Chapter 16: The Eerie Wooden Cabin
Ji Ning answered correctly and disengaged from the Lewd Cruise world. The white light enveloping her was so blindingly intense that she shut her eyes instinctively. When she opened them again, she found herself inside a small Wooden Cabin.
The clothes she wore were the same ones from before the car accident, as if everything that happened on the cruise had been nothing more than a dream.
Ji Ning studied the cabin around her. It was furnished with a soft bed, matching desks and cabinets, and everything one could possibly need. It was well-appointed in every way, though the space itself was limited—just a master bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
The only wooden window looked out onto a grassy slope, with sunlight spilling over wildflowers. It seemed idyllic at first glance. Ji Ning stared for a moment, then noticed that the wild grass and flowers were completely still. The scenery outside the window was like a static oil painting, not real at all, which struck her as somewhat eerie.
As for the whole space, apart from a single sealed, unopenable window, there was no door.
Ji Ning went into the kitchen to take a look. The vegetables and fruit in the baskets were all very fresh, as if they had just been picked.
Despite the strangeness, Ji Ning was genuinely a bit hungry. After all, she had seen far stranger things already—what was one more oddity?
She washed an apple and sat on the sofa to eat, taking the opportunity to survey the entire room.
Just then, a light screen suddenly lit up in front of Ji Ning. Her information was prominently displayed on the interface.
Below a formal photograph followed a string of descriptions.
Name: Ji Ning
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Measurements: 82, 53, 89
Number: 6
Points: 100
Popularity: 320
Achievements: Newcomer Leaderboard No. 1
Instances Completed: 1
Next Instance Countdown: 11:47:33
Instances Remaining Until New World Entry Ticket: 29
Exchange Identity: Insufficient Points, Not Activated
After reading through her information, Ji Ning, filled with curiosity, tapped on the differently colored words "New World." Immediately, the light screen switched to a video clip. The footage displayed a breathtaking aerial world, a city planned with an intensely futuristic aesthetic—towering steel structures and lush plant life, with even deer strolling through the city gardens.
So… did the New World entry ticket mean that after surviving 29 more worlds, she could go live there?
Ji Ning's heart pounded wildly.
If this was real, wasn't this not just a second chance at life, but the equivalent of landing residency in a top-tier metropolis?
After calming her turbulent emotions, Ji Ning mentally closed her personal information interface and proceeded to tap open and inspect every option available to her.
Ji Ning saw that she had an achievement: Newcomer Leaderboard No. 1. Her first instinct was to check the leaderboard.
There were three leaderboards in total: the Points Leaderboard, the Popularity Leaderboard, and the Newcomer Leaderboard.
The Newcomer Leaderboard she was on had one hundred players, all of whom had only experienced a single instance. Ji Ning's points weren't the highest, yet she firmly held the top spot, entirely due to her Popularity score of 320. She just didn't know how that Popularity score was calculated.
Afterward, Ji Ning carefully examined the Points Leaderboard and Popularity Leaderboard. Both also only displayed the top one hundred players.
Scanning the names on the lists, Ji Ning finally understood why Xing Ye had been so lionized by players during the Lewd Cruise.
Including the Lewd Cruise, he had only completed six instances, yet he appeared on the Points Leaderboard, surpassing many players who had gone through seven, eight, or even more instances.
According to Ji Ning's guess, the higher the instance difficulty, the higher the points rewarded. This meant Xing Ye had successfully cleared a high-difficulty instance.
That was how he could skip ahead of players with the same number of instances and break into the top hundred of the Points Leaderboard.
Furthermore, Xing Ye's Popularity score was as high as 4579, placing him 17th on the Popularity Leaderboard.
Just as Ji Ning was thinking about Xing Ye, the human-shaped icon on her panel suddenly lit up.
She tapped it open, and a prompt appeared on the interface.【Player No. 12, Xing Ye, requests to add you as a friend. Accept?】
Of course, Ji Ning chose to accept.
A chat window resembling a certain green messaging app popped up on the panel, along with a message from Xing Ye.
Xing Ye: Congratulations on First Place on the Newcomer Leaderboard. Did you find the answer you were seeking?
Ji Ning replied: Thank you, Brother Xing Ye. I found the answer. I'll work hard.
While waiting for Xing Ye's reply, Ji Ning studied how he had added her as a friend.
It turned out that after tapping add friend, a list of players from completed instances would appear. Ji Ning could only select players from the Lewd Cruise. Moreover, the names of players who had failed to clear and been eliminated by the system were grayed out. Names of players still in the instance lacked color. Only Xing Ye's name was lit up.
Ji Ning noticed that Player No. 2, Jiang Shiyu's name, had already turned gray. Even though she didn't like her, she still sighed with a hint of regret.
Xing Ye replied: Can we video call?
Ji Ning: Sure!
Immediately, Xing Ye sent a video request. Ji Ning accepted.
Xing Ye had just finished a shower, a bath towel wrapped around his waist as he dried his hair with another towel. Ji Ning's light screen was filled with the sight of his chest and abdominal muscles. Her face instantly turned redder than the apple in her hand.
