Survival in an apartment, starting with a stroke of luck on a plane

The atmosphere inside the clock tower was somewhat somber.

Lin Yu's plan was simple, direct, and even brutal, but under the current circumstances, it might actually be a good approach.

"..."

Merlin frowned. To be honest, he didn't like Lin Yu's plan, or rather, it wasn't even a plan.

But he had no other rebuttal to offer, since he couldn't think of a better solution.

"It's settled then." Seeing that no one objected, Lin Yu simply made the decision and said, "The feint attack team needs to create enough chaos to attract the attention of most of the guards and dark creatures inside the castle."

The infiltration team then seized the opportunity to strike at the heart of the matter, aiming to destroy the magic mirror and purify the queen.

"Who will launch a feint attack? Who will infiltrate?" Gangxin asked, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

The feint attack team is undoubtedly at greater risk, as it needs to face a tidal wave of enemies.

"I'll launch a feint attack," the King of Beasts volunteered. "Drawing fire and creating chaos are my strengths, and my abilities will also ensure my safety."

"Steelheart, Merlin, you two are more familiar with the castle's internal structure and magical defenses. It would be best if you infiltrated with the Witcher."

Merlin nodded: "Yes, I know a secret passage leading to the Queen's palace that can bypass most of the guards."

Steelheart had no objection, and said, "I can contact those former royal ministers in the castle who opposed the Queen; they should be of some use."

There's no need to worry about them not helping. After all, the Queen has gone mad and wants to corrupt the entire Blackwood Castle. If they don't help, they'll die.

Steelheart's idea was agreed upon by everyone present.

Finally, Lin Yu looked at Shadow and the dwarves who had returned to normal: "Shadow, your shadow abilities should still be useful for infiltration and disruption. Come with us."

"Dwarves, you can assist the King of Beasts in a feint attack, or... if you don't want to participate, you can take Snow White and find a safe place to hide."

"No! I want to go with you!" But Snow White was unusually determined.

"Mother... she became like this because of me. I can't hide away, and I feel... I might be able to do something."

Looking into her clear and determined eyes, Lin Yu hesitated for a moment before finally nodding: "Okay."

Actually, Lin Yu didn't want to bring her along, but... the energy within her was indeed amazing, and it might actually come in handy.

"Thank you!" Snow White nodded vigorously.

"Without further ado, let's get moving!" Lin Yu said without further ado.

……

At the main gate of the castle.

The king of beasts transformed into a giant bear, unleashing a deafening roar, and launched the first attack.

Steelheart took the initiative to contact those loyal to the old king, informed them of the current situation, and asked them for their assistance.

Just as he expected, none of these people refused, since they would all die if he didn't help.

The two sides quickly caused a large enough disturbance in Blackwood Fortress.

This also forced the Queen's guards to fight fires everywhere, greatly reducing the castle's defensive strength.

The infiltration team seized the opportunity to begin their operation.

Merlin cast a small-scale group invisibility spell, leading the group along an abandoned drainage pipe and a narrow servants' passage into the Queen's palace.

"There's a magic warning node ahead," Shadow whispered.

Merlin immediately stepped forward, his staff glowing faintly as he began to dispel the spell.

Lin Yu activated his Sharingan, remaining vigilant for any possible emergencies.

Snow White followed closely behind him.

The castle was heavily guarded, but the group was also quite strong.

In addition, most of the guards were sent out to block the King of Beasts and his group, which made it easier for Lin Yu and his companions to reach the last section of the corridor leading to the Queen's palace.

The magnificent door at the end of the corridor was tightly shut, and a chilling purplish-black light shone through the cracks. The dense dark energy was almost tangible, and a low, eerie chant echoed in the air—it was the Queen's voice.

"This is it." Merlin's expression was grave. "The concentration of magical energy inside is too high; my invisibility spell will fail if I go in."

"Then let's launch a full-scale attack!" Lin Yu said without further hesitation.

He gestured for Snow White to step back, then kicked the heavy door hard.

boom!

The door was not kicked open as expected; instead, a layer of black ripples spread out, causing Lin Yu to take a step back.

A barrier was attached to the door.

"Attack one point together!" Merlin shouted, as blazing white arcane energy gathered at the tip of his staff.

The shadow also summoned shadow tentacles.

Lin Yu then raised the Azure Rose, and demonic power began to gather—Charged Shot, Level 2.

boom--!

The three forces simultaneously struck the door lock, causing the barrier to flicker violently before shattering into pieces like broken glass.

The door burst open.

The scene inside the palace came into view, causing everyone to gasp in shock.

The entire palace has been completely transformed. The magnificent decorations are now covered with twisted dark runes, and a huge magic circle with dark red light is carved on the ground.

In the center of the magic circle, the Queen, dressed in a dark red robe that looked like congealed blood, floated in mid-air with her hands raised high.

