SVRP Chapter 12

【Congratulations on clearing the beginner’s instance “Lullaby of the Respite Village”. Survivors: 5】

【Player Qin Dongwan’s current points: 80】

Thick darkness enveloped the surroundings, as if space was gradually collapsing. The darkness was so dense that it was impossible to see anything, and there was nothing to touch.

The ultimate emptiness brought a biting cold, numbing all senses. Qin Dongwan flailed her arms futilely, trying to escape the eerie situation, only to sink deeper. Every cell in her body screamed to escape, until a hand grabbed her arm from nowhere.

“Hiss—”

The sharp pain made her abruptly open her eyes.

The shelves ahead were filled with a dazzling array of items, though the brands were unfamiliar. Various flavors of chips and other snacks tempted Qin Dongwan, who hadn’t eaten properly on the last day. She swallowed instinctively. This was a small supermarket, well-stocked with goods. She even spotted sanitary pads on a nearby shelf.

Having just escaped a deadly instance, the tension was imprinted in her memory, making it hard to adapt immediately. Luo Shu, beside her, seemed accustomed to this, yawning delicately and looking at Qin Dongwan:

“There will be a system explanation of the rules when we gather. You can take whatever you want here, but there’s no need to take too much since we’ll soon be entering again.”

Anyone else might have found this confusing, but Qin Dongwan, scanning the group of people gathered, nodded understandingly. Still a bit dizzy from coming out of the instance, she recalled the rules.

The Deadly Rotation Game divides players by points. The first layer usually has two checkpoints, and accumulating 200 points allows upgrading to the next layer. Each layer has rest points, becoming increasingly luxurious with higher layers, akin to high-class prisoner treatment.

She remembered there was a simple rules board in the first layer. She had fainted upon exit, and during her fainting, others had already checked it out. Luo Shu’s explanation made it unnecessary for her to join the crowd, and the game system would explain again after “shopping”.

Suddenly, she touched Luo Shu’s face, feeling its delicate smoothness.

“What are you doing?”

Luo Shu, not used to being touched, recoiled like a cat with its tail stepped on, showing anger in her eyes. The perpetrator smiled awkwardly, trying to look apologetic: “Sorry, just wanted to check if I was still in the human world. By the way, do you remember how you got here?”

“No, I had amnesia when I arrived. You should be the same, right?”

Luo Shu’s clear, slightly sweet voice retained some hostility, though it softened a bit.

“I’m warning you, don’t touch me again. We can’t fight outside the checkpoints, but inside—” she made a cutting gesture across her neck, “and don’t try to extract information from me.”

Qin Dongwan: “…” You just gave it away yourself!

The grievance in her heart was temporarily suppressed by this small interlude. Having read many infinite genre novels, she had enough knowledge to accept her situation without hysteria.

Compared to players who asked if it was a movie or just clung to others, Qin Dongwan’s qualities were commendable for a newcomer. She quickly responded when action was needed, which was why Luo Shu agreed to team up with her.

Hearing that they had to cook their own meals at the rest point, Qin Dongwan found some bread and jam on the shelves, along with some fresh vegetables. She quickly averted her gaze from the meat section, as if burned.

**

Upon leaving the supermarket, they saw only a few houses lit in the pitch-black environment. Seeking light is a human instinct, especially after experiencing a bloody instance, where darkness brought unbearable pressure.

She didn’t see Tang Zihang, assuming he was mixed in with the crowd. With no immediate danger, she didn’t bother to look for him. She and Luo Shu quickly reached a lit house, finding a plaque reading “Lullaby of the Respite Village Rest Point”, and went inside. The house’s outline was swallowed by the warm darkness, barely visible.

The interior was like an ordinary small inn, not fancy but clean and cozy. Ji Yun and Zuo Chu, who arrived first, were sitting in the small front hall. Ji Yun greeted Qin Dongwan, while Zuo Chu remained aloof.

Facing two people who didn’t like her, Qin Dongwan simply nodded, having no intention of teaming up after this checkpoint.

Shortly, Tang Zihang stumbled in with a large bag, and the door closed with a bang, startling everyone.

【Congratulations on passing the beginner’s checkpoint. Now, let me explain the specific rules of this game.】

The electronic voice of system AC echoed again, this time clearly from a broadcast hung at the door. With previous experience, they dared not move and listened attentively, except for Luo Shu.

