Chapter 378: Entropy Increase

"The Dome still hasn't given a response?" the host's voice was pressed low, Ying Duo's ears twitched, and he silently moved to a spot by the wall that was better for listening.

Beside him, Xu Mingyuan, who was being stared at by a waiter, shook his head and explained:

"I sent the message straight to our Foreign Ministry superior; reporting to the higher‑ups will take some time, but it won't take long."

The host's tightly knit brows finally relaxed a bit, but his complexion remained unpleasant.

He called a comrade over, lowered his voice, and asked:

"What about the Entropy Increase guy? Where is he now?"

The person's expression instantly turned subtle.

"He said… he has something urgent, went off to handle other matters, and won't be coming for now."

The host was stunned, then his face turned extremely grim; finally he let out a long sigh, his face full of helplessness.

"Fine, if Entropy Increase's people can help it's a favor; if they don't, it's their duty. At worst we'll handle it ourselves."

Honestly, the fact that those lunatics from Entropy Increase would take the initiative to approach them was already surprising.

Unlike these fugitives who are still struggling to protect themselves and running exhausted, the Entropy Increase crowd has already started causing trouble all over the Dome's territory.

Bombing labs, stealing data, killing researchers—

They dare to do anything.

They can get away with anything.

Originally, per the plan, they were supposed to follow the real‑world authorities' orders, form a squad to escape the Dome's territory together, and then seek refuge with the Church.

The Church had already cooperated with the real‑world officials; as long as they reach the Church's territory, they can receive protection.

While fleeing the Dome's pursuit they finally reached a border city of the Dome, just one step away from safety, when internal disagreements arose.

Not for any other reason; after a recent return they found that people around them had also been drawn into this game, and they were still at the starting point of the escape.

The Dome's searches of players had become increasingly proficient; those new players could barely escape.

After the last return they learned of this, they could only ask the real‑world officials for help; the officials told them not to worry, that a rescue team was being organized, but after seven days they still hadn't returned to the real world.

This also prevented them from knowing whether their families were safe, and many others were in similar predicaments.

Everyone was conflicted about whether to go back and rescue their own relatives.

He felt the same; after all, his awakened Aberrant Arts were not powerful, the awakening period was short, and he couldn't match those people in direct combat.

If it weren't for the man from Entropy Increase who called himself "Hua Jian Lei" and presented a seemingly viable plan, they wouldn't have done this.

He is now waiting for an answer: whether the Dome is willing to release people or not.

The host clenched the communicator in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly pale.

After all, the real‑world officials were willing but powerless; if they couldn't provide aid, they would have to rely on themselves.

In any case, the Entropy Increase people are also Undead, and only they are willing to extend a hand.

Xu Mingyuan's statement was indeed sound; reporting to the Dome's superiors takes time, and making a decision takes even longer.

But the question is—how much time do they have?

Those guests were temporarily frightened, but fear will fade; once someone discovers the truth behind the cursed mark, or the Dome's support arrives early…

His hand unconsciously reached into his pocket and brushed the cold edge of a playing card.

It was the Ace of Spades.

His fingers rubbed the card's face, and the burning thoughts actually calmed a few degrees.

He recalled that night when they realized they couldn't return to reality; the makeshift base was dead silent, someone hunched in a corner clutching their head, another cursed with blood‑shot eyes, and another just wanted to leave outright.

Then the door was pushed open, and a man stood in the doorway, backlit, his face obscured, only a head of silvery hair shimmering coldly in the night.

"Heard you're trying to rescue people?"

His voice was lazy, but his words left everyone stunned.

"Who are you?"

"Hua Jian Lei," the man said as he entered, casually pulled a chair and sat down, "I'm from Entropy Increase."

Entropy Increase.

The moment that name was spoken, the room fell silent instantly.

Each of them had heard rumors during their flight, and the Entropy Increase lunatics could no longer be described as "recklessly bold."

Entropy Increase loudly proclaimed their Undead status to everyone, sowing chaos for the Dome; their relatively smooth escape was largely because Entropy Increase drew most of the Dome's firepower.

That group was basically dancing on the Dome's bottom line, and they were having a good time.

"W‑what do you want to do?" someone asked trembling.

"Help you."

Hua Jian Lei said it matter‑of‑factly, but refused to waste more words with them.

"Alright, I have a plan here, though it's a bit hasty… It's just that our Entropy Increase team responsible for drafting operation plans isn't present, so you'll have to make do and try it out first; as for the success rate…"

He tilted his head and thought.

"Roughly seven out of ten?"

Seven out of ten.

For a plan casually spoken by a lunatic, that probability was already absurdly high.

But at the time no one dared to believe it.

Now…

The host squeezed the playing card, a wry smile tugging at his mouth.

Seven out of ten it is.

Better than zero.

——————————————

While waiting for the Dome to recover, a bewildered group of passengers arrived at the banquet hall, and those people forcibly confiscated all their weapons.

They also sent some people to continue searching inside the airship, and Mei Weisi stepped forward to soothe them, saying that as long as the Dome and those bandits reach an agreement, everyone will be fine.

She naturally also saw Ying Duo, who was squatting in an inconspicuous spot but close to the host, perhaps having heard everything the guy said.

The kid sure knows how to pick a spot.

She withdrew her gaze and looked again at the foreign‑ministry guy; the communicator in his hand still showed no sign of activity.

When exactly will the Dome's recovery come?

Mei Weisi let out a silent sigh in her heart.

Regardless of what the Dome's recovery is, she had already confirmed one thing: this hostage situation is not something these incompetent Undead would dare to carry out.

Entropy increase.

That name always reminds her of some rather unpleasant things.

She squinted and shook her head inwardly.

Men who always subtly probe a girl's feelings are inevitably unlikable.

Or perhaps something important caused him to forgo even this perfect "hero rescues damsel" opportunity?