Pocket Dimension

Real-time calculations continue in the game.

The female researcher immediately ran to the security guard, knelt down, and begged for mercy.

[Please... please let him go. He acted impulsively. I'm sorry. I apologize on his behalf. I'm so sorry, please let him go.]

[This place is too eerie. Can't we just cooperate instead of attacking each other?]

Listening to the female researcher's words, two options appeared in front of Xin Xin.

1. His temper and pride make him seem somewhat blind and prone to impatience. I must prevent him from stabbing me in the back (killing him) at a crucial moment.

2. You're right, this place is indeed eerie. We should help each other (let him go).

"It's a choice between two options."

Xin Xin looked at the options in front of her, and then at the pleading female researcher, and was caught in a dilemma.

How should I choose?

She glanced at the live stream room as if seeking help, where the audience had once again split into two factions.

On one side, there are those who support firing the guns; on the other side, there are those who hope not to fire them. The debate is deadlocked, and neither side can convince the other.

Seeing that seeking help from the audience was hopeless, he decided to follow his own instincts.

Please, we can't live without him. It's too dangerous here, we need him.

The female researcher's tearful plea came again, causing Xin Xin to waver slightly.

[Please! Let him go! We're willing to scout ahead! We're willing to go first! Please, let him go!]

Amidst these hopeful pleas, Xin Xin finally gritted her teeth and chose to let him go, opting for the second option.

"Let's see how it goes first. If this guy dares to attack me, I'll immediately reload my save and shoot him!"

That's what Xin Xin said.

Soon, as the selection process ended, the protagonist put away his gun and remained silent.

The female researcher immediately showed a grateful expression.

Thank you. Thank you.

Then, they helped up the security guard who was still coughing violently.

He was clutching his throat, his face flushed from coughing.

His expressions and acting were absolutely superb, leaving Xin Xin speechless with amazement.

"Could those incredibly popular young male celebrities do it?"

Xin Xin shook her head and continued playing the game.

In the game, the female researcher asked a question in a low voice.

Which passage should we take now?

As soon as she finished speaking, another option appeared in front of Xin Xin.

1. Enter the first passage.

2. Enter the second passage.

3. Enter the third passage.

[9. Enter the ninth passage]

Looking at these options, she didn't know which one to choose.

So, she chose the third option, hoping for the same chance that she had to draw lots for the ABCD exams in elementary school a long time ago!

Then, under the threat of the protagonist's firearms.

The female researcher, supported by a security guard, shakily walked inside.

The passageway was too narrow for two people to pass through. The security guard patted the female researcher on the shoulder to indicate that it was alright, and then went in first.

The female researcher hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed.

Then came Xin Xin, who walked at the back, keeping the two in front of her constantly within the range of the gun's Flashlight.

It has a distinctly slave-owner feel to it.

"Damn it, there are only 3 bullets left in this gun, what's the point of playing with it!"

Looking at the magazine capacity, Xin Xin felt like crying.

He thought that once he got a rifle, he would have a guarantee of security and a voice in the matter.

There are only 3 bullets left, what's the point of playing?

If the bullets run out and there's no resupply, who can you swing this gun at?

Xin Xin sighed and looked at the two people supporting each other in front of her. Soon, she saw a light appear at the end.

They arrived at a new circular space, which was exactly the same as before, with no changes whatsoever.

After choosing another passage, the female researcher and security guard entered.

Xin Xin followed closely behind, but her game screen suddenly flickered.

And in that very instant, the two people in front of her Flashlight's range...

They've disappeared.

In just a moment, the person disappeared!?

Xin Xin was immediately taken aback. How could two living people disappear in the blink of an eye?

Has something happened?

Or is it some kind of random event?

At this moment, Xin Xin, who was alone in the dark passage, began to feel a little scared.

After all, two living people had disappeared right under her nose, which made it impossible for her to remain calm.

At this moment, the game's protagonist also spoke in a somber tone.

