Mu Jiashi shakes his head and refrains from further comment on Fei and Wu Jian’s performance. He then turns to other matters, and says, “so the door to leave this scene is probably that operation room?”
Fei nods, “that’s what I think.”
Wu Jian quickly says, “let’s go then. I remember it was… Operation Room 3.”
They head over, and leave the scene with the terrifying backstory without further incident just a few minutes later.
They didn’t even meet the succumbed Missiontaker inside. They might be shivering in some corner somewhere, but Mu Jiashi and the others are pressed for time here.
Even if they don’t know what’s happening to Xü Beijin, they are at least worried that the Nightmare may crumble after so much time has elapsed.
Though they still haven’t figured out what they need to do in this Nightmare.
Resolve it?
They can’t even imagine Xü Beijin himself knowing how to resolve this; many present have already realised that this is the grey fog, and it is actually where all the succumbed people go; it’s a landfill, they understand.
But not resolving this Nightmare… Xü Beijin has said that his Nightmare is a condition for opening the Ultimate Nightmare.
Then, are they supposed to find a specific scene among the countless ones present?
That would be entirely dependent on luck – or generosity from NE.
When this conclusion is reached, many of the Missiontakers appear worried.
Relying on the artificial intelligence with an unclear stance and not open to communication is hardly reassuring, even if so far, it seems NE has switched over to their side.
They can’t communicate with it, after all.
That said, this could very well be their only chance at escape.
So when they arrive at ta new scene, everyone starts taking in the surroundings to understand the clues within.
That is when both A-One and A-Two yelp out.
Mu Jiashi looks over and asks, “you’ve been here?”
A-One looks quite confused, scratching his head.
A-Two speaks rather solemnly, “we did…”
A-One says, “this is impossible. This place… this can’t be right.”
Mu Jiashi furrows his brows and asks, “what about it?”
A-One is about to speak up when suddenly, someone pops up from out of nowhere──It’s Xü Beijin.
The Missiontakers look at him, both shocked by his sudden appearance, and now concerned because of how pale Xü Beijin looks.
Lin Qin immediately goes to his side to support him; the Missiontakers didn’t even see him move when suddenly, he’s over there, now.
Lin Qin asks with a worried tone, “are you alright?” He carefully pokes Xü Beijin’s face with his finger. Then he knits his brows at the coldness of the touch. His expression is both chilling and wrathful, “did the Nightmare do this to you?”
Xü Beijin grabs his hand, and finally sighs in relief at this critical moment.
He says, “don’t worry. Don’t worry, little apple. I’m fine; I’ve never been better.”
Lin Qin looks dumbfounded. Looking at Xü Beijin, he thinks for a moment, and asks, “did the fever burn you silly?”
Xü Beijin “…”
Damn it, Lin Qin!
A bit flustered and also a bit amused, he gives Lin Qin a glare.
It looks like Lin Qin still wants to argue, but Xü Beijin really looks the worse for wear. Sighing, he says with a much gentler tone, “how can I help you be less uncomfortable?”
“It’s fine. Lin Qin. Believe me,” Xü Beijin whispers.
Lin Qin is knitting his brows again. He looks pissed off, but he can’t exactly go off on Xü Beijin either.
An idea suddenly pops into his mind – lock him up, and only let him out when he’s better.
Lin Qin finds the thought inexplicably enjoyable. He tilts his head and starts pondering whether he can win in a fight against Xü Beijin right now.
Since if he lost, the plan to lock Xü Beijin up would fail for sure.
Looking at him, though, he might not even against him using only his fingers.
Would this be simply taking advantage of Xü Beijin? But, his goal is to clamp him down so he can take a rest anyway.
So in conclusion – he should learn more about Xü Beijin’s fighting ability.
Lin Qin has a conclusion.
If Xü Beijin knew that after all the bewildering thought processes, Lin Qin still ended up planning to fight with him again, then he might not be ‘fine’ anymore.
Unfor- Fortunately, he doesn’t.
He simply looks over at the rest of the Missiontakers who are clearly nervous but also doesn’t dare just speaking up to him, and gives him an apologetic smile──
Though he doesn’t really look the part in their eyes. Rather, even the weakness from illness is unable to keep them witnesses from experiencing the mysteriousness in his aura.
He tells the Missiontakers, “congratulations, and thank you so much, that you found this Cell Nightmare.”
Mu Jiashi appears stunned for a moment before asking, elated, “this is the reason you let us into your Nightmare, right?”
“Basically, it is as you say,” Xü Beijin answers somewhat vaguely, and continues, “but this is just the first step completed.”
Mu Jiashi immediately asks, “what else do we need to do?”
The other Missiontakers also listen attentively; Mu Jiashi called them here, so of course, he is in charge of the talking.
Though the Missiontakers also clearly appear relieved and thrilled.
Even Mystic, who hasn’t regained her memories, is smiling thanks to the infectiousness of the others’ joy.
She doesn’t know what’s going on, but she mutters, “the road to be taken… is still to be walked.”
No one but herself heard it because it was so quiet.
The Missiontakers quiet down soon enough when Xü Beijin mentions this is only the first step. Worry returns to their complexion as they await Xü Beijin’s further instructions.
Xü Beijin calmly smiles and tells them, “first, figure out the truth in this scene.”
The Missiontakers look at each other for a moment, and then all turn to A-One and A-Two for help.
A-One and A-Two, who already remember everything, are quiet for a little. Then, A-Two, who’s a bit more well-rounded in personality and calmer explains, “we don’t actually know the whole picture either; when Mu Jiashi came to the Golddiggers’ for help, we happened to need a break.
So they sent us down. Otherwise, we would usually have quite a bit of work on us and we might not have made it.
We needed a break because… because of this Nightmare. We were stuck.”
As he listens on, Mu Jiashi’s face turns more and more astonished. So that’s what happened. He thought he was quite the guest of honour for the Golddiggers, but it was actually a coincidence.
He can’t help but feel slightly awkward about it.
Of course, nobody knows what he’s thinking. So it’s just another episode of small self-loathing in his mind.