Chapter 19: The Gu Tribe’s Stronghold, Part 18
No matter how much the players wailed and cried out, Zhou Shan remained unmoved. Yet, with their loud screams of pain and despair, Zhou Zhou—far from being oblivious—could clearly hear them.
“022…”
The girl’s eyes darkened with fear. “Is there a murder happening outside?”
The screams were so dreadful.
“No,” the system replied. “The dungeon boss is punishing those who broke the rules.”
“They violated regulations by not staying in the designated areas within the allotted time.”
Zhou Zhou responded with a simple “Oh,” then asked the system, “What about me? Are there any rules I need to follow?”
She was terrified of becoming one of those players—she could imagine how agonizing those screams must be.
With so many rules in the dungeon, if she forgot any, wouldn’t she be doomed?
“No.”
The 022 system said without hesitation, “You are a one-in-a-million cannon fodder player; just stick to your character role.”
Zhou Zhou’s eyes lit up.
“So I just need to survive?”
If she simply followed her role without being bound by countless rules, wouldn’t it be easier to find clues inside the dungeon?
And easier to stay alive.
Being cannon fodder had its perks?
“Yes.”
The system smiled. “That’s certainly true for you.”
…
Among the many players wailing in agony, two men stood as if unaffected, drawing all the more attention.
Liang Ye was no stranger to such petty tricks in dungeons and felt no fear at all.
---
The players couldn’t use items, so they couldn’t catch the cunning, eerie parasitic insects.
These bugs moved like mist—within a split second, they could merge into flesh, and even if pinched, they’d burrow into the palm’s blood and muscle.
But as a dungeon slayer with the awakened talent “Escape,” Liang Ye’s physical strength was nearly monstrous.
The moment a dark teal parasite tried to enter his flesh, he crushed it with his hand without giving it the slightest chance.
After killing the parasite, the silver-haired youth stood motionless in the corner, watching the others suffer.
So boring, such a scene.
He thought to himself.
Liang Ye’s naturally indifferent companion, Chu Mingxiu, thought even more coldly.
To him, those players were no more important than ants beneath his feet.
He glanced indifferently at the players, then casually crushed the parasite beneath his foot.
Staring at the twisted black insect’s corpse, he was briefly lost in thought: that little fool… was this what she saw last night?
No wonder she cried so bitterly… those bugs were indeed disgusting; her fear was understandable.
With that, Chu Mingxiu expressionlessly stomped on the already dead parasite once more.
After Zhou Shan finished torturing them, he looked at the barely breathing, silent players, dusted off his spotless hands, and chuckled, “Much more pleasing to the eye now.”
He calmed the dark teal parasites.
“Our Gu Clan is hospitable. We just gave a little punishment to some disobedient guests—they must have been frightened.”
The man scanned the room with a playful smile. “The Gu God Festival is in a few days. Since you’re here to play, helping us feed the bugs for a few days shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
The players silently cursed in despair: …We mind, but it’s useless!!
Suddenly—
The system inside their heads, silent for days, chimed coldly and mechanically:
[Forced Mission: Players must assist the Gu Clan villagers with the Gu God Festival and learn the true name of the Gu God.]
---
The players shuddered collectively.
Work has come!
Zhou Zhou heard it too, but it was the 022 system gently informing her, its voice far from harsh.
…
Outside, the noise quieted, and Zhou Zhou felt an inexplicable unease. She didn’t want to go out, but staying inside was no solution either.
“Zhou Zhou, it’s okay.”
The system comforted her, “He won’t harm you.”
Zhou Zhou nodded and just as she was about to step outside, a man pushed the door open.
“Zhou Zhou, up so early?”
Zhou Shan saw her standing there, fully dressed, and felt a twinge of regret.
“Did I scare you last night?”
The handsome man with dark skin spoke kindly, unconcerned by her earlier indifference to his plight—on the contrary, he thought she was right not to get involved; what if he accidentally hurt her?
“It was my fault. Can you forgive me, Zhou Zhou?”
Zhou Zhou was a little stunned: …Huh?
Just as she was about to reply, her stomach growled loudly.
“Zhou Zhou, hungry?”
“Um… a bit…”
Embarrassed, she covered her belly. After a night’s sleep, she truly was a little hungry.
The man’s voice instantly turned sharp and cold.
“It’s all those damn bugs’ fault for wasting time and making my treasure hungry!”
“Zhou Zhou, be good. Let’s go eat now.”
He gently patted the girl’s head, filled with tenderness.