Entering the Aquarium, New Discoveries

Following that logic...

First, having the people in black appear in the Rabbit Area would reduce the chances of visitors being attacked by rabbits.

Taking into account the characteristics of the staff in black, their perceptions were relatively prone to fluctuation.

That would certainly draw more of "its" attention.

The visitors would then be safer.

Once the people in black gradually reached their limit and their perceptions collapsed...

They would follow the final rule, tear along the dotted line, and feed the torn piece to the rabbits.

An action that contradicted "its" perceptions like that would certainly attract "its" attention.

That way, the staff in black could lure "it" onto the road on the right side of the Ape Area.

And that road might be one of the passages leading to the otherworld.

After being lured inside, "it" might be trapped for a while before it could return to the Surface World.

During that time, the visitors would all be safe.

But that staff member in black would be sacrificed completely, turning into an ape.

At that thought, Su Chen sucked in a sharp breath.

He had a feeling his guess was right!

Having worked all that out, Su Chen sighed inwardly.

The method seemed ingenious, but reading between the lines, all he could see was one thing: it devoured people.

The staff member in black had clearly become a sacrificial pawn.

Su Chen could not judge whether such an approach was right.

But one thing was clear: he had no intention of becoming a sacrifice.

Then Su Chen turned, pushed through the crowd again, and headed toward the Aquarium's entrance.

Seeing this, quite a few of the onlookers followed Su Chen.

As far as they were concerned, Su Chen had been remarkably steady throughout the day.

Combined with the information their countries had mentioned when sending them hints...

They felt that Su Chen was the Chosen One most likely to escape this terrifying Zoo.

In that case, if they stuck close to Su Chen...

And did whatever he did...

Wouldn't they also have a good chance of escaping?

So they followed closely as Su Chen pushed open the Aquarium's doors and walked inside.

The moment they entered, everyone's vision went dark.

Then light returned, and an exceptionally bright lobby appeared before them.

Everyone looked around.

Soon, they noticed a counter on their right.

Neatly folded Black Work Uniforms were piled on top of it.

Several people hurried over to snatch up the Black Work Uniforms.

They were quick thinkers.

The opening of the notice outside had said to change into a uniform after entering, as that was the way to send a distress signal.

And although there seemed to be plenty of uniforms, there still weren't enough for everyone.

If they didn't act first, what if they couldn't get one in the end?

They wouldn't even have tears left to cry.

The others, naturally, were no fools either.

Almost everyone who had survived this long was cautious and observant.

They noticed that Su Chen had glanced at the uniforms but hadn't gone over to change.

That put them on their guard.

Just then, the few people who had grabbed uniforms first came back.

When they noticed what the others were doing, their hearts lurched.

Shit! We got careless!

There might be something fucking wrong with these clothes.

Otherwise, why wouldn't Su Chen change into them?

At that thought, they hurriedly undid their buttons, preparing to take the uniforms off.

But Su Chen spoke up just then.

"If you don't want to die right away, I'd advise you not to take those off."

Su Chen looked at them and spoke in a cold voice.

His words instantly left them stunned.

Their hands slowed as well.

"W-why?"

A female Chosen One asked in a trembling voice.

Su Chen frowned and continued coldly, "I have nothing to tell you. Believe me or don't. It's up to you."

At those words, they stopped trying to take off the uniforms altogether.

They even hurried to fasten the buttons they had already undone.

In truth, Su Chen was only bluffing.

He didn't know whether taking off the uniforms would kill them.

But he knew that changing clothes frequently would attract "its" attention.

That rule had been recorded in the security guard's note.

Most of the survivors here had been bitten by the White Lion and lost something in the process.

The rest were in even greater danger. They hadn't even been bitten by the White Lion, so the contamination inside them hadn't been cleansed at all.

Under these circumstances, if these people attracted "it" by changing clothes, wouldn't everything go straight to hell?

Su Chen had no desire to get killed for nothing because of them.

Fortunately, his mixture of bluffing and deception had finally convinced them.

Seeing that, Su Chen began searching for clues.

Soon, he found one.

There was actually another notice on the glass at the entrance.

This notice was directly opposite the one outside the Aquarium.

Anyone who wasn't extremely observant could easily mistake it for the reflection of the notice outside.

Su Chen sensed that something was off and hurriedly turned to walk over.

Seeing this, the others quickly followed Su Chen and gathered around.

Then they saw what the notice said.

As they read, their expressions grew solemn.

[This notice applies to visitors who failed to seek help in time, did not see the notice at the Aquarium's entrance while wandering, and entered the Aquarium.]

1. Do not enter the Aquarium when anyone is present. If a staff member greeted you after you entered, please find an excuse to leave immediately after reading this notice.

2. If no staff member has appeared by the time you see this notice, you may stay to look around and rest. All food here is provided free of charge, and you may help yourself, but do not eat "Goat Meat." If you see food bearing this label on the shelves, please ignore it.

3. If you enter before 16:00, you must not remain inside the Aquarium for more than half an hour.

4. If you enter after 16:01, you must remain inside the Aquarium for no less than four hours.

5. This is an Aquarium, and it houses only marine life. If you see an elephant swimming in the water in the Whale Area, please do not shout or react conspicuously. It is a 3D projection effect installed for entertainment. Treat it normally and pretend it is a whale.

6. You may stay overnight in the Aquarium. To the left of the Jellyfish Area, there are temporary rooms available by the hour for homeless people or visitors traveling through. If you need to use one, please turn off the room's built-in Jellyfish Night Light before going to sleep.

7. Our staff all wear red clothing and only perform the Aquarium's daily routine cleaning and inspections after 12:30 a.m. If you encounter someone in a Black Work Uniform claiming to be an Aquarium staff member, you may speak with them and may also agree to let them act as a temporary guide, but do not give them your map, especially the portion torn off along the dotted line.

8. If you violate any of the above rules, you bear full responsibility for the consequences to your safety.

9. The Aquarium exists and does not serve any organization.

Su Chen narrowed his eyes. This Aquarium truly had a trap at every turn.