Published at 8th of October 2024 3:06 am

Chapter 1054: Black Box Operation

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

As if completing a task, Puppeteer lay back on the cushion with a sense of satisfaction, closing his eyes. The saliva towel had become a wrinkled strip, tied between his Adam’s apple and collarbone. The exposed skin of his neck was so pale that one could even faintly see the faint blue veins. The stark contrast between black and white made it seem as if there wasn’t a drop of blood left in him.

“Suicide?” Lin Sanjiu snorted through her nose, finding the concept laughable.

“Wait a minute!”

Before she could say anything extraordinary, Bohemia quickly interrupted her, pulling Lin Sanjiu behind herself. Who would have thought that she, who used to be so arrogant and independent in the Twelve Worlds and Astral Plane, would end up taking care of others like an old mother?

With a bit of frustration, she asked with a worried expression, “Um, what does this clearance mission mean? Does it mean that as long as I open her mind, we can immediately leave the Pocket Dimension? Would her attempting suicide once count as completing the mission?”

Although Bohemia had a fiery temper, her mind worked quickly in necessary situations. “Suicide is an action, but it doesn’t include the result. Slashing one’s wrist counts as suicide, but as for whether they die or not—”

“Well…” the square-faced host interrupted, staring at them with its square eyes. “The definition of ‘clearance mission’ is different from what you have encountered before. Let me start from the beginning.”

This sentence interrupted her speculation.

After Puppeteer closed his eyes to rest, all the speaking tasks were handed over to the square-faced host. As the owner of this Pocket Dimension, he seemed no longer interested in the movements and conditions of the group.

“Besides this Pocket Dimension that appeared here for some reason,” the square-faced host said, its square eyes fixed on them, “the other three players need to choose a themed simulation game from various options.”

Even the Descartes Spirit, who was restrained by Higher Consciousness, could finally take a breath. It seemed to realize that Puppeteer was not an absorptive person, and it floated for a while before lying down on the edge of the land, causing the grid in that area to blur like a layer of mosaic.

“During the themed simulation game, players need to constantly find opportunities to implement your clearance missions. In other words, the pursuit here is not the result of the clearance mission, but the process of ‘conducting the clearance mission’—until your clearance mission objective has been achieved and you cannot continue to the next one. For example, when a person who attempted suicide finally kills themselves, of course, a dead person cannot continue to commit suicide. This is the only condition where the clearance mission does not need to continue.”

Bohemia’s face wrinkled into a frown.

In other words, to translate it bluntly, “When you complete the mission, the game ends.”

“Unlike the usual definition of ‘clearance mission,’ even if you achieve the required result, you cannot clear the game.” As if seeing through her thoughts, the square-faced host said with a smile.

“Huh? Then why is it called a clearance mission?” Dr. Hu questioned with grace.

“The content of the usual clearance mission is the ‘decisive condition’ to end the game, while the content of the clearance mission here is the ‘preliminary condition’ to end the game.” When the square-faced host said this, it clapped its square hands together. “In addition to satisfying the preliminary condition, to end the Pocket Dimension, you also need to win the game. Please work hard to create opportunities and continuously implement the mission content in the game!”

In other words, she had to accomplish at least two objectives to leave: continuously attempt to open Lin Sanjiu’s mind and win the game.

Bohemia glanced at the indifferent Descartes Spirit, also wanting to melt into the ground and lie down.

“The specific game rules…”

“That depends on what themed game you choose,” the square-faced host smiled. “Please note that temporary failures and score losses in the game will result in ‘undressing,’ and excessive undressing will lead to losing the game. Please be extremely careful.”

Huh?

Bohemia quickly got up from the ground.

“D-Do we really have to undress?” She couldn’t help but glance at Puppeteer, who seemed to be sleeping, and asked stutteringly, “I… I can wear more clothes, but as for Dr. Hu—”

Meowie Hu, who had always been in a state of nakedness in every sense, nodded modestly. “I have no clothes to take off.”

Lin Sanjiu tugged at her lone undershirt and showed a resolute expression. “I have nothing to fear—”

“I’m afraid. I don’t want needle marks.”

Puppeteer, who had been keeping his eyes closed, suddenly spoke, his tone filled with icy sarcasm. “Until the game rules are explained, anyone who speaks again will have their clearance mission changed.”

Knowing that there are tigers in the mountains, but still choosing to go to the mountains, the brave warrior stood beside Bohemia.

“I was already on a suicide mission, what do I have to worry about?” Lin Sanjiu crossed her arms and said coldly.

“I can change your clearance mission to burning down the building.”

“You dare! I will never do anything to harm them!” She jumped up as if her tail had been stepped on.

“Then close the holes on your face.”

