Chapter 11: Rose Earl 11

The Rose Castle truly lived up to its name. Standing at the edge of the pavilion on the hillside, everyone looked down and saw nothing but vast fields of blooming red roses. The gentle breeze carried the fragrance of roses, intoxicating them.

Leaving the pavilion with light hearts, they descended the hill and discovered an even larger Rose Garden below. To create a more three-dimensional garden, low shrubs were used as walls to divide the space. Behind each wall were small fountains, golden statues, and other artificial beauties.

Xia Qi walked into the Rose Garden. He felt that this garden was less like a garden and more like a small maze, perfect for hiding people and... rendezvous.

"What does the most beautiful rose look like?"

"Could it be a different color? Yellow or white?"

"Are you blind? There are only red roses here! Where else would you find another color?!"

The Red Side members chattered nearby.

After passing another wall, the Red Side members gradually disappeared, and the Blue Side continued on their way.

Big Rooster rubbed his head, which was a mess of yellow hair, and said irritably, "These damn roses all look the same. What's the difference?!"

Limping Man whispered, "Maybe they want the biggest rose?"

"I think the butler is just playing with us!" Big Rooster, who had a short temper, couldn't handle such meticulous work. "The task says we just need to submit a rose to complete it. I don't care about the reward; you guys continue."

With that, Big Rooster casually plucked a rose from the nearby flower bed.

"Damn it, these thorns are so hard!" Due to his rough handling, he injured his hand when he pulled the rose off.

A few drops of blood trickled down Big Rooster's palm, slid along his wrist, and seeped into his sleeve.

Xia Qi frowned and said to Big Rooster, "Your rose has blood on it. You should pick another one."

Recalling the man's frenzied state after seeing blood last night, Xia Qi was wary. He worried that if Big Rooster presented a blood-stained rose, it might trigger another episode.

"Mind your own business!" Big Rooster still remembered how Xia Qi had embarrassed him and ignored his advice, muttering under his breath, "Sissy little thing."

Over the past two days, Big Rooster hadn't dared to change clothes in the locker room or take a shower, leaving him reeking of sweat and feeling extremely irritable.

Meanwhile, Xia Qi changed his clothes every day and dressed more flamboyantly, which made Big Rooster envious.

He heard from the Red Side that Xia Qi had found a powerful ally in the game, hence receiving special treatment.

Big Rooster despised those without skills who relied on others, and he held Xia Qi in contempt.

Big Rooster's insults reached Xia Qi's ears clearly. Xia Qi's face turned cold as he stepped forward, blocking Big Rooster's path. "Say that again."

Though he looked approachable, he never tolerated provocation.

Seeing Xia Qi's increasingly cold expression, Big Rooster backed away two steps, shouting weakly, "Don't come any closer! We're on a mission; be careful not to fail and drag everyone down with you!"

Despite Big Rooster's lack of remorse, Xia Qi grabbed his wrist firmly and said, word by word, "Apologize."

Xia Qi's naturally drooping eyes, which usually gave him a melancholic appearance, now seemed sharp and fierce, like a sword unsheathed.

Under Xia Qi's cold gaze and the pain in his wrist, Big Rooster felt a sudden panic.

"Do you want to say it?" Xia Qi pressed harder.

Big Rooster's face turned red, gritted his teeth, and reluctantly said, "I'm sorry."

Hearing this, Xia Qi released his wrist, not even giving him a glance before turning and walking away.

He didn't want to waste time on fools.

Once Xia Qi was gone, Big Rooster shook his wrist and spat in the direction he left.

"Hmph."

Big Rooster picked up the blood-stained rose and grumbled as he headed back.

After wandering for a while, Big Rooster still couldn't find the exit.

"What's going on? The exit was right here just now."

Frustrated, he stomped his foot. At that moment, a chilling wind blew down his neck, sending a shiver down his spine.

Big Rooster took a few more steps and stopped in front of a large green hedge wall. When he entered earlier, the garden was full of life and sunlight, but now the entire garden seemed darker, disorienting him.

Even the wall in front of him looked unfamiliar. Suddenly, the green wall rustled, as if someone was behind it.

"Who's there?" Big Rooster asked.

"It's me," a familiar voice came from behind the wall.

"Oh, it's the butler." Big Rooster laughed and waved his rose at the wall. "I found a rose."

"Really? You found a rose?" The butler's voice sounded deeper than usual. He drew a breath and then suddenly became excited. "Quick! Bring it over for me to see."

"How do I get it to you?" Big Rooster looked at the green wall.

"Extend your hand." The butler urged.

Hearing this, Big Rooster extended his right hand toward the green wall, intending to pass the rose. Suddenly, the leaves of the wall were pushed aside, and a dark claw shot out like lightning.

