Chapter 57: The Holy Infants’ Orphanage 24

Chapter 57: The Holy Infants' Orphanage 24

"The Third Holy Infant has withdrawn from this selection!"

"Congratulations to the Twelfth Holy Infant for gaining: 4 points! Current score: 18 points!"

The crisp system announcement echoed in every player's ear.

Except for a few who had fallen asleep, everyone else stood up with solemn expressions.

Then, a familiar scene unfolded once again. Walls and floors trembled violently as charred burn marks spread rapidly like a fast-forwarded movie scene, moving closer and closer.

Countless tiny dust particles materialized out of thin air, filling the clean air with an acrid smell when inhaled.

The ground was awash with sewage.

Qin Fei lifted his foot to avoid a rat that almost jumped onto his instep, his brows knotting involuntarily.

In the live-streaming hall, the audience's discussion reached unprecedented heights.

"Laughing my head off! What kind of attribute is the host? His brows are more furrowed at the sight of a mouse than when he's slitting someone's throat!"

"Quick, check Player 10's live stream perspective! Damn, I'm in awe. His bedroom has turned into a prison, and he's still sleeping!"

"Hahaha, he must be a comedian!"

"It's quite remarkable. Despite watching so many St. Infant Orphanage scenarios, this is the first time I've seen Player 10 survive until the latter part of the live broadcast."

"Proves that holding onto someone's coattails really works. That male seed from Dark Flame, if not for his innate ability protecting him all along, he'd probably be dead by now."

The topics were varied and diverse.

However, just a few seconds later, as the live stream scene shifted, all viewers wore identical expressions of astonishment:

"Hmm, what's going on? Why aren't they in the corridors of the Inner World this time?"

Distant, unknown bells tolled, dong, dong, dong.

Twelve consecutive chimes echoed.

This inversion of the Inner and Outer Worlds happened to coincide with the stroke of midnight.

In the floating screen at the center of the hall, the players' faces mirrored the bewilderment of the spectators.

Some were lying in cells along the corridors, others in a church, while many more were scattered throughout the labyrinthine galleries.

They stood frozen for a moment, adjusting their eyes to the new light, before moving cautiously and slowly.

"Is anyone there?" a solitary player whispered into the emptiness.

No reply came.

Silence flowed through the darkness.

But soon, he heard a sound.

It was a heavy footfall, accompanied by the dull metallic scrape of something, emanating from behind a wall not far away and drawing steadily closer.

The player froze, a foreboding sensation welling up within him.

He reacted swiftly, but it was still a bit too late.

A figure, wielding two massive axes, had already appeared at the corner ahead.

...

Similar scenes were unfolding in every corner of the arcade.

Soon, there was no longer any moment of tranquility within the arcade.

Players screamed and roared, while many gritted their teeth, not daring to make a single extra sound as they ran wildly through the vast labyrinth without any clear objective.

Whether by coincidence or some unknown reason, the chaos seemed to have spared the center of the arcade.

The empty center was shrouded in darkness, and Qin Fei stood there silently.

The young man's lips were tightly pressed together, and his amber eyes showed no emotion, leaving others completely puzzled about his thoughts.

He fixated his gaze on a spot not far ahead.

There was a square entrance on the ground, from which flickered dark red candlelight. A flight of steps descending underground became visible in the glow.

Without hesitation, Qin Fei descended the steps.

He had walked this path countless times before. The stone stairs were covered in moss, making the ground slippery, but Qin Fei maintained his pace.

Soon, he stood once again before the entrance to the dungeon.

Number 0 hadn't lied to him; this time, all eight cells in the dungeon were empty.

Combined with the sounds of running and shouting that had echoed through the corridors earlier, it was clear that the prisoners had indeed been let out for exercise.

In this inversion of the Surface World and the Dungeon World, all players had been teleported to different locations – a scenario Qin Fei would have preferred to avoid.

Fortunately, he had prepared for such a possibility beforehand. Now, he could only hope that San Tu and Ghost Fire would prove strong enough.

The dungeon was eerily quiet. There was no wind, yet the candles in the wall sconces danced incessantly.

Despite being in the same unchanged setting for the fourth time, the enthusiasm of the audience on the other side of the screen remained undiminished.

This narrow path, which had barely shown any highlights in over two hundred previous live broadcasts, was about to bring them an entirely new and unprecedented surprise today!

All the viewers were filled with excitement.

The second floor of the E-Class Live Broadcast Hall was almost entirely occupied by high-ranking spirits radiating with light. Those with sharp eyesight had already begun selling disposable seats and snacks on the outskirts of the crowded audience.