Her once beautiful face was now twisted and grotesque, with black flames burning in her eyes.

The enormous magic mirror hovered in front of her. The mirror no longer reflected images, but instead became a rotating dark vortex. A continuous stream of dark energy poured out of the vortex and into the queen's body and the magic circle beneath her feet.

Deep within the vortex, the enormous, blood-red single eye could be vaguely seen, coldly watching Lin Yu and his intruders.

"Destroy the Magic Mirror!"

With a loud shout, Gangxin rushed into the palace first.

However, as soon as they stepped into the palace grounds, the red light of the ground magic circle suddenly intensified, and several tentacles made of dark energy shot out from the magic circle, wrapping around their ankles.

At the same time, several powerful dark guards emerged from the shadows on both sides of the palace—they were clad in heavy armor, and their eyes flashed red light.

"I'll deal with these grunts! You guys go get that mirror!" Shadow growled, his figure disappearing into the shadows as he clashed with the Dark Guards.

Merlin brandished his staff, creating a shield to block the entangling dark tentacles.

boom!

Without saying a word, Lin Yu fired a shot directly at the magic mirror.

The bullets from Azure Rose struck the mirror, but only created ripples; they did not cause any real damage.

His Sharingan spun rapidly, searching for weaknesses in the barrier, while his gaze swept towards the queen in the center of the magic circle.

The queen seemed completely absorbed in the ritual, ignoring the intruders, her chanting growing faster and faster, and the dark energy surging from the magic mirror becoming increasingly violent.

It seems we need to deal with the queen first.

Lin Yu was about to raise his gun when Snow White stepped forward and blocked his way.

"Mother!"

Seeing the Queen's crazed state, Snow White's eyes filled with sorrow and pain. She cried out, "Mother! Wake up! Don't let that evil spirit control you anymore!"

This call seemed to touch something buried deep within the Queen's heart.

Her chanting paused slightly, the mad black flames in her eyes flickered for a moment, and she subconsciously looked in the direction where Snow White was.

But what she saw first was not the Snow White she longed for, but a pair of blood-red eyes.

Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Lin Yu pulled Bai Xue behind him the instant the Queen turned her head, allowing them to meet each other's gazes directly.

The Sharingan's innate genjutsu is activated!

"Ugh!" The queen let out a painful groan. Lin Yu's mental strength far exceeded that of ordinary people. Even though it was suppressed now, it was still definitely not weak.

The queen's suspended body swayed slightly, and the energy flow of the ritual became noticeably disordered.

A flash of anger crossed the crimson eye in the magic mirror, and more dark energy surged forth, attempting to stabilize the queen.

"what!"

The queen screamed in agony, and the black aura surrounding her grew stronger and stronger.

"Mother!" Snow White was very anxious when she saw the Queen's miserable state.

She didn't care about anything else and rushed straight towards the Queen.

Lin Yu did not stop her, and the reason was simple: in his eyes, the magical power within Snow White's body began to gather again.

She began to emanate a pure and gentle white light, which contrasted sharply with the dense and filthy dark energy within the palace.

Snow White fearlessly rushed toward the Queen, who was enveloped in dark energy, and opened her arms as if to embrace her mother.

"Mother! Come back! Come back to my side!"

When the white light came into contact with the black aura surrounding the queen, it immediately produced a hissing sound, like cold water being poured into hot oil.

The black energy surged and dissolved violently, and the Queen's face contorted with even greater pain as she let out a mournful wail.

This scene caused the blood-red single eye in the magic mirror to erupt with boundless rage. The dark vortex spun even more wildly, and more tentacles stretched out from the magic circle, shooting towards Snow White like sharp thorns.

Bang bang bang!

Lin Yu wouldn't let it succeed. The moment the tentacles appeared, Azure Rose opened fire in quick succession, the bullets hitting several tentacles precisely and exploding them.

boom!

On the other side, because the story invaders changed their target, Merlin also dispelled his shield and slammed his staff into the ground.

In an instant, a ring of ice, blue in color, rose up from the ground and blocked Snow White and the Queen's path.

The ice wall trembled violently under the impact of the dark tentacles, sending ice shards flying everywhere.

With a roar, Gangxin unleashed his fighting spirit on his longsword, transforming into a streak of light as he slashed toward the side of the Demon Mirror.

The shadows also broke free from the entanglement of the Dark Guardians, and countless shadow spikes shot out from the shadows, piercing straight into the center of the mirror vortex.

On the other side, Lin Yu quickly stepped forward and came to the Queen and Snow White's side. Without saying a word, he took out a bottle of pure spring water and put the bottle mouth directly into the Queen's mouth.

The queen did not struggle; she seemed to have regained some of her senses and obediently drank the spiritual spring that Lin Yu had given her.

