Chapter 65 Let’s take a bath together! (Part 2)

Time: 9:30pm.

Brother Bird said tremblingly: "So, Principal Dou, this is what happened..."

At this moment, there were only eight people in the lobby.

The seven students shut up and sat there quietly. Principal Dou listened to Brother Bird's popular science talk about the copy while thinking.

"So, what you're saying is," the elder looked towards the entrance of the locker room, "there may be only eight of us left in the entire bathhouse now, and all the students who were bathing in it are gone?"

As he said that, he stood up, walked to the door of the locker room and tried, but found that he was blocked outside by an invisible wall and could not get in.

Brother Bird swallowed his saliva: "Maybe they disappeared, or maybe they all became NPCs..."

Anyway, this lobby is obviously the starting point of this dungeon. If there are really other players here, they should have been teleported to their side by now.

"I see."

Principal Dou touched the invisible wall again and turned around.

Seeing how reserved Mu Yu and the others were at the moment, he laughed: "Don't be so nervous. You guys are all veteran players, right? At times like this, we need you to guide us. If you sit there so reservedly, won't we have any idea what to do next?"

...Mu Yu felt that this would definitely be the most bizarre copy game he had ever experienced, and there would never be another one that could surpass it!

He tried to keep calm, exchanged glances with Lu Zhongnian, and said to Principal Dou and the other three new players, "... Let's confirm the time and rules first."

The first set of rules of this copy has appeared in their field of vision.

Mu Yu stood up, and everyone gathered around and stood at the front desk.

An acrylic sign appeared on the front desk, and the side facing them read:

1. From now on, don’t let people around you notice your abnormality.

2. Please find the monster generator as soon as possible and destroy it.

3. If you cannot complete the task within one and a half hours, please be mentally prepared... to face death.

Mu Yu began routine analysis.

"The dungeon started at 9:30 just now, and the time limit is one and a half hours, which means we must crack this dungeon before 11 o'clock."

One of the new players said, "...11 o'clock is the time when the bathhouse usually closes!"

"Yes, many of the settings in the dungeon are related to the real world," Mu Yu said, "The first rule is to not let people around you notice your abnormality. The appearance of this rule means that there will be NPCs in this dungeon."

He rotated the sign to the back, and the formal rules finally appeared.

Rules for using the bathhouse in the first area of ​​the Polytechnic Institute:

1. Please take your number and enter the bathhouse in order of your number. Please take one person per area and bathe in an orderly manner.

2. There are three shower areas in the bathhouse. The water temperature in different areas varies, so the number of card swipe points required is also different.

3. Each card has a total of six points. The points can only be used by yourself. Once they are cleared, you will no longer be able to enter the bathhouse.

4. Due to the limited space in the shower room, each person can only stay in the bathhouse for a maximum of ten minutes. Please remember the time and finish your shower on time. Please do not waste the opportunity and be sure to take a shower when you enter the bathhouse.

5. The bathhouse provides bath scrubbing service. You can find Master Li when he appears and swipe your card to purchase the service.

6. To respect personal privacy, when others close the shower door, please do not open it at will or lie on the ground and peek through the crack of the door.

7. The floor tiles in the bathhouse are slippery, so be careful not to slip. If you slip, do not call for help to avoid disturbing others.

8. You must use soap to clean yourself after taking a bath. After entering the bathhouse, you can get soap at the entrance. To save resources, you are not allowed to get a new soap before the soap is used up.

9. If you find dirt in the bathhouse, please call Master Li to clean it up, and never touch it yourself.

Everyone read carefully one by one.

Fu Xiaoju's mouth suddenly twitched: "The Master Li in the fifth rule...isn't that the Master Li I know?!"

Bird brother was ashamed: "...I think so."

In reality, there is also a Master Li in the science and engineering men's bathhouse. He is a 60-year-old man. He is usually only responsible for guarding the front desk and cleaning the bathhouse, and does not provide bath scrubbing services.

And now, this Master Li has become an NPC, and is forced to take on additional tasks...

A boy asked hesitantly, "The rules say that our card has 6 points. Does this card refer to our campus card?"

Because at the moment, it seems that the copy has no intention of providing them with any other "cards"?

Everyone took out their campus cards.

They usually take a shower with this card. At this moment, the cards in their hands have not changed at all and look exactly the same as usual.

