Chapter 110 Epilogue (Part 4): Some Daily Life (Including the Haunted House Dungeon)
"Please gather here if you are playing the White Reaper dungeon. It will open when there are 20 people."
As soon as the players stepped out of the elevator on the 36th floor, they sensed something unusual—was it some kind of atmosphere, or just a psychological effect?
Given that this haunted house almost never repeats the same script, players habitually gather together at the start to secretly share their discoveries.
Even setting aside the good looks of these top-tier handsome men... of course, good looks are still very important... the highly free-form storyline that never gets players bored is also an attractive and exciting aspect.
At this moment, the lights in the outer corridor have gone completely dark, leaving only a weak ambient light to guide the way, yet it is like a crack in an abyss, luring travelers who know nothing of despair into a trap.
Midway through their conversation, they suddenly discovered a blind spot.
"Do we have an extra person?"
"No matter how you count, there are always twenty-one people... Who sneaked on board without a ticket?"
"No, I think that person's attire was too obvious; no matter how you look at it, it doesn't seem like they were trying to evade the fare..."
As they talked, their gazes unconsciously converged on the same person—a young man with black hair and red eyes, wearing a short white cloak over a long, pure white robe embroidered with gold patterns at the hem.
Not to mention the smile he gave when he looked in their direction after he realized he was the center of attention.
"Wow, what amazing looks... No, he could never have sneaked in without a ticket."
"It's definitely an NPC, a beautiful new NPC! Let me admire her!"
"What a magnificent face..."
This is a new NPC that has never been seen in the White Reaper dungeon before, instantly raising players' expectations to the max.
As for why the outfit is similar to that of Dazai Osamu—it's probably to make a clear distinction from them so that they can recognize it at a glance, like a work uniform or something.
No matter how you look at it, this beautiful new NPC doesn't seem like a bad person!
Players completely forgot that they thought the same thing when they first saw the other NPCs in the House of the Dead.
“You were recognized? That’s surprising. You’re even more perceptive than I expected… Perhaps this time, I can place my hopes on you.”
The man placed one hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and continued, "Greetings, I am Fyodor D., here to find someone who can fight against the White Death."
"Fighting against the White Death?"
One of the players chimed in at the opportune moment.
The biggest difference between this haunted house and other haunted houses lies here. In "The House of the Dead Rats," players are not just spectators of a performance, or simply trying to pass through levels.
They will acquire a certain identity throughout the story, need to interact with NPCs to trigger the plot, and use this as a guide to explore the entire haunted house until they complete the mission, win, or are scared and run away the whole time, still feeling lingering fear when they come out.
The mission for the White Reaper instance is to [stop the White Reaper's Great Purge Plan], but wave after wave of players have fallen trying to complete it, and no one has succeeded yet.
It's said that the European Agent instance next door is the most user-friendly, where players also play as one of the agent companions, led by the ace duo Rimbaud and Verlaine to complete a rather thrilling mission.
Although there were several scary moments along the way, those were all caused by the enemy, and Rimbaud and Verlaine were super reliable teammates who were responsible for leading them away from the scary moments.
Unlike the White Reaper dungeon, which has the least complicated storyline, players have still suffered a complete wipeout so far, with no one managing to clear it.
Especially that great demon king named Dazai Osamu, despite his handsome face, he showed absolutely no mercy when chasing them down!
Could it be that... the [Rats in the House of the Dead] finally realized that this dungeon was indeed too difficult and decided to lower the difficulty for them?
Players huddled together, cautiously following the newly arrived, beautiful NPC deeper into the area, trying to trigger more story events through dialogue.
“Yes,” Fyodor D nodded, “I’m sure you all know the White Reaper’s goal. Tonight, they will kill all the superhumans and turn this land into a living hell.”
“And you are the chosen ones, the ones with the best chance of stopping the White Death.”
"But before... cough, I mean, we had absolutely no confidence in our ability to succeed, and we didn't even know how to stop it..."
The player, who had been given the identity of a [superpowered individual], almost revealed to the beautiful new NPC the result of being chased and running around in a panic, and finally escaping through the safety passage.
