Terminally Lost

"Acheron, do you see me now as Pathwalker?"

"No."

Acheron's answer was very straightforward.

Is unlocking skills really unrelated to one's destiny?

"By the way, Acheron, could you come with me to try out these props?"

"Testing the props? No problem."

Acheron nodded after confirming that Liu Bai showed no abnormalities from consuming the Obsidian of Depravity.

"Do you need to go outside?"

"Can we watch from the sidelines too?"

Strictly speaking, it's not recommended... but it's not entirely impossible?

Liu Bai thought for a moment, then showed an interested expression, and opened the gashapon containing the Disposable Hypnosis Pocket Watch.

"Your words are really getting on my nerves," Guinaifen said, pulling Firefly, clearly also ready to watch.

Liu Bai rolled her eyes.

You brought this on yourself.

"Acheron, please keep an eye on this pocket watch."

"Um."

Acheron nodded, then focused his gaze on Liu Bai's pocket watch.

[Disposable Hypnosis Pocket Watch: Swinging the pocket watch hypnotizes any character who stares at it for more than 5 seconds. The hypnosis lasts for 10 minutes. Any action that violates the character's will, loud noise, etc., may cause the hypnosis to end prematurely (may decrease favorability after the hypnosis ends). The pocket watch is destroyed after swinging for five seconds.]

This is Liu Bai's second hypnotic pocket watch.

So Liu Bai wouldn't mind taking one out to test its effects... plus, having some fun?

How delightful...

Liu Bai slowly swung the silver pocket watch in his hand.

1, 2, 3...

Five seconds passed quickly.

"The Acheron?"

"..."

Acheron did not react at all. If you looked up and looked closely, you could see that Acheron's eyes were empty and lifeless.

... As expected of a hentai prop.

That's how the code is written.

"Raise your hand?"

Three hands obediently lifted up.

Firefly Guinaifen: "..."

Well, it seems Acheron isn't the only one who's been hypnotized.

Chapter Seventy-Four: The Advanced Stage of Being Directionally Deficient

"Raise both hands above your head to make rabbit ears."

The three people obeyed and did as instructed.

"Hmm... wouldn't this be considered against one's will?"

Liu Bai stroked his chin, originally thinking that Acheron Quan would be somewhat resistant to this cute gesture.

After all, this isn't exactly a high-end item.

However, Acheron, who was pretending to be a little rabbit, was even more foolish and no one was around.

"Smile?"

The three of them smiled.

"That's really good."

Liu Bai took a picture of everyone.

This is a very valuable collection.

Create a new album, featuring the trio of little bunnies.

He made a peace sign with both hands, and rolled his eyes—we'll talk about that later.

Well, let's leave those slightly wicked thoughts at that.

Let's start trying it seriously.

"Name."

"The Acheron".

"Origin?"

"..."

Acheron Quan'er unconsciously frowned on his face, which had no emoticon, looking like he didn't want to talk.

Dream:

Is this a taboo?

Seeing that Acheron was showing obvious resistance, Liu Bai stopped asking questions.

What am I like in your eyes?

"Employer, travel companion."

This impression... I'd say it's fairly average, right?

Liu Bai expressed his understanding.

"By the way, why do you get lost so often?"

That was just an accident.

Ah... I instantly woke up.

Liu Bai looked at Acheron eyes had regained their sparkle, and didn't know what to say.

Have I gotten lost since I arrived here?

Acheron expressed his doubts about Liu Bai's question.

"I think I've memorized all the rooms here."

"You went to the wrong room on your first day. The room you are in now is the room that used to be Firefly's room."

Liu Bai really wanted to complain about this person's terrible sense of direction.

I always feel like this person is somewhere between being directionally challenged and not directionally challenged.

He got lost for no apparent reason, but he didn't seem like someone like Zoro who couldn't even tell which way was north, south, east, or west.

Even if Blackie is 99% wrong, aren't you 1% at fault for being directionally challenged?

"Is that so? I'm really sorry, I'll switch back with Miss Firefly today."

Acheron looked somewhat embarrassed, which was rare for him.

"But speaking of which, these two are now..."

Acheron then noticed the two people whose eyes were dull and lifeless.

"Is it the effect of that pocket watch?"

Was I just controlled too?

Acheron subconsciously looked at the ground where the silver powder from the pocket watch had once been.

Acheron tried to recall what had happened before, but all he could remember was staring at the pocket watch as Liu Bai had told him to do and the question Liu Bai had just asked him. There were obvious gaps or a sense of disorientation in his mind.

Even upon closer reflection, Acheron couldn't help but think that he had just been spacing out.

"... So, what did you just do?"

Acheron suddenly realized that when he regained consciousness, he had made a gesture of putting his hand down.

Did you do something with your hands above your head before?

"I did some experiments," Bai said, his face tense.

It's probably best if the Acheron doesn't know about the little rabbit or anything like that.

"An experiment... let's just call it an experiment. How much time has passed?"

"Two minutes, it really is the effect of the pocket watch." After Acheron stopped complaining, Liu Bai, who was relieved, didn't hide anything. "Although I had some expectation of it, I was still shocked that it could directly control you."

Even the strongest NPC in a game is just a piece of code with a texture. Liu Bai wouldn't feel anything if he hypnotized it, but hypnotizing a living, powerful person in real life... surprisingly gives him a sense of accomplishment.

Hmm... a demon that tempts people to fall.

"I was startled too... By the way, you've managed to get it working, haven't you?"

"Almost."

It can only be considered as an experiment to find a suitable cage surface. Liu Bai X actually wanted to try the depth of hypnosis. After all, he just chose a blessing that enhances the abnormal effect of dreams.

But who would have thought that asking an Acheron would bring him back to his senses...

This makes it difficult for him to make a judgment.

Liu Bai thought he should have come to his senses when he was asked to at least "take off his clothes," right?

"... How long will this effect last?"

Acheron glanced at the silver powder on the ground again.

She felt a lingering sense of unease, something she hadn't experienced in a long time. She had been controlled after just five seconds of looking at a pocket watch... The effect was just too outrageous.

Although it didn't feel difficult to break free.

"Ten minutes."

"A terrifying prop," Acheron commented seriously.

"The activation conditions are very demanding. After all, who in their right mind would stare at a suspicious silver pocket watch for five seconds without looking away? And even when I asked you about getting lost, you reacted because of your resistance—do you care that much about getting lost?"

"No."

A rare hint of embarrassment flashed in Acheron's eyes.

"Perhaps it's because your question was too abrupt, sir."

"Hmm... let's just say that."

Liu Bai's teasing gaze made Acheron feel embarrassed.

"Let's stop testing here for today. Hmm, it seems to work better than I expected."

It has to be said that this level of hypnotic tool did give Liu Bai the idea of getting some high-level hypnotic tools.

For example, the Hypnotic Ring in the item prize pool is a reference to the famous Yuki-onna doujinshi.

That wasn't a disposable prop, and its effect was far superior to the current Disposable Hypnosis Pocket Watch.

Of course, there are also many drawbacks. For example, it has a curse-like nature that is difficult to remove once equipped, and it will slowly deprive the user of their sense of existence.

Of course, more importantly, the ring itself has a seductive power, which leads to a certain degree of uncontrollability in hypnosis.

For example, being pushed back, being pushed back, and being pushed back again... although it doesn't seem like a bad thing?

... Is the uncontrollability of hypnosis really more important?

Of course! A mere curse can be easily dispelled, can't it?

However, in terms of personal preference, Liu Bai still prefers to be the dominant one in bed... and being pinned down on the bed all day is not something a normal person can stand.