He watched as the host led Riene and the servants into a room. Lin Xiao didn't bother to eavesdrop. He took a deep breath, prepared himself, and kicked the door open. The host turned in shock, but it was too late.
Lin Xiao's character moved with lightning speed, shooting the host in the head. Blood splattered, and Riene Voender, standing close by, was covered in it. Her eyes went blank with shock.
The servants began to scream, but Lin Xiao didn't have time to worry about them. He grabbed Riene, throwing her over his shoulder, and dashed out of the room. She struggled, but he kept her quiet by placing a hand firmly over her mouth.
Navigating through the manor's corridors, Lin Xiao avoided the few remaining guards and guests. He moved quickly but cautiously, using his memory of the manor's layout to find the safest route out.
He reached the back entrance, which was less guarded, and slipped outside into the night.
Once they were a safe distance from the manor, Lin Xiao gently put Riene down. She looked at him, eyes still wide with fear and confusion.
Before she could speak, Lin Xiao saw she had a bullet hole in her head, a sniper rifle shot. Before Lin Xiao could process what had happened, his character was dead too.
The system prompt appeared, asking if he wanted to restart.
Lin Xiao was still speechless from the previous death. What kind of setting is this? Why do they have snipers to kill this girl? He pressed "Yes" and once again found himself in front of the manor.
Determined not to make the same mistakes, Lin Xiao used the same tactics as before to enter the manor. He took the gun from the drunk security guard and methodically eliminated the red-marked intruders, hiding their bodies to avoid detection.
This time, finding Riene Voender was easier because she was marked in gold.
Approaching Riene, Lin Xiao was presented with two options:
[1. Introduce yourself and tell her she is in danger]
[2. Knock her out and hide her somewhere]
Lin Xiao chose the first option and introduced himself. Although he couldn't hear what his character said, Riene's reaction suggested skepticism. She asked, "Why would I be in danger?" Two new options appeared:
[1. "Because I said so"]
[2. "I don't know, but my mission is to protect you"]
Lin Xiao selected the second option. His character explained the mission to protect her, and Riene's skepticism softened slightly. She hesitated but finally nodded, allowing Lin Xiao to guide her away from the main hall.
Lin Xiao led Riene through the manor, carefully avoiding other guests and potential threats. He kept her close, ensuring she stayed within the safest areas.
They reached a secluded room where Lin Xiao could keep an eye on both entrances. He checked his surroundings and prepared for any incoming threats.
The tension in the air was palpable as Lin Xiao waited, his gun ready. Moments later, a commotion erupted in the main hall.
Lin Xiao heard gunfire and chaos as the attackers launched their assault earlier than anticipated. He knew he had to act fast to keep Riene safe.
Lin Xiao activated bullet time, slowing down his perception of events. He moved swiftly, taking down any attackers who approached their hiding spot. Each shot was precise, and his character's enhanced combat skills ensured that none of the assailants got close enough to harm Riene.
Just as the bullet time effect wore off, Lin Xiao noticed a shadow moving outside the window. He instinctively pulled Riene down, shielding her with his body. A bullet shattered the glass, narrowly missing them. Lin Xiao scanned the area and spotted the sniper's position. He knew he had to neutralize the threat to ensure Riene's safety.
Lin Xiao moved cautiously, using the furniture and walls for cover as he made his way towards the sniper's location.
He peeked around a corner and saw the sniper reloading. Taking advantage of the moment, Lin Xiao aimed and fired, taking down the sniper with a single shot.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Lin Xiao returned to Riene.
She looked at him with a mix of fear and gratitude. He knew they weren't out of danger yet, but they had a better chance of surviving now.
As they made their way towards the manor's exit, Lin Xiao saw that the exit was covered with bodyguards. In the center of the group stood a man marked in golden – the host of the party.
Lin Xiao knew he had to act quickly and strategically. He turned to Riene, whispering, "Stay behind me and be ready to run." She nodded, her face pale but resolute.
Options appeared on the screen:
[1. Attempt to negotiate with the host]
[2. Create a diversion]
[3. Engage in a direct confrontation]
Lin Xiao opted for the second choice, hoping to create enough chaos to slip past the guards with Riene. He noticed a decorative vase nearby and picked it up, throwing it across the hall to shatter against the wall with a loud crash. The noise immediately drew the attention of the bodyguards.
"What's going on over there?" one of the guards shouted, and several of them moved towards the source of the noise.
Seizing the moment, Lin Xiao pulled Riene along, skirting the edge of the room to avoid detection. They moved swiftly but quietly, inching closer to the exit. However, the host, realizing something was amiss, began barking orders. "Check the perimeter! Don't let anyone leave!"
Lin Xiao knew they were running out of time. He glanced around and saw a side door leading to a storage area. He motioned for Riene to follow him, and they slipped through the door, finding themselves in a dimly lit room filled with boxes and cleaning supplies.
"We need to find another way out," Lin Xiao whispered. He spotted a window at the far end of the room and quickly assessed the situation. "I'll go first and make sure it's safe."
He climbed out of the window, landing silently on the grass outside. After scanning the area and confirming it was clear, he helped Riene through the window. They crouched low, making their way towards the manor's outer wall.
Just as they thought they were in the clear, the host's voice rang out from the distance. "There they are! Get them!"
Lin Xiao's heart pounded as he saw guards converging on their position. He drew his gun.
Bullets whizzed past them as they sprinted towards the wall. Lin Xiao activated bullet time, allowing him to take precise shots and neutralize the nearest threats.
They reached the wall, and Lin Xiao boosted Riene over first before climbing up himself. Once over, they didn't stop running until they were well away from the manor. They finally slowed down, breathing heavily but relieved to have escaped the immediate danger.
The system prompt appeared again:
[Primary Objective 2 Completed - Protect Riene Voender]
[Secondary Objective Completed - Kill the Host of the Party]
[Game Completed - Completion Percentage: 90% - Would you like to end the game? Yes/No]
Lin Xiao smiled and pressed "Yes," satisfied with this performance.