Chapter 59: Gaoji Academy (Part Twenty-Four)

Chapter 59: Gaoji Academy (Part Twenty-Four)

In a dark underground garage, Dou Siqi huddled behind an ancient, long-abandoned vehicle. Clenching his teeth, he tried to slow his breaths.

He bore no visible wounds, for before entering the underground garage, Dou Siqi had consumed the fourth vial of system elixir.

However, the absence of visible injuries did not mean he was entirely unscathed. His fingers were still slightly trembling, his body seemingly yet to recover from the agony of the earlier electrocution.

"Damn it..." he couldn't help but curse under his breath before promptly falling silent.

For he had heard footsteps once again.

Unlike the rhythmic 【thud, thud, thud】 of students' footsteps he had heard in the dormitory, the sounds pursuing Dou Siqi now were a cacophony of noises – a series of thuds, leaping noises, and the dull sound of something being dragged across the ground.

Dou Siqi knew all too well what they were.

At Gaoji Academy, everything revolved around students' academic performance; underachievers were driven to death by the teachers. But as Director Wei mentioned on their first day, with fifteen teachers and seven students dead, the mortality rate among the teachers seemed to be higher than that of the students.

However, while numerous dead student NPCs were seen in the student dormitories, only a few teacher NPCs were found in the staff quarters, with Xie Fangcheng noting that one could witness a teacher NPC dying each night, as if they were on a rotation.

So, the question arose: while the deceased students returned to the student dormitories, where did the dead teachers go?

Dou Siqi finally understood where these teachers ended up.

Beneath the villa area, the remains of these teachers lay buried.

Unlike the students who met their end by jumping off buildings, these teachers had met gruesome, varied fates. Some were like the students, having leapt to their deaths, their bodies grotesquely hopping around with half a skull beneath their feet; others had drowned, tied to large rocks by ropes around their waists; while some appeared to have been dismembered before death, their bodies crudely stitched back together postmortem...

The students of Gaoji Academy only resorted to suicide by jumping off buildings, but it seemed most of these teachers were victims of homicide.

Were they eliminated due to poor performance?

If so... would the players, too, be dispatched by the school if their performance was deemed unsatisfactory?

As these thoughts raced through Dou Siqi's mind, he readied himself to deploy his personal skill.

【Skill: Hey! Your Orbit!】

【Description: No, it's your Orbit.】

【Note: Although chewing gum is delightful, do not overindulge!】

【Effect: Upon activation, it materializes a red bubblegum bubble that envelopes you, causing anyone who sees it to perceive you as one of their own. But be wary, the bubble has limited oxygen supply, and is quite fragile, prone to popping upon contact!】

【Special Note: You've blown three bubbles today; please be mindful of your lung health!】

Although the system potion could heal physical injuries and restore stamina, it could not alleviate the suffocating sensation induced by excessive skill usage.

Dou Siqi took another deep breath.

【Snap】.

The garage lights flickered on.

A glaring white light poured down from above, drawing complaints from the bustling group of NPCs.

"Why turn on the light? It's not like we can't see without it."

"We might be able to see, but the guards can't, can they?"

"What's the deal with that teacher? How can he run so fast? Just wait till I catch him!"

"It's been ages since I've had some raw meat—"

"Teacher Dou, we even know your name now, come out quickly! What's there to run from?"

"Exactly, if you run away this time, it will be even worse the next!"

"Ah! I see you now!"

Dou Siqi's head jerked up abruptly.

A head was dangling from a selfie stick, extended from afar to hover over him.

Its eyes roved, gazing down at him from its elevated position.

Run!!

Without another word, Dou Siqi activated his speed-boosting skill, "Crazy Turtle", darting away swiftly on all fours.

In a one-on-one scenario, Dou Siqi wasn't actually afraid of these NPCs.

These NPCs weren't particularly strong; he could handle five or six of them on his own.

But... there were just too many.

