"Relax, I'm not some overly brutal guy. I just want you to hone my combat experience," Yi Bai said, his keen senses picking up on the subtle changes in Snake Sixteen and the Water Ghost's behavior. Understanding the intricacies of ghostly dynamics, he offered a reassuring comment.
However...
Snake Sixteen gave him a doubtful, "Are you sure?" look.
Yi Bai sighed inwardly. Well, the sudden surge of violent activity outside the resort was something that couldn't easily be explained. His reputation as a volatile figure was now sealed, and there was no denying it.
"...What's going on? Why are the ghost employees, even the ones just visiting, all leaving the resort?"
A somewhat eerie man from a small team of five asked, confusion apparent in his voice.
Their task was simple — deliver food to the resort's guests. It sounded easy, but it had the highest mortality rate. The team had prepared themselves for injuries, even the loss of limbs. But to their surprise, before they even began their deliveries, all the ghosts, including the staff, had suddenly evacuated. The guide ghost had only told them not to act on their own before leaving hastily.
Such a scene left the five players baffled.
"Maybe... something big is happening!" Dragon Yuxuan, the team leader, said with a spark in his eyes.
"A big event? What do you mean?" the older man, Fang Qian, asked, puzzled.
"Didn't you read the basic information released by the Pingluan Palace before entering the game? A 'big event' refers to a major change within the world of horror — a shift or even a collapse of a dungeon due to some unforeseen factors!"
"A change in the dungeon can directly affect our mission. It might disappear, or it could turn into a survival challenge where we only need to survive until the game time ends."
"There could also be unpredictable changes."
Dragon Yuxuan explained cryptically.
"Captain, what should we do now? Sit tight and wait, or...?" Wang Jin, a burly man with a strong physique, asked, his eyes glinting with a mix of intrigue and resolve.
Anyone familiar with the information released by Pingluan Palace knew that when a 'big event' happened, it was a moment of both opportunity and danger for the players.
Several players had once used these events to their advantage, making deals with dying ghosts and becoming "divinely favored" in return for their vitality. These players rose to power in ways unimaginable to others.
The massive stir within the Dead Soul Resort left Dragon Yuxuan and his team unable to ignore the possibility that a "big event" was about to occur.
"Out of our team of five, at least three have experienced at least one horror game," Dragon Yuxuan began slowly, greed glimmering in his eyes. "But none of us have become 'divinely favored'!"
"In this world of horror games, relying on mere survival items from the store is not enough. We all know that."
"Without that special power, our survival will always be in the hands of the ghosts."
"Opportunity is here, everyone... Do we take a chance for a brighter future, or continue to struggle, never knowing when we'll be a ghost's next meal?"
"Let's vote," he said, his words carrying a persuasive weight.
Of course, his reasoning made sense. In the world of horror, without becoming divinely favored or awakening some powerful talent, surviving as a normal player was incredibly difficult.
"Let's do it! Better to die once than live in fear forever! My life is nothing; I'd rather risk it all than suffer!"
Wang Jin was the first to speak, his face hardening with determination.
"Let's take the chance, the captain's right. If we don't, we'll live our whole lives in fear," Fang Qian, who had no idea what the 'big event' was, also agreed to take the gamble.
With two of them leading, and Dragon Yuxuan already leaning toward action, the team's decision was practically made.
Similar scenes were unfolding across the Dead Soul Resort. The sudden disappearance of so many ghosts, all heading in the same direction, couldn't help but attract the attention of the players.
Only 28 players remained after the "big event" began, and over half of them chose to take a risk, seeing it as an opportunity.
As for the others, including the ones already dead and the enigmatic Yi Bai... they could only watch from the sidelines.
At the poolside, in a quiet corner, Niu Feichen had finally gotten a chance to speak with his girlfriend, Sun Xiaohui.
However, as soon as he opened his mouth, a bright red handprint appeared on his face.
"Xiaohui, listen to me, it's not that I want to give you to that guy, but..."
Niu Feichen tried to explain.
By his side, Bai Yu continued to push for the benefits of this situation, showing all the potential consequences of not aligning with Yi Bai.
Little by little, Sun Xiaohui's anger began to dissipate, and a strange gleam appeared in her eyes...
Meanwhile, back at the Dead Soul Resort's Silent Plaza...
The expansive square, made of black stone, absorbed all sound. Despite hundreds or even thousands of ghosts gathering here, it was eerily quiet.
In the center of the plaza, Resort Manager Snake Sixteen stood, holding a special megaphone, delivering a "mobilization speech."
This wasn't just for the resort's staff; it was aimed at the visiting ghosts too.
To avoid punishment for potentially offending Young Master Yi, Snake Sixteen had set his sights on the "tourists."
As the saying goes, "Better to let a stranger suffer than risk angering the boss." It worked just as well here.