These unofficially sold trinkets were cheaper than those offered by the hall's staff, thus gaining great popularity. The system's officials turned a blind eye to this and didn't interfere.

The entire hall was bustling with activity.

In the live broadcast, Qin Fei had already arrived in front of the infirmary.

The doctor stood right at the entrance, seemingly having waited there for quite some time.

Half of his body was shrouded in shadow, making him appear as if he was about to merge into the wall, becoming an unassuming pillar of silence.

Upon seeing Qin Fei approaching, he finally moved.

"You're here," the doctor's voice echoed from behind his bird-beak mask, accompanied by a slight metallic hum.

Qin Fei offered the doctor a small smile.

Behind the physician stood the wooden door leading to the labyrinth, its low frame wide open, revealing a dense darkness that bordered on ethereal.

At this point, the doctor seemed to still want to dissuade him: "Are you really sure about this? Perhaps you should consider it more…?"

Qin Fei interrupted gently but resolutely: "I have to go."

He had no choice but to go.

The instances were one of the few opportunities he had to come into contact with the source of contamination; there was no way he could let it slip by.

No one enjoyed carrying secrets they themselves didn't understand.

Especially someone like Qin Fei, who was accustomed to being in control of every situation.

It made him feel incredibly insecure, as if someone was constantly watching him with each breath he took.

Resolving this issue was urgent – the sooner, the better.

The doctor hesitated for a moment, gazing into Qin Fei's clear, light-colored eyes, and said, "Don't stay inside for too long."

It was his final and only piece of advice he could offer.

Qin Fei nodded and bent down to enter the door.

...

"Welcome to the Labyrinth of the Heart! Please carefully read the following labyrinth rules before entering."

1. All construction materials used in this labyrinth are ordinary bricks and stones; no special materials are involved.

2. This labyrinth exists as an independent space, capable of accommodating only one person at a time.

3. Keep your distance from ■■.

4. You cannot escape Its gaze.

5. The exit lies in a place where It cannot see.

6. Should any unexpected situations arise within the Labyrinth, resolve them independently. All forms of violence are allowed and encouraged within its walls.

"7. Success, or be consumed by it."

The final line was written in blood-red ink, bold and emphasized, striking both as a reminder and a brazen warning.

This notice was posted at the entrance to the Labyrinth, accompanied by a tiny lamp that cast a dim light just enough to illuminate the text from a clenched fist's size.

Beyond this point, darkness reigned supreme.

Qin Fei scanned the rules from top to bottom with a composed expression before continuing forward. As he took a step, something seemed to occur to him, causing him to pause and turn back.

In Qin Fei's personal space, there were candles, the same kind Sun Shouyi had used in the previous instance, imbued with a faint warding effect.

Qin Fei had utilized these candles multiple times during the live broadcast. However, inexplicably, since entering the Labyrinth of the Heart, he could no longer ignite them.

It couldn't be because they had run out or were damaged.

Qin Fei's pockets were still filled with them, none of which could be lit. It seemed that the restriction was likely due to the unique nature of the scenario.

He had initially thought he'd have to navigate through the darkness.

But now, didn't he have a ready-made lantern right in front of him?

The young man's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, shimmering with a sly glint akin to a fox's.

If that wall lamp were alive, it would probably be covered in goosebumps and trying to escape by now.

Action spoke louder than words.

Qin Fei, always one for prompt execution, pulled out a small knife from his pocket and stepped forward resolutely.

"I want to carve it out to use as a light source. It's too dark in here."

As he began his task, Qin Fei addressed the virtual audience as if he were a genuine online streamer.

"Rule Six states that all forms of violence are allowed and encouraged within the maze, which means my action is entirely in compliance."

Speaking, Qin Fei had already nestled the small knife behind the wall lamp and was applying force to push it downward.

"The maze has deliberately given such a rule, which means it's encouraging players to act this way."

Qin Fei spoke without any modesty:

"How could I neglect the kindness of such a considerate maze?"

The audience was astounded by Qin Fei's ability to exploit loopholes.

Having watched so many live streams, each viewer had become adept at analyzing rules.

The Labyrinth of Hearts wasn't overly complicated; its regulations were clearly interconnected. The audience quickly deduced that Rule 6 was most likely related to Rule 2.

Rule 2 stated that only one person could be in the maze at a time.

Why emphasize this point specifically?

Apart from discouraging players who entered in groups, this rule might also imply something hidden:

Players who enter the labyrinth alone might very well encounter others within its confines.

By then, players would be able to engage in combat with the newly emerged characters according to Rule 6.

