Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The Calm 3rd Day
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
“Portable Prison, containment count: 1/1, at maximum capacity.
Cannot initiate containment abilities until prison capacity is expanded or existing contained creatures are voluntarily released.
Contained creatures generally follow orders issued by the host to a certain extent.
However, creatures might strongly resist orders that go against their values, and this will decrease their ‘mood’ level.
Please be aware of the creatures’ ‘mood.’ If their mood remains below good conditions for a long time, rebellion might occur, even resulting in containment failure.”
With the last system prompt…
Chen Li opened her eyes in the cell.
One might assume she would be scared due to being in a cell, yet…
Unexpectedly, she was all smiles, unbothered by the frigid, dark prison.
During the connection of the tentacles to the back of her mind, a subconscious idea of ‘home’ was inserted.
This caused Chen Li to actually have a sense of returning home while being imprisoned.
In addition, there is another significant change… the look on Chen Li’s brown eyes is not just that of a ‘close friend,’ but seems to indicate a ‘master-servant’ relationship.
Speaking sincerely, Han Dong said, “Thank you for trusting me.”
“After my mother was murdered, my life’s goal is only revenge.
My younger brother, Daqing, is caught up in his own family affairs… Once this issue is resolved, he can go about his own life. I am not anything worth worrying over, and I don’t want to burden him.
Leaving with you is actually for the best.”
Chen Li accepted all this calmly.
“Then I’ll entrust the next matter to you… Once everything is settled, I will take you to a whole new world.”
“Okay.”
After returning to the house, Chen Li pretended to look weak and leaned against the wall as she returned to her Number 6 room.
Han Dong also quickly left the room, planning to join up with his squad downstairs.
However, just as he walked out of the room, he bumped into Edward with his golden curls.
Edward asked with concern, “My friend Nicholas, is your health okay?”
“Just that I didn’t sleep well last night, coupled with the incident with Herbert.
Tension and lack of sleep made me feeling weak… but I felt much better after eating breakfast.”
“There should be no danger during the day, so why don’t you rest in your room?”
As Edward was about to turn and leave, it seemed like he remembered something… although these changes in his actions were somewhat deliberate.
“Oh, right! My friend, Nicholas, as I was coming up the stairs, I saw ‘Chen Li’ coming out of your room… I calculated that she must’ve stayed upstairs with you for about twenty minutes, right?
When you were alone with this ‘possessed woman’ for such a long time, did anything happen?”
“Nothing.”
Edward suddenly didn’t seem inclined to leave, instead turning towards Han Dong’s room, closing the door behind him.
“My friend, Nicholas, I hope you can tell me everything that happened, the content of your conversation, and your thoughts during those twenty minutes.
On this issue, ‘the Evil Spirit’ is most likely Chen Li, or it might be possessing Chen Li and only show up at night.
Any information about her is crucial for us.”
“Okay.”
Han Dong had already prepared his explanation.
He claimed that Chen Li was checking up on his health as they were part of the film crew and had assisted with the ‘exorcism,’ then they sat down for a meal together and chatted about some daily life matters.
Edward looked puzzled, “That’s it?”
“Yes, but…” Han Dong seemed to recall some dreadful details.
“But what?”
Han Dong feigned a serious expression, “Throughout the time Chen Li spent in my room, the temperature dropped quite significantly.
Also, during our conversation, when discussing her previous experiences being possessed, she suddenly pulled out a kitchen knife… scared me quite a bit.
However, she was simply emotional, and didn’t do anything dangerous.”
Edward stroked his chin with his mechanical prosthetic arm, appearing to recall something.
“Hmm… a kitchen knife? Indeed, it seems this Chen Li is fond of knives and carries one with her at all times.
Nicholas, thank you for sharing important information.
As the team leader, I will ensure everyone’s survival… I have a piece of news for you.”
“What?” Han Dong looked curious.
“According to information revealed by my ‘Returner’ friend, most new tasks are of this ‘survival-type incident,’ short ones last a day, long ones last half a month.
However, no matter how long the survival requirement, the development of the incident wouldn’t advance quickly at the beginning, intentionally allowing the participants to become lax.
Often, by the last phase, development of the incident would suddenly speed up, even leading to unthinkable changes!
Even teams with ten+ members that coordinated well and had everyone alive initially… would all end up dead in the final few hours.
These sudden changes are called the ‘Speed up’ by my friend and the members of the Knight Regiment.”
Han Dong looked shocked, “Team leader, you’re saying… the Evil Spirit might launch a killing spree in the last few hours?”
“That’s right, I predict the ‘Speed up’ would begin in the final half day. We’d continue to spend the day individually, maintain normal living schedules, and gather tomorrow at six in the morning… I will find a way to ensure our survival.”
“Thank you, team leader.”
“You’re welcome, just have a good rest in your room… Since you and Chen Li were alone for 20 minutes with no issues, I don’t think there should be any danger today.”
As he watched Edward leave, Han Dong noted ‘Speed up’ and Edward’s name in his notebook.
“Edward Murray… this man’s background isn’t simple.
Moreover, he’s clearly well prepared for this incident, and should have a deep understanding of the hidden details in ‘Fate Space.’
However, he only told me about the ‘rule’ of how the incident evolves, and didn’t mention any really useful ‘Limitations.’
It’s necessary to pay attention to him.
As for the so-called ‘Speed up’… it’s very likely what I had guessed, that during the latter part of the incident, the ‘Limitations’ for the Evil Spirit would largely weaken, or be removed entirely.”
The third day.
Han Dong stayed in his room all day and never left, claiming he was unwell, which Edward, the team leader, allowed.
Even during lunch and dinner, Chen Li would personally bring the meals to him.
This entire day, Han Dong has been ‘thinking.’
Everything was normal, just as Edward said, the ‘Speed up’ might happen the moment everyone relaxed their guard slightly, even a team of more than ten people could all be dead in the last few hours.
As it got closer to the evening…
After dinner, Han Dong left his room for the first time to take his dishes downstairs under the pretext of needing the toilet.
And before the last sunset, he went to the outhouse to relieve himself.
Of course… the main purpose was to arrange a secret meeting with Chen Li.
Underneath the outhouse, despite being mentally prepared, he was slightly startled.
A disheveled Chen Li, dressed in red, was holding a kitchen knife, half hidden behind a tree.
“Follow as instructed, act with your younger brother tonight… whether or not I survive depends on your performance.”
“Alright.”
Before he left, Han Dong complimented, “Your disguise is even more convincing than I expected… you almost frightened me.”