"Don't worry,"
Fyodor D. reassured everyone with a smile, “Actually, on the top floor of this building, there is a treasure room called [Dragon's Kingdom].
"Tatsuhiko Shibusawa!"
Players who had died here several times immediately thought of another key character in the story.
"Only more dangerous superhumans can kill superhumans on a large scale."
Fyodor D praised, "He can turn the slain superhumans into gems and store them in his [Land of Tatsuhiko]. As long as we reach that treasure room, find Shibusawa Tatsuhiko and kill him... then we will also gain the hope of [welcoming tomorrow]."
"So that's how it is!"
Having finally learned the conditions for clearing the dungeon, the players immediately became eager to rush to the top floor in one go.
"No one dared to go up to the fourth floor before, but with Fyodor helping us this time, we might actually have a chance to clear it..."
The area occupied by each instance is different; some have two floors, some have three floors, but the floor calculation does not start from the skyscraper itself, but from the instance entrance.
Therefore, even in the White Reaper instance starting from the thirty-sixth floor, counting four floors upwards would not be called the "fortieth floor," but would still be counted as the "fourth floor."
However, when they were halfway through the first-floor corridor, the deathly fog gradually spread, filling the long and dark corridor, and the tension that the players had just barely managed to relax instantly returned.
In their previous experiences, they had fought countless battle royale games here... with almost no one surviving.
Only the [Safety Passage] sign in the distance pierced through the thick fog that obscured their vision, flashing a bright green light as if mocking their overestimation of their abilities.
With his heart pounding in his throat, he hadn't taken two steps when a scream erupted from the player group: "A hair is wrapped around my foot! It's alive!!"
"Aaaaaaah!!"
That one sentence alone was enough to scare everyone into jumping up and down and dancing Spanish flamenco.
Ye Yihe, standing still: "..."
It was my first time playing an NPC, and I almost burst out laughing. I'm so sorry.
"It's warm! Warm hands are reaching right through the wall and groping at me, even though there was nothing there just a moment ago!"
Screams followed by the sound of running, and several new players rushed out of the safety passage.
The fog obscures visibility, and human remains can appear out of nowhere—making the test on your heart much greater than in other instances.
The remaining players immediately clung even tighter to Ye Yihe, moving one step at a time as if afraid that this NPC might disappear without a trace.
"Please follow me this way."
The main reason was that Fyodor D., dressed in white, kept smiling gently at them, as if encouraging them not to give up.
Because that face's smile was so alluring, it allowed them to overcome the eerie sensation of walking on the ground, the occasional eye contact with an eyeball embedded in the wall, the soft sighs brushing against their ears, the soft tugging at their clothes... and a series of other terrifying events, and successfully reach the stairwell where the fog was lightest.
And during this period, he placed immense trust in Fyodor D.
Even based on their past experience, if they managed to get through the maze-like first floor, there was still an even more terrifying second floor... But with Fyodor leading the way, who had deliberately made things easier for them, they regained their confidence to complete the level!
"Hey, look what I've seen!"
Just then, another white death god they called the Great Demon King—Dazai Osamu—appeared.
Wearing a pure white coat, he stood at the top of the stairs, spreading his hands towards the players. "Isn't this my dear companion, Fyodor?"
"Are you planning to sacrifice them all to Shibusawa at once? That's not a bad idea, after all, killing them one by one would be too troublesome."
The swirling mist settled at his feet, the lights on both sides flickered, and Dazai Osamu, appearing with an overwhelming sense of oppression, inadvertently revealed the fact that Fyodor D. was in cahoots with him.
The remaining players who had been sticking together gasped, but no one moved an inch for the time being.
After all, other places are even more terrifying.
“Your methods of sowing discord seem a bit too direct, Dazai.” Fyodor D. tilted his head slightly to look at him. “Do you think they’ll believe your words so easily?”
“Yes, that’s it.” One of the players mustered up his courage and endorsed his new tweet.
"Your methods of controlling people's hearts are as skillful as ever."
Dazai Osamu smiled. "That's true. As a new member, you have to show us your value."
The players' hearts tightened again—could this new NPC be another great demon king?!
