The Calm Third Day

Chapter 17: The Calm Third Day

"Portable Prison, captured creatures: 1/1, maximum capacity reached.

Containment ability cannot be activated until the prison's scale is expanded or the current captured creature is voluntarily released.

Captured creatures will, to a certain extent, obey commands given by the host.

However, for commands that go against their own principles, captured creatures will exhibit strong resistance and their 'mood' will decrease.

Please pay close attention to the captured creature's 'mood.' If the mood remains below 'good' for an extended period, there is a possibility of rebellion or even containment failure."

As the system prompts ended, Chen Li, who was inside the prison, opened her eyes.

One would have expected Chen Li to panic at finding herself in a prison cell.

Unexpectedly, she wore a smile and showed no aversion to the cold, dark prison.

During the time the tendrils connected to the back of her head, a subconscious implant related to 'home' was introduced.

This made Chen Li feel as if she were returning home while staying in the prison.

Furthermore, there was another significant change... within Chen Li's brown eyes, besides the look of a 'close friend,' there now seemed to be a hint of a 'master-servant' relationship.

Han Dong said sincerely, "Thank you for trusting me."

"After my mother was murdered, my life's only goal has been revenge.

My brother Da Qing has his own family matters... After this is over, he can go live his own life. I have nothing to worry about, nor do I want to be a burden to him.

It's a good thing to leave with you instead."

Chen Li accepted it all with composure.

"Then I'll leave the rest to you... Once everything is resolved, I will take you to a brand new world."

"Okay."

Returning to the bungalow, Chen Li feigned a weak appearance and, leaning against the wall, made her way back to her room, number 6.

Han Dong followed her out of the room, preparing to go down and meet with the team.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out, he bumped directly into Edward, who had curly golden hair.

Edward asked with concern, "Friend Nicholas, how are you feeling?"

"It's just that I didn't sleep well last night, and Herbert also had an accident.

The tension and lack of sleep have made me a bit weak... I feel much better after breakfast."

"There shouldn't be any danger during the day, so you should rest in your room?"

As Edward was about to turn away, he seemed to remember something... although the series of movements was slightly deliberate.

"Oh, right! Friend Nicholas, when I was coming up the stairs, I happened to see 'Chen Li' coming out of your room... Calculating the time she came upstairs, she must have been with you for about twenty minutes, right?

Are you alright being alone with this 'cursed one' for such a long time?"

"I'm fine."

Edward suddenly lost the intention to leave and instead actively entered Han Dong's room, closing the door behind him.

"Friend Nicholas, I hope you can tell me what happened during those twenty minutes, the content of your conversation, and your thoughts.

There's a high probability that the 'Evil Spirit' in this incident is Chen Li, or the Evil Spirit might be possessing Chen Li and only appearing at night.

Information about her is very important to us."

"Okay."

Han Dong had already prepared his story.

He said that Chen Li came up to the second floor to check on his condition. After all, Han Dong and the others were part of the follow-up team and had helped during the 'exorcism.' Then, they both sat down to eat noodles and talked about some personal matters.

Edward looked puzzled, "That's all?"

"Yes, but..." Han Dong seemed to recall some frightening details.

"But what?"

Han Dong feigned a serious expression, "During the time Chen Li was in my room, the temperature dropped quite a bit.

Also, while we were talking, when the topic turned to her past experience of being cursed, she produced a kitchen knife out of nowhere... It startled me quite a bit.

However, she was just emotionally agitated and didn't do anything dangerous."

Edward touched his chin with his mechanical prosthetic limb, which was covered by a white glove, as if recalling something.

"Hmm... a kitchen knife? Indeed, it seems this Chen Li is quite fond of kitchen knives and carries them around at all times.

Nicholas, thank you for sharing this important information.

As the captain, I will do my utmost to ensure your survival... Let me tell you something."

"What?" Han Dong asked curiously.

"According to the information revealed by my 'Returner' friend, most beginner missions are 'survival-type events' like this, lasting from one day to half a month."

However, regardless of how long one is required to survive, the event's progression in the early stages won't be very fast. This is intentionally done to give the entrants a sense of complacency.

Often, during the final period, the event's progress will suddenly accelerate, and unbelievable turn of events might even occur!

If those small teams of ten or more cooperate well, they might manage to keep everyone alive in the early stages… but then they'll all die within the last few hours.

This sudden shift is what my friend, and the people from the Knight's Order, call "Speed Change."

Han Dong's face was full of surprise. "Captain, are you saying… the Evil Spirits might go on a killing spree in the final few hours?"

"That's right. I estimate the "Speed Change" will begin in the last half-day. Today, we will continue our normal routines in our respective rooms. Starting tomorrow at six o'clock, everyone will gather… I will find a way to ensure everyone survives."

"Thank you, Captain."

"You're welcome. Just rest well in your room… Since you were alone with Chen Li for 20 minutes without any issues, it's unlikely there will be any danger today."

After seeing Edward off, Han Dong made a note of "Speed Change" and Edward's name in his notebook.

"Edward Murray… this person's background is absolutely not simple.

Furthermore, he is clearly well-prepared for this event and should be fully aware of the hidden details within the Destiny Space.

However, he only told me one 'pattern' of the event's development, and didn't reveal any truly useful Restrictions at all.

I need to pay attention to this person.

As for the so-called 'Speed Change'… it's very likely, as I suspected, that the Restriction conditions on the Evil Spirits will be greatly weakened, or entirely removed, in the later stages of the event."

Third day.

Han Dong stayed in his room almost the entire day, using the excuse of feeling unwell. Captain Edward had also granted permission.

Even for lunch and dinner, Chen Li personally delivered the meals.

All day, Han Dong was 'thinking.'

Everything was proceeding normally, just as Edward had said. The "Speed Change" would occur the moment everyone let down their guard. Even teams of over ten people would die within the final few hours.

Time moved into the evening.

After dinner, Han Dong took the opportunity to return the food bowls to the first floor, leaving his room for the first time.

Before the last rays of the setting sun disappeared, he went to the outhouse to take care of his bodily needs.

Of course… the main purpose was to meet Chen Li in secret.

After adjusting his pants and arriving behind the outhouse, despite having mentally prepared himself, he was still slightly startled.

Chen Li, with her hair disheveled and dressed all in red, was holding a cleaver, with half her body hidden behind a tree.

"Do as I said and take action with your brother tonight… whether I live or not depends on your performance."

"Okay."

Before leaving, Han Dong specifically praised her, "Your disguise is even better than I planned… you almost scared me too."