Chapter 12: Learn Without Thinking and You Perish

"What does 'non-death type' mean?"

Wu Wang recalled that the content on the other party's school uniform was different from his own.

Since this uncle Chen Baili had the leisure to teach, it was best to ask clearly.

After all, his own role was a newbie beginner, so he wasn't afraid of them getting suspicious.

"Non-death type means that even if you fail your mission or die in this instance, you won't actually die in the true sense—at worst it's punishment like equipment wiped to zero, level drops, that sort of thing." Chen Baili comforted him with a pat on Wu Wang's shoulder and said: "An instance like this is as rare as winning the lottery, kid, your luck is really good."

He was telling the truth.

A newbie encountering a non-lethal targeted instance—this kind of heaven-defying luck, he had never seen it before.

Even Tu Tu Xing Sun at the side said with a grin: "Don't worry, this is a team-cooperation instance, we're not some three-headed, six-armed monster, we won't eat you."

"Mm, I can tell—you're a two-armed one." Wu Wang replied thoughtfully.

"?"

Tu Tu Xing Sun was stunned.

Why did it feel like he'd just been cursed? But he couldn't find anything wrong with what the other had said.

Seeing the impatient looks on the others' faces, Chen Baili didn't want to explain any further to the newbie.

With a grand wave of his hand he said: "Let's each split up first, find out why there's a truancy phenomenon here, maybe we can boost the reward value from the source."

This was also the default thing everyone did in normal multiplayer instances.

Gather clues, exchange intel.

No one was kind enough to carry deadweight through an instance.

"Uh, I think before we split up, how about we go to class first?"

Just as the others were about to go their separate ways, Wu Wang's out-of-place voice rang out.

Then he pointed at the dormitory door—more precisely, at an inconspicuous slip of paper pasted on the edge—and said: "This says if you're late to class you get locked in the dark room."

Chen Baili whipped his head around and saw written on the slip—

【Late to class: one hour locked in the dark room】

【Disrespecting teachers: one day locked in the dark room】

【Violating school rules: dealt with seriously】

【……】

The slip was very small, and half of it had been torn off, so only three pieces of information were visible.

The 【dark room】 mentioned in the mission had appeared.

Since there was a side mission about the truth behind the dark room ghost story, it was obvious this wasn't some fun place—basically certain to have ghosts!

As for the school rules that would be dealt with seriously…

Most likely some must-die rules.

Chen Baili gave Wu Wang a somewhat surprised glance.

The door had originally been plastered with all sorts of messy stuff—study plans, vocabulary lists, even physics formulas—and that hint slip was no bigger than half a palm, mixed in among them it wouldn't be easy to spot even if you were deliberately looking.

He had been watching him the whole time

And the kid had noticed the slip's oddity in the instant he turned around.

What sharp observational skills!

"It's class time now? How do you know?" the masked woman He Yikan asked with a frown.

She hadn't seen any clock or class schedule inside the dormitory.

Wu Wang opened the door while answering: "A minute ago there was a lot of running in the hallway outside, now there are barely any people moving around—I guessed they were rushing to class because they were almost late."

"…"

Everyone exchanged glances.

About three seconds later.

Tu Tu Xing Sun couldn't help cursing: "Shit! Why the hell didn't you say so earlier?!"

The words barely fell before the four of them shot out the door like arrows leaving the bow, scrambling down the stairs in a panic, and sure enough they only saw the last few students sprinting wildly toward the teaching building.

"I'm in Senior Year Class One, what about you guys?" Chen Baili asked quickly.

"Class Seven." "Class Three." "Class Five."

The three answered simultaneously.

After entering Gaoshan High School, a student ID had appeared on the left-chest badge spot of their uniforms, with their name and class number written on it.

"Alright! Everyone stay safe!"

With that, the four of them sprinted off.

Luckily the teaching building wasn't far, and there were clear signposts downstairs marking the floor and location of each classroom.

Although that saved the time of searching.

When Chen Baili burst into the Senior Year Class One classroom, it was already full of people inside.

On the podium stood a middle-aged man wearing glasses, the lenses as thick as bulletproof glass, dressed in a plain grey suit, his slicked-back hair combed immaculately, expression slightly stern.

"What are you standing at the door for? Get in here! You've got one minute before you're late!"

The middle-aged man, presumably the teacher, had a hint of anger in his voice, seemingly displeased at the other cutting it so close.

Luckily he wasn't late.

Chen Baili let out a breath of relief.

After apologizing to the teacher he successfully entered the classroom.

There was only one spot empty in the classroom now, which should be his seat.

But just as he was about to reach his seat, his expression suddenly turned strange.

"You... why are you here?" Chen Baili asked in a low voice.

"I'm here for class, of course. Chen, have you gone stupid from studying?"

The one answering his question was none other than the new player with the abstract ID 【Wei Wang Ren】!

But how did he get to the classroom before them?!

When the four of them ran out, wasn't the other party still in the dorm?

That dorm was a full six stories tall.

The most crucial thing was that he was even still wearing that strange set of military gear — how on earth did the teacher let him in!

