Lin Yu floated in the sky, looking down at the entire Thirty-Seventh Island spread out below him.
This was a bare rocky island, not particularly large in area, with the asylum occupying half of it.
Seawater crashed against the towering stone cliffs at the island's edge, the mist growing denser the closer it got to the sea.
He descended neither too fast nor too slow—heading toward the side of the island without the asylum.
Lin Yu estimated that at this speed...
"Thud!"
He landed solidly on a flat black rock, hitting the ground back-first.
"Hiss..."
Lin Yu felt a dull pain in his back, but it was just enough to hurt without actually causing injury.
Next, Stiller's figure also fell from the sky, landing beside Lin Yu.
His speed was slightly faster than Lin Yu's.
After landing, Stiller also let out a muffled groan and didn't get up for a long time.
"Damn it, that guy definitely did that on purpose!"
Stiller couldn't help but curse.
The two slowly got up, then saw Robin not far away.
The young girl was kneeling before an excavated grave, holding a shovel covered in mud.
The dug-up grave emitted massive amounts of mist, continuously rising into the high sky.
Hearing the commotion from this side, Robin turned her head with difficulty and saw Lin Yu.
"May?"
She struggled to utter two words, a relieved expression appearing on her face: "Great... it seems it worked!"
"I've temporarily suppressed Freud's remains... Now we just need to leave this island."
"Do you have any useful items for crossing the sea? If not, I'll have to draw one!"
"In that case, you'll probably need to help me suppress this corpse first."
As Robin spoke, she then saw that the person following Lin Yu was his summoned creature, immediately becoming somewhat suspicious.
"Wait... where's Max?"
"She didn't come with you?"
Lin Yu walked to the graveside, where there was a gray-black skeleton bound by drawn lines—the entire skeleton had no flesh or organs remaining, only the cracked skull contained a fresh, pulsating brain.
And this brain received Robin's most focused attention: countless threads wrapped around and even pierced into it, appearing to form a powerful suppression.
Without doubt, this was the unfortunate Freud.
After admiring Robin's masterpiece, Lin Yu answered her question.
"To be honest, Max's situation isn't too optimistic right now."
As Lin Yu spoke, Robin became even more astonished.
"Not too optimistic? What happened to her?"
"She's not Max, or rather she's not entirely Max," Lin Yu thought for a moment and said, "She should be an avatar of some extremely high-level existence, or perhaps possessed... Earlier she took out a compass and just dumped me here."
Hearing Lin Yu's description, Robin paused for a moment, then said: "You mean she's still in the asylum? And she's actually not Max?"
"At the very least, not an ordinary first-tier."
Lin Yu answered truthfully.
Robin's expression changed slightly.
"A compass... I understand."
As if making some determination, she took out a pencil and quickly began writing and drawing in the air.
A crude drawing-style cage appeared in the air.
Robin wrote a string of text in the bottom right corner: "Robin, created on Misty Islands, mid-Sea Tracing Season."
After she finished writing the inscription, her face became paler than ever before. Get full chapters from N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
And the cage solidified into a three-dimensional form.
"Take this, wait for me... if I don't return, leave on your own."
"This thing will still work even if I die."
Robin stuffed this object into Lin Yu's arms, then waved her other hand through the air.
The threads in the grave trembled, dragging the fresh, pulsating brain toward the cage.
Then Robin turned and ran toward the direction of the asylum.
She drew several "lines" behind herself, then reached a speed that left Lin Yu completely in the dust.
Lin Yu, holding the cage containing Freud's brain, froze for a moment, then sighed and handed the cage to Stiller.
"Let's go, Stiller."
Stiller sighed: "I wouldn't recommend going back."
Hannah, who was perched on Stiller's shoulder, finally revealed herself after seeing there was no one around.
"Ribbit, Director... that guy is really dangerous!"
Hannah also tried to dissuade him.
"Yes, but precisely because of that, we need to check it out," Lin Yu sighed, "Robin went, I can't just stand by and do nothing."
"Respected Director, I didn't know you were such an empathetic person?"
Stiller said incredulously.
"Don't be ridiculous, while her actions are indeed touching," Lin Yu rubbed his forehead slightly, "but I'm currently Order's May May... I could choose not to go, but May May cannot."
As Lin Yu spoke, he sighed: "And you heard the question she asked me earlier."
He looked at Stiller: "Do you have a boat? Expert from Truth Corporation's security department?"
Stiller was speechless.
He lived in Sleepless City—a world that didn't even have an ocean.
Before following Lin Yu, Stiller didn't even really know what a boat was.
"To clear this stage, we need her to draw a boat—I don't think freestyle swimming in this pitch-black, mist-covered sea is a good idea... even though we even have an octopus."
As Lin Yu spoke, he reached out and placed Hannah on his own shoulder.
"We can only pray that this third-tier Night Watchman can gain the upper hand against that unknown thing..."
"Really don't understand where such a terrifying thing came from."
As Lin Yu muttered to himself in frustration, a voice sounded.
"If I'm not mistaken, that should be an old acquaintance of mine."
Lin Yu looked toward Stiller's direction, his gaze lowering to the cage in Stiller's hand.
The "brain" inside was trembling slightly, the grooves on its surface emitting light.
The voice was actually coming from this brain.
"It can still talk?!"
Stiller marveled.
Lin Yu remained much calmer.
This guy could manipulate an entire dungeon in his nearly-dead state, so having just a brain that could speak a few words wasn't particularly surprising.
He looked at the first generation Freud's brain and said: "Speak quickly if you have something to say."
Freud was also straightforward and immediately spoke.
"If I'm not mistaken, that guy should be a player from the same era as me..."
"The Diviner who founded the Marauders!"
Hearing this name, Lin Yu let out a breath.
"Ho, so it's a player, the Diviner, right?"
He suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Let's go, we're swimming!"
position
"It really is that guy."
Back at the asylum entrance, Robin stared at the whirlpool-like mist that seemed to have been drawn here, her expression growing serious.
The withered weeds on the ground now swayed left and right, regaining a verdant hue, looking full of vibrant life.
But such lush vitality looked especially eerie amid the dilapidated hospital.
Robin hurried through the hospital gates and entered the central courtyard.
There, as she expected, she saw the pretty woman wearing Gold-rimmed Glasses.
The woman sat cross-legged with her eyes closed in the center of the courtyard, a spinning compass lying flat on the ground before her.
Around this woman as the center, one cold white divination symbol after another floated, forming an intricately layered sphere.
This was Max of the Night Watchmen...
But Robin knew clearly that Max was not who the woman truly was.
The woman's appearance didn't matter; what mattered were the surrounding symbols and methods — a technique unique among Death Game players with no parallel. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novèlfire.net
"Diviner..."
Robin watched her and murmured, tightening the pencil in her hand.
Max, that is, the Diviner, slowly opened her eyes.
"Night Watchmen, Robin, I didn't expect to meet you under these circumstances."
"What surprised me more is that you actually came back — I didn't go looking for you, shouldn't you have left immediately?"
The Diviner's voice was flat, betraying no emotional fluctuation.
Robin shook her head. "Of course I know that going out to report would be the better choice, but... I won't choose that."
The Diviner sighed. "So you want to stop me from obtaining the hidden treasure here. Honestly, you aren't qualified."
"Admittedly, you're already about to touch the threshold of the Heart Domain, but until you step over it, you're unqualified."
Robin shook her head. "I'm not interested in that. I'm Night Watchmen, not Order yet... No matter what you have planned, I'm not trying to ruin it, I'm just..."
"Just?"
the Diviner asked curiously.
"I can vaguely remember that there really is someone named Max among our Night Watchmen, Star City's Robin — she seemed like a pretty decent person," Robin stared at the Diviner's face that belonged to Max, "so... I want to check, how is she?"
The Diviner sighed. "I cast a divination before coming in. The omen said the latter half will be calm with hidden success, but misfortune will fly into the open... so that's what it meant."
Hearing this, Robin's expression sank little by little. "So..."
"I need a First-Tier identity, and I'm not very good at the Psychological Society's subtle suggestion and manipulation," the Diviner said, pointing to "herself," meaning Max, "so I can only extract her soul and then pour it back in..."
Robin heard the Diviner's light words and silently put her pencil away.
The Diviner shrugged. "Unfortunately, if you want to save her, it's probably too late... so don't do anything foolish, go out and report it."
"No."
