[Welcome to our company's products. Scanning has begun, please wait for a moment.]
[Scanning completed. Confirmed citizen ID: SH13 * * * 313. Name: Feng Bujue. Access device: NL2055 Deluxe Single Player Gaming Pod. No abnormal external hardware detected. Heart and lung functions are normal. Neural connection program is ready. Please select the type of access.]
[Access type is non-sleeping mode. Adjusting … Adjusting complete. Please confirm to load the game or return to the superior option.]
[Program started. Loading the game in ten seconds …]
After a series of familiar system voices, Feng Bujue arrived at the log-in lobby of the game.
It was three o 'clock in the afternoon on November 23rd.
Brother Jue logged in as soon as the server was turned on.
He was the only one in the entire Underworld Frontline team who logged in at this time. The others were busy during the day.
Of course, Feng Bujue was also very busy. It was just that … he was not in the mood to write for the past two days. Therefore, he put his energy elsewhere.
It had been two days since Ruo Yu left. In these two days, Brother Jue and Ruo Yu did not contact each other even once. Xiao Tan, Xiao Ling, and Miss An … seemed to be deliberately avoiding the two of them. It seemed that … they already knew about this.
Yesterday afternoon, the moving company moved the gaming pod that Ruo Yu left at Brother Jue's house. Feng Bujue did not say anything. He just cooperated with them to complete the task.
Arthas did not leave anything behind. After all, this cat spent most of its time eating on the table and knew how to use the human toilet.
In short, in just two days, Feng Bujue returned to his previous state of living alone.
He comforted himself that … he did not have to sleep on the sofa and gaming pod anymore. He could finally go back to his own room. He did not have to share the toilet with others. He did not have to cook and clean every day. Finally … he was so free again.
Was he free?
Maybe.
Was he lonely?
He did not feel that way before, but now … maybe.
[The limited time trial has begun. You have 47: 59: 30 remaining gaming time.]
When Feng Bujue walked in front of the touch screen, this notification sounded first.
Then, another sentence came: [You have obtained the right to choose a new title. You can choose to adopt all the titles you have used before or keep your current title.]
Before he finished speaking, a game menu automatically popped up in front of Brother Jue. On the menu, there was a row of titles that Brother Jue had used before, including [Cold-blooded Headcracker], [Unpredictable Fanatic], [Plot Explorer], [Vanguard of Darkness], [Hate Gatherer], and the title he was currently using, [Sly Schemes]. Other than that, there was a "pending" option, which meant that he didn't have to choose immediately. He could consider it later. After all, he could keep this option for twenty-four hours.
"Hmm … The game menu has been upgraded as well …" Feng Bujue mumbled to himself as he moved his gaze. When he moved his focus to a certain title, a small window would open next to the title, and it would list the abilities of the title as well as a detailed description.
Brother Jue did not look at each option in detail because he remembered the abilities of these titles very clearly. Therefore, without hesitation, he chose the title, Vanguard of Darkness.
"You have chosen — Vanguard of Darkness." The next second, the announcement came again, and Brother Jue was presented with the options of 'Confirm' and 'Cancel'.
After confirming, his title changed instantly, and the system said, "Your title has been changed."
After that, Feng Bujue's expression did not change much. He turned his gaze rather woodenly to the touch screen and prepared to join the queue.
Normally, Brother Jue would have gone to the storage room to prepare or to deal with the mail like he usually did, but today … he was not in the mood.
There was only one thing he wanted to do — throw himself into the Solo Nightmare scenario and focus on the plot and puzzles. That was better than letting his mind wander and adding to his worries.
"Feng Bujue, Level 50
"Please select the game mode that you wish to join.
"You have chosen Solo Survival Mode (Nightmare), please confirm.
"Confirmed, generating scenario …"
"Downloading, please wait a moment."
At that point, Feng Bujue had lost control of his body, and the teleportation had started.
"Welcome to … Thriller Paradise …" Then, a young man's hoarse voice entered his ears.
[Download complete. You are currently in Solo Survival Mode (Nightmare).]
"A scenario introduction is provided in this mode, and there is a chance of triggering hidden side missions and special world-building.
"Reward for clearing the scenario: Randomly draw four puzzle cards.
"The scenario introduction will be played soon. The game will start immediately after that."
Creak! Creak!
Following the sound of a metal door being pushed open, the introductory cinematic started.
A corridor appeared before Feng Bujue's eyes. The corridor was made from cement, and the color was gray. Above it was a row of white, old-looking chandeliers.
"Ha … Phew …" Then, heavy breathing drifted into Brother Jue's ears.
At the same time, the camera started to move forward at a slow, undulating speed.
At this point, Feng Bujue could confirm that he was watching the cinematic from the perspective of a character in a scenario, and the breathing that he heard was the voice of this character.
"In the 1940s, a top secret experiment project was carried out in an underground lab."
"The 1940s …" Feng Bujue's mind raced. "The Manhattan Project? Japan's Unit 731? Or one of the many experiments of a certain German Chancellor? "
"A group of scientists from the former Soviet Union decided to conduct an experiment on how humans would react to sleep deprivation."
"Oh …" Once the narration finished, Feng Bujue understood. "The former Soviet Union's sleep experiment."
Brother Jue knew a thing or two about this' former Soviet Union's sleep experiment ', but it was hard to tell how the scenario generated by Thriller Paradise would turn out, so Feng Bujue paid close attention to the narration.
"They chose five political war criminals from World War II as their test subjects.
"These people were told that as long as they could stay awake for thirty days, they would gain their freedom …"
Clang!
