Before setting off, Yanxiu made several torches and distributed them to the group.
With torches in hand, they advanced into the dense forest.
Bai’er walked beside Shen Lin and glanced back at the sullen Xiu Wen. He whispered, “Did he even say thank you for risking your lives to save him? Judging by his expression, he might be blaming you for meddling in his affairs.”
Shen Lin carefully searched for the marks he left behind to ensure they were heading in the right direction. “This is a game that leans towards teamwork. He holds a crucial position as a doctor, and we can’t afford any mishaps.”
“I understand the logic…” Bai’er muttered, “but I’m still annoyed.”
Shen Lin, however, remained indifferent, as if he were accustomed to such situations and was extraordinarily calm.
Bai’er sincerely said, “You seem more mature and stable than you look. My first impression of you was, ‘Wow, this guy looks really young. Aren’t you underage?'”
“Yeah,” Shen Lin joked, “I’ll be facing the college entrance exam next year, debating whether to go to Tsinghua or Beida, North China Institute of Technology or Beijing University of Technology.”
Bai’er: “………………I only worry about how our teammate managed to pick Yasuo again.”
Shen Lin smiled, and the others laughed upon hearing his words.
Relying on Shen Lin’s excellent memory and precise markings, they quickly found the small cabin in the dense forest. Clouds obscured the moonlight, making it appear like a heavy beast in deep slumber. There was no light inside the house, but at this time, it didn’t necessarily mean it was uninhabited.
kp said, “Everyone roll for investigation.”
Except for Freud and Nana, everyone passed the investigation roll, but this was evidently a clue given to anyone who attempted an investigation.
As the dark clouds dispersed, the moonlight illuminated the cabin, allowing them to see it more clearly.
Firewood was stacked at the entrance, covered with a layer of moisture-resistant oil paper. Not far away, the soil was divided into almost equal squares, each containing seedlings of unknown plants. There was also a rack for drying clothes with a set of wet black short sleeves and pants hanging on it. The presence of someone living here was evident.
Living on this deserted island was strange enough, but planting vegetables and drying clothes added an extra layer of peculiarity.
Shen Lin and the others approached, led by Yanxiu, who held a thick wooden stick in his right hand. With his left index finger, he knocked on the cabin door.
“Knock, knock, knock——”
No one answered.
He increased the force of his knocks.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
Still no response.
Yanxiu pushed the door, and surprisingly, it wasn’t closed. He easily pushed it open, and the aroma of stewed meat wafted out. The group paused for a moment, and their eyes glowed like wild beasts.
“Meat!! Ah!!!”
Shen Lin calmly said, “Do you know what kind of meat it is, warriors?”
The rushing movements of the group came to a sudden halt, and the sound of swallowing saliva resonated clearly. However, no one dared to take another step forward.
Shen Lin stepped inside, carefully inspecting the room.
The cabin was not large, but it had everything—tables, chairs, stools, and a wardrobe in the corner. The layout inside was clean and simple, almost indistinguishable from countless ordinary rooms. However, in this isolated island wilderness, having such a complete setup was incredibly unimaginable.
The bedsheets, blankets, and clothes were neatly arranged. Carefully trimmed corners and meticulous stitches could be seen. On the writing desk, there was a brass oil lamp, paper, pens, and a partially opened inkwell.
Shen Lin walked into the kitchen separated by a curtain, deeply inhaling the scent of meat. He opened a nearby jar, revealing fresh rice inside, and there were chopped firewood on the floor.
“Is this a formal outfit?” Nana pointed to the clothes hanging on the rack. “Short in the front and long in the back, a coat with a split tail; a linen high-necked shirt; brown jodhpurs and a rolled-up top hat. A gentleman lives here!?”
Bedding and clothing could be brought from elsewhere to this isolated island, but consumables like lamp oil, ink, and rice required regular replenishment. So, how did the person living here manage to regularly return to the civilized city?
“Now what?” Freud pushed up his glasses, instinctively looking at Shen Lin. Unconsciously, the youngest among them had become the team leader.
Shen Lin thought for a moment and said, “Rest here for a while. At least it’s safe. We don’t know who the owner is yet, so let’s try to find some clues.”
The others agreed, and Nana swayed a bit, almost unable to stand. Shen Lin promptly supported him.
Nana said, “Sorry, low blood sugar.”
Shen Lin scanned the room and suggested, “Lie down on the bed for a while.”
“But…” Nana hesitated.
Shen Lin said, “We need to conserve energy. We still don’t know what lies ahead.”
Nana nodded and lay down on the narrow bed.
Everyone found a place to rest, leaning against something or lying down. This night had been too exhausting for them. They had been attacked once in their sleep, and even Bai’er, who usually didn’t care much, couldn’t sleep soundly this time.
Shen Lin continued observing the decorations inside the wooden house, hoping to find some clues.