Robin said softly, interrupting the Diviner.
She took out a black hair tie and tied up her hair, which was tangled like seaweed and unusually thick for a shut-in artist.
"It's too late to save her, but I can still get revenge."
The Diviner narrowed her eyes. "Are you close to her?"
"No, not close, just in the same organization... Mainly, when you said she couldn't be saved, I suddenly remembered a tiny thing about why I recall her," Robin said in a low voice. "When I went on a business trip to Star City, she said she followed my microblog and really liked my paintings, saying my sense of color was great and my compositions told stories."
"That only makes it more unnecessary," the Diviner frowned. "Doesn't that prove you barely know her?"
"No," Robin produced a utility knife from her pocket. "You Marauders won't understand, she's a very, very good girl."
"So I won't allow you to use her appearance to make that sickening display anymore."
Robin said this and scored her palm with the utility knife.
Blood welled from the wound. Dipping another hand in the blood, Robin began to draw a crimson painting in the air.
The painting's content didn't look like any tangible thing but more like a piece of postmodern art.
Meaningless crimson lines and geometric blocks were stacked together.
At first, the Diviner didn't know what Robin planned.
But soon...
the Diviner understood.
"Players today truly are a new generation of talent..."
he murmured, looking as the ground beneath his feet also transformed into those deconstructivist crimson blocks.
Robin seemed to be using some method to gradually replace the "material" of reality with her "painting."
At the same time, she could exert influence through the painting formed from her blood to in turn affect reality!
She stabbed her finger into the floating painting and stirred fiercely, the dragged blood forming sharp angles where her fingertip cut through.
The same thing happened beneath the Diviner's feet.
The crimson under him lurched violently, then sprouted upward into spikes.
"Nice technique!"
the Diviner praised, snatching the compass into his hand as it flew up, spinning rapidly with a buzzing whir.
As the compass spun, the white divination symbols around his body rotated as well.
His entire body floated, clothes and hair fluttering, like an immortal descending to the world.
"However, no matter how pretty this fringe method is... it's not enough to impress."
The Diviner said and twitched the compass again.
"Zhen comes, hui hui; smiling words go mute; shocking across a hundred miles, do not lose dagger and libation!"
The fierce and righteous words echoed, and in response the sky cracked with pale bluish lightning.
Boom!
Lightning struck like the wrath of a god.
When the light faded, Robin had collapsed to her knees, the edges of her clothes scorched.
Blood-stained papers rained down from midair like snowflakes — it had been those sheets of painted paper that blocked that nearly fatal attack for her.
Even so, Robin was clearly badly hurt.
She lay on the ground, huddled and trembling uncontrollably.
The blood in her hands lost its cohesion and ran freely.
The Diviner shook his head. "How strange, has the forum removed my ranking?"
"A junior from Night Watchmen dares provoke me."
Having said that, the Diviner was about to continue the unfinished ritual when...
Robin, still unable to move on the ground, laughed.
"Hiss..."
The sound was breathless but full of mockery.
She forced her head up to look at the Diviner.
"Idiot... I've been here before... I know what you want."
"You can't take the life soul of the Misty Islands Master now... you won't get it!"
At those words, the Diviner's face changed slightly.
The crimson surface collapsed and revealed the old wine cellar below!
From the wine cellar, white fog burst forth, accompanied by shrieks and wails, spilling outward toward the sea!
Robin of the Night Watchmen, ha, you truly are talented and audacious."
"Indeed, anyone whose name I've heard is no simple character."
This was the first time since revealing her identity that the Diviner showed clear emotion in her speech.
Watching the white mist dissipating around them, an unusually obvious anger appeared in the Diviner's voice.
Robin seemed to have recovered somewhat during this opportunity, struggling to get up from the ground.
Blood dripped down her arm, but Robin remained completely unaware.
"If you had come here in your true form, my plan probably wouldn't have succeeded, after all, you are the Diviner," she said softly. "But you only came through 'possession,' and only brought a compass."
"That's why... I succeeded."
Hearing this, the Diviner let out a cold laugh: "Succeed? Do you really think you can make me fail?"
"Even with only Gold Seeking and using this First-Tier body... if you want to die, I can still grant your wish."
Robin nodded calmly: "Yes, but as I said, you won't get the Misty Islands Master's life soul either."
"A complete demigod soul actively separated by a demigod... must be extremely precious for someone like you."
"And with the first generation Freud coincidentally trapping it here, such good fortune will definitely be hard to come by again."
"The people in the organization said you're arrogant, and they were absolutely right."
Robin's voice remained soft, but was incredibly firm: "I don't plan to kill you, I can't do that... but I will do what I can accomplish."
The Diviner stared at Robin for a full five seconds: "It seems you really want to die."
Robin shook her head: "No, I will still do my utmost to survive... in your current state, wanting to kill me shouldn't be very easy either, right?"
"All I need to do next is 'leave the dungeon.'"
Watching the determined Robin, the Diviner slightly shook his head.
"Indeed, you Night Watchmen focus all your attention on the Psychological Society."
"If it were a Third-Tier from Order, they would never say such things."
"But regardless... I'm really being looked down upon."
Robin looked at the Diviner: "What do you mean by that?"
The Diviner didn't answer, only tossing the compass into the air.
"Whoosh—"
Around the Diviner, white symbols dissipated like bursting bubbles.
Then, the Diviner spoke.
"I'm returning this girl's body to you—consider it my appreciation and reward for your courage and wisdom!"
After speaking, the Diviner closed his eyes.
Max's body lost all vitality, falling from midair and landing in front of Robin.
Robin picked up Max's body, then suddenly heard the voice sound again.
"Next comes the punishment for defying me..."
A male voice sounded from the end of the mist, with a very distinctive tone—warm and thick with a touch of clarity, like a radio host from the last century.
"Robin, you will die in despair."
Words like a judgment sounded, as a strong wind suddenly rose, sweeping away all the mist on the island temporarily.
Above the island, a small fishing boat floated.
A man wearing a navy blue robe sat at the bow, with silver-white short hair but an extremely youthful appearance.
Behind him stood a long banner, with strings of bronze bells and coins hanging beneath it.
The banner bore cursive calligraphy written with bold, flowing strokes, yet with dark humor it read: "Down with all monsters and demons."
This white-haired young man looked down, reaching out to catch the compass that had been tossed high earlier.
"Lake over Earth: Gathering, Lake over Water: Oppression."
The compass rotated.
The screaming white mist that had been dissipating in all directions and "escaping" from the wine cellar was pulled back against the current, ultimately converging into the man's hand.
Robin looked at the man in midair, her expression bitter.
"You actually... came here personally!"
The man in midair was none other than the Diviner—and the genuine real deal.
"You understand me too little," the Diviner said in a low voice, pinching the pulsating mist in his hand. "Since I calculated there might be an accident, and this thing is so important to me, of course I couldn't not come as a final insurance." Thɪs chapter is updated by novel~fire~net
"After all... as long as Freud dies, the restrictions this island places on me are lifted."
"Although forcibly invading the dungeon requires some cost, it's still worth it."
"The facts prove I was right again."
He spoke lightly, then looked down at Robin.
"Good, it seems you've realized you're making futile efforts."
"Then... you can go die now."
The Diviner said this extremely casually.
Robin did feel somewhat desperate.
Of course she didn't want to die, but... she clearly understood that the current situation was a death trap.
Even though she wasn't weak among Third-Tiers, and was almost in the top echelon among players.
But the man before her stood at the very peak of all players!
If he wanted to kill her...
Robin exhaled.
"Then let's give it a try, Your Excellency Diviner."
Facing life and death, Robin adjusted her mindset once again.
"I won't try to survive next, but I will try to delay you... the cost of invading the dungeon and exposing yourself here might not kill you, but I will definitely make you very uncomfortable."
As Robin spoke, the utility knife cut open her other palm.
The Diviner raised his head.
"Quite daring—seeing it this way, you're actually an opponent worth mentioning."
He stood up from the boat's bow, taking down the string of coins hanging there.
"Robin of the Night Watchmen, I will give you a death worthy of your magnificence!"
The Diviner declared loudly, and Robin also spread her hands, preparing to face the enemy.
At this critical moment.
"Hey! Hey hey!"
From the direction behind Robin, a voice sounded.
The Diviner and Robin turned to see a somewhat unexpected figure.
A girl with dyed golden hair stood with one hand on her hip, the other hand waving.