Purified by the spiritual spring, the black aura on her body dissipated even faster.

Side Quest ②: Help the Queen become the most beautiful woman in the world. (Due to interference from an unknown entity, this quest has changed; the new quest is to help the Queen escape the darkness.) (Completed)

The system notification sounded again.

The queen's black aura dissipated, and the black flames in her eyes were completely extinguished.

"Mother!" Snow White exclaimed and rushed forward.

The queen leaned weakly against her daughter's chest, looking at the anxious and concerned tears on her daughter's face, feeling the warm and pure aura emanating from her. The floodgates of memory opened suddenly, and regret, sorrow, fear... all sorts of emotions surged into her heart, turning into silent tears.

"Bai Xue... my child... I'm sorry... Mother is so sorry..." She reached out her hand, trembling, and stroked her daughter's cheek, her voice hoarse and full of guilt.

"It's alright, Mother, it's alright, it's good that you're back..." Snow White hugged her mother tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Now is not a good time for reminiscing. You two should wait until later to cry."

Lin Yu patted the mother and daughter on the shoulder and gave them a reminder.

The three of them are still next to the magic mirror.

"No!"

Speaking of the Magic Mirror, it blocked the attacks of Merlin, Steelheart, and Shadow, but because of this, it was unable to stop Lin Yu in time and could only watch helplessly as he purified the Queen.

After the queen was purified, the blood-red single eye in the magic mirror contracted its pupils and let out a deafening roar.

Its breath weakened once more.

Dark energy surged out of the mirror vortex like a tidal wave, but it clearly lacked momentum and became thin and chaotic.

Merlin keenly sensed the change, swung his staff, and a blazing white arcane shock slammed into the mirror. This time, the mirror no longer rippled, but instead developed fine cracks.

"Now's the time to destroy it!" Steelheart roared, his longsword, imbued with boundless battle aura, transformed into a golden streak of light, and once again slashed towards the densest part of the mirror's cracks.

Shadow also unleashed its full power of shadow, countless black spikes piercing the blood-red eye behind the mirror from all directions.

Lin Yu also raised the Azure Rose and launched Charged Shot 3.

Under these four blows, the magic mirror, which was already weakened and cracked due to the queen's purification, finally reached its limit.

Snap—Bang!

With a crisp, ear-piercing cracking sound, the enormous magic mirror completely disintegrated, turning into countless fragments that shimmered with ominous black light, scattering in all directions.

The swirling dark vortex in the center of the mirror let out a resentful shriek, then collapsed inward and vanished without a trace.

The blood-red eye cast an extremely venomous gaze at the last moment, imprinting itself firmly in the minds of everyone present, before shattering and disappearing like a phantom.

The surging dark energy within the palace seemed to have its source cut off, instantly losing its vitality and beginning to dissipate chaotically.

The light from the magic array on the ground dimmed rapidly, and the dark tentacles softened and dissipated as if they had lost their support.

"We did it!" Steelheart said, leaning on his sword and panting heavily.

"It's not over yet. The magic mirror was shattered, but the final boss is still alive and well."

Lin Yu put away the azure rose and said casually.

As if to confirm his words, just seconds after the magic mirror shattered, a deep and terrifying tremor resounded throughout Blackwood Castle and even the entire Darkwood Forest, as if some enormous creature was awakening underground, emitting a roar suppressed to the extreme.

"It's going to do something desperate." Lin Yu's lips curled into a mocking smile.

That guy was indeed incredibly angry at this moment, but Lin Yu could clearly sense that after the queen was purified, its current strength was probably less than half of what it used to be.

At this level, Lin Yu felt that he didn't even need the apartment's help; he and his group could easily handle that guy on their own.

"All the side quests are just missing the last one, 'Fairy Tale World'."

Merlin put away his staff, took out a bottle of mana potion, drank it, and said.

"Taking out the intruder in this story should be enough."

Steel Heart said casually.

"That's easy. Since it failed to bewitch Snow White, it can't even break the seal. So we just need to go to the place where it's sealed to solve the problem."

Shadow also spoke up.

"So where is it sealed?"

Lin Yu asked Shadow.

"Um... I don't know about that."

The shadows were somewhat embarrassed.

"If that's the problem, perhaps I can help you."

At this moment, the Queen, who had been standing behind Lin Yu, spoke up.

All eyes turned to her.

Looking at the people present, the queen's expression was slightly puzzled.

Because she actually knew all the people present, except for Shadow, who was a dwarf, as well as the other hunters, guards, and mages, but she had never realized that this group of people actually possessed such powerful abilities.

Of course, none of that mattered. She didn't want to think about it too much. As long as she could kill that monster, everything else was trivial.

Thinking of this, the queen spoke directly: "That monster is sealed in Mirror Lake in the center of the forest."

