There's definitely something wrong with this murder mystery game

Stay updated through empire

"""Away from the grand scheme of the Script Space!"""

Before even discussing how a level one player managed to hold a "Rule Object"-level weapon, let's talk about the presence of Rule Items in a level two script. Is that normal?!

Oh, it indeed seems abnormal, especially since that script has already collapsed.

Hong Rao sighed deeply and started educating Xu Shuo with new knowledge that's typically out of reach for rookie players.

In the brief time they had known each other, she had already intermittently imparted quite a bit, and with a newcomer encountering so much right from entering the Script Space, Hong Rao wondered if he could remember it all.

Though one can never have too much knowledge, sometimes one can bite off more than one can chew.

"The abilities of Rule Items are various and sometimes unpredictable. You'd better not use them often, keeping them as a trump card can have an element of surprise," Hong Rao advised in the end.

While players cannot see each other's skills, if they use their abilities while performing in a script, some people are able to deduce a few things from the clues left behind.

Perhaps players in the early stages don't need to worry about this, but in the long run, it's not a good thing.

"Surprise them?"

Xu Shuo looked at his fruit knife and said indifferently, "I don't think this thing will be very surprising."

After all, it's just a Rule Object that originated from a level two script, and this weapon's power is linked to Xu Shuo's own strength, while the ability of the Rule Object is both supported and restricted by the rules—meaning that Xu Shuo could never use it to ambush someone stronger than himself!

And for those already weaker than himself, is an ambush really necessary?

Oh, maybe it still is...

Xu Shuo toyed with the fruit knife, its sharp blade reflecting a faint luminescence against the light from the stone walls.

At least it's handy for killing minions.

Moreover, regarding the skill he had just used on Hong Rao, Xu Shuo didn't hide its effects and volunteered the information.

Hong Rao contemplated, "Only useful against those weaker than oneself, huh..."

"Well, although it's a bit early to tell you this, once you reach level four, you'll be able to enter worlds like arenas for training—so, unless it's absolutely necessary, it's better to reserve your strength during script performances.

"Of course, for a doomed script, you can do as you like," she added as an afterthought.

Xu Shuo nodded, "I understand."

Despite her teasing, he obviously wouldn't dismiss the fruit knife, as looking at his entire skill slot, the only ones he could showcase were "Chen Chu," "Qiuzi," and the newly-acquired "Yao."

In addition, many aspects of the Script Space are not open to players below level four, and while the danger they encounter is lower, they also gain less.

The equipment Xu Shuo had managed to acquire at this stage had already surpassed 99% of new players, and the remaining 1% were second-generation gamers.

If it weren't for the fact that no one had come forward to claim Xu Shuo yet, Hong Rao would suspect he was a second-generation gamer too.

Lucky her, landing a BUG-level student!

Just at the low stages and already having a Character Card and a Rule Object, isn't that the definition of a BUG!

Looking at the young man in the blood-stained lab coat, tall and sharp, exuding a dangerous aura involuntarily, Hong Rao's heart was filled with joy as she quietly opened the Player's Handbook to contact a friend.

Hong Rao: [Dear, sell me some spirit-suppressing medicine.]

Xiao Yance: [?]

Xiao Yance: [You've been compromised?]

Hong Rao: [Yes, I've been compromised.]

Xiao Yance: [You think I believe you?]

Hong Rao: [By the way, the potency doesn't need to be too strong, a low-level one will do.]

Hong Rao didn't care whether he believed her or not; she knew that once she threw the money his way, he'd eagerly bring the goods to her.

...

As the darkest hour before dawn dispersed, the sky gradually brightened, and the pasted-on sun above their heads started to sharpen up again.

After receiving the items, Hong Rao didn't give them out right away.

He was looking after his apprentice's feelings and subtle thoughts, and the next day, when he took him out to hunt monsters, he casually handed him a bottle of medication with 60 pills.

"Shuo, if you feel unwell, you can take one, alright? Just let me know when you've finished them."

"..." Xu Shuo glanced at the label on the bottle.

He did not expect that, after only a brief encounter, in which Xu Shuo didn't even show much of an abnormal reaction—Hong Rao still noticed that 'Chen Chu's' mental state was problematic.

Xu Shuo himself had always been buying medication from the marketplace, but clearly, what Hong Rao brought was better than what he could purchase.

So, ignoring Hong Rao's teasing gaze, Xu Shuo calmly accepted the medicine.

After all, it was Chen Chu who needed the medication, not him.

After securing his possessions, Xu Shuo took out his wand to prepare for the day's battle.

Today was the last day of the Punishment Task. As long as he could complete the task of "Slaying High Rank Abyss Creatures," he could leave this world tomorrow.

He had five more creatures to go.

On the first day, he was only barely able to handle two creatures, on the second day he fought three in a row and was even forced into a 1V2 situation. Now, facing the challenge of five High Rank creatures in a row, Xu Shuo felt he was more than ready!

Although he was relying on external help, after experiencing a few scripts arranged by Hong Rao, he would have his own fighting abilities.

Perhaps Hong Rao was in a good mood today, or maybe there was no time to delay, so she didn't throw three creatures at once to torment him.

As the sunlight above began to dim, Xu Shuo, in his black and tattered clothes, had already dealt with the last two High Rank creatures and then directly used his Character Card to change into a clean, blood-stained white coat.

This world had one last night left.

About this Xu Shuo was somewhat puzzled, "Why not just shut down this world? How can we defend with so few people tonight?"

Hearing this, Hong Rao thoughtfully looked up at the sky, "Perhaps, the Script Space couldn't be bothered to arrange a new Punishment Task for you guys. Besides, players who fail the mission must endure the 'Judgement.' These rules are very strict, even rigid since they are just programs."

"Interesting," Xu Shuo curled his lip, "but by doing so, isn't the Script Space essentially raising soldiers and then sending fattened players to these worlds under the guise of mission failure to resist the Abyss invasion?"

Hong Rao gave him a strange look.

Normally, his apprentice, having heard what she just said, would most likely remain silent, causing a storm of thoughts in his head—commonly known as being quietly shrewd.

It was rare for him to openly criticize like this.

Indeed, this Character Card had a significant impact on the player's behavior.

While some Character Cards might influence their host a little, the change is not significant; at least not to the point of a complete change in personality.

She wondered if it was because his character wasn't just a shell. She would have to observe and see.

...

After completing today's task, both returned to the Giant Fortress.

At North Tower No.1, Wei Li and Solunya had left this world, and in fact, since the end of the battle last night, neither of them had come back to the Watchtower.

Xu Shuo hadn't seen them this morning before he left either.

It couldn't be...

The night before, they were still backing each other up, calling each other good brothers.

A large majority of players left today, leaving only newcomers who had arrived in the past two days like Xu Shuo, or a handful of excessively timid players who had yet to complete their slaying tasks.

Honestly, considering the million-strong dark wave from the day before yesterday, if anyone hadn't completed their slaying task, they were either beyond help in their cowardice or, like Xu Shuo, targeting High Rank creatures.

But if they don't complete it tonight, by tomorrow there will be even fewer defending!

Even the dumbest players, after seeing the remaining number of players at the Giant Fortress today, should realize that no new players would be entering this world.

The losses at the North City Gate were the most severe, and including Xu Shuo, there were only a dozen or so people left this evening.

"These people are simply not enough to divide up..."

Xu Shuo murmured, looking at the players sparsely scattered along the city walls, "There aren't enough of them to go around, those creatures will definitely all come for me tonight."

Hong Rao beside him: "..."

Apprentice, you really need to take a pill!!