"Boss, give me some face... I have use for this woman!"
"Let's capture her alive, alright?"
The Diviner looked at the girl below, stunned for a moment before sighing and speaking: "Don't mess around, Fish... if we let her go now, and she leaves the dungeon world, how can we capture her alive?"
The figure that appeared below was none other than the Deputy Chief of the Marauders' Yanjing HQ, Fish!
But immediately, the Diviner suddenly realized something was wrong.
His fingers quickly performed calculations, his expression changing slightly as he raised his hand and shouted low.
"Thunder!"
"Crack!"
Lightning struck where Fish had been standing, but hit empty air.
"An illusion? I was actually tricked!"
The Diviner widened his eyes in surprise, watching the dissipating phantom.
He only saw a small octopus quickly dart out from between the rocks, moving at a speed disproportionate to its size, directly rushing to the edge of the island and jumping into the sea!
By the time the Diviner regained his senses...
Even Robin's figure had disappeared!
In the dark crevice of the rock, Robin came to her senses somewhat dazedly and looked at Lin Yu who was right in front of her.
Pitch-black shadows enveloped the two of them, seemingly isolating them from everything outside.
Robin blinked, speaking in astonishment.
"You... how did you...?"
Clearly, she found it very puzzling that Lin Yu, a mere First-Tier, would dare to come back.
Lin Yu in the darkness made a shushing gesture.
"Shh, although this thing is quite reliable, I'm not sure it still works in front of that person."
Robin collected herself and also lowered her voice: "You... why did you come back?"
Lin Yu sighed.
Indeed, returning here didn't seem like a wise move at all.
Even though he had only met the Diviner for the first time today, judging by the operational style of the organization 'Marauders' that he led, this guy was definitely not some kind-hearted person.
Being let off once was already incredibly lucky.
Coming back to risk saving Robin...
It really did seem too risky.
"I don't want to make myself sound too noble, but I'm only considering this from a 'benefit' perspective."
"I just joined 'Order.' If I save you, a Third-Tier 'Night Watchmen' member, and moreover rescue you from the hands of the 'Marauders' leader, it would probably bring enormous benefits to my future prospects."
Lin Yu said sincerely.
Moreover, that way, the name 'May May' would definitely resound throughout the player community again, and even everyone's implicit assessment of his strength would rise considerably.
Later, if he continued operating under this identity, deceiving others into believing he had stronger items and abilities would also become much easier to pull off.
So what he told Robin was completely true.
But Lin Yu also knew that if he said it this way, it would instead make Robin think in the opposite direction.
"People who can join 'Order' really are all single-minded fools," Robin sighed, "But regardless, thank you for saving me."
"We're not safe yet."
Lin Yu reminded her.
Robin shook her head: "Buying more time will be more advantageous for us. Fourth-Tier players... especially Fourth-Tier players like the 'Diviner,' have significant restrictions on their activities."
"Although the restrictions are much fewer in the game, there are still plenty of things they have to be cautious about."
Hearing Robin's words, Lin Yu pondered: "Then since he's already gotten what he wanted, if we hide well, is it possible he might let us go?"
"Possibly, but we'd have to hide extremely well," Robin said carefully, "Because this guy holds grudges quite strongly."
Lin Yu exhaled.
"Then we're really doomed. If I remember correctly, this guy should be quite skilled at finding people..."
"If he decides to finish this quickly..."
Before Lin Yu could finish speaking, he felt intense light fall from above, tearing apart the Corner of the Gloomy.
Looking up, he saw the white-haired man wearing a navy blue robe and cloth shoes, casually playing with three coins as he stood on the rock above them.
"Quite a nice hiding trick, 'Order' kid... I rather admire you."
"But you just had to come back to die."
As the other's words fell, three coins were thrown out, then clattered to the ground.
The moment those coins hit the ground...
Lin Yu suddenly felt his body grow heavy.
"What technique is this!"
He was practically pressed to the ground, all the bones and muscles in his body feeling incredibly heavy, even breathing became difficult.
Beside him, Robin was almost slumped sitting, speaking through gritted teeth.
"It's his 'Heart Domain'... We're already within his 'Heart Domain'!"
"What the hell is that?"
Lin Yu asked.
"You can understand it as an ability obtained at 'Fourth Tier,' just like the Class Item you received at 'First Tier'..."
The Diviner beckoned, and the three coins flew back to his palm.
"Explaining 'Heart Domain' to a 'First-Tier' fellow is really too early, Robin... Moreover, both of you are already dead people."
Lin Yu looked up.
"Then do it quickly... kill but don't torture, you bastard."
The Diviner spoke coldly: "But what if I specifically want to torture both of you?"
Lin Yu laughed.
"Then that means I gambled correctly—don't think I don't know, your time is precious too!"
While he had indeed returned considering the benefits, he hadn't completely disregarded the risks.
From his brief contact with the Diviner, although this guy was cruel, he indeed adhered to the principles of the 'Marauders.'
And the 'Marauders' were never indiscriminate murderous maniacs—they practiced benefit above all else.
"Letting me go wasn't because you're kind-hearted, Lord Diviner, but because I have something you want on me," Lin Yu exhaled, "Right?"
"Logically speaking, a 'First-Tier' player like me, even if I've made some small waves recently and even had some friction with your organization, shouldn't be memorable to a player of your level..."
He recalled the inexplicable targeting he had received from the 'Marauders' organization before.
Although the executor was 'Almond'...
But when he accessed information within the 'Marauders' from 'Heavenly Artisan's' perspective, he discovered that the source of the investigation targeting him actually came from 'Fish'! Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NoveI[F]ire.net
So, connecting all these incidents...
Made Lin Yu instinctively feel that something was off.
"I'm curious, what exactly makes you so interested in a newcomer like me who just joined 'Order,' to the extent that you'd spare my life even in this situation."
Lin Yu said calmly. The Diviner examined him, fiddling with the compass in his hand.
"To be honest, before you made that speech just now, I was also curious about what exactly made you so special..."
"But now I have some clues."
As the Diviner spoke, Lin Yu immediately reacted.
"You don't know what makes me special, but you believe I am special, so someone told you about me..."
"No, that's not right... You're the 'Diviner,' so... when you were calculating something, you calculated me?"
The Diviner nodded slightly: "Yes, including this Miss 'Robin' here..."
"Previously, my capable assistant, that is, Fish whom you impersonated, encountered some confusion and asked me to perform a divination for her."
As the Diviner spoke, he showed a reminiscent expression.
"How should I put it... originally I was supposed to resolve her confusion, but unexpectedly, I encountered a divination result that confused me so much."
"So I used my ability, attempting to obtain a clearer 'revelation.'"
"However, the content of the revelation was even more chaotic and bizarre, absurd and laughable. At first, I thought my ability had malfunctioned, or that someone was playing tricks on me again."
"But not until I experienced everything in this dungeon, not until just now when you asked me, did I realize..."
The compass in the Diviner's hand stopped, and the coins fell to the ground again.
"Fate truly is full of twists and turns."
Although the Diviner's lamentations about fate were rather ambiguous and unclear, Lin Yu could still grasp the core of the matter from his mystical ramblings.
"Is the source really Fish?"
Lin Yu immediately and subconsciously recalled the dungeon of the Mad Banquet Beyond Heaven.
That was where he and Fish had interacted, and coincidentally, Robin had also been present at the time.
"So, what exactly is the revelation?"
"Since you haven't killed me yet, it means that according to the revelation, me being alive can bring you greater benefits, right?"
Lin Yu said calmly.
A rare smile appeared on the Diviner's face: "I don't intend to directly tell you the content of the revelation, but I can tell you... you guessed half right."
"According to the revelation's content, behind the coincidences of fate is a butterfly flapping its wings that no one has noticed, and it will unexpectedly collide with me on my path to seeking the Dao."
"Keeping you might add more interesting variables to fate, but..."
The Diviner hopped off the rock and walked over to Lin Yu in two steps.
"After witnessing your intelligence and potential, I think I still prefer a safer approach—for example, shattering your soul as well."
"This way, I can both preserve your player identity and ensure things remain under my control," the Diviner said calmly, "and even... you'll still feel like you're alive."
"Just like Max?"
Robin suddenly interjected.
The Diviner nodded approvingly.
"You're quite smart too."
Then, looking at Robin whose gaze had grown even darker, he narrowed his eyes.
"It seems someone else is preparing to fight desperately."
