Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After Hui Yulian’s explanation, everyone more or less understood the situation.

Players fell into two categories. The first were people like Ning Gaoqiang, who had been forced into an instance as a trial imposed by the gods.

The first beginner instance was generally not too difficult. It did not require much brainpower; as long as they did not court death, they would not die.

Hui Yulian belonged to the second category. As a veteran player, she could choose both her instance and its floor.

Players who had cleared the second floor, for example, could choose a first- or second-floor instance to hone their skills, build popularity, and earn the gods’ favor.

If they were lucky, they might even obtain an item. That was why she had come to this instance.

A second-floor player could not skip ahead to challenge a fourth-floor instance, so their only option was to return to a lower-level one. The lower the level, the easier it was to survive.

Of course, fewer challenges also meant fewer chances to win the gods’ favor.

“What about identity cards?” Ning Gaoqiang asked. “What are those?”

“That’s what I don’t understand either. Why would a first-floor instance have identity cards?”

Hui Yulian rubbed her chin. “Players with an identity card receive an additional mission, along with new clues and buffs. If that mission conflicts with the goals of most players, then that person is undoubtedly a traitor.”

Turning an ordinary instance into a game of Werewolf would leave them beset on all sides. They would have to struggle to stay alive while also guarding against murder by another player.

Their best course was to identify anyone with an identity card and keep a close watch on them, or even… kill them.

Thud.

Another student had fallen from the building. Now that they were on the fourth floor, the impact sounded even louder.

The novice players flinched. One clutched his head and began to mutter.

“I don’t want to play this game. Aaaah, I want to go home. I want to go home…”

Hui Yulian raised her voice. “Our priority is to follow the NPC’s instruction and get to know one another. Someone here really may know the test questions. They might not want to share, but I hope they’ll consider what’s best for everyone.”

As she delivered the last sentence, she cast a seemingly casual glance at Xiao Huai.

One glance was enough.

Several novice players looked at Xiao Huai with complicated expressions.

Xiao Huai, meanwhile, had already fallen asleep. His breathing was soft and even.

The novices: “…” He could sleep in a place like this?

A female player made a suggestion. “Hui, you said we’ll survive as long as we obey the rules. Could those rules be the school rules? There might be a school rulebook in this classroom. Should we look for it?”

“That’s a great idea. Great idea.” The others immediately approved.

Hui Yulian nodded. “It is. We still have thirteen minutes. Let’s search for the school rules first.”

“Okay!”

With a veteran taking the lead, everyone relaxed a little. If following the school rules was all it took to survive seven days, then perhaps this would not be so bad.

Before long, someone found a booklet.

Four large words were printed on the cover: Student Handbook.

“Found it! We found it! Everyone, come take a look!”

They were so excited that they could not stop chattering, their delight plain on every face.

Ten school rules had been handwritten inside the handbook.

[1. No shouting or running in the corridors.]

[2. Please wear your uniform when entering the teaching building.]

[3. Return to the dormitory to rest as soon as evening study ends.]

[4. Do not enter the third-floor restroom in the west teaching building after ten p.m.]

[5. Students must strive to improve. Every exam is important.]
[6. Students may visit other classrooms at will.]

[7. When under too much pressure, students may take certain measures to relieve it.]

[8. Do not enter the teachers’ offices between classes. If you have an academic question, ask it during class.]

[9. The school pays special attention to students transferred from No. 1 High School. Please earn excellent grades.]

[10. All homework must be completed.]

“There really are school rules! Look at the first and second ones. We’ve already confirmed both, so these must be real.”

Everyone took out pen and paper, copied the rules by hand, and began silently memorizing them.

They completely forgot about the placement test they would soon have to take.

Aside from the younger people present, who would still remember how to answer college entrance exam questions? Most of the older players simply gave up before the test even began.

When the time came, He Lecheng handed out the papers. The moment everyone received one, they began writing furiously.

Everyone except Xiao Huai, who was still asleep.

The test was eight pages long and covered only three subjects: Chinese, mathematics, and biology.

Those who had always excelled at English nearly broke down when they saw there was not a single English question. They could only start with the Chinese essay.

At least an essay might earn them a few points. Most had given up entirely on filling in lines of classical poetry.

For the average person, the only poem they could still remember was “Quiet Night Thoughts.”

The mathematics section was even more painful. Every problem looked as difficult as the final question on the college entrance exam.

Even players who had once earned decent exam scores were on the verge of collapse.

They glanced at Xiao Huai, sleeping soundly, and suddenly felt he might have made a pretty good choice.

They were given three hours. When time ran out, He Lecheng collected the papers himself. Every player except Xiao Huai had at least completed the multiple-choice section.

Just before He Lecheng took Xiao Huai’s paper, Xiao Huai woke with a dazed expression, picked up his pen, and wrote down his name.

Then he put a C beside the first multiple-choice question in the Chinese section. That was his entire answer sheet.

He Lecheng reached his desk and looked at the paper. His expression darkened. He tapped lightly on the desk, as though telling Xiao Huai to answer properly.

Xiao Huai rubbed his eyes, yawned, and stretched, utterly unconcerned about the exam.

“Hey, man, how can you be so calm?” The player seated in front of him dragged a finger across his throat. “Aren’t you afraid they’ll… if you fail?”

Xiao Huai glanced at him. “I am. Of course I am.”

There was not a trace of fear in his face. If anything, his eyes held a teasing glint.

The player in front: “…” So were you afraid or not?!

“That’s the best I can do. Nothing I can do about it.”

He waved a hand and frowned slightly, looking very put upon.

Before long, He Lecheng finished collecting the tests and stood at the lectern arranging them. Xiao Huai suddenly raised his hand.

“Mr. He, I have an academic question I’d like to ask.”

He Lecheng arched a brow. “Oh? You? Have a question?”

Three questions in a row, each more incredulous than the last.

Xiao Huai, the supposed hopeless student, ignored his tone. He took out pen and paper and assumed the earnest posture of someone eager to learn. “Yes, sir. May I?”

When he uttered those last two words with a hint of pleading, everyone turned to look. Combined with that face, the effect was overwhelming.

The contempt in He Lecheng’s eyes faded a little. He seemed to believe that Xiao Huai truly wanted to improve.

“All right. Come here and let me take a look.”