Chapter 40

Chapter 40

At this moment, Lann, one of the chess players, was idly browsing player forums in the solitary confinement room, curious about what the players were up to.

Undoubtedly, the most crucial theme in the game now was the main quest initiated by Lann. Numerous players had begun an extensive search in Arkham, but unfortunately, after the initial wave of benefits, the efficiency of players finding magical nodes was evidently declining.

Many players, after searching for a long time and finding nothing, couldn't help but go online to complain on the forums.

This was a clear signal that the foreigners had begun to hide the nodes in more concealed places.

In Lann's plan, the steps to thwart the foreigners' conspiracy included dismantling the magical arrays they had set up around the city. Although he couldn't quite remember what these arrays were for, anything prepared by the enemy was certainly to be destroyed.

The second focus was the hospital. Lann had a clearer memory of the events at the hospital, where, in a past life, Druid entered the nocturnal hospital and uncovered its hidden conspiracy, only to fail at the last moment.

The reason for the failure was likely due to insufficient time. As is well-known in the Clarkean world, orchestrating certain events often correlates with celestial phenomena, such as eclipses, starless nights, and other specific atmospheric conditions.

Lann had checked the weather forecast earlier, and there was indeed a special lunar eclipse coming up in three days.

The timing matched perfectly. Without surprises, in three days, the fate of Arkham would be decided.

Yet Lann's initially anxious and uneasy mood had now settled into calm.

At least he had done what he could and achieved some results.

Although the current situation was frustrating, he realized that even if he managed to escape Arkham, there was no guarantee of evading the forces that could instantly transport him from a psychotherapy room to this place.

Lann dispelled his last hopes of a lucky escape, forcing himself to face reality. Alright, it was time to seriously consider how to break the deadlock.

First and foremost, his greatest advantage now lay in the intelligence and information he possessed. Thanks to Carmen's memory potion, he was not utterly helpless regarding this mysterious hospital. At the very least, he knew the intelligence that Druid had initially discovered.

So, what he needed to do now was actually quite simple.

Find a way to contact Druid and share this intelligence with him.

This intelligence, which had cost players a lot of time to uncover, represented their most valuable time.

He needed to figure out a way to convey it to Druid.

Lann lowered his gaze, pondering how to proceed. Trapped in this ward and unable to move, his only means of sending a message would be through someone else.

The candidate for bribery?

Lann patiently waited for an opportunity. There should be orderlies on duty on the third floor. Soon enough, a nurse on duty did arrive.

And it was someone he knew.

The sight of the massive figure at the end of the corridor genuinely startled Lann.

It was Anita.

After a long time apart, her frame was still robust, even more obese, her skin stretched taut to the point where veins and fat were nearly visible. Her steps seemed to make the corridor tremble.

Wasn't she a nurse in the residential building? Why was she here?

Anita, with her heavy steps, reached the third floor, pushing a cart filled with medications and food, then began entering the wards one by one.

Lann's confusion was soon clarified. As soon as the door to the first ward on the third floor opened, blood-red tendrils, like vines, wrapped around Anita's arm. She shook them off and stamped on them, cursing loudly while pulling a hammer from her cart to smash at the tendrils.

After several forceful swings of the hammer, reducing the tendrils to a pulp, the presence in the ward became significantly more subdued. Only then did Anita, still cursing, take out a large portion of lasagna and medication from the cart, tossing them directly into the ward without entering.

Witnessing this scene, Lann felt that if he were a player right now, he should immediately undergo a sanity check.

Anita continued pushing her cart to the next ward, each one opening as if it were unleashing a seal or a gateway to hell. Lann even glimpsed a creature resembling the 'Shuggoth' from the clan, but no matter how raucous the 'patients' inside, they were all brutally subdued by the mountainous butcher, leaving Lann astonished.

What kind of monsters were locked on the same floor as him? Why was he here? He shouldn't be here, should he?