At this moment, Lin Yu gently shook his head.
"There's no need, Robin..."
He suddenly spoke without context: "If you really want to help me, please run faster with me later."
Hearing this, Robin turned her head to look at Lin Yu—who was almost as immobilized as she was.
"What kind of joke are you making? You're only 'First-Tier'—succeeding just now was already an exception among exceptions."
The Diviner also watched with interest: "You actually still think you have means to deal with me?"
"Of course I don't," Lin Yu shook his head, "but... there's an old player here who's at least from the same generation as you."
"Although he's already dead, the home field advantage he's cultivated over a long time and the helper I sent should be able to somewhat compensate for that."
Lin Yu said softly.
The Diviner immediately realized something was wrong. His fingers quickly performed calculations, and he marveled: "There's actually an ominous sign?"
"It seems the divination's 'rough journey ahead' starts counting from here."
He sighed as he turned back, only to see the corpses in the asylum staggering to their feet. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel★fire.net
They transformed from rotten and decayed forms into ferocious and robust monsters.
The monsters regained their mobility and instantly pounced toward the Diviner.
"Whoosh—!"
The Diviner turned around, his compass spinning in his hand as he began dealing with those "revived" monsters once again.
In that instant, Robin and Lin Yu felt the pressure on them suddenly lessen.
With Lin Yu's earlier reminder, Robin couldn't possibly let this opportunity slip. She instantly pulled out her brush, drew several acceleration lines on herself, and dragged Lin Yu as she ran.
"You actually managed to persuade the first generation Freud!"
Robin exclaimed as she dragged Lin Yu, unable to resist looking back at the asylum's rooftop.
A man dressed entirely in black combat gear was carrying the crude drawing cage she had created, with the brain inside it, also making a hasty escape in another direction.
Without a doubt, those revived corpses in the asylum were Freud's handiwork!
Lin Yu shook his head: "I didn't really persuade him either. It's because this guy was originally the Diviner's target too—the Diviner has already obtained most of what he wanted, and the remaining small portion has fallen into his hands."
"No wonder!"
Robin exclaimed.
The roars of monsters continued to come from behind them. It seemed just as Lin Yu had predicted—Freud's long preparations had proven somewhat useful after all.
The two of them were almost at the edge of the island.
All they needed to do next was jump down into the ocean. With good luck, it might count as clearing the stage—with bad luck, they would just need to drift a while longer.
"Draw a boat!"
Lin Yu said, and Robin immediately understood.
Even though she now appeared completely exhausted, she still managed to pull out her sketchbook and quickly drew a crooked raft while running.
"Poof!"
Robin vigorously tore the page from her notebook. The raft materialized in front of the island's cliff and rapidly plunged into the sea below.
"Splash!"
The raft floated on the sea. Lin Yu, who had reached the edge, leaned over to look down and couldn't help but complain.
"Are you really making a living through drawing? This crappy raft is way too ugly!"
Robin was also helpless: "I was drawing while running! Being able to give it any shape at all is already quite an achievement!"
"Then why didn't you draw a rubber dinghy? That would be simpler and more practical!"
Robin said irritably: "Stop pressuring me and just jump already!"
Lin Yu nodded.
Although the sea surface below was about ten meters down from their current position, and there appeared to be many submerged rocks—definitely not an ideal spot for jumping into the ocean—
But...
The situation was urgent! Where would they find the time to be picky?!
"Let's go!"
Lin Yu and Robin jumped down together.
The already salty, cold sea wind became even more rugged as they accelerated during their fall, rushing directly into Lin Yu's nasal passages.
Watching the dark, churning seawater getting closer and closer, Lin Yu's heart pounded wildly.
He kept praying.
"Hold on a little longer, asylum buddy!"
And just as he was about to hit the water...
"Enough!"
A sharp reprimand echoed around the island.
Beneath the seawater, white light emerged—the symbol of broken connecting lines lit up and slowly began to rotate.
Lin Yu felt their descent instantly halt. Both of them seemed frozen in mid-air.
"His Heart Domain can actually cover the entire island," Robin's voice trembled, "We're done for... we're completely caught this time!"
She and Lin Yu hung suspended in mid-air.
A moment later, the symbols beneath the sea surface flashed continuously, and they suddenly found themselves back in front of the Diviner.
Corpses lay scattered on the ground—some charred, some broken, some shriveled—as if they had simultaneously been struck by lightning, burned by fire, weathered by wind, and crushed by stones.
The Diviner looked at Lin Yu and Robin.
"You actually almost managed to escape."
"But... what a pity, you've still ended up in my hands."
As he spoke, he brought together the index and middle fingers of both hands, pointing respectively at Lin Yu and Robin.
"I won't give you any opportunities this time."
Lin Yu exhaled: "Is that so? Then you'd better perform a divination."
"Because since I dared to come back, besides betting that you would let us go, I also bet on something else..."
The Diviner didn't give him a chance to finish, waving his fingers.
Lin Yu and Robin simultaneously collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
"I should have stopped you from speaking earlier. My curiosity is still too strong."
The Diviner sighed.
And just as he was preparing for the next step...
"Bzzzt—"
From Lin Yu's fallen body came a burst of intense and powerful music.
The sudden burst of noisy drum beats and powerful strumming made the Diviner frown involuntarily.
"What is that?"
He walked up to Lin Yu and noticed the clothing on his chest vibrating slightly.
That was also the source of the sound.
An ominous premonition rose in the Diviner's heart. He crooked his finger, and Lin Yu's jacket flipped open. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel(ꜰ)ire.net
A phone floated out from Lin Yu's inner jacket pocket.
That phone didn't seem to belong to "Lin Yu."
It was a small mini phone with a light pink exterior.
The reason it was playing music was because an incoming call was coming through.
The screen displayed "Unknown Caller," with the green answer button pulsating.
The Diviner hesitated for a moment, then pressed the decline button.
But there was no response.
Whether he tapped or dragged it, the red decline button was like a mere decoration, akin to an exquisitely crafted food model in a display window, refusing any real interaction with him.
This silent attempt seemed to carry a voice from the unseen, warning the Diviner...
"You must answer it immediately."
The Diviner sighed and pressed the speakerphone button to answer the call.
"Hello, who is this?"
He asked helplessly.
Mechanical laughter came from the other end of the phone: "Ha, ha, ha... Didn't you predict this?"
"You should have at least guessed it, right?"
Hearing the electronic synthesized voice, the Diviner gently massaged his temples: "So it really is you... I was saying, just one 'Robin' plus one 'First-Tier' shouldn't have made me calculate an 'unfavorable' or even 'dangerous' divination result."
"So it's you behind this... What, are you also interested in the Psychological Society's legacy?"
As the Diviner spoke, laughter came from the other end of the phone again.
"Ha, ha... Not really."
"I'm calling to ask you to do me a favor and spare the two people beside you."
Hearing the sounds from the speaker, the Diviner narrowed his eyes.
"And if I refuse?"
"That's fine too, but I'll demonstrate my sincerity to the maximum extent possible..."
As the voice from the phone spoke, a burst of noisy static sounded—as if the signal was being interfered with.
But this "zizi lala" static noise soon wasn't just coming from the speaker; it echoed throughout the entire island.
Above the sky, dark green numbers flowed like a waterfall, as if an invisible dome had opened and clamped down.
Noisy snowflake patterns and jumping garbled code covered the ground, making the Diviner's expression change slightly.
"[Digital Barrier]... What are you planning to do?"
As he spoke, a cursor appeared in response, materializing right in the center of the sky beneath the dome.
"RULE ONE: There is no DEUS."
One jumping letter after another appeared, accompanied by the uncompromising voice coming from the phone.
"Rule One: Higher-dimensional beings are forbidden from entering this place."
Then, from the crevices of the island's rocks, a fur ball flew out and was thrown outside the flowing green digital curtain.
"Wah!"
The voice from the phone sounded again: "So, Diviner, is my sincerity satisfactory?"
"At least until I permit it, those gods, demigods, and other miscellaneous things won't be bothering you anymore."
The Diviner pondered for a moment, then his fingers began to move.
"This Night Watchmen girl... Hmm, it's not her."
"What's your relationship with this kid?"
The voice from the phone laughed: "No relationship, I just have high hopes for him."
"Oh, really..."
The Diviner murmured, then said: "Then that makes it even more necessary to eliminate him."