Before Big Rooster could react, his right hand was caught by the claw.

This claw had five fingers like a human's, but each finger was twice as long. More terrifyingly, the tips of the claws were sharp, like blades, glinting with a cold light.

"Ahh!" Big Rooster screamed, whether from pain or fear.

In an instant, Big Rooster's right hand was left with five bloody scratches. The monster on the opposite wall cackled, seemingly licked its lips, and whispered, "Such delicious blood, such a pitiful rose."

Hearing those terrifying words, Big Rooster wet himself.

Seemingly enjoying the feeling of toying with humans, the monster continued in a low voice, "It's said that only someone with true love can find the most beautiful rose. If he gives the most beautiful rose to his beloved, they will receive a lifetime of happiness..."

Big Rooster was not moved by the monster's words; instead, he trembled violently, his teeth chattering.

"Do you think he can find it?" the monster asked again.

Big Rooster felt his right hand about to break. Tears and snot streaming down his face, he forced out a response, "Yes..."

This wasn't about giving a rose; this was about giving his life!

Big Rooster tried to pull his hand back, but he found that the claw was as hard as steel, immovable.

"Come here, delicious afternoon snack." The monster cackled sharply and pulled Big Rooster towards the green wall.

"Ahhh—!!!"

Xia Qi was walking forward when suddenly, he heard a scream from nearby.

"Big Rooster?"

Xia Qi turned around and looked in the direction he had come from.

"What happened to Brother Rooster?" Cripple swallowed nervously, "Sounds like he encountered something strange?"

"I'll go check it out," Xia Qi said, pulling up his dress and preparing to head back.

Xia Qi now understood why Red Side had driven all the newbies to Blue Side. The more newcomers, the more trouble there would be. The old-timers, like Old Man, behaved normally.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Cripple reached out and pulled him back, his eyes flickering with a strange expression, "Brother Xia, don't go back."

Xia Qi ignored him and strode forward, needing to observe the scene where Big Rooster was to judge the situation in the Rose Garden.

Seeing Xia Qi's determination, Cripple gritted his teeth and quickly followed.

As Xia Qi hurried back, he suddenly felt something amiss behind him, as if someone was following him. He abruptly turned around, intending to catch the person in the act—

Unfortunately, the road behind him was empty, with no one in sight.

Was it him?

Xia Qi pursed his lips, thinking that according to the game's usual pattern, men only appeared at night, so the person following him might not be him.

Just as Xia Qi was self-doubting, the familiar ding sounded in his ear.

"True Love Value +999"

Xia Qi: "..."

It must be him!

If it wasn't him, he'd chop off his head and let Big Rooster kick it around!

Xia Qi was so angry he almost laughed. He wanted to roar at the stalker, "If you're so good at increasing True Love Value, why don't you show yourself!"

Just as he was looking around for the stalker, Big Rooster screamed again.

"Ahhh—someone, help!!"

Xia Qi sighed. If he didn't go over now, Big Rooster might die, and he wouldn't see anything. Just as Xia Qi was about to leave, Cripple suddenly said, "Brother Xia, there's something going on over there..."

Xia Qi sensed something was wrong. At that moment, a cloud of white powder carrying the scent of chalk rushed towards him. Fortunately, he was prepared and quickly dodged to the side, avoiding the attack.

Despite his quick reflexes, he accidentally inhaled a small amount of the powder.

"Cough cough cough..." Xia Qi covered his throat, trying to expel the powder he had breathed in.

Cripple raised the blackboard eraser in his hand and looked at Xia Qi innocently, saying, "Brother Xia, I didn't mean to. They forced me."

The blackboard eraser seemed to be a prop. Even though Xia Qi was out of its range, it kept emitting powder.

This reminded Xia Qi of his True Love Magic Wand. The blackboard eraser must also be a prop, which explained why he couldn't dodge it.

Staring at the blackboard eraser in Cripple's hand, Xia Qi suddenly realized something and asked coldly, "Cough... Did Red Side give it to you?"

"...Yes," Cripple's face flushed red, and he hastily explained, "But Brother Xia, don't worry. They just want to ask you a few questions."

Indeed, the benefits offered by Red Side were too tempting.

"You... cough cough cough!" How could you be so foolish!

The powder seemed to have entered his airways. Xia Qi felt his limbs growing weak, and the scene before him began to blur. He struggled to maintain his balance and dragged his limp legs forward.

At that moment, a strong arm grabbed his right hand. As Xia Qi felt a glimmer of hope, Cha Gong's gentle voice sounded in his ear, "Xia Qi, are you okay?"