Joke

At the same time.

forum.

With a large influx of players into the [Witch] dungeon.

With such a large number of cases, there will always be many who are not careful enough.

The Witch's House has too many deadly traps: stepping on blood will crush you, being chased by a giant bear, a corridor of flying knives, and books that will kill you if you look at them.

Various kinds of first-meeting killers.

It brought many players back after they died.

These players immediately went to the forum.

Logically speaking, after being tormented by such a high density of first-encounter kill traps, the forums should have been filled with lamentations, and these players should have broken down.

But the forum is a completely different story.

[---- The Mansion is full of instant-death traps! Stepping on one will kill you! This is insane! But Lu Xiu has run out of ideas (doge), all he can do is use these kinds of things to stop players.]

[Indeed! Although my memories were blurred by the system after I came out, and I can't even remember how I died, I have a strong intuition—this dungeon is very simple!!]

[I agree! I felt the same way! Although the dungeons are indeed a bit scary, I'm used to it, and my remaining memories tell me that there are plenty of hints for the puzzles in the dungeons. I feel like if I'm just careful, I can easily clear them!]

[Hahaha, compared to the previous two dungeons in Lu Xiu's storyline, this Witch Instance is practically a gift!]

[I knew it! In the survival horror genre, Lu Xiu has already pushed the bar to the limit with her first two dungeons! She can't possibly surpass herself! Lu Xiu is doomed (doge)!]

[There's really no way to survive; the only way to increase the difficulty is to add instant-death traps.]

But I have to say, this is a huge benefit! As long as you're careful and try a few times, passing the level is a piece of cake!

This is absolutely the easiest dungeon in Lu Xiu's history to get rewards, bar none!

[Let's go!]

The post was refreshed rapidly. Instead of being tormented by Lu Xiu's new dungeon, the players were filled with excitement and exhilaration, as if they had seen through everything.

This unusual scene left many players who were still observing completely bewildered.

[Really? You guys aren't kidding, are you?]

[You guys weren't scared out of your wits by something in there, and you're deliberately posting on the forum to trick guys into going in and giving away 800 Survival Points for the entrance fee, right? After all, this dungeon has a pretty high rating, isn't it?]

Seriously! You'll see once you go!

I swear on my life!

Seeing the players who returned from the dead speaking with such certainty.

Every player was excited.

On the other side.

In the instance.

Shen Nian looked at the clock that had suddenly fallen in front of her and her lips twitched.

She died during a recent expedition.

no way.

There are too many instant-death traps in the dungeon.

Many people didn't even have time to dodge.

--

But as soon as she died, she immediately re-entered the instance and quickly advanced to the fifth floor of the Mansion.

During this time, she nearly stepped into deadly traps several times.

A giant rock falling from the sky, toy soldiers firing guns, and even almost being killed by tadpoles----

Fortunately, she was mentally prepared and remained on edge throughout.

Otherwise, I don't know how many times I would have died----

"I still don't know what the main point is—but Lu Xiu's malice is still there, only it's hidden much deeper."

Shen Nian let out a soft sigh of relief, then looked away from the clock and at the tattered page of the diary she was holding in her hand.

This is something she just found in a drawer in one of the rooms.

My body hurts so much----

Why must I endure this pain while others can run freely?

I need a healthy body—a young body free from all illnesses—

[Today, a girl came to play here. She had blonde hair tied in three braids. What a cute girl!]

She will save me from the pain.

Looking at the words on this diary.

Based on the previous diary entries.

Combined with the various malicious magical traps encountered along the way.

Shen Nian roughly understood the intentions of the Witch who owned this Mansion!

The Witch laid a maze in the forest, blocking their way out with roses, and gradually forced them back to the Mansion. It wasn't just for simple killing or torture!

She wanted a healthy body.

And the blond child she mentioned in her diary—

Shen Nian turned her head and looked at Viola standing next to her.

In the dim, flickering candlelight.

Viola nervously tugged at her clothes. Her once well-groomed, dazzling blonde hair was now somewhat disheveled from running. She looked at Shen Nian with eyes like a frightened doe, filled with fear yet also with utter dependence.

"----elder sister?"

Viola looked at Shen Nian, who suddenly turned to stare at her, and timidly called out softly, her voice trembling noticeably.

Shen Nian seemed lost in thought.

Could the lie in the story's theme refer to what happened to this little girl?

Did the Witch deceive her? Bring her to the forest? Then plan to possess her body?

Are the players the saviors?

It seems like this is the only possibility.

This also explains why many of the traps along the way, though seemingly bizarre, always leave room for error and provide numerous clues.

Because the Witch's ultimate goal is for Viola to walk up to her unharmed and complete the body-swapping ritual.