【1. The game adopts a team system. After passing the beginner’s checkpoint, players can bind into a fixed team of two to five people (shared instance).】

【2. Every five checkpoints cleared together allow the team to choose a special checkpoint as a reward.】

【3. After reaching the tenth layer and completing the final checkpoint, players can leave the game and return to normal life. Any other questions can be asked within five minutes. If not, please register your teammates at the front desk. Note, teams can dissolve or change, or you can go solo, but you won’t enjoy the second rule. Minimum team size is two, maximum is five.】

“Wait, how many points are needed to reach the tenth layer?”

Tang Zihang asked, having survived the beginner’s instance thanks to a weapon Qin Dongwan provided. Standing at the door nervously, he continued:

【Points clarification: The game does not restrict winning methods but prohibits attacking others during rest time. Points will be deducted accordingly.】

Qin Dongwan glanced at Luo Shu, recalling her character as capricious, probably having ended up in the beginner’s instance due to being angered by someone and attacking them during rest time.

“What happens if points reach zero?”

Tang Zihang asked again.

【Zero points means death.】

“When is the next game?”

【In three days.】

“Will our team be randomly matched with others in the instance?”

【Yes.】

Seeing the system’s answers getting shorter, Qin Dongwan kicked Tang Zihang:

“Enough already, you’re just asking what’s in the rulebook. People are already teaming up.”

The AC system didn’t continue. Ji Yun discussed with Zuo Chu, and they registered as a team. Qin Dongwan could even see a fleeting smile on Zuo Chu’s usually cold face.

Little did he know, his love for Ji Yun would not be reciprocated. His shining exterior couldn’t hide his internal scars. After the male protagonist Yi Chang’an got together with Ji Yun, the formidable Zuo Chu would end up guarding her from afar, even dragging Luo Shu into despair.

The male character’s tragic love moved fans to tears, while Luo Shu, controlled by fate, bore infamy, her name dragged up repeatedly to highlight the female protagonist’s kindness. This made Qin Dongwan dislike the two before her.

“Ah Shu, should we team up? Maybe we can try cooperating, and dissolve if you don’t like it.”

Knowing Luo Shu responded better to kindness, Qin Dongwan’s gentle approach won her over. Luo Shu’s scrutinizing gaze lingered on her face before settling on Tang Zihang, clearly reluctant. After some internal struggle, she nodded:

“Teaming up is fine. Someone here better adapt quickly and not be a burden. Yes, I’m talking about you.”

Tang Zihang, looking at Zuo Chu, got slapped on the back of the head by Qin Dongwan. Feeling wronged, he turned back: “I’m 177 cm, that Zuo guy is almost 190 cm. Who’s the big dummy here?”

Qin Dongwan ignored him, filling in her name on the blank book and passing it to Luo Shu. After Tang Zihang added his name and checked the rules, three black wristbands appeared on the counter, each with a lifelike skull.

As soon as Qin Dongwan put hers on, she felt something unusual, as if an invisible force connected the three of them. The sensation was intangible, devoid of fear, but very novel.

She glanced back to see Luo Shu’s complex expression and was about to ask what was wrong when Tang Zihang’s complaint interrupted her:

“I’m starving. Dongwan, are you going to cook? If not, I’m having instant noodles. I’m so hungry, I barely ate anything yesterday, just a piece of chocolate…”

“And you, Ah Shu, what do you want to eat?”

Facing her favorite character, Qin Dongwan felt a natural urge to care for her. Besides, Luo Shu hadn’t done anything unacceptable yet, and after surviving a checkpoint together, her fear had lessened considerably. The girl seemed to have just come back to her senses, muttered “Whatever,” and clacked her way upstairs in her high heels. Moments later, a door slammed shut.

Author’s Note:

Ah Shu was reminded of something unpleasant here.
Next instance preview: Internet Addiction Treatment Center~
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or nourished me with nutrients between 2020-09-16 20:34:54 and 2020-09-17 20:04:08~
Special thanks to the angel who threw a landmine: .. 1; You are simply an angel!
Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!
[Note] 2020.10.9
This chapter has been edited to fix a rule bug, changing the minimum number of team members to two.