Annie's words stirred up memories in the other two as well. Blake picked up the thread:
"That's right. That bonfire ceremony only had him as the outsider. We thought he was a man of few words, who knew he could talk that much?!"
The NPCs' gazes grew distant, as if returning to that ceremony from years ago.
—At the solemn and dignified ritual, the young man chosen by prophecy stepped onto the stage. All the townsfolk assumed he would briefly summarize his story in a few sentences. Unexpectedly, after a short silence, he began to share.
"Sharing beautiful people or things? In that case, let me talk about my younger brother."
Although his face remained expressionless, his description was vivid. The townsfolk quickly immersed themselves in the scenes he painted, growing envious that this outsider had such an adorable treasure.
But as two full hours passed and the man showed no sign of stopping, someone finally couldn't help but ask the soul-searching question:
"Are you done yet?"
The man paused for a few seconds. "No. According to the order, I'll probably need another six hours." He then asked, "Your bonfire ceremony lasts the entire night, doesn't it?"
The townsfolk: "???"
"..."
Annie ended the recollection, closing her eyes and murmuring, "God… that was truly the most unforgettable ceremony of my life."
---
Yu Deng sat beside them, listening to their complaints about that man. The more he listened, the more familiar it sounded.
This kind of grumbling… it felt strangely familiar. He seemed to have heard similar complaints many times before entering the Infinite World.
An inexplicable sense of guilt welled up in him, and he instinctively defended that stranger of a player.
"Maybe… maybe the bond between the brothers was just really good," Yu Deng lowered his lashes, his voice softening. "My brothers and I are very close too. Sometimes they're like that."
"Is that so? Well…" Annie stared at Yu Deng for a few seconds. "If that young man's little brother was as pretty and adorable as you, then it's understandable."
The three townsfolk stopped criticizing the brother-obsessed man and instead began talking about the madman who had blown up half the town, angrily cursing him again.
Yu Deng shrank into his cloak, not daring to reveal that he actually enjoyed destroying dungeons. Still, a player capable of wrecking such a large town must have been a powerful big shot… If that person were still alive, they'd probably be in the top ten rankings.
Yu Deng didn't interrupt. He listened quietly, committing information about past players to memory.
He wondered whether traces left by players were remembered only by certain NPCs, or whether they could leave behind physical items.
Suppressing these doubts, Yu Deng found himself more concerned about Mara's resurrection, and apparent rejuvenation.
"In any case, I truly don't wish to see more outsiders coming to our peaceful and beautiful town," Annie concluded.
Her emotions grew agitated as she stood up. As her linen dress lifted slightly, it revealed what she had hidden beneath the skirt—an obese, writhing mass. It was not human legs, but a dark brown body that constantly pulsed and shifted.
Yu Deng: "!?"
Startled by the grotesque sight, he instinctively stepped back and fumbled to pull out his scalpel in defense.
"Oh? Did I scare you?" Annie's smile remained unchanged. "I thought you already knew. So you've only just arrived in town?"
Yu Deng let out a small whimper and turned to look at the other two.
Mara, who had risen from death, smiled at him. Her golden hair tilted slightly, revealing a malformed long horn. The red-haired boy Blake shyly brushed aside his bangs, showing him four eyes on his forehead.
Yu Deng: "..." Wuwu… this kind of appearance was still a bit too avant-garde for him.
He subtly edged backward, trying to move toward the door. Annie noticed and reassured him.
"Oh, don't be afraid. We may dislike outsiders, but you're different, little cutie."
Yu Deng hesitated before gathering his courage to ask, "So… what exactly is going on?"
"Because we are blessed by God," Mara answered patiently. "The river of time pauses for us. Divine light shines eternally. The fallen land grants everlasting existence."
God…?
Yu Deng fell into thought.
The pitch-black unknown creature he encountered at the mayor's house—could that be what the townsfolk considered God? But that thing didn't look very smart…
Still, piecing together all the information he'd gathered, he felt like he finally understood the nature of this town.
Counting on his fingers, Yu Deng tried to integrate the clues he'd encountered since entering the dungeon, forming a hypothesis about its background.
Long ago, this town had probably been like countless ordinary towns. The people lived off agriculture and fishing. Due to environmental factors, they frequently suffered from blizzards and disasters, constantly worrying about survival. They began to pray for protection. As more and more people wished to be free from cold, heat, hunger, and pain, the so-called god descended.
The townsfolk experienced collapse and ruin, but their aged bodies could become young and strong again. They no longer feared illness or hunger. The price was simple—becoming no longer human.
