Chapter 35 - Role Playing the Dark Horse Character

Chapter 35: Forum and Haunted House 1st Floor: Original Poster "Li Tao, when Yi Ming looked at 'Brother Bai,' who do you think he thought of?" Originally, I thought it might be Shuang Buyan, but Brother Bai seems to have no connection with Shuang Buyan. Shuang Buyan is like a paternal figure, while Brother Bai's icy demeanor is more akin to Cowlick Li. But Brother Bai doesn't have a cowlick, so he doesn't quite match Li either. Is there anyone else I might have forgotten? 2nd Floor During the reunion festival, it's natural to think of family. Shuang Buyan hasn't shown his face yet; what if they just look alike? 3rd Floor Shuang Buyan has light golden hair, but Brother Bai clearly has black hair; their appearances don't match unless their faces are similar. If it really were Shuang Buyan, ignoring the presence of the little Corgi would be interesting, hahaha. Poor little Corgi in advance. 4th Floor Assuming the little Corgi feels Brother Bai's demeanor is like Li, especially considering Brother Bai is later revealed to be a brother from another family, which aligns with Li. If that's the case, things get a bit complicated. Someone was just speculating that Li wasn't dead, and now this comic already drew it? Resurrecting the dead doesn't happen this fast, right? We should at least wait for a few chapter before that, right? Though I'm tempted to think the little Corgi sees Brother Bai as Li, there must be a twist about whether Brother Bai truly is Li. I'll just wait and see for now. 5th Floor Indeed, the identity seems more aligned with Li, yet Shuang Buyan hasn't shown a full face before, and the little Corgi did think of him earlier... 6th Floor Regardless of who Brother Bai resembles, hasn't the little Corgi already admitted to making a mistake? What if he's just a complete stranger? Meeting someone else's brother during the reunion festival — poor little Corgi. 7th Floor Li, Hei Ge, surely you must have some thoughts. 8th Floor That's one way to think about it. But Brother Bai shouldn't be Hei Ge in disguise. If he were Hei Ge, the little Corgi wouldn't look pitiful but would charge in angrily. [Corgi Angry.jpg] 9th Floor I agree with the previous poster; I trust the little Corgi's sense of smell. Let's not forget, the little Corgi started as an orphan; what if a real relative emerges by chance? It's not impossible, right? ... Li Li observed that the forum's speculation about Brother Bai's resemblance was uncertain, feeling everyone had a shot at it. It could be that the comic had just been updated, and the researchers were staying up late, sifting through clues — all purely speculation at the moment. Li Li thought that the murkier this pool, the better. Li equaling Hei Ge was a mask that needed to drop, but it wasn't going to be right now. She planned to prolong this, releasing more red herrings along the way. Like how some comics enjoy leaving readers guessing between three potential characters, it stirs up discussion and builds popularity. "Go on, keep guessing," she thought joyfully, wanting to revel in the chaos. Li Li bookmarked the post and decided to catch up tomorrow, switching to a main discussion thread. --- "Rational Discussion: What's the Deal with the Neighbor Uncle?" 1st Floor: Original Poster I'm so confused by his sudden appearance. We know the neighbor uncle visited the Floating City, and that he lives near Tang Zeng's family. After Tang Zeng died, Tang got trapped in the Bronze Society, the uncle was nowhere during, and now he's appeared in Four-Way City. Honestly, given the storyline, I'm inclined to think he's not a good person. 2nd Floor In the story, Tang and Mo Mo left with him, resulting in the little Corgi searching for them the entire day without success. It's worth pondering over. 3rd Floor Both of them disappeared, and You You couldn't be found either. I've long thought those twins were off somehow. Could they be baiting Tang deliberately? Tang is quite the catch, being the only healer in the comic so far. Maybe the neighbor uncle was waiting for the Bronze Society to crumble so he could lure Tang away. 4th Floor I'm betting on Mo Mo and You You being deliberate; it's all part of the neighbor uncle's conspiracy. Their motivations are odd; why assume the little Corgi could help them overthrow the institute? 5th Floor Tang Zeng's role is suspicious too; he's positioned himself on both sides. Unclear if the neighbor uncle is from the Tides or the Bronze Society. But with the Bronze gone, maybe he's with the Tides? 