Chapter 130: Infinite Cannon Fodder (20)

Having his female question his ability clearly added a layer of embarrassment for Medius. In nature, males often engaged in fierce battles to compete for mates, with only the victors being able to claim a female.

As a siren, monstrosity flowed in Medius’s blood from birth. This was his first time desiring a mate of his own; he believed he deserved her, yet his wounds made it seem like she doubted his ability to protect her.

He had been deemed unworthy.

Does her body carrying another’s scent mean I’m not strong enough?

Medius couldn’t blame the female; she had the right to choose. It was he who failed to present his best self before her.

“I understand now,” Medius said, lowering his head to conceal the dark and terrifying expression on his face. “I won’t let you down, Lingling.”

He would make sure no one could ever harm her or take her away!

Medius left the hall, enveloped in a gloomy aura. The players didn’t dare make a sound, silently watching as that tall and handsome man disappeared from their view.

What kind of monster was Medius exactly? Zhuang Wu pressed a hand against her chest, still feeling the lingering fear—she’d felt as if she were about to be swallowed by the sea! She looked up at NPC Lingling, who seemed completely oblivious to the storm she had inadvertently stirred. Sitting by the table, Lingling lazily awaited Bai Bei’s feeding.

Unable to wait any longer, Zhuang Wu swiftly approached Tong Ling. With genuine concern etched on his face, he said, “Lingling, I’m relieved you’re unharmed. From now on, don’t try to be so strong by yourself. If you’re ever afraid, remember that we’re here for you.”

Mu Bai quickly chimed in, “That’s right! I think our gathering here is… fate. Whatever you need in the future, feel free to come to us!”

Zhuang Wu wanted to further bond with Lingling, but her expression showed weariness. Moreover, Bai Bei promptly emerged from the kitchen, leaving them little chance to speak before they were politely ushered aside.

Bai Bei then attentively cared for Lingling, being so considerate that Zhuang Wu couldn’t find a way to help. When Lingling finally retired to her room to rest, their opportunities to interact diminished even more. This growing separation made Zhuang Wu increasingly anxious.

“What should we do?” Zhuang Wu fretted. “Lingling is crucial to our survival now, but she’s constantly accompanied by Bai Bei. We barely have a chance to improve her favor.” He never imagined there would come a day when progressing through a dungeon required strategizing ways to increase an NPC’s affection—a task that seemed less like tackling a horror scenario and more akin to navigating a romance plotline.

No, perhaps it was a horror-infused romance plotline.

“I should’ve tried to win her over when I could still communicate with Lingling,” Mu Bai lamented. When Li Yun was alive, Lingling had shown great interest in them. But after his death, fear gripped the castle’s inhabitants, causing Lingling to approach them with caution.

They had missed their best chance to earn favor from this NPC.

“Yuan Ju, any ideas?” Mu Bai asked. Among the players, only Yuan Ju had spent significant time alone with Lingling, who also seemed particularly fond of him—a fact that made Mu Bai quite envious. “Can you think of a way for Lingling to take care of both Bei Bei and Medius?”

Yuan Ju rolled his eyes at Mu Bai’s request. “No.”

Mu Bai knew he was being unrealistic but muttered anyway, “If I had your face, I’d probably be able to charm her too.”

Yuan Ju fell silent, somewhat annoyed by this response. He countered, “Do you really think she’s that easy to fool? She’s used to people trying to impress her. Despite how well Bei Bei treated her, did it change her behavior even slightly?”

In a hushed tone, Mu Bai remarked, “Who pays attention to a love-struck beta anyway?”

Zhuang Wu sighed helplessly, “Didn’t you see how well they got along today?”

“So is this one of those stories where the devoted beta finally gets everything he desires after all his efforts?” Mu Bai pondered aloud before suddenly startling everyone with a question. “Wait, do you guys think Chu Yue’s death was actually Miya’s doing?”

Yuan Ju shook his head. “Regardless of whether it’s him or not, since he willingly let Lingling lock him up, it means he won’t make any moves.”

“Could this be one of Bao Bei’s tricks?” Mu Bai’s mind raced at that moment. “He killed Chu Yue and framed Miya, all with the aim of driving away all the men around Lingling.”

Zhuang Wu analyzed the situation, “So his next target would be Medius?”

“No, his next target is me,” Yuan Ju said, his expression darkening. “Tonight, you two watch out for each other. I’ll stay alone in a separate room.”