Having reasoned this far, Yu Deng looked up at the strangely shaped yet blissfully smiling NPCs and felt a chill run down his spine.
[Ding. Congratulations, Player Yu Deng, for unlocking the dungeon background.]
[In this hidden town, the townsfolk live and work in peace and happiness. They worship a god that brings eternity and beauty. They are fanatical, paranoid, and despise outsiders. They are—the God's blessed.]
Yu Deng reread the description, and his dizzy mind finally cleared. So this entire town was essentially worshipping that god.
[He got NPC clues so easily—type "Deng Deng baby is everyone's darling" in the chat!!]
[Hehe, baby's getting faster and faster at clearing dungeons. Such a good baby.]
[But this A-rank dungeon's main storyline is even simpler than his previous ones.]
[Because this isn't a difficulty dungeon.]
[The difficulty is probably in the multiplayer competition—or traps that haven't appeared yet. The dungeon lasts three days. It's almost been twenty-four hours. Maybe a new mechanic will appear soon.]
Yu Deng looked at the eerie yet relatively friendly townsfolk and tried to remain calm.
"If God is so powerful… then when is the next bonfire ceremony?"
"There's no fixed time," Mara replied. "Whenever we need to offer blessings or make wishes to God, we hold one. Sometimes the diviner tells us an appropriate time."
Yu Deng nodded. "Oh…"
A vague, not-yet-formed idea surfaced in his mind. He fiddled with his fingers, hesitating before asking further.
Now that he knew the dungeon background, the more important issue was the temple and the treasure. For some reason, he was especially concerned about the treasure that determined ranking.
Eliminating players and plundering points far exceeded the initial two-million-point reward for first place. Yet the dungeon still defined obtaining the temple treasure as first place. That could only mean one thing—the treasure's value far surpassed several million points gained from eliminations.
After a moment of silence, Yu Deng cautiously probed, "I've heard there's treasure hidden in God's dwelling. Do you know what it is?"
Annie's gaze sharpened slightly. Yu Deng blinked innocently.
"No, we don't know," Blake, already completely charmed, answered eagerly. "I only know that the diviner once prophesied that only one chosen lucky person can obtain the true treasure."
[Ding. Congratulations, Player Yu Deng, for discovering a hidden rule: The temple treasure will have only one owner. If more than one player remains alive in the dungeon, it cannot be obtained.]
Yu Deng inhaled sharply. "?!"
If he wanted the item, wouldn't he have to eliminate all other players?
...
After learning that these townsfolk weren't human, Yu Deng felt uneasy sitting in the cabin. He chatted a little longer before making an excuse to leave.
Before he left, the red-haired boy Blake stuffed a bracelet-like item into his hand as a friendly gift.
Yu Deng accepted it in confusion and thanked him. The system prompt followed.
[Ding. Player Yu Deng has obtained a key item. Points +50,000.]
Now he had 400,000 points.
With a head full of information, Yu Deng headed toward the town center.
Soon, he saw Qin Jun and Cheng Xiao hurrying over.
"Deng Deng!"
They each grabbed one of his arms, anxiously checking on him.
Cheng Xiao looked droopy and guilty, like a house dog blaming itself for failing to protect its master.
"I already said I'm fine." Yu Deng pulled his hands back and patted them both. He took out the shattered reflective mirror and handed it to Qin Jun. "Thanks for the item—but I broke it..."
"It's fine."
Qin Jun pulled Yu Deng into his arms and murmured, "As long as you're okay."
...
After regrouping, they returned to the town center while searching for temple clues. Yu Deng generously shared some key information with them.
As evening approached, thin mist filled their vision, though the sky never turned completely dark. Yu Deng glanced up, calculating the time, it had almost been twenty-four hours since he entered the dungeon.
Half an hour later, he frowned.
"Why do I suddenly feel so dry and stuffy…" He tugged at his collar beneath the cloak. "It's uncomfortable…"
Qin Jun's expression turned serious. "I feel something abnormal too. The dungeon must have changed."
It felt like… a yearning to stay here. A desire to sink into eternal happiness.
All remaining players then heard the announcement.
[Ding. From this moment, players within collapse-warning zones will continuously generate mutation effects. Players within the miasma zone will continuously accumulate weakening and mutation statuses.]
Yu Deng closed his eyes tiredly.
This really felt like a shrinking safe zone mechanic… but this dungeon was unreasonable, the entire area was miasma. There was no safe zone at all.
The broadcast continued.
[Ding. Once mutation reaches 90% or above, special dungeon protection will be removed. Eliminated players will be unable to exit the dungeon and will be considered dead.]
