Chapter 174: Delicate and fragile balance
The corridor was narrow and winding, leading towards the darkness looming overhead.
Wen Jianyan calmly walked ahead, with 02 following closely behind.
Inside the “Integrity First” live broadcast room:
[Is it just me, or does it feel really tense in here?!]
[It’s not just you, definitely not just you. I can’t shake this feeling… like something big is about to happen!]
[This 02 isn’t as easily fooled as 01. He’s really smart. It’s like a battle of wits between smart people; it’s hard to say who will come out on top.]
[It seems like both of them already know what the other is thinking.]
[Yeah, 02 probably figured out that he would be kicked out as soon as he entered the hall. He knows he can’t hide his malicious intent. Both sides have their cards; 02 can create illusions, while the anchor has props and weapons. They’re both wary of each other. Just don’t know who will break the balance first.]
[I’m getting nervous!]
[I bet on 02. This guy is high-risk after all. For a psycho like him, prey is much more important than life. If he continues to walk, he’ll really let the person escape. I don’t believe he’ll let the host leave so easily.]
[I bet on the anchor!! Wen Wen has been steady and precise in his previous moves. I bet he’ll strike first to assert dominance, take out 02 first and then decide!]
Tap, tap, tap.
Footsteps echoed in the narrow corridor.
Wen Jianyan was already prepared.
The likelihood of 02 easily letting him go was extremely low; about this, he had no doubt.
In his predictions, the other party was likely to find a moment of his laxity before leaving and then pull him into an illusion—he had experienced the mode of the illusion of 02 before, and it was truly terrifying.
So why didn’t the other party act when he wasn’t yet in his hospital room?
Because the conditions weren’t met.
Not long ago, Wen Jianyan calmly used the “Flower of Delusion.”
Obviously, this not only allowed him to see through the essence of ghosts but was equally useful for NPC abilities. The information obtained further confirmed his speculation.
In the surface world, this ability was restricted.
Not only could human beings not be created out of thin air, but there also had to be necessary blueprints, and there were intervals for activation.
The reason why they were all affected earlier was largely due to being contaminated by the body fluids of that slug, which gave the other party an opportunity to exploit.
So, the two of them could now maintain a subtle and fragile balance inexplicably.
For 02, deceiving someone with a good memory, careful observation, and extreme suspicion was very difficult, especially when the other party was already vigilant and aware of the method to break the illusion.
If he failed, the illusion would be destroyed from the inside again, and he would not be able to do it again immediately.
And for Wen Jianyan, the gun couldn’t be used casually.
It was too obvious a weapon, and 02 couldn’t possibly not be on guard. If he chose to strike first, tearing his face with the other party, he could easily end up at a disadvantage.
After all, he valued his life more, but the other party might not necessarily.
If 02 was truly like those lunatics before, willing to do anything to achieve his goals, Wen Jianyan couldn’t afford to play with him.
However, as a host who had passed through several advanced instances, he was not completely powerless.
Or rather, Wen Jianyan had already begun preparing for this moment.
Simply put, he had a trump card.
The second underground floor was left behind.
In just a few tens of seconds, they passed through each other’s minds, with each second feeling so long yet imperceptibly fast.
The first underground floor arrived.
One more floor up, and they would reach the hall.
Wen Jianyan glanced at 02.
In the dim light, he could hardly see the other’s face, only hearing the steady footsteps and faint, even breathing.
“…”
Based on the current situation alone, it was difficult for him to judge whether the other party had created an illusion.
If so, then 02’s skill this time was much higher than before.
Wen Jianyan calmly withdrew his gaze.
The distance from the first underground floor to the ground floor wasn’t long. In the silent, steady footsteps, soon the door leading to the dark green hall appeared before Wen Jianyan.
Which meant he finally returned to where everything began.
Wen Jianyan took a slow breath, not looking at 02 but rather stepping directly towards the hall.
The vast space was covered in murky shadows, barely able to make out the three huge mounds formed by entwined skulls and necks in the corners of the hall.
Those three shadows stood ominously in the hall’s three corners, making one’s heart involuntarily tense.
