Luo Yu couldn't hold out any longer. She fell asleep.
Since she'd stayed up too late the night before, she almost missed morning class the next day.
The strange thing was that she slept deeply – a dreamless, heavy sleep. But just as morning came, she had a bizarre dream.
In the dream, she was lying in a grassy field, the breeze soft against her skin, watching the stars. Just watching. Then two huge red lanterns appeared in the night sky. They opened their wide mouths, blood-red and hungry, and swallowed every last star.
The lanterns blinked where the stars had been.
Blink. Blink.
Then they shattered into a thousand pieces. The fragments drifted through the sky, swirling, rearranging themselves until they formed a single sentence:
Get up. You're going to be late.
That jolted her awake.
She sat up and looked around. The dorm room was empty. Everyone had already gone to class. She was the only one left.
Well, that made sense. Now that her scheme was exposed, Liu Shuang didn't need to pretend to be nice by waking her up anymore.
Still, even without anyone calling her, Luo Yu wasn't that late.
She went through her morning routine and headed downstairs. When she spotted the dorm auntie, she smiled warmly at the kind, kind-looking woman. After all, if the auntie hadn't helped her last night, she might not have lived to see today.
But the auntie's reaction was . . . strange.
First, her eyes went wide with shock. Then she took off her reading glasses, rubbed them, put them back on, and started frantically waving at Luo Yu.
The gesture was unmistakable:
Stay away from me. Don't come near.
Luo Yu walked off, utterly confused. Maybe the auntie was the type who seemed harsh on the outside but was soft inside. She just wasn't used to people showing her kindness.
Just then, Yang Tian came down the stairs and caught the whole scene.
She felt smug. She was sure Luo Yu had tried to get information out of the dorm auntie – and failed.
"Hey, Luo Yu." Yang Tian caught up to her in a few quick steps. "Not bad. I didn't think a newbie like you would survive until Day Three."
Luo Yu could hear the sarcasm dripping from her words, and she wasn't going to accept it quietly.
"Just luck, really. Nothing compared to you, Sister Yang – you've got experience and protection. You practically act like you own this place."
Yang Tian's face dropped.
It was true – she only felt safe walking around this game because Sun Heng was protecting her. She'd never bothered to hide her public flirtations with him in front of the other players.
But having Luo Yu say it so directly? It stung. Humiliating.
Then again, Yang Tian's pride returned.
Hmph. Acting so self-righteous – she was probably just jealous. Yang Tian had someone to protect her, while Luo Yu was left to face the danger alone. In an Escape Game, dignity meant nothing. So what if she was using a guy? If it kept her alive, she'd use any means necessary.
And besides – she wasn't just some pretty face who relied on men. If she hadn't been sharp, she'd never have gotten information from the dorm auntie in the first place.
She already knew the secret of Qinggang High was in the Small Woods, and it had something to do with the wild wolf that appeared there.
She was going to show off in front of Brother Sun this afternoon. When everyone went to explore the Small Woods together, she'd make sure Luo Yu walked at the very front. Maybe she'd have a little "accident" – make her die and stop getting in the way once and for all.
"Heh heh, Luo Yu, little sis~" Yang Tian's voice was syrupy sweet. She reached out and pinched Luo Yu's cheek in a mock-affectionate gesture – but her eyes were cold, full of malice.
"Wonder how many of us will still be alive by tonight." She waved at Luo Yu with a girlish laugh as they parted ways on different floors of the classroom building. "Little sis~ try not to die, okay~"
Yang Tian walked off like she'd already won. She was too proud and too trusting of the life-saving item Sun Heng had given her. That's why she didn't notice the small mark that had appeared on the back of her neck.
A bluish patch, about the size of a thumbprint.
It had shown up last night, after she'd registered her demerit with the dorm auntie. Overnight, it had grown from a pimple-sized spot to half the size of her palm.
* * *
As for Luo Yu . . .
She cursed under her breath. What was wrong with that woman's head? There were so many players in the team, and Yang Tian had to single her out like this.
Luo Yu dragged herself through the entire morning class in a sour mood. Maybe it was just her imagination, but ever since those red eyes had appeared, the teacher hadn't singled her out once.
What were those red eyes, anyway?
The monsters at Qinggang High were all afraid of them. Was it the school's big boss behind the scenes? Or . . .
She had a sudden, unexplainable flashback: the two red lanterns in her dream.
The crimson eyes had never hurt her. If anything, they'd helped her.
What was going on?
The more she thought about it, the more confused she got. By the time class ended, she still had no answers. Her lost memory from the first night showed no sign of returning either.
Finally, she decided to set those questions aside. She turned her attention to the important matters – the ones clearly connected to the secrets of Qinggang High. These were the ones she already had enough information on.
At breakfast, exhausted in both body and mind, Luo Yu ate eagerly at the serving window to refuel.
She had to admit – having a handsome guy to look at was really good for the soul.
The anxiety of the Escape Game? Gone. The fear of being surrounded by wolves? Gone. The frustration of dealing with awful teammates? Gone. All of it vanished the moment she saw that perfect face.
She shamelessly snuck another touch of the server's hand.
And the server's gaze on her became even more peculiar.
Luo Yu didn't think much of it. He was just an NPC with no real connection to the main plot – she'd flirted with him, so what? It wasn't like he was going to turn into a monster and eat her.