6th Floor Have we dissected the Tides organization yet? 7th Floor If the neighbor uncle belongs to the Tides, he might actually be there to help. 8th Floor I believe he's a good guy — he brought candies for the kids. How many parents remember to bring something back after a business trip? Could be another plot twist where mid-journey, the little Corgi and co. face an attack, and it's the neighbor uncle who finds and reunites them with Tang. I've seen this pattern; those appearing evil are the good ones, and vice versa. ... Having more insight, Li Li had already discerned a direction. After observing the readers' theories, she took note before exiting. Then she briefly looked at posts from character fans. --- "Yu Xiao Finally Doesn't Drop the Ball" 1st Floor: Original Poster Feels like it's been ages since he was useful. 2nd Floor At least in the last couple of chapters, Yu Xiao managed to shield Yi Ming from bullets. Not entirely a fool… Okay, maybe still a bit of a fool. 3rd Floor Is Yu Xiao handsome? Yes. His looks came at the cost of brains. 4th Floor As long as he doesn't mess up midway, he's a good asset. ... Li Li sensed a quirky, almost serene acceptance among the Sunfish character fans. They viewed him with a motherly affection; whenever he did anything right, they'd think, "Ah, our darling has grown." Despite Sunfish's characterization as a beautiful but useless entity. Aside from this, Li Li discovered a post about the new persona. --- "Is It Okay to Say This? Bai's Looks Are Embedded in My Heart." 1st Floor: Original Poster Oh my gosh, I can't resist the single earring on one ear! Exposing that slender neck — it's too suggestive! I want to tug at his shirt collar and see his clavicle (just saying). 2nd Floor If you want to be suggestive, just be suggestive! No need to be shy! I admit I'm a pervert; I want to see it! 3rd Floor Ahhhhh, as a black hair fanatic, I'm truly satisfied! The black-haired characters in Beyond Black are too handsome! 4th Floor I've noticed the recent male characters hit all the right notes for me. Is the mangaka studying the female market? Give us more; I love it! 5th Floor Seeing him reminds me of Li, as they both have that cool guy vibe… Yet they aren't the same; Li wouldn't treat the little Corgi that cruelly. 6th Floor As a Li fan too… But this seems a bit intrusive — let's take it outside. 7th Floor Seeing Bai, my desire for more is reawakened! His modest clothing and a single earring are so enticing — is this the abstinent trope? Is it? Is there a fandom, any fan art? ... Li Li felt introspective after this. Deciding that perhaps "Li Baige" needed another layer, she forwarded the post to her roommate. A voice from below commented, "Oh Lily, still on your phone after saying goodnight." "Wow, that's tantalizing!" ... Jiang Lan, saddened for days over her ship sinking due to a friend's ship, avoided co-watching updates with her friend. After tonight's update, she decisively called her friend. "Hello? What are you up to at this hour?" her friend asked. "I've reached enlightenment," Jiang Lan declared. "?" Her friend sounded puzzled. "What's with today? What did you figure out?" Jiang Lan took a deep breath, staring at the cool disposition of the new character on her computer screen. "My idol is so amazing, he definitely wouldn't mind if I have a wandering heart. He's the moonlight in my heart, but this new character is quite enticing too!" Jiang Lan pulled up a document and with genuine sincerity said word by word, "Battle scars are my favorite, and the abstinent iceberg style isn’t bad either. I've realized, I’m diving into a new romance!" "..." Her friend slowly replied, "You just love to climb over walls, don't you?" ... After casting off her pseudonym, the popularity numbers surged, but Li Li was no longer focused on the specific metrics. Once her day of lessons concluded, she joined her roommate on a trip to a haunted house. They booked an 'Attic' themed haunted house. From the outside, it didn’t give much away, but entering revealed an eerily stylized attic interior. The wooden floors creaked underfoot, adding to the chilling atmosphere aided by full-blast air conditioning and ghost festival-themed music. Spooky indeed. Her friend, who had stayed up late the night before, sported dark circles under her eyes. Entering, she shivered from the cold air and clung to Li Li’s arm, ready to call it quits: "Maybe, maybe we should just leave?" Li Li calmly eyed the incongruous white air conditioner. If her roommate looked up, she'd notice Li Li's mouth in a straight line, lacking her usual jovial smile. Upon closer inspection, one might even spot her pale complexion. Taking a deep breath, she declared, "We're already here." She thought perhaps the sooner they blinked and went through it, the sooner it would be over. Li Li couldn't admit defeat to fake ghosts; she was the type to stare down real ones! Think of An Heyu, the undead spirits, remember those ghosts possibly watching her for a long time! Li Li: I can do this! She and her roommate presented their booking information at the desk and awaited the third person in their group. During this time, Li Li drank two glasses of ice water to quell her restless heart. Five