Seeing that Ji Ning seemed in good condition, Xing Ye gave a faint smile. "Rest well. There's only twelve hours of rest between two instances."
"O-okay." Freed from the instance, Ji Ning's mindset had reverted. The video call atmosphere with Xing Ye was so charged with intimacy that she couldn't help but recall the scenes of them having sex in the instance.
Ji Ning shifted her focus, asking, "Brother Xing Ye, will we run into each other in the same instance again in the future?"
"Hard to say. It's all random."
Ji Ning felt disappointment settle in, but then she heard him continue, "I hope I'll get the chance to meet you again."
His voice was husky and alluring, his gaze deep, as if suppressing desire. It made Ji Ning's heart race.
Although Xing Ye was reluctant to hang up the video, looking any longer would only make things harder for him. He spoke up, "Alright, you rest well. Good luck clearing the next instance. Message me when you get out."
Ji Ning nodded gently. "Okay, you too. Good luck clearing."
"Good girl, you hang up first." Xing Ye waved.
Ji Ning waved back. "Well then, goodbye, Brother Xing Ye." Then, with a sense of reluctance, she ended the video call.
After chatting with Xing Ye, Ji Ning's mood lifted considerably. She finished the apple and then headed to the bathroom to wash her hair, shower, and tidy up. Afterward, she changed into sleepwear she found in the wardrobe and lay down on the soft bed.
Having been thoroughly exhausted by two days inside the instance, Ji Ning slept soundly for a full ten hours. When she woke up, there were only half an hour left until the next instance.
She changed into a white dress, tied up her hair, and after studying the light panel interface for a while, sent a message to Xing Ye.
Ji Ning: About to enter the next instance. A little nervous.
Xing Ye replied not long after: Relax. You're very smart. I believe you can make it to the end.
Ji Ning: Thank you, Brother Xing Ye. Let's both keep fighting!
Xing Ye: Waiting for your good news.
After chatting with Xing Ye, Ji Ning did indeed relax considerably. She opened her personal information interface and stared at the countdown as every second ticked away, until it reached 00:00:00.
The familiar white light engulfed Ji Ning, transporting her to a large, round wooden table.
The place card before her still displayed the number 6.
The familiar icy female voice broadcast began.
【The 12-player White Wolf King-Knight Werewolf Game has been initiated. Now drawing player roles.】
【Hello, Player No. 6, Ji Ning. Now beginning the draw for your Role Card.】
The sound of gears turning echoed, and after a ding, the female voice announced.
【Player No. 6, your role is Werewolf. Please disguise yourself as one of the Town Faction to mislead others. At night, attack Power Roles or Villagers. By slaughtering either side entirely, the Werewolf Faction wins the game. The winning faction can draw rewards, which will benefit you upon formally entering the Survival Game.】
Ji Ning had drawn the Werewolf role this time, which made her a little nervous. Werewolves needed to use their speech to confuse the Town Faction and make others believe they were good, posing a greater difficulty compared to being a Villager or a Power Role.
She quietly waited for the game procedure, until the broadcast rang out.
【Night falls. Close your eyes.】
【Werewolves, Open Your Eyes】
Ji Ning sensed the restraints on her body vanish; her eyes could open.
Around the round table, eight of the twelve players were still completely shrouded in darkness. Only four players, including Ji Ning, revealed their true appearances—Numbers 3, 6, 11, and 12.
This time, Player No. 12 was not Xing Ye.
Suppressing the disappointment in her heart, Ji Ning coordinated the daytime strategy with her wolf teammates. They targeted Player No. 7 for the wolf kill.
After the Seer and Witch completed their nighttime operations, the game arrived at the first daytime, marked by "Day breaks."
All twelve players opened their eyes and sized each other up.
This round, judging from everyone's expressions, four new players had joined. Ji Ning had already met one of them during the night; the other three were among the Power Roles and Villagers.
The newcomers were reserved, fearful, terrified, and jittery, while the veterans who had experienced this before were far more composed.
Perhaps because Ji Ning had topped the Newcomer Leaderboard, the other seven veteran players directed the highest degree of scrutiny towards her.
Especially Player No. 7, seated to her left, who propped his arm up and stared at her in a way impossible to ignore.
Face-to-face killing wasn't just about the speeches; expressions and eye contact could reveal plenty of information. Ji Ning, who had drawn a wolf card, worked hard to steady her nerves, feigning the ease of having a good role.
Being watched like this, even though she couldn't speak before it was her turn to talk, Ji Ning gazed back, greeting No. 7 with her eyes.
Player No. 7 was a broad-shouldered, bright-eyed young man with clean, neat short hair. When he smiled, a dimple appeared on one cheek, his lips red and teeth white, making it very easy to find him likable.
【The Sheriff election now begins. Players, press the button on the election device in front of you. Red for not running, green for running.】
The broadcast sounded. Ji Ning turned back, and according to the plan arranged among her wolf teammates the prior night, she chose not to Run for Sheriff, staying Off the Sheriff Ballot and pretending to be a Villager.
After selections were made, the chairs of six players lit up with golden lights. In ascending numerical order, they were: No. 2, No. 3, No. 5, No. 7, No. 10, and No. 12.