[This passage seems a bit different; going further might be dangerous. I'd better turn back and choose another path.]

Should we return it?

OK!

Xin Xin quickly turned around and walked back.

After a few steps, the light appeared.

A relaxed expression immediately appeared on her face, and she quickened her pace, returning to a new circular space.

But what they found there was a sallow, mummified corpse!

"Holy shit. Dead man!?"

Xin Xin stared wide-eyed, frozen in shock.

She swallowed hard and slowly approached.

The mummified corpse was sitting against the wall at one of the entrances to the passageway.

It was skin and bones, dry and yellowish-brown. Lividity was everywhere, and its hair was covered with withered grass.

It appears that he has been dead for quite some time.

So much so that his white coat was tattered and yellowed.

"This is... a woman?"

Xin Xin was somewhat surprised; judging from the long, unkempt hair, it was a female corpse.

Judging from her clothing, could it be...?

Xin Xin glanced out of the corner of her eye and noticed that the mummified corpse was holding something in its hand.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an identification card and a piece of paper.

She carefully picked up the ID card and took a look, her expression immediately changing.

It says on it:

'Level 2 Identification Card'

Name: Rose Emily

Position: Space Research Assistant

'Level: B-Class Personnel '

'Code: B7546988421346X'

"Holy crap, it really is that female researcher from before! She said her name was Rose Emily!"

Xin Xin exclaimed in surprise and quickly picked up the note to take a look.

It says on it:

They abandoned me. That bastard agent named Dave and that D-Class guy. First, the D-Class guy ran away. Then Dave went mad. He said he saw a rotting old man and hurt me, robbed me, insulted me, and finally shot me in the leg, saying I was a sacrifice for it, leaving me here to die. I will never forgive you. I will never forgive you, even in death!

"My goodness!"

Xin Xin's hand trembled violently, and she dropped the note on the ground.

Dave!

It's that security guard!

Did the security guards kill the female researcher?

"What on earth happened?"

At this moment, the game's protagonist spoke coldly.

[The situation has exceeded my expectations; my senses have been affected here. I must leave as soon as possible.]

Then, the camera was forced to look towards the passageway where the female corpse was sitting.

The meaning is self-evident; the protagonist is hinting that this is the path to take.

Xin Xin put down the note and saved her game on the spot. She glanced at the female corpse, picked up her rifle which only had 3 bullets left, and then plunged in.

The passageway was Pitch Black.

Footsteps echoed.

Xin Xin held the gun, cautiously and vigilantly observing her surroundings.

"That female corpse probably isn't real. She said she was shot in the leg by security, but I have that gun. So who actually shot that female corpse?"

"Things have become strange since those two people suddenly disappeared. I have to be careful."

"Furthermore, the true form of that black arm has never appeared from beginning to end. Judging from the 'A' before its designation, it's definitely Aleph (dangerous) class. Therefore, it must possess extremely terrifying characteristics."

"This Pocket Dimension... the game hints that these passages are just one area of Pocket Dimension. Does that mean there are many more strange spaces like this? Isn't this 0106 anomaly a bit too unimaginable? This space alone can induce despair, so what will happen when the anomaly entity actually appears?"

"And the rotting old man mentioned in the note."

As Xin Xin walked through the Pitch Black passage, she spoke softly and tremblingly in the live broadcast room.

Viewers and fans immediately flooded the screen with comments, some even comforting her and telling her not to be afraid, suggesting she look at the gifts they had sent to cheer her up.

But how could Xin Xin possibly be happy?

Just as she was being cautious, a light appeared at the front of the passage.

She has moved to a new circular space!

But at the same time, she heard a low voice.

A very distinct male and female voice rang out, belonging to the female researcher and the male security guard!

[Look, he's right here.]

Yes, he's here.

What is he doing?

What is he doing?

He seems to be lost.

He must be lost.

He needs help.

I need to help him.

The next second, a series of footsteps sounded.