As Lann questioned his existence, Anita's cart of food and medicines gradually emptied, finally reaching the innermost ward.

"Mr. Lann."

Anita pushed the cart to the door of the ward, her terrifying face suddenly breaking into an infatuated smile.

Lann took a deep breath, knowing his opportunity had arrived.

Opening his eyes, he pretended to have just noticed Anita, smiling, "Is that you, Anita? Long time no see."

Lann, still in his straitjacket, sat upright. The wide sleeves enveloped his slender wrists, and golden chains snaked out from within, making him appear like a prisoner, yet as elegant and composed as a king.

"It's been a long time, Mr. Lann."

"How come you're here, Anita? I remember your station being in the residential building."

"They needed more hands here, many people have resigned recently, so I was temporarily assigned to patrol this area," Anita responded readily.

"Is that so," Lann feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow, "Why so many resignations recently?"

"Because the new director is a greedy fool!" Anita blurted out, then quickly realized her indiscretion, looking nervously around to see if any doctors or other staff had heard her.

"The new director..." Lann thought of the white-haired Soren, the man targeting him, but quickly realized Anita was referring to the real director, replaced by Soren.

Lann was aware of the information about this scenario. In a nutshell, the druid from the past life had investigated the night-time hospital, only to discover a strange patient who consistently claimed to be the director of Arkham Hospital. Eventually, it was revealed that he indeed was the director, and the current imposter was the leader of a cult, intending to use the hospital to open the 'Gates of Hell'.

Of course, they all now knew that this 'Gates of Hell' was actually the gateway to the world of dreams.

During this process, Druid received assistance from a mysterious investigator who had been covertly stationed in the hospital. He finally learned about the exotic religious organization of foreigners and desperately sought evidence to dethrone the impostor director.

However, when he found the evidence, he realized that even if they proved the current director was a fraud, there was no way to overthrow him.

Because everyone in the hospital refused to acknowledge the original director.

It was because...

A sudden realization flashed through Lann's mind: "He's been exploiting the medical system for his own gain, quietly accruing certain dubious benefits, blackmailing the doctors into silence, right?"

Anita's mouth fell open in shock, stammering, "How... how did you know!?"

Of course, it was because he had the script. But naturally, that was something he couldn't reveal.

Lann gave a slight smile, his gaze intently fixed on Anita: "Because I've always been paying attention to you all."

"Is that true?" Anita murmured, a fervent joy emerging in her eyes.

"Of course, I am grateful for the care I received during my hospitalization, and even after leaving, I haven't forgotten about this place for a moment..."

Well, he had never forgotten the shadows this hospital had cast upon him.

Lann knew the advantages of his appearance and voice and never hesitated to use them. He adjusted his tone slightly: "Anita..."

Anita shuddered, her ears turning pink.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Of course!" The blonde nurse replied almost without thinking.

A glint of amusement appeared in Lann's eyes as he continued: "I need you to contact someone for me, pass a note to him. You should have seen a similar face."

He thought this request should be straightforward, but the blonde nurse lowered her head, her body trembling.

"Are you planning to leave us again?"

Huh?

"Are you planning to meet with that rat and then leave this place again?" The blonde nurse raised her head, her small eyes flashing with a fierce cold light, "Indeed, he was right. The best thing is to lock you up, no, to stuff you inside me. Yes, only then can I ensure you're mine alone."

With that, she actually opened the door. Damn it, the doors in the psychiatric treatment area were different from the residential building, allowing the nurses to open them at will!

The massive form of the flesh mountain butcher squeezed into the solitary room, causing Lann's pupils to contract slightly. In that instant, he seemed to smell the pungent scent of death, uncontrollably recalling the sight of a patient in the next room being extracted and devoured.

His breathing grew heavier. Bound to the bed and unable to move, the blonde nurse approached step by step, her mouth agape like a crocodile's.

He had to do something!

Lann clenched his eyes shut, then reopened them with a cold indifference: "Are you sure?"

