The Overlooked Critical Factor

Looking at the dark, menacing stairwell before him, Zither-Drum Harmony couldn't help but take a step back, his words tinged with disbelief.

"How is that possible? This door is clearly..."

Although there weren't any particularly conspicuous signs in the Circular Hall, they had clearly marked each door with a piece of paper indicating where it led. In such a short time, it was impossible for them to go to the wrong door.

Three possibilities.

Bai Zhi closed the Security Door again and frowned slightly as he looked at the paper with the words "[Dormitory Area]" written in large characters on it.

"The first possibility is that someone came into this Circular Hall and replaced the signs on the doors while we were moving to other areas."

"That possibility can probably be ruled out."

After examining the note pasted on the door, PrayerUnderDreams shook her head.

"The paper stuck here with glue doesn't show any signs of being torn and then reattached... Of course, if it were done by ghosts or something, we probably wouldn't be able to tell."

"The second possibility is that the area behind the door can change randomly. For example, if you open the door one second and it leads to a stairwell, the next second it might lead to Entertainment Venue."

With a nonchalant shrug, Bai Zhi voiced his second speculation.

"Report, the stairwell is still behind the door."

He tried opening the door with the Key again, and Heavenless Heretic raised her hand.

"Of course, it's also possible that there are specific time intervals during which changes will occur."

"... So you two are just here to sabotage us, right?"

Rolling his eyes, Bai Zhi said his third guess in a very annoyed tone.

"The third possibility is that this is a rotating Apartment layout, with the Circular Hall at the center. This could explain why the stickers on the door show no signs of being tampered with, but the places the doors lead to are different."

"Rotational..."

Walking to the door corresponding to the one leading to the stairwell, Zither-Drum Harmony found the Key and opened the door marked as leading to the stairwell.

Because, apart from the stairwell, the entrances to the other three areas are all passageways over ten meters long, it's not immediately clear whether you're in the Dormitory Area or one of the other two.

"Mark the Key, but don't rely too much on Key markings... Seven Days is only the beginning, isn't it?"

Looking at the circular hall, Bai Zhi rubbed his forehead, feeling a slight headache.

Survival Quest like Type are manageable at the beginning, but the danger increases daily as you progress. Towards the end, you might be hit by a dozen or more Abnormal Event. This is why Players need to cooperate, because if they don't stick together, their chances of survival are pitifully small.

If this mission were simply Survival Quest, it would be easy to handle. However, the problem is that this mission is not just a simple Survival Quest. One of the requirements is to find out the secret of this Apartment.

What secrets are hidden within this strangely laid-out Apartment with its numerous rules?

After this little incident, everyone returned to the Dormitory Area, and for convenience, they all squeezed into Room 501, which was Heavenless Heretic's room.

His room layout was almost identical to Bai Zhi's: a single bed, a desk, a computer, a wardrobe, a refrigerator, a kitchen, a shoe cabinet and slippers in the entryway, posters on the walls, a clock hanging above the wardrobe, and brand-new blankets... exactly the same.

The refrigerator was well-stocked with fresh food, and it also had a gas stove, knives, and kitchen utensils. There were a few charging ports in the room, but no light switch.

While Night Owl and Zither-Drum Harmony were busy in the kitchen, Bai Zhi, PrayerUnderDreams, and Heavenless Heretic sat solemnly together on the floor and began playing cards with serious expressions...

It must be said that Night Owl and Zither-Drum Harmony are quite good cooks. In about half an hour, a sumptuous breakfast was ready.

Since there was no dining table in this small room, only a chair placed in front of the desk, it served as a makeshift desk.

"What are the next steps?"

Because of Bai Zhi's previous performance, after filling their stomachs, Zither-Drum Harmony turned to him and asked him a question.

"We just walked around the Apartment together. Where do you think the potential dangers might be?"

"Let's go to the Entertainment Area. I see there are lots of Game, Billiard Hall, Movie Theater, and stuff like that. Anyway, it's still early, it's only morning, isn't it?"

Before Bai Zhi could speak, PrayerUnderDreams put down her chopsticks and started talking enthusiastically.

"This is only the first day of the Seven Days period. As long as we follow the rules, there shouldn't be too much danger. Let me tell you, I'm incredibly good at billiards, the Prince Snooker!!"

With a slight pursed lip, Bai Zhi didn't interrupt. He turned and glanced at the clock. According to the hands, it was 8:55 AM, which was indeed...

A thought flashed through Bai Zhi's mind, and his expression suddenly changed.

Perhaps due to certain ingrained thought patterns, he realized he might have overlooked a crucial factor.

"Hurry up, everyone, get back to your rooms and lock your doors! Who told you it's morning?!"

Thinking of this, Bai Zhi stood up from the ground and hurriedly spoke to the crowd and the book collector.

"Remember, no matter what noises happen outside or if someone knocks on the door, do not respond. We'll discuss everything after 11 o'clock!!!"

While speaking rapidly, Bai Zhi pulled the bewildered Night Owl towards the door.

"If the Lights are still on after 11 o'clock... no, to be on the safe side, after 11:30, then we'll meet in the hallway outside the room!!"