Chapter 50
It was as if something invisible had tightened around his heart, blood surging into his heart, and the gradual rush of his heartbeat pounded against his eardrums.
Mo Yi slowly bent down, hand stretched out, and picked up the scorched and warped photo frame from the dust.
An ice-cold and rough sensation pressed painfully against his fingertips, into the nerve endings and into the bottom of his heart, evoking a layer of chilliness.
The photo frame was black as if it was corroded. Fine black powder fell away with Mo Yi’s action, blending in with the dust on the ground, the fine pieces stinging one’s eyes upon contact.
He stuck his finger in the crack at the edge of the photo frame, brushing away the fine black powder and dust on it, exposing the shallow silver fracture beneath it.
Once again, the scene when entering the copy for the first time jumped vividly before his eyes. The memories came tumbling back sharply.
The dark, secluded, and gloomy stairwell seemed never-ending. Blurry, eerie photos slowly revealed malicious smiles. The corridor, distorting and warped after the ear-piercing ringing of the bell, and pale hands coming out of the photos.
And thick mist that surged up violently like a nightmare.
Mo Yi took a deep breath, and the heavy depression climbing up from the bottom of his heart made it almost difficult for him to breathe.
He subconsciously looked at the cell phone he had put aside.
The cell phone screen was still lit up, and a faint layer of mist enveloped the screen. Upon closer inspection, a familiar interface was displayed on the lit screen.
Playing Snakes.
Mo Yi, “…” That stifling and cold feeling instantly vanished like smoke in the air.
He resisted the urge to hold his forehead and turned around to continue to examine the photo frame in his hands. As he was standing up, a piece of paper slid off the back of the scorched photo frame and slowly fell to the ground.
Mo Yi paused, bent down, and picked up the yellowed note from the ground.
This was the same crumpled paper he had found in the copy, with an illegible brushwork drawing of a footless bird, and a written method to imprison the soul.
The blurred handwriting on it caused one to inexplicably feel uncomfortable.
When Mo Yi was about to put it down, he felt that the paper felt …. slightly off.
He subconsciously twisted the crumpled note in his hand, resulting in a clear sound of friction. The sensation under his fingertips told him — that there was a second page.
Mo Yi’s brows wrinkled, countenance heavy.
He was certain that inside the copy, this note definitely only had one page.
Turning that page over, a second sheet of paper was revealed. Though still crumpled, the handwriting on it was much clearer than it was on the previous page. The black ink marks appeared to be tinged with a slight redness, looking particularly eye-catching on the yellowed paper.
It was an extremely brief letter.
The letter was evidently addressed to the former principle. It clearly stated the length, width, and texture of the silver photo frame, even to the nearest millimeter, and it was followed by a description of the main ritual ceremony.
According to the key words in the letter, the main purpose of the silver photo frame was to ward off evil spirits and to act as a protection for the person whose photo was placed inside it. The hair and nails of the person being protected were hidden inside the photo frame: In short, it was a stand in.
On the one hand, the victim’s soul was imprisoned inside the building. On the other hand, a stand-in protected by evil spirits was placed in the building to attract hatred, making it so that she had no time to take care of the righteous master who had already escaped away to far places.
This strategy was both thorough and cruel.
Mo Yi now finally understood why the arms coming out of those photos were so scared of the photo frame.
Just then, there was a slight ringing from the cell phone placed at his side. Mo Yi followed the sound, only to see the memo interface reappear on the cell phone screen, the keyboard jumped about, and rows of words appeared on the screen. “After the car accident, the murderer’s soul was tangled with resentment and was unable to depart from the world. He was also protected by the photo frame, and the resentful soul could not harm him.”
Mo Yi’s lips pursed.
After the last copy, some unresolved issues and bugs were finally patched.
Suddenly, without warning, a familiar electronic female voice rang in Mo Yi’s ear, “Ding Dong! Congratulations to Player Mo Yi! You have discovered important props in real life, completing the copy’s plot!”
Mo Yi was taken aback. This was the first time he heard the game prompt in real life.
The electronic female voice continued, “Due to your outstanding performance, you are now invited to join the Advanced Players Club. From now on, you have become a candidate member of the club No. 0589! “
Advanced Players Club … Candidate member …?
Mo Yi was a bit confused.
Before Mo Yi could react, the female voice continued to say without pause, “Is the membership initiation test going to be opened in the next copy?”
This time, the game seemed to have become particularly human, and even began to thoughtfully explain the initiation test for Mo Yi, “The difficulty of the member initiation test copy has increased, and the points earned will be doubled. Once successfully completed, you will be eligible to join the Advanced Players Club and enjoy a luxurious gaming experience! And win the final prize!
This level can be opened by the player at any time. If you choose to open it immediately, you will be rewarded with extra points after the copy is cleared!”
Immediately afterwards, as if giving Mo Yi time to think, the female voice thoughtfully paused and continued, “Will the membership test be opened in the next copy?”
The difficulty had increased significantly …
Was this the reason why those who wanted to explore the connection between reality and the game, without exception, died in the next copy?
Due to the discovery of important props in reality that completed the plot in the copy, the membership test was opened.
