222. Are We Doing Matryoshka Dolls Here?

After finishing the novel, Trist's face turned grim.

This part of the manuscript describes how the investigators decided to investigate the novelist's house before going to North Cold Town. They found a desolate courtyard, a rotten pool, a dilapidated living room, and strange noises coming from the second floor.

The group then went up to the second floor, where they witnessed and defeated the hideous monster. In the messy bedroom, they found part of the novelist's manuscript and discovered that they had done the same things as the characters in the book.

"It's a nesting doll."

Lu Ban made this assessment.

"But it cannot be denied that what we did was indeed similar to what is depicted in this novel."

Xiya pointed out.

Aside from some minor differences, what they experienced was exactly what is described in the novel.

However, only a few people found the original manuscripts and read them. They were greatly shocked, their rationality was shaken, and they prepared to go to North Cold Town to find out what was going on.

Of course, it is also mentioned here that on the way to North Cold Town, the group seemed to have encountered something unimaginable, but it has been crossed out and is written in a messy manner, as if the author denied what he had written and was preparing to rewrite it on another piece of paper.

However, that's all.

"Nonsense, utter nonsense."

Trist seemed somewhat agitated, whether from the side effects of his diminished rationality or from the fact that these incomprehensible events were happening in his own world was unclear.

Lu Ban could understand this feeling very well.

No matter how outrageous the things he encounters are, or how terrifying those monsters are, they are just creatures from another world. They won't suddenly cross the dimensional barrier and come to your bed to find you.

But the bizarre events happening in his own world felt very real, especially the experience of becoming the protagonist in a horror novel. If it were Lu Ban, perhaps...

It's probably nothing serious.

"The handwriting on these manuscript papers is very clear, and the handwriting does not appear messy. It can be seen that Gudu should have been in a relatively rational state when he wrote them. He was seriously conceiving these plots, which is obviously inconsistent with the condition of the house. This means that he was quite calm when writing this novel, but left in a hurry. What happened in between?"

Xiya reviewed the contents of the manuscript paper again.

"Furthermore, if this manuscript had been placed here from the beginning, the editors who came to check it earlier should have noticed it long ago. The reason we're only seeing it now is because it's only just appeared?"

Lu Ban added.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Trist leaned against the wall, took a deep drag on her pipe, and tried to numb her mind with tobacco.

"No, no, no, I mean, it was brought by this monster."

Lu Ban glanced at the messy bedroom.

"You see, this way, no matter what, we will kill the monster and get this manuscript, thus making it consistent with what is written in the novel. If we can't kill the monster, then naturally we won't see the manuscript."

"Um?"

Trist's attention was drawn to Lu Ban's words; he seemed to have thought of something.

"This technique is very simple. Prepare several different branching plots in advance and then place them at the trigger point. This way, no matter what choices we make, it seems as if the author has anticipated them in advance. It's a little trick."

Although Lu Ban had never seen anything so elaborate, there were many similar things on the internet. The simplest example was using several accounts to post online, predicting the outcome and score of a match in advance. After the result came out, the other posts were deleted, leaving only the correct one to circulate. This would give people the illusion of being a prophet or someone who had traveled back from the future.

Just like now, this monster has brought the original manuscript, which makes Lu Ban and the others feel that everything about them has been written into the novel, and that it was all predetermined. There may be similar original manuscripts in other places that Lu Ban others can access. When they discover them, they will feel that their actions have been predicted by the novel.

"That makes sense."

Trist muttered to himself, but his steps remained unsteady.

"If that's the case, then shouldn't we not go to the Cold Ruins?"

Xiya pondered.

"No need for that. The novel has designed us, but it also reveals that as long as we go to North Cold Town, or rather, Cold Ruins, we can take the next step and possibly meet the author."

Lu Ban immediately replied.

"However, the fact that someone like Gudu, or the person behind him, can control such a monster makes me feel that they are not very normal."

The three searched their home in the Gudu again but found no further clues. As evening approached, they decided to have a meal and then head to the Cold Ruins.

North of the city, in the Tenth Ring Road area.

"I didn't expect you to not own a car, Old Cui. It seems like you're living a pretty unsuccessful life."

Lu Ban sighed.

"I don't usually leave the city, so there's no need for me to buy a car."

Trist argued.

The three of them were conflicted about the issue of traveling.

Although the road between the Ruined City and the Cold Ruins is long, basic safety is guaranteed because people travel between them year-round. There are even a few small villages in between. However, if you take public transportation, you will have to wait two days to set off. If you want to hit the road tonight, you must drive yourself.

Trist didn't have a car; they had to rent one.

This is another sum of money.

"You just don't want to spend money, do you?"

Lu Ban the nail on the head.

"I think it's not bad to stay a couple of days or two, it'll be more lively."

Trist changed the subject.

"Given how this abnormal situation is developing, it may worsen to an unmanageable level in two days."

Xiya reminded her.

If the Gudu or someone else is affected, two days is enough time for a person's mind to go from a mental breakdown to a rational madness that is then restored. If the journey is delayed for two days, the situation may be even worse.

"You don't know how to drive, do you?"

Lu Ban asked.

"How could I not understand!"

Trist jumped up and down as he arrived at the car rental place. In the outer ring, this place was usually owned by gangsters. The shop had some cars that didn't look very reliable, and there were a few thugs in old suits and baseball caps guarding the place.

After exchanging a few words, Trist chose a car and went to the cashier to pay.

The gangs in the Ruined City, to put it bluntly, are all about doing business. They have businesses on the surface and businesses underground. Generally speaking, if it is a normal transaction, the gangs will not cause any trouble for the customers. But if someone is ungrateful and wants to take advantage of the situation, then the gangs may offer a condition that he cannot refuse.

"Deposit of 8,000, daily rent of 400, sign here."

The cashier, who had been reading a book, quickly put down his novel when he saw a customer coming in, looked up and spoke.

Lu Ban saw that the novel was indeed Gudu's work. The cover featured a monster emerging from a painting. The monster had the body of a large dog and the head of an octopus-like tentacles, exactly the same as the one they had seen in Gudu's home.

Trist's expression suddenly froze.

Xiya borrowed the book, which was called "The Dog in the Painting." She flipped through it and found that it was about a protagonist who bought a strange painting, from which a monster, just like the one on the cover, emerged and eventually killed the protagonist.

At this moment, the cashier looked at Lu Ban and his expression suddenly brightened.

"Is this Mr. Lu Ban?"

He stood up and looked at Lu Ban.

"I am Stone."