As dusk approached, a shadowy hue gradually spread from overhead, enveloping the town.
Yin Xiu sat drowsily by the lakeshore at the edge of town, holding a fishing rod as he teetered on the edge of sleep.
The dim yellow light shimmered and rippled across the lake, illuminating two wooden signs planted by the water.
One bore neat, clean lettering: Dangerous waters-keep away.
The other was scrawled in crooked handwriting:
Yin Xiu is banned from fishing here. Get lost.
Yin Xiu yawned as he leaned against the two signs, his delicate features heavy with exhaustion. He squinted slightly, gave the fishing rod a half-hearted tug, and, finding the hook empty, reeled in the line and began packing up to head home.
As nightfall neared, the town grew livelier than it had been during the day. In the square, passersby hurried about, desperately reciting the town's rules to anyone they passed before darkness fully descended, as if trying to etch them into everyone's minds.
[Town Survival Rules:
1. Within the town, the rules are absolute. Do not violate them.]
(But prohibitions don't count.)
Yin Xiu stung his fishing gear over his shoulder lowered his gaze, and straightened the sign he had leaned against before turning toward home.
Along a winding path, two passersby brushed past him, murmuring excitedly:
"I heard there's a bus in this direction—the only way out of this helhole. Some who've seen the old-timers clear the game said they left by boarding that bus"
"Are you sure we can find it? I'm a little worried. Didn't the others say we shouldn't try to leave the town?"
"It's fine. Even if we wander, we'll at end up back here anyway."
"True..."
[Town Survival Rule 2: The town has no ext. Do not attempt to find a way out]
(A futile effort will only leave you lost within it.)
Yin Kiu cast a sidelong glance at their reiresting figures before calmly tuming away-only to lock eyes with a cat crouched in the grass.
It was pitch black, ordinary in appearance, save for its unnaturally eene violet eyes. It sat motionless by the roadside, staring unblinkingly at Yin Xiu as if monitoring his every move
Yin Xiu stared back, unmoving.
After a few seconds of silent standoff, the black cat cautiously took a step forward. Yin Xiu immediately raised a hand to the knife at his waist. The cat recoiled, bared its teeth at him, then darted away.
[Town Survival Rule 3: Do not kill any conscious beng within the town
(Be it human, Monstrosity... or even a cat.)
Passing through the path connecting the square to the lakeshore, Yin Xiu arrived at the town's noisiest gethering place.
This was a town steeded in antiquity-layers of old buildings and flat-roofed houses cast overlapping shadows, alleys intertwined, and weeds sprouted between cracked paving stones, as if the place had been abandoned in the crevices of time
Yet, bizarrely, a massive and incongruous projection froated at the center of the town square, displaying live footage of Players navigating various Instances. Some scenes were gruesome and violent, but the onlookers below remained expressionless, long desensitized.
Comments occasionally scrolled across the screen, most inconsequential, and for the most part, the footage played in silence.
Yin Xiu watched for two seconds before coldly averting his gaze
"Come, come, take a Rule Sheet, keep one on you just in case." A passerby enthusiastically muttered while stuffing sheets Into the hands of others.
Upon turning and meeting Yin Xiu's gaze, the person froze before hurriedly sidestepping around him and leaving.
Yin Xiu, slender with fishing gear slung over his back, stood out in the crowd, yet most people deliberately avoided him.
He paid no mind, lowering his eyes to the yellowed sheets scattered at his feet. Amid the flow of people some were still distributing sheets—each one filled with life-preserving rules. Some even carried megaphones, shouting reminders.
"Everyone must carry at least one Rule Sheet on them at all times. Remembering the rules means safeguarding your life."
"Also, pay attention to tonight's weather, it might rain. First-timers, don't panic—just follow the rules, and you'll be fine."
[Small Town Survival Rule #4: The town usually sunny, but occasionally it rains. During rain, whether day or night, doors may be freely opened.]
Yin Xiu glanced up at the darkening sky. Rain was sikely coming after nightfall.
The bustling crowd grew more restless.
"Everyone must remember Rule #5: When it rains, new faces will appear in town. Don't be alarmed—those who can enter houses are newcomers. Those who can't must be avoided at all costs."
