Calm Third Day

Portable Prison, contained creatures: 1/1, maximum capacity reached.

Until the prison expands or the currently contained creature is voluntarily released, the containment ability cannot be activated.

To a certain extent, contained creatures obey the commands given by the host.

However, for certain commands that violate their own beliefs, contained objects will show strong resistance, and their "mood" will decline.

Please pay close attention to the contained object's "mood." If its mood remains below a good level for too long, rebellion or even a Containment Breach may occur.

As the system prompt ended,

Chen Li opened her eyes inside the cell.

Han Dong had assumed Chen Li would panic upon finding herself in a prison cell.

But instead, she wore a smile, showing no aversion whatsoever to this cold, dark prison.

While the tentacle connected to the back of her head, a subconscious notion of "home" had been implanted in her.

As a result, staying in the prison actually gave Chen Li the feeling of returning home.

There was another important change... The look in Chen Li's brown eyes now seemed to contain not only that of a "close friend," but also something akin to a "master-servant" relationship.

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

"After Mother was murdered, revenge became the only goal in my life.

"My younger brother, Da Qing, has his own family matters... Once this is over, he can go live his own life. I have nothing left to worry about, nor do I wish to become his burden.

"Leaving with you might actually be a good thing."

Chen Li calmly accepted it all.

"Then I'll be counting on you for what comes next... Once everything is resolved, I'll take you to a brand-new world."

"Mm."

After returning to the bungalow, Chen Li put on a weak appearance and supported herself against the wall as she returned to her Room 6.

Han Dong also promptly left his room, preparing to head downstairs and join the team.

But the moment he stepped outside, he ran straight into Edward, with his head of golden curls.

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

"I just didn't sleep well last night, and Herbert also ran into trouble.

"The tension and lack of sleep left me a little weak... But after breakfast, I felt much better."

"There shouldn't be any danger during the day. You should rest in your room."

Just as Edward was about to turn and leave, he seemed to recall something... though the series of movements appeared somewhat deliberate.

"Oh, right! Friend Nicholas, I happened to see 'Chen Li' coming out of your room while I was going upstairs... Judging by the time she went upstairs, she must have spent around twenty minutes with you, right?

"You were alone with that 'Hexed One' for so long. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

Edward suddenly seemed to have no intention of leaving. Instead, he entered Han Dong's room on his own initiative and shut the door behind him.

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

"There is a strong possibility that the 'evil spirit' in this incident is Chen Li. Or perhaps the evil spirit is possessing her body and only appears at night.

"Information about her is extremely important to us."

"Mm."

Han Dong had already prepared an excuse.

He said Chen Li had come to the second floor to check on his condition. After all, Han Dong and the others were part of the filming crew and had helped during the "exorcism." Then the two of them had sat down to eat noodles together and chatted about everyday matters.

Edward looked puzzled. "That's all?"

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

"But what?"

Han Dong put on a serious expression. "While Chen Li was in my room, the temperature dropped quite a bit.

"Also, during our conversation, when we mentioned her past experience with The Hex, she somehow took out a kitchen knife... It scared me badly.

"Still, she was merely emotionally agitated and didn't do anything dangerous."

Edward rubbed his chin with the Prosthetic Limb clad in White Gloves, as though recalling something.

"Mm... A kitchen knife? Indeed, it seems Chen Li is very fond of kitchen knives and carries one with her at all times.

"Nicholas, thank you for sharing this important information.

"As the captain, I will do everything in my power to help all of you survive... Let me tell you something."

"What?" Han Dong asked curiously.

"According to information from my Returner friend, ordinary novice missions are usually this kind of survival-type event. The shortest last one day, while the longest can last half a month.

"However, no matter how long survival is required, the event does not progress quickly during its early stages, deliberately giving entrants a sense of relaxation.

"Then, during the final stretch, the event's progress suddenly accelerates, and even some unimaginable changes may occur!

"If teams of more than ten people cooperate well, they may keep everyone alive during the early stages... but they can all die within the final few hours.

"This sudden shift is called Speed Change by my friend and the Knight Order."

Han Dong looked shocked. "Captain, are you saying... the evil spirit might start slaughtering people like crazy in the final few hours?"

"That's right. I estimate Speed Change will begin during the final half-day. Today, we'll maintain our normal routines in our respective rooms. Starting at six tomorrow, everyone will gather... I'll find a way to keep everyone alive."

"Thank you, Captain."

"No need. Just rest well in your room... Since you were alone with Chen Li for twenty minutes without incident, there probably won't be any danger today either."

After watching Edward leave, Han Dong wrote down "Speed Change" and Edward's name in his notebook.

Edward Mori... This man's background is anything but simple.

Moreover, he has clearly made extensive preparations for this incident. He should know every hidden detail within Destiny Space.

Yet he only told me one "pattern" in the event's development, without revealing the truly useful restrictions at all.

I need to watch this man carefully.

As for this so-called "Speed Change"... it is very likely what I suspected: during the later stages of the event, the "restrictions" on the evil spirit will be greatly weakened, or completely removed.

The third day.

Han Dong remained in his room for almost the entire day, using discomfort as his excuse. Captain Edward allowed it as well.

Even his lunch and dinner were personally delivered by Chen Li.

Han Dong spent the entire day "thinking."

Everything was perfectly normal. Just as Edward had said, Speed Change would occur the moment everyone let down their guard even slightly. Even teams of more than ten people would die in the final few hours.

Evening arrived.

After dinner, Han Dong used the excuse of taking his bowl downstairs to leave 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... his main purpose was to meet Chen Li in secret.

After pulling up his pants and reaching the back of the outhouse, Han Dong was still slightly startled despite having mentally prepared himself.

Chen Li, with disheveled hair and dressed entirely in red, stood with a kitchen knife in hand, half her body concealed behind a tree.

"Do as I said and begin the operation with your younger brother tonight... Whether I survive or not will depend on your performance."

"Okay."

Before leaving, Han Dong deliberately praised her. "Your appearance is even more convincing than I planned... You nearly scared me too."