Chapter 179 World Seven [8]

The cooldown time for each use of Blackstone's portal is twenty-four hours. After use, the corresponding portal will exist for one hour. The location of the portal is fixed and cannot be moved or destroyed.

In other words, Black Stone only has one hour to investigate. If he wants to leave smoothly, he must return to the place where he appeared. This is also a small restriction on him.

After taking a quick look at the room he was currently in, Heishi tentatively opened the door.

Outside the room was another room, with a similar layout to the previous room. It was filled with bottles and jars, not only human tissue, but even formed fetuses.

Heishi's scalp tingled as he watched. He didn't dare to do anything to these bottles and jars when he was alone. After taking out the props that could leave images as evidence, Heishi chose to leave.

-

Huo Yi and Xiaolu easily verified the clues they had obtained on the first and second floors, and also learned more information about the dean's meeting on Thursday from the nurse at the service desk.

For example, when the dean is in a meeting, the heads of major departments will patrol each ward and floor to ensure that everyone in the hospital complies with the regulations.

At the same time, discharge and admission procedures will be suspended, and the operating room and physical examination center will not be open until the director finishes the meeting, and then normal operations will resume.

"Number One, do you feel that when the dean holds a meeting, it seems like he is protecting something?" Xiaolu asked while stuffing rice into his mouth.

"Huh? Maintenance?" Huo Yi showed a hint of confusion.

"Have you ever played games before coming to the dungeon world?" Xiaolu asked.

Huo Yi frowned. It was three years ago when she came to the copy world. It seemed a long time ago to her.

Because the copy world left such a deep impression on Huo Yi, she rarely recalled the details of her previous life.

"I've played it before. When I was in college, I would occasionally play FPS games with my roommates as a way to relax." Huo Yi said, "But I mostly went out to experience it in person. Emptying the magazine is quite stress-relieving."

"I see. You haven't played those kind of business strategy mobile games in China. Many mobile games in China have a default unspoken rule, which is that the game maintenance time will be scheduled on Thursdays."

Xiaolu explained, "Game maintenance is usually four hours long, usually used for version updates or the release of gift packs. I think the timing of the dean's meeting perfectly corresponds to the so-called maintenance period. After all, the dean isn't the one who performs admissions, discharges, surgeries, or physical examinations, so there's no need to suspend those for a meeting."

After hearing Xiaolu's words, Huo Yi also fell into deep thought. "Your speculation makes sense. During this period, the heads of various departments will also participate in patrols. It feels like the kind of maintenance you mentioned."

"According to their plan, Thursday is the time to sneak into the dean's office to investigate. Should we go together and take the opportunity to go to other places?" Xiaolu asked.

Huo Yi pinched his brows and said, "If it's game maintenance, the server should generally be closed, right?"

"Of course, except for internal personnel, no players can log in." Xiaolu said.

"If the director's meeting is considered as maintenance of the hospital, then if we take action at this time, won't we be wiped out as a virus invading the hospital?" Huo Yi asked in return.

"It wasn't difficult to get information about the dean's meeting. It could even be argued that those in the know had no intention of concealing it. On the other hand, could this be a trap?"

Huo Yi said, "Don't forget, the cleaners won't go to the seventh floor without the dean's personal order."

Xiaolu felt like she was about to be convinced by Huo Yi's logic. Isn't game maintenance just about fixing bugs? To the hospital, these players seemed to be like bugs and viruses.

"This is a guess without any basis for the time being. Just inform them tonight. If they insist on going, then let them go." Huo Yi concluded.

It's hard to persuade the damned guy with kind words. In the copy world, everyone fights on their own. They have done their best by being willing to give him a reminder.

-

Heishi did not tell anyone else about the recorded images. He just found a gap and talked with Huang San for less than three minutes.

Huang San had the same doubts as Heishi. He felt that if the hospital was just hiding the organ trade, it seemed too simple.

But if there is any other inside story, there are currently no relevant clues or guidance.

"Same as always, let's wait until the sixth night or the seventh day to take action. If there is no one in the hidden area, then we will just demolish it violently. The C4 weapons of the two of us combined are enough to destroy this hospital." Huang San said.

Heishi did not object. He nodded to Huang San and went to the fifth floor.

Heishi's troubles have not been completely solved. His corresponding patient is going to have surgery this afternoon. In order to spend the night in peace, he must cause some trouble to the patients in other rooms.

-

Because there is no evidence, Xiaolu did not charge any fees when sharing the speculation of "game maintenance".