minutes before the set time, their third companion arrived. He was a male student about their age, also in university. Before entering, they discovered they were schoolmates. Naturally, it was the roommate doing all the talking, while Li Li wore a perpetual smile, listening quietly. Once everyone was accounted for, the desk attendant opened the door. A rush of cold air met them, and the dim, shadowy interior loomed like a gaping abyss, brimming with ominous energy. Although Li Li had mentally prepared herself vigorously, her mindset was to finish quickly. She was the first to enter. Her roommate clung tightly to her arm, following suit. As the last guy stepped in, the attendant closed the door. Instant darkness. "L-lily, I'm scared," her roommate trembled as she spoke. The guy stepped forward, holding a flashlight up ahead: "I'll lead the way. If there are ghosts, I'll block them. Don't be afraid, juniors." The flashlight cast its beam further, revealing the attic's ground floor setup, a staircase leading up and a row of bookshelves. Li Li scanned around, suspecting a basement beneath. This haunted house was blended with an escape room, accompanied by a script. Their players' identities were adventurers trapped in snow, seeking overnight refuge, destined to meet a ghost and uncovering truths, solving the haunt's mystery. "I'll check if there's somewhere to sleep upstairs," Li Li quickly got into character. Switching on her flashlight, she focused, prepared to follow the scripted storyline. The sooner it’s done, the quicker they can help the ghost pass on, marking a victory. "Quite brave, aren't you?" the fellow student remarked, staying put at the doorway. Nevertheless, the roommate was determined not to leave Li Li’s side, quickly joining her, clutching her arm even tighter, "Don't leave me; I’m scared." Only then did the guy sluggishly follow, "Let's stick together; three heads are better than one." The staircase was made of sections, lacking handrails, resembling an upward ladder with black fabric draping along the sides, obscuring the stairs below. Seeing this, Li Li had a hunch the stairs were hollow beneath. Moreover, she felt watched. Upon shining her flashlight on the steps, the darkness revealed another piece of black fabric. "Wait a minute," she halted the guy eager to climb. "Huh?" He eyed the stairs skeptically, "You think there’s something there? What haunted house hides people like this?" Li Li kept tense, not answering him. Carefully, she stepped onto the first stair — nothing happened. Next was the guy, who followed without hesitation, "There’s definitely nobody here, usually they’re behind doors..." Suddenly, the black cloth in the step's crevice dropped, revealing a snow-white face smeared with red paint, eyes wide, meeting all three pairs of eyes. Roommate: "Ahhhh!" Guy: "Whoa!" Li Li: "..." The vengeful ghost beneath the stairs stared at them, with hands emerging from the gap, as if to grab their ankles and drag them to hell. Li Li decisively retracted her foot, stepping back to distance herself from the ghost. In the flashlight's fringe, the dark-haired girl unexpectedly smiled. The sudden disruption, rather than intimidating her, piqued her interest. With agile steps, she deftly retreated, showing confident ease. Calm, quick to react, she also remembered to guide her frightened friend safely backward. She seemed just another visitor to the haunted house, untouched by fear. Her unchanged smile conveyed exactly that. In reality, however: Li Li: "Namo Amitabha, praise the Jade Emperor above, thanks to CCTV..." Even knowing there might be a jump scare, it was still terrifying! She felt her face stiffen, uncertain of the expression she wore. The guy soon scrambled back, narrowly avoiding the arms. Once beyond reach, the black fabric masked the step’s hollow, as if nothing had happened. "What the heck was that..." the guy exclaimed. "It means no going upstairs for now," Li Li replied. Given the scenario, attempting to ascend would result in the NPC grabbing their ankle. "Let's explore the ground floor first," Li Li suggested, turning to the wooden door she had earlier noticed. Her roommate clung tight, averting her gaze from everything else. The guy hesitated, opting to join reluctantly, "I should lead this time, junior." Li Li had no interest in contesting, granting the eager senior the lead. The wooden door creaked open, revealing pitch darkness within but no surprises. The guy seemed visibly relieved, taking the first step inside. The room appeared to be a kitchen, with cupboards and counters revealed under the flashlight, complete with a fireplace that could be kindled. "Maybe we're supposed to light a fire for warmth?" the roommate whispered. "Can it be lit... Won't it catch fire? It's odd," the guy swept his flashlight over the fireplace, spotting wood and a lighter. After the fright, Li Li's mind cooled