Chapter 9 Welcome Party (Part 9)
If you come across a performer, do not disturb them.
But what counts as “disturbance”?
This word has too much room for imagination.
At that time, the singing was getting closer and closer. Everyone knew that it was probably a monster. Everyone would think that the monster was approaching them. Standing still in an open area went against the instinct of ordinary people.
At that time, perhaps many people would subconsciously try to dig out the basis for them to leave that place from between the lines of the rules.
The first vague rule of “Precautions in the Rehearsal Area” was like a pair of hands, gently pushing them.
All it takes is for the player to move slightly while struggling with his thoughts.
The monster will find him immediately.
…
“In fact, the second and third rules of the new rehearsal area are only useful when players collide with monsters. In other words, encountering a monster does not necessarily mean death.” Jiang Shuyue sighed.
But Wang Lei and Jing Qiao completely ignored it at that time.
It's not hard to understand. If it were him, he might not be able to calm down and find the correct answer so quickly.
Su Mingyun murmured, "It's okay to run into a monster face to face, but will it be okay if the player takes the initiative to greet the monster? But what normal person would greet a monster? This rule of not disturbing is completely misleading."
"The monster creates the illusion that it's getting closer and closer, and the rules imply that the player must dodge. The player will be caught if he moves!"
The more she thought about it, the colder her feet felt. "Besides, they were inexperienced at the time and couldn't hear any noise from outside. They might have thought they were separated into a separate space and just had to follow the new rules of the space."
If the players had been more careful like Jiang Shuyue at the time and noticed the word "rehearse" in the new rules, they would have been further misled into thinking that their speculation was correct.
——See, that’s right, “rehearsal” is not “performance”, the rules can’t possibly leave such a big textual bug, why can’t they move when the monsters are singing here? !
...Only by discovering the slogan in time can players get the correct answer, otherwise they will fall into traps at every step.
From the beginning of the copy until now, they all believed that only by following the rules can they survive, but now even the rules have become sinister.
Mu Yu raised his hand, bent his thumb, and subconsciously bit his knuckles with his teeth.
After biting twice, he put down his hand and stared at Jing Qiao and asked, "Then what happened after Wang Lei's neck was bitten off?"
Jing Qiao came back to his senses and sniffed: "The singing monster dragged him away, and the dancing monster came over and asked me if I wanted to dance with it. I was too scared at the time and didn't dare to agree, so I shook my head. At this time, the monster disappeared, and I turned around and found that the black wall disappeared... Wait, it's because I didn't agree?"
Jing Qiao opened her eyes wide, and only now realized: "Yes, I was let off because I didn't agree at the time! The third rule is also a problematic rule!"
Su Mingyun said, "So the first and third items of the 'Precautions for the Rehearsal Area' are problematic, and only the second item is trustworthy?"
Jiang Shuyue thought it was not certain: "Wang Lei died because he was punished for speaking loudly. In fact, we don't know whether the second rule is true or not. If he answered that answer in a low voice, he might also be killed!"
Su Mingyun swallowed.
Yes, who knows if all three rules are problematic...
She said worriedly, "The door to the room below the stairs will only open when a leveled dungeon arrives. Obviously, we can only enter that room and find clues after we have dealt with those two monsters. This is likely to be the case for the corridor area and the prop area."
"Only if we get all the clues of the three graded copies can we find the monster generator. But if the rules of the graded copies are all problematic, how can we pass them?"
While they were talking over there, Lu Zhongnian suddenly asked Jing Qiao a question.
He asked: "Did you see the two monsters' appearance clearly?"
Suddenly, everyone was stunned.
That’s right—so far, Jing Qiao seems to have not mentioned what these two monsters look like.
Jing Qiao shook her head, feeling somewhat guilty: "Those two monsters were completely black, just like two shadows. I could only vaguely make out some three-dimensional human features, but I was too panicked at the time and really didn't see them clearly. I'm sorry."
Su Mingyun and Jiang Shuyue comforted her.
Just then, footsteps were heard behind them.
When I turned around, it was Chang Sen, running towards me from the aisle!
He is still alive!
Does this mean that the third scenario that Lu Zhongnian just mentioned is correct? ! The other two groups of people are not dead yet, as long as they solve the copy, they can get out!
But before they had time to be happy, they realized that there was no Hong Huanyu behind Chang Sen, and their hearts sank.
Chang Sen ran up to them, propped up his knees with his hands and gasped for breath: "Finally I found you! Hong, Hong Huanyu is in trouble, he's dead! Damn, damn!"
Jiang Shuyue's throat was dry: "...Senior, calm down. What exactly happened?"
"I, we were just searching halfway through that corridor when we were suddenly teleported to the entrance—"
Teleport?