And flirting with an NPC came with zero emotional baggage. It wasn't like she'd have to answer for it. Once this game world ended, she'd never see him again. It's not like NPCs could chase her across different worlds.
Hehe.
Luo Yu walked off, satisfied.
The Evil God, however, felt something stir in his palm – the lingering warmth of her touch. A strange, unfamiliar emotion began to rise in his heart, something he couldn't quite name.
After breakfast, the players gathered.
Luo Yu discreetly counted heads. The only ones missing were the players who'd dropped out yesterday, which meant everyone still under Sun Heng's protection had survived the night.
But . . . was this game really that simple?
Even Sun Heng, a veteran player, looked uneasy. Based on the game's progression, there should have been casualties by now.
And yet every player was standing here, perfectly intact.
He'd used the morning to check up on the players who'd left his team yesterday. He'd expected to find at least a few of them dead.
Instead, he'd seen them walking around campus – alive, well, and more energetic than before.
Too strange.
Why wasn't this game world following the usual rules?
If this kept up, more players would drop out of his team and try to get through all seven days without trying hard.
But Sun Heng knew – no Escape Game was that merciful.
If things continued like this, either the entire player team would be wiped out in the last few days, or . . .
Dammit. Where was the flaw? What was he missing?
Sun Heng furrowed his brow, staying silent. Yang Tian had her own schemes – she didn't want to share her information so soon.
Luo Yu glanced at Mr. Fatty, still mixed in with the group. After a moment's hesitation, she stepped forward.
"Everyone, listen," she said. "Something happened to me last night. I think it might be connected to the secret of Qinggang High."
Summary:
Luo Yu wakes from a prophetic dream of red lanterns consuming stars, then discovers the dorm auntie now fears her. After a tense exchange with Yang Tian, Luo Yu notices the game's unusual lack of casualties and decides to reveal her own encounter from the previous night to the group.
Trivia:
- Yang Tian has a bluish mark on her neck that appeared after registering her demerit last night and has grown significantly.
- The red eyes (or red lanterns from Luo Yu's dream) appear to protect her and frighten the school's monsters.
- Luo Yu lost her memory of the first night and still cannot recover it.
- All surviving players are unharmed, including those who left Sun Heng's team, which contradicts the usual game progression.
- The dorm auntie helped Luo Yu survive the previous night but now wants nothing to do with her.
- The Evil God is disguised as the breakfast server and feels a strange emotion from Luo Yu's touch.
Translation Notes:
1 ↩ A Chinese idiom meaning someone who speaks harshly but is soft-hearted inside. Translated as "acted harsh but was soft inside" to preserve the contrast while maintaining natural English flow.
2 ↩ Refers to speaking in a sarcastic, passive-aggressive, or snide manner. Rendered as "sarcasm dripping from her words" to capture the tone for US readers.
3 ↩ Describes someone who acts morally superior or holier-than-thou. Translated as "holier-than-thou" for B2-level familiarity.
4 ↩ A playful term for sneaking physical contact, often flirtatious. Rendered as "snuck another touch" to preserve the cheeky tone without inappropriate connotations.
5 ↩ Literally "walk sideways," used to describe arrogant behavior. Translated as "walk around like you own it" to match US idiom.
6 ↩ A colloquial insult meaning "psycho" or "crazy person." Rendered as "Psycho" for natural US casual register at B2 level.
Notes:
• Luo Yu - A female player inserted into the game world. Tasked with uncovering the school's mysteries. Possesses keen observational skills and analytical thinking. Shows empathy but remains pragmatic about survival. At the time of this chapter, she has already encountered a teacher-monster and survived an attack, leading her to understand the game's true threat. A female player trapped in the Escape Game at Qinggang High. Has lost her memory of events prior to her arrival. Must either uncover the school's secret or survive seven days. Physically slender and not particularly strong. A hopeless sucker for beautiful faces, she cannot bring herself to hate someone attractive even when they're trying to kill her. Maintains a self-deprecating, wry sense of humor even in mortal danger. A player who observes rather than leads. She notices the subtleties in group dynamics and feels mildly disgusted by Yang Tian's showy behavior. Quiet and perceptive. Female protagonist trapped in the Escape Game. A high school student with a bold, flirtatious streak, she is drawn to the handsome cashier without understanding why. Currently suffering from memory loss regarding the previous night's events. Appears carefree but is observant of the school's oppressive atmosphere.
• S - A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• B - A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S's group.
• T - A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Liu Shuang - A female NPC student and Luo Yu's roommate. Appears nervous and traumatized, sharing unsettling observations about Li Yi's transformation. Later revealed to be working with the monsters, acting as bait to lead Luo Yu into a trap. Her fear and trembling might have been feigned to gain Luo Yu's trust.
• N - A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• A - A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R's high school squad.
• M - A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• Yang Tian - A beautiful woman who survived two Escape Games by leveraging her looks to attach to powerful players. Aligned with Sun Heng, she shares a class with him and acts as his vocal supporter. Calculating and possessive, she views Luo Yu as a threat, displaying hostility and jealousy. Flirtatious and sharp-tongued, she taunts others to assert her position.
• Sun Heng - Scar-faced veteran leader of the main player faction. Pragmatic and calculating, uses other players as disposable assets. Previously had Yang Tian attached, his interest in Luo Yu fuels her jealousy. Subtly predatory toward female players, gave Luo Yu a rules handbook, warns rule-breaking = death. Luo Yu trusts his warning.
• R - A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.