Chapter 1, The Pinnacle of the Abyss

At that moment, Gu Jun, who had been gazing out the window, heard the three of them murmuring about something.

Gu Jun still remembers that three years ago, when he had just turned 18, he received the admission notice for the eight-year combined bachelor's, master's, and doctoral program in clinical medicine at Dongzhou University Medical School, which is ranked among the top five in the country. At the graduation celebration with his high school classmates, he recited a classic movie line.

Please claim your beginner's gift pack, this is a one-time opportunity, and the rewards are substantial

Task levels are divided into three categories: Normal, Difficult, and Abyss. The task list allows you to choose only one out of three options at a time, so please choose carefully. Currently, only one task can be assigned at each task level at the same time, until that task is completed or the task deadline is exceeded

She was the first to notice Gu Jun's arrival, but her gaze was both cold and proud, as she twirled a military knife in her hand, exuding an air of "keep your distance".

Meanwhile, the reggae artist Li Lerui was busy live streaming by himself, not participating in the activities.

At that moment, Gu Jun, who had been in a state of despair for two and a half years, seemed to be doused with a bucket of cold water, becoming completely awake.

You may not believe me, but I do believe that guy. What I heard is that it is here... However, the ocean floor is so vast, whether we can capture it will depend on our luck. Li Lerui, however, spoke with certainty; there is no signal support for live broadcasting under the sea, yet he continued to record video with his phone.

Perhaps the college entrance examination has exhausted all the spirit and energy he had for studying throughout his life, and he feels that his former aspiration to his mother, "I want to be a doctor when I grow up!" has lost its significance. After entering university, he completely lost his motivation

... ...

Uncertain whether it was a hallucination caused by the onset of a brainstem tumor, he suddenly noticed a half-human-height peak protruding from the seabed over there, resembling a rock, yet he seemed to see its surface covered in carvings, ... various patterns and designs ...

Gu Jun heard him mysteriously introducing on the phone: "The local indigenous tribe refers to this place as 'Hamkanaba', which means 'Abyss of Demons'..."

It is like this, this dive was originally booked by another guest first. The old captain was explaining awkwardly when he suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, Mr. Gu has arrived so soon!"

White blood cell count: 6.78 × 10^9 / L (normal)

The waitress accepted the tip, and her smile became even more radiant. Mr. Gu, who was handsome and generous, always made serving him a joyful experience. She smiled and said, "Mr. Gu, please follow me."

"Sure." Gu Jun shrugged and said, since there are available seats, it doesn't matter.

Yet, there is a fear of witnessing such a scene

Secondly, he left only a few tens of thousands in personal assets, donating the remaining one million entirely to the Swan Children's Hope Fund for the education of orphans

He began to regain his spirits and actively sought treatment. However, the brainstem is the nerve center of the human body, often referred to as the "surgical forbidden zone," a region that even the renowned physician Hua Tuo would have hesitated to approach. At that time, he traveled to multiple cities and countries but could not find a hospital willing to perform surgery on him.

After three months of fruitless medical consultations and extensive research into the latest medical information on brainstem tumors, Gu Jun accepted the reality that he was beyond cure, and that even wealth could not remedy his condition

"Are you sure it is in this sea area?" Wu Dong asked.

Name: Gu Jun

What are they researching? Is it really more important than their own children?

Abyss Task: Complete the dissection of 1 ghoul within one week. Task Reward: Unknown

The accommodation subject inspection report has been released, please take a look

When Gu Jun was still a dozen steps away from the ship's ladder, he saw that besides the captain and a few crew members, there were also three young tourists, two men and one woman.

Height: 182 cm

The submersible suddenly began to shake violently; fortunately, everyone was secured in their seats, but...

Of course, only money remains.

Blood glucose: 4.82 mmol/L (normal)

However, the muscular man Wu Dong still seemed somewhat unwilling, bulging his eyes as if he wanted to say something.

Gu Jun did not like the sea when he was a child. He could never understand why his father, the captain of the "Sea Bird" scientific research vessel, and his mother, the ship's doctor, had to spend years at sea while leaving him to be raised by a guardianship institution

The waitress left at the captain's gesture, while Gu Jun continued to walk forward under the gaze of the crowd

It is not desolation, but rather a spirited vigor, a picture of a winner in life poised to dominate the world

Gu Jun let out a muffled groan, pressing his hands tightly against his head, feeling as if it were about to explode from the pain, and in an instant, he was drenched in cold sweat

Gender: Male

I really do not know how credible this news is ... ... " Lin Xiaotang's tone was filled with doubt

Body fat percentage: 17%

Species: Homo sapiens

His directness caught Lin Xiaotang off guard, "You..."

"Look at you," Gu Jun said

Gu Jun received the second piece of bad news in his life

Another man, a few years older, was a tall and muscular figure, wearing a pink tank top that revealed his arms, which were as thick as his thighs. He was impatiently asking the captain, "How much longer do we have to wait?"