Well, this is the obvious solution, isn't it! Any rational person would think along these lines!!

Audiences found it hard to believe that the Labyrinth established such rules for its players, with the intention of encouraging them to prise loose objects embedded in its walls.

If time weren't a constraining factor, would the streamer have considered simply demolishing the entire labyrinth for a brute-force clearance?

The audience collectively twitched their eyelids.

Qin Fei, who was diligently attempting to pry open a corner of the maze wall, also encountered some difficulty.

"It's so hard to pry," Qin Fei said, staring at the lantern embedded firmly into the brickwork with a troubled expression.

The craftsmanship was impeccable; after exerting effort for a while, he couldn't even create a hairline crack.

Qin Fei was somewhat hesitant to apply too much force, fearing that he might snap the sole remaining small fruit knife in his hand.

"However, it's not a big issue."

Qin Fei observed for a few seconds before saying with a cheerful smile.

His relaxed and joyful demeanor had almost become a conditioned reflex for the viewers in the live stream:

As soon as he wore this expression, it either meant he was about to trick someone, comfort someone, or spout some unconventional logic.

In any case, nothing good would come out of it.

True to form.

Immediately after, the audience heard Qin Fei say, "Let's reconsider the first rule."

"Rule 1 states that the maze is a complete masonry structure, built with ordinary construction techniques and no special materials."

Therefore...

"We can't pry off the wall lamps, but we can simply pry out the bricks."

With that, he inserted the knife into the crevice behind the wall lamp.

After a few attempts, small bits of sand and gravel tumbled down from the crack, and astonishingly, the brick actually moved.

"Success."

Qin Fei finally obtained the light source he had been longing for.

Equipped with a lighting tool, the path ahead became much easier. Qin Fei strolled cautiously into the depths of the maze.

The structure of this maze resembled the Labyrinth Corridors in the Inner World. Both sides of the corridor were connected to the ceiling, making it impossible for anyone walking inside to determine the surrounding layout.

Only at the corners could one glimpse the entrance to the next corridor.

However, all the corridors, walls, and floors in the entire maze appeared almost identical, leaving people utterly disoriented.

If this maze had a rectangular loop design, most ordinary players who entered would likely lose their way.

But for Qin Fei, this wasn't a significant issue.

His sense of direction has always been exceptional, and with his extraordinary memory, he could virtually measure every inch of ground underfoot, gradually piecing together a clear mental map in his mind.

Indeed, it was impossible for him to fully comprehend the maze's intricate structure alone within a short period.

But at the very least, he wouldn't be wandering aimlessly.

Qin Fei moved forward, simultaneously pondering over the rules hung at the entrance of the labyrinth.

The rules were quite detailed, and from the ambiguous wording, he could deduce some potential dangers he might encounter ahead.

However, Qin Fei was most concerned about the fourth and fifth rules.

You cannot escape Its gaze.

The exit lies where It cannot see.

These two rules seemed inherently contradictory.

Yet, they both pointed to the most crucial aspect of the maze - the location of the exit.

Given the existence of these two rules, it implied that there must be some sort of pattern or clue within the maze pointing towards the exit.

But what could it be?

How was It observing Qin Fei?

And where were the places It couldn't see?

Qin Fei was utterly clueless at this moment.

Moving forward, he lifted his foot and skillfully kicked away the third rat that attempted to block his path, a barely noticeable hint of disgust flickering in his eyes.

He truly detested these filthy creatures.

He desperately wanted to leave as soon as possible.

As Qin Fei retreated to avoid the rats, a soft "pat" echoed.

Through the thin soles of his shoes, something seemed to shatter beneath his feet.

At the same time, half of Qin Fei's body made contact with the wall.

An uncanny, soft and sticky sensation, akin to flesh, crept up from the back of his hand, traveling along his nerves straight to his brain.

Qin Fei suddenly shuddered.

He withdrew his hand at an incredible speed, swiftly distancing himself from the wall.

Under the faint glow of the fire, Qin Fei saw the wall seemingly quiver gently.

Then, it promptly returned to normal, its bluish-gray bricks neatly aligned, with dust and moss filling the crevices, adorned with a patchwork of weathering.

Everything appeared no different from before.

Qin Fei furrowed his brow.

Unwilling to touch the wall again, he retrieved a fruit knife and cautiously prodded the surface with the tip of the blade.

It was hard, quite normal.

Seems like as long as it doesn't come into direct contact with human skin, the wall remains unchanged.

Rule One stated that all construction materials in the maze were ordinary brick and stone. Hence, that altered wall was undoubtedly perilous.