Shen Nian took a deep breath and murmured softly, "I see—"

She looked at the frail, helpless blonde girl before her who trusted her completely and had offered her help along the way.

A strong protective instinct arose within me.

After all, the weak always evoke pity.

Don't be afraid.

Shen Nian patted Viola's head. "I will take you away. I won't let the Witch succeed. No matter what kind of monster the Witch is, I will definitely get you out of here safe and sound. Trust me."

Viola nodded vigorously.

Shen Nian took a deep breath, took Viola's hand, and began exploring the Mansion once more.

Next.

Faced with various puzzles in the dungeon, Shen Nian remained vigilant and calm throughout.

Every time they encountered danger, she would instinctively shield Viola behind her, and every time she solved a mystery, she would gently comfort the frightened blonde girl.

Although he played Viola's best friend.

But she acted like a reliable older sister.

Viola, on the other hand, was exceptionally well-behaved and obedient throughout.

As the underground entrance opened, the two jumped down the passageway and finally arrived at a bright corridor with a completely different style and a warm, cozy color scheme.

At the end of the corridor was the Witch's room.

Shen Nian pushed open the door, and what came into view was the large bed splattered with a large amount of shocking blood, and the open page of the diary on the desk, filled with morbid desires.

[So, Viola- chan----give me your body.]

I finished reading the last line of the diary.

Without any warning, the light in the room was instantly swallowed up.

Shen Nian finally saw the true face of the Witch who had been hiding behind the scenes.

She was a girl with long purple hair, no legs, and bloodshot eyes.

She crawled on the ground, slowly making indistinct noises as she approached them.

"Is this the Witch who tried to steal my body?"

Looking at the pitiful Witch on the ground, Shen Nian felt not pity, but rather a sense of disgust.

"Run!"

But now is clearly not the time to think about that.

Watching the Witch approach step by step.

Without hesitation, Shen Nian grabbed Viola beside her, then turned around, smashed open the door, and began to run for her life!

"Uh... give it to me..."

Seeing that Shen Nian was about to run away, the legless purple-haired monster immediately burst out with astonishing speed, crawling towards them with indistinct roars.

at the same time.

The structure of the Witch's House began to change along the way, as if the Witch was trying to prevent them from leaving.

However, Shen Nian had an excellent memory, and she was already on guard against any unforeseen events.

So things were relatively calm.

She pulled Viola along, quickly finding her way back from the basement to the lobby on the first floor.

Bang!

soon.

Shen Nian slammed open the door of the Mansion.

"We're saved!"

Shen Nian pulled Viola out of the Mansion, just as she was about to relax.

However, the chilling crawling sounds did not stop even after they escaped the Mansion.

That purple-haired girl with hollow eye sockets actually crawled out of the Mansion!

"It's like a persistent ghost!"

Seeing this, Shen Nian gritted her teeth and could only continue running out with Viola.

soon.

Shen Nian distanced herself again and, following the path, quickly returned to the starting position of the dungeon.

As soon as she arrived at the starting point of the dungeon, she saw a burly middle-aged man carrying a double-barreled shotgun running towards her.

---- Viola's father!

His face was full of anxiety, but he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the two of them.

"Viola! Shen Nian!"

Shen Nian immediately pulled Viola to the Hunter's side.

The Hunter immediately asked Viola if she was alright, and only then did his tense body relax.

But at that moment...

With the sound of crawling, the purple-haired Witch caught up with Shen Nian again!

She let out a hoarse cry, like a desperate sob, and slowly approached the three of them.

Upon seeing the tall Hunter, she visibly paused.

But they quickly realized what was happening.

They continued climbing towards Viola.

[Eee---cough---whoosh---]

Seeing that his daughter was in danger.

The Hunter immediately stepped forward, raising his rifle. "Back off! Viola!"

Then.

He looked at the crawling Witch, a flash of shock and disgust in his eyes, and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Bang!

The bullet blasted half of the purple-haired Witch's face away.

The Witch seemed to want to reach out her hand to him.

But the Hunter did not hesitate and fired a few more shots.

Every shot was aimed at the head, until— the Witch was completely still.

Then it turns into blood and disappears completely.

The Hunter finally relaxed.

He dropped his shotgun, then turned and pulled the blonde girl into a tight hug. "Thank goodness, Viola, you're alright."

Viola hugged her father tightly, greedily savoring his love.

greedy?

Shen Nian also breathed a sigh of relief, but upon seeing this scene, she was stunned—not knowing why she would use such an adjective.

At this moment, Viola also looked up at Shen Nian: "It was Shen Nian who protected me."

"Thank you, thank you for protecting my daughter."

Upon hearing this, the Hunter immediately turned to look at Shen Nian: "Thank goodness my daughter is alright, otherwise I wouldn't want to live either."