"I know where it is."

Shadow immediately spoke.

The dwarfs have memories of this place in their memories.

"Shall we get it done now?"

Steel Heart is eager to fight.

"Let's take a break and wait until tomorrow. We've encountered so many messy things today, everyone must be tired. Anyway, we still have plenty of time."

Lin Yu thought for a moment and then spoke.

He's already used up his chance to get help today, so just in case, it's best to wait until tomorrow.

"I'm fine with either."

Merlin nodded indifferently, and no one else objected.

Just as Lin Yu said, they had encountered enough today, so it was good to take a break.

……

After the magic mirror shattered and the queen was restored, the riots at Blackwood Castle quickly came to an end.

Most of the guards ceased resistance after the Queen intervened and gave orders, while a few dark guards who were deeply controlled by the story invaders were subdued.

Lin Yu and his entourage received the highest level of hospitality and were accommodated in the most comfortable guest rooms in the castle.

Although the queen was weak, she still mustered her strength and ordered all efforts to treat the wounded, appease the people, and begin to clean up the remaining dark atmosphere in the castle.

As night fell, the castle gradually returned to its former order. Although it was still shrouded in the shadow of the story's intruder, at least the interior was now at peace.

Lin Yu was in his room, carefully checking his own condition.

He estimated that, given their current state and with the help of other players, they had a high chance of defeating the greatly weakened story invader.

He looked out the window at the dark forest, where a deep-seated malice surged like a tide, filled with anxiety and anger, yet seemed to be bound by some force, unable to truly leave that area.

Clearly, this emotion is the intruder of that story.

Its power has been greatly weakened after its layout was destroyed by Lin Yu and others.

It was very anxious, but it was no use; it couldn't escape the seal.

……

The next morning, everyone gathered in the castle hall.

After a night's rest, everyone's energy and spirits have been greatly restored.

Although the queen's face was still pale, her eyes had regained their former sharpness and majesty, but when she looked at Snow White, there was a deep sense of guilt in them.

She changed into a dignified black dress, seemingly ready to personally witness the end of the invaders.

"Are you planning to have Snow White come with us?"

Looking at the slightly weak Queen and the resolute Snow White beside her, Lin Yu raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Yes, sir, although I don't want her to take the risk either, the seal on that monster can only be opened with the blood of the king, therefore..."

The queen was filled with guilt. She longed to take Snow White's place, but that was impossible. There were no other royal bloodlines remaining in Blackwood Castle for the time being, so Snow White had to go instead.

"Mr. Hunter, I won't hold you back."

Bai Xue had changed her dress into a leather armor set, which, combined with her tall figure, made her look quite impressive.

He looks a lot like a warrior.

Of course, this has to take into account her stunningly beautiful appearance.

"Alright."

Seeing her resolute attitude, Lin Yu did not stop her. At most, it would just be a waste of an apartment relocation card, which was not a big deal.

Moreover, she'll be needed to break the seal.

After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at the palace, the group left the castle under the Queen's worried gaze and entered the Darkwood Forest once again.

With shadowy figures and dwarves familiar with the path leading the way, the journey to "Mirror Lake" in the heart of the forest went exceptionally smoothly.

The dark creatures along the way seemed to have received a command; they did not stop them, but merely hid in the shadows and cast malicious glances.

The atmosphere was oppressive, but no one backed down.

"Looks like this guy was waiting for us too."

Sensing the increasingly dense darkness ahead, Lin Yu spoke.

"It seems they want to fight to the death on their home turf."

Merlin waved his staff, and a layer of shimmering shield enveloped everyone, dispelling the invisible mental pressure in the air.

Soon, they arrived at their destination.

The so-called "Mirror Lake" has water as black as ink, so viscous that it doesn't ripple at all, like a huge obsidian stone inlaid in the center of the forest.

In the middle of the lake is a small island, on which stands a dilapidated ancient stone formation. In the center of the formation, a dense, impenetrable mass of dark energy beats slowly like a heart.

The air was filled with a nauseating, rotten smell.

"According to the Queen, the seal is inside the stone formation." Shadow pointed to the island: "It requires a drop of royal blood to be placed on the core of the formation to open it."

"Let's go then."

Lin Yu nodded, then took out two small boats from his storage items and swam towards the island in the middle of the lake.

Stepping onto the island and into the stone formation, the group quickly located the center of the formation.

Snow White took a deep breath, stepped forward, and gently pricked her fingertip with her dagger, a drop of bright red blood falling onto the eye of the formation.

Om-!

As the blood droplets merged into the runes, the entire Mirror Lake trembled violently, and the scenery around everyone changed abruptly.

The forest has vanished, replaced by a distorted, fragmented space, as if pieced together from countless broken fairy tale scenes, filled with incongruity and eeriness.

"Welcome... to my domain..."