As he spoke, he casually threw the phone toward the sea.
The small pink phone traced an arc through the air but soon bizarrely reversed course, hovering in mid-air.
"So rude, but luckily I have flight mode!"
A relieved voice came from the phone.
The corner of the Diviner's eye twitched: "What kind of flight mode is that?"
"Anyway, anyway, it seems like you don't respond to soft approaches and prefer the hard way?"
The pink phone brought the conversation back on track, speaking with a somewhat threatening tone.
"I've never responded to either soft or hard approaches," the Diviner said calmly. "Once I've decided to do something, no one can stop me."
"I know you have many methods, 'Hacker,' but you're only lacking in 'direct confrontation' abilities."
"Even if you can prevent gods from entering this place and throw out the 'fate fragments,' if I'm already prepared to make certain sacrifices, can you really stop me?"
The Diviner countered, and silence came from the other end of the phone.
"You really hit my sore spot, you're so annoying, always exposing people's weaknesses."
"Do you absolutely have to kill him? No room for negotiation?"
The voice from the phone asked, and the Diviner nodded.
"If you weren't so determined to protect him, I might not have such a strong desire to eliminate him..."
"But then again, your ban on gods entering has actually helped me instead. This kid seems to be quite 'favored' by the gods."
The electronic synthesized voice from the phone sighed.
"Of course I know that, idiot. I just don't want him to owe those guys any more favors... His own path should be chosen by himself."
The Diviner sneered mockingly: "But now he only has a dead end ahead."
"That's not necessarily true."
The voice from the phone said.
"What, are you planning to come here personally?" the Diviner sighed. "But even then, it would be too late."
"No, not me. And it's not too late."
After saying this, the call abruptly ended.
Hearing the other party's abrupt and incomplete final rebuttal, the Diviner frowned.
"Talking nonsense."
He cursed, then threw the phone aside again, preparing to step forward and completely end Lin Yu's life.
But the moment the Diviner took his first step, he stopped moving.
On one hand, it was because his intuition sensed something very "dangerous"—as the 'Diviner,' his "intuition" was itself part of his abilities, so he naturally couldn't ignore it.
And on the other hand...
He didn't hear the sound of the phone hitting the ground.
The Diviner immediately turned around, then saw an unexpected figure, completely beyond his expectations.
Since becoming the 'Diviner,' he had rarely encountered "unexpected" situations.
But today, he had encountered far too many.
And all of those combined weren't as surprising as the scene before him now.
A young woman wearing white Tai Chi clothes caught the falling phone steadily with the tip of her foot, then with perfectly balanced movements, brought the phone before her and tucked it into her pocket.
Then, her healthy face revealed a friendly smile.
"Good day to you, 'Diviner.'"
Although her tone was peaceful as she greeted him, the other party had one foot forward, one hand pushing forward and the other hanging back, assuming the starting stance of Open Door Eight Extremes Fist.
The Diviner closed his eyes, his expression showing slight pain.
"Why is it you, 'Grandmaster'!"
Congratulations on passing the game "Escape from the Madhouse"!
Your rewards for this game are now being calculated!
You have obtained the basic reward: 7 days of survival time.
Lin Yu opened his eyes and found himself already within the Settlement Space.
He let out a sigh, knowing he had gambled correctly.
Returning to confront the Diviner face-to-face, Lin Yu wasn't betting on the man's kindness.
But rather...
Someone didn't want him dead.
It was precisely because too many people were watching him that Lin Yu dared to operate this way.
Gods, organizations, experts...
This couldn't even be called a gamble.
"This is just... following the script step by step."
Lin Yu sighed inwardly.
He just didn't know yet who had taken on the role he had reserved.
And now, although he had "safely cleared the game," the performance still wasn't over.
He looked around the Settlement Space - only himself and Robin were there.
Indeed, there was no sign of 'Max' - the other had truly remained forever on the Misty Islands.
Lin Yu sighed and spoke to Robin, who also looked somewhat distressed not far away.
"Robin!"
He called out, and Robin lifted her head.
"What's wrong?"
She asked quietly. Lin Yu pursed his lips.
"Nothing... just, thank you."
"And, I'm sorry."
Robin shook her head slightly. "No, it's not your fault... I was the one who dragged you into this."
"What happened to Max isn't your fault either."
She knew what Lin Yu was apologizing for.
This young man who had just joined 'Order' probably thought that his actions against the 'Marauders' had provoked the 'Diviner,' leading to the tragedy.
Although ultimately both of them seemed to have survived.
But Robin knew that people in 'Order' tended to be somewhat twisted and wouldn't easily "forgive" themselves...
Thinking of this, Robin sighed.
"After we get out, I'll find time to talk with you."
She said, then forced a smile.
"Regardless, we're both alive, and that's the most important thing."
"Rather than blaming ourselves, we should focus on getting stronger... perhaps we can seek revenge against that guy together."
Robin tried her best to comfort him.
Looking at her expression, Lin Yu nodded slightly.
To be honest...
This young girl really wasn't suited for cheering people up - she wasn't the particularly positive type herself, and forcing these words out actually added pressure instead.
She even had a clear sense of "forced cheerfulness" and "feigned relaxation" about her.
But regardless...
"The objective has been achieved." Official source ıs novｅlfire.net
His identity as 'May May' should have officially connected with the 'Night Watchmen' as well... and Robin would likely spread the news about fighting alongside him and narrowly escaping death from the 'Diviner.'
This was exactly what Lin Yu wanted to see.
And so.
Lin Yu routinely checked the upcoming item rewards.
Based on your performance in this game, you have obtained the evaluation "Threading the Needle," granting you an additional reward.
Additional reward: Randomly obtain two "non-exclusive item" rewards.
Item·Asylum Patient Gown, bound.
Item·Repaired Mist Pocket Watch, bound.
Looking at the two non-exclusive items, Lin Yu couldn't help but sigh.
"Classic Threading the Needle..."
But this time, it seemed he only received the Threading the Needle evaluation.
Master of Control and Far-Famed Reputation weren't seen...
But Lin Yu found this reasonable.
He definitely didn't qualify for those other evaluations this time.
But even knowing this was perfectly reasonable, Lin Yu couldn't help but curse while looking at the mark on his wrist.
"Games involving you are always particularly stingy! Does your authority include hidden miserliness or misfortune?"
After cursing, Lin Yu's mood immediately improved considerably.
He then checked the obtained items.
Asylum Patient Gown: When worn, there's a high probability others will consider you "insane," rationalizing most of your behaviors, while significantly enhancing your physical stamina and reducing your pain perception. There's a certain possibility your behavior may exhibit "loss of control" phenomena.
Looking at this item, Lin Yu pondered.
"Hmm... the effects seem pretty good, but there appear to be some side effects."
"I rarely get these double-edged sword type items, better keep it."
Repaired Mist Pocket Watch: Once just an ordinary pocket watch, damaged in an accident. Because its owner couldn't bear to part with it, it was repaired by transforming it into a magical item, gaining the ability to temporarily "reverse" an object, though this ability requires a "sacrifice" to activate.
Note: Offer a soul, receive a return - that's the rule of the Misty Islands.
Looking at this item description, Lin Yu was somewhat surprised.
"Whoa, actually got something good!"
He had actually obtained an item with a Note entry!
Although it was still a non-exclusive item, having a Note entry indicated it had some special qualities.
After reading the item description, Lin Yu realized...
This thing was truly not simple!
Just the immediate uses he could think of included "refresh orb" and "consumable replenishment" applications.
And combining this thing with his Fraudster abilities and the unused Miserly Wealthy One buff, he could probably create even more amazing tricks!
Though it seemed activating this ability required using a "sacrifice"...
The sacrifice was probably a soul?
As for whether the soul was his or someone else's, animal or human, NPC's or player's, Lin Yu would need to study this more carefully.
But regardless of the limitations and costs, this thing could at least serve as a "trump card" type method to elevate his upper limits.
After storing these two items, Lin Yu let out a sigh.
Although he only obtained the Threading the Needle evaluation this time, besides these two items, he had additionally obtained a third item.
This item wasn't even considered a reward.
Wise One's Active Brain: A strange phenomenon resulting from a player's post-mortem mutation - a brain that retains all his consciousness and memories but is considered a new life form.
Checking the strange glowing brain in his item space, Lin Yu sighed.
"In a certain sense, I also have an old master in a ring now..."
"But why was Freud's brain assigned to me?"
