorted briefly, but given the disparity in their strength, he had no choice but to suppress his rage and speak calmly, "Mr. Gu, we're dealing with a serious incident at our Shelter. Since you've already decided to leave in a few days, this matter has nothing to do with you."
Hui Gu, hiding inside the clothing, felt listless.
He didn't know what connection this spider had with the Shelter, but now that he'd accidentally been discovered by its offspring, he would inevitably get dragged into this mess.
He knew these mutant creatures all too well—once they became fixated on him, they would never let go unless they died.
Gu Wang neither confirmed nor denied Yu Zhenxin's words. Refusing to be sidetracked, his tone naturally shifted to interrogation: "Director Yu, are you truly completely unaware of the source of this contamination?"
The air grew heavy with silence.
Dozens of uncertain, suspicious gazes fixed on Yu Zhenxin, as if trying to roast the Shelter's director over open flames.
Unfortunately, Yu Zhenxin's mental fortitude wasn't so easily broken. He adopted an expression of righteous indignation: "Mr. Gu! As our guest, I must ask you not to sow discord. I'm more concerned than anyone about what's happened at the Shelter!"
In just two sentences, he not only implied to others that Gu Wang was the outsider, but also shifted suspicion onto Gu Wang himself.
Compared to Gu Wang who had only recently arrived, these new humans clearly trusted Yu Zhenxin more. Their accusatory stares pierced like knives toward the man standing alone against them.
Hui Gu had been listening half-heartedly until these words. He immediately lifted his head, black beady eyes blazing with anger.
Who gave you the right to doubt the human I'm keeping?
His hunger made him even more irritable.
In a fit of pique, he retraced his path and popped his head out from the sleeve to protest, but Gu Wang swiftly wrapped him up again.
Gu Wang discreetly captured the mushroom that had been scurrying about, a slight relaxation appearing between his brows.
Compared to the aggressive Yu Zhenxin before him, this little creature running amok in his clothes gave him more headaches.
At least he'd caught him now.
Hui Gu struggled indignantly in Gu Wang's palm, his efforts so feeble they felt like tickling the man's hand.
Aside from being adorable, he posed no threat whatsoever.
Gu Wang gave him a gentle squeeze as reassurance, while his tone remained cold and unyielding toward the others: "If Director Yu truly has a clear conscience, why not let me inspect the forbidden zone?"
At these words, several people immediately showed discomfort.
When feeling guilty, people tend to seek reassurance from their leader. These individuals were no exception—they all stole glances at Yu Zhenxin, hoping he would say something.
Gu Wang's eyes darkened imperceptibly as he memorized their faces.
Clearly, they were in cahoots with Yu Zhenxin, all hiding something.
Whatever was in the forbidden zone, they were all concealing it from each other.
As for the others, they likely hadn't earned Yu Zhenxin's full trust yet. They only knew of the laboratory's existence and perhaps were aware that shady activities were taking place inside, but remained unclear about the specifics.
During the earlier period of calm, restrained by Yu Zhenxin's personal authority and hierarchical dominance, they hadn't raised many questions about the forbidden zone.
This was precisely the most exploitable aspect. In the apocalypse, people's hearts remain hidden behind layers of concealment. Once the unknown becomes a potential threat, this already fragile trust would completely shatter.
A massive rock thrown into the lake would send splashes that drench everyone.
And he would become the driving force behind it, expanding the ripples once more.
Gu Wang curled the corner of his lips, yet there was not a trace of amusement in his dark eyes: "Director Yu, can we go take a look at the forbidden zone now?"
Unconsciously, he emitted the pressure of a high-level new human, invisibly straining their already taut nerves.
Like facing an alpha wolf, the obedience of lower levels to higher levels was ingrained in their instincts.
They dared not meet Gu Wang's gaze, shifting their eyes away instead.
It was like a spark igniting the already tense air, exposing Yu Zhenxin to everyone's scrutiny, leaving him unable to advance or retreat.
The agonizing screams that had come from here earlier were too harrowing, causing quite a stir in the Shelter. He had brought all the new humans of C-Class and above from the institute.
Now, caught in a dilemma, for the sake of his authority, he couldn't refuse Gu Wang's "reasonable" request in front of so many new humans.
Even if he brushed it off tonight, with a corpse lying here, it was already certain that everyone would know.
Once the seed of doubt was planted, his subsequent plans would be difficult to carry out.
It would also affect his originally solid position.
Yu Zhenxin could only nod with a grim expression, forcing himself to agree: "Fine..."
Leaving someone behind to deal with the corpse, everyone else followed Yu Zhenxin toward the direction of the forbidden zone.
Gu Wang walked nonchalantly at the back, simultaneously opening his palm to release Hui Gu.
Thanks to the absolute suppression of his level, none of the new humans ahead dared to casually look back at him.
Hui Gu, nearly suffocated, angrily bit the man's tiger's mouth, making faint, muffled noises.
Gu Wang moved his lips, mouthing: Don't be naughty.
Hui Gu puffed up so much he almost swelled into a chubby mushroom.
Then, his little cap was tapped.
Gu Wang placed him near the pocket, pulling it open a crack.
Hui Gu glared at the man for a long moment before reluctantly crawling into the man's pocket.
Stupid human.
Had no idea of his worries.
Forget it—if that damn spider was really still alive, this time he would settle things with it once and for all.
Facing these crazy pursuers, Hui Gu naturally had his own means of self-protection.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have escaped from the Spider Web so smoothly back then.
The method was effective, but it cost him a bit.
One bite, just one bite.
He could gain complete control over the one who bit him. This time, he would command it to kill itself and never appear before him again.
Thinking of the price he would have to pay, the light gradually faded from Hui Gu's eyes. He curled up into a round ball, as if hugging his Mushroom Cap, feeling a bit heartbroken.
Hmm, gonna have to sacrifice and get bitten again.
Hui Gu let out a tiny whimper.
It really didn't hurt at all.
He wasn't scared in the slightest.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
The completed novel is now available in my Ko-fi page.
If you appreciate what I do, please consider supporting me on kofi. Thank you!
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•