"Um----"

Listening to the Hunter father's gratitude, watching the father and daughter embracing, and then looking in the direction where the Witch's corpse had just disappeared.

Shen Nian shook her head, her tense nerves finally relaxing completely.

It was a success.

Not only did he see through the Witch's plot to possess him, but he also protected his innocent childhood friend in the perilous Mansion, ultimately achieving the perfect [Savior Ending].

I cleared Lu Xiu's dungeon in just two tries, that's a record!

However, Lu Xiu's dungeon this time did feel a bit too easy----

etc----

Are SS+ level dungeons really that easy?

Shen Nian suddenly realized something was off.

She began to recall all the details of the journey.

If the Witch's goal was to possess Viola's body, why didn't she show herself during that time? Was she unable to move freely? Her diary only mentions difficulty walking, not that she has no legs. Why would Witch have no legs?

Also, why was it so easy to escape in the end?

Just as Shen Nian was deep in thought, trying to grasp the fleeting inspiration that crossed her mind.

"Viola, I told you a long time ago not to come to the forest."

As the Hunter father reloaded his double-barreled shotgun, he glanced at the pool of blood on the ground with lingering fear. "You came here several times! You really were in danger!"

"I'm sorry, Dad----"

"Alright, listen to me next time! By the way, didn't you say you made a sick friend here when you sneaked into the forest a few times before? Are you here to see her today too? Did she encounter any monsters like that?"

"My friend----"

Viola smiled, then turned to look at Shen Nian: "She's gone. Now Shen Nian is my only friend."

The Hunter nodded.

At that moment, Shen Nian, who was standing a few steps away, felt an indescribable chill run from the soles of her feet to the top of her head when she heard these words. Her limbs and bones felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave, and she began to tremble violently.

Etc!

Etc!!!

Viola had been to the forest before?!

I even ran into a sick friend?!

According to the Witch's Diary!!

Ellen has been sick all along!!

So Viola knew Ellen before?!

If that's the case, why didn't they switch bodies the previous times?

Why wait until this time to exchange them?

Because we need to prepare for a ceremony. ---- No, no!

No, no, no!

Shen Nian suddenly looked towards the spot where the Witch had disappeared!

The theme is lies.

lie----

Shen Nian stiffly turned her head and slowly looked at Viola, who was still holding the Hunter.

In the morning light, the blonde girl, nestled in her father's broad arms, gazed silently over the Hunter's shoulder.

That innocent and carefree face was full of sweet smiles, and her eyes curved into crescents, but there was no relief of surviving a disaster in her eyes. Instead, there was a mocking and sarcastic look as if she were looking at a fool.

No way----

Shen Nian froze on the spot.

A tremendous sense of absurdity and guilt overwhelmed me.

At this moment.

The Hunter father stood up, unaware of what was happening, took his daughter's hand, and turned to walk out of the forest.

"Let's go, Viola, let's go home."

"Okay, Daddy~"

A crisp, cheerful sound echoed through the woods.

"Wait! Don't go! She's not—"

Shen Nian suddenly realized.

But just as she was about to make a move...

[Congratulations on clearing the dungeon.]

[Instance rating being generated -]

[Comment: You're a joke.]

The next second.

Shen Nian's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and she transformed into a streak of Bai Guang and vanished.

At the same time.

forum.

Most players are still discussing the difficulty of the [Witch] dungeon.

However.

Just as the posts were refreshing at a rate of dozens per second, a rather unusual post appeared that attracted everyone's attention.

--

This appears to have been posted by a High Sequence player.

[Lu Xiu, are you kidding me?! This is the reward for clearing an SS+ dungeon?! Even your S-rank dungeon rewards are better than this skill, right?]

The post details are concise and to the point; clicking on it reveals a single screenshot of a system skill.

But when they saw the skill clearly, everyone was stunned.

[Skill Name: Don't Look]

[Rating: A]

[Type: Active Skill]

[Description: The user voluntarily closes their eyes and abandons all senses and defenses, during which time all damage is reduced by 30%. If the user performs any action (including moving, attacking, or casting spells) or opens their eyes during this time, the skill will be forcibly disabled.]

[Duration: Maximum duration 10 seconds.]

[Cooldown: 30 minutes]

[Note: You think you see through everything, but you see through nothing at all. Don't Look, hear, or speak.]

Below the post.

[----? Wait, what kind of skill is this?]

[Close your eyes and become a sitting duck?]

[It seems useful. For attacks that are completely unavoidable, this skill can reduce damage. Just close your eyes and become a turtle; closing your eyes is always faster than moving—but this is a reward from an SS+ dungeon? Something feels off about this!]

but.

The players' discussion didn't last long.

Because another player received a reward.

Why is my reward different from the original poster's?! [Screenshot]

Upon seeing the new skill screenshots, players fell silent once again.