"Whether you believe it or not, I have said everything I need to say. If you insist on going, I wish you good luck." Xiaolu spread his hands and acted indifferent.

Huang San and Heishi's expressions remained unchanged. Xiaobai didn't care as he thought he would be sent to the operating room tomorrow. However, the remaining Dazhuang and Xiaowen had a look of retreat in their eyes.

"It's an interesting idea, but I still think you're overthinking it. The premise for weekly meetings is that the director is in the hospital. From the perspective of the hospital staff, the director has to travel outside from time to time, and sometimes he's gone for ten days or half a month."

Huang San said slowly, "If the hospital really has any equipment that needs the director's maintenance, she should be there every Thursday instead of traveling so often."

"Game maintenance is not... forget it, do whatever you want." Xiaolu originally wanted to persuade them, but soon thought that Huang San and the others were not his true companions.

"We have already shared our findings and guesses. I think you won't come away empty-handed today, right?" Xiaolu asked.

"We arrived at the archive room smoothly. There is no problem with the information on the surface, but I think the archive room during the day should be different from the archive room at night. Maybe we can find the secret only by going there at night." Dazhuang said.

As long as the consumption of props is not taken into consideration, it is not difficult for veteran players to sneak into a place to check the situation.

"Anyone else?" Xiaolu continued to ask.

"Patient 503 did not die after entering the operating room, but was amputated below the waist," said Heishi.

"Three people were discharged from the fourth floor during the day, and three patients on the fifth floor also failed to be resuscitated." Xiao Wen pushed his glasses. "No one from the fourth floor has been transferred to the fifth floor, but there are two new patients there. I heard they were given critical illness notices at other hospitals and then transferred to the World's First Miracle Hospital."

It seems that the clues everyone got were very ordinary, but only they themselves knew whether they actually shared the information.

-

Night falls again.

Huo Yi is now immune to the strange lights and environment after eight o'clock, but when she walked around the massage chair, she couldn't help but hesitate.

I saw an extra white coat on me this morning. Does it mean that a dean came here last night?

If I just lie down and don’t sleep tonight, will I meet a dean directly?

Before Huo Yi could figure out this problem, the sound of regular footsteps came from behind him, accompanied by a faint fragrance.

This scent was very familiar to Huo Yi. She had smelled it on a white coat just this morning.

"Number One, do you like sleeping on the massage chair?" Jing Ke asked. When she stopped, the dim lights on the second floor became brighter.

Huo Yi slowly turned around and saw Jing Ke still wearing a white coat, and the look in his eyes changed slightly.

"It's okay. It should be better than sleeping on a nursing bed." Huo Yi said.

Huo Yi's reason told her that when facing the dungeon boss, she must remain 120% vigilant and alert.

But reason is reason, and in reality Huo Yi couldn't do it at all. The overly bright light seemed to dispel all the bad buffs, preventing her from entering that state.

Not only did the necessary vigilance and uneasiness disappear, but Huo Yi even felt a strange sense of security when he saw Jing Ke.

It seemed that as long as Jing Ke was there, she didn't need to be on guard against monsters popping out from some corner.

No, no, the other party is the boss of the dungeon world, not her reliable teammate. How could she have such thoughts!

I must not forget what Xiaolu said. I must not be deceived by the boss's harmless appearance. The bosses in the copy world are all very scary and cruel.

In just a few seconds, many thoughts flashed through Huo Yi's mind, and the look in his eyes kept changing, finally turning into a look with a hint of vigilance.

"Really? I think you didn't sleep well. A place like this is barely okay for a temporary rest, but it's better to sleep for eight hours lying in bed." Jing Ke said as he took another step forward, and the distance between them was less than three meters.

"Would you like to go to the seventh floor to rest for a while? There are many rooms there and you can pick one you like." Jing Ke showed a friendly smile on his face and gently pushed his glasses with his fingers.

"There's a TV inside. You can watch some movies or listen to some music." Jing Ke took another small step forward. "In my territory, you don't need to follow any rules. You can do whatever you want. This is the privilege I give you."

Huo Yi's eyes twitched slightly. Was this the boss trying to win him over? Was she trying to sugarcoat him into submission?

"By the way, I know you are worried about your friend's situation. The TV in the room on the seventh floor can also be connected to a monitor so that you can see some of the images you want to see." Jing Ke drew a fragrant and sweet pancake and waited for Huo Yi to open his mouth and take a bite to savor the taste.