Mu Yu turned around and asked Lu Zhongnian: "You... also brought a card? Where did you get the card?"

Lu Chongnian actually had a science and engineering campus card in his hand.

As he studied the card, he said, "I borrowed it from Ye Sui temporarily."

Ye Sui? ?

Mu Yu was even more confused. He moved closer and asked in a low voice, "How did you come up with the idea of ​​coming to our school bathhouse?"

I feel like Lu Chongnian doesn't really fit in with the style of painting here.

Lu Zhongnian looked up at him, smiled, and cooperated by lowering his head. He leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Because since the copy appeared, my code of conduct has become... as long as I have an idea, I will do it immediately."

"…Only in this way can I not miss the opportunity to meet you."

“…So, here I am.”

The boy's gentle tail tone lingered in his ears.

Mu Yu's heart felt like it was touched by a cat's tail, itching and jumping violently.

The two separated.

Mu Yu blinked and her ears turned red.

Lu Zhongnian curled his lips and raised his hand to rub his head.

Fu Xiaoju stood expressionlessly between the two of them and said in a muffled voice, "Hey, Principal Dou is right next to us, be careful of the impact!"

Mu Yu: "Ahem!"

Lu Zhongnian: “.”

Principal Dou asked, "So, according to your experience, this set of rules should be trustworthy in theory. After entering the bathhouse, we may encounter other new rules. Which rules might be false?"

Mu Yu calmed down and said, "Yes."

So--

Everyone's eyes shifted aside.

After the copy arrived, what appeared on the front desk was not only a sign with the rules printed on it, but also... a small number-taking machine.

Rule 1 of the Bathhouse Usage Rules for the First Area of ​​Science and Technology: Please take a number and enter the bathhouse in order of your number.

The function of this number-taking machine is self-explanatory.

"I want to ask," another boy asked uneasily, "the first rule is that we enter the bathhouse in order of numbers. Does this mean that we can go in one by one, or can we go in in groups of two or three later?"

"Look over there, the electronic screen display is still working." Mu Yu said this.

Everyone was stunned and immediately looked at the small monitor that had been standing on the front desk since before the copy began, standing still.

From just now until now, the number on this display has been a bright red "0" and has not changed.

This means that the remaining space in the bathhouse is always 0.

"I guess, in this copy, we may still have to enter the bathhouse according to the remaining vacancies shown on it, with as many people as there are vacancies," Mu Yu pondered, "and we may have to enter in several rounds, it is impossible to be done in one round, the number of people in the first round may not be displayed until we have taken the numbers."

The three boys who entered the dungeon for the first time all had bitter faces.

They really didn't want to get that number at all. How could they encounter such a thing just to take a bath in the bathhouse?

Principal Dou said calmly, "Since you can't avoid it, don't waste time. Come on."

He was the first to step forward and, setting an example, pressed the button on the number-taking machine decisively.

The number-taking machine hissed and spit out a small piece of paper with the number 2 on it.

Bird brother was surprised: "Hey, don't the numbers start from 1?"

Mu Yu went up second without hesitation and took a number, which was 3.

Lu Zhongnian’s number is 4.

Fu Xiaoju’s number is 1.

Fu Xiaoju: "…………Why not 5?"

Brother Bird took a number after him, and the number he took was "6".

Mu Yu: "This number should be jumping."

The remaining three boys hesitated, but finally stepped forward and took out numbers 5, 7, and 8 respectively.

The moment the last number was spit out, the "0" on the small electronic screen disappeared and the screen went black.

Everyone's heart skipped a beat, and they immediately realized - it seems that it is really as Mu Yu said, the number of vacancies in the first round is about to be announced!

What will it be?

How many players need to enter in the first round? !

As everyone waited with bated breath, the bright red numbers reappeared on the monitor.

On the pitch-black background, a huge number jumped out - 1.

...Only one empty seat?!

Everyone was stunned and immediately looked at Fu Xiaoju.

He is the player with order 1.

Fu Xiaoju froze for a moment, pointed at himself, and asked uncertainly: "...Do you want me to go in alone?"

The bright red "1" was clearly displayed on the small black electronic display screen, and there was no change. The answer was very clear.

——In the first round, Fu Xiaoju needs to enter the bathhouse alone.

