The clown host threw his arms up and howled,
"Such a pivotal moment in the storyline, and he's worried about his work order?!!!"
He slapped his palm over his painted face and let out a heavy, theatrical sigh.
"I seriously question if Player Lucas can even last two days in this qualifying round!"
His dramatic critique stirred the emotions of the audience. On the barrage split-screen next to the main broadcast, messages started pouring in:
"He's not even reacting to danger! Is he really playing a horror game or doing chores?!"
"Lucas might be hardworking, but he's way too passive!"
"At this rate, he won't even make it past round one!"
Even among the players watching from the audience, whispers spread like wildfire.
"Is Lucas just... completing his job assignment seriously?"
"Well, this is his first competition. Maybe he's playing it safe. Not exciting, but might survive longer."
"Haha, if he even qualifies, there's no way he survives the next round."
"I expected better. Bit of a letdown..."
Baili, resting his chin in his hand, frowned.
"The host is being too biased. I saw how the barrage chat turned toxic against Lucas... but honestly, we don't know what he's planning. Judging so early feels unfair."
Lan Sha remained stoic as ever.
"The host is from a higher plane. They look down on players. They don't care to understand them."
Baili didn't argue further, but his silence was agreement enough.
Back in the farmland, chaos reigned.
The villager known as Longhu had lost all self-control. Whatever triggered the incident no longer mattered. His rage had turned him into a monster.
Instead of calming, he continued to beat Rex's disfigured corpse, screaming in a frenzy.
"You monsters! You monsters...!"
His emotions swirled — anger, grief, hysteria — and reflected wildly on his face.
Then came the sound that shattered the moment.
BELL --
A shrill siren blared across Verne.
Flashing red lights bathed the town in urgency.
Yet Longhu didn't seem to hear it. His mind had broken free of reality. He kept swinging the hoe.
But the spectators from earlier? They panicked.
"They're coming! Someone's coming!"
"Quick, act normal...!"
Everyone scrambled back to their spots, picked up hoes, and began to mimic working again. A forced ballet of pretend labor.
Longhu and the bodies lay in the middle of the field, untouched.
Lucas squinted toward the direction of the siren.
Two men in the same uniform as Rex appeared, running toward them.
Serious faces. Coordinated steps. Authority in every movement.
Even before reaching the farmland, one of them shouted:
"Villager Longhu! Put down the hoe and squat immediately, or we will take coercive measures!"
But Longhu was long gone mentally. The body on the ground was mangled beyond recognition, yet the beating continued.
With no choice, the guards each pulled out a long white staff, the length of an adult man's arm.
Once within reach, they flanked Longhu and pressed the ends of their rods against him.
CRACK!
Longhu froze in place, arms stiff at his sides like a lifeless puppet.
Then, the realization hit.
Unable to move, Longhu shrieked in terror:
"LET ME GO! I want a new prison! I can't stay here — you're all monsters! MONSTERS!"
The other villagers — or rather, prisoners — remained silent.
Only Longhu's raw voice echoed through the farmland.
It finally clicked.
Verne wasn't just a creepy village. It was a prison disguised as one.
Lucas narrowed his eyes at the guards.
"Prison guards..."
One of them turned to Longhu and barked:
"Stop spouting nonsense!"
Then added with grim conviction,
"Verne is the happiest, most united place on Earth!"
He glanced at his partner.
"Take him to the confessional. He'll stay there until ten p.m."
Longhu, upon hearing the word "confessional," visibly collapsed. All fight drained from him.
Moments ago, he demanded freedom. Now, he was limp and broken.
The guards dragged him away, two sticks stiffly guiding him like a puppet on strings.
Once he was gone, one guard stayed behind, hands behind his back, scanning the crowd.
"You may stop your work."
Only then did the others dare lower their tools. Their heads hung low.
"What happened today deeply disappointed me," said the guard, his voice laced with real disappointment.
"Every one of us in Verne is supposed to live by harmony, love, and mutual help..."
"But you watched evil happen and stood by. For that, all of you will be punished."
The villagers flinched. Fear overtook them.
"I hope this punishment teaches unity and friendship."
Just then, his eyes fell on Lucas.
"You there. What are you doing?"
Lucas stepped forward calmly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the stamped work sheet.
"I finished my assignment earlier. Rex stamped it."
The guard inspected the paper. His expression softened.
"Very good. You are the only one in this field to complete the task."
He smiled faintly.
"You're exempt from today's punishment."
He turned back to the villagers.
"I hope the rest of you learn from this villager, Lucas. Work comes first."
The looks that followed Lucas were sharp. Jealous. Hostile. Dangerous.
Though they were called "villagers," everyone here was a criminal. No exceptions.
"So much resentment for doing the right thing..." Lucas thought, sighing inwardly.
Then, a blue system panel flickered to life in his vision:
[System prompt: Player Lucas has triggered a hidden mission]
[Hidden Mission: Gain the approval of all villagers present]
[Approval: (0/18)]
Let the real challenge begin.
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