SWBG - Chapter 9

After using the [Elderwood Brand Bandage], Gu Jing Sheng's wounds continued healing over time. It still ached slightly when Old Ivan began speaking, but by the time he finally stopped, all visible injuries had completely recovered.

The pony began pulling the carriage forward, and the scenery outside the window seemed layered with gray shadows. In the distance, trees and hills merged into irregular black masses.

Not a single light could be seen near or far. The countryside was beautiful by day, but at night, as the sunset silently vanished—leaving only a dim, funeral-candle-like orange glow on the mountains—it became chillingly eerie.

Perhaps due to using [The Great Detective's Friend], Gu Jing Sheng suddenly recalled a line from Sherlock Holmes:

"The lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside."

The return journey was quieter than the trip out. The participants sat in silence—some gazing outside, some meditating, others simply spacing out—with You Yi Ming's labored breathing being the most noticeable sound.

The carriage slowed to a stop before a farmstead—Gu Jing Sheng's first encounter with NPCs besides Old Ivan since entering the instance. There were apron-clad women, disheveled young men, elderly folk smoking pipes on the steps, all mingling with the stench of cheap beer and poultry droppings into an indescribably foul odor.

Before disembarking, He Suo Wen once again verified the time with others—apparently someone who paid meticulous attention to game details.

"Six o'clock sharp."

This time, Liu Han Ru answered him.

Ma Cong glared at Liu Han Ru, clearly displeased at having his chance to curry favor stolen.

Old Ivan's residence stood at the farm's center. Led by him, the players filed into the dining room where a short candle burned on the central wooden table, with plates already set.

Gu Jing Sheng casually took a seat, only realizing after five seconds of locked eyes with Yao Ruo Ling that she'd accidentally inserted herself between the four members of Team 07796.

"You all want to sit together? I'll move over then..."

Before Yao Ruo Ling could speak, Ma Cong hastily declined: "No need, I'll just sit next to Brother He."

He Suo Wen smiled noncommittally while Yao Ruo Ling frowned slightly and said flatly, "Suit yourself."

With no objections and no seat assignments tied to player IDs, Gu Jing Sheng—who'd barely lifted off her chair—settled back down.

While waiting for food, Gu Jing Sheng glanced at her prehistoric-quality utensils, then tapped Old Ivan's gleaming silverware, understanding what "differential treatment" meant.

Five minutes later, the serving NPC appeared—wearing a tall, grease-stained chef's hat, standing 20 centimeters shorter than even petite Cao Wan Yan, yet with grotesquely thick limbs. His ten stubby brown fingers clutching the bread basket resembled fat little carrots.

[From: Happy Board Games

A full day's work has left you starving. Fortunately, generous Old Ivan has decided to let his distant helpers join him in savoring Chef Sam's culinary skills.]

The chef NPC distributed equal portions of food and water into each player's tableware.

Though not particularly picky, reality spared Gu Jing Sheng from testing her stomach's limits—without the game's kind reminder, she might've thought the NPC had served literal rocks from the fields.

Old Ivan's dinner differed from the players', but Gu Jing Sheng felt no envy—his plate contained a bloody slab of raw meat seasoned with spices and sauce.

The meat emitted a pungent, fishy stench.

Before the meal, Old Ivan's gaze lingered on each player as he grinned soundlessly—Gu Jing Sheng nearly glimpsed his sharp teeth through the thick beard, no easy feat.

The players ate in their own worlds—audibly so, though one couldn't blame them. Whether smashing black bread against the table or chipping fragments off with utensils, neither task could be done quietly.

After a futile battle with the bread, Gu Jing Sheng opted for water instead. If truly starving, she'd try her artifact for more digestible contents. She had no doubt that relying solely on NPC food—despite her iron stomach that conquered street stalls—would spell her Waterloo in this instance.

Yao Ruo Ling and He Nan clearly carried some food—ordinary items without buffs/debuffs could easily be brought into instances without using card slots.

The baby-faced man also only drank water, showing zero interest in bread darker than campus cafeteria offerings.

He Suo Wen's demeanor best fit the setting—somehow strong enough to tear the bread unaided, soaking pieces in water before eating them delicately with perfect manners.

After 45 minutes, a satiated Old Ivan lounged back, patting his belly and emitting a bloody, fishy burp: "Follow me, lazy parasites. Though you failed your tasks, kind Old Ivan still grants you lodging in his cabins."

The cabins stood separate from the main house at considerable intervals, with each player receiving keys to their assigned lodgings.

Timid Cao Wan Yan gathered courage to ask: "Can we...can we share a room tonight?"

Old Ivan slowly turned his gaze—icy and fixed on Cao Wan Yan—his eyes glinting cunningly beneath facial hair: "Old Ivan is a fair farmer. Old Ivan won't interfere with helpers' nighttime activities."

Despite the affirmative answer, Cao Wan Yan shuddered involuntarily.

After distributing the last key, Old Ivan cheerfully departed, leaving the players behind.

You Yi Ming slurred: "We... night..."

His swollen neck rendered speech nearly unintelligible.

Yao Ruo Ling pondered: "Rules vary across games. I'm unsure if crowding together violates them."

He Nan added: "But Old Ivan said he wouldn't interfere, so it's probably fine."

Gu Jing Sheng cautioned: "NPCs aren't necessarily benevolent."

He Nan smiled: "True, but they must follow game rules too. Randomly harming players would prevent clearing the instance."

Shang the baby-face scoffed, clearly implying "if rules could be broken, it's unclear who'd get eliminated."

Having entered solo, Gu Jing Sheng cared little whether others chose solitude or group activities. Pocketing her key and bidding temporary teammates farewell, she headed to her assigned cabin.

The nearest cabins belonged to the baby-face and Cao Wan Yan.

The cramped cabin surprisingly included a sink and toilet, sparing Gu Jing Sheng difficult choices between privacy and bodily needs.

Though the current time was early for her usual bedtime—which was normally spent gaming, browsing social media, and watching updates—the offline phone forced Gu Jing Sheng to retire early. This marked her first sleep since starting the Board challenges.

She had no doubts about sleeping after the day's labor, but expected some tossing and turning—instead, darkness brought instant slumber.

Upon awakening, dim morning light filtered gently through what appeared to be ancient unwashed curtains.

A serene morning.

Clutching two still-warm sandwiches from her pot, Gu Jing Sheng wept with joy—among her many generational flaws was skipping breakfast, a habit broken thanks to last night's memorable meal.

With her stomach appeased, Gu Jing Sheng drew the curtains to survey outside—only to freeze upon spotting a familiar participant.

Cao Wan Yan laying in a haystack.

The previously weeping girl stared blankly, her head at an unnatural angle, limbs stiff. A gaping hole in her abdomen revealed missing organs, with long-cold blood congealed into ominous black-red splatters.

Author's Note:

From Sherlock Holmes' "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches."

What do you guys think happened to her?