Better keep a safe distance from it.

Qin Fei shielded the candle with his hand and ventured deeper into the labyrinth.

An unseen breeze fluttered the loose strands of hair at Qin Fei's temple, brushing against his cheek, causing a gentle tickling sensation.

The young man gently shook his head.

The air inside the maze carried a heavy scent, a mixture of mold and dampness from beneath the earth.

Qin Fei began to understand why the doctor had urged him to leave the maze as soon as possible.

Putting aside the issue of losing one's sanity, the mere quality of air within the maze was enough to physically cloud one's mind.

Qin Fei kept scanning the sides of the path, attempting to find any details that might be connected to the "exit" or "It," but to no avail.

Estimating the time, nearly 20 minutes had passed since he entered the maze.

Perhaps the stuffy air in the cellar was affecting his mind, but Qin Fei felt as if he could hear voices he shouldn't be hearing here.

"Big Shot Qin!"

"Big Shot Qin."

That was Xiao Xiao's voice.

Though faint and distant, it was distinct, and Qin Fei was certain he wasn't mistaken.

He blinked, a barely noticeable smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

This maze was indeed dull. The rules spelled out the traps as they were set, as if they were afraid someone might miss them.

Qin Fei ignored Xiao Xiao's cries, continuing forward with an unwavering expression.

The voice seemed puzzled by Qin Fei's response and paused for a moment before resuming shortly after.

"Big Boss Qin, are you there?"

Its tone was identical to Xiao Xiao's, down to the subtle pauses and breathing patterns that were characteristic of the real Xiao Xiao.

For ordinary players, the closer they got to the source of contamination, the faster their sanity points would decrease.

The Labyrinth of the Mind was the sole path to Lamb's location, implying that the deeper one ventured into the maze, the nearer they approached the contaminated source.

If it weren't Qin Fei standing in this spot, their sanity might have already plummeted to a critical point.

With their blurred consciousness, they would be powerless against this disguised, familiar voice.

Deception was inevitable.

Unfortunately, the hidden NPC had crossed paths with Qin Fei.

This sealed its fate for the day to be less than satisfactory.

Noticing Qin Fei's continued silence, the NPC finally came to its senses.

It seemed that this player was exceptionally perceptive.

Upon entering the labyrinth, it had already received the rules, knowing that Qin Fei was the only player within the Palace of Mi. Now, it certainly wouldn't easily engage with it.

It had to up the ante.

The NPC's voice suddenly took on a different tone.

"Big Boss Qin, save me!"

"Save me, ahhhhhh!!"

It mimicked the desperate cry that Xiao Xiao would let out in a life-threatening situation, a sound strikingly realistic and vivid.

At the same time, Qin Fei halted his steps.

Not because he was touched by the unseen Xiao Xiao.

It was because he realized that, after turning the corner, he found himself back at the starting point of the road he had just been on.

Throughout his journey forward, he had been mentally mapping out the path while constantly observing his surroundings, noting the arrangement of tiles on the walls at each intersection and which ones were covered in moss or stains.

This was to prevent himself from inadvertently wandering in circles.

Now, he had indeed started circling around.

"Going in circles" might not be the most accurate description.

Qin Fei walked from one end of a straight road to the other, only to find himself back at the starting point the moment he turned.

It was almost a violation of physics, more akin to being trapped in a ghostly illusion where walls seemed to shift.

Qin Fei lowered his gaze, realizing that he could no longer ignore the voice lurking in the shadows.

It must be that guy's doing.

Seems like he can't ignore it any longer.

The distant calling persisted, "Big Boss Qin? Big Boss Qin, where are you? I'm coming to find you!"

"I was being chased just now and accidentally ended up here. Can I walk with you from behind later?"

Qin Fei lifted his head.

He looked in the direction of the voice.

"Sure, come out first," Qin Fei said.

Perhaps because the maze was too quiet, Qin Fei's reply carried an unusually gentle and hoarse tone, adding a touch of casual laziness to his voice.

To the "Xiao Xiao" lurking at the corner, this was proof that Qin Fei had completely fallen for the deception.

This person who had accidentally stumbled into the maze turned out to be not so difficult to handle after all!

It hid in the darkness, its face identical to Xiao Xiao's, wearing a chillingly confident expression.

The viewers in the live stream chat were on the verge of panic.

They observed the scene from a third-person perspective, with the screen perpetually shrouded in darkness. As a result, their understanding of the entire maze was perhaps not even one-tenth of Qin Fei's.

Qin Fei realized he was trapped in a labyrinth, deducing that he needed to interact with the NPC to conclude this specially triggered scenario.

