"Don't overthink it. Maybe we're just getting old and our bodies can't take it anymore." The elderly voice sighed as it walked past Yin Xiu. "We're getting weaker and weaker. It's better to go sooner rather than later..."
As the two footsteps faded into the distance, Yin Xiu remained standing still.
The keyword "sea village" instantly reminded Yin Xiu of the information 408 had mentioned.
The initial sacrifice began in a village by the sea; that was the beginning of everything. This black mist seemed unusual, as it allowed people to hear things related to it.
Perhaps he can learn from it the reason why the town or the instance exists.
The fog grew thicker, plunging Yin Xiu into complete darkness. He stared intently ahead, holding his breath and paying close attention to every sound around him.
After a moment of silence, Yin Xiu faintly heard the sound of waves. The air became damp and sticky, like the heavy mist after rain, and even the wind was icy cold.
This familiar feeling almost made Yin Xiu think he had returned to the darkness where he spent time with Li Mo. He could sense the surrounding scene, but he couldn't see anything.
The damp earth, the sound of waves, and the whistling of the wind through the windows, along with the overwhelming sense of emptiness, clearly constructed a blurry scene around Yin Xiu.
However, compared to the silence when he was with Li Mo, this place had a more vibrant, human atmosphere.
In the distance, people were moving about, and there were sounds of children laughing and playing. Nearby, people were moving wooden planks and knocking on stones. The sounds of people came from all directions, and the pull of those sounds seemed to instantly drag Yin Xiu back to the sea village many years ago, allowing him to feel the initial desolation of this place.
The person closest to Yin Xiu sighed, "Our little village is doomed. Do you think this method will work?"
"We can't catch any fish every day, but we have to try, otherwise what will we eat?"
"What did that person say? First create, then worship. As it appears and grows, the more it needs, the more it gives to us, right?"
"It seems so. They say it's about creation, but what are they trying to create? What can appear out of thin air?"
"I don't know. He said that whatever happens depends entirely on us. That's too far-fetched."
"Let's give it a try, we don't have a choice."
A group of people busied themselves, hammering away beside Yin Xiu, as if they were building something.
"Just put this platform back up and it'll be done. Go get the last of the village's food in a bit. Our village's survival depends on this." The person building it seemed very expectant, but in the distance, someone was muttering to themselves, seemingly disapproving of the move.
But soon, many footsteps approached and gathered in front of Yin Xiu. There were adults and children among them. Many of their voices sounded weak, listless, and tired, but they couldn't help but discuss the operation.
You can glean a few key pieces of information from their rambling.
The villagers disagreed with the operation because it was dangerous, but they had no other choice. Many people had already starved to death, and the only food they had left was donated by the entire village. If they didn't succeed, they would all die.
But there are still children and some pregnant women in the village, so even if it's for the future, they have to take the risk.
Some people, fearing the unknown, cried out that they would bring disaster upon themselves, and were then taken away, but in the end, the ritual still had to be performed.
Yin Xiu was unsure of their outcome, as the fog gradually dissipated and the sounds of their arguments faded into the distance. However, judging from the current situation, they had likely succeeded.
First create, then worship – these are two very simple phrases.
But whatever is created will come at a price, and the more powerful something is, the heavier the price will be.
After the black fog completely dissipated, Yin Xiu's vision brightened a bit. The dampness was still there, but it came from the water vapor by the lake. All the footsteps and chatter disappeared with the black fog, leaving only Yin Xiu standing by the lake, while 408 looked at him blankly.
"You're still alive? I thought you died as soon as the black fog came."
Yin Xiu stared silently at 408, "Do you want me dead?"
408 quickly waved his hand, "No, it's just that I called you just now and you didn't respond. It was pitch black all around, and I thought you had died in the black fog."
Yin Xiu blinked, noticing a problem, "You can make a sound in the black mist?"
"Yes." 408 nodded.
Yin Xiu pondered, "It seems... the black mist doesn't work on monsters, it's only effective against players..."
The existence of the black mist serves to kill players, creating a convenient condition for offering sacrifices.
"Let's go back first." Yin Xiu glanced back at the now calm lake surface and turned to walk back.
He had already gleaned some information about Haicun from the voice he had just heard.
The people of Hai Village had been driven to the brink of despair by famine. They heard about the existence of the ritual from an unknown person, who then taught them the ritual procedures.
Then the people of Haicun risked everything to implement it, and it seemed to succeed; Haicun gradually improved.
It was only because their greed grew that they offered increasingly valuable things, until finally they offered people.
But why it ultimately spiraled out of control remains unknown.
Yin Xiu was deep in thought the whole way back. He felt that he was getting closer to the truth about the existence of the dungeon, but he still didn't have enough information.
"Brother Xiu! Brother Xiu, you're back! Are you alright?!" Just as they reached the vicinity of the square, they heard Zhong Mu's shouts. He rushed over anxiously, circling around Yin Xiu with great concern.
"When you were outside, the black fog arrived. Everyone guessed that you didn't have time to hide and was worried that you might get into trouble because you didn't know the situation. Fortunately, you came back safely."
Seeing Zhong Mu's deep concern, Yin Xiu nodded and then looked up into the distance.
At the other end of the square, several players from the town were using ropes to tie up some strangers and escort them to their homes. The bound people were cursing and swearing, but they couldn't resist, and their resentful voices echoed throughout the square.
"You monsters! You're shameless because of your numbers! You won't say a word, and you even tied us up! How are we supposed to clear this dungeon?!"
"Let us go!! You can kill us or torture us if you want, but what's with tying us up?!"
"Hey! Don't take my props! And don't touch my food! You guys are really something!"
The cursing and swearing were loud and noisy, and could be heard especially clearly in the quiet town.
Yin Xiu stared at the departing group, then looked at Zhong Mu and asked, "Who were those people?"
Zhong Mu scratched his head, then sighed, "They're players... players who came to clear this dungeon."