Shen Qingqiu also sensed something amiss. Her gaze was wary and gloomy as she whispered, “The people who are still alive up to this point are already the best among this group of students. I don’t think they made a wrong judgment. Even if they turned left, they would have chosen the right side out of necessity, and they wouldn’t have continued to the left so quickly. Something must have gone wrong.”
Xiao Muyu completely agreed. She quickly recalled the game rules mentioned by that voice and kept thinking about the layout of those rooms, as well as the X, the dots, and the blank spaces.
“The rules mentioned that the clues of the maze are among us, and to never forget our identities at any time.
It also mentioned that as the strongest science class, we should explore carefully. Although you are almost thirty, having graduated many years ago, what comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘science student’?”
Time was limited, and Xiao Muyu spoke quickly, not even sparing a glance at Shen Qingqiu.
Thus, she didn’t see Shen Qingqiu’s indescribable expression as the latter grumbled in dissatisfaction, “It would be better if you didn’t mention being almost thirty. Although I’m not as smart or young as you, I’m also from a science background. Naturally, when it comes to science, I think of physics, chemistry, and biology.”
After a pause, her expression showed a hint of pride as she continued, “I know what you mean. Seeing the X and the dots corresponds to physics, chemistry, and biology. The most obvious would be the magnetic field. The students here are all in their third year of high school, and magnetic fields in high school physics are quite common.
If I remember correctly, Lorentz force in a magnetic field corresponds to the left-hand rule. If it’s an X, the left palm faces up, the thumb points in the direction of the force, then you turn left, which is completely correct. And if there are no markings, it means there’s no magnetic field, so you keep going straight, right?”
Xiao Muyu’s lips curled up slightly, “Right, exactly. So logically, we should turn right now.”
“Then why did they make a mistake?” If the inference was correct, how do we explain the deaths of those two?
Even if they didn’t know about the magnetic field, they could have figured out the pattern. It’s hard to understand how they went wrong.
Xiao Muyu didn’t realize anything was wrong for a moment. The lights had started to flicker. Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath, “I’ll try it.”
She decisively chose to go left, betting that the two students didn’t make a judgment error but that something had changed.
Xiao Muyu’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly followed. As soon as Shen Qingqiu went left, a sudden change occurred.
The doors on both sides simultaneously sprang open. The passage was already narrow, and the doors opened forcefully, leaving a gap of less than thirty centimeters.
“Don’t come over!” Shen Qingqiu’s tone was sharp. She turned sideways and performed a perfect split, sliding through the gap.
Simultaneously, she pressed her upper body against the ground, avoiding the claws that extended from the two doors.
Clearly, they intended a deadly strike, showing no mercy, but they missed and struck each other instead.
Xiao Muyu halted at the crossroads, exhaling when she saw Shen Qingqiu dodge the lethal attack. She quickly advanced, scanning the area. This section was marked “X.” Her gaze then fixed on the door, and Xiao Muyu leaped forward, grabbed the right door, and swiftly slammed it shut.
The monsters inside, frustrated by their missed attack, roared in pain, stretching out their other hands to tear at Shen Qingqiu.
But Xiao Muyu reached them in a flash. With remarkable strength, she grabbed the door, lifted her legs, and kicked the left door shut. The combined force caused the left door to slam closed, and the right door to rapidly retreat.
The monster inside the right door, which had reached out to grab Xiao Muyu, missed. Instead, the one on the left, miscalculating, struck the ground where Shen Qingqiu was.
The tremendous force shattered the left monster’s right hand with a snap.
Shen Qingqiu watched Xiao Muyu, their cooperation flawless. The door’s impact disrupted the monsters’ vision. Shen Qingqiu seized the moment to stand, swiftly avoiding the hand and slashing the injured arm with her dagger.
The dried flesh was tough, but it couldn’t withstand Shen Qingqiu’s force. Within seconds, the hand was severed.
“Roar!” The monster with the severed hand howled in pain, retreating.
Xiao Muyu landed steadily and called out, “Qingqiu!”
Their eyes met, understanding everything without words. One moved right, the dagger slicing through the stunned monster;
The other leaped left, kicking the one absorbed in its pain.
As the left monster fell, the right one had already been slashed from jaw to abdomen by Shen Qingqiu. These dried corpses, who feasted on humans, were taken down before they even left the door. The door shut again.
Both turned simultaneously, looking at each other, and laughed. Their tacit understanding was not the first, but this time their emotions were different. No longer surprised, but a sense of joy arose from within, as if saying, “See, it should always be like this.”
However, this joy didn’t last long. Although those two creatures were dealt with, Liu Ya, who had disappeared earlier, reappeared. She cackled, saying nothing, leaping towards them. Her long legs allowed her to reach them in one stride, incredibly fast.
Xiao Muyu grabbed Shen Qingqiu’s left hand, shouting, “Left!”
As they turned left, Liu Ya had already reached the crossroads. But the pattern remained unchanged; X meant left, and both sides were safe.
They moved forward, encountering blank spaces again, allowing them to go straight. Shen Qingqiu tightly held Xiao Muyu, running desperately.
Here, Shen Qingqiu didn’t dare to confront Liu Ya directly. If they chose the wrong direction during a fight, and Liu Ya got another helper, the consequences would be dire.
Liu Ya pursued them relentlessly. The next five intersections were straight, which wasn’t good for Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu.
Liu Ya was much faster, and Xiao Muyu felt she was toying with them.
But in the next moment, the room signs turned into dots.
Without hesitation, Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu turned right, and it was still correct!
Seeing another dot, they turned right again, safely. But another dot forced Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu to stop.
Xiao Muyu’s heart tightened, “What’s going on?”
With two consecutive right turns, turning right again would bring them back to the first right turn spot.
In other words, they were in a dead-end loop, having to circle around this place endlessly.
