The players' conversation gradually veered off course.
It didn't take long before they started to feel increasingly paranoid, and the distance between them began to grow.
Everyone looked at each other as though they were wolves, their wariness palpable.
Yi Bai: "…" He was speechless, utterly speechless.
Of course, there was also Mo Youqian, who had just gathered everyone together with the intent to "band together for warmth."
Now, he was seething with rage, his anger so intense he nearly wanted to summon a spirit and have it devour Yi Bai on the spot!
Why had he revealed his identity as a "God-favored" individual?
Why had he posed as someone from the "Penglun Palace"?
Wasn't it all in the hopes of gaining everyone's trust, making backstabbing all the easier later?
And yet…
One simple remark from a zombie employee shattered the fragile trust they had barely begun to form, reducing it to nothing in an instant.
Even Mo Youqian began to doubt: Was there perhaps a terrifying, elusive monster hidden among the players?
No matter what the players thought or said, the zombie employee completely ignored them.
"Young Master Yin, Mr. Ralph has already instructed us to treat you as an honored guest and provide you with the best service."
"The Village of the Dead is owned by the Kulol family. Since you've come here, it's like you've returned home. You can relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about any game tasks."
"By the way, Mr. Ralph has also instructed that if you have any needs, the staff here will do everything they can to fulfill your requests."
The zombie employee spoke with an entirely innocent and straightforward tone, without any regard for the other players around. He recited Mr. Ralph's instructions word for word, as though Yi Bai were the only person in the room.
It was only then that Yi Bai realized the significance of the situation.
Ralph—the notorious stitcher from the Third Hospital.
Behind him stood the Kulol family from Yinyue City!
Coincidentally, Yi Bai hadn't expected the benefits of his broad network to come through in such a timely manner.
"Please follow me, Young Master Yin. Mr. Ralph has arranged the finest accommodations for you, along with a series of activities for your enjoyment."
"Your only task here is to have a good time in the village."
"If there's anything you're dissatisfied with, please let us know, and we will address it immediately."
The straightforward zombie employee made a courteous gesture, completely disregarding the other players, as though they were invisible.
In the eyes of the staff, Yi Bai was the sole guest that mattered.
Temporary workers?
What were those?
A distinguished guest was far more important, and the zombie employee had no doubt of this.
"…" After a brief silence, Yi Bai raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Please thank Mr. Ralph for his kindness. Since that's the case, I'll accept his hospitality."
"Thank you for visiting, Young Master Yin. It's our honor to host you here at the Village of the Dead!"
Relieved to see that Yi Bai was an easy person to deal with, the zombie employee eagerly showered him with compliments.
The players who overheard the exchange couldn't help but feel their mental state shift ever so slightly.
A task.
The mere mention of that word sent their expressions into a complete unraveling!
The "Young Master Yin" the zombie referred to… was actually a player?!
This revelation struck the players like a bolt of lightning, their heads buzzing with the shock.
They were all players.
Why, then, when they were struggling to survive, was Yi Bai treated like royalty by the monsters?
When they were thankful just to have a 60% survival rate in a dungeon, Yi Bai was here, relaxing in a horror game like it was a vacation?
The disparity was too much to bear, and the air around them seemed to thicken with sour jealousy.
Especially among those who were playing their first horror game.
They couldn't help but feel an overwhelming urge to approach Yi Bai and beg him to share the "easy win" experience.
The more experienced players, though they too were burning with envy, remained still.
Come on…
Anyone who was treated like an honored guest by the monsters couldn't possibly be a normal player anymore.
To these players, Yi Bai was no different from a malevolent ghost.
So, asking a monster for an easy win? Absolutely not.
They wisely kept their distance, thinking that even if they had a chance, they could always beg later for some sympathy.
"Before I enjoy my vacation, there's something I'd like to take care of. Is that alright?"
Yi Bai's tone was cold, though he phrased it as a question, there was an undeniable authority in his voice.
The Kulol family, through Yi Bai's introduction, was working tirelessly to forge alliances with the Count of Roses and the two Bloodstained Kings.
Ralph's gesture of goodwill was the perfect proof of their intentions.
Thus, in this instance, Yi Bai could afford to indulge a little, and no one would object.
"Of course, as long as you wish, you are free to do as you please within the village."
The zombie employee responded without hesitation, his straightforwardness apparent.
"That's good," Yi Bai said, offering a faint smile.
Then…
Four tall, slender, pitch-black figures emerged from the shadows cast by Yi Bai, standing guard by his side.
Like devoted servants to a king, they stood motionless, exuding an air of reverence.
Their bodies seemed to swallow all light, radiating pure darkness.
Their long claws appeared to be designed solely for slaughter.
The sudden appearance of these figures sent a chill through the players, who immediately recoiled.
It was only then they realized: even though the so-called "Young Master Yin" was a player, he was no ordinary one!
"Friend, what's the meaning of this? I don't recall offending you."
Mo Youqian, seeing the dark figures approach, quickly ducked behind a nearby ogre.
But the shadows had no intention of stopping.
Fear began to overtake him.
"You! What are you trying to do?!"
"Stay away! Get away from me! Everyone's a player here, I'm from Penglun Palace—are you really going to make an enemy of us?!"
"You…"
Slash!
In a flash, the once-mighty ogre was torn apart by the black claws, its massive body reduced to shattered pieces.
The difference in rank between a malevolent spirit and a wandering soul was vast.
Yi Bai could easily crush the ogre, just as one would crush an ant.
The ogre's death dealt a crippling blow to Mo Youqian, causing him to cough up blood uncontrollably.
The contract between them meant they were linked in both fortune and failure.
Though his life wasn't in immediate danger, completing the game's tasks now seemed nearly impossible for Mo Youqian.
What's more… Yi Bai didn't seem inclined to stop here.