The live broadcast was still running, and the audience's chat window quickly filled with discussions.
"A food factory? How come he got assigned to a food factory!"
"Wait—I watched a broadcast yesterday. Mu Liao was at the food factory, and what happened there was… really disturbing."
"Hopefully Lucas and his partner can figure out a way to get out of that place."
"But if you leave your job without permission, you'll die. That's the rule here…"
"Still, I'd rather risk dying outside than die slowly in a factory."
The audience bickered back and forth, tension buzzing like static across the live chat.
On stage, the clown-faced host paused suddenly. He raised his left hand to his ear as though someone was whispering inside an earpiece. His painted lips twisted into a grin while he nodded along, murmuring sounds of acknowledgment.
After a few moments, he lowered his hand, and his tone brightened into something cheerful and theatrical.
"Players here on site, and all you lovely viewers watching from home—good news!" The host spread his arms wide, his bells jingling. "I just received confirmation that the live broadcast of Lucas and Zhao Guanghui's experience at the food factory will be continuously shown on the main screen!"
The big screen behind him flickered, the image switching over immediately.
Gasps echoed among the players seated in the audience. Everyone turned their eyes toward the enormous projection, waiting to see what horrors the factory might reveal.
The clown host winked. "I can feel your excitement. Believe me, I'm the same. So—without further delay… let's begin!"
Arrival at the Factory
Lucas did a quick headcount. Including himself, thirty people had been assigned to work at the food factory.
As soon as they arrived, strict protocol began. Everyone was ushered into a sterile chamber for full-body disinfection. Jets of cold mist sprayed over them, leaving a stinging chill on their skin. Once the process was complete, they were each handed sterile white uniforms—thick disinfectant suits that smelled sharply of chemicals.
The thirty workers stood in three neat rows. A stern figure, the factory team leader, paced in front of them. He carried a clipboard and read out names with mechanical precision. Work orders were handed out one by one, assigning each worker to their respective posts.
Finally, two names were called separately:
"Jason. Zhao Guanghui. Please remain behind."
Lucas—whose cover name inside this game-like world was Jason—lifted his head calmly. He and Zhao exchanged a quick glance as the others shuffled out of the chamber toward their stations.
The team leader turned back once the room had cleared. His posture was rigid, his tone exact.
[Scanning…]
[Team Leader of Food Factory: Advanced Hazard Detected]
"Still the same kind of risk assessment," Lucas thought grimly, watching the glowing system notifications that only he could see.
Because of the masks covering their faces, it was impossible to discern the leader's expression.
"You two are here for the first time," the leader explained with crisp enunciation. "The standards at the food factory are higher than at any other workplace. If you perform well, you'll have the privilege of staying here permanently. The benefits are much better than what other jobs offer."
He gestured sharply, signaling them to follow.
"Our factory in Verne Town is a world of absolute cleanliness, safety, health, and civility. Everything is orderly, controlled, and perfected."
They moved deeper inside. Along the way, Lucas glanced at a packaging assembly line. Workers in white suits handled items with robotic precision. A system prompt confirmed it:
[Verne Healthy Green Food Factory – Risk: None]
So far, nothing seemed overtly threatening. But Lucas didn't let his guard down.
"Because today is your first shift," the leader continued, "I've assigned you the simplest task."
He pushed open a heavy door and motioned them in.
"Raw material processing."
The leader's tone shifted into something almost warm.
"Of course, you'll be responsible for the least technical part of the process. Nothing to be anxious about."
Inside the Raw Processing Room
The room's air was noticeably cooler than the hall outside. The smell of disinfectant hung heavy, burning faintly in the throat. Lucas scanned his surroundings. Ventilation panels on the wall hummed softly, maintaining a sterile airflow. A reinforced window in the wall featured a set of baffles to maintain maximum sanitation.
"It seems this factory really invests in food safety," Lucas observed silently.
The leader pointed to the sealed door at the far end.
"Behind this door lies our exclusive farm. This farm is the pride of Verne Town—our sole source of raw food materials. You will fetch the freshest supplies and deliver them through this wall window. From there, the system will handle the rest. You won't need to worry about anything beyond that."
"Have you understood?"
Zhao Guanghui nodded eagerly. "Understood."
Inside, he even felt lucky.
"Maybe Mu Liao and the others got assigned dangerous tasks," Zhao thought, "but I lucked out. My job is simple—fetching food."
His gaze flicked toward Lucas, who stood silent and unreadable.
"I still can't tell if this guy is a real player or just some hidden NPC…"
The leader remained thorough. "It's your first time, so I'll demonstrate personally. Just follow my actions. It's all very simple."
He walked to the sealed farm door and tapped a large red button.
"Disinfection is crucial," he said. "When you press this, a sterilization system will spray before you enter. Every safety protocol must be respected. Not one detail can be overlooked."
The door swung open smoothly, whispering on its hinges. Lucas noticed the maintenance quality—flawless, polished. This factory was no ordinary facility.
Beyond the gate stretched open land. Vegetation had been stripped bare around the perimeter, leaving an unobstructed view of a massive iron greenhouse about ten meters away.
"That's our farm," the leader announced with pride.
The Farm
They approached the greenhouse. As they walked, the leader explained further.
"The farm is directly linked to the kitchens. Special chefs prepare feed of the highest nutritional value. Only the freshest raw ingredients are accepted. Anything stale or spoiled is to be discarded immediately. Waste is irrelevant—our reputation demands absolute quality."
He emphasized the words sharply. Zhao and Lucas both nodded.
The leader smiled behind his mask, then unlocked the greenhouse door with a hiss.
Inside, the atmosphere was startlingly comfortable—neither too hot nor too cold, light filtering down in a perfect golden balance. Clearly, every aspect was carefully controlled.
But what Lucas saw next made his expression tighten.
Chained in the cubicle closest to the entrance lay a woman. Her wrists, ankles, and neck were bound in iron restraints. The moment strangers entered, she recoiled instinctively, her body curling in on itself like a cornered animal.
The greenhouse fell utterly silent. The only sound was her ragged breathing.
The leader's voice carried across the room, cheerful and proud.
"And this—this is the pride of Verne Town's food factory."
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