"Are you going to defy the director's orders?"

Anita stopped in her tracks, a flicker of fear in her eyes.

Seeing this, Lann breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he had guessed correctly.

If Soren Hog wanted him dead, it would be easy while Lann was in the hospital with his powers sealed. The only explanation was that Lann was still useful to Hog, at least for now.

This was the boldness behind his risky move, as the director seemingly held the highest authority in this hospital.

However, what Lann didn't expect was that Anita hesitated only for a moment before her expression turned vicious: "The director isn't here right now, and he can't come back in time. If I can keep you all to myself and prevent you from leaving, then any punishment is worth it!"

Saying this, Anita stepped forward, her fan-sized hand grabbing Lann. Her mouth opened wide enough to swallow him whole, her small eyes fixating on him.

Lann instinctively wanted to dodge, but upon seeing Anita's eyes, he froze.

Contrary to her ferocious appearance, Anita's eyes were filled with panic and unease.

In a flash, Lann took a gamble.

Because he saw the silhouette of a frail blonde girl hiding beneath this massive body.

"Bulimia must be hard to endure, isn't it?"

Anita's mouth remained open, visibly freezing in place. Lann spoke softly, "The uncontrollable urge to eat, the relentless self-loathing after every bite, feeling sick to the point of wanting to vomit, yet unable to stop the endless eating."

Anita's body trembled, layers of fat on her body stacking up like swim rings, her heavy breathing misting in the air.

Lann's words struck the deepest, most guarded secret and vulnerability in her heart.

Her greatest fear, her greatest obsession.

Everything was infinitely magnified in this nocturnal hospital, shaping its very nature.

"How... how do you know..."

"I told you, Anita..." Lann sighed, his gaze gentle and focused, "I've always been watching you."

"It's okay, Anita, you're beautiful."

Lann spoke softly, "I am a psychologist. I'll conduct psychotherapy for you. It's okay, we'll overcome this together. I'll help you beat bulimia. I'll always be by your side."

"You're... you're lying..."

Tears streamed down the blonde nurse's face.

"You left."

"But I came back, didn't I? I won't leave."

"No, you will leave. Every patient who recovers leaves."

"But doctors always stay," Lann responded, "I am a psychologist, Anita, and you can be my patient. Would a doctor ever abandon their patient here?"

Anita shook her head in confusion, her eyes slowly lighting up with hope: "Can I?"

"Of course, my dear," Lann said softly, "Trust me, things will get better. Just follow my instructions. Patients need to follow the doctor's orders, right?"

"Yes, yes."

Patients in the other rooms on the third floor were trying to peek out, watching the scene in awe.

……

Druid thought the commentary made sense; after all, Lann was the one who guided him into this scenario. There must be a deeper meaning to it.

So, Druid decisively headed to the stairs to go up, only to return dejectedly in less than a minute.

The stairway to the third floor was guarded by orderlies, just as the chief doctor had warned him earlier. It seemed everyone here had their designated area and couldn’t leave their post lightly.

Druid, seeing the bloody machete in the orderly's hand, didn't doubt his decision to turn around and walk away.

"Well, now we're back to square one," Druid mused to himself, "I don’t have access to the third floor where Lann is, and there's a twenty-four-hour guard. What to do now?"

[Why not stake out the place? Everyone needs to use the restroom eventually!]

[Here's a dubious idea: look for the psychiatric hospital's pharmacy. There must be laxatives there. Try adding some to their food.]

[Why would a psychiatric ward's pharmacy have laxatives?]

[Ha, you haven't seen them swallowing stuff indiscriminately. Sometimes they have to be rushed for stomach pumping!]

Druid, watching the haphazard suggestions in the comments, felt exhausted.

Sigh, if only Black Cat could come in too. One person is just too few. If there were two, at least someone could keep watch while he administers the laxatives.

Druid's main responsibility was the double room previously occupied by the 'Director' and old Luke, but now both were tied to beds and sedated, leaving him with little to do. He sat on the corridor bench, contemplating whether to search for clues near the orderlies' rest area.