At the same time, dangerous and chilling music blasts out!

This made Xin Xin's hair stand on end!

This is another set of footsteps besides the main character's, and it's getting closer!

Judging from the music playing, this is definitely not a good thing!

"Holy crap!"

She yelled and immediately pressed the sprint button to start running.

In just a few steps, they rushed into the new circular platform.

The physical exertion left the protagonist slightly out of breath.

Then

Xin Xin saw the female researcher from before. She was in this circular space, panicked and looking terrified.

[It's you!]

She looked very surprised when she saw the protagonist, her eyes filled with disbelief.

At this point, the game once again entered a first-person, real-time rendered animation.

The female researcher tried to step forward, but the protagonist pointed a gun at her, and she froze on the spot.

[What happened? Where is the agent?]

The game's protagonist spoke coldly, the gun in his hand gleaming metallically under the light.

The female researcher paused for a moment, then shook her head.

We got separated. We were terrified when you suddenly left the passageway. We ran back to the next space, but he was gone, and you just came out of another passageway.

Why did you leave? You mentioned taking the gun from our partnership. Why did you just leave?

Xin Xin was somewhat taken aback by these words.

In the short time it took this woman to run back through the passage, she actually kept up with the protagonist running through two passages in a row?

And one of them even got lost along the way?

If the woman wasn't dead, then the mummified corpse from before was indeed an illusion?

At this moment, the protagonist spoke again.

[This is getting increasingly eerie; we need to leave now.]

Game controls restored.

Xin Xin pursed her lips, saved her game on the spot, and plunged into one of the passages.

The female researcher hurriedly followed, afraid of falling behind again.

At this moment, the Pitch Black passageway appeared perfectly normal compared to the previous two.

The two encountered no danger or incidents and soon arrived at a new circular platform.

But they didn't linger; instead, they chose another passage and went inside.

A deathly silence filled the surroundings.

The clear, resounding footsteps lingered in my ears.

Xin Xin was getting a little impatient at this point.

After deciding to complete the entire passage, she started saving her progress and then tried each passage one by one.

Until the right path is found.

She was curious to see what kind of expression the female NPC would have when she saw the exit.

Will I have to leave this Pocket Dimension?

but

The truth always exceeds expectations.

The passageway in front of us has suddenly become wider without us even noticing!

At the same time, from the Pitch Black that could not be seen ahead, an old male voice rang out.

Is anyone up ahead?

His voice was hoarse, making him sound extremely old.

In the darkness, accompanied by the unsteady footsteps of someone walking, they were gradually approaching.

The female researcher let out a soft moan, somewhat frightened.

Xin Xin was no different, but she still held up the gun and used her only three bullets to defend herself.

[Who? Who's there?]

The female researcher's voice trembled slightly, filled with fear.

But as soon as her voice rang out, the footsteps in the distance disappeared.

Then, a trembling yet excited voice came from the darkness.

[Emily?]

Xin Xin was taken aback.

Holy crap, someone I know?

She glanced at the female NPC behind her and found that she also looked astonished, clearly not knowing who the voice in front of her belonged to either.

Seeing this, Xin Xin remained vigilant and held her gun.

But she soon found out whose voice it was.

[It's me, Emily.]

A figure emerged from the darkness; he was emaciated, aged, hunched over, and walked with a limp.

His white hair was disheveled, and his security uniform was tattered and worn, revealing most of his loose skin.

[I am... Dave.]

His face was full of joy and surprise, and his aged voice came out again, but it terrified Xin Xin.

"Damn it!"

"It's that security guard! How come he's gotten so old!?"

At this moment, the female researcher behind him looked even more terrified.

She kept saying it was impossible while backing away in fright.

[Emily. Fifty years have passed.]

The old man was still staggering forward, one hand on the wall and the other outstretched towards the female researcher.

I've been looking for you.

The female researcher was so frightened that she fell to the ground, her eyes filled with terror.

Xin Xin is stunned.