“That’s too dangerous!” Mu Bai frowned deeply. “We only have three people left; we shouldn’t split up!”

“I can take care of myself.” After saying this, Yuan Ju fell silent. Seeing Yuan Ju’s grim face, both Mu Bai and Zhuang Wu tactfully closed their mouths.

While it was still daytime, they searched the castle once more but found nothing as before.

Unlike previous dungeons, this one lacked any hints or clues. All information resided within the NPCs themselves.

Mu Bai couldn’t predict how many days they’d need to endure here. The unceasing downpour above cast an ominous shadow over everyone’s hearts.

For dinner, Tong Ling—awakened by Bao Bei earlier—went to Qiao Qian’s room and coaxed her out after she had been holed up inside for so long.

Qiao Qian had changed her dress, washed up, and tidied herself. She emerged feeling refreshed, prompting Tong Ling to effusively praise her: “Qianqian, you look absolutely beautiful!”

Blushing, Qiao Qian allowed Tong Ling to link arms with her as they drew closer. She leaned in, speaking softly.

“I’ve dreamed again,” she whispered. Unlike her previous dejection, a glint of hope sparkled in Qiao Qian’s eyes. “I know where the altar is now!”

“Where?” Tong Ling asked curiously.

Qiao Qian glanced down towards the lower levels. “Underground.”

“The castle has a basement,” Qiao Qian explained. “I saw it clearly—the altar is there, along with inscribed runes and the formation needed for the god-summoning ritual.”

Perhaps sensing a glimmer of survival, Qiao Qian’s face couldn’t mask her rising excitement. “We must find a way into the basement and destroy that formation, preventing the ritual from proceeding!”

“How do we get into the basement?” While observing NPC behavior, Tong Ling also kept an eye on the players’ actions. The group had thoroughly searched the castle multiple times; if there were a basement, they would have found it long ago. Yet, their efforts yielded nothing.

Qiao Qian hesitated before saying, “This… I don’t know.”

“I only remember the images from my dream,” she continued, her voice strained as she clutched her forehead with pain. “That person was holding a mass of bloody flesh in his hand. He carried me down the stairs, step by step.” Her face contorted further as she added, “I didn’t see how he managed to descend; all I recall is that the staircase seemed endless, and it was pitch-black inside…”

“It’s alright,” Tong Ling offered comfort. “We’ll think of ways to search during the day. Maybe if you dream about it again at night, you’ll catch more detailed glimpses.”

Qiao Qian nodded vigorously, her hands clenched into fists. “I’ll try my best to memorize the scenes from my dreams. And I have a feeling that the day of the séance ritual… isn’t far off.”

Dinner tonight was exceptionally lavish. The finest foods were placed before Tong Ling, and her wine glass was generously filled.

Medius hadn’t come downstairs. The three players—Tong Ling included—and three NPCs sat facing each other across the table. Yuan Ju, seated directly opposite Tong Ling, glanced shyly at her. No matter what Tong Ling did next, his gaze subtly followed her every move.

His courage has grown, she thought to herself.

In other words, Yuan Ju had begun openly expressing his affection for her.

As Tong Ling took a bite of the dish, found it delicious, and ate several more mouthfuls, Yuan Ju spoke up, “I made this. I hope it meets your taste.”

Tong Ling’s eyes sparkled with interest. Resting her chin on one hand, she fixed her gaze steadily on the young man across from her. “It was just okay at first, but knowing you made it…”

Yuan Ju could feel Bai Bei’s eyes watching them from the side—a gaze devoid of any kindness, sending an inexplicable chill through him.

He deliberately ignored that man, focusing all his attention on the woman before him.

Since he’s already glaring at me, Yuan Ju thought, what’s there left to hide? As long as Lingling is here, no matter how much this man hates me, he won’t dare do anything.

Bai Bei wouldn’t risk revealing his true nature in front of Lingling; by choosing to retaliate only in secret, he’d doomed himself to be a monster lurking in the shadows, unfit for daylight!

“How did I do?” Yuan Ju asked, staring intently at Tong Ling as if anxious.

“Food prepared with ‘heart’ will always be delicious,” Tong Ling replied with a smile.

The corners of Yuan Ju’s lips curved into a subtle arc. “Then I suppose there couldn’t possibly be anything more delectable than this.”

Zhuang Wu and Mu Bai were left speechless.

Has something extraordinary just happened? Did Yuan Ju just publicly flirt with NPC Lingling?