However, given the interactions among these three individuals, the "news" they have heard... should not refer to those rumors circulating online, right

Driven by the desire to seek answers, he paid a high price to book this deep-sea diving project: tourists enter a submarine shaped like a ship that can dive to a depth of 2,000 meters, allowing them to observe the underwater volcanic belt through the windows. This is not a standard feature included with the ticket, but rather a special offering for the wealthy, as the cost of a single dive is quite high

Deformed, pathological, yet full of vitality, even the darkness is scorched

Moreover, it is a medulloblastoma, the most malignant type of brainstem tumor, and there is no surgical option for his condition

Binding with the host is in progress ... ... Binding successful ... ... Detecting the status of the host ... ...

The more he looked, the more he felt that the carvings became enigmatic, as if they were oozing a magma of a color resembling fresh blood

As time passed, the professors discarded all their expectations of him, the counselors also gave up, and many students would take a detour upon seeing him. Everyone said that someone like Gu Jun not only disgraced the reputation of Dongda University but also had no prospects; associating with him would only lead to mutual failure.

For the orphan who received the devastating news of his parents' death at the tender age of ten, the total compensation of five million is the only source of financial support and the sole emotional anchor in the subsequent decades of Gu Jun's life

Yes

Gradually, Gu Jun no longer paid attention to them. Through the brightness of the searchlight, he gazed at the dimly visible rugged seabed outside the adjacent window, his heart faintly anticipating the sight of a dilapidated shipwreck.

Ladies and gentlemen, Li Lerui began recording again, "Look how dark it is outside. We have already descended over 1,500 meters and are not far from the seabed." To capture a clearer image, he simply unfastened his seatbelt, stood up, and leaned towards the edge of the cabin to film outside the window

The task list refreshes at midnight every day

"Iron Fool." Lin Xiaotang walked past Wu Dong in a huff

What are these illusions ... ... Countless indescribable images surged into the depths of his mind, strange, terrifying, and insane beyond words ... ... So painful, so painful! ... He felt his eyes bleeding, a sea of blood red, he saw a storm, he saw a gigantic figure ... ... rising from the sea ... ...

What are you looking at? Lin Xiaotang glared back at him with great displeasure after being scrutinized like that, her expression extremely fierce

"Very soon, very soon." Li Lerui made an OK gesture and continued filming: "If it weren't for being in a submersible, humans would be crushed by the pressure of the deep sea..."

A waitress with a sweet voice pulled Gu Jun, who was daydreaming in the open-air café on the top deck, back to reality

Bang! Suddenly, with a violent surge, the magma seemed to erupt and rush towards him, overwhelming him in a torrent before he could react

Gu Jun understood that they were here for an adventure. In this day and age, the internet is always filled with various bizarre rumors, and there have been many reports of sea monster sightings, yet there has never been any reliable evidence. Occasionally, a few photos or blurry videos are released, but they are later proven to be false.

A stubborn disguise ... and the unrecognized heartache.

The new task list has been published. Hosts can receive rewards for completing tasks, with higher-level tasks yielding greater rewards

Generous in spending, treating others to various dining and entertainment experiences, he is extravagant. This is the only merit he possesses in school.

Li Lerui, not knowing when, had already rushed down the ship's ladder with a series of thuds. With one hand holding a phone to record, and the other arm draped over Gu Jun's shoulder, he laughed casually and said: "Old buddy, don't take it to heart, that guy Wu Dong is just a fool, a roughneck. Look at my live streaming room; every time Wu Dong appears on camera, the audience goes wild with 'Iron Fool' comments."

Gu Jun looked at the girl in military uniform, suddenly feeling a bit puzzled, as if he had seen her somewhere before... Was it during these past few days on the cruise ship?

After some delay, everyone finally donned their protective gear under the guidance of the operator and took their seats in the submersible. There are four seats arranged in two rows in front of the tourists. Gu Jun is seated in position 1, to his right in position 2 is Li Lerui, behind him in position 3 is Lin Xiaotang, and in position 4 is Wu Dong

Until six months ago

That damned three-no research company, apart from a statement saying "the Haidao ship sank in a storm, with all hands lost" and throwing down five million, had no further developments. The ship was never found, and neither were the bodies! Soon after, that company went out of business

Mr. Li, please return to your seat and sit properly, it is dangerous like this, there are many undercurrents in the sea... the old captain advised weakly

The old captain began the introduction. The reggae man is named Li Lerui, the muscular man is named Wu Dong, and the woman in military attire is named Lin Xiaotang. They are all "Supreme VIPs" of the cruise ship—the captain hinted with his eyes that they are the kind of privileged young masters who come from powerful and influential families, and they are absolutely not to be offended.

At that moment, Gu Jun followed the waitress down to the lower deck of the ship, gazing at the surrounding sea, feeling a mix of emotions

"You can choose for yourselves; I don't mind everyone being on the same boat." Gu Jun smiled as he glanced at the three of them, then took the lead down the ship's ladder, not caring about much else. Having a short life has one advantage: he has become much more composed in dealing with people and matters.

