Chapter 1: The World Is a Game

Habitually using known definitions to categorize the unknown.

Using one's clumsy views to explain unknown things.

Fear the unknown, yet also long for it.

The end of the road is its termination.

Endless exploration will eventually lead to destruction...

Vile worms will eventually reap what they sow!

———Observer, (recorded in Blue Star Era: 2541)

May 10, 2022, rain turning cloudy.

Haimo Mental Hospital.

Remember, stimulate the illness, argue.

The doctor in the white coat repeatedly emphasized.

Lu Ming nodded: "I will pay special attention."

This year, 19 years old, just turned 20, studying psychology at the local university.

Once by chance, I saw a paper about the world as seen through the eyes of the mentally ill.

Psychiatry is also a branch of psychology, just like social psychology, worth studying.

Lu Ming also thought so.

Through school channels, I contacted multiple mental hospitals, but none agreed.

This afternoon, I finally received the permission notice, and rushed over without even finishing my meal.

"Some students just like to mess around," the doctor complained while showing Lu Ming the way.

From the tone, one could sense pressure; only then did the hospital agree.

Lu Ming didn't reply, gripped his notebook, and silently followed behind.

At the end of the two corridors, a sign reading "Safety Exit" emitted a faint green glow.

Alright, only one patient is willing to accept the interview.

Those studying psychology should understand...

Of course." Lu Ming said, "Behavioral and environmental stimuli are very clear."

The doctor turned sideways, revealing the door handle behind him.

Lu Ming pushed the door open and entered.

The room was very tidy, and a faint fragrance could be sensed.

A girl sat on the bed, gazing at the rain outside the window, her hair fluttering in the cool breeze.

The voice saying "Rainy times are quiet, I like rain" was very clear, like a spring stream flowing.

Liking rain usually means lacking a sense of security, of course also romantic, gentle, tranquil." Lu Ming looked around, spotted a chair in the corner, and asked: "May I sit?"

The girl was satisfied with the answer, patted the bedside, and said: "Sit."

Lu Ming hesitated a bit, because being close to the patient in the hospital allowed, bodily contact could easily stimulate the illness.

"Sit, and you'll accept the interview." The girl's tone was a bit playful, also like she was sulking.

After glancing at the tightly closed door behind him, Lu Ming relented, after all, the chance to interview comes each time.

"May I know your name?" Lu Ming picked up his pen, shifting his gaze to the notebook.

"What you call me doesn't matter; I have no name, they all just call me sick."

Lu Ming began taking notes.

"If we talk about illness, then they're all somewhat... those studying psychology have some..." Lu Ming stopped there.

The girl curiously asked: "What?"

"Perverted."

"Hahaha..."

The girl was amused, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

After wiping the tears welling at the corners of her eyes, Lu Ming then continued asking: "What do you think the world is like?"

"Game."

Lu Ming's note-taking hand paused: "Game?"

"Yes, a game,, home, all in the game."

Lu Ming nodded, continued taking notes, suddenly, the light was blocked by a shadow.

"Brother, you're so gentle…" The girl leaned close to Lu Ming, her delicate nose sniffed the air, "The scent is also very pleasant."

Generally, girls who love someone will get a bit excited when they get that close.

But Lu Ming remained calm, showing no dislike or rejection.

"Thank you."

"Do you play chess?" The girl took out a set of international chess from under the blanket, "Let's play a game; it will surely help us understand each other better."

Every word and deed resembles that of a mental patient.

Precisely because of this, being confined like this makes it more valuable for research.

Lu Ming decided to give it a try, to see exactly where the illness lies.

The room was quiet, only the sound of moving chess pieces remained.

The match lasted ten minutes, the white pieces were basically exhausted.

Lu Ming picked up the black queen and charged straight into the white formation.

The girl stared at the board, seemingly unaware that she had already fallen into a predicament.

Suddenly, a slender hand reached out and picked up the white chess piece 【soldier】.

"King!"

The white chess piece 【soldier】 directly jumped into the enemy camp, taking the chariot beside the black chess piece 【king】.

Lu Ming furrowed his brow, controlling the queen to withdraw one step.

"Again!"

The white chess piece 【soldier】 activated again, jumping back to its own side and capturing the black chess piece 【queen】.

Lu Ming probed, asking, "You should know the rules, right?"

"Rules?" the girl tilted her head cutely, "Just the rules?"

The world game, the manager's rules are just the rules.

Lu Ming merely thought the other person was ill, placed the chess pieces, continued asking a question, and the whole process went surprisingly smoothly.

After the interview ended, Lu Ming began organizing his notes.

"Have you left?" the girl asked.

"Hmm." Lu Ming did not deny, turned and left.

Opening the door, in his peripheral vision he saw the girl reveal a strange smile.

"Know, when you push open the door, what will you face?"

"Since it's a game, please bring your strength, after all only the strong can continue onward."

"Wish you good luck, player..."

…………

The rain stopped.

There were few pedestrians, the street appeared very desolate.

While waiting for the vehicle, Lu Ming organized his notes, circling places of research value.

Perhaps due to staying up late last night to write the paper, he felt a headache, accompanied by occasional ringing in the ears.

His mind felt very fuzzy, yet also abrupt.

"Game loading..."

"Starting detection..."

"Compatibility: 91.2%"

"Qualified!"

"Confirming connection..."

"ID: 94968"

"Player: Lu Ming"

"Welcome to join Earth Game!"

Lu Ming used his peripheral vision to scan the surroundings; the street was unusually secluded, and he was quite certain the sound came from his mind.

"Tired?"

Lu Ming knew some examples that were brought in because of studying psychiatry.

After all, a madman is only a thought away.

He needed to relax appropriately; after finishing the paper, he would give himself a break, Lu Ming thought.

".........."

Suddenly, Lu Ming was attracted by the fluttering creature before his eyes.

Its body was dark red, the tips of its wings glowed faintly, leaving specks of fluorescence wherever it passed.

"Butterfly?"

Lu Ming's pupils reflected only the strange creature; the emitted red light had a kind of attraction, making him unable to look away.

When he came to his senses, the surroundings were already pitch black.

In the darkness, the fluttering butterfly became even more gorgeous; its fluorescence resembled a star cluster in the night sky.

Lu Ming heard fragmented sounds, like countless shouts, like the low growls of hell...

【New dungeon loading...】