To be honest, Huo Yi was really moved.

If the dean really wanted to do something to her, she would have had too many opportunities and there would have been no need to come up with any tricks.

Moreover, she was being targeted by the boss of the dungeon world. This was an unchangeable fact, and no matter how much she resisted, it would be of no avail.

How does the saying go, if you can't resist it, then try to enjoy it?

"Can I take a hot bath?" Huo Yi spoke after a brief silence.

The smile in Jing Ke's eyes became more obvious. "Of course, all the toiletries are available. They are all disposable and absolutely safe and hygienic."

That's it. Huo Yi accepted Jing Ke's invitation as if he had nothing to lose, and took the elevator to the seventh floor with her.

Huo Yi had seen the brightly lit seventh floor once before, but last time she didn't have time to observe it carefully, so she just took a quick look around.

The seventh floor is Jing Ke’s private area, which is equipped with offices, conference rooms, gyms, kitchens, study rooms, etc.

The so-called rest area for medical staff and their families is actually similar to a second bedroom and guest room. There are only three rooms in total, and it is estimated that no medical staff and their families will actually live in it.

Wait, if she moves in, will she be the first person to do so?

So the question is, under what name did I move in? Does occupying this room mean I am a family member of a medical worker?

"What's wrong? Don't you like these three rooms?" Jing Ke asked with her head tilted after seeing Huo Yi standing at the door and not going in.

Huo Yi pursed his lips, not knowing what to say.

I've already followed him up here, it seems a little too late to regret now?

But what happened to me on the second floor just now? Why did I become so obsessed with following Jing Ke up here?

Huo Yi began to think and fell silent.

"If you don't like any of these three rooms, you are most welcome to sleep in my bedroom. There is a bathtub in the bathroom of my room and you can take a bath." Jing Ke added.

"Nothing, I was just daydreaming. This room is pretty good." Huo Yi said and walked in.

Jing Ke chuckled, took off her glasses and put them in her front pocket, then took out something. "There are new pajamas in the closet, feel free to use them. Also, here's the room key, keep it safe."

Huo Yi did not refuse and took the key. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. This key is unique and cannot be copied. Remember to keep it carefully and don't lose it." Jing Ke said with a smile, "Have a good rest and sleep well."

Huo Yi tightly grasped the only key he had and politely replied, "You too, good night."

-

The fourth day is Thursday.

Huo Yi returned to Room 407 at 6:30, as she was familiar with the route. In order not to worry Xiaolu, she did not tell her where she slept yesterday. She just ate breakfast while exchanging information as usual.

"Huang San and the others have decided to go to the seventh floor. I hope they won't be wiped out, otherwise the plan to explore the hidden area on the sixth day will be a complete failure." Xiaolu said lazily.

In three days, Xiaolu gradually adapted to the environment of the ward, and his sleep quality improved visibly.

"The entire army may not be wiped out, but there will definitely be a loss of manpower." Huo Yi took a bite of the bun, and an idea popped up in his mind.

If I choose to stay on the seventh floor, won't she have breakfast with Jing Ke? What will they eat? Will they also have buns?

"Huang San and Heishi should be fine, but it's hard to say about the rest." Xiaolu clicked his tongue. They were all old players, and they could see a little bit of each other's little calculations.

Huo Yi responded vaguely, and when he thought about the fact that he had locked the door, a little expectation arose in his heart.

Whatever happens, just don't mess up the room where you're staying temporarily, as she plans to stay there tonight.

Xiaolu had no idea about the two of them going on an adventure for the time being. His plan for the fourth day was to be a good person who followed the rules so that he wouldn't become a bug that needed to be fixed during the hospital maintenance.

Huo Yi agreed with this. Seeing that his friend was still yawning, he simply took him to the massage chair on the second floor so that Xiaolu could have a good sleep.

At 9:55, Jing Ke, who was dressed neatly, brought a group of people and passed by the second floor. After seeing Huo Yi staring blankly with boredom, he raised his hand to let the people behind him stop.

"You are not allowed to bring cell phones to the meeting. If you are bored, you can play with my phone." Jing Ke walked to Huo Yi's side and handed her the phone before she could react.

When Huo Yi realized something was wrong, Jing Ke had already led a group of people towards the meeting room.

Huo Yi looked at the back of a certain dean as he left, then looked at the phone in his hand.

It’s been delivered to your door, so why not open it and take a look?