Suddenly, the sound of metal clashing came from behind the camera.
Almost at the same time, the camera turned 180 degrees, but in the picture … there was still only a gray corridor, and there was no one there.
"Ha … Ha …" The breathing became more urgent. It was clear that the main character of the cinematic was very afraid. Even though he turned back to confirm that he did not see anything, he still picked up his pace.
"They were trapped inside a hidden room, and there was a constant presence of gas inside the room that could keep them excited.
The scientists communicated with them through a hanging window and a microphone. "
Dong dong dong!
Two seconds later, there was another strange sound. This time, it sounded like footsteps.
"Oh … God … Please …" The man who was leading the cinematic from the first person perspective mumbled a line in a very soft voice and started to run forward.
"They were provided with food that could last them for a month, some books, running water, toilets, and several beds.
Just like that, the experiment began … "
"Ha … Ha … I'm almost there … I'm almost there! You can do it, Andre … You won't die here … "Andre introduced himself as he staggered to the corner ahead.
Then …
"Ah!"
The moment the scream left his mouth, the cinematic shook violently, and the lights in the corridor disappeared.
Then, in the oppressive darkness, a mummified face flashed across the camera. He … or rather, 'it' had an excited smile on his face.
After this fleeting but hair-raising scene, the introduction came to an end.
This meant that … the scenario had begun.
"Main mission has been triggered."
The system notification came quickly. The moment Feng Bujue regained control of his body, the system notification appeared in his ears.
It took less than a second for him to confirm the following things.
First, his inventory and skill bar were locked, and he could not use his Sorcery Weapon.
Second, his physical fitness was no different from a normal person's. The buffs from his equipment were no longer effective, and his vision was sealed.
Third, the content of the mission was — Escape from the experimental base.
"I can't see anything …" The second after he regained his consciousness, Feng Bujue reached out to touch the ground around him.
At that moment, he was sitting with his back against the wall. Based on the feeling that came from his hands, he should be sitting on the cement floor.
There was only darkness before his eyes, and he could not even see his own fingers. As an experienced player of Thriller Paradise, Feng Bujue knew very well that … under such conditions, there was a high chance that he would have something like a flashlight lying around him.
Pa!
Five seconds later, Brother Bujue did feel something on the ground not far away from his right — a cold hand.
Imagine a person who, after watching a first-person horror video, was immediately thrown into a dark and unfamiliar environment, and conveniently touched a cold hand on the ground … If you were such a person, how would you react at this moment?
In any case, Feng Bujue's reaction was to follow the hand and continue to feel.
Soon, he felt the sleeves, the collar, and the sticky liquid … He did not know what this liquid was, but he was sure it was not blood, because this thing did not have the smell of blood, and did not have that kind of stickiness.
Brother Bujue did not stop because of the disgusting feeling. He continued to feel down. Several seconds later, he realized that the person was wearing a shirt without pockets. It felt like a long johns, but it was thicker than a normal long johns.
"A restraining suit for a mental patient?" When Brother Bujue touched the waist, he came up with this speculation.
He was very fast. In less than five seconds, he found the belt and buckle at the back of the clothes, confirming his theory. He also found that … the person he was touching, the right foot and head were gone. Furthermore, the shape of the two wounds was a bit strange. It was not easy to determine by touching. He had to think of a way to "see" it.
"There's nothing …" After searching the body and the one meter radius around it, Feng Bujue still could not find any light source. In fact, other than the unknown liquid on his hand, he did not find anything … and that disappointed him.
However, Brother Jue did not think that this was strange. After all, it was Nightmare mode … and it was unreasonable.
"If it's not around me, then I'll have to expand the search area …" Feng Bujue thought to himself as he stood up and used the wall beside him to support himself. "To find out the general size of this space, the most efficient way is undoubtedly to shout, but if I do that … there's an 80 to 90 percent chance that I'll attract the attention of the monsters."
Brother Jue had been paying attention to the 'sound' part. From the moment he regained his mobility until now, he had tried his best to remain silent. Not only was he quiet when he was searching the body, he even controlled his breathing. Therefore, he would not choose to shout.
"Let's search along the wall …" After thinking for a few seconds, Feng Bujue came to this decision.
At this time, most people would choose to search from the left side because the human subconscious would think that 'staying away from the body means staying away from danger'. However, Brother Jue was different. He stepped over the body and walked along the wall on the right side.
In the end, after walking for about three meters, he touched something on the wall …
"A switch?" It was a typical concave light switch, and it was obvious with one touch. But at that moment, Feng Bujue hesitated because his experience and instinct told him, "What will happen when I turn it on?"
Of course, even if he knew this, there was no reason not to turn the switch on.
Two seconds later, Feng Bujue adjusted his posture and breathing slightly so that he was leaning against the wall. Then … he turned the switch up.
Buzz —
Following the sound of the switch, a white light came on.
What entered Feng Bujue's sight was a square room about eight meters long, and the source of light came from a light bulb at the top of the room.
The room was almost empty. The only exit was a metal door. The door was right next to the light switch. If Feng Bujue took two more steps forward, he would be able to touch the door frame.
Other than that … even though there were no windows in the room, there was a mirror on the wall opposite from Feng Bujue.
It was a large mirror that was two meters wide and one meter tall. The mirror was embedded in the cement wall, and the bottom of the mirror was about one meter above the ground.
For some reason, when Feng Bujue's eyes met the mirror, he had a feeling that at this moment, on the other side of the mirror, someone … or rather, something … was looking at him.
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