Wen Jianyan wasn’t too worried about these slugs.
Not only because of the high-risk patient like 02 by his side, even if the other party did nothing, after understanding the attack patterns of these creatures, it wouldn’t be too difficult for him to pass through this area alone, as long as he timed it well and created noise in other directions of the hall.
Wen Jianyan had done similar things before in the laboratory; he was quite skilled in this aspect.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the hall, under its empty dome.
Suddenly, Wen Jianyan realized something.
Something was wrong.
Those mounds were just too quiet, too peaceful.
Last time he came, even before they managed to enter the hall, they could already hear the faint, sticky sound of movement and see subtle shifts and changes in the shadows’ contours.
Yet this time, even though he had created noticeable noise, those three mounds remained eerily quiet, showing no sign of movement or change.
It was as if… they were dead.
Something wasn’t right.
Wen Jianyan halted his steps, every nerve in his body instinctively tensing up.
What’s going on?
It didn’t seem like something 02 would do, and even without considering the suppression from the surface world, the other party simply had no reason to create such an illusion… Wouldn’t this be completely contrary to the purpose of “lowering vigilance”?
Tap, tap, tap.
Steady footsteps echoed from the darkness ahead.
In the shadows and mist of the hall, a tall figure gradually emerged.
Wen Jianyan’s pupils were constricted.
Not good!
The next moment, a familiar voice came from the front:
“Good day.”
Deep and elegant, with a courteous distance.
Along with the voice, the man’s figure gradually appeared under the light, with shallow, mist-like gray eyes, long gray hair bundled behind his head, and slender and elegant white fingers.
It’s 04!
Wen Jianyan stared fixedly at the other, consciously easing his breath.
“I have missed you greatly, my Muse.” 04 gazed at the young man before him with those deep, emotionally intense eyes. “Our deal is not yet complete. Have you forgotten?”
Wen Jianyan: “…”
“Crack!”
At that moment, from the other end not far away, there came a heavy sound of something breaking the air, like some blunt object falling.
Roll, roll.
Something rolled over.
Wen Jianyan glanced down.
…It was actually a head, rolling to his feet.
Familiar, pallid, and lifeless face; neck equally thick as the head, with pale yellow pus dripping down from below.
Another towering figure jumped down from the side.
He was muscular, causing a heavy vibration as he landed.
In just a few steps, the newcomer’s figure became visible under the light.
Fluffy blond hair, blue eyes, an immensely muscular physique, and a giant axe slung over his shoulder—compared to the inner world, the axe had shrunk to a certain extent, but it still looked incredibly imposing.
His eyes gleamed with heat, smiling at Wen Jianyan, his teeth sharp and white:
“Darling, do you like it?”
“They won’t attack you anymore.”
The blond man looked expectantly at the young man before him, like a big dog hoping for praise, his tail wagging as fast as a windmill.
Wen Jianyan realized something.
He coldly narrowed his eyes, turning his head to the side.
At some point, 02 had already walked up beside him. His steps were as silent as a big cat, and his words carried an exotic accent.
He bent down, brushing his nose against the tips of Wen Jianyan’s hair.
“You’ve already guessed, haven’t you?”
The man with brown skin and brown eyes smiled at the corner of his lips, his eyes sparkling with admiration. “I’ve thought of many ways, but none of them could keep you here. You’re too clever and too powerful. Even the illusions that I’m proud of can be easily seen through by you…”
The other furrowed his brow, seemingly genuinely troubled by this.
“It’s too difficult for me to keep you here alone…”
“Ah… you’re so beautiful.”
02’s expression was affectionate, his eyes burning. He raised his hand and gently touched the young man’s cheek with his knuckles, his movements soft. “I understand very well now why 01 was so devoted to you, why 04 couldn’t forget about you, and why 03 and he had more conflicts in this short period than they had in their entire memory…”
“Some people might need some time to join in, but I don’t.”
02 sniffed the young man’s neck, emitting a gentle murmur from his throat.
“After all, I’ve always liked sharing.”
He smiled intimately and happily.