The other four immediately looked at Jing Qiao, who quickly shook his head.
She and Wang Lei did not encounter this situation.
Mu Yu quickly realized that it was probably because the graded copy started as soon as the two of them entered the rehearsal area, and they were at the starting point of the graded copy map at the beginning.
Unlike the others, who had searched a considerable distance before the graded copy began.
Chang Sen continued, "At that time, the entire aisle was blocked at both ends. We couldn't get out. A piece of paper appeared on the wall next to us. It said - there are no performers in the aisle area. If you see anyone performing, turn around and leave immediately, or hide."
"At that time, I heard the host outside invite the next person to come on stage--"
Everyone interrupted him at the same time: "Did you hear the sound of the stage outside at that time?!"
Didn’t the black wall block out all the sounds from outside?
Chang Sen was stunned: "Yes, I can hear it, very clearly!"
"At that time, I knew the performance was about to begin, so I immediately found a box to hide in. But Hong Huanyu was stunned. It seemed that he saw the monster at this moment and wanted to run towards me. As a result, singing started outside, and his legs broke. He fell to the ground and screamed, and his head..."
Chang Sen's face was pale, and he spoke as if he was crying: "I was hiding behind a box and didn't dare to move, then I saw a black shadow - a three-dimensional black shadow like a man in a shirt and casual pants. It grabbed my head and upper body and carried me away. It walked a long way until I could no longer hear the footsteps and the song ended. After a long time, the exits at both ends of the aisle reappeared, and I dared to come out."
"Hong Huanyu's body disappeared. I looked everywhere but couldn't find it. The monster is gone too!"
"What about you? Why are there only five of you?" Chang Sen cried, "Where's Wang Lei? Where are the other two roommates?"
He obviously could not provide any more clues about what happened in the aisle area.
Su Mingyun was responsible for telling him all the information they currently had, while Jiang Shuyue turned around and ran to the aisle area.
At this moment, the performance outside has not yet begun, and the host's appearance lasts for a long time this time.
Jiang Shuyue came back after searching and shook his head with a heavy expression - Hong Huanyu was just like Wang Lei, the body, bloodstains, all traces had disappeared.
No way, Mu Yu, as a representative, quickly made a summary:
"The three areas have different rules and monsters, so the ways to clear them are definitely different."
"Jing Qiao was let go because he answered a question from the monster, while Senior Chang simply waited there until the black wall disappeared. But neither of them got any clues, so it can't be considered a clear, it can only be considered the end of the dungeon."
"In the rehearsal area, both monsters should be eliminated to complete the game. The key point lies in the player's response to the monsters in the two situations. We need to think about this carefully."
"Over there in the aisle area, I feel like something may have happened when you, Senior Chang, weren't looking, which led to the termination of the copy. I wonder if you could try to recall the clues again, which may be a breakthrough."
Chang Sen felt a little numb at this moment, so Mu Yu could only continue talking.
"After the Black Wall descended, the internal environment of each graded dungeon looked different. The sound from the backstage could not be heard in the rehearsal area, but it could be heard in the aisle area. This is probably because the dungeon wants to increase the difficulty."
"Also, because of the slogan in the rehearsal area, players still can't move around or speak loudly when they encounter the monster 'rehearsal', but the aisle area clearly states 'no performers'."
"If this rule is not fake and there are no other warning signs, then in the aisle area, before the infield show starts, even if there is a monster show, players probably don't have to follow the rules against walking around and making loud noises."
"It is not clear whether the prop area can hear the inner field sound. If we can successfully enter the graded copy later, the first thing the person in charge of the prop area will do is to confirm this."
"The clues are likely hidden deep in each area. They will only appear after the leveled dungeon arrives, and you need to defeat monsters to get them. If you get the clues, you can probably pass the level. This is our next goal."
That’s all I can conclude.
Time waits for no one. The remaining roommate group has not shown up yet. Perhaps they are still struggling in the copy. It is time for them to reallocate the groups.
Jing Qiao gritted her teeth and said, "Then I'll continue to stay in the rehearsal area. There's no need to change copies at this time!"
Chang Sen was stunned for a long time when he learned that they were going to restart the graded copy. He wiped his tears and said, "Then, I'll go back to the aisle area... Damn, but I have no idea how to deal with that monster..."
Others didn’t know what to say. Even though they had analyzed a lot, they still had to face a lot of unknowns.
Everyone’s future is uncertain, and everyone’s fate is literally in their own hands, so everyone is feeling very uneasy.
Mu Yu looked around.
So, how should the remaining four people be grouped?
He pursed his lips and looked at Lu Chongnian tentatively, and Lu Chongnian nodded slightly.
Mu Yu's mood suddenly became complicated.
