Chapter 131 Hidden Operation, Confinement Room
The Landlord's sunken eye sockets held no eyeballs, but the chilling aura emanating from their depths made Ji Yan's hair stand on end involuntarily.
"Old Landlord, I sincerely apologize. After returning from the outside world, my mental state was under too much pressure, and I acted erratically."
"I have no idea what just happened."
"I’ll accept whatever punishment you deem fit."
Ji Yan showed no intention of resisting, immediately surrendering.
Yet, the Landlord's expression grew even colder.
The Supernatural Residents behind him quickly distanced themselves. "Old Landlord, this has nothing to do with us!"
"This kid was like a man possessed—the moment he came down, he started smashing everything. We couldn’t stop him at all!"
The Supernatural Residents were well aware of the Landlord’s terror and dared not imagine Ji Yan’s fate.
Destroying the Foundation of the Crimson Apartment was one thing, but even daring to smash the Black Coffin?
That was the