Lin Sanjiu looked furious, but after enduring and hesitating, she finally closed the ‘holes.’

Bohemia and Dr. Hu exchanged glances.

“From the sound of it, Puppeteer… sir,” she still added the ‘sir’ after a moment, “is very familiar with this world. He knows that burning down the building is more effective than threatening lives.”

“To be honest, I’m a bit confused,” Dr. Hu sighed, “Why are buildings the Truth, and why do they produce spores and create servants… I don’t understand.”

Puppeteer probably understood, but he lay on the couch with his eyes tightly closed, showing no intention of sharing.

It’s all Lin Sanjiu’s fault. Making friends with a mad dog would only end up getting bitten. Bohemia also sighed along with Meowie Hu, waving to the host to continue with the introduction.

“I suggest you try playing a game first,” the square-faced host said enthusiastically. “By playing the game, you will understand the rules.”

After Bohemia nodded lacklusterly, the host happily waved its hand, and at least a dozen shadowy figures in the shape of squares quickly rose from the ground and floated into the air, transforming into a row of large cube-like boxes.

“Player Two, please step forward.”

Dr. Hu anxiously flicked its tail and took a few steps closer.

“Each cube contains a themed game,” the host gestured to the first one on the left, “and the theme it contains will be displayed on the outside of the cube. Take a look!”

Three pairs of eyes and a ball of chaos simultaneously looked up, and a line of words lit up on the outer wall of the cube: “Aerospace Material Development.”

Dr. Hu immediately shook its head into a blurry mess. The host smiled and said, “Don’t be in a hurry. Wait until all three options are presented, then make your choice.”

However, the second cube to light up with the theme was not the second one from the left, and the theme game that lit up third was not adjacent to the previous two boxes. They were ‘Medical Pharmacy’ and ‘White Magic Research,’ respectively.

It was like a multiple-choice question tailor-made for Dr. Hu!

“Please jump into this cube,” the host ordered when Meowie Hu had indeed chosen the medical-themed game.

It arched its body, about to jump forward, but the host suddenly raised a cuboid finger. “But before you go in, I need to remind you of something.”

“Before the Pocket Dimension started, all the cubes left their original positions and gathered together for your convenience in choosing. What does that mean? It means that after you choose the game and enter the cube, this cube will take you to its original location, such as the top left corner of the map.”

Both of them, and the cat, nodded without speaking.

“You may ask, what’s the big deal about moving to the top left corner of the map? It’s a big deal.” The host calmly said, “All the cubes are connected to each other one by one, ultimately leading to the center of the map.”

The center of the map… it was just a couch and a person who closed his eyes; but in terms of the feeling, it was like an unfathomable abyss, ready to swallow them whole at any moment.

“So, the center of the map is the endpoint you need to strive for.” The host said happily, “If you draw a cube that is close to the endpoint at the beginning, you naturally have a great advantage. Otherwise, you have to play game by game until you reach the endpoint. Of course, don’t forget to try the clearance missions along the way. I will explain it in detail later.”

‘So, it’s about actively finding a way to throw oneself into the tiger’s mouth.’ Bohemia nodded.

Puppeteer had always been known as a mad dog, and mad dogs were not known for their patience. Since he was willing to create such a complex Pocket Dimension, maybe he did it simply for the sake of tormenting them… as long as he didn’t come out to create puppets himself, she felt there was still hope for survival.

As for what Lin Sanjiu would do… she would take it step by step. As the saying goes, when faced with great adversity, everyone is on their own.

“Okay, now please jump,” the host waved its hand, “let’s see the location of this cube—”

When Meowie Hu’s figure was about to collide with the surface of the cube, the milky white wall suddenly rippled like the surface of a lake. It gently absorbed its shadow and the ripples immediately closed. After sucking in the player, the cube suddenly rose into the air and flew away in the distance.

Under the gaze of two people and a Pocket Dimension, the cube containing Dr. Hu stopped right in front of the couch, blocking Puppeteer effectively.

“Ah, how lucky! You’ve chosen the endpoint cube on your first try!” The host’s acting was spot-on but rather insincere, making it hard to compliment. “The cube at the endpoint has been chosen. Now, you need to do your best and try to choose cubes that are closer to the endpoint!”

Even the foolish Truth-seeker could tell that something was wrong. “This is clearly a rigged operation! Give Dr. Hu back!”

However, Bohemia let out a long sigh of relief. She quickly grabbed Lin Sanjiu and whispered, “Isn’t it better for Dr. Hu to leave the Pocket Dimension earlier?” Then, she looked up at the host and asked, “Who’s next?”

“Player One, please step forward.”

Bohemia swallowed nervously. As she paused, three cubes lit up one by one in front of her eyes.

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