considerably. She focused on the dark cavity. She felt eyes upon her; someone inside was watching. Moreover, over her head and under the nearby table. The flashlight made them too easy to spot. As a seasoned bounty hunter, her physical state in the real world didn't match her comic prowess, yet her sensitivity had sharpened in both. Those watching harbored no malice of a foe, nor the fear of those who might find her intimidating. Their gaze was merely watchful. Realizing these were actors, not ghosts, she understood they were just fulfilling roles, devoid of personal ill intent toward her — all just part of the game. As she considered this, she saw the guy crouching, flicking the lighter near the wood. No flame ignited, just a clear click. Then a white figure suddenly sprang from the fireplace, lunging at the guy. At the same time, the ceiling above dropped, a white-dressed female ghost on a harness descended between Li Li and her roommate. Guy: "Ahhhh!" Roommate: "Save me, Lily, ahhhh!" Li Li: "..." Smiling, she tugged her roommate backward step by step, retreating further. Until they were beyond the NPC ghost's range, halting just outside it. Her expression remained steady, the smile never fading, giving the impression that she had confidently seen through the haunted house's plot, merely playing along with their theatrics. In reality, however: Li Li: "Namo Amitabha, praise be to the Jade Emperor above, thanks to CCTV..." Understanding or not, ghosts are indeed terrifying! Once the guy extricated himself from the grasp of the two ghosts, the trio stood by the doorway, observing the NPCs inside. The ghost in the fireplace retreated, and the one from the ceiling ascended back up, leaving the room in disarray. "They have a limited range of activities," the guy said, still shaken. Li Li considered this: "There should be clues to the plot inside. Let’s see what we can gather while avoiding their range." Identifying three staff hiding spots, she re-entered, carefully avoiding under the table and the other two places. Ultimately, she discovered a dusty diary in the corner. Using the same method, she located two more diaries in other rooms. "I don't think this haunted house intends for us to actually solve the plot," her roommate grumbled, clinging to Li Li's arm, "People are already scared witless; who remembers to check corners for diaries?" "This is a haunted house, not an escape room," the guy retorted. They retreated to the lobby to examine the diaries and gradually pieced together the plot. The attic was set up by a mystical master with a formation. Those who perished here couldn't pass on or leave their death site, but they could drag others down to suffer alongside them. "So we need to destroy this formation?" the roommate asked, eyeing the staircase, "But how do we get upstairs?" The formation’s core was upstairs, not in the basement, yet ascending meant facing those ghostly hands. Li Li pondered briefly, then suggested, "Darling, have you heard of 'talk-no-jutsu'?" Spending enough time in shonen manga environments, she genuinely believed in its power. Since there weren't other areas to explore on the ground floor, and the diaries indicated the ghosts were sentient, perhaps communication was possible; Li Li decided to try talking. Psyching herself up, she approached the stairs again, leaving her roommate behind. She stepped onto the stairs and addressed the staff member behind the black fabric: "You can pull me down, but you still won't find release." The extending arm paused, and the staff member, in character, asked, "What do you mean?" "We're onto something!" the guy exclaimed excitedly. Li Li was about to continue when she suddenly heard a faint sound. It was the clang of metal colliding with the ground. Li Li quickly identified the source — a screw rolling on the wooden floor. One of the screws securing the staircase had come loose. Simultaneously, the top of the stairs began to fall. Without intervention, it would collapse on the staff below! The staff member was still waiting for the player's response, unaware of the impending danger. In a crisis, she instinctively considered using her abilities to fix the stairs. But how could that be possible in the real world? Swiping her flashlight upwards, Li Li somehow perceived the staircase pause for a moment. It seemed like a mere blink, an illusion. In the next moment, it continued to cave, and Li Li, grabbing the edge of the yet-to-fall staircase, leaped inside the fabric, flipping out with the petrified staff member. At the last moment, the staircase crashed down beside them with a heavy thud. Author's Note: Li Li is the only transmigrator in the comic world. Yesterday had two extra updates, today also gets two. This covers one chapter, but over these two days, I've still added three extra updates. I’ll keep working hard! Thanks to all the little angels who subscribed!