Arc 2: Internet Addiction Treatment Center
Chapter 21: Night Watch
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5039729
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
After briefly explaining the news about electroshock therapy to Luo Shu, Qin Dongwan continued,
“Leaves that fall into the puddles get scorched immediately, and the puddles get denser the closer they are to the treatment room. I suspect these puddles are connected to the treatment room and may contain electrical currents. The old professor in the classroom is a ghost, and there are ghostly figures near the dormitory. If Tang Zihang hadn’t come out in time at noon, those originally illusory ghosts would probably have solidified, and he wouldn’t have made it out.”
As she methodically explained, she also took notes. This rare moment of relaxation was perfect for organizing clues, but the inexplicable fire in the treatment room came to mind again, and unease crept up on her. Qin Dongwan, feeling troubled, twirled the pen in her hand and turned to look at Luo Shu.
“That Teacher Zhu passed out before the fire broke out. If he died, it wouldn’t count against us, right?”
“I don’t know.”
Luo Shu’s reply was blunt as usual, but fortunately, Qin Dongwan was already used to thinking independently.
Their only task was to escape from the internet addiction treatment center while avoiding the deadly areas. Places like the main gate were far too high and obvious, so it wasn’t a good idea to try escaping through there. Climbing over the wall might be a better option.
“There’s an electric fence on the wall, and it’s live.”
After hearing Qin Dongwan's thoughts, Luo Shu simply smiled. If escaping were really that easy, the players would just have to climb over the wall at night when no one was watching. However, the electric fence sealed off all escape routes, and the main gate was out of the question as well, with the security room right next to it, fully visible at a glance.
“It’s fine; we have ten days. This is only the first day. As long as we can escape within ten days...”
But escaping was easier said than done. Malicious spirits lurked in every corner, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any time. Most of the places that needed to be searched had already been explored by the players, but perhaps due to the formation of groups, the other survivors this time were less willing to share information.
It was only then that she realized the downside of forming teams in the game. After all, there would definitely be more than one team in a game, and any information they had would likely be shared internally rather than with unfamiliar players. While this approach reduced the risk of being betrayed or dealing with troublesome teammates, it also meant that escaping would take more effort. This was especially true in a level like the internet addiction center, where cooperation and sharing clues were crucial.
Qin Dongwan rubbed her head in frustration.
Several hours slipped by quietly. When the people were let out again, they instinctively glanced at the ground and, seeing that the corpses had been cleaned up, looked visibly better than before. The moment Tang Zihang came out, he resembled a dog abandoned by its owner. His sharp eyes kept scanning for the two of them, and once he spotted them, he hurried over.
“Dongwan, Luo Shu—”
Tang Zihang’s hair was a messy yellow mop, with a strikingly garish streak of red dye running through it. His bangs, soaked in sweat, clung tightly to his forehead. His steps were slightly unsteady, but upon reaching the two of them, he seemed to find his grounding. He cast a cautious glance at the female teacher organizing the formation, then quickly said:
“My roommate told me the broadcasting station is near the music classroom, but you need a key to get in...”
“Stop whispering! Boys and girls, line up separately!”
The sharp voice of the female teacher abruptly interrupted their conversation after noticing the commotion. Tang Zihang didn’t dare disobey and promptly trotted over to join the boys’ line. Except for a few supernatural incidents, this place truly resembled a genuine internet addiction treatment center, where students were monitored daily and lived a strictly regimented life.
Qin Dongwan noticed that the puddles on the ground were becoming more frequent, and on the way to the playground, some areas were almost impossible to step through. Fortunately, no one deliberately walked through the water.
After running a few laps, they headed to the cafeteria for dinner. Most people had lost their appetite after the events of the afternoon. Qin Dongwan was about to hastily eat a few bites when she saw the supervising female teacher suddenly pause. She approached a man standing at the entrance, exchanged a few words, and her expression immediately darkened.
“Which two are Qin Dongwan and Luo Shu?”
Her voice was loud, sending a shiver through the players who had already been paying attention to the commotion. They looked in horror at her eyes, which were filled with anger. The moment her name was called, Qin Dongwan reacted almost instantly. She instinctively grabbed Luo Shu’s slender wrist, the warmth of her skin giving her a bit of strength. Luo Shu was slightly startled but, in the next moment, impatiently tugged her forward.
“It’s us.”
Experience had taught Luo Shu that there was no use in trying to avoid being called out like this. So, before Qin Dongwan could react, she pulled her along. Sure enough, when the female teacher saw the two of them voluntarily step forward, her expression softened slightly, though her tone remained stern:
“What’s the meaning of this? You two escaped from the treatment room? If Teacher Zhu hadn’t reported it, I wouldn’t have even known! Are you so brave, huh? Tonight, you’ll both be on night watch in the classroom! And you—yes, you with the glasses, and the one with the yellow and red hair—you two as well!”
