51: Could I really be that unlucky?

Yuan Hao hadn't forgotten the content of the first parchment he obtained when he first entered the castle.

Players, in addition to reaching the first floor, also needed to find the castle key to clear the game.

The first floor of the castle was much larger and taller than the upper floors.

At a glance, the walls around the hall were covered with medieval-style oil paintings.

The content of the oil paintings was almost entirely dark in style; a long dining table was set with some tableware, and a huge fireplace not far away emitted a faint red glow, adding a touch of life to the hall.

Although the first floor temporarily looked unremarkable, Yuan Hao would not let his guard down.

The most important thing right now was to first find the so-called key to clear the game.

“Don’t approach the main door yet; let’s split up and search.”

After stopping Song Yang, Yuan Hao spoke, giving instructions.

Using reverse thinking, most players, after enduring countless hardships to reach the first floor, would probably excitedly rush towards the main door leading outside.

Yuan Hao had now completely acknowledged the Tianfeng Haunted House, and his mind was on high alert.

In his opinion, there would definitely be a trap at the main door.

After some time together, the relationships among the group had become much more harmonious compared to the beginning.

And Yuan Hao, with his many years of escape room experience, had successfully been chosen as the leader by everyone.

As for Song Yang, he was also the backbone of the team.

The two could be described as one intellectual and one warrior.

Without Song Yang fearlessly leading the way, their speed would probably decrease by more than half.

Upon hearing Yuan Hao’s words, everyone prepared to scatter.

Just then, the little girl Ellie couldn’t help but ask, “Brothers and sisters, what are you looking for? Do you need my help?”

At this, Dai Xiaomei rubbed her little head and said with a smile, “It’s alright, Ellie, we will definitely get you out of here.”

“You just stay here obediently and don’t run around.”

Ellie was cute and well-behaved.

Even though Dai Xiaomei knew she was fake, a virtual NPC, her appearance and voice were so realistic that Dai Xiaomei couldn't help but feel her maternal instincts overflow.

Subconsciously, she didn't want the other party to face any danger.

“How could I forget Ellie!”

On the other side, Yuan Hao slapped his forehead.

He quickly went to Ellie’s side, pulled out the second parchment he found on the third floor from hisHuai, squatted down, and asked with a smile, “Ellie, have you seen a parchment like this before?”

Ellie was an Indigenous Inhabitant of the castle and must be more familiar with the surroundings than them.

Yuan Hao didn't ask if she had seen any keys; based on his guess, there were definitely more than two parchments.

So far, they had only received four hints.

And none of these four hints were related to the key.

As the crucial item for clearing the game, the key would definitely not be easy to find, so he concluded that there must be other parchments that the group hadn't found yet.

Sure enough, upon seeing the parchment in his hand, Ellie’s eyes lit up.

“I’ve seen this before; there’s one right there.”

As her voice fell, Ellie pointed her finger at an oil painting on the wall not far away.

The walls of the entire first floor of the castle were almost covered with oil paintings, and that particular painting was hidden among them, very inconspicuous.

Without Ellie’s hint, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack for them to find it.

“Ellie, you’re amazing!”

Seeing that Ellie actually knew about the parchment, Dai Xiaomei instinctively picked her up and kissed her cute little cheek.

Darn it!

Why did the boss make an NPC so cute and realistic?

If only she were my sister… The real touch made Dai Xiaomei feel a strange sadness inside.

She knew that as soon as they cleared the game, Ellie would probably disappear.

Ellie, who had been kissed by Dai Xiaomei, showed an innocent smile, making everyone smile knowingly.

Yuan Hao, hearing the hint, didn't delay and immediately went to the oil painting.

Song Yang looked at Ellie, who was held in Dai Xiaomei’s arms, and couldn’t help but show an auntie-like smile.

Because Yuan Hao had pulled him earlier, he was now closest to the staircase.

With a silly smile on his face, he didn't notice the tall figure slowly appearing on the staircase behind him.

“Found it!”

On the other side, Yuan Hao’s surprised voice rang out.

He returned to the group, a new parchment clearly in his hand.

[Hint]

[Fifth: The key is by your side]

[Sixth: Death is also liberation]

Two hints were clearly written on the paper.

“The key is by your side?”

“What does this mean?”

Looking at the hints on the parchment, everyone was confused.

Even Yuan Hao was a bit puzzled at this moment.

Glancing around, he frowned and said, “Could it be that the key has been with us all along?”

“But besides the crucifix, we haven’t obtained any other items.”

Song Yang looked at the frowning faces of the group, and his mouth suddenly twitched.

“Look at you all, what’s so difficult about this?”

“I originally wanted to get along with you as an ordinary person, but what I got in return was… uh, was the assumption that I was just simple-minded.”

“I’m not pretending anymore, I’m actually a smart person, I’m coming clean!”

Like a Dragon King descending, Song Yang looked at the group and pointed at the parchment, continuing, “The key is by your side, can’t you see such an obvious hint?”

“Clearly, these three parchments are the key to clearing the game!”

At this, everyone stood frozen, staring at him blankly.

Song Yang thought they were shocked by his deduction, and his mouth twitched even more severely.

However, he quickly realized something was wrong.

Why did it feel like their gazes weren’t directed at him, but at… his back?

His mouth immediately straightened and twitched a few times.

Song Yang suddenly remembered some unpleasant past experiences.

Before, whether encountering zombies in the Hundred Ghosts Cemetery or Goethe in the hallway, he was always the closest.

Because those two guys were right behind him.

It couldn’t be that unlucky, could it?

His lips trembled, and a drop of cold sweat appeared on Song Yang’s forehead.

Forcing a smile, he looked at the group and said, “Haha, don’t tell me there’s something behind me, okay?”

“Scaring people is not encouraged.”

Hearing this, everyone nodded in unison.

The cold sweat on his forehead turned from one drop to two, and he spoke again, “Black Rat Swarm? Demonic Hounds? Bats? Vampire Butler?”

These were all dangers they had encountered before.

However, to Song Yang’s despair, this time everyone shook their heads in unison.

The cold sweat on his forehead turned from two drops to three.

Song Yang forced another strained smile and asked with a last sliver of hope, “Since you didn’t run, does that mean it’s not very scary?”

Everyone again stared blankly and shook their heads.

Song Yang noticed that fear was clearly visible in their eyes.

And this time, the fear was even more intense than when they saw the Vampire Butler bite him to death before!

It’s over, I really am that unlucky!

Song Yang’s cold sweat poured down like a waterfall…