[When only one player remains, the dungeon may end early.]
[From 8 PM to 4 AM, every two hours the mini-map will refresh. Players can view other players' location ranges. Note: only approximate zones, and anonymous information.]
Listening to the new rules, Yu Deng finally reacted.
Even if someone found the temple on the first day, it was useless. The dungeon clearly wanted players to slaughter one another.
"Baby, be careful," Cheng Xiao tightened his grip on his dagger. "The new rules will force players to eliminate each other. The next two days will be dangerous."
They chose a sturdy cabin nearby as a base instead of returning to the center, layered it with defensive items, and waited for the collapse zone refresh.
The miasma grew thicker. Protected between the two of them, Yu Deng watched as they swiftly dealt with two players attempting an ambush.
When the collapse zone refreshed, three warning areas appeared—mostly in the surrounding mountains.
A day had passed. Probably all players were already in town.
The miasma thickened further. Yu Deng was talking to Qin Jun and Cheng Xiao—but when he looked up again, they were gone.
What?!
He stood up in confusion, but the fog blocked his sight. He didn't dare shout.
Taking cautious steps inside the cabin, he turned back—only to find even the cabin had disappeared.
This miasma was strange and terrifying.
"Tongtong…" Yu Deng tried to stay calm. "This miasma makes people get lost…"
[Host, don't be afraid.] System 01 comforted him. [You've obtained the key item.]
The item? Oh, right—the lantern.
Yu Deng took it out. Instantly, the area lit up and the miasma receded.
He finally saw where he was—at the edge of a collapse zone.
So under the miasma's influence, even if players reached town during the day, they could still be forced back into collapse zones?
He hid behind a tree, keeping the lantern partially concealed.
Crunch. Footsteps approached. Soon, a male player appeared. Seeing Yu Deng's mysterious merchant outfit, his eyes lit up and he charged straight at him.
Yu Deng quickly checked his mask and raised his scalpel.
The player used a speed-boost item and rushed forward—only to impale himself on the scalpel before Yu Deng could react.
Laughing wildly as he fell, he shouted, "Finally leaving this trash dungeon! I don't care about points! You won't mutate me! You won't corrupt me! If you think you can shake my faith in communism—no way!"
Yu Deng watched him disappear.
It was hard to say whether the man was strong-willed or insane. Either way, Yu Deng felt a trace of respect.
Under the mutation mechanic, being eliminated by another player was sometimes the better option.
Compared to outright death, losing points wasn't so bad. Some laid-back players even wanted to be eliminated.
Yu Deng gained zero points from that suicidal player.
As the mini-map refreshed, he noticed at least five players nearby—and very close.
He didn't know if they were randomly teleported or deliberately blocking escape from the collapse zone.
He tensed into a defensive stance.
Suddenly, he felt something cold.
He shuddered and swung his scalpel, but before he could cry out, his mouth was covered.
"...Mmph."
It was that pitch-black creature from earlier.
Though they had only met half a day ago, it acted as if three years had passed—excitedly wrapping around him. Its massive cold body pressed against him. One tentacle slipped into his cloak, teasing his warm, soft skin.
Yu Deng's tailbone tingled. His lashes trembled.
"W-What are you doing…? I'm busy…"
Before he could finish, a subtle movement appeared ahead.
A sharp metal projectile shot toward him. A figure darted forward.
Before Yu Deng could defend himself, the creature's tentacle lashed out—swatting away the projectile and knocking the attacker unconscious, instantly eliminating him.
Yu Deng froze mid-motion. "???" That works too?
He stared at the elimination notice and the mini-map. "One red dot's gone… but there are still many around."
The creature listened. Dozens of eyes sprouted on its tentacles, carefully observing Yu Deng.
Its beloved beautiful human was a mysterious merchant.
And merchants make trades.
Oh. It understood.
When another player tried to attack, it eliminated that one too.
Yu Deng's lips parted slightly.
The dark tentacles wrapped around his waist. One boldly explored beneath his cloak while others nuzzled his cheek ingratiatingly.
After locking eyes with the tentacle-eyes for a long moment, Yu Deng finally understood.
It was… negotiating.
"Y-You…" He began to speak, only to be touched somewhere he shouldn't. He let out a soft sound, his body going weak as he leaned against the cold embrace.
"You want to make a deal with me…? But, but…"
Sensing the tremor in his voice, the tentacles moved more eagerly across his body, silently confirming the terms.
—For every player it eliminated, he would have to "help" it once.