However, the audience was unaware of this fact.

They hadn't even realized that Qin Fei had returned to his starting point, assuming he had turned the corner and lost his mind all of a sudden.

"It's over, it's over, it's over! Didn't the rules state that there's only the host in the maze?!"

"What the hell should we do? I'm so frustrated and anxious. If the host falls here, it would truly be..."

Truly nauseating!

He had been leading the way with his unconventional tactics, his blade dancing on the edge.

To perish in such an obvious trap would be utterly infuriating.

It would likely go without food for three days in anger.

In the live broadcast, every move Qin Fei made captivated the audience's attention.

And the situation seemed to be deteriorating.

As Qin Fei demanded that the other party "come out," a figure indeed began to slowly materialize at the end of the corridor.

The labyrinth was pitch black, and the faint light in Qin Fei's hand was insufficient to fully illuminate the stranger's appearance. Nevertheless, it was not difficult to discern that the person was indeed Xiao Xiao.

A Xiao Xiao with a bleeding head, to be precise.

He approached Qin Fei, step by step.

One step at a time.

Drawing closer and closer until he stood clearly before Qin Fei.

"Good heavens, what happened to your head? Who did this to you?" Qin Fei asked, his concern clearly etched on his face.

He took a few steps closer and reached out to touch Xiao Xiao's face.

Such genuine care for a teammate could never be faked, the NPC thought confidently.

Come on!

Closer!

Grab his hand!

It would definitely, without a doubt, lead him on an eternal and unending journey through this labyrinth!

The NPC's eyes burned with fanaticism.

Closer!

Even closer!

It could barely contain the upward curl of its lips!

Yet, what happened next froze its smile in place.

That delicate and attractive hand reached before it but didn't touch the wound on his face, nor did it take his hand.

Instead, it flipped downward, firmly grasping the collar of his shirt.

Rip!

Qin Fei suddenly raised his hand, exerting force with his foot as he ruthlessly kicked the person in front of him towards the adjacent wall!

Bang!

A tremendous thud echoed – the sound of a body slamming against the wall.

A trace of anger flickered across "Xiao Xiao's" face, only to vanish just as quickly. It struggled to get up, "Master Qin, why did you kick me...?"

But then, its fury could no longer be contained!

For it found itself unable to rise!

The wall behind it seemed like a massive maw, firmly gripping onto its entire body.

As an NPC who had long wandered the Labyrinth, it was well aware of the secrets hidden within these walls.

It was all too clear that after such a forceful and wide-scale contact with the wall, there was no escape for it.

A heavy tinge of unwillingness washed over NPC Xiao Xiao's face.

It simply couldn't fathom where its flawless disguise had gone wrong.

"Don't you fear that you might really kill your own teammate?!"

It lashed out in a fit of rage, speaking without filter.

"Pull me out! Quick, pull me out!!" It began to twist its limbs in vain.

Qin Fei crossed his arms, his handsome face a mask of indifference as if the person before him bore a face he did not recognize at all.

Half of the NPC's body was already embedded in the wall.

It finally accepted a grim reality.

This person in front of it would never, ever save it.

"Why?"

It was truly on the verge of being driven mad!

"How did you figure it out?!"

Its transformed appearance was not a choice it made itself; instead, it was automatically generated based on the thoughts of the person it was facing.

To Qin Fei, Xiao Xiao was the closest person to him in this instance.

With a close friend standing right before him, how many people would be able to deliver the killing blow with such resolve, even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance?

"You truly have a heart as hard as stone!!"

The NPC shouted in fury just before it was entirely consumed by the labyrinth.

Qin Fei was not about to admit to this accusation.

The young man raised a finger and waved it back and forth in front of him. "How can you say that about me?"

"It's clear that you're the one who acted too poorly."

The Xiao Xiao in this instance, when locking eyes with him, wouldn't display the vivid and lively expressions shown by this NPC.

He was simply a foolish, wooden blockhead!

...

Qin Fei helplessly watched as the labyrinth devoured his poor Daoist friend.

At that very moment, on the upper balcony of the Inner World, an identical Xiao Xiao to the one Qin Fei had seen was running desperately as if his life depended on it.

Not far behind him, San Tu was kneeling on the roadside, covered in blood, while the Will-o'-the-Wisp was being controlled by some force, writhing frantically.

"Number 10! Run! Run for your life!!"

The Will-o'-the-Wisp screamed hoarsely amidst its struggle, its voice sounding as if it were about to tear its vocal cords apart.

"Run, damn it!!!"