- Freud: The bookworm
- Nana: The lady
- Shawn: The arrogant elite
- Brian: The internet-addicted jokester
- Orion: Shen Lin
- Felton: Yan Xiuyi
Before setting out, Yan Xiuyi made several torches and distributed them to the group.
Holding the torches, they marched into the dense forest in single file.
Brian walked beside Shen Lin, glancing back at Shawn, who was sulking with a dark expression. He whispered, “You risked so much to save him, and he didn’t even say thank you. Look at him—he’s probably still blaming you for meddling.”
Shen Lin carefully followed the marks he had left earlier to ensure they were heading in the right direction. “This is a team-oriented game. He’s the crucial medic. We can’t afford to lose him.”
“I get that…” Brian muttered, “But it’s still frustrating.”
Shen Lin, however, didn’t seem bothered. He appeared calm and composed, as if he were used to such situations.
Brian said sincerely, “You’re more mature and steady than you look. When I first saw you, my reaction was, ‘Wow, this guy looks so young. Are you even an adult?’”
“Yeah,” Shen Lin joked, “Next year is the college entrance exam. I’m torn between Tsinghua Tongfang and Peking University Bluebird1.”
Brian: “……………… I’m only worried about why my teammates keep picking Yasuo2.”
Shen Lin chuckled, and the others who overheard laughed as well.
Thanks to Shen Lin’s exceptional memory and precise markings, they quickly found the cabin in the forest. Dark clouds obscured the moonlight, and in the dim light, the cabin looked like a hulking beast in deep slumber. There were no lights inside, but that didn’t necessarily mean no one lived there.
KP said, “Everyone, make a Spot check.”
Everyone except Freud and Nana passed the check, but it was clear that as long as one person succeeded, the clue would be revealed.
The clouds parted, and the moonlight illuminated the cabin more clearly.
A stack of firewood covered with a waterproof tarp lay by the door. Nearby, the soil was divided into neat squares, each planted with unknown seedlings. A clothesline stood nearby, with a black short-sleeve shirt and trousers hanging damp from the evening dew. The signs of habitation were unmistakable.
The fact that someone lived on this isolated island was eerie enough, but growing vegetables and drying clothes made it even stranger.
Shen Lin and the others approached, with Yan Xiuyi, the strongest fighter, leading the way. He held a thick wooden stick in his right hand, hidden behind his back, and knocked on the cabin door with his left.
“Knock, knock, knock—”
No response.
He knocked harder.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
Still no response.
Yan Xiuyi pushed the door, and it swung open easily. The aroma of stewed meat wafted out, and the group froze, their eyes glowing with a beastly hunger.
“Meat!!! Awooo!!!”
Shen Lin said nonchalantly, “Do you know what kind of meat that is, brave ones?”
Their movements halted abruptly. The sound of swallowing saliva was unmistakable, but no one dared to take another step forward.
Shen Lin stepped inside first, carefully examining the room.
The cabin was small but fully equipped—tables, chairs, a wardrobe in the corner. The layout was clean and simple, no different from countless ordinary rooms, but in this isolated wilderness, it felt impossibly complete.
The bedsheets, blankets, and clothes were neatly arranged, with carefully trimmed edges and fine stitching. A copper oil lamp sat on the desk, alongside paper, a pen, and an open inkwell.
Shen Lin walked into the kitchen, separated by a curtain, and took a deep breath of the meaty aroma. He opened a nearby jar, revealing fresh rice, and saw a pile of freshly chopped firewood on the floor.
“Is this a formal suit?” Nana pointed to the clothes hanging on the rack. “A tailcoat with a short front and long back, a high-collared linen shirt, brown breeches, and a rolled-brim top hat. Does a gentleman live here!?”
While bedsheets, blankets, and clothes could be brought to the island, consumables like lamp oil, ink, and rice needed regular replenishment. So, how were they being supplied? Did the occupant have a way to return to civilization periodically?
“What now?” Freud adjusted his glasses and instinctively looked at Shen Lin. Unconsciously, the youngest among them had become the team’s leader.
Shen Lin thought for a moment and said, “Let’s rest here for now. It’s safe enough. We don’t know who the owner is, so let’s try to find some clues.”
The others agreed. Nana swayed, almost collapsing, but Shen Lin caught her in time.
Nana said, “Sorry, I have low blood sugar.”
Shen Lin scanned the room and said, “Lie down on the bed for a while.”
“But…” Nana hesitated.
Shen Lin said, “We need to conserve our energy. We don’t know what’s waiting for us next.”
Nana nodded and lay down on the narrow bed.
The others found spots to rest—some leaning, some lying down. The night had exhausted them. After being attacked in their sleep, even the usually carefree Brian couldn’t rest easily.
