Does this hurt your parents?

Doesn't give me any room to breathe?

Returning to the warehouse, Fu Qian realized he had underestimated the difficulty of this job.

In just a few minutes, his Sanity had dropped to 17. At this rate, he'd be an idiot in no time.

The problem was, neither force nor finesse seemed to work!

Wait!

Given the Old Man's unfathomable combat prowess, force was indeed out of the question.

But finesse... judging by the Old Man's reaction last time, communication was at least possible.

As long as communication was possible, persuading him with reason wasn't impossible.

It's just that the guy was clearly sharp-eyed.

Even if he gritted his teeth and said it didn't hurt, his expression would betray him.

Expression... expression...

Fu Qian suddenly had an idea. He grabbed the work ID badge on his chest and tore it off.

His vision flashed, and he was back in his familiar home.

Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed his phone and left.

"Sir, are you... looking for someone?"

Half an hour later, at a Maternity Center, the young receptionist looked at Fu Qian cautiously.

"I heard you have equipment here that simulates the pain of childbirth?"

"...Yes! Are you looking to experience that?"

The receptionist's eyes lit up instantly, like she'd found meat on a chopping block.

"What a good man, whoever becomes your wife will be so fortu--"

"Does it hurt?"

Fu Qian interrupted her, asking the question that mattered most to him.

"Does... it hurt?"

His question clearly shocked the young girl, her smile stiffening.

"...Of course, it does. Our equipment is the most high-end on the market, the simulation effect is first-class."

"Then arrange it."

Fu Qian blinked.

"I can't wait."

Soon, Fu Qian was lying on the torture device—no, the equipment.

Several middle-aged and young women gathered around, with one resembling a Director flipping through his information.

"Mr. Fu, the pain level of the equipment is divided into 10 grades. We'll increase it step by step from low to high. If you can't take it, just shout to stop. When you're ready, we'll start with level one."

"No need, just set it to level 10 directly."

Fu Qian's expression was calm.

Joke's on them, he wouldn't have any time to adapt inside.

What he needed was adaptability to intense shocks.

Of course, this deliberately relaxed demeanor wasn't for self-hypnosis to enhance resistance or anything like that.

He had finally found a less formal institution with less formal staff, so he naturally had to squeeze out every last drop of value.

The training intensity he needed was quite high. A little stimulation would effectively increase the staff's enthusiasm.

"Are you sure?"

"What do you think?"

As expected, the women exchanged glances, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Turn it on!"

That's it?

It's not much different from being kicked in the crotch?

The equipment activated, and intense pain struck.

Fu Qian focused on experiencing the painful stimulation from the electric current, doing his best to keep his expression natural.

"Sir, does it hurt?"

A few minutes later, the women staring intently at him had huge question marks on their faces, and they couldn't help but check the equipment.

"It hurts, can't you tell?"

"Can't tell..."

With that expression, like you're in a sauna, how could anyone tell!

The group frowned, falling into deep thought.

It still wasn't enough.

Fu Qian was also unsatisfied.

"The highest is only level 10?"

In terms of pain level, it was still a bit lacking compared to the Containment scene.

"The equipment itself goes up to level 12, but..."

The Director was taken aback by Fu Qian's sudden question.

"Give me a level 12."

Fu Qian didn't give him a chance to refuse.

How arrogant!

After five seconds of internal struggle, the Director shot a look at someone beside him.

"Set it to level 12."

"But--"

"It's fine, the equipment might be broken, and this will be a good test."

Ha... ha...

This was starting to get interesting!

A moment later, Fu Qian took a few breaths, using all his strength to maintain the Mona Lisa Kill smile.

"Are you alright?"

His bizarre expression made the staff members' hearts pound with anxiety.

"I'm fine, I feel great!"

After a long effort, successfully transforming the Mona Lisa Kill into the Mona Lisa, Fu Qian left the Maternity Center with satisfaction.

A few minutes after his departure, pig-like screams echoed from within the center.

With a solemn expression, Fu Qian put on his work badge and returned to the warehouse.

[Consume 1 Sanity to attempt Containment again?]

[Yes]

"You're awake?"

Accompanying the familiar voice, the pain surged like a tide once more.

Fu Qian controlled every single muscle, filling his entire body with kindness, peace, and innocence.

"Yes, I feel much better today. I don't think I need any treatment at all."

"Is that so."

The Old Man stared intently at Fu Qian, and after a long while, he finally murmured.

"Very well."

With a raise of his hand, a long needle was withdrawn from Fu Qian's hand.

"The moon is especially warm tonight. Go out and take a look."

All his efforts had paid off; his intestines felt like they were tied in knots.

Fu Qian sighed inwardly, but his expression remained impassive.

Carefully controlling his body to climb out of bed, Fu Qian greeted the Old Man with a cool demeanor and walked in the direction he pointed.

Only then did he see the full view of the room.

It was a wooden house that, at first glance, looked like some abandoned hospital clinic.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't small, but the problem was that most of the space was crammed with various miscellaneous items, with all sorts of messy things strewn across the floor.

Stepping on them made them creak and groan.

It looked so precarious that a single kick against the wall might just create a hole through which one could see the moon.

While mentally grumbling, Fu Qian quickly reached the doorway, only to find it not only dilapidated but also nearly half-blocked by miscellaneous items.

"Hurry, the moon is setting."

Just as he was about to examine the outside more closely, the Old Man's voice came from behind him, chillingly.

Is this a threat?

I've already pulled out the IV drip. Are you going to chop me up if I don't leave?

Fu Qian snorted. The next moment, his peripheral vision caught sight of the Old Man standing up—

An exaggeratedly large scythe was held in the latter's hand, its cold gleam hurting Fu Qian's eyes.

Fu Qian stepped out without hesitation.

So... beautiful!

A vast, azure starry sky unfolded overhead, deep and distant, with a colossal, bright moon in the center.

The Old Man really hadn't lied to him.

Fu Qian had never seen such an exaggerated full moon in his life; it felt like it occupied half the sky.

This feeling of a mountain pressing down on him would probably make someone with megalophobia collapse.

Most importantly, bathed in the white moonlight, Fu Qian felt his pain rapidly dissipate.

So this was how to eliminate pain!

Praise the moon... Fu Qian took two steps forward, unable to resist striking a pose.

Swoosh!

The sound of wind rushed by, and blood splattered!

Pain shot through Fu Qian's back, and the scenery before him quickly dissolved.

In his dying moments, he twisted his head with all his might, wanting to see who had the gall to sneak attack him—

There was nothing there!

[Containment Failed, Survival Time: 5 Minutes]

[Evaluation: Glimpse of the Dreamscape, Pain Can Cultivate Character, The Moon Enchants You]

[Reward: Inspiration +1]

[Inspiration: Increases your perception of intangible things]

[Current Sanity: 16]