Rules of the Strange: I Can See Through All the Weird

Chen Jie, who was below the steps, gave a cold laugh.

Now that things have come to this, is there any way to salvage the situation?

But he still managed to ask, "What kind of business?"

"We're not targeting you, and you shouldn't target us. You know best in your heart that your brother's death has nothing to do with us. Don't let unfounded hatred blind you."

Chen Jie's eyes were red and swollen with tears.

Yes, he knows it better than anyone else, but he just can't let go. If he doesn't direct his hatred at others, he will endlessly blame himself.

She blamed herself for spoiling her brother too much when they entered the Dark Palace, giving him many items that he shouldn't have now.

That's why he often offends people in the dungeon, even the supernatural ones.

After a long pause, he finally found his voice: "What about the newcomer rankings?"

"The leaderboard will be updated. You've already passed the newbie stage. What you should do is become one of the best among the veterans, instead of being bound by this so-called ranking."

"There is only one me now, but there will be countless people like me in the future. Are you going to target every single one of them? Wouldn't that be a bit too much of a hassle?"

"I've found the conditions to clear the dungeon, but I still have one more thing to do. If you're willing to help me, I'll take you out, and you'll do things for me. Once we're out of this dungeon, we'll make peace."

Chen Jie was torn between two conflicting emotions.

Qi Tong was right. But he was just not willing to accept it.

Both sides have already retaliated against each other's hostility. If they manage to get out alive, it will be an endless confrontation.

Is it reconciliation or confrontation?

Chen Jie couldn't help but wonder what his purpose was in coming to this strange world.

It's money, it's to make my brother less tired.

Now that his brother is gone, why is he working so hard?

Looking back on his original intentions, Chen Jie realized how wrong he had been.

Regardless of his previous purpose, from now on, he has only one goal—to resurrect his brother.

Chen Jie looked at Qi Tong with bright eyes.

[Player Chen Jie's hatred towards the host has dropped to 20%. Host, it seems he really doesn't hate you anymore...]

Just as Chen Jie was about to speak, footsteps came from downstairs.

Qi Tong and Xu Ning were on high alert.

At this time, the only person going up to the third floor could be the hospital director who has finished his rounds!

Just as the hospital director reached the second floor, he saw two nurses escorting a patient downstairs.

Two nurses saw him and greeted him.

The dean nodded.

"This is?"

"Dean, this is a patient having an episode. He actually tried to run to the third floor, and we just caught him."

While being held captive, Chen Jie cooperated, and when he looked at the pig-headed man in front of him, he subconsciously thought that this was the pig-headed man he had beaten up.

Upon hearing Qi Tong mention the dean, Chen Jie realized that Qi Tong's progress had far surpassed his own.

Even before he knew of the dean's existence, Qi Tong was already able to calmly come up with a way to greet him.

The dean left with the words, "Administer the sedatives for a few more days," and headed towards the third floor.

Qi Tong and Xu Ning continued to escort Chen Jie downstairs before releasing him.

Although Chen Jie didn't say those words, the system's broadcast and Chen Jie's cooperation both indicated that he had agreed.

Qi Tong shared her thoughts.

"Now we need to identify the players whose names are still displayed on their nameplates, and bring them out so we can clear the game together."

Chen Jie and Xu Ning quickly rushed into the ward to verify; they had just left.

Qi Tong squatted down and looked at Shen Zhiyi, who had been following her.

"How do you intend to ruin the Dean's grand plan?" Qi Tong placed the pocket watch in Shen Zhiyi's hand.

Shen Zhiyi held the pocket watch, stared at it blankly for a while, then looked up with an unprecedented determination in her eyes.

"I want to save the patients here, and at the same time destroy this mental hospital. I want everything he has done to turn to ashes."

Qi Tong took out a white candle she had taken from the property library, lit it, and handed it to Shen Zhiyi.

"Then let this place turn to ashes, and let the patients who are like walking corpses, whose souls are trapped here in endless cycles of suffering, be freed."

"You hold the candle and light it wherever you want."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyi shed a tear. She reached out and wiped the tear with her sleeve. Holding the pocket watch in her left hand and the candle in her right, she walked step by step toward the end of the corridor.

The first place.

basement.

That place witnessed so much pain, anguish, and prayer from her and her patients.

Xu Ning and Chen Jie only found He Lu and Zhao Rui whose names were still visible on their nameplates.

Even Lu Jingchen and Song Xuening, who did not die but simply entered the treatment area, no longer had their names displayed on their nameplates.

Because of the rule against visiting other patients' rooms, the nurse on duty today quickly noticed that someone was visiting other patients' rooms. She lay in the break room, looked at the other nurses who were fast asleep, and reluctantly got up and came out.

Because of the sleeping pills, their shifts are relatively easy; they can slack off most of the time without having to keep an eye on things, but they can't sleep either.

Basically, I have nothing to do every night; I just play around all night and the night is over.

Today I suddenly sensed patients wandering between wards! Isn't that disruptive?!

Seeing patients in the lobby, she sternly reprimanded them, "Get back to your wards right now! Didn't I tell you not to come out at night?!"

Qi Tong stood still and asked casually, "Nurse, are you aware of the organ trafficking at this mental hospital?"

The tone was casual, as if asking if the weather was nice today.

The nurse immediately looked around nervously, unable to utter a word for a long time.

Instinctively, he reached into his pocket and grasped the syringe inside.

Upon seeing this, Qi Tong understood.

This place is full of ruthless monsters who eat people without blinking an eye.

Even the nurses—none of them were innocent.

-------

Back in his office, the dean admired his collection of antiques for a moment, then sat down in his chair and opened the first drawer.

Today he keeps thinking about his daughter, and can even feel her presence.

It's possible that I was hallucinating because I missed you so much.

He intended to read the newspaper about his daughter as usual.

I opened the drawer, and on top of it was a newspaper praising my daughter.

The dean narrowed his eyes dangerously; something was wrong.

He always puts the newspaper article about his daughter's award at the top after reading it.

Someone has been here!

He walked quickly to the safe and entered his daughter's birthday.

Everything is gone!

Who took the USB drive and his pocket watch?

He recalled the patients and nurses he encountered on his way upstairs.

It must be them!

The dean, still in his demonic form, angrily walked down the stairs.

He spotted the players gathered in the hall and his gaze fell on Qi Tong.

"It's not a good habit to break into the dean's office and take other people's things without permission, is it?"

"1067".

As the dean uttered the number 1067, Qi Tong felt a mysterious force pulling her nameplate closer to the dean.

In her eyes, the dean's face switched between a pig's head and a human face, getting closer and closer to her.

The dean gripped Qi Tong's neck tightly.

The player was ready to pull out his item, and Xu Ning moved her feet slightly closer to the dean.

"Give me back my things!"