"And, it's almost nightfall, Before returning home, don't forget to make an offering. Never forget this."
As the megaphone repeated its warnings, a Rule Sheet drifted to Yin Xiu's feet.
[Small Town Survival Rule #6: At dusk, you must leave an offering at your doorstep for the Night Goddess to ensure your house remains safe at night.]
(Remember to bring your respect. Otherwise, I'll come for you myself.)
Vin Xiu gfanced indifferently at the sheets plastered all over the square—everywhere except around the eerie statue at its center, an unsettling anomaly.
It depicted a woman—long-haired, long-dressed, but with a grotesquely twisted and massive form coiled around a pillar. Her eerie smile gazed down at the townsfolk. This was the town's greatest threat: the Night Goddess.
Adjusting the black backpack on his shoulder, Yin Xiu strode through the bustling crowd.
Other Players living in the same town noticed him and quickly stepped back, avoiding contact.
Behind him, the megaphone blared obliviously: "As long as you follow the rules, nothing will happen to you in this town. Avoid rumors and strange phenomena. Trust your fellow Players—no one here will harm you."
"Ah... but there's one exception. Never, ever emulate a man named Yin Xiu. He's the absolute worst example. Everyone must—"
As Yin Xiu walked away, the megaphone's voice faded.
Passing uneven low walls, he antered an alleyway, its gloom deepened by the twilight. The narrow street was crammed with doors and windows,each numbered house occupled by at least two Players.
The town was small, and every so often, new players would flood in. Most players would at least have a roommate but Yin Xiu didn't.
"Hurry up, it's almost dark. We need to prepare the Sacrifice for the Night Goddess," someone rushed out of their house, placing a piece of raw meat into the iron bowl in front of their door while bowing repeatedly, muttering under their breath. "Don't come for me tonight..."
Every household in the alley had an iron bowl placed outside, filled with various kinds of meat—at the very least, everyone had tried their best to offer what they considered good.
Yin Xiu glanced at them from the corner of his eye, then lowered his gaze in thought.
He had tried very hard to fish, but hadn't caught a single one. Today, like always, he'd just pour a cup of water into the bowl.
Players on the street quickly moved aside for Yin Xiu, allowing him to smoothly make his way through the narrow alley to his home—the very last house in the alley, Unit 401, a single residence belonging solely to him.
Today, a tattered doll of a little girl in a red dress sat at his doorstep, wearing a sweet yet eerie smile.
Yin Xu bent down to pick it up, opened the door, and casually tossed the doll into a pile of miscellaneous junk in the corner.
He turned on the light, poured a cup of tea into the iron bowl by the door, then began closing the windows and locking up.
[Town Survival Rule Seven: Remember to close all doors and windows at night. No matter what sounds you hear, do not open them, and do not be tempted by anything outside.]
(If you're looking for a shortcut to death, this is great option)
The sky gradually darkened. Lights flickered on in every household across the town, and those still outside quickly retreated into their homes, locking doors and windows, fully prepared to face the night.
A long, drawn-out meow echoed through the dim alley, and then the town fell completely silent.
[Town Rule Eight: After dark, avoid going outside, especially once the sound of a cat is heard.]
(If you're confident you can win against them, feel free to try.)
In the deepening night, a sheet of paper drifted down from the wall and landed on the floor.
On the back of the Town Rule Sheet was a page of neat, elegant handwriting.
[This is a note for new players.
Please remember, the town only has eight rules. The black text is the rules, and the blue text can the trusted but should not be followed.
If you strictly adhere to the rules, nothing unexpected will happen. But if you accidentally break them and encounter "them" at night, you must remember this next rule.
No matter where you are, do whatever it takes to get to Alley A Unit 401—Yin Xiu's home. Offer all your possessions at his doorstep, and even if he ignores you keep knocking, if necessary, use threats or provocation—though it might not work, this is your only chance of survival.
If he opens the door, you live. If he doesn't you have no hope left. The outcome depends on his mood and recent financial situation.
Note: Do not approach him during the day, and do not attempt to become his roommate.
May every new player in town stay safe at night.]