First, it was strange enough that it was classified as an item.
Second, it had been staying in the cage Robin drew - shouldn't it belong to Robin instead?
After thinking for a moment, Lin Yu decided to stop pondering.
Regardless, obtaining a founder who understood the Psychological Society inside out was absolutely a major advantage for him!
Whew—"
After leaving the Settlement Space, Lin Yu pulled the plastic bag off his head.
He sat in his room breathing heavily, then let out a long sigh.
Only after returning to reality did he finally feel the tangible sensation of "surviving."
"I almost got killed by the Diviner, and this dungeon was such a headache too."
And because he had been operating under the identity of May May, Lin Yu couldn't just pretend nothing happened after returning to reality.
He took out the transparent phone tablet, then switched to May May's phone.
He immediately sent a message to Good Night.
"Captain, I encountered the Marauders' Diviner in the last dungeon, and he almost killed me."
As soon as Lin Yu sent the message, he quickly received a reply from Good Night.
[Good Night: Wait, bro]
[Good Night: Who did you say?]
[May May: The Diviner, at least that's what he called himself]
[Good Night: If it's really him, how did you survive?]
[May May: I was with Robin from the Night Watchmen, the three of us participated in this dungeon together, you can verify this with the Night Watchmen]
[May May: Also, this dungeon had special mechanics - at first he was disguised as a First-Tier player, which gave me some buffer time.]
[Good Night: I see]
[Good Night: Alright, I'll send you a link, fill out a report]
Soon after, Good Night directly forwarded a mini-program link to Lin Yu's chat software. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel✶fire.net
Lin Yu was surprised, but it also felt somewhat reasonable.
As expected of Order...
They didn't need a separately developed app, they just openly created a mini-program and hung it at the entrance of mainstream software.
When Lin Yu clicked it open, he found the mini-program's name was quite discreet, called "Safe Access Background Management System."
After clicking login, his WeChat account naturally passed the review.
"Welcome, May May."
Lin Yu quickly found the "Submit Report" option in the clean interface.
The UI and guidance of this mini-program were quite good, and after clicking, there were detailed report type classifications.
"Please check your report submission category below:"
"Report involves: A, Real world. B, Dungeon world. C, Both."
"Report source: A, Personal experience. B, Investigation discovery. C, Public submission."
"Urgent: A, Yes. B, No."
"Please complete additional supplementary matters in the report content."
Lin Yu checked BAA, then began filling out the report content.
He roughly described the content within the dungeon: including the reincarnation cycles mechanism, traces of the Psychological Society, interactions with Robin, and the Diviner who appeared at the critical moment.
However, Lin Yu naturally concealed some parts: basically anything Robin didn't know about what he had done, Lin Yu mostly omitted.
Especially the parts about deceiving the Diviner, and the First Generation Freud's brain falling into his possession.
These were clearly not suitable for Order to know.
And Lin Yu wasn't deliberately hiding things either... this way, even if it were really exposed, he wouldn't have intentionally deceived in the report, just omitted non-essential parts.
After all, the core content of this report was that he encountered the Diviner!
From the results perspective, with Robin's personality, she definitely wouldn't downplay his actions - as long as she truthfully reported what she saw him do...
That should count as "merits without faults."
If Order were to deeply investigate how an ordinary First-Tier player like him managed to survive under the Diviner's hands and whether he was hiding some methods, then this organization would be too disappointing.
But regardless, having an organization still had its benefits.
At least after submitting the report...
Once the name Diviner appeared, someone else would have to deal with the headache.
Lin Yu knew this guy ranked second on the leaderboard.
But for Order, with first and third place in their ranks, they weren't really that afraid of the Diviner.
"It's good to have strong backing - even if Order lacks humanistic care and warmth, they'd probably have to take this seriously due to pressure."
Thinking this far, Lin Yu felt somewhat pleased.
"Moreover... this organization is actually quite considerate."
After submitting the report, he sent another new message to Good Night.
[May May: Captain, I submitted my report.]
[May May: I'm going to test out the items I got this time, just message me if anything comes up]
Then, Lin Yu put his phone aside and really began "testing" the items.
Of course...
The [Asylum Patient Gown] didn't need testing - its description was already clear enough.
The [Repaired Fog Pocket Watch] required "sacrifices," and Lin Yu felt testing this thing wasn't really appropriate either.
In this room, besides himself and three summoned creatures, there was only Lin Zhao - who would be suitable to sacrifice?
So...
There was really only one newly acquired item that Lin Yu needed to "test."
He took out Freud's brain from his item space.
The thing judged and named by the Death Game as [Wise One's Active Brain] appeared before Lin Yu.
The glowing brain started shouting as soon as it appeared.
"Whoa—!"
"This feeling... this feeling... I'm back in the real world?"
"Earth! Hah!"
The brain flashed as the voice of the First Generation Freud sounded, seeming quite excited.
"Let me see what changes have happened to Earth after all this time."
Lin Yu sighed: "You've only been gone for just over a year, even iPhones might not have updated yet..."
"Anyway, you're now my [summoned creature] too... so I think we should talk first."
"Although you almost tried to kill me, and I ruined your plans, from the results perspective you eventually cooperated with my plan and helped me, and I brought you out of that hellhole, so—if we talk about cooperation, we have a pretty good foundation, right?"
As Lin Yu spoke, the glowing brain gradually calmed down.
It rested on the table in front of Lin Yu, its light brightening and dimming like breathing.
The brain seemed to be in deep thought.
Soon after, the voice sounded again.
"Hmm, I think... that's reasonable!"
"What cooperation do you want to discuss with me?"
Hearing Freud's words, Lin Yu let out a breath.
"As expected of a pragmatic smart person..."
"Then tell me, what can you do now—as my [item]."
"After all, the Death Game's description of you is a bit vague."
What I can do now is actually quite limited, but since I was once incredibly powerful, even in my current state, I'm probably still a very strong asset for you."
Facing Lin Yu's inquiry, the First Generation 'Freud' spoke with considerable confidence, appearing very self-assured.
Hearing this, Lin Yu became quite interested.
"Oh, really? Then tell me more."
After all, this guy was one of the founders of the 'Psychological Society'... as the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Since he could stand on equal footing with the 'Diviner,' he probably reached the 'Third Tier' or 'Fourth Tier' back in his day.
Moreover, Lin Yu had personally experienced his terrifying abilities in the dungeon... being able to control hundreds of corpse puppets and casually alter people's memories and perceptions. Even if these two abilities were significantly weakened, as long as they still existed, they could likely become a tremendous asset for him.
Sure enough, the First Generation 'Freud' spoke proudly.
"You're so clever, you've probably already guessed... The core abilities I retained after death are manipulating residual souls and altering cognition."
"The former ability relied on my many years of operation in the Misty Islands, allowing me to simultaneously control the residual souls of an entire asylum's worth of people... But now that even my body has been destroyed, leaving only this brain, the effect is naturally greatly diminished."
"I can still manipulate residual souls now, but the numbers are significantly reduced... Currently, I can control at most one."
Hearing the First Generation 'Freud's explanation, Lin Yu couldn't help but complain.
"What do you mean 'at most one'... If one is the upper limit, you don't need to add 'at most'."
The glowing brain flashed rapidly twice: "You're really not giving me any face!"
"Never mind... In any case, for me to control someone, two conditions must be met: First, the person being controlled must have just died."
"Second, their soul must be in an incomplete state before death."
"Only then can I use the deceased residual soul to control the body."
Lin Yu sighed: "So many restrictions?"
"Yes, otherwise why would I be holed up in the Misty Islands," the First Generation 'Freud's brain argued righteously, "If I could refine others with a wave of my hand, wouldn't I have already formed an undead legion to directly battle the Misty Islands Master, or even challenge the gods of the Misty Sea Archipelago?"
"Would I still need to stay in that broken asylum?"
Lin Yu was momentarily speechless at the self-righteous 'Freud,' helplessly rubbing his forehead.
"You have a point. Tell me about your second ability."
"This one's simple - I can interfere with people's cognition and memory, exactly as it sounds."
The First Generation 'Freud' said lightly: "I can make people lose memories from a recent period, and each time they lose memories, I can implant a subconscious suggestion... With enough memory losses, I can even make people forget their own identity."
"Of course, that's the ideal scenario... since the trigger condition is quite difficult."
As the First Generation 'Freud' spoke, Lin Yu grew curious.