What kind of random event is this?

That's amazing!

This security guard was a man in his thirties just over ten minutes ago.

I've gotten so old.

Ahead, it seemed as if the female researcher could be seen with a look of fear and disgust as she walked away.

The security guard suddenly froze, his expression turned somber, and his outstretched hand slowly fell to his sides.

Then he burst into laughter, tears streaming down his cheeks.

[That look in his eyes, hahaha, that look of someone staring at a monster, hahaha!]

At some point, the old security guard's speech became fluent, no longer slow and hesitant.

[Fifty years! A full fifty years! I kept marking, and kept marking, just to find you!]

Before he could finish speaking, the old security guard suddenly rushed forward and tackled Emily, who had fallen to the ground.

It was so fast that even Xin Xin didn't have time to react!

If that security guard had attacked me at that speed...

Xin Xin's delicate body trembled violently, and she dared not think any further.

At the same time, a scream from the female researcher behind her pulled her back to reality.

Xin Xin turned around and her eyes widened in surprise.

[Emily, fifty years! I've searched for you for so long. And now you look at me like I'm trash. I hate it! I feel so worthless! Emily, stay with me. Emily, stay with me.]

[Let me go! Let me go! Help me! Help me!!!]

The old security guard kept tearing at the female researcher's clothes, becoming hysterical as if he wanted to tear the girl beneath him to shreds.

The female researcher's exposed skin caused a stir among the perverts in the live stream.

Xin Xin couldn't stand it anymore. Not for any other reason than to prevent the live stream from being warned by the moderators, she had to do her best to stop what was happening in front of her!

So she raised her gun and aimed it at the elderly security guard who had committed the assault.

Then, without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.

Bang--

A loud explosion followed, and smoke billowed out.

Wearing VR, Xin Xin experienced a sudden, intense ringing in her ears.

This is due to the limited space.

The protagonist in the game also suffered.

It was as if his brain had exploded; he felt so uncomfortable that his vision blurred, his steps became unsteady, and he had to hold onto the wall to barely stand.

At the same time, he reached out and covered his ears, only to find that they were bleeding!

Through his blurry vision, he saw that the Pitch Black passage in front of him was completely empty.

The once wide passageway narrowed again, allowing only one person to pass at a time.

There was no old security guard, and no female researcher.

There's nothing there!

Everything that just happened felt like an illusion!

Before Xin Xin, there was only a strange figure whose face was not visible, slowly approaching under the light of a tactical Flashlight.

Judging from the figure, the person was naked.

At the same time, in the blurred vision, the figure looked as if it had emerged from the water, somewhat wet, but not reflective.

Tick-tock—

Tick-tock—

The sound of dripping water echoed continuously in the narrow space.

The figure was getting closer and closer.

Escape!

We must escape!

Xin Xin sensed danger; the figure ahead looked hostile, and she had to escape!

But the damn protagonist seems to be seriously injured and can't walk.

No matter how she tried to control it, it felt like she was carrying several tons of weight, making it impossible for her to move an inch!

The sound of dripping water grew closer and closer.

The figures became clearer and clearer.

Xin Xin's little heart was pounding rapidly.

The next second, under the beam of the Flashlight, the figure gradually came into view.

"Holy crap!!"

Ahead, in the sunlight.

Xin Xin could finally see the figure approaching step by step.

It was pitch Pitch Black, dripping with liquid.

The body disintegrated, rotting and exposing the bones.

With each step it took, it left behind footprints that emitted white smoke and corroded the ground.

Its head was so rotten that it was sunken and deformed.

Its aged appearance, bearing a ferocious smile, is approaching step by step!

Xin Xin's story is finished; there's only a little bit left before the game ends. The author hasn't run away, nor has she abandoned the project. This book has reached 2200 average daily subscriptions; it's been a long and difficult journey! It might get a recommendation from the editor next week, so I need to work hard next week to try and get it featured! And then aim for a top-rated book!!!