Just then, a heavy set of footsteps approached slowly. Druid glanced over his shoulder and took off running.

Anita's expression twisted ferociously: "Stop right there! Little rat!"

Druid, without looking back, dashed straight for the chief's office, preferring to face the Frankenstein-like chief rather than the flesh mountain butcher.

As he hoped, just as Druid reached the door, it opened from the outside. The Frankenstein-like doctor's gaze sharpened, grabbing Druid's head in a swift motion. The stitches on his face twisted in the wind, his voice cold: "Hospital rules prohibit running in the corridors. Violators..."

"Wait, wait, wait! It's because she was chasing me!" Druid, watching his health 'decrease by -1-1', lamented again the monstrous strength of the hospital's doctors, pointing at Anita who was pursuing him.

The chief doctor then turned his sinister gaze towards Anita.

The blonde nurse said darkly, "Someone who looks a lot like him stole my photo. I suspect they're working together."

Chief doctor: "It's just a photo, no need to make a big fuss."

"It's a photo of Lann."

The chief doctor turned to Druid, speaking gently: "That was wrong of you. Where's the photo? Let me see it."

Druid, trembling, handed over the photo. The chief held it for a long time, looking reluctant to part with it, and finally returned it under Anita's impatient gaze.

With the dispute resolved, the chief doctor let Druid go. Anita snorted coldly and bumped into Druid as she turned, sending the player with only 30 strength flying. Druid watched his health nearly drop by half, on the verge of tears.

What an undeserved calamity.

After Anita and the chief doctor left, Druid sighed and returned to the patient activity area, when a comment caught his attention.

[Druid, check your pocket.]

[Just now, the flesh mountain butcher put something in your pocket.]

Startled, Druid reached into his pocket and indeed found a note:

'Find the real director. Beware of the eyes that watch you, but not all are malevolent. The director is the core of this hospital; find a way to prove it to him.'

Signed, Lann.

[Guys! It's really a note from Lann!]

[I knew it! I said it! Druid's entrance into the hospital is because of Lann. Lann wouldn't just ignore this!]

[Plus one. Lann probably had a purpose coming here. Druid really became a pawn of the otherworldly god.]

[I've been saying, Lann wouldn't be so passive.]

[Didn't anyone notice it was the flesh mountain butcher who slipped the note to Druid? What does that tell us, that Lann turned one over so quickly!]

[I'm dying of laughter, didn't you hear the chief doctor and nurse's conversation? I wouldn't be surprised if they sided with Lann directly.]

The comments were filled with various hindsight experts, praising Black Cat for another successful prediction, and of course, some trying to coax Druid into discarding the note for their own benefit.

Could Druid be swayed by their instigations? Of course not. He carefully saved the note and pondered its meaning.

"Find the real director, so the current one is a fake?" Druid analyzed pretentiously, "And from Lann's information, the director's role seems vital in the hospital, with the authority to command doctors and nurses. Think about how many employees there are. Assuming each of them is a D-class anomaly, that's a significant force."

[With Lann presumably 'sealed' now, facing so many D-class anomalies won't be easy. Clearly, this scenario requires cunning, not brute force.]

[This is obvious, isn’t it? If an otherworldly god just overpowered this scenario, what's left for us players? Which foolish game company would design such a plot? It's obviously about giving players the chance to be the savior!]

[Don't break the fourth wall. Let's analyze. Lann directly pointed out the main storyline of this hospital scenario. In this hospital scenario, the director can command all the monsters, holding the highest position. Doctors and nurses act according to hospital rules. To defeat the foreigner's leader, one must start with the 'director' position he's usurped.]

[What about the 'watchful eyes' mentioned? Does it mean there's someone surveilling the player?]

[Not necessarily. Lann said these eyes might not be malevolent. Could it be a third party?]