Qiao Qian frowned; she couldn’t swallow a bite of her dinner. Once Tong Ling finished eating and left the table, Qiao Qian hastily reminded her, “Lingling, you must be careful.”

“He… Those wearing bracelets—anyone approaching you has ulterior motives!”

Tong Ling tucked stray strands of hair behind Qiao Qian’s ear as she gently said, “I understand.”

Only then did Qiao Qian reluctantly head upstairs, glancing back at every step.

After returning to her room, Tong Ling first went to wash up in the bathroom. When she emerged from the bathroom fully dressed for bed, she immediately sensed that something was amiss.

Someone had entered her room despite its tightly closed door. A lump protruded from beneath the covers on her bed, and as if afraid she might miss it, this person even… shifted slightly.

Approaching the bed, Tong Ling casually lifted the quilt. The disheveled youth hidden beneath revealed a face flushed red by confinement. He seemed to have rushed over straight from the shower, still damp with moisture. Though he possessed a pure, clean, and strikingly handsome appearance, lying there on her bed right now, the word “pure” simply didn’t fit the scene.

His T-shirt neckline was noticeably stretched wider than earlier, exposing half of his shoulder and collarbone. The hem of his shirt had been rolled up, revealing a lean waist with well-defined abs and V-cut.

As Tong Ling scanned his body, she could sense that he was tense all over. Yet his eyes were hazy, expression dreamy; upon closer sniffing, she detected the scent of alcohol. It was as if he’d acted on this impulsive boldness only after getting drunk.

Meanwhile, m577—having processed much of this small world’s progression—chanced upon the host’s situation and found himself stunned, questioning his very existence at the sight before him.

【Has his brain short-circuited?! Knowing full well who you are… yet he still throws himself at you!】

“Such racket,” Tong Ling grumbled. “Don’t be so dramatic. Is there something strange about this?”

Mimicking Edvard Munch’s The Scream, m577 adopted an exaggerated expression of horror:

【Everything is strange here! He shouldn’t—at least not in any circumstances…】

“You’re the one who told players I’m a top-tier ‘good girl.’ Isn’t it normal for him to come seduce me?” Tong Ling scoffed coldly. “Or have you been bad-mouthing me behind my back now?”

m577 chuckled dryly. “I can’t praise you enough! But aren’t you supposed to be all-loving in front of players, Sister Ling? Most people wouldn’t dare challenge such a ‘perfect’ woman as you!”

Tong Ling’s lips curled slightly as she spoke to her own foolish system with an unspoken message, “So only extraordinary men come looking for me.”

Yuan Ju, exposed and being scrutinized, fought back his urge to flee. He feigned drunkenness, softly calling out to the woman before him, “Lingling…”

Tong Ling’s voice was devoid of emotion. “How did you get inside? And how did you end up on my bed?”

Yuan Ju didn’t expect that even in this state, he could still leave her unmoved! He blinked, then whispered barely audibly, “I-I’m not sure… I just wanted to see you…”

Tong Ling suppressed a laugh. She couldn’t tell what abilities or methods this player Yuan Ju possessed, but purely from a seduction standpoint, his approach was too direct and naive.

He likely had no prior experience tempting others this way; his stiff posture lacked much allure.

“Well, now that you’ve seen, you may leave.”

As Tong Ling finished speaking, Yuan Ju’s eyes turned red—not from arousal, but anger.

He bolted upright on the bed, his voice tinged with shame and indignation. “Can’t you… Can’t you tell why I came here?!”

Tong Ling feigned ignorance. “Why?”

Yuan Ju realized NPC Lingling was deliberately teasing him. He slammed his fist against the headboard in frustration. “Do you really want me to say it out loud?”

Tong Ling chuckled softly. “You don’t have to. Whether I listen or not is irrelevant.”

Yuan Ju fell silent.

Damn, she’s forcing my hand!

Yuan Ju had always been a steady and reliable player in this infinite survival game. Never did he imagine he’d find himself repeatedly losing composure in this godforsaken subplot. His entire being felt like it was on the verge of collapse.

This is for completing the subplot! Yuan Ju urged himself, Just bear with it, just a little longer.

“I…” Yuan Ju choked out, ”…I like you.”

“So liking someone means climbing into their bed?” Tong Ling reached out, lifting one side of Yuan Ju’s collar to cover his exposed shoulder. “Boys who are so casual will end up unwanted.”

Yuan Ju gritted his teeth, seizing Lingling’s wrist. “Then do you want me or not?” he demanded forcefully. “Answer me!”