Suddenly, the three new boys swallowed hard and showed sympathy on their faces. Brother Bird was sweating for Fu Xiaoju.

Even experienced players cannot handle going into a dungeon alone under such circumstances!

Mu Yu frowned.

He didn't expect this to happen. He thought that at least there should be two or three players in each round, but in the end there was only room for one player?

He took a step forward and was about to take action - Principal Dou took the number paper with "1" written on it from Fu Xiaoju's hand before him.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, but after receiving the number paper, Principal Dou quickly frowned and his expression turned a little unsightly.

Lu Zhongnian asked sharply, "Feeling of near death?"

Principal Dou persisted for a few seconds, but reluctantly returned the number paper to Fu Xiaoju and let out a breath: "It is indeed a feeling of near-death."

It seems that they players cannot swap the order, so there is nothing we can do.

The others reacted slowly - Principal Dou originally wanted to enter the bathhouse first instead of Fu Xiaoju!

Unfortunately...

Fu Xiaoju held the small piece of paper in his hand, with a look of confusion on his face.

After coming out of the dungeon where the club was recruiting new members, he became much bolder. He believed that he was not afraid of coming through a few more dungeons. The more dungeons there were, the closer they were to the truth, and the more likely it was that his brother Lu would be able to reunite with them.

...But can I enter the dungeon by myself? !

...Face the levels and monsters alone?!

…………Fu Xiaoju felt that his life was not that tough!

He wouldn't have to confess himself at the beginning of the game today, right? Isn't it a bit weird to die in the bathhouse? ?

The more Fu Xiaoju thought about it, the more panicked he became.

"Horse...Fu Xiaoju! Don't panic, take a picture of these rules first!"

Mu Yu's deep reminder brought him back to his senses. Fu Xiaoju hurriedly took out his cell phone and took a picture.

After the shoot, Mu Yu said to him, "Don't be nervous, let's sort out our thoughts together first."

Fu Xiaoju took a deep breath: "Okay, reason...!"

Mu Yu thought for a while and said:

"According to the rules, the ten-minute countdown will not begin until you enter the bathhouse, so you can prepare yourself mentally in the changing room before entering."

"Remember the rules. Be sure to shower and use soap after entering. The first rule states that there should be 'one person per area', but you are going in alone this time, so you should be able to choose any of the three shower areas. But for the sake of caution, I think you should just take a shower in the first shower area. There is no need to take risks inside."

Mu Yu spoke at a steady pace, and everyone was listening attentively.

"The Devil's Moon is definitely not that easy to find. You don't need to worry too much about it this time. Did you bring the Devil Coin?"

"I brought it!"

"After you go in, find a vending machine first. If you are in the dressing room, you can exchange for a self-defense item to bring in."

Mu Yu gave a very comprehensive instruction. Fu Xiaoju listened with a pale face. After listening, he asked at a loss: "Then, if Master Li shows up, should I ask him to give me a bath?"

Brother Bird said: "I saw the fifth rule and felt that Master Li was a bit like the NPC who triggered the mission. If you complete the mission, there might be some clues..."

Fu Xiaoju was confused: "Then, then I..."

Principal Dou said at this moment: "Don't worry about these, protect yourself first."

Fu Xiaoju was stunned.

"Finding clues is not your job alone. You need to go in first, protect yourself, and come out to tell us the general situation inside." Principal Dou's voice was gentle and his tone was serious.

Mu Yu agreed: "Principal Dou is right. We can still trigger the mission after we are familiar with the situation."

Fu Xiaoju listened to what the two said and gradually calmed down.

He took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Okay, fine...then, I'll see what the situation is!"

He stretched his stiff shoulders, like a boxer trying to relax his body before a fight.

It seems like he has really won the jackpot today... If he can leave the copy smoothly, he must go to the lottery shop opposite the dormitory area to buy a ticket. No, no, no, buy seventeen or eighteen lottery tickets!

Fu Xiaoju let out a long breath, turned his head, and looked at Lu Chongnian eagerly.

Lu Zhongnian nodded at him and said slowly, "Be careful."

Fu Xiaoju was instantly excited: "——Then, then I'll go in!"

There is a curtain hanging at the door of the dressing room, separating the space on both sides.

He picked up his washbasin, lifted the curtain and walked in.