Shen Lin continued to examine the cabin’s furnishings, hoping to find clues.
What was Dylan trying to achieve by bringing them here? Why had they survived the shipwreck, and where was Dylan now? Who lived in this cabin? What secrets did this island hold?
Countless mysteries lurked in every corner, but without enough clues, Shen Lin couldn’t piece together the truth.
He opened a drawer and found a notebook. Inside was a photo of a handsome gentleman wearing the suit hanging on the rack. Beside him was a young girl, her face sweet and innocent. Shen Lin flipped the photo over and saw the words: Dad, I love you.
Unnoticed, birds began to chirp outside. Dawn was breaking when KP’s voice echoed in their ears: “Make a Listen check.”
Everyone rolled the dice. This time, only Freud, with his low Listen score, failed.
Freud continued to snore, while the others woke to the sound of birdsong.
They all heard whistling outside—a cheerful, lively tune that reflected the whistler’s good mood.
“Someone’s coming!” Brian whispered. “Is it the cabin’s owner!?”
Shen Lin said, “Brian, make a Spot check.”
KP: “A wise choice.”
Brian, with the highest Spot score, rolled successfully. The window was blown open by the wind, revealing a gap. Through it, Shen Lin clearly saw a short man carrying a bottle of liquor, as if returning from a lively drinking party. He staggered toward the cabin, but what terrified them was the heavy axe in his other hand.
“What will you do?” KP asked.
“Hide, of course!” Brian said. “That guy’s carrying an axe!”
“Alright, those who want to hide, make a Stealth check.”
Brian, Shawn, and Nana rolled the dice. All three passed luckily, so they hid—one under the bed, one in the wardrobe, and the last behind the firewood in the kitchen.
Only Shen Lin, Yan Xiuyi, and the deeply asleep Freud remained in the room.
KP asked, “What about you?”
Shen Lin: “Can I wake Freud up?”
“No, he’s sleeping too soundly.”
“No check. I’ll wake him up physically.”
KP: “…” Cunning player.
Shen Lin yanked the chair out from under Freud, who jolted awake, looking around in confusion. “What’s going on?”
“The cabin’s owner is coming back.”
Freud’s face paled. “What do I do?”
Shen Lin pushed him into the kitchen. “Hide.”
Before Freud could fully react, Brian grabbed him, and the two hid behind the curtain’s blind spot.
Yan Xiuyi didn’t move. He looked at Shen Lin.
Shen Lin: “?”
Yan Xiuyi leaned against the wardrobe and said calmly, “I’ll protect you.”
At that moment, the cabin door was pushed open. The man with the axe froze when he saw Yan Xiuyi, then raised the axe and pointed it at him. “Who are you!? How did you get here!? Speak!”
The man was short, with twisted legs and a terrifying appearance. Most of his face and scalp were covered in deep scars. He was missing one eye, and the other was barely visible under sagging skin.
The axe in his hand was larger than usual, with a broad back and a sharp, spotless blade.
Yan Xiuyi tensed, watching the man’s movements warily.
KP asked, “Entering combat? I must remind you, your stamina hasn’t recovered from last night’s exhaustion, and your physical attributes will be reduced by one-third.”
Shen Lin: “No combat. I want to make a Disguise check.”
KP paused. Though a paper figure, he performed a human-like gesture—pushing down the brim of his top hat with a white-gloved hand, revealing a smile in the shadows. He murmured, “As expected…”
“What?” Shen Lin didn’t catch his muttering.
“Nothing,” KP No. 98 released the hat brim and tapped his cane in the air. Two dice appeared. He smiled and said, “It’s an honor to make this check for you.”
80/75, success.
Shen Lin stepped out of the shadows. The golden-haired, blue-eyed young man now looked like a noble who had lost his way in the forest and stumbled upon the cabin. He looked at the short man with calm composure and let out a soft chuckle. “Messenger, it’s been a while.”
The man’s remaining eye widened in terror, his body trembling as if gripped by fear.
“Thud!” The axe fell from his hand. He stumbled back until he hit the door, too scared to speak.
Shen Lin turned a chair to face the man and sat down, leaning forward slightly. “Don’t be nervous. I’m just here to ask how the preparations for the ritual are going.”
“A-Almost done… my lord,” the man regained his composure, placing his left hand over his right chest and bowing to Shen Lin. “Please forgive my rudeness. You’re two days late.”
“I was delayed by some trivial matters,” Shen Lin chuckled, choosing his words carefully. “But that’s not your concern. Your only task is to ensure the ritual is fully prepared. That’s all that matters.”
“Rest assured, my lord. I am the most loyal and reliable servant of the Harrison family.”
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