“I will let you see them,” Fyodor D said calmly, “but before that, I will let you see their value.”
As Dazai Osamu uttered a light, airy "I hope so," the hem of his coat traced an elegant arc as he turned—then, he stepped onto the stairs leading to the third floor, his figure gradually disappearing.
Players breathed a sigh of relief, feeling both fear and anticipation.
This is the first time the Great Demon King has made way for the stairs leading to the second floor!
Before, he would say, "Since you've worked so hard to get here, I'll help you out," but what he found was an even more terrifying hell!
Unlike this kind-hearted Fyodor, who would encourage them to persevere while actively leading the way, never abandoning or giving up on anyone.
Even with a dagger nailed to the wall to wipe their face, a realistic chainsaw cutting through flesh and blood, a silently hanging rope... and a series of death fears that make them feel they will be blown away at any moment... make them feel that if they just persevere a little longer, just a little longer, they will succeed soon!
After enduring a long period of mental hardship, finally, the few remaining players, following Fyodor D. in the dark, their faces streaked with tears from the fright they had endured along the way, stubbornly opened the door to the treasure room of [Dragon's Chamber]—
There was neither Shibusawa Tatsuhiko nor any gems in front of him, but instead, a [safe passage] representing the player's death.
"...Huh?"
They turned their heads in disbelief and saw Fyodor D. still smiling—only this time, that smile seemed like a demon to them.
"The door to [the Dragon's Chamber] isn't that one. What a pity, they were all completely fooled, and no one suspected you."
He casually tossed an apple to Dazai Osamu, who was standing not far away, and slowly took a bite.
"This time, only you have achieved victory, Mr. Fyodor."
“I witnessed their awakening.”
Those wine-red eyes curved slightly, and Fyodor D. praised in an elegiac tone, "Guided by this will to face fear and transcend death, the next performance will surely be even more spectacular, won't it? I look forward to it..."
"To once again possess the brilliance of that gem. That unique gem."
Shibusawa Tatsuhiko emerged from the shadows and slowly delivered his final line.
—The White Reaper instance also failed to be cleared this time.
The player, crying and biting a non-existent handkerchief, both loves and hates the experience, walks from the [safety passage] to the exit and takes the elevator downstairs.
I've been tricked! I've been fooled again by that seemingly kind and beautiful new NPC! Before he became the Great Demon King, Dazai always liked to deceive people like this!
But they're so beautiful... it's not impossible to be fooled...
The balance in my heart is constantly shifting and teetering.
Watching the players' departing figures, Dazai Osamu shrugged slightly and asked Ye Yihe, "How was it?"
"Super fun."
Having had a taste of acting, Ye Yihe answered honestly.
"Shall we play another round?" Dazai Osamu urged Ye Yihe, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
“No, I have to go back and check on Fedia,” Ye Yihe shook his head painfully. “He should be awake by now.”
Come to think of it, Fedia hasn't had lunch yet... but the porridge that's been cooking in the pot is ready to eat.
“Oh, it’s alright.” Dazai Osamu continued to encourage, “He’s an adult now, if I don’t keep an eye on him for a while… Tch, he still managed to find me.”
The second half of the sentence was Dazai muttering to himself, accompanied by a slight pursing of his lips.
Fyodor was standing at the exit, smiling as he looked over, wearing a soft, light-colored sweater and coat.
"Feijia, how did you find me?"
Ye Yihe immediately went over happily, then nervously took his hand—the bruises on his knuckles showed no signs of fading.
“I just felt you’d be here,” Fyodor said with a smile. “Is work finished?”
He cleverly defined Ye Yihe's actions as "work." Since it was work, it was only natural to finish it as soon as possible.
"Yes, I was just about to go back. Have you eaten the porridge that's cooking on the stove?"
“I ate half a bowl,” Fyodor replied obediently.
"Only half a bowl, that's a bit little."
Ye Yihe waved goodbye to Dazai and left side by side with Fyodor.
"I'll buy some oranges on the way; it's orange season right now..."
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Next up is the promised side story: Oda Sakunosuke finds the boss, Zabuza!
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