"What is this trigger condition?"
He was also curious about how he kept losing his memories repeatedly in the asylum.
"It must be that I have a direct causal relationship with the person losing consciousness - for example, if I knock them out, drug them, or hypnotize them myself."
"This is somewhat of a 'causal law' nature - it must be something I subjectively want to do and objectively achieve directly through my own actions."
"I can use items and external objects, but if someone else I command accomplishes this, it doesn't count."
Lin Yu was taken aback: "But you're just a lone brain now, wouldn't that be very difficult to achieve?"
The First Generation 'Freud's brain circuitry flashed with light as he spoke gravely: "Exactly... The reason you easily lost memories in the Misty Islands asylum was because the surrounding mist was personally arranged by me as 'Slumber Illusion Mist,' and there was also my item [Suspended Sun Dazzle] in the sky that once belonged to me."
"But fortunately... if it's a residual soul puppet controlled by me that knocks someone out, it still counts."
Hearing this, Lin Yu nodded.
Though harsh, it wasn't impossible.
"Can you now, like in the Misty Islands, turn the person you control into a giant monster?"
The First Generation 'Freud' laughed heartily: "Haha... wishful thinking!"
"That was a remnant of my 'Heart Domain' ability. Now that I'm just a brain, how could I possibly manifest a 'Heart Domain'?"
Lin Yu frowned.
He had heard the term "Heart Domain" again... Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs n0velfire.net
The 'Diviner' and 'Robin' had explained to him that 'Heart Domain' belongs to Fourth Tier abilities.
But Lin Yu still wanted to know specifically what it was.
"What exactly is this 'Heart Domain' thing?"
The First Generation 'Freud' wasn't stingy with the information: "If I were alive, telling you this would cause trouble for myself... but since I'm in this sorry state now, it doesn't matter."
"If you want to understand 'Heart Domain,' we have to start from 'Promotion'."
"In my view... or in the view of most Fourth Tier players and those approaching the Fourth Tier threshold, the deeper you go into the 'Death Game,' the more you'll discover... the further you progress, everything becomes more and more like a game."
"You enter the game and obtain initial [Class Abilities]."
"Through activities in other worlds, you gain opportunities for 'Promotion'... After reaching First Tier, you obtain [Class Items] - from then on, even players who obtain the same 'Class' have two different paths."
"At Second Tier, what you get are called [Specialized Items]... This time there are four choices, and when combined, each 'Class' is further divided into eight different directions."
"And when you reach Third Tier, what you obtain are called [Exclusive Items]... These are unique to each individual."
"And during this period, you respectively obtain three privileges: [Social], [Encyclopedia], and [Map]..."
"Have you noticed something? This 'Promotion' essentially makes you increasingly unique through [Items] - starting a 'Promotion Trial' requires you to be remembered by those dungeon worlds, and 'Promotion' itself gives you increasingly distinct personal characteristics."
"Meanwhile... because of the existence of [Privileges], combined with those [Items] that make you progressively stronger, those worlds are becoming more and more like games to you. The more you interact with them, the more 'higher-dimensional' you become... In the end, you as a player seem to become..."
The First Generation 'Freud' paused, and Lin Yu subconsciously spoke the unspoken words for him.
"A god."
"Congratulations, you're correct."
The First Generation 'Freud' said: "After you reach 'Third Tier,' what awaits you isn't a 'Promotion Trial,' but rather fusing everything you've mastered - [Privileges], [Items] - traveling back and forth between reality and dungeon worlds. When your understanding of self and world becomes crystal clear, what finally coalesces... is the 'Heart Domain'."
"'Heart Domain' is your own... 'Divine Kingdom'."
After hearing the first-generation 'Freud's definition of 'Heart Domain', Lin Yu nodded silently.
"Now I understand."
At this moment, Lin Yu couldn't help but marvel that having an elder in the family was like having a treasure.
Although the content this brain had just spoken about wouldn't be immediately useful to Lin Yu in the short term, he had benefited greatly from it.
These were contents that pointed directly to the essence of the 'Death Game'.
Even if Lin Yu couldn't reach that height for a while, with the professional characteristics of the 'Fraudster' right there...
Even if he just used these things to bluff others, it would be more than enough for Lin Yu.
Moreover, Lin Yu felt that although he was only at the 'First Tier', he might not be completely unable to touch the most essential parts of the 'Death Game'.
Which normal player would get pulled aside by a god during their second dungeon?
"Anyway, thank you for explaining all this to me, Mr. 'Freud'."
The first-generation 'Freud' laughed: "No problem, spreading this around would easily attract the attention of gods, or even the care of the 'Death Game's own will, but given my current state, I certainly have nothing to fear!"
"Besides, I'm now your [item]... we're grasshoppers tied to the same rope."
After all, this first-generation 'Freud' was once a player, and his mindset changed extremely quickly.
"Also, there should be a new 'Freud' in the 'Psychological Society' now, so don't call me that anymore... just call me Old Zheng."
The brain said cheerfully, and Lin Yu nodded.
"Okay, Old Zheng... pleasure working with you."
"But don't you need to set some conditions or something with me?"
"I don't believe you'd be willing to be my [item] forever."
The first-generation 'Freud', that is, Old Zheng, shook his entire brain as if shaking his head.
"Not at all, young man, first... it's completely unrealistic for you to 'bring me back to life' or something like that now, even if you were to create a physical body for me, it would probably be too much to ask of you."
"But aside from that... there's no point in making other demands."
At this point, Old Zheng paused.
"Secondly... as you know, I come from the 'Psychological Society', and was even one of its earliest members."
"And the purpose and philosophy of the 'Psychological Society' has never changed... we focus on the 'overall' strength of all players."
"Promising 'players' shouldn't be buried, and having more and more players become stronger and reach higher tiers is exactly what we hope to see."
"And you... my friend, although our contact has been brief, I can determine that your potential is terrifyingly powerful!"
Old Zheng said, his tone even somewhat excited.
Lin Yu sighed: "I really don't know how you guys come to these conclusions, isn't there any unified evaluation standard?"
Old Zheng said lightly: "Sounds like you've learned about your own evaluation... let me guess what rating they gave you, at least above B—A? A+?"
Lin Yu exhaled: "Unfortunately, it's even higher."
The brain's glow dimmed for a moment.
"S-class?"
Old Zheng's voice sounded again.
"Yes, S-class," Lin Yu said calmly, "To be honest, it's caused me a lot of trouble."
Old Zheng suddenly felt something was wrong: "Uh, then the way you entered this game, it couldn't be..."
"Yeah, I was killed by someone from your 'Psychological Society's execution department."
Lin Yu said indifferently.
Old Zheng laughed loudly: "Hahaha what are you talking about, what 'your 'Psychological Society''... I'm dead, I haven't had the slightest connection with them for a long time!"
"And even when I was around, the plan to send promising people into the game early wasn't my idea... including the formation of the execution department, those were all 'Lacan' and 'Wundt's ideas."
Human brains don't have sweat glands, but if they did, Old Zheng would probably be sweating profusely right now.
However, the noticeably accelerated frequency of his flashing still betrayed Old Zheng's extreme nervousness at this moment.
Lin Yu exhaled: "Relax, since you're already dead, I won't hold it against you."
"Although if I had the chance, I'd be happy to destroy the 'Psychological Society', I won't put too much effort into it."
"If I had to say who I'm really motivated to take revenge on, it would probably only be the person responsible for the 'execution' and the one who directly gave the decision and command."
Lin Yu said calmly.
Old Zheng thought for a moment.
"Hmm... if it's convenient to ask, do you have any clues about who these two are respectively?"
Lin Yu raised an eyebrow: "Worried that I'll settle scores with your former disciples and friends?"
"No, just seeing if I can provide some help," Old Zheng said casually, finally showing the traits befitting a former 'Psychological Society' leader, "Even if they're my friends... if you, as a 'First Tier', try to take action, you'll probably be at a disadvantage."
"Of course I should give you some intelligence assistance to make your revenge a fair fight... only then can it be considered a proper trial."
"Regardless of whether your revenge succeeds or fails, the victorious side will become... stronger."
As Old Zheng spoke, Lin Yu blinked.
Since the other party was just a brain, unable to analyze micro-expressions and body language.
So Lin Yu directly used the [Mind-Peeping Eyepiece] to observe the other's emotions.