First, purchase a set of luxury cruise tickets, departing from Dongzhou City, passing through Ma and * Tu * Shu Liujia, and heading straight to the Indian Ocean. Seize the last moments, during this hot summer vacation, to visit the places where my parents worked during their lifetime, fulfilling this long-held wish. If I am still alive, I will continue to travel around the world

Heart rate: 81 beats per minute (normal)

July 21, 2020

Having lost all his relatives, he still has money

Red blood cell count: 4.9 × 10^12 / L (normal)

Still... is it just sinking to the seabed in this area

Gu Jun sometimes even wonders if his parents are truly dead Perhaps they did not perish in the shipwreck but instead ended up on a deserted island waiting for rescue

Weight: 78 kg

"Alright," he nodded and said, "I can go over there now." After saying this, he politely gave her a tip.

The woman who caught my eye was the youngest, only about sixteen or seventeen years old, tall and with a beautiful face. She wore a fashionable jacket paired with shorts, both in military green, and her long, slender legs were very striking. There was a large tattoo on her left calf, though I couldn't tell if it was real or just a sticker

"Hey, you there, stop!" Wu Dong shouted in exasperation, "Come back, come back!" But Gu Jun did not halt his steps.

There is a vortex, there is an anomalous vortex! It seems I can hear the old captain shouting in panic, "Ascend immediately! Turn back, quickly!"

Wu Dong was truly frustrated, scratching his forehead, "Clearly, it was you who said we should act in secret!"

Brainstem: Fatal anomaly, fatal anomaly, fatal anomaly

What is all this ... ! ... It seems that my condition is really about the same ... ...

How important is money for a person living in this world

Challenging task: Complete the dissection of 3 normal human cadavers within 3 days. Task reward: 1 Calop knife for dissection

Every time this issue was discussed in the past, Gu Jun would always emphasize its importance.

The wealthy and handsome Jun has died, and Gu Jun has returned

Age: 21

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the legendary Longkan Underwater Volcano Belt! One young man in his twenties is holding a phone, seemingly live streaming. He is dressed in flamboyant clothing and sports an extravagant afro hairstyle, resembling a reggae style

Routine Task: Successfully rescued an emergency patient today. Task Reward: 1 box of targeted medication for human brainstem tumors, which can extend the host's lifespan by five days

Soon, the hatch of the submersible closed, and it began its descent, enveloped by the sea water transitioning from blue to black, reaching depths of 200 meters, 500 meters, 1000 meters ... ...

Hello, Mr. Gu, we have arrived at the Longkan submarine volcanic zone, and the deep diving project you reserved is ready. Please proceed to the ship's ladder for diving within half an hour

"Tuhao Jun", this is the nickname given to him by his university classmates, reflecting both affection and teasing.

The three originally intended to rent a speedboat to have fun in the nearby waters, but upon seeing the submersible, they also requested to participate in deep diving. The submersible has a total of seven seats, with two operators and one safety officer occupying three, leaving four seats for tourists, which have already been reserved by Gu Jun

This sum of money will be managed by a trust fund, and upon reaching the age of 18, he will be able to freely dispose of all his inheritance

If there is a next life, I hope to do some good deeds and be born into a good family

Is this the place where my parents had the accident years ago

Ding! A mechanical sound echoed in my mind again

Ah ... ... it hurts so much !!!

The host's brainstem has undergone a mutation, and a malignant tumor is rapidly growing. At its current rate of growth, it is expected that in 32 days, the host will exhibit symptoms such as strabismus, facial asymmetry, and facial muscle spasms; and in 60 days, the host will suddenly die

He transformed from an academic achiever into a poor student, failing or barely passing every subject. On ordinary days, he indulged solely in entertainment, living a life of reversed day and night, frequenting bars and pursuing women, spending his days in a haze of intoxication and dreams

Due to the various safety inspections that must be conducted after each dive of the submersible, there is only this one opportunity for a dive this month according to the cruise itinerary. Since these three gentlemen are so eager, the captain had no choice but to negotiate with Gu Jun, suggesting that the four of them share the costs and positions for this dive. After all, it is better to enjoy together than to enjoy alone

Uh, aren't you live streaming? What kind of secretive actions are you taking? Gu Jun can't understand, is everyone just being foolish in that way?

Subsequently, he made two decisions

Gu Jun did not offer any rebuttal, for deep down he knew that what everyone said was true; he was indeed a slacker and intended to continue being one.

Blood pressure: Systolic 100 mmHg, Diastolic 77 mmHg (normal)

The sea surface is an eerie deep blue, with waves constantly churning, concealing the past

Even with the opportunity for surgery, followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy, the average survival period for patients is 0.9 years, which is less than one year

What is this ... . ... Gu Jun's consciousness was somewhat hazy, but he could distinctly "see" a system interface in his mind

Due to the host's brainstem anomaly, the host must complete self-rescue through the task system within 60 days, or death will ensue

I can tell you that there is only one disease in the world, and that is the disease of poverty

Gu Jun seemed to hear Li Lerui's scream, "Ah!" and Lin Xiaotang's exclamation, "Are you okay, Rui!?"

What exactly happened that year

He has a brainstem tumor

Ding ding, it seems that I can hear a mechanical sound echoing in my mind