SWBG - Chapter 13

Gu Jing Sheng wasn't overly concerned about the verification results. Even without the luck bonus from [Detective's Friend], guessing correctly was highly probable. As long as her temporary teammates' luck wasn't catastrophically bad, she was confident they'd solve everything at once.

When Old Ivan came to fetch them in the afternoon, he gave his responses about the fruit basket colors.

Those guessing No.5 as cyan and white both received negative answers. No.7 was cyan, No.9 was neither cyan nor orange, while No.10 was orange.

The inevitable scolding arrived right on schedule, even though two participants had matched the correct colors this time.

To Old Ivan, these damned helpers were useless as always. But for players who'd adopted Gu Jing Sheng's verification approach, everything became crystal clear.

By elimination: No.5 couldn't be orange, nor cyan or white—only red remained. Similarly, white must be No.9.

You Yi Ming grew excited: "As long as we survive tonight, tomorrow we can return to our own rooms!"

As the sole surviving reserve player, Wang Meng Yuan asked: "Once the instant is completed, can we return immediately?"

Though officially qualified but never having entered an instance before, Gu Jing Sheng also secretly perked up her ears.

You Yi Ming: "Whenever you wish. If you want to linger and enjoy the rural scenery, that's optional too."

Wang Meng Yuan, whose entire white-collar demeanor screamed office worker, inhaled deeply and said earnestly: "Nature's nice, but I miss modern technology more."

Gu Jing Sheng suggested: "Since it's the last night, why don't we all stay together to avoid accidents?"

He Suo Wen smiled with unfocused eyes: "Good suggestion, but whose room? Miss Cheng surely isn't proposing we stay in yours?"

Though Gu Jing Sheng had turned the tide in color identification, no one knew whether leaving assigned cabins violated instance rules.

Since challenged, Gu Jing Sheng said no more, shrugging: "Just a suggestion. No need to dwell on it, Mr. He."

Wang Meng Yuan looked around, his briefly relaxed mood growing tense again.

Dinner proceeded exactly like the first day—only with three fewer people. Even the black bread's rock-hard texture remained unchanged. You Yi Ming struggled to tap his portion with utensils, gaze drifting toward Old Ivan's pungent steak—were it not their final night, he might've begged the NPC for a share.

Dinner ended amidst chewing and tapping sounds. Gu Jing Sheng returned to her cabin, pausing at the door to survey the surroundings.

Night had barely fallen, yet the darkness was already oppressive. Though a small candle burned inside, its feeble glow couldn't penetrate the heavy curtains.

Good night.

Gu Jing Sheng silently bid her companions.

Perhaps growing accustomed to the instance's rhythm, Gu Jing Sheng tossed herself on the hard, cold bed—true to her living habits—before finally drifting off. Some indeterminate time later, she abruptly sat upright.

Gasping at the bedside, she touched her back—already clammy from nightmares. A cold draft made her shiver violently.

She fumbled to close the window, preventing intermittent gusts from layering physical chill atop psychological nightmare damage.

Her body heat nearly depleted, Gu Jing Sheng burrowed into the inadequate blanket—she had some theories about the instance's incidents, but certain questions required daylight for verification.

Morning arrived after one blink. As Gu Jing Sheng shuffled to splash water on her face, a realization struck:

—She hadn't opened the window before bed.

"..."

Frozen stiff, she mechanically approached the window she'd closed.

On the sill lay scattered gray coarse hairs and—

Bloody beastly paw prints.

Chill enveloped her as sweat trickled down her neck.

—Were it not for her luck buff's accompanying the idiocy effect, she'd have noticed the anomaly when her nightmare woke her—likely leading to fatal boss aggro.

Having narrowly avoided disaster, Gu Jing Sheng went to regroup with others—only to find a white note neatly placed outside her door.

The handwriting was hurried:

[Miss Cheng:

Participant corpse discovered at 3:31 AM.

Exercise extreme caution.

If possible, gather at the main house by 4:30.

He.]

Reading each word, Gu Jing Sheng's gaze flickered.

She knew what to do next.

Yao Ruo Ling awoke freezing. Unable to fall back asleep as dawn approached, she went to regroup.

As 07796's rookie guide, she first sought You Yi Ming.

You's ajar door seemed ominous. Yao could've pretended it was rookie carelessness—until crimson liquid seeped through the gap destroyed that delusion.

Yao instinctively retreated, tripping over a stone and losing balance.

Warm hands caught her from behind.

"Miss Yao, what happened here?"

He Suo Wen's voice remained gentle, if slightly confused.

Yao clutched his arm, her voice sharpening: "There's blood in You Yi Ming's room!"

He softened his tone further, as if handling fragile nerves: "Don't worry—daylight means safety." Pausing awkwardly: "It is daylight now, yes?"

Yao nodded: "Yes, yes it is."

—Right, daytime was safe. No incidents had occurred after dawn.

He's voice held faint amusement: "I regret Mr. You's fate too. But fortunately, we've identified all the tree colors—we'll clear the instance by sunset at latest."

Yao exhaled: "You're right."

He politely pushed the door open with his cane: "I'll examine Mr. You's condition. Miss Yao may wait outside if uncomfortable."

Reluctant to let a blind man investigate alone—and possessing extra escape measures—Yao suppressed her unease and followed.

You's head hung inverted 180 degrees against his chest, eyes grotesquely bulging, half a bloody tongue lolling out.

Like previous victims, his abdomen had been torn open and hollowed, fluids saturating the floorboards.

One glance was all Yao could bear.

He tapped the corpse with his cane: "Rigor mortis suggests death around three hours ago." Then asked Yao: "Current time?"

Yao checked her phone: "3:31 AM."

He nodded, smiling: "As suspected—danger only comes at night."

Yao tried to relax, but something felt off. She forced herself to focus on the game: "What now?"

He countered: "Depends whether Miss Yao prefers caution or initiative."

Yao: "Meaning?"

Almost shyly, He admitted: "I've long suspected Mr. Shang. If we restrain him, we might boost our completion rating."

Merely solving the color puzzle was normal clearance—Yao understood veterans like He pursued higher achievements.

Yao smiled: "Do you have a plan, Mr. He?"

He nodded: "I brought an item that may help."

Materializing it onto Yao's palm without hesitation, he demonstrated perfect gentlemanly trust.

"Feel free to examine it—I'll need your assistance shortly."

[Mechanical Infection: After losing both family and students, Dr. ▇▇ began replacing human parts with machinery.

A sudden fire destroyed his lab—only a charred wrench remained, exhibiting biological properties. Fortunately, safe containment was discovered.

"You may take it, but avoid direct contact—or release it before full infection."

Rating: ★★★★★★★★

Note: Try oiling your joints for enhanced flexibility.]

Yao skimmed the description distractedly.

She'd forgotten something crucial—in You's room, something had felt profoundly off. Glancing back at the corpse, realization struck:

The anomaly wasn't the room, but...

"Click."

A nerve-jarring sound from below shocked Yao awake. Her pupils contracted as she stiffly looked down.

"..."

False alarm.

Yao chided herself for paranoia—nothing was amiss. Just a loose screw from her neck.

Who do you think did it?