Judging from the "75% determination, 20% excitement, 3% madness, 2% joy" indicated on this brain...
Old Zheng definitely wasn't joking or fooling around.
So, Lin Yu exhaled.
"I don't know who gave the order yet, but you should know the one who actually did it."
"She's an S-Class Specialist from your 'Psychological Society', code name 'Fluoxetine'... according to 'Robin' from the 'Night Watchmen', she once participated with Robin in the initial version of your asylum."
Upon hearing this, about 30% "surprise" appeared in Old Zheng's emotions.
"'Fluoxetine'... how fascinating."
Soon, his emotions became 90%, almost 100% excitement!
"S-class, favored by gods even at First Tier, and able to escape death from the 'Diviner's hands—and you're up against 'Fluoxetine'... how interesting! Two S-class potential individuals having a grudge... this is fantastic!"
Old Zheng couldn't contain his excitement: "Indeed, 'fate' guides miracles to happen, she is the 'Psychological Society'... no, she should be one of the most special players in the entire 'Death Game'!"
Hearing Old Zheng's words and realizing it was related to 'Fluoxetine', Lin Yu naturally asked more.
"What exactly makes that person so special?" Read complete versıon only at novel✦fire.net
Old Zheng immediately replied: "Let me put it this way, the reason I've ended up in this miserable state is all thanks to her!"
"And when she accomplished all this... she was only at the 'Second Tier'!"
Sounds like quite the headache-inducing individual. While I expected her to be powerful, scheming against a Fourth Tier player while only at Second Tier..."
"That's genuinely troublesome."
Lin Yu sighed.
Old Zheng began explaining: "Actually... I wasn't truly Fourth Tier. Although I could deploy the 'Heart Domain,' I was more at the half-step 'Fourth Tier' stage... or you could say 'Third Tier' peak perfection!"
Hearing this description, Lin Yu felt somewhat helpless: "You've certainly read your share of web novels..."
Old Zheng didn't deny it: "What's wrong with having hobbies? Reading web novels isn't illegal."
Then, he steered the conversation back from his personal interests: "Alright... let's return to Fluoxetine. Although that young woman didn't confront me directly, her meticulous planning and reckless actions still mark her as an exceptionally rare genius. I don't feel wronged losing to her."
"Of course, her peculiarities don't end there... Do you know how she entered the 'Death Game'?"
As Old Zheng spoke, Lin Yu grew intrigued.
"Is that particularly unusual too?"
Old Zheng nodded: "Yes, she committed suicide."
Even though Lin Yu had prepared himself mentally, he still froze momentarily: "What?"
"Correct, she killed herself—I reviewed her files back then. This person entered the 'Death Game' after taking her own life."
Lin Yu stared at the brain before him, finding it unbelievable: "You're not joking, are you?"
"Doesn't the 'Death Game' only accept people with strong desires to live...? If she voluntarily gave up her life, how could she meet the criteria?"
Old Zheng's brain trembled slightly: "I found it hard to believe too, but it's absolutely true—even after abandoning her life, her will to survive still met the 'Death Game's standards."
"Therefore, she's also the most unpredictable player... Each player's 'reason for wanting to live' is actually a crucial part of how we assess their potential. But Fluoxetine's entry method makes it difficult to determine why she wants to survive..."
"We can't even figure out why she aligns with our 'Psychological Society's philosophy—at least we hadn't back then, not sure if there's been progress since."
Old Zheng lamented, his tone filled with reminiscence.
Clearly, Fluoxetine had left quite an impression on him.
Lin Yu nodded: "I see..."
Old Zheng exhaled: "Anyway, if it were any other operative, I'd say you could make your move earlier... but since it's Fluoxetine, you'd better focus on developing your strength first!"
"How many dungeons have you completed? What's your current tier?"
Old Zheng asked, and Lin Yu shrugged.
"My next dungeon will be the seventh, and I'm currently First Tier."
Although Old Zheng might potentially break free from him in the future, Lin Yu felt...
Since this brain was currently his [item], hiding information served no purpose.
So, he answered honestly.
"You only completed six dungeons before matching with mine, and you even finished a Promotion Trial? What kind of monster are you?" Old Zheng exclaimed in amazement. "When are you advancing to Second Tier?"
Hearing Old Zheng's words, Lin Yu glanced at the floating blood-red text in his vision.
"You actually reminded me of something..."
"Next dungeon."
[Time until next game latest start: 06 days 22 hours 55 minutes]
[Note: During your next game dungeon, you will receive an additional 'Promotion Trial' mission.]
Lin Yu spoke up: "Technically, I should have received it during your dungeon, but for some reason... it got delayed by one dungeon."
Old Zheng processed this, his brain bouncing on the table: "What the hell? You reached First Tier in your third dungeon? And passed?!"
"Then in your seventh dungeon... you're already advancing to Second Tier?"
Lin Yu spread his hands: "I don't know how it happened either, but... that's the situation."
Old Zheng thought for a long time, seemingly verifying whether Lin Yu was joking.
Although unclear how a lone brain perceived the external world, Lin Yu was certain Old Zheng had just scrutinized him from head to toe.
Finally, Old Zheng spoke again: "I take back what I said earlier... compared to you, Fluoxetine isn't that abnormal." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel⦿fire.net
"By the way, your S-rank... is too low. If it were me, I'd give you S+."
Old Zheng marveled.
Lin Yu smiled: "Thanks for the compliment."
"Anyway, I'll be consulting you frequently about 'Psychological Society' matters from now on."
As he spoke, Lin Yu took out the [Cyber Ghost's Electronic Coffin], preparing to respond to messages from other identities—this had become part of his weekly routine.
But just as he pulled out his phone, it vibrated.
On May's phone, Good Night was calling him via voice chat.
Lin Yu slightly furrowed his brows.
Why was he calling so suddenly?
Was there some emergency?
Something wrong with my report?
That shouldn't be the case.
Pressing the speakerphone button, Lin Yu answered Good Night's call.
"Hello, Captain Good Night, what's up?"
Good Night's voice came through: "Dammit, are you asleep? Can you come out?"
"I can come out, but..."
Lin Yu's tone carried some unspoken hesitation.
"Ah damn, I know it's somewhat unreasonable, but it's an emergency. Can you get to... let me check, get to the Tom Supermarket on Old Alley Road as soon as possible."
"I'll explain the details when you arrive."
Good Night said, and Lin Yu nodded.
"Alright, I'll head over immediately."
Then, Lin Yu hung up.
"What could it be in the middle of the night?"
Lin Yu muttered, but still slung his backpack over his shoulder preparing to leave.
He didn't put Old Zheng back into storage, instead stuffing him into the backpack.
At the same time, Lin Yu also tucked Hannah inside.
"Disguise this brain properly."
"Ribbit! Understood!"
As a "ring-bound elder mentor," this guy had extensive experience. Keeping him constantly stored in the [item space] felt like such a waste to Lin Yu.
Whenever conditions allowed, of course he should carry it around constantly to use as an encyclopedia and strategy guide!
A single brain wasn't particularly heavy anyway.
Lin Yu shouldered his backpack and opened his bedroom door.
Just as he prepared to sneak out quietly...
*Click!*
The suddenly illuminated dining room light froze Lin Yu in place.
Lin Zhao emerged from the kitchen holding a bowl of instant noodles, looking surprised at Lin Yu.
"Where are you going at this hour?"
Lin Yu's mind raced, quickly responding.
"Well... there's an emergency filming task. One of the videos I shot earlier got taken down, so they want me to reshoot one."
As Lin Yu spoke, Lin Zhao stirred the noodles in her bowl with chopsticks, making sticky sounds.
"Oh... money sure isn't easy to earn!"
"Maybe we should just quit this job. It's not like your big sister can't handle working!"
Lin Yu smiled: "How could we do that? Besides the money... it's also a great opportunity."
"Alright, sis, I'm heading out now."
Seeing that Lin Zhao had been successfully fooled, Lin Yu quickly dashed out, not giving her time to think more carefully.
The excuse was improvised—he genuinely feared further questions would expose him!
Who knew why Lin Zhao, who usually maintained regular sleep patterns, had suddenly gotten up to eat instant noodles in the middle of the night.
After leaving home, Old Zheng's voice came from the backpack.
"Was that woman your sister?"
"What about it?"
Lin Yu asked somewhat irritably.
"Nothing, just... she's quite attractive."
Old Zheng marveled: "A real beauty."