Chapter 174: Delicate and fragile balance
The corridor was narrow and winding, leading towards the darkness looming overhead.
Wen Jianyan calmly walked ahead, with 02 following closely behind.
Inside the “Integrity First” live broadcast room:
[Is it just me, or does it feel really tense in here?!]
[It’s not just you, definitely not just you. I can’t shake this feeling… like something big is about to happen!]
[This 02 isn’t as easily fooled as 01. He’s really smart. It’s like a battle of wits between smart people; it’s hard to say who will come out on top.]
[It seems like both of them already know what the other is thinking.]
[Yeah, 02 probably figured out that he would be kicked out as soon as he entered the hall. He knows he can’t hide his malicious intent. Both sides have their cards; 02 can create illusions, while the anchor has props and weapons. They’re both wary of each other. Just don’t know who will break the balance first.]
[I’m getting nervous!]
[I bet on 02. This guy is high-risk after all. For a psycho like him, prey is much more important than life. If he continues to walk, he’ll really let the person escape. I don’t believe he’ll let the host leave so easily.]
[I bet on the anchor!! Wen Wen has been steady and precise in his previous moves. I bet he’ll strike first to assert dominance, take out 02 first and then decide!]
Tap, tap, tap.
Footsteps echoed in the narrow corridor.
Wen Jianyan was already prepared.
The likelihood of 02 easily letting him go was extremely low; about this, he had no doubt.
In his predictions, the other party was likely to find a moment of his laxity before leaving and then pull him into an illusion—he had experienced the mode of the illusion of 02 before, and it was truly terrifying.
So why didn’t the other party act when he wasn’t yet in his hospital room?
Because the conditions weren’t met.
Not long ago, Wen Jianyan calmly used the “Flower of Delusion.”
Obviously, this not only allowed him to see through the essence of ghosts but was equally useful for NPC abilities. The information obtained further confirmed his speculation.
In the surface world, this ability was restricted.
Not only could human beings not be created out of thin air, but there also had to be necessary blueprints, and there were intervals for activation.
The reason why they were all affected earlier was largely due to being contaminated by the body fluids of that slug, which gave the other party an opportunity to exploit.
So, the two of them could now maintain a subtle and fragile balance inexplicably.
For 02, deceiving someone with a good memory, careful observation, and extreme suspicion was very difficult, especially when the other party was already vigilant and aware of the method to break the illusion.
If he failed, the illusion would be destroyed from the inside again, and he would not be able to do it again immediately.
And for Wen Jianyan, the gun couldn’t be used casually.
It was too obvious a weapon, and 02 couldn’t possibly not be on guard. If he chose to strike first, tearing his face with the other party, he could easily end up at a disadvantage.
After all, he valued his life more, but the other party might not necessarily.
If 02 was truly like those lunatics before, willing to do anything to achieve his goals, Wen Jianyan couldn’t afford to play with him.
However, as a host who had passed through several advanced instances, he was not completely powerless.
Or rather, Wen Jianyan had already begun preparing for this moment.
Simply put, he had a trump card.
The second underground floor was left behind.
In just a few tens of seconds, they passed through each other’s minds, with each second feeling so long yet imperceptibly fast.
The first underground floor arrived.
One more floor up, and they would reach the hall.
Wen Jianyan glanced at 02.
In the dim light, he could hardly see the other’s face, only hearing the steady footsteps and faint, even breathing.
“…”
Based on the current situation alone, it was difficult for him to judge whether the other party had created an illusion.
If so, then 02’s skill this time was much higher than before.
Wen Jianyan calmly withdrew his gaze.
The distance from the first underground floor to the ground floor wasn’t long. In the silent, steady footsteps, soon the door leading to the dark green hall appeared before Wen Jianyan.
Which meant he finally returned to where everything began.
Wen Jianyan took a slow breath, not looking at 02 but rather stepping directly towards the hall.
The vast space was covered in murky shadows, barely able to make out the three huge mounds formed by entwined skulls and necks in the corners of the hall.
Those three shadows stood ominously in the hall’s three corners, making one’s heart involuntarily tense.
