The Shadow in the Fitness Room

Because the team was lacking energy, the morning passed by quietly.

Lunch was eaten in PrayerUnderDreams's room, Room 502. The two Girl cooked as usual, since Room 501, despite being repaired by Heavenless Heretic, was still a mess.

At 1 p. m., the group returned to the Entertainment Area and, after some searching, found the Fitness Room, which was supposedly open from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.

"Did we really need to come here? You're not still thinking about working out, are you?"

Sitting on the smooth solid wood floor, PrayerUnderDreams, who was feeling a bit stuffed from eating too much at lunch, lazily began to speak.

"If you guys want to work out, then you can do it yourselves. I'm not planning on moving anymore; my legs are still numb."

"It's just a small experiment. If my hypothesis is correct, maybe we'll have to come to the Fitness Room on time from now on..."

After giving a brief explanation, Bai Zhi placed the Key and the card on the table beside him, picked up a Timer and started timing. He then chose a treadmill and began jogging, turning back to speak to the others as he ran.

"Moderate exercise after meals can help with digestion; you can give it a try."

"I think I'll take another nap."

Yawning, and still looking somewhat listless Heavenless Heretic lay down on the ground again.

After all, his experience last night was different from Bai Zhi and PrayerUnderDreams's. He had actually fought with that strange thing in the pipe all night long. The physical exhaustion was secondary; the mental exhaustion was the greatest.

After the two lay down one after the other, and after a moment's hesitation, Zither-Drum Harmony also sat down.

Of everyone, only Night Owl chose the treadmill next to Bai Zhi and started running. However, as she ran, she glared fiercely at the person next to her, trying her best to trip them up with her gaze...

When the clock struck two, Bai Zhi, who had been jogging for an hour, got off the treadmill right on time. He picked up the timer on the table, glanced at it, and then checked his personal Attribute Panel.

Looking at the changes in the values on his Attribute Panel, Bai Zhi couldn't help but frown slightly.

"... Is that really how it is?"

"What? I knew it was true?"

Upon hearing this, Zither-Drum Harmony, who was watching movies she had downloaded on her phone, looked up with some confusion.

"Hmm? It's nothing serious, just that my Base Attributes values have increased. It seems my prediction that exercising in the gym can effectively improve Base Attributes values was correct."

Bai Zhi casually turned off the Light Screen that only he could see, picked up a towel from the side to wipe his sweat, and calmly spoke.

"You guys can try it too, Special Effect really well."

"Oh, the Attribute Value increased... Wait!? What did you say!?"

As if suddenly realizing something, the Zither-Drum Harmony, which had just lowered their heads, quickly raised them again.

"It's just an increase in Attribute Value, Base Attributes."

He also got off the treadmill, wiped his sweat with a towel, and the Night Owl spoke in a muffled voice.

"Previously, my base Constitution Base Attributes value was 11, which was below average. Now it has increased to 12."

"!!!"

As soon as the Night Owl uttered those words, the two people, who had been lying on the ground sleeping and the other sitting on the ground pretending to be dead, suddenly jumped up and each grabbed a treadmill and started running.

"Ah, after a good night's sleep, it's definitely necessary to get some exercise."

"Life lies in movement; as long as Life continues, so does movement."

"..."

Looking at the two serious-looking people in front of him, the Zither-Drum Harmony, which were a beat behind, were speechless for a moment.

"You can use anything else in the gym to work out; I'm guessing they'll all be Special Effect, but you'd better hurry."

Bai Zhi glanced at his Watch.

"The gym is open from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m., and there's less than an hour left until 3 p. m."

As soon as Bai Zhi finished speaking, the two people on the treadmill instantly increased their speed. Heavenless Heretic even reached out and pressed something on his Tailcoat, and instantly, a rousing song came from his Tailcoat... and then he ran even faster.

"Speeding at 70 miles per hour, feeling free and carefree."

Hopefully the Finish Line is the Aegean Sea; run with all your might—your dream is on the other side!

We want to travel the world and see miracles right before our eyes.

Watching the sunset paint the sky red, shoulder to shoulder, we make a wish.

"... By the way, does this thing even have a built-in speaker?"

Watching the two of them running happily on the treadmill, Bai Zhi looked like he had a toothache.

No one answered him, because Zither-Drum Harmony also found a treadmill and started running, while the Night Owl, after resting for a while, found another exercise nearby.

Base Attributes are crucial for all Player. Although the maximum Base Attributes can reach 15 points, most people only reach 11 or 12 points. Improving it further is extremely difficult.

Even though speed, Strength, and agility can be slightly improved through training, there's no good way to improve Intelligence, Charisma, and Perception— there's simply no way to improve them!

Human limits are not something that can be reached so easily.

But things are different now. This limited-time gym boasts amazing features that drive people crazy; simple workouts can boost your attributes... Is there anything better in this world than this!?

However, unlike the other four who all wore expressions of joy, Bai Zhi frowned. After glancing at the motionless teru teru bozu (Weather Doll symbolizing good weather) suspended in mid-air by the Zither-Drum Harmony, which served as a warning, Bai Zhi looked outside.

All the shops were quite quiet, empty, with bright Lights in the aisles casting large Shadow at the entrances.

As Bai Zhi's understanding of the Apartment deepened, the deepest Shadow in his heart grew heavier and heavier.

The Shadow Guard he left outside his room last night didn't last an hour. While he was busy dodging the Snake, just like the Shadow Guard who had lost contact with him in the stairwell, he cut off all communication with him without any warning.

What exactly is hidden inside this Apartment?