The previous messages written in blood had been logical and clear, even punctuated correctly.
But this time, the bloody words were not only blurry and heavily smudged, but the content was also fragmented, like the ramblings of someone sleep-talking.
Gu Yi could barely make out a few of the words.
It was clear that the "I" who left this message was on the verge of a Mental Breakdown. This "I" seemed to be doubting their own humanity.
"Dogs are man's friends."
This was the first line of the bloody message.
Given how blurry and sloppy the writing was, Gu Yi remained skeptical of this clue.
To others, the dog barks didn't exist.
But it was also possible they could hear the barks too, but were afraid to acknowledge their existence due to the power of the rules.
The dog barks must be another key clue to uncovering the hospital's truth.
The identity of "I" was also something worth investigating and deducing.
Back in the Ward, there was a rule: "There are always two people in the Special Care Ward." Perhaps the roommate Gu Yi couldn't see was this "I".
"So… does the character I'm playing have schizophrenia? But from the looks of it, I'm not showing any signs of schizophrenia. Or maybe a second personality has already split from my original self and become the 'Unmentionable' of this Dungeon?"
Gu Yi muttered to himself in front of the notice board, carefully analyzing all the clues he had.
So far, he still didn't know what illness this hospital treated, or what the specific treatment methods were. However, he would get a chance to experience the hospital's treatment process in the afternoon.
Gu Yi ran to the edge of the Plaza, walked over to an elliptical trainer, and started swaying along with the other patients.
The Plaza was surrounded by many patrolling members of the Security Department. Each of them wore a Dog Head Mask and performed their duties meticulously. Anyone who dared to even glance at the hospital's main gate would be harshly reprimanded by them.
"Better not think about escaping. It's not time yet."
Gu Yi shook his head. While using the elliptical, he tried to strike up a conversation with the patient next to him.
He discovered that these patients were all very cold and distant.
No matter what Gu Yi said, they ignored him.
Not only that, but the other patients all kept to themselves, rarely interacting.
Even two patients playing frisbee together didn't exchange a single word from start to finish. The occasional burst of laughter would quickly die down.
—These patients definitely have a problem too!
Gu Yi spent a full two hours using the various pieces of fitness equipment.
His Spirit Power had now reached 20 points.
Having saved up enough Spirit Power, Gu Yi immediately began a new round of deduction.
(Deduction start.)
(You have tried all the exercise equipment in the Plaza. There are no useful clues.)
(You get off the elliptical trainer.)
(You find the Convenience Store in the southeast corner of the Plaza.)
(The Shopkeeper is a person wearing a Pig Head Mask, but their build is slimmer than the chef in the kitchen.)
(Shopkeeper: What do you want to buy?)
(You: What do you have here?)
(Shopkeeper: Daily necessities, snacks, a bit of everything.)
(You: A bit of everything? Then can you tell me the truth about this hospital?)
(Shopkeeper: I don't know what you're talking about.)
(You sneer and point to the sign next to the shop, which has the gambling rules written on it.)
(【Gambling Rules】)
(1. You may gamble with the Shopkeeper. The stakes can be anything, but your wager must be your life.)
(2. The bet is binding on both parties. No one can back out.)
(3. The Shopkeeper only accepts gambling invitations between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM.)
(Shopkeeper: So you want to gamble with me? Alright, but let me be clear, I don't know the truth you're talking about. I can, however, tell you how to find the truth. Are you still willing to bet with me on that?)
(You: I am.)
(Hearing that someone wants to make a bet, all the surrounding patients gather around. They continuously shake their heads at you, signaling for you not to gamble, but you ignore them.)
(The Shopkeeper takes out three playing cards. Two are Aces, and one is a Joker.)
(Shopkeeper: Find the Joker, and you win. If you lose, you give me your life.)
(You: Bring it on.)
(The Shopkeeper shows the faces of the three cards, then places them face down on the table. He rapidly shuffles the order of the cards.)
(You can't follow the Shopkeeper's movements at all.)
(You can't be sure which card is the Joker.)
(Shopkeeper: Guess.)
(You point to the middle card.)
(The Shopkeeper flips the card over. It's an Ace.)
(Shopkeeper: You lose.)
(The Shopkeeper pulls out a gun and shoots you through the head.)
(Your vision goes red.)
(You are dead.)
(Deduction end.)
Gu Yi exited the deduction state.
Having died so many times, Gu Yi was no longer fazed by death.
"I must have lost focus just now. I'll try again."
(Deduction start.)
(This time, you go straight to the Shopkeeper and state your intention to bet with him.)
(The Shopkeeper gladly accepts.)
(This time, you don't blink. You are certain you've tracked the Joker.)
(You choose the middle card.)
(The Shopkeeper reaches out and flips the card. It's an Ace.)
(The Shopkeeper pulls an axe from under the table and splits your head open.)
(Your vision goes red.)
(You are dead.)
(Deduction end.)
"How could I be wrong again?"
Gu Yi shook his head, carefully recalling every detail from the previous two simulations.
Finally, his eyes lit up as he instantly understood the Shopkeeper's little trick.
—He must be cheating!
Gu Yi swaggered up to the entrance of the Convenience Store in the southeast corner.
"What do you want to buy?"
"I want to make a bet with you."
"A bet? Have you read the rules?"
"Of course."
"What do you want?"
"I want to know the truth of the hospital."
"I can only tell you the way to find the truth. Even so, you still want to bet with me?"
The Shopkeeper took three playing cards from his pocket and placed them on the table.
Seeing that Gu Yi wanted to gamble, the surrounding patients all gathered around, constantly shaking their heads and waving their hands at him.
Gu Yi shook his head, insisting on the bet.
Just like before, the Shopkeeper began to shuffle the cards again. His technique and movements were exactly the same as in the deductions.
"Pick the Joker, and you win."
Gu Yi reached out and pointed to the third card, "This one…"
The Shopkeeper reached out to flip the card, but Gu Yi immediately stopped him.
"Wait, let me flip it," Gu Yi said. "This one isn't the Joker."
Then, Gu Yi flipped over the third card. It was an Ace.
"This one isn't it either."
With that, Gu Yi flipped over the first card. It was also an Ace.
"Therefore, the one in the middle must be the Joker."
The Shopkeeper blinked, secretly hiding the palmed Joker in his sleeve. He nodded at Gu Yi somewhat reluctantly and pointed to the shop behind him, saying, "Come with me. I have something for you."
Gu Yi followed the Shopkeeper.
The Shopkeeper rummaged through his things before taking out a pair of 3D Glasses and handing them to Gu Yi, along with an instruction manual.
Clearly, this was another one of the Rule's Strange created by the Unmentionable.
【Instructions for Use】
1. You may use these glasses to watch the 3D movie "Monster Siege".
2. If you see monsters coming out of the screen through the glasses, take them off immediately and take three steps back.
3. Please do not wear the glasses at other times.
Explore the extended edition on p𝑎wre𝑑d.com
Gu Yi flipped the instruction manual over. On the back was a line of bloody words.
"Trust me, don't watch it! It's all fake!"
Proofreader: Peter Pan