Ji Ning saw that No. 7 was also On the Sheriff Ballot. Recalling his earlier meaningful smile directed at her, she suddenly had an ominous premonition.
Random selection decreed that No. 3 would speak first.
No. 3 was Ji Ning's wolf teammate, a White Wolf King with a special skill. He had said in the night that he would Claim Out as Seer. Speaking first gave him a major advantage.
No. 3 claimed that during the night he had checked Player No. 4, seated directly across, and got a Wolf Check. He then analyzed the setup based on positions and who had run for Sheriff, leaving behind his Badge Stream for investigation.
The second speaker was No. 5. Player No. 5 commented that No. 3's speech was acceptable and sounded like a genuine Seer.
At that moment, the other two wolf teammates, seeing someone On the Sheriff Ballot believe No. 3, felt very pleased.
But Ji Ning wasn't pleased at all.
Yesterday, the wolf team had targeted No. 7 for the kill. If No. 7 was the Seer, and the Witch had used the antidote, he would possess Silver Water as the Seer. And for him to be so focused on her… Ji Ning had a strong feeling he had probably investigated her.
Once No. 5 finished speaking, it was No. 7's turn.
No. 7's voice was clear, pure, and very pleasant to the ear. "I investigated the little Player No. 6; she is a werewolf. I'll check 4 and 12 in that order. No. 3 issued a Wolf Check to a player Off the Sheriff Ballot; he is a Hard Claim wolf who can't Withdraw Claim. He is most likely the White Wolf King, so I can't disregard his Wolf Check. 5 seems like a gullible Villager; I hope you can come around. I'll decide on the players Off the Sheriff Ballot after seeing the vote. I've said enough, that'll do."
Just as Ji Ning had guessed, No. 7 had indeed investigated her. Being caught by the Silver Water Seer the very first time she drew a wolf card felt awful.
Now they could only hope the Witch wasn't On the Sheriff Ballot, giving No. 3 a sliver of a chance to fight for the Sheriff Badge.
But then it was No. 2's turn to speak, and the wolf team's hopes were thoroughly dashed. No. 2 declared himself the Witch; he had saved No. 7 the previous night and still had one poison vial to confirm his identity.
Fearing being skewered by the Knight's card, No. 3 promptly self-destructed, choosing to take No. 2, the Witch, with him.
After that, the wolf team collapsed like a defeated army. Even though the game hadn't ended, the outcome was already set in stone.
The eliminated players' positions receded. Ji Ning and No. 7 were successively knocked out, barred from the field.
"Hello, big sister. My name is Song Weiyang. I'm sorry I checked you—that must've ruined your game experience." Song Weiyang looked at Ji Ning with a very earnest expression.
He was handsome and polite, so much so that even if Ji Ning minded, she couldn't bring herself to get angry at him.
Ji Ning smiled. "It's fine."
Outgoing and cheerful, Song Weiyang initiated a conversation: "I saw you on the Newcomer Leaderboard. You're amazing." Then he leaned in a little closer and whispered, "Big sister, your mouth is very sweet, your tongue is soft, and your little sister is also very pretty."
It was all the fault of that damned investigation method. Last night, she had been investigated by Song Weiyang, the Seer—meaning he had kissed her, visually examined her, and even touched her private parts.
Damn it… Ji Ning's face flushed uncontrollably.
The wolf team had lost two members right at the start, so this round of the game ended quickly. Ultimately, the Villagers and Power Roles secured victory.
After the game concluded, the broadcast sounded:
【All players will now be deployed into the Survival Game. The victorious Town Faction receives Priority Privilege. It will be granted in-game. Now loading the game Sandbox.】
【Sandbox loaded. Players are being deployed...】
Following a flash of white light, all twelve players were transported together into a new instance.
Ji Ning opened her eyes to find all the players standing in a row. Before them stood a group of masked individuals clad in black.
Looking around, they were situated inside a simple, empty factory building.
The masked people spoke, their voices echoing: "Our boss doesn't keep idle hands. Aside from the last two pairs left standing, all other useless trash will be thrown out to feed the dogs."
As the masked individual's words faded, the light panel screen lit up.
【Welcome to the "Erotic Survival Game." This instance is "AV Star Factory." Instance difficulty: one star.】
【Player No. 6, Ji Ning, your identity in this instance is AV Actress Candidate.】
【Game Rules: Strictly adhere to all instance requirements. Any player eliminated from play will be completely eliminated.】
【Game Taboos: 1. Do not go out of character (OOC). 2. Do not obstruct or alter the course of events. Any violation will result in complete elimination.】
【Priority Privilege: Werewolf Game defeat. No Priority Privilege granted.】
【Clearance Condition: Survive to the end.】
【Clearance Reward: First Place 150 points, Second Place 80 points.】
Livestream comments:
"Little Sun and the Rookie King are paired together! Looking forward to this."
"Song Weiyang has Priority Privilege. He definitely has to pick Ji Ning."
"This factory is so gloomy, feels a bit thrilling."
"The lineup is pretty good this time."
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