Without enough strength to mess with a woman like Jennifer, he wouldn’t even know how he died.
Anyone targeted by a demon was a rose with thorns, easy to get pricked by.
Dan Lee choosing to go on the expedition with Sam and her group was completely natural.
He just needed to make some preparations before setting out.
Guns, ammo, and lighting were indispensable, especially when it came to quick-draw firepower.
After all, there was more than one monster in that cavern.
In his eyes, as long as a monster possessed a physical body—except for unkillable entities like Michael—everything else could be dealt with using overwhelming firepower.
Just like the Mutant Cannibals.
Even though they felt no pain and possessed superhuman strength, they would still die when faced with a barrage of rifle fire.
…
The next day, school closed early.
Sam brought Dan Lee to meet the other members of the expedition team, all of whom were women.
Sarah had suffered a mental breakdown after witnessing the deaths of her husband and child in a car accident a year ago.
This cave expedition was originally organized to help her step out of that shadow.
Juno was the team leader for this cavern adventure.
Beth was an English teacher at the school—the one who had invited Sam to join.
Holly was a punk-style BASE jumping enthusiast who was reckless and loved rushing in first—in plain English, she liked courting death.
Rebecca was a Nordic athlete and professional mountaineer.
The only person in the group she was familiar with was Juno, as both enjoyed exploring various caves and loved extreme sports.
Originally, Juno had rejected Dan Lee as a leader—a man who had never participated in an expedition before.
But who could say no to someone with “money power” who could upgrade all their equipment?
Juno couldn’t find a single reason to refuse.
Top-tier expedition gear was simply too attractive to them.
After successfully joining the team, Dan Lee tracked down Pete, the town’s police chief, to purchase a set of special tactical gear.
The most important items were the headsets; firing guns inside a cavern was deafeningly loud.
Although Pete was greedy, when he took money, he actually got things done.
A few days later, Pete’s subordinate, Sergeant Old Joe, rolled up in a wheelchair to deliver the gear to Dan Lee.
A black camouflage combat uniform with an infrared camo poncho, classic ALICE web gear components of standard US military issue, and a triple magazine pouch holding two M67 grenades—plus a high-explosive grenade.
A folding entrenching tool with a plastic sheath, a bayonet tucked in a handy pocket for field tasks, self-rescue, and close-quarters combat, while an L-shaped flashlight and an LC backpack with an aluminum frame further enhanced night combat and trekking capabilities.
Tucked into his waist were two low-recoil Glock handguns.
Dan Lee had spent a small fortune to get his hands on this set.
Once he put it on, he was covered from head to toe.
If he wore a face mask and a hat, he really would look like a special forces operator.
Of course, one crucial item was still missing: an M16 rifle.
However, that thing was too eye-catching.
Dan Lee walking down the street already drew strange looks.
Carrying an M16, anyone who didn’t know better would think he’d just been discharged from a war zone.
He arranged for someone to transport the M16 ahead to their destination.
When Dan Lee arrived outside the town at their agreed meeting spot wearing his full tactical gear, Juno and the others were completely dumbfounded.
Looking at his setup, Juno asked in astonishment, “Hey Dan, we’re not going to war.
We’re just exploring.
Dressed like that, you’re going to drag down our progress.” “Wearing too much in cave exploration actually puts you in danger.” “Dan, there’s still time.
We can fit you with professional expedition gear instead of dressing like combat troops.” Facing their well-meaning advice, Dan Lee simply said with stubborn resolve, “Don’t worry, I won’t cause you trouble.
I have another set of exploration gear in my car.
Besides, hasn’t my stamina already been tested?” What a joke—taking it off was out of the question.
Only abundant firepower and enough containment objects could give him a sense of security.
With a lack of containment items right now, he naturally had to stack up on firepower.
If he weren’t afraid of triggering a cave-in, he would’ve even brought a rocket launcher in with him.
Hearing this, Juno consulted Rebecca, their professional exploration expert.
In the end, she agreed, though she added a few conditions.
“OK, we agree, but once we’re down in the cave, you must follow our commands completely.
Otherwise, you could drag the whole team into danger, got it?” “No problem,” Dan Lee agreed to everything—verbally, at least.
While Juno and the others were organizing their gear, Sam quietly comforted him.
“Dan, Juno and the others are actually looking out for your safety.
Cave exploration is very dangerous, especially since this cave has never been explored by anyone before.” “I know, Sam.
Don’t worry.” …
The seven of them prepared two off-road vehicles.
When Juno discovered an M16 automatic rifle in the back of the vehicle, she was utterly speechless.
“Dan, how scared of dying are you?
Do you really think there’s anyone inside the cave you’ll need to shoot?” Rebecca chuckled softly.
“Maybe our young Chinese friend just lacks a sense of security in unfamiliar places.” Dan Lee spread his hands.
“Just in case.” Before the two leaders could say anything more, Holly mocked first.
“Cowardly behavior.” Dan Lee gave a low chuckle and said nothing.
There was no point in wasting words on a dead person.
Sam helped explain for him.
“No, Dan is just exploring for the first time, so he prepared a bit extra.
We should show a little understanding to a beginner.” Once she spoke up, no one else in the team pushed the matter.
Originally, everyone’s intended destination was the Boreham Caverns in Chattooga National Park in the Appalachian Mountains.
But Juno, feeling it wasn’t thrilling enough, thought: what was the point of exploring a cave that had already been surveyed?
So she had quietly changed their destination to an unexplored cave.
She hoped that after a successful expedition, the cave would be named after Sarah.
Her intention to help her friend Sarah step out of the dark shadow was good, but her actions were far too dangerous.
Juno had hidden it so well that no one had noticed, including Dan Lee.
After all, Dan Lee had only seen *The Descent* in his past life and didn’t know the exact coordinates or specific details.
So he initially assumed their destination really was Boreham Caverns in Chattooga National Park.
It was only when they got close and he looked out at the continuous mountain range in the distance that he realized something wasn’t right.
Before entering, there was a dirt trail covered in dead branches and fallen leaves.
Dan Lee studied the trees around the temporary cabin and the dead-silent mountain forest.
Everything was unnaturally primitive and quiet.
There wasn’t even the sound of birds chirping.
Was that normal?
Is this a fucking national park?
And they hadn’t even started heading up the mountain yet.
Just as Dan Lee was wondering if they had gone the wrong way, Sam walked over and said, “Dan, don’t worry.
We’re resting in the cabin for another day and heading into the mountains tomorrow morning.
It’s too late today, and there’s still a stretch to walk.” Dan Lee looked up at the darkening clouds overhead and said, “I just feel it’s a bit too quiet around here.” Sam thought the silence was completely normal and explained, “Very few people come here, so it’s normal for it to be quiet.
Don’t overthink it.
Get a good rest tonight so you’ll have the energy for tomorrow’s exploration.” Dan Lee gave a noncommittal hum, but in his heart, he knew he had come to the right place.