The sheer number of NPCs—deformed and gruesomely dead on the ground—made Dou Siqi's escape quite challenging, as there was always the risk of a hand suddenly emerging from the ground to seize his ankle, no matter where he fled to.

If it weren't for their overwhelming numbers, Dou Siqi would have shaken them off long ago given his speed.

And it wasn't just these NPCs—

With a "bang", a bullet pierced the ground, grazed past Dou Siqi's ear, and punctured it cleanly.

Dou Siqi grunted softly, not turning his head as he continued to flee desperately.

It was the school's security guards.

Initially, these security guards had pursued Xie Fangcheng, but they ended up resembling clowns, either being thrown off the building by Xie Fangcheng or scurrying away in panic, shouting for their fathers and mothers, with players even spectating in the hallways.

Xie Fangcheng had handled it all with such effortless grace, it seemed too easy—back then, Dou Siqi thought that the NPCs of this school were just of that caliber.

It wasn't like that at all!

Only after truly engaging with these guards did Dou Siqi realize that these security personnel were operating at the level of a secondary dungeon.

The weapons in their hands were formidable, and it was exceedingly difficult to fully evade them even with a body that had been augmented several times by the system.

The reason they hadn't shot him yet seemed more akin to a cat toying with a mouse.

Despite the guards being evidently swift, they leisurely trailed alongside these teacher NPCs, indulging in the joy of the hunt.

"Oh dear, you missed, didn't you?"

From not too far behind him, Dou Siqi could hear the security guards conversing with his remaining right ear.

"What do you mean I missed? I aimed for his left ear on purpose! Don't believe me? Watch me target his right ear this time!"

Dou Siqi jerked violently to the left.

A bang resounded.

His left leg was pierced through by a bullet.

"Hahahahaha, oh, what an idiot, truly!"

"It's my turn now! Watch me aim for his right foot!"

Dou Siqi promptly exchanged for the fifth bottle of potion, forcefully pushed off the ground with his foot, and swiftly darted behind a car.

He took a deep, ragged breath, quickly gulped down the potion, and then his cheeks puffed up.

A transparent, pink bubble emerged from his mouth, resembling not bubble gum but rather the mucus found on the skin of certain marine fish, quickly enveloping him.

The position of this car was carefully chosen; while he appeared to be running haphazardly and in panic earlier, the NPCs were now dispersed around the garage. From behind this selected car, he could slip into a blind spot in the NPCs' vision, then silently blend into their midst...

And that was exactly what Dou Siqi did.

He quickly maneuvered within the NPCs' field of vision, swiftly relocating behind another car before slowly rising to his feet.

Unnoticed.

"Aaaaaah!!" an NPC screamed in rage, "It's all your fault! He's slipped away again!"

"He must still be in the garage, what's there to fear? Search faster!"

"Could he be hiding inside a car?"

As the NPCs searched, Dou Siqi pretended to join them, subtly moving towards the underground garage exit while appearing to look around.

His condition was not good.

During his earlier escape, he had narrowly managed to break out of the NPCs' encirclement, but at a tremendously painful cost.

It felt as if he had been nearly dismembered alive; the throbbing pain from the recent wounds was still faintly perceptible.

But no matter how dire his state... he couldn't afford to die in a place like this!

Dou Siqi was not particularly bright, but through his childhood, he demonstrated exceptional academic prowess. A decade of intensive studying eventually earned him a place at his dream university. While his roommates immersed themselves in video games and romance, Dou Siqi was either buried in laboratory experiments or immersed in the complex texts of his major at the library.

Ultimately, he successfully stayed on as a graduate student after completing his undergraduate studies.

Just as he was about to graduate and step into his dream job, he encountered a robbery on his way back to the dormitory — not targeting him, but a junior female student from his laboratory.

The robber didn't seem particularly robust. Had it been a burly man with an imposing presence, Dou Siqi would have retreated instantly, distancing himself from the danger before calling the police.

