Chapter 21: Blue Mountain Psychiatric Hospital (Part 21)

Chapter 21: Blue Mountain Psychiatric Hospital (Twenty-One)

In order to prevent the newcomers from picking up bad habits, Qi Chanyang hurriedly explained why they couldn't kill NPCs.

"Of course," Qi Chanyang paused, "the more critical reason is... most players simply cannot kill NPCs."

Qi Chanyang had cleared many instances, and he preferred not to engage with NPCs if possible. This was the first time he had encountered such fierce battles with NPCs right on the first day of entering an instance, witnessing NPCs being beaten to within an inch of their lives.

Even for a level one instance, there hasn't been any player known to start off by beating up NPCs!

Qi Chanyang couldn't help but glance again at the person standing beside him... No, Xie Fangcheng had already sat down, assuming that grandpa posture with a cane again, his eyes half-open and half-closed, as if he could doze off at any moment.

Was it this man who had been chasing NPCs all around the room?

Even having witnessed it firsthand, Qi Chanyang couldn't help but feel a surreal sense bubbling from within.

Seeing Xie Fangcheng yawning again, Qi Chanyang spoke up, "Maybe you should get some sleep."

Xie Fangcheng hesitated momentarily, "Would that be alright?"

Despite his words, he had already risen to his feet.

Qi Chanyang: "..."

He sighed, "Go ahead."

Without another word, Xie Fangcheng took two steps back to the bed, laid down on it, and covered himself with the blanket.

In what was initially a horrifying instance, his slumber somehow brought a sense of tranquil camping atmosphere to the others around him.

Xue Kai watched in a daze.

This young man seemed a bit naïve, pondering at this moment, "Could it be that the actual gameplay involves... overcoming all kinds of demons and monsters as long as one possesses a strong will?"

The other players also had enlightened expressions on their faces.

Qi Chanyang stopped him, "That's not how it works!"

Then Qi Chanyang began describing to everyone just how terrifying the usual instances were, how brutal the NPCs could be, and how unique this particular instance was.

Qi Chanyang spoke until his throat was parched, and everyone once again realized just how frightening this game truly was.

Seeing the group revert back to a state of tension mixed with a hint of fear, Qi Chanyang finally felt at ease.

As soon as he relaxed, he was struck dumb.

In the past, Qi Chanyang had only comforted players not to be afraid, but this was the first time he was afraid that the players were not scared at all, ready to mimic the act of thrashing NPCs.

What on earth was this?

He found himself caught between laughter and tears.

The group continued to search for clues in the reading room. The morning time flew by quickly, and soon, He Xin's face appeared at the doorway once again.

He peeked inside the reading room first.

Due to the obstruction of the bookshelves, He Xin could not see the bed.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then his eyes darted around, sweeping over each player's face, reverting to his previous predatory gaze.

But this time, the chicks who should have been trembling with fear stood still, some even whispering amongst themselves.

"I've always wanted to ask, why are their eyes so large?"

"I don't know. Given that they are subjects of human experimentation, could their eyes have been attached later?"

"Do you think they would hit me if I went to ask?"

"No, let Brother Xie ask! He has a knack for communication!"

"Hehehe—"

He Xin yelled in fury, "What are you all whispering about?!"

He had never encountered players as audacious as these!

These darned chicks!! They were doomed today!!!

Just then, a familiar voice tinged with drowsy confusion echoed.

"Hmm? What's happening?"

Subsequently, a head with messy, slept-on hair peeked out from behind a bookshelf.

Xie Fangcheng squinted his eyes, "Oh, Little He, what's the matter?"

He Xin retreated a big step back in fright.

Earlier during the consultation, He Xin stood by the door, and upon hearing a sound behind him, was immediately sent flying by a stick.

The person who hit him used this same tone!! It appeared as if they were quite familiar with him!! Addressing him as Little He, they instructed him to call upon all the patients in the reading room!!

——"Little He, can you please call them over?"

And it was a tone of negotiation at that! If it wasn't for the fact that the strike nearly had his eyeballs popping out, this scene would resemble nothing more than a ruthless boss asking an employee to work overtime.

But what kind of capitalist physically assaults people???

At the doorway, He Xin uttered a hurried "It's time for lunch" towards the inside, then turned and hurried away, his retreating figure a picture of utter disgrace.