Shen Qingqiu felt anxious. Luckily, Liu Ya hadn’t caught up yet. If she had unrestrictedly turned around, they would have had no place to hide.
Shen Qingqiu quickly looked at Xiao Muyu, who also sensed something was wrong. But before she could speak, a tremendous force dragged her into the room on the left. There was no warning, not even the door opening—she simply vanished into thin air.
The last thing Xiao Muyu saw was Shen Qingqiu’s face turning pale and her hand reaching out to grab her. But those images barely registered in her mind before she lost sight of Shen Qingqiu.
All that remained was Shen Qingqiu’s distant and urgent cry, “Muyu!”
And the sound of a fist slamming heavily against the wall.
Xiao Muyu, in her dazed state, wondered if that fool didn’t feel any pain.
After being pulled into the room, Xiao Muyu found herself in a void, with a faint voice echoing in her ears.
“The best way to understand is through empathy. Enjoy the hell we once experienced. Endure it, or your beloved will suffer a fate worse than death, just as I did.”
It was Liu Ya’s voice. Although Xiao Muyu couldn’t see anything around her, she felt no fear, only concern for Shen Qingqiu.
She didn’t even realize that when Liu Ya mentioned “your beloved,” the first person she thought of was Shen Qingqiu.
“You hate my words. Take it out on me. What does it have to do with her? Every grudge has its target. For any kind of hatred, we should follow this principle.”
“Heh, every grudge has its target. She owes me a lot. Have you forgotten how fiercely she protected you that night? Why should I spare her?”
After speaking, Liu Ya laughed again, “Stop worrying about her and start worrying about yourself.”
These words carried a touch of cruelty. In the next moment, Xiao Muyu found herself in the dormitory of Yuan Ning High School, standing in front of Chen Xuan, the class representative of Class Seven.
“Lin Xue, I have something to ask you. Are you and Liu Ya really in that kind of relationship?”
Xiao Muyu was taken aback. Lin Xue? She tried to speak but found she couldn’t control her body. Meanwhile, Chen Xuan quickly explained, “I mean no offense. It’s just that everyone in class is talking about you and Liu Ya lately. Someone even said the teachers want to call your parents. I couldn’t stand hearing those rumors, so I wanted to ask you. Plus, they said the teachers want to call your parents.”
Xiao Muyu couldn’t see her own expression or know Lin Xue’s reaction, but she heard her calmly say, “What difference does it make to everyone what our relationship is? We haven’t harmed or hindered anyone. Why be curious about it?
We’re just closer than most. Is that wrong? Calling our parents? We study and improve together without affecting our studies. Why call our parents?”
“Don’t be mad. I feel the same way. Even if it’s true, so what? It’s cool. You’d be the first couple in our school.” As she spoke, Chen Xuan comforted Lin Xue, handing her a bottle of water.
Xiao Muyu understood now. She was likely Lin Xue. Emotions running high, Lin Xue took the water, drank a few sips, and they continued chatting casually.
Back in class, Lin Xue sat with Liu Ya, starting their evening self-study.
Classmates occasionally glanced at them. Liu Ya kept her head low, deliberately distancing herself from Lin Xue.
Lin Xue occasionally sighed as she looked at her.
Gradually, Lin Xue, or rather Xiao Muyu, began to feel drowsy, her head spinning, her body uncomfortable.
She held on for a while but eventually slumped forward, soon noticed by Liu Ya, who had been shrinking away.
Xiao Muyu could almost predict what would happen next. Lin Xue felt unwell and was escorted back to rest by Liu Ya after the first period of self-study.
Not wanting to delay Liu Ya’s classes or cause her any distress, Lin Xue urged her to return to class.
After some hesitation, Liu Ya took a basin and went to the washroom, probably to get hot water.
Lin Xue’s perspective blurred as she fell into a deep sleep. What happened next to Liu Ya was unknown.
But Xiao Muyu knew well what Lin Xue was about to endure. She never understood why Lin Xue ended up in the dormitory when everyone was in class.
She had suspected illness but realized it was because Lin Xue had been drugged.
Yet, knowing this didn’t help. She watched Liu Ya leave, knowing this parting was eternal.
Her consciousness faded with Lin Xue’s sleep.
When she woke up, it was to the sensation of choking. Her eyes stung, her nose burned, and she couldn’t stop coughing.
Smoke filled her lungs, causing her chest to ache. Xiao Muyu tried to rise, but her body felt weak, her head pounding.
The pain, tears, and coughing felt all too real, making her question whether this was an illusion or reality.
After several attempts, she managed to prop herself up, hearing the same sizzling sound she had heard in Room 409.
She turned to see the fire, her eyes dark and unclear. The fire was starting. With a crackle, sparks flew.
The bunk bed had an outlet near the headboard with a charging cord. The sparks originated there.
The fire spread, growing from dim to bright, then fully igniting.
She understood Liu Ya’s intention: to make her feel it firsthand, in the most straightforward way.
Author’s Note: I intended to post two updates today, but I had a dental appointment that took longer than expected. Also, the dental work wasn’t successful and requires a root canal, leaving me in a bad mood. Tooth issues are truly a misery.
I forgot to explain earlier: the magnetic field problem is part of high school physics curriculum. Simply put, charged particles in a magnetic field experience a force known as Lorentz force, causing the electrons to deflect.
In physics, the direction of this force is determined using the left-hand rule. The magnetic field has a direction: an “X” represents the field going into the plane, while a dot represents it coming out.
To determine the direction of the force, let your palm face the direction of the magnetic field (up or down), four fingers point in the direction of the current (positive charge in the direction of motion, negative charge in the opposite direction), and the thumb points in the direction of the force.
I just wanted to give a general idea. No need to worry if you don’t fully understand.