After discovering that his friend was sleeping soundly with an eye mask on, Huo Yi did not wake him up, but directly pressed the button on the side of the phone.

Face unlock successful

Hmm? Face unlock successful?

Huo Yi touched his face, then opened the camera on his phone to make sure it was still his own face.

How could this happen? How could my face unlock Jing Ke's phone? This was too unscientific.

Huo Yi frowned, put aside the unclear questions, and studied the contents of his mobile phone.

The album is empty. Apart from some built-in software, there is only a small game called Candy Crush and an app for reading news.

Huo Yi opened the news app and read today's news.

The stock market surged to 3,000 points, a celebrity was shortlisted for the Golden Rooster Award, a bridge collapsed, and a serious car accident occurred somewhere.

Today's news is unremarkable, and there doesn't seem to be anything special to note.

Huo Yi swiped left and right, and when he found that he could view historical news, he clicked the button.

Then a gray-white picture popped up. It looked like the police had solved a big case. A group of people wearing hoods and handcuffs were escorted out by the police.

There is no text on the picture, but there are many messages from netizens in the comment section.

[Celebrate the whole world! These people have finally been apprehended! How many lives have been stained on their hands? They must be sentenced to death!]

[Support the same crime for buying and selling. Don't take it lightly. They all have blood on their hands.]

But what's wrong with the buyers? They just want to survive. They paid for it, and they just think they bought the right to be the first to receive it, right?

[Bullshit, an organ costs tens of millions, how can ordinary people afford it? This is the industrial chain, these people are habitual offenders!]

Don't other people have to take responsibility? Where did they get these students' health data? Are these so-called physical examinations just for those powerful people to select organs? I think everyone involved should be held accountable; they are all murderers!

[Give me back my daughter's life! Life for a life! Die, die, die, die! Everyone must die! Everyone must die!]

【die! die! die! die! die! 】

Except for the first comment which can provide some information, most of the comments afterwards are about death, which should be the desperate roars of the victims' families.

So the question is, why did Jing Ke give me a phone that can access this information? Is she trying to tell me something?

If this hospital was really the one in the picture, why did Jing Ke do this? Was she trying to make him recognize her true identity?

Huo Yi frowned, feeling that he had overlooked a very important point.

After failing to find the answer, Huo Yi clicked on other sections in the APP to see if there were any other clues.

"Number One, how come you have a cell phone? Did you bring it from the safe zone?" Xiaolu took off her blindfold at some point and looked at Huo Yi with some confusion.

Huo Yi pursed his lips, and after realizing that he had to return the phone, he told the truth.

"What? The dean gave it to you? Why would she give you her own phone?" Xiaolu's eyes widened. "Number One, tell me the truth, you wouldn't sell yourself out to the boss just to get some clues, would you?"

"What are you thinking? Would I do that?" Huo Yi couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"You really didn't do that?" Xiaolu didn't want to doubt it, but her friend had the dean's cell phone!

Is it safe to give away something like a cell phone, which holds so many secrets? Even if you're married, your cell phone is still a very private thing, okay?

"No, Jing... the dean should want to tell me something through the phone." Huo Yi interrupted his friend's wandering thoughts and wanted to hand the phone to Xiaolu, asking her to analyze with him what message the picture and the comments below could convey.

But Huo Yi moved a little too quickly. When he handed the phone over, he accidentally pressed the button on the side, turning off the screen.

Xiaolu didn't notice anything wrong from this action. After taking it, he pressed the button naturally and planned to simply slide to unlock it.

Face unlock failed

After seeing the six words pop up, Xiaolu panicked, "Oh no, I accidentally locked the screen, what should I do?"

Huo Yi fell into silence. After meeting his friend's gaze, he pursed his lips and turned the front of the phone towards himself.

Face unlock successful

Looking at the reappearing phone screen, Xiaolu blinked first, then slowly moved her head and looked at Huo Yi with a complicated expression.

"Don't worry, even if you're really killed by the boss, I will do my best to rescue you. Only half of the seven days have passed. Don't be too pessimistic. If things really don't work out, we can blow up this hospital. If the hospital doesn't exist, the director's strength will definitely be weakened. We still have a chance to get out together."

Xiaolu's voice was a little trembling at first, but in the end, only grief and determination remained.

Huo Yi: ...

Is it too late for me to say now that I don’t know why?

Nothing really happened between Jing Ke and me! At most, we just stayed on the seventh floor for one night!

I'm not being pouty! Get those weird thoughts out of your head!