SVRP Chapter 8

The two spoke very closely, appearing like a typical whispered conversation between girls, but Tang Zihang, who was closer, felt it was all nonsense.

However, Luo Shu only wanted to act alone with Qin Dongwan, unwilling to bring along an extra burden. She ignored his questioning gaze completely.

After the meal, the task of cleaning fell on Tang Zihang. Luo Shu, wiping her mouth expressionlessly, stepped over the bloodstains on the floor, followed closely by Qin Dongwan.

The stench on the floor was quite appetite-ruining, but no one wanted to be the one to clean it, unsure what consequences such an extra action might bring.

“A Shu.” Once they were out of sight and earshot of the others, Qin Dongwan immediately asked, “Why do we need to go to the forest at night?”

She didn’t ask foolish questions like how to open the warehouse but focused on the important issue, which pleased Luo Shu greatly.

She needed a useful teammate, not someone who would drag them down with countless questions. Based on Qin Dongwan’s current performance, she seemed to be the best among the newcomers.

Just as Qin Dongwan finished speaking, she felt a small booklet being pushed into her hand. Luo Shu quickened her pace, her light voice carried by the wind from ahead:

“Got it from the maid.”

Qin Dongwan: “…”

Without needing a detailed explanation, Qin Dongwan could guess how Luo Shu had obtained it, though she hadn’t thought about directly taking clues from the NPC.

Luo Shu had taken a booklet filled with various tasks from the maid, along with the key to the warehouse, making the most of every opportunity. Most wouldn’t think to take items from the maid, but opportunities were equally distributed; there were likely other ways to acquire them.

However, the average person’s spirit of adventure was clearly lacking, as shown by the dust piled on the warehouse door handle. The warehouse was behind the castle, visible after passing through the hall and a public restroom. The two girls quietly opened the door, and the years-old dust rushed into their noses, making them cough.

The lighting inside the warehouse was poor, but they could see a pile of weapons on the floor. Besides firearms and ammunition, there were all kinds of long and short knives, much sharper than those in the kitchen.

Recalling their previous near mishap, Qin Dongwan went to the door first, signaling to Luo Shu to take turns selecting weapons.

After a brief clatter, the girl replaced her position with a willow leaf knife. Qin Dongwan followed suit, choosing a long knife that seemed easier to handle from the flashy pile.

Once they had chosen their weapons, they locked the warehouse door tightly. They didn’t see a figure standing in the dark behind, listening to their footsteps fade away, a silent smile curling on their lips.

Drip.

Thick blood dripped from the mouth, wiped away by pale fingers, which were then bitten into.

The drizzle that began in the late afternoon did not dampen their excitement for the night forest exploration. It made Luo Shu, who had been looking into the distance all afternoon, even more excited.

She naturally enjoyed these challenges, especially in a novice scenario where many things were still limited, adding a layer of protection to her life.

After dinner, the stars twinkled as lights lit up, casting a gentle glow on the rain outside.

Qin Dongwan had spent the entire afternoon tensely in her room, making a simple raincoat. Although it couldn’t compare to the ones sold outside, it was better than going out in cumbersome clothing.

The long knife by her side gleamed sharply in the night. Her nerves, tense for almost the entire day, were now fixed on the weapon. Luo Shu suddenly patted her shoulder, a hint of excitement in her voice, pointing to the forest which appeared even more mysterious in the rain:

“Guess why we’re going there?”

“Seven-leaf flower, and your star anise grass.”

Qin Dongwan had never heard of these plants outside; she only saw them in the booklet Luo Shu took. These flowers only appeared in the forest at night; if they went during the day, they’d never complete the task.

“Wrong.”

The girl’s lips curled in a seductive smile, like a deadly poppy blooming in the night. Her voice wasn’t loud but could overpower the rain outside, “I’ve thought of a better way to earn points.”

The saying “No pain, no gain” proved true in the terrifying infinite world, though many who risked their lives never returned. Most wouldn’t think of it.

The night almost swallowed the light, leaving only a faint glow from the castle to guide their way. Passing through the grassy area, Qin Dongwan turned on the headlamp of her safety helmet, its weak light pitiful in the vast darkness.

They found the headlamp during another search in the warehouse, though it wasn’t very useful. The light was better than nothing. Since there was only one helmet, the taller Qin Dongwan wore it.

Bubbles gurgled in the swamp. Under the faint light, Qin Dongwan suddenly saw a head, half-eaten, floating. Its hollow eye sockets seemed to stare at them.

She shivered, quickly looking away from the disturbing sight.

A toad croaked somewhere, making her heart tighten in the silence. Though Luo Shu was beside her, Qin Dongwan cautiously observed her surroundings, fearing one wrong step would pull her into the swamp.

Mist enveloped the forest, wrapping the slender branches in a thin veil, adding to the danger. Though it was summer, the dense canopy blocked most of the rain, but the cold drops slipping down her neck still jolted her nerves.

As they ventured deeper, Qin Dongwan sensed something was wrong. Luo Shu, who occasionally spoke, was now silent, her posture strange as she walked ahead.

Qin Dongwan stopped. Unaware, Luo Shu continued, stomping heavily. Her leg bone suddenly cracked, flesh tearing apart.

Blood sprayed, staining her pretty face. Her bones seemed screwed together, twisting mechanically. Her eyes, venomous, made Qin Dongwan feel as if she were falling into an icy abyss.

“Qin Dongwan?”

“Qin Dongwan?”

Familiar voices called out in two different tones, and a hand reached out from the side to grab her leg. Qin Dongwan slashed with her willow leaf knife. Though not trained, she had strength. The blade only sparked on the arm, pushing her back.

Overwhelmed by the force, Qin Dongwan wasn’t stupid. She ran immediately. The monster didn’t chase but laughed eerily, jarring her nerves. Knowing from Tang Zihang about the hallucinogenic plants in the forest, she stuffed cotton into her ears, the stimuli gradually weakening, and her vision clearing.

She stopped abruptly.

There were no monsters, only a swamp bubbling ahead. A warm hand pulled her skirt back, revealing Luo Shu inserting cotton into her ears.

“This place is full of oddities. I advise you to think twice before running around.”

Both had cotton in their ears. Luo Shu spoke louder and drew closer, her arm brushing Qin Dongwan’s cool skin. She teased, “You’re cold, Qin Dongwan.”

Ignoring Luo Shu, Qin Dongwan tightened the cotton, grabbed her hand, and carefully bypassed the swamp. From novels, she knew Ji Yun had good luck, getting what she needed during the day without entering the forest, so she was cautious.

The darkness seemed to devour everything, swallowing even the distant branches. Occasional raspy bird calls added a bit of life to the forest. The faint light barely illuminated their path, rough and uneven.

After a long, silent trek, a light finally appeared ahead. Drawing closer, they saw a small hut surrounded by sparse vegetation, its flickering light like a candle about to go out.

“A Shu, do you remember the forest cabin in the booklet? I think this is it.”

Breaking her silence, Qin Dongwan pointed to the hut, visible through the window, seemingly empty. She rubbed her numb face from fear, gripping her knife tightly:

“Before entering, let’s look around outside and check the surroundings. Let me find a stone to throw in, see if there’s…”

The wind rustled as the wooden door creaked open, as if welcoming the guests.

Author’s note:

This level isn’t hard or scary! Thank you to those who voted for me or donated nutrient solution between 2020-09-09 15:37:38 and 2020-09-12 21:15:39~ Special thanks to those who threw landmines: .., 46319591 1; and those who donated nutrient solution: 46319591 10 bottles; Yi Qian 2 bottles; I appreciate your support, and I will continue to work hard!