What did Dorena, who gathered them here, intend to do? Why did they survive the shipwreck, and where did the surviving Dorena go? Who is living in this wooden house? What secrets does this island hold?
Countless mysteries lurked in every corner, and there weren’t enough clues to help him unravel the truth.
He opened a drawer and found a notebook. Flipping it open, he discovered a handsome gentleman’s photo, dressed in the same outfit hanging on the rack. Beside him was a little girl, a few years old, with a cute and innocent face. Shen Lin turned the photo over, and on the back, it read: “Dad, I love you.”
Unconsciously, the sound of birdsong outside began as dawn broke. Just at that moment, KP’s voice echoed in their ears, “Make a Perception check.”
Everyone rolled the dice, and this time, only Freud, with a low Perception value, failed.
Afterward, Freud dreamily spoke in his sleep, while the others all woke up to the sound of birdcalls.
They all heard whistling outside the window, a lively and upbeat rhythm indicating the owner’s good mood.
“Someone’s coming!” Bai’er whispered, “Is it the owner of this room!?”
Shen Lin said, “Bai’er, make an Investigation check.”
KP: “Smart choice.”
After Bai’er, with the highest Investigation score, succeeded, the window in front of him was blown open by the wind, revealing a crack. Through the gap, Shen Lin saw clearly in the faint light—a short man with a bottle of alcohol in one hand, looking like he had just attended some cheerful drinking event, stumbling towards the wooden house. What frightened them, however, was the heavy axe in his other hand.
“What do you intend to do?” KP asked them.
“Obviously, hide!” Bai’er said, “He’s carrying an axe!”
“Alright, those who want to hide, make a Stealth check now.”
Bai’er, Xiu Wen, and Nana rolled the dice. Fortunately, all three of them passed the check, so one hid under the bed, one inside the wardrobe, and the last one behind the firewood in the kitchen.
In the room remained Shen Lin, Yanxiu, and a deeply sleeping Freud.
KP asked, “What about you guys?”
Shen Lin: “Can I wake up Freud?”
“No, he’s sleeping too deeply.”
“No check, physically wake him up.”
KP: “…” A cunning player.
Shen Lin suddenly pulled the chair out from under Freud. Freud swayed backward, waking up from his dreams, looking confused at them. “What’s going on?”
“The owner of the room is coming back.”
His expression changed, “What should I do?”
Shen Lin pushed him into the kitchen, “Hide.”
Freud hadn’t fully reacted yet; he was just inside when Bai’er grabbed him. The two hid behind the curtain, creating a visual blind spot.
Yanxiu didn’t move; he looked at Shen Lin.
Shen Lin: “?”
Yanxiu leaned against the cabinet behind him and said lightly, “I’ll protect you.”
Just then, the cabin door was pushed open. The man, holding the axe, hesitated for a moment when he saw Yanxiu, then raised the axe and pointed it directly at Yanxiu. “Who are you people?! How did you get here?! Speak!”
The man was short, with twisted legs, a terrifying and hideous appearance. Most of his face, along with his scalp, was covered in scars. He lacked one eye, and the remaining eye, due to sagging skin, appeared only as a narrow slit.
Yanxiu tensed, watching the man’s movements warily.
KP asked, “Do you want to enter combat rounds? I must remind you that the fatigue from last night’s activities hasn’t been fully recovered due to your unrestful sleep this morning. Your physical attributes will be reduced by one-third.”
Shen Lin: “No, no combat. I want to make a Disguise check.”
KP paused, a paper character making a human action. Despite being a paper-thin character, he made human-like movements—his right hand with white gloves pressed down the brim of a hat, revealing a smile in the shadow. He whispered, “Well done…”
“What?” Shen Lin didn’t catch his murmur.
“Nothing,” KP lifted the hat, tossed two dice into the air with a cane, smiled, and said, “It’s an honor to make this check for you.”
80/75, success.
He walked out from the backlit shadow. The beautiful young man with golden hair and blue eyes now looked like an aristocrat who had lost his way in the forest, calmly looking at the short man in front of him. He smiled softly, “Courier, long time no see.”
Upon seeing Shen Lin, the man’s only remaining eye widened, as if his heart was seized by fear, trembling in terror.
“Bang!” The axe in his hand fell to the ground. He stepped back until he hit the door, shivering and unable to speak.
Shen Lin turned a chair to face the man and sat down. Leaning slightly forward, he looked at the man, “Don’t be nervous. I’m just here to inquire about how the ritual is coming along.”
“Almost done, my lord,” the man regained consciousness, placing his left hand over his chest and bowing to Shen Lin, “Please forgive my rudeness. You arrived two days later than the agreed time.”
“I was delayed by some trivial matters, but,” Shen Lin chuckled lightly, carefully choosing his words, and said with a solemn tone, “that’s not something you should concern yourself with. You only need to prepare adequately for the ritual; that’s sufficient.”
“Please rest assured, my lord. I am forever the most loyal and reliable servant of the Haino family.”