Wen Jianyan wasn’t too worried about these slugs.
Not only because of the high-risk patient like 02 by his side, even if the other party did nothing, after understanding the attack patterns of these creatures, it wouldn’t be too difficult for him to pass through this area alone, as long as he timed it well and created noise in other directions of the hall.
Wen Jianyan had done similar things before in the laboratory; he was quite skilled in this aspect.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the hall, under its empty dome.
Suddenly, Wen Jianyan realized something.
Something was wrong.
Those mounds were just too quiet, too peaceful.
Last time he came, even before they managed to enter the hall, they could already hear the faint, sticky sound of movement and see subtle shifts and changes in the shadows’ contours.
Yet this time, even though he had created noticeable noise, those three mounds remained eerily quiet, showing no sign of movement or change.
It was as if… they were dead.
Something wasn’t right.
Wen Jianyan halted his steps, every nerve in his body instinctively tensing up.
What’s going on?
It didn’t seem like something 02 would do, and even without considering the suppression from the surface world, the other party simply had no reason to create such an illusion… Wouldn’t this be completely contrary to the purpose of “lowering vigilance”?
Tap, tap, tap.
Steady footsteps echoed from the darkness ahead.
In the shadows and mist of the hall, a tall figure gradually emerged.
Wen Jianyan’s pupils were constricted.
Not good!
The next moment, a familiar voice came from the front:
“Good day.”
Deep and elegant, with a courteous distance.
Along with the voice, the man’s figure gradually appeared under the light, with shallow, mist-like gray eyes, long gray hair bundled behind his head, and slender and elegant white fingers.
It’s 04!
Wen Jianyan stared fixedly at the other, consciously easing his breath.
“I have missed you greatly, my Muse.” 04 gazed at the young man before him with those deep, emotionally intense eyes. “Our deal is not yet complete. Have you forgotten?”
Wen Jianyan: “…”
“Crack!”
At that moment, from the other end not far away, there came a heavy sound of something breaking the air, like some blunt object falling.
Roll, roll.
Something rolled over.
Wen Jianyan glanced down.
…It was actually a head, rolling to his feet.
Familiar, pallid, and lifeless face; neck equally thick as the head, with pale yellow pus dripping down from below.
Another towering figure jumped down from the side.
He was muscular, causing a heavy vibration as he landed.
In just a few steps, the newcomer’s figure became visible under the light.
Fluffy blond hair, blue eyes, an immensely muscular physique, and a giant axe slung over his shoulder—compared to the inner world, the axe had shrunk to a certain extent, but it still looked incredibly imposing.
His eyes gleamed with heat, smiling at Wen Jianyan, his teeth sharp and white:
“Darling, do you like it?”
“They won’t attack you anymore.”
The blond man looked expectantly at the young man before him, like a big dog hoping for praise, his tail wagging as fast as a windmill.
Wen Jianyan realized something.
He coldly narrowed his eyes, turning his head to the side.
At some point, 02 had already walked up beside him. His steps were as silent as a big cat, and his words carried an exotic accent.
He bent down, brushing his nose against the tips of Wen Jianyan’s hair.
“You’ve already guessed, haven’t you?”
The man with brown skin and brown eyes smiled at the corner of his lips, his eyes sparkling with admiration. “I’ve thought of many ways, but none of them could keep you here. You’re too clever and too powerful. Even the illusions that I’m proud of can be easily seen through by you…”
The other furrowed his brow, seemingly genuinely troubled by this.
“It’s too difficult for me to keep you here alone…”
“Ah… you’re so beautiful.”
02’s expression was affectionate, his eyes burning. He raised his hand and gently touched the young man’s cheek with his knuckles, his movements soft. “I understand very well now why 01 was so devoted to you, why 04 couldn’t forget about you, and why 03 and he had more conflicts in this short period than they had in their entire memory…”
“Some people might need some time to join in, but I don’t.”
02 sniffed the young man’s neck, emitting a gentle murmur from his throat.
“After all, I’ve always liked sharing.”
He smiled intimately and happily.