She casually pointed her finger, and the crowd’s gazes, filled with either gloating or concern, fell on the innocent man and Tang Zihang, who had been dragged into this.
The man was quite tall, dressed simply, and had a refined appearance. His cold gaze behind his frameless glasses made it hard to tell whether he was an NPC or a regular player. Qin Dongwan couldn’t recall ever encountering someone like him, perhaps because she had skipped over several chapters while reading.
Most of the people sent to the internet addiction center were rebellious teenagers addicted to the internet, but the man in front of her was clearly over twenty years old. He was undoubtedly a player.
To everyone’s surprise, the man who had been called out simply gave a light “Mm” before calmly stepping forward, showing no dissatisfaction with the arrangement. This was in sharp contrast to Tang Zihang, who let out a loud cry of protest. Qin Dongwan, feeling quite surprised, took a few extra glances at him. Since they hadn’t introduced themselves when they first arrived, and had scattered afterward, she didn’t know this man’s name.
“Finish your meal and come with me to the classroom. Now, hurry up and eat!”
The female teacher glared at them briefly before turning to chat amiably with the man. Her expression had completely changed, wearing a smile as she spoke. It was as though she realized that whoever was sent to the most dangerous place tonight would likely end up as a scapegoat, which made many people happier, even eating a bit more than usual.
Qin Dongwan ignored the sympathetic or smug gazes aimed at her and simply gave Tang Zihang a few words of advice before lowering her head to wolf down her food.
Silence lingered for a long time.
****
Night fell, enveloping everything in darkness. The internet addiction treatment center had only a few scattered lights on, and even the area around the dormitory was terrifyingly dark. The female teacher walked steadily on the uneven path in her high heels, explaining the night watch duties as she led the way:
“From nightfall, you’ll start your night watch over there. Your main task is to prevent disobedient attempts at escaping. You newcomers don’t understand the rules and don’t realize that teachers and parents are doing this for your own good. Otherwise, who’d work themselves to death to watch over you for no reason? Last time, someone tried to escape and snuck through the classroom at midnight. Your job is to catch them, and there’ll be rewards if you do.”
Although Qin Dongwan couldn’t see her expression from behind, she could already picture the domineering “this is for your own good” look on her face. Once upon a time, such words were meant sincerely, but they’ve now become a common tool for moral coercion. Many people who think they’re guiding children to the “right path” end up stubbornly destroying what could have been a normal life, all in the name of love.
If a new group of night watchers is rotated every day, given the current attitudes of those involved, the NPCs in this instance wouldn’t have to worry about the players turning against each other. Since there are rewards, how many people would resort to harming others for their own gain? This NPC really is playing their cards well.
“We’re here.”
The classroom’s light bulb was broken, and after several heavy slaps on the switch, it finally emitted a faint, flickering light in the darkness, barely illuminating the unevenly arranged desks and chairs. The damp and decaying environment was a breeding ground for bacteria and mosquitoes. The annoying buzzing of mosquitoes hovered around their ears constantly, making it clear that even with rotations, a good night’s rest was impossible.
Tang Zihang slapped his arm, killing a mosquito that had just created a welt on him. The female teacher, seemingly indifferent to the situation, simply remarked, “There are more of these things in summer,” before turning and leaving. Standing by the window, Qin Dongwan watched her figure disappear completely at the staircase before turning back. She closed the window securely but didn’t lock it.
“For the rest of the night, it looks like we’re all in this together. Sir, could you tell us your name?”
The three of them weren’t particularly sociable. Luo Shu remained silent, her strikingly beautiful face cold like a glacier. Tang Zihang, on the other hand, kept stumbling over his words, leaving the “diplomat” title to naturally fall to Qin Dongwan. The lively girl with curled hair smiled faintly and was the first to introduce herself. Though her manner seemed deliberately casual, it successfully eased the atmosphere a little.
“Hua Qingjiu. Hua as in Mount Hua, Qing as in tilt, and Jiu as in nine.”
He spoke very little, and after saying that one sentence, he fell silent. But this wasn’t exactly the ideal setting for making friends—knowing each other’s names for convenience was enough. Qin Dongwan clenched her fist slightly and exhaled, trying hard not to let her emotions get too tense in the darkness. Seeing that Luo Shu and Hua Qingjiu had already started moving, she poked Tang Zihang, who was standing motionless nearby:
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5039729
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
“Let’s check out what’s in the room first. You stay here and keep an eye on what’s going on outside.”
While someone else was already inspecting the blackboard and desks, she squatted down to scan the floor. Moving forward slightly, she noticed blade-carved markings on the ground, particularly sharp and prominent. Just as she was about to take a closer look, a prickly sense of alarm surged through her, and she quickly raised her head.
Under the messy desks, a pair of hollow, lifeless eyes stared back at her from the deep shadows. Their gazes locked, and a piercing chill seemed to freeze her blood.