Even the perpetually soft and weak Lu Xiaqin joined in, leaning over the doorway to witness the NPC fleeing in panic, excitement twinkling in her eyes.

Qi Chanyang felt that all the terrifying cases he had narrated were in vain.

This batch of newcomers was done for, witnessing the cruelty of a special player before experiencing the brutality of the game in their first instance.

At that moment, the finally awakened Xie Fangcheng curiously asked from behind, "What is everyone looking at?"

Qi Chanyang looked at him with resentment: "Witnessing the disaster you've created..."

.

At noon, an extra bowl of meatballs really was added.

Number Nine twisted his neck joyously, looking as if he was about to wrench his head off.

Xie Fangcheng intervened, "Hey hey hey, settle down, acting like you've never seen the world before. In the future, just mention what you want to eat, we can negotiate with them. They are quite reasonable, aren't they?"

Number Nine nodded non-stop, his neck resembling a spring, "Mmm... mmm..."

"Let's eat, let's eat."

Number Nine lowered his head and began to eat.

But the food intake of these patient NPCs seems to be fixed. The other NPCs didn't eat much of the meatballs, and the players themselves were somewhat resistant to the food in the instance. Only Xie Fangcheng took a few.

After finishing the meal, there were still some meatballs left in the bowl, and Number Nine seemed almost moved to tears in his urgency.

"Must... finish..."

"It's alright, if you can't finish it, we can ask the chef to save it for you. They can warm it up for you to continue eating tonight, how about that?"

Number Nine shook his head, "No... if not finished... will be put... in solitary confinement..."

"That won't happen."

While they were speaking, a kitchen NPC came to clear the utensils, noticing the leftover meatballs.

The NPC lifted their head to look at the circle of people around, and the mouth under the mask seemed to twitch: "We cannot waste food..."

Xie Fangcheng: "We won't waste it. Heat it up for us tonight, we will still eat it."

"That's not allowed..."

Before the words were fully out, Xie Fangcheng drew out his stick and slammed it on the table: "What did you say?"

The NPC trembled, silently taking away the bowl with the unfinished meatballs.

As he left, Qi Chanyang noticed something in his pocket that seemed to be fluttering its wings slightly.

Qi Chanyang pondered briefly and figured it out.

That day when he hid in the kitchen, he saw many bats on the ceiling, and one of the bats even lost an eyeball.

Now it seems that these NPCs in the kitchen are composed of bats.

As to why they transformed into bats and hid on the ceiling that day...

Qi Chanyang's gaze once again landed on Xie Fangcheng's stick.

... Truly a sin.

The lunch break follows the conclusion of lunchtime.

Han Qi makes another appearance.

He had changed into a clean white lab coat and stood at a distance at the cafeteria entrance, his eyes sweeping over the players' faces.

For some reason, his mood seemed to have greatly improved.

"The nap time has arrived," Han Qi announced, the mouths on his body couldn't help but curl into subtle smiles, "Everyone should attend their consultations diligently every day. If the treatments are interrupted due to the disturbances caused by a few patients, it might exacerbate the hysteria, you know."

After he finished speaking, Xie Fangcheng stood up abruptly, grabbing his stick and rushed to the entrance of the cafeteria within a few steps.

It was like a drop of water hitting a hot oil pan, instantly, all the NPCs capable of running scattered. Han Qi ran the fastest, even sparing the effort to glance back in horror, while He Xin lost a shoe in his flight.

Those who couldn't run, like the kitchen NPCs, transformed into little bats and flitted up to stick to the ceiling swiftly.

Qi Chanyang quickly stood up too, "What's the matter? Did you detect any issues?"

Xie Fangcheng shook his head: "No."

"? Then why did you suddenly rush over like that?"

Xie Fangcheng: "I just don't like the look of him, wanted to give him a scare."

Qi Chanyang: "..."

Xie Fangcheng hoisted his stick onto his shoulder: "Let's go, time for a nap!"

Only after the nap time ended did Qi Chanyang understand the meaning behind Han Qi's words.

"The three of you... Can't you see this line of blood-red text?" Lu Xiaoqin held a newspaper, pointing to the last page, "It's written right here, 'Do not trust anyone.'"