Chapter 232 Unleashing the Dark Side

Chapter 232: Unleashing the Dark Side

"I've already touched upon my situation earlier." Yao Qing, who had been trailing Sang Sang the whole time, spoke up after she finished. "In the real world, I'm just an ordinary office worker—graduated from an average university, landed an average job, and entered an ordinary arranged marriage. Perhaps because my wife and I lacked a strong emotional connection, her family prioritized financial stability over enduring love."

"Her family decided to buy a property far beyond my financial capacity. Both families claimed this decision was for our future children, yet eighty percent of our combined income goes towards the mortgage. Coupled with my wife's excessive monthly spending, I've had to work desperate overtime and take on side jobs just to avoid asking our parents for money."

"Chen Xi is right—I was probably already at the breaking point due to real-life pressures. I was just numb, constantly hustling for money, never even realizing I was on the verge of collapse. I'm not ashamed to admit it, but every time I enter the Nightmare World, despite the dangers, it feels like a relief compared to the real world."

"But then, because of the Nightmare Game, I missed a day or two of work. My boss found out about my side gigs, and HR has already informed me about my termination." Yao Qing buried his face in his hands in anguish. "My industry is in a downturn right now, and after losing this job, it'll be incredibly difficult to find another that can support that house. So, I spent a restless night in a subway station rest area, too afraid to go home, and then I was pulled into this game."

"Sometimes I envy colleagues who chose not to marry. Even if their income is similar to or lower than mine, they live the carefree, financially unburdened life I dream of. But I've always comforted myself, thinking marriage has its merits—we'll have children, we'll grow old together, and though there will be hardships, there will surely be more happiness."

"But that force filled my mind with all sorts of terrifying thoughts. I realized I've actually been resentful of this marriage all along—resentful of my in-laws for making decisions without me, resentful of my wife who seems to have happier days than I do..."

"What's there to resent about that? Why didn't you just refuse from the start?" Chen Xi, sitting nearby, couldn't help but pat the sofa cushion and turn to Yao Qing. "Wouldn't it have been better to refuse having decisions made for you from the beginning?"

"I..." Yao Qing hesitated—perhaps he knew Chen Xi was right—it's just that he was so immersed in what he considered an ordinary life, he forgot that 'resistance' is also an instinct ordinary people should possess.

"In the real world, the first ones overlooked are those who remain silent." Chen Xi's eyes widened. "Since you chose silence, don't resent others for overlooking your thoughts, feelings, and hardships. This was your own choice."

"If it were me, having resented it to this extent, I'd simply choose to leave—"

"Actually, it's not too late now." Sang Sang, who had been listening, interrupted Chen Xi. "Mr. Yao, where is your apartment located?"

"In downtown Chengjiang." Yao Qing forced a bitter smile.

"Housing prices in downtown Chengjiang are relatively stable. It's a shame, but if it's truly become unbearable, selling the house now should resolve the issue. You might even make a small profit."

"Of course, life without the house will undoubtedly be affected." Sang Sang pondered for a moment. "Even though we said earlier that we wouldn't see each other after the game, my company is in the neighboring Honghuai City. If you don't mind, I can help arrange accommodation and even an interview opportunity. Of course, these are just my suggestions—Mr. Yao is free to disregard them."

Sang Sang shot a glance at Chen Xi, perhaps feeling that Chen Xi shouldn't propose extreme solutions, or perhaps due to Sang Sang's own childhood experiences, she disliked men who treated marriage as a trivial matter.

"Thank you." Although Sang Sang's words were merely suggestions, Yao Qing let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Having an alternative path has cleared my muddled mind. Perhaps I really have been too silent and too bad at refusing."

"No need to thank me. Perhaps one day, Mr. Yao's dreams might save our lives."

"Compared to all of you, I'm the truly ordinary one." The next to speak was Meng Zhi, the oldest player in the group. Sister Meng Zhi sighed and said, "My life in the real world is very ordinary and peaceful. I have a long-time husband, two children, and all four of our parents are still with us. So, I don't have any dissatisfaction or clearly identifiable dark side regarding the real world. When that force appeared earlier, the thoughts that flooded my mind were mostly fear."

"From the very beginning, I haven't been good at games. I've always been afraid of entering the Nightmare World, and I don't possess any particularly powerful abilities. So, what I fear most is not being able to see my family in the real world again. The thought of losing my life in this awful place fills me with extreme dread."

"And also, when that force appeared..." Meng Zhi paused. "At that time, another thought crossed my mind: since the game's rule is 'neighborly harmony,' if all the residents in the apartment were to disappear, wouldn't I be able to clear the game?"

"But making others disappear itself violates 'harmony.'" Sang Sang reminded Meng Zhi. "Sister Meng, having such thoughts itself violates the game's rules."

"I'm sorry." Meng Zhi also felt helpless.

"Don't worry. Abandoning neighbors in times of danger is also a rule violation," Sang Sang comforted her. "So, we will definitely advance and retreat together in this game."

At this point, besides comfort, there might not be any other way to ease Meng Zhi's feelings.

After three players completed their second round of self-introductions, the living room fell silent. Neither Yue Zhengqing's group nor Qin Yuxuan's group, standing to the side, volunteered to introduce themselves.

Some even deliberately avoided eye contact when Sang Sang's gaze swept over them.

"Don't look at me—I really don't have anything bottled up inside," Chen Xi immediately waved her hands when Sang Sang glanced her way.

Noticing that some players were unwilling to participate in the second round of self-introductions, Sang Sang looked toward the single sofa across from her, settling on Su Bai, who was curled up on the sofa.

"That young lady's condition seems to be getting worse. Is she really alright?" Sang Sang noticed Su Bai struggling to open her eyes and look over, so she continued, "Your physical condition is completely unsuitable for participating in the Nightmare Game, but clearly, the administrator won't make exceptions just because a player is unwell."

"If possible, I'd like to know what's wrong with your health," Sang Sang said, then glanced at Xiao Xiaodie, who was being held by Yue Zhengqing. "We happen to have a healer here—perhaps they can help."