…

9:35

After Fu Xiaoju went in, the seven people outside were not idle either.

They searched the lobby, which was neither too big nor too small, and only sat down on the plastic benches after confirming that there were no clues worthy of their attention.

The atmosphere fell into silence for a moment.

On the one hand, because of this weird dungeon game, no one can feel relaxed.

On the other hand, it’s because…

Several pairs of eyes kept glancing at the oldest among them...

Principal Dou sat quietly for a while, then asked kindly, "What are your names?"

Mu Yu immediately straightened his back and replied, "Hello, President. My name is Mu Yu, and I'm a freshman majoring in computer science!"

Bird Brother: "I, I'm a junior majoring in fashion design, my name is Luo Wencheng!"

A boy: "I'm a sophomore majoring in electronic information engineering, my name is Zhao Anyi..."

The boy sitting next to him said, "My name is Liu Yu, and I'm a sophomore majoring in mathematics and media."

Principal Dou pointed at Mu Yu, Zhao Anyi and Liu Yu and said, "So you are the seniors and juniors of the School of Information and Electronics?"

Mu Yu immediately said: "Hello, seniors!"

Liu Yu and Zhao Anyi also immediately said: "Hello, junior brother, hello..."

The remaining boy said, "Hello, President. I'm a junior in the Law Department. My name is Wang Shi."

Principal Dou wrote down their names one by one and his eyes fell on Lu Zhongnian.

“Isn’t this student a science student?”

Mu Yu was surprised: "How did you know, Principal?"

Principal Dou smiled and said, "Because I just heard you guys talking about how his campus card was borrowed."

Mu Yu: “…”

Then you, Principal, didn't you hear anything else? !

Lu Chongnian nodded: "Hello, President Dou, I am a freshman in the Department of Mathematics at Lian University, my name is Lu Chongnian."

"Oh, so you are from the Department of Mathematics at Lian University. Then you should be considered as the junior of your President He," President Dou sighed. "Come to think of it, I was just having dinner with your President He. I should have brought him here earlier."

Lu Zhongnian: “…”

He recalled the stern and bookish appearance of their principal He, and always felt that he was not the type who would like to take a bath in a noisy place like a bathhouse.

...However, I seem to have heard that Principal Dou of the University of Science and Technology likes to see Principal He's sullen face the most. Every time he succeeds in provoking him, he will laugh happily. His personality is far from being as gentle and harmless as he appears on the surface...

Lu Chongnian chose to remain silent.

After Principal Dou finished his joke, he looked at the rolling fog outside the gate.

After a moment of silence, he said softly, "This has happened three times already, and so many students have gotten into trouble... I had no idea."

Mu Yu paused and whispered, "Principal, the time and location of the dungeon are random, and players who leave the dungeon cannot reveal these things to the outside world."

...So there's no need to blame yourself.

This is something that no one can control or predict.

*

Fu Xiaoju walked into the locker room alone.

The locker room was square and very spacious. It was quiet at the moment, with no one in sight.

There were lockers on all four walls, and a hair dryer hung on each wall. Everything looked very familiar to him... except for a red vending machine standing diagonally opposite.

He carefully put down the basin, glanced around, and made sure there were no monsters hiding in the corners that he couldn't see. Then he walked to the vending machine, thought for a moment, and exchanged the only demon coin he had for a stick.

Then Fu Xiaoju held the stick and began to feel conflicted.

Does he want to take off his clothes?

Normally when he comes here to take a bath, he puts his spare clothes in the locker and enters the bathhouse naked. He is not shy or anything and has no psychological burden to be open with others.

...But now he is going to play a dungeon. Is he going to walk the bird to meet monsters and NPCs? ?

Fu Xiaoju was torn between his conscience and his desires.

He thought again, the rules stipulate that players must take a shower. If he goes in with his clothes on and comes out wet, wouldn't he be extremely uncomfortable for the next hour or so?

...Forget it, just take the bird for a walk. What can he do if the monster sees his bird!

Anyway, he won't suffer any loss. If you think about it carefully, wouldn't it be great if he could blind the monster's eyes?

Thinking of this, Fu Xiaoju quickly stripped himself naked, leaving all his clothes on the bench in the dressing room. Naked, he walked towards the entrance of the bathhouse with a proud and confident look.