Bai Zhi and Night Owl

With just a few minutes to go before 3 o'clock, everyone reluctantly left the gym.

When the time came to three o'clock, the gym doors closed automatically, isolating everything inside.

If you stay in the gym after the time limit is up, you'll inevitably be trapped inside. The glass here doesn't look like it can be broken easily, and by then, the person trapped inside will probably have to face the night alone when the lights go out.

Although they didn't stay there for long, their gains were enormous. In the two hours they spent in the gym, besides Bai Zhi and Night Owl each increasing their Base Attributes by two points, everyone else also increased their Base Attributes by one point. In the past, this would have taken a month to achieve.

"What a pity, why is such a great place only open for such a short time? Looks like I'll have to come early and on time tomorrow."

Heavenless Heretic sighed with regret.

Contentment brings happiness, and happiness comes from contentment.

Bai Zhi glanced at the other person.

"Now, everyone is free to explore the Entertainment Area on their own. Try not to stray out of each other's sight. If anything unusual happens, let everyone know immediately. We'll meet at the entrance at 7 PM. Is that alright?"

"Black&White, you're smart, why don't you analyze it with us?"

PrayerUnderDreams secretly moved closer to Bai Zhi.

"Since there's a gym here that can improve Base Attributes, there should also be places that can improve Intelligence or Perception, right?"

"The improvement in Intelligence should be related to the Library, and the improvement in Perception should be related to the Arcade or private cinema, but the Special Effect shouldn't be as immediate as the gym... You guys go and explore for yourselves."

After giving a brief explanation, Bai Zhi shook his head slightly.

"You all better be careful. The secrets hidden in this Hotel may be far more terrifying than you imagine... But never mind, there's no point in saying this now, just be careful."

Since no Abnormal Event or attacks have occurred since morning, and since every Player here has some degree of Survival Ability, no one has any objection to the suggestion of exploring separately.

Zither-Drum Harmony ran towards the Private Theater, PrayerUnderDreams headed straight for the Library, and after looking around, Heavenless Heretic turned and walked into the Arcade.

As for the Night Owl... he obediently followed behind Bai Zhi.

"... I haven't really offended you, have I?"

After walking a few steps, Bai Zhi turned around and said helplessly to the Night Owl following him, who was carrying the pot of [street lamp flower].

"Even when I woke you up before to go to sleep, it was just so you could lie on the floor with the blankets and sleep. Is it really necessary to be so petty about such a small thing?"

"Hmph, it's my freedom to go wherever I want, what's it to you?"

Turning her head, the Night Owl let out a soft hum.

"Hmm... wait, you're not afraid to explore this empty shop alone, are you?"

After thinking for a moment, Bai Zhi looked the other person up and down with a hint of suspicion.

"..."

The Night Owl fell silent.

"Fine, you can come if you want, just don't bother me."

Rolling his eyes, Bai Zhi turned and walked towards the Bar.

Currently in the Entertainment Area, he hasn't found anywhere to use the card, and he has no idea what the points are for. He figured the answer should be at the Supermarket, but he wasn't in a hurry.

There are some things he needs to sort out clearly.

Sitting at the Bar counter, Bai Zhi casually picked up a bottle of wine from the dazzling array of liquors, poured himself a glass, and then quietly sat there drinking.

An extra Key, a bizarre computer Game, strange things in the room, Shadow Guard who died mysteriously, strange Resident rules, a gym that can quickly improve Base Attributes, daily special fresh ingredients, Special requests that are met as much as possible, identical doors, a circular hall... So much information was mixed together, making his head feel slightly throbbing.

He tried to connect the known elements in his mind with a few lines, but he always failed.

Although the Apartment hasn't shown any major danger so far, his unease is growing daily. He even has a premonition that he and his group might eventually be wiped out here.

Unfortunately, the clues he has obtained so far are too few to piece together any puzzle... He still can't figure out how the Shadow Guard, who could Perfect hide in the darkness, was killed.

If even Shadow Guard can be so easily and without warning, then it means he could also be easily killed. Is it really that dangerous and terrifying outside the room after 9 PM?

This doesn't make any logical sense.

On the first day, if he hadn't inadvertently noticed the issue with the time, almost everyone would have been stuck outside their rooms after 9 PM. If the situation outside their rooms was this terrifying after 9 PM, did that mean they would have been wiped out from the start?

I can't figure it out, and I can't understand it.

"... So what exactly are you thinking?"

She also sat down at the bar and poured herself a glass of orange juice. After sitting there in a daze for about half an hour, just like Bai Zhi, the Night Owl finally couldn't help but ask Bai Zhi a question.

"I'm contemplating life."

Turning his head to glance at the Night Owl, Bai Zhi spoke softly.

"You've disrupted my train of thought and left me lost on my path in life. Didn't I say before that you shouldn't bother me?"

"Well..."

Feeling a little guilty under someone's gaze, the Night Owl suddenly started to feel uneasy.

"Do you know how extremely dangerous this mission is? The slightest mistake could mean total failure and annihilation! You've disrupted my thinking. Tell me how you're going to compensate me."

With a cold snort, Bai Zhi poured himself another glass of wine.

"Well, I'm sorry..."

Shrinking his neck, the Night Owl, feeling inexplicably guilty, weakly spoke up.

"You think an 'I'm sorry' is enough? If apologies were that effective, what would be the point of having police?!"

He tilted his head back and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, Bai Zhi's face sarcasm.

"I've already apologized, what more do you want?!"

Enraged by the arrogant attitude on the man's face, Night Owl stiffened his neck and shouted loudly.

Seeing this, as if they were having a contest to see who could shout the loudest, Bai Zhi also shouted loudly.

"Not even showing your chest, you have no sincerity whatsoever! Is that how you apologize?!"