Glancing at the teacher on the podium to make sure he wasn't paying attention to this side, Chen Baili sat down at his seat and continued to question Wu Wang, who was sitting beside him: "I asked you how you ran so fast?"

"Rather than worrying about that, I think you'd better be concerned about what's about to happen next." Wu Wang calmly pulled a notebook out of the drawer.

Chen Baili showed a puzzled expression.

Wu Wang explained: "This records the entire class's weekly test scores for this semester."

Having said that, he pointed with his finger at the last name on the list — Liu Yang.

Chen Baili immediately sensed something was off.

On the entire list, only this person's name was marked in red.

"He's failed three exams in a row. See, that's the guy next to us." Wu Wang tilted his chin toward the left.

Following the direction he pointed, Chen Baili saw a boy sitting in his seat, trembling all over.

The other kept his head down, digging his fingernails into his fingers nonstop. Even from the side one could see his face was deathly pale; his teeth had even bitten through his lips, thin trickles of blood flowing into his mouth, yet he didn't seem to care at all.

Before Chen Baili could ask anything further—

The middle-aged teacher on the podium said angrily: "Liu Yang! Get up here!"

The instant his name was called, that boy's whole body jolted as if he'd been electrocuted.

Then he walked up to the stage in despair.

Wu Wang and Chen Baili's gazes were drawn over as well.

But to their surprise, the teacher neither scolded nor cursed him, nor did he lay a hand on him for punishment.

He only said, with the air of one exasperated at someone failing to live up to expectations: "You know what to do, right? Go on."

"Yes, Teacher Yao…"

Liu Yang's voice was as thin as a mosquito's hum.

Under the teacher's gaze, he walked to the window.

Then, he leapt.

"!?"

Chen Baili nearly cried out in shock.

He hadn't expected the other to just jump straight off the building!

This is the sixth floor!

The other students in the classroom didn't even bother to lift their heads at the sight.

Everyone still went on studying diligently on their own.

Before he could recover, Wu Wang suddenly nudged his foot.

"What are you doing?" Chen Baili lowered his voice so as not to be noticed.

Wu Wang, however, said with a solemn expression: "Look at Liu Yang's seat."

Hearing him say that, Chen Baili looked over.

But to his horror, he discovered a terrifying scene.

There was still a Liu Yang sitting in that seat!

Only this Liu Yang's skull had split open like a smashed watermelon, the red-and-white tissue clearly visible inside.

Head down, gripping his pen, he frantically worked through problems, muttering: "Next time I'll definitely pass… pass…"

This eerie scene made Chen Baili's scalp crawl.

He hadn't expected to run into a ghost the moment he entered the dungeon!

"Students! Prepare seriously for tomorrow's test!"

"Study without thinking and you're lost! When you learn something in class, think about how to make it truly yours. Don't be like Liu Yang — went to the little black room twice and his grades are still that bad!"

Teacher Yao's voice echoed through the classroom.

His gaze also turned toward Liu Yang's direction, a flash of disgust surfacing in his eyes.

The classmates who had been unmoved by Liu Yang jumping off the building right in front of them all gave a shudder.

Flustered expressions surfaced on every face.

In their view, going to that place was worse than jumping off a building!

The little black room!

Chen Baili immediately caught the key piece of information.

The school's eerie atmosphere must be connected to that place!

Looks like he'll have to find a way to locate it and investigate!

Wu Wang beside him seemed to read his thoughts, and patted his shoulder with a brilliant smile.

He said softly: "Don't worry, I'm going to the little black room after class. Let me see what's going on there!"

"You can find where it is?" Chen Baili said in disbelief.

But Wu Wang shook his head with a grin: "No idea, but when I entered the classroom Teacher Yao told me to go to the little black room with him after class to reflect for an hour, about my grooming."

Having said that, he even proudly patted his own bulletproof vest.

"That old fart is just jealous of my handsome outfit!"

"..."

Chen Baili was momentarily lost for words.

This guy probably only got to the classroom a few minutes before him!

Finding the report card, discovering Liu Yang's problem, offending Teacher Yao.

Is this a coincidence, or is this guy really this unlucky?!

"You're being too reckless!" Chen Baili still tried to advise Wu Wang.

Going into the little black room knowing nothing, he'd most likely just die there on the spot!

But unexpectedly, the other party laughed and said: "Then I'll go investigate outside in advance."

Chen Baili: "?"

"Reporting! I need to use the restroom!"

Wu Wang suddenly stood up with zero-frame startup.

Teacher Yao glanced over and said coldly: "Wait until class is over."

"But I'm on my period! I need to go change my pants." Wu Wang refused to back down.

This time Teacher Yao couldn't hold it together.

"You're a boy, you don't get periods!"

"Are you defining my gender?" Wu Wang frowned and retorted.

Seeing this scene, Chen Baili felt relieved.

He scooted slightly to the side, putting a little distance between himself and Wu Wang.

He suddenly felt that this newcomer seemed to have a bit of a problem with both his brain and his luck.

Sitting too close might bring great misfortune.