The Instance supposedly lasted fourteen days, but the closer they got to the fourteenth day, the faster the clock on the wall spun. Each twenty-four-hour day kept shrinking, as though urging the players to clear the Instance as soon as possible, forcing them to keep searching for clues, piece together the answers, and make the right choices.
Anbers had gone into the room next door to look for a book.
Xie De drummed his fingers irritably on the desk, occasionally glancing at the sky outside the window. What were his chances of escaping?
He was already starting to forget the pile of clues the protagonist had given him two nights ago. If he really became a Regressor, he would very likely lead every player straight into disaster.
"730, let me ask you something. Are any players still alive?"
730 refused to give him any unfair help. Its answer was blunt: "No idea."
Xie De immediately felt dejected. He took out his phone and checked it. After all this time, it still had five percent battery left and was barely hanging on.
"455, can you hear me?"
There was no response.
Xie De felt even more dejected.
Just then, someone knocked urgently on the door. Without waiting for permission, Dunpli and another Plague Doctor rushed inside in a panic, then forced themselves to calm down.
"Mr. 39, may... may I ask where our teacher is?"
"He's in the study. What happened?"
The unidentified Plague Doctor ran out first, presumably to find him.
Panicked but still maintaining basic courtesy, Dunpli answered, "Two people dragged in two unconscious patients. Their injuries are terribly severe, and they're about to die! They have a letter of recommendation from the Director and came specifically to seek treatment from us, but none of our doctors can do