Chat's True Identity

Rationally speaking, Lin Yu fully understood why Sherlock would consider him a member of the "Psychology Society".

After all, he was indeed hiding a lot of things and seemed quite suspicious.

Adding to Sherlock's analysis, Lin Yu felt that if he were in Sherlock's shoes, he would also feel like a member of the "Psychology Society".

Only...

From an emotional standpoint, Lin Yu was somewhat unhappy about being treated as a member of the "Psychology Society".

Do I look that mentally unstable?

He looked at Sherlock and asked helplessly.

Sherlock looked at Lin Yu cautiously. "To be honest, you're actually a bit of a jumpy person..."

"However, it seems you're really not a member of the 'Psychology Society'."

"Why are you suddenly so sure?"

Lin Yu looked at Sherlock and asked curiously in return.

"Because the people in the Psychology Society never bother to hide themselves," Sherlock sighed, "Or rather, in a sense, they're quite aboveboard."

"Of the three recognized 'anti- Order's organizations, the Psychology Society is the most aboveboard."

As Sherlock spoke, Lin Yu nodded.

"That's right, I really have nothing to do with that organization. In fact... I even have a grudge against them."

This time, Lin Yu didn't perform or hide anything; he directly expressed his emotions.

Sherlock sensed Lin Yu's malice towards the "Psychology Society": "It's clear those lunatics are quite annoying... Anyway, since you're not with the 'Psychology Society,' I'm relieved."

Sherlock sighed in relief, rubbing his lower back, and continued, "Let's get back to the Instance... In short, the organization that's operating in Winter Mountain's Peak is called 'Truth Company' —they've left traces of their activities in many Instance of 'Death game'."

"Furthermore, once you've interacted with an NPC from this company... it seems they'll add you to their database. If you become hostile towards them, you'll have to be even more careful when you encounter them again in later Instance."

Sherlock reminded him.

Lin Yu suddenly realized. "So, that's why you've been hiding this all this time?"

"Yes, at first I thought you were from the 'Psychology Society,' and I was thinking of just messing with you," Sherlock pulled up the waistband of his cotton trousers. "But since it was a misunderstanding... I have to make things clear."

Are you sure you want to get involved in this mess?

Lin Yu looked at Sherlock and slowly exhaled. "We've already come this far, why not?"

"I'm genuinely curious about the Truth all this, and besides... there's an extra reward to be won, isn't there?"

Lin Yu's words were half true and half false.

Upon hearing this, Sherlock most likely assumed that Lin Yu was referring to the extra reward of "Unraveling the Clues".

But actually...

Lin Yu was referring to his Rank Advancement Mission.

Sherlock gave a thumbs up.

"Good, May, my good brother, I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

"In that case, I'll risk my life to accompany you!"

Lin Yu was speechless after hearing Sherlock's words.

What does it mean to "not misjudge"?

How did they become "good brothers"?

So, the person you were guarding against the whole time, acting like part of the "Psychology Society," wasn't you?

But one shouldn't hit a smiling face, and Lin Yu didn't want to spoil the mood.

The two continued walking down the passageway, and soon...

A glimmer of light appeared ahead.

According to Lin Yu's calculations, although the downward slope of the tunnel was very gentle and long, he and Sherlock had already walked for more than ten minutes!

The two people are currently at least fifty meters underground.

"I've run into people from 'Truth Company'... What do you think might be up ahead?"

Lin Yu asked, but Sherlock shook his head.

"I don't know either, after all, I've only had contact with them three times."

"However, I did hear the sound of water."

As Sherlock spoke, Lin Yu nodded slightly.

He did indeed hear a faint sound of water coming from the light ahead.

Both Sherlock and Lin Yu unconsciously slowed their pace a little.

Finally, they emerged from the passageway and stood on a platform at the top of a staircase.

Look down.

Beyond the already spacious passageway lies an even more expansive space.

A natural cave, seemingly large enough to contain the entire factory, unfolds before your eyes. High-tech, cool-toned light strips are embedded in the surrounding rocks, illuminating the entire space.

And here...

It definitely has an entire factory!

Tall metal tanks and various instruments stand everywhere, connected by metal pipes, with smooth lines and a sleek surface, looking very advanced.

However, the massive factory comprised of these advanced instruments is now abandoned.

Most of the instruments and pipes were submerged in black oil.

The black, viscous oil formed a lake.

In the very center, on the only still-operating, enormous instrument, its appearance resembles a metal heart.

The instrument itself was also constantly vibrating, beating like a real heart.

There are two huge holes at the top of the instrument, and every time the instrument pulsates, jet-black oil gushes out from the holes.

This is also the source of the sound of water that Lin Yu and Sherlock heard.

"It really is a 'leak' in the physical sense," Lin Yu sighed. "So the question is, what does 'Chate' have to do with these things?"

Sherlock's expression was grave.

"I don't know, but these things... give me a bad feeling."

"Nothing produced by 'Truth Company' is simple... especially this technology that transforms 'emotions' into Entities."

"If I'm not mistaken, the emotion that this 'black oil' originates from is 'fear'."

Lin Yu nodded upon hearing what Sherlock said.

"I also believe these represent 'fear'..."

He suddenly remembered the hints he had received as a "teacher".

"Chate" is not alive.

This statement can be interpreted in two ways: either "Chate" is dead, or...

"Chate" is not a living creature.

Lin Yu looked up and gazed in the direction of the machine.

"I watched an animated movie when I was a child, and the premise was very similar to this..."

"A group of monsters uses human 'fear' as an energy source, and in order to collect their fear, the monsters scare children."

"We've all heard about the 'Snow Monster' and 'Chate' from the NPCs, but..."

"To date, none of us have seen these things."

"Even more so, 'Chate's' method of killing was to scare people to death in their sleep!"

As Lin Yu spoke, Sherlock suddenly realized what was going on.

"You mean, the so-called 'Chate' might not be an actual 'being,' or even a thing!"

"Yes."

A gentle voice sounded behind the two of them.

The flowing black oil spread to the platform beneath their feet, eventually coalescing into the shape of a curly-haired young man.

Will Valetti, wearing a white lab coat, appeared before Lin Yu and Sherlock.

"Just as you said—"

"Chate" is the name of a project of the "Truth Company" where I work.