And then, get killed by a copy that suddenly increased in difficulty?
It didn’t sound profitable.
Moreover, the level could be actively opened by the player at any time, so even if it was not opened in the next copy, apart from not being able to obtain extra rewards, there would be no major losses …
Mo Yi opened his mouth, about to refuse.
But in the next moment, a staggering thought suddenly streaked across his mind, and he couldn’t help but pause.
Wrong.
The real Song Qi was also a friend of Jiang Yuanrou’s. Before going, it was impossible not to have known about the hidden dangers here — After all, Mo Yi himself had learned about it from her mouth
But, nevertheless, he still died.
It was important to know that the reward for immediately opening the membership test copy wasn’t so rich that everyone would be willing to go. Although seeking wealth and honour came with risks, it was important to keep one’s life safe.
What was more, this membership test copy could be manually opened at any time, and there was no rush.
Most people’s way of thinking was certainly — To save up enough props to challenge it.
Therefore, the number of people who declined to immediately open it were in no way low.
Yet, without exception, they all died.
Died in the next copy.
Mo Yi’s back couldn’t help but give birth to a slight chill, spreading along his spine to his neck, bringing about a small layer of goosebumps on the exposed skin.
Coupled with the game’s various malicious and deceptive mechanisms … It was so sweet now. There was definitely something fishy going on.
The words that were on the verge of being blurted out turned around in his mouth and were finally squeezed out from between Mo Yi’s lips and teeth, “Open.”
As soon as his voice fell, the female voice rang out without pause, “The membership initiation test has been successfully opened and will be activated at the start of the next copy. Wish you a happy game.”
Immediately afterwards, just like how she came, the female voice disappeared without warning.
Silence had once again returned to the cold and gloomy warehouse. Only the indistinct, low chatter at the door of the warehouse and the clamouring of students coming through the walls could be heard.
Mo Yi took a deep breath and turned his gaze to look at his cell phone on the table.
The cell phone’s screen was already dark.
The faint mist that had enshrouded the front of the cell phone screen before had disappeared.
— Probably dormant again.
While thinking, Mo Yi reached out and picked his cell phone up off the table and tucked it back into his pocket before lifting his feet and walking out the door.
The purpose of his coming today had been basically achieved, and it was time to leave.
The sun hung high overhead, suspended in the luminous cloudless sky, appearing especially dazzling. Although it was still early summer, the sun had long since revealed its latent strength, scorching people’s skin with its hot temperature.
Mo Yi was walking out of the airport.
He had long since changed out of the good looking but really restrictive suit and put back on the shirt he usually wore, the cuffs habitually rolled up to reveal his small, slender arms. The rimless glasses on his face had also been taken off, and he looked as young as a youthful and inexperienced college student.
Just then, his phone rang.
Mo Yi paused, took out his cell phone from his pocket, and pressed the answer button.
“How was it. Did the trip to A City go well?”
Jiang Yuanrou’s words of concern came from the receiver. Mo Yi smiled, about to say something. Before he could open his mouth, his gaze slightly sank.
He couldn’t divulge anything about the Advanced Players Club to Jiang Yuanrou.
To be precise, it was the game that prohibited it.
Mo Yi paused, dodged the topic, and replied somewhat vaguely, “Thank you for your concern. I’m fine.”
Jiang Yuanrou was an intelligent person, so when she heard him say that, she no longer looked into the matter, simply smiled and replied, “That’s good.”
Suddenly, Mo Yi seemed to remember something, and asked, “Jiang Yuanbai … how is he?”
Hearing Mo Yi’s question, the opposite side of the receiver was also silent, and in the backdrop here with the sparse sounds of people, he could only faintly hear the shallow breathing from the opposite side of the receiver.
After a while, Jiang Yuanrou replied, “His third copy will be opened the day after tomorrow. Although he appears very relaxed, I … am not very relieved.”
Mo Yi listened patiently.
Jiang Yuanrou paused, and like she had made up her mind, continued, “I’m going to accompany him in the next copy.”
Mo Yi was not at all surprised. After a flat, “en”, he replied, “Pay attention to your safety.”
Jiang Yuanrou smiled softly. “It’s okay. Life is the most important. The side plot is just a plus!”
Before she could finish speaking, she heard Jiang Yuanbai’s boisterous voice coming from behind, “Brother Mo, you’re back? You haven’t even returned my messages!”
Jiang Yuanrou smiled, pushed her foolish younger brother’s head away, and continued over the phone, “Oh, that’s right. I’ll have someone take you to the villa later. I have a little surprise for you.”
After speaking, she ended the call.
Mo Yi squeezed his cell phone, its screen black, his heart a little weak: Why did he have an unsettling premonition?
He walked out of the airport and happened to see a car slowly approaching, the black roof reflecting the dazzlingly, brilliant rays of light of the midday sun. The car then came to a stop in front of him.
The car window slowly rolled down, revealing a familiar face.
The man looked at him with scorching eyes, left hand raised to clamp the cigarette dangling from his lips with his fingertips. The smoke that was slowly being exhaled blurred the contours of his face, but Mo Yi could still make out the large smile on his face. “Long time no see.”
Shen Lei ??
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