But the individual was rather slender, and it seemed not only was he intending to rob her, but he also tried to abduct the young woman... Dou Siqi couldn't stand by and rushed forward.

It was his one and only instance of reckless bravery in the face of justice.

He had hesitated before charging ahead: What if the assailant had a knife?

Yet, a louder voice within him seemed to caution: What if the junior student gets taken away by this person?

Wouldn't his conscience torment him?

But this question remained unanswered.

To his horror, Dou Siqi saw the slight robber pull out a knife.

He wanted to dodge — Dou Siqi wasn't the type to sacrifice himself for others. As long as his interests were not compromised, he was a generous and cheerful person, easy to get along with.

However, if his personal interests were threatened, Dou Siqi would not hesitate to refuse.

He deeply regretted his actions.

If given another chance, he would definitely turn and leave without a second thought.

The knife-wielding murderer slashed across his neck. Dou Siqi's vision darkened as he collapsed to the ground, limp.

The junior female student he had tried to help, in her naïve fear, didn't run away but threw herself protectively over him, shielding him like a fragile, soft eggshell.

... Run!

Dou Siqi wanted to scold her.

How foolish... to the point of death.

Did she believe that lying on top of him could save him? It wouldn't. The murderer would kill her too, without hesitation.

It would have been wiser to escape while he was being attacked, at least one life could have been saved; this would have been... the most rational choice in terms of self-preservation.

But at that moment, amidst the high-pitched screams from the junior, the tears mingling with the blood on his neck, and the soft, frail body shielding him... he experienced a clear yet strange sense of comfort.

If he could do it all over again...

Just one more chance.

...I definitely won't rush out again.

Dou Siqi thought so, unable to resist lifting his head slightly.

With utmost caution, he edged his way to the front row of vehicles; there were no NPCs behind him anymore, and the exit ramp of the garage was within sight.

These should be the only NPCs around, right?

His actual strength wasn't that great, but his speed was still quite remarkable.

If he could manage to escape, where should he go?

Perhaps... he should return to the staff dormitory?

He couldn't continue staying here at any rate; the sheer number of NPCs was terrifying. If he went back to the staff dormitory, he could seek refuge with Jie Fangcheng, offering all his points and items in exchange for protection.

At least that individual didn't seem to be someone who went back on their word. If he agreed, there might still be a chance for survival.

He had to survive and return!

After striving for so many years, how could he give up on a potentially bright future that was within his grasp?

As Dou Siqi pondered this, he prepared to take the first step onto the inclined ramp.

Just at that moment, a sharp pain erupted in his shoulder.

Dou Siqi slowly lowered his head.

A hand, as withered as that of a mummy, emerged through his shoulder, appearing before him with his flesh and blood clinging to it.

A raspy voice echoed from behind him.

"Teacher Dou, you've used this method twice already. Do you think— we are all fools?"

Dou Siqi stiffly turned his head.

Behind him, a group of NPCs stood silently, observing him. Under the ghastly light, their eyes resembled crafting knives, already plotting the division of every piece of flesh on his body.

A soft "thud" resonated.

Another hand pierced through his chest.

Dou Siqi violently coughed up a large mouthful of blood, his body swaying unsteadily.

He clutched a bottle of potion in his hand, intending to drink it, but the NPCs in front of him were closing in.

There's no time...

Dou Siqi trembled slightly, looking at the hand embedded in his chest with resentment.

To think he would die in a level two instance...

Just then, a bizarrely-shaped, tiger-headed broad axe plummeted from the sky, accurately smashing onto the head of an NPC in front of him.

The broad and thick blade lifted, splitting the NPC into two halves with a single strike.

Dou Siqi immediately seized the opportunity to gulp down a potion, briskly retreating two steps, only then turning around.

Under the moonlight, Zhao Zhe cursed with a gloomy face: "Damn it! Have I lost my mind... Just this once! I swear I won't save you next time!!"