If it were any other time, he would definitely be very happy that Lu Zhongnian trusted him unconditionally, but at this moment, he was a little conflicted...
However, he did not show his thoughts on his face, and only said to the others: "Lu Zhongnian and I will be in charge of the props area."
Everyone was stunned.
The prop area is the only graded copy that they have not obtained any clues at all so far. Mu Yu has taken over the most dangerous graded copy.
Jiang Shuyue bounced his body, unwilling to admit defeat, and said awkwardly: "I, I can go too, or you and I..."
Lu Zhongnian gave him a cold look and said, "Choose from the remaining two copies."
Jiang Shuyue: “…………”
Su Mingyun asked Chang Sen: "Senior, are you sure there is only one monster in the aisle area?"
Chang Sen said blankly: "Anyway, I only saw one..."
Su Mingyun hesitated for a moment and said, "Then I'll go to the Dao District with you. Jiang, I'll leave Qiaoqiao to you, okay?"
She made this choice not because she was afraid or wanted to throw a heavier burden on others.
It was because objectively speaking, Jiang Shuyue was stronger than her and his brain worked faster than her. No matter how you looked at it, Jing Qiao had a better chance of surviving if he was in a group with Jiang Shuyue than if he was in a group with her.
Of course, Su Mingyun didn't think she was that bad, and she and Chang Sen weren't in the same group to hold others back.
Jiang Shuyue agreed immediately: "Okay, don't worry."
After the groups were formed, Mu Yu still had something to say, so he motioned for everyone to gather together and said seriously:
"First, once we are in position, we may be able to enter the dungeon right away, but we may also have to wait."
They were all clear about the two possibilities that the latter situation meant.
"Before Lu Zhongnian and I arrive at the prop area, the other two groups can take this time to familiarize themselves with the environment."
"Second, if you successfully enter the graded instance, confirm the rules immediately. Pay attention to whether there are other rules that you haven't noticed, whether the rules have changed, etc."
"Third, it would be best if you can clear the instance and get the clues, but if that's not possible, then find a way to 'end' the instance."
But everyone actually knows that they don’t have much time left. If they fail to obtain clues in the second round, it is a question whether they will have a chance to open the third round of graded copies.
"The fourth point is something everyone already knows. Be careful and don't trust all the rules of the graded dungeons."
Su Mingyun raised his hand and asked, "So, how do we tell whether a rule is true or false?"
Everyone was thinking about this question just now, but most people didn't figure it out.
Lu Zhongnian raised his eyes and gave a suggestion in a light tone: "In the absence of any clues, you can choose to assume that the rule is true."
The others didn't react at once.
Mu Yu agreed with his idea and explained for him:
"If you just doubt without any basis, then none of the rules in the graded copies will be credible. This is definitely wrong and will only lead to wrong decisions."
"And if you think about it carefully, if all the rules in a graded instance are problematic, how can players play? Would the person who created this 'game' really make the rules like this?"
“So maybe we can set a baseline for judgment—assuming that all the rules are true.”
"On this basis, look for any contradictory rules or other implied rules to determine which rule is problematic."
"Take the rehearsal area for example. First of all, the slogan defines rehearsal as performance. So once the rehearsal begins, we can no longer talk loudly or move around. This is the clue and basis. Under this basis, no matter what is considered disturbing the performers, the players cannot move."
Jing Qiao pointed out an obvious loophole: "The third rule of the rehearsal area is that it is false without any basis? I rejected the dancer monster and survived."
Mu Yu paused and said, "It's just a suggestion anyway, you can judge for yourself."
At this stage, no one has the ability to take everything into consideration, and they can only analyze it after actually entering the graded copy.
The time is 6:53, and they have about twenty minutes left to live.
Jiang Shuyue finally reminded: "If you encounter any problems, you can recall the 'New Lotus Theater Usage Rules'. This is the general rule covering the entire theater. It is a rule that has been almost confirmed to be true so far and can be used as a basis for judgment!"
There is no doubt about this.
The six people took a deep breath, and their eyes looked at each other with the same expression: We must try our best to pass the level alive!
Before leaving, Mu Yu thought for a moment, gave Jiang Shuyue a look, and then looked beside him.
Jiang Shuyue received his gaze, touched the back of his head, and felt a little puzzled.
But after all, he is a top student at Lian University, so his reaction speed is still quick.
He shuddered, as if he understood, but seemed very uncertain. His eyes drifted to the side, then back, and asked Mu Yu with his eyes: "......?"
Before Mu Yu could even glance back, his head was held down and twisted back the next second.
He looked blankly at Lu Zhongnian beside him: "?"
Lu Zhongnian looked straight ahead: "Let's go."
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