As the comments continued analyzing the note's true intent, Druid had already rushed to the ward, feeling his heartbeat quickening.

Could the real director be the patient who constantly claims to be the 'director'?

Using his access, Druid re-entered the ward, where the two patients previously sedated were now awake. He eagerly approached the 'director's' bed, asking, "Are you the real director of Arkham Hospital?"

The 'director' paused and replied instantly, "No."

Druid: ...?

He looked down at his badge and then at the empty medicine containers on the 'director's' bedside table, a mix of laughter and tears on his face: "Don’t worry, I'm not questioning you on behalf of the doctors. You can tell me the truth. I'm here to investigate and uncover the truth."

[Conversation skill: Failed]

The 'director' snorted coldly, firmly responding, "Not me. I am clear-headed now. I am not the director of Arkham Hospital."

Druid looked at the 'director's' face, filled with a 'you can't fool me' expression, and couldn’t hold back his laughter.

The comments were filled with relentless laughter [Hahahahaha].

……

Meanwhile, in Lann's psychotherapy office.

Ogler stared blankly at the empty chair behind the desk.

Lann used to sit there, but now he was gone.

Ogler stared at it for about half an hour, finally confirming that Lann probably wouldn't be returning anytime soon. His hand lifted, then fell back down, ultimately standing motionless in front of the desk, like a statue.

Then, there was a persistent knocking at the door. Initially, Ogler ignored it, but the knocking continued relentlessly. Reluctantly, he moved to open the door.

As the door opened, Archie stood outside, anxious: "Albert's gone, I..."

The door opened to reveal not Lann, but a tall man with disheveled hair. Archie's words halted abruptly upon seeing him, and after a moment, he asked, "Excuse me, where is Dr. Lann?"

Ogler cast his gaze downwards, observing him through his hair-covered eyes. Archie, who had dealt with many ruthless criminals at the police station, inexplicably stiffened and turned away, unable to meet his gaze.

As if confirming something, Ogler slowly said, "Lann is missing."

Archie paused, then turned back abruptly, facing Ogler's gaze with great discomfort, struggling to say, "Albert's missing too, the blonde officer who came to see Lann last time. I suspect him."

Gritting his teeth, Archie added, "He might have done something to Lann."

"It wasn't him," Ogler stated without hesitation.

Archie: "…Why are you so sure?"

Ogler didn't answer Archie's question but simply said, "Lann is currently at Arkham Hospital."

After saying this, without waiting for Archie's questions, he stepped back and closed the psychotherapy office door.

The door shut mercilessly in front of Archie, leaving him with a face of mixed emotions. He was uncertain of Ogler's intentions; his original purpose was just to ask Lann how to find Albert.

After returning from the apartment last time, Archie tried to find him but learned from the police station that Chief Albert had been injured while on duty and had taken several days off.

After days of fruitless searching, Archie had to accept the reality and couldn't help but worry if Albert had encountered some problem, or if his undercover identity had been exposed and was now being pursued by the cult.

But now Lann was missing too, likely entangled in the foreigners' conspiracy.

Archie faced two choices: look for the missing Albert, with no clue of his whereabouts, or search for Lann, as the man had just mentioned he was in the hospital. But how did that man know, and why did he tell Archie instead of going himself?

A voice in his head said Lann, being an otherworldly god with unfathomable origins, wouldn't be in any real danger, even if missing temporarily.

Archie stood still for several minutes, trying to find a reason to make up his mind, only to be chilled by the cold wind at the street corner.

The weather in Arkham had been gloomy lately, as if foreshadowing some impending misfortune. The eccentric followers who usually loitered around the psychotherapy clinic had significantly decreased... Huh?

Archie suddenly realized something was off. Those Lann devotees, often disguised as customers, would eagerly approach anyone lingering near the clinic, offering help.

But today, he had stood at the door so long without seeing a single one of them.

Archie turned, his coat flapping in the cold wind, and strode to the street to hail a taxi.

"To Arkham Hospital."