Kaidan Game Train: Abide Rule or Die!
Chapter 1032: Escaping the Instance

Chapter 1032: Chapter 1032: Escaping the Instance

The remaining unannounced numbers belonged to the lip-pierced player, the spotted player, and Ding Xiang.

Of course, the first two might have already been claimed by someone else, but to ensure everyone passes, numbers 2, 4, and 11 are still needed.

These three pieces of paper, along with the deceased long-haired female player’s number 6, have yet to surface among all of the player numbers.

"Each of us has received a piece of paper," Ding Xiang said with a calm frown. "There’s no one left to collect any more. Are new ones expected to appear?"

It’s hard to say, now that it’s the morning of the third day. The everlasting night of District 002 blurs one’s sense of time. After two sleepless, stressful days, everyone is exhausted, and with the unchanging darkness outside, it feels as if the night hasn’t ended.

The contrast between heightened alertness and physical exhaustion consumes even more energy.

"Let’s wait and see," Liang Zong said as he held her hand. "There surely won’t be a scenario where someone can’t pass. Typically, instances don’t block players’ progress completely."

That’s indeed the norm.

The other two without a piece of paper seemed to be a bit more patient than Ding Xiang. However, they were in a worse predicament. There was a fifty-fifty chance that no more pieces would appear and the same odds that their pieces were already taken by others. It seemed certain that one person would fail to pass.

Several who made it through have left their copies, except for one player who doesn’t show signs of leaving yet.

Chi Minghong’s goal was straightforward – to wait and see if any new papers would emerge, maybe even the instance’s "last one" as hinted at its name.

Their staying is a blessing for those yet to pass, especially for the lip-pierced player and the spotted player, who may find the killer of the long-haired female player.

For a moment, everyone harbored their own thoughts, their gazes wary and guarded as they interacted.

Xu Huo still needed to stay here. After greeting Chi Minghong, he tucked his book under his arm, found another room on the first floor, and headed for "Emergency Shelter No. 101" to sleep.

After taking the Perfect Potion, his recovery surpassed that of a regular player, but, like the glasses-wearing man, good recovery doesn’t mean he went unharmed. He had to be cautious of other players from Dong Qifeng potentially blocking him; resting inside the instance was safest.

Setting a timer, he slept a full eight hours before rising. When he stepped out, Chi Minghong was in his room playing games. She looked up to greet him, "You good now? It’s just the two of us left in the copy now."

"Everyone passed?" Xu Huo asked nonchalantly.

"Liang Zong passed. Number 4 was killed by Number 2, who along with Ding Xiang was killed by Zhou Yuanzhu. Unexpectedly powerful, that round-faced girl. To think she’s a Super Evolver," Chi Minghong commented. "The special weapon marks left at the scene where the long-haired female player was killed were actually made by her fingernails... Sheesh, in the blink of an eye, her nails could grow longer than her fingers!"

"But it seems that’s her only focus, nothing else notable about her."

Liang Zong was forced to pass. The others were taken out one by one until Zhou Yuanzhu wiped them out. Chi Minghong surviving implied her strength was considerable.

"Has Zhou Yuanzhu passed already?"

"Not yet." Chi Minghong pointed outside. "I chopped off two of her nails and she ran off. Hasn’t come down for a while, probably upstairs searching for the last paper. She’s still aiming for a high score to pass."

Xu Huo placed the book he brought earlier on the table and took out piece Number 7. "This copy is actually not highly difficult. If approached with a child’s mindset, the last clue should include the order of paper serial numbers, the sequence they appeared in, and possibly also the order of the books."

"I’ve gone through the books tied to passing, and their reading notes all start from the same year, likely bought in one batch. You are using books dated both newer and older, but this one has notes that are later than the rest. It could’ve been read last. Try this book."

"If it isn’t right, then it’s no use wasting more time."

With a cheerful laugh, Chi Minghong took it and, seconds later, announced with delight, "It is indeed!"

"Old Xu, you’re seriously badass. You managed to think of this!"

"But it really is like Leaf Blindness. Having done only tougher copies before, I didn’t expect such a simple pattern. Hard to believe this is a Rank-C copy."

"If we’d stuck with our initial understanding of passing through, this copy would have been just as difficult," Xu Huo said, opening the door to leave.

"That’s true. If nobody managed to pass in the end, it might as well be considered hellishly difficult," Chi Minghong chuckled, and followed him, "The game’s pretty sinister... Are we ready to leave?"

Xu Huo nodded, and as he walked into the hall and looked up the stairs, Zhou Yuanzhu, about to come down, vanished in an instant.

"Fast runner," Chi Minghong laughed, adding, "The area’s opened up."

"I plan to hang out in Snow City for a few days. I’ve already packed up the prop I promised you." She pulled out a garbage bag filled with modestly-sized props and fetched another to add, "You helped me get a high clearing rank, so here’s an extra Rank-B prop. Don’t feel it’s too little; I’m pretty broke myself."

Xu Huo took it without expression, "I also need to stay in Snow City to handle some things."

Knowing he was with someone from a Snow City family, Chi Minghong offered, "Well, if you need any errands or anything, just say the word and I’ll do my best."

Xu Huo didn’t hesitate, "I actually have something I can’t manage to do and could use your help."

"As long as you don’t ask me to take on a Rank-B player alone, it’s all good," Chi Minghong replied with a hearty smile.

Xu Huo gave her an address. "Check out this lab for me. Ideally, find a list of people closely associated with it, especially anything involving children, like psychological treatment, orphanages, and charitable sponsorships."

"No problem," Chi Minghong reassured with a hand gesture, "We’ll still contact through the communicator."

Having agreed, Chi Minghong dashed off to Snow City center, while Xu Huo used the Little Tunnel to return to the Dong Family estate.

When he appeared in the annex building, the female player Zeng An was watching Xiao Dou eat. Surprised by his return, she quickly informed him of what he needed to know:

"Mr. Xu, have you had dinner? Young Master Xuan had been waiting for you the past two days, only leaving an hour ago."

"The beauty pageant’s final vote reveal is tonight. Young Master Xuan, along with other young masters and ladies of the family, have headed to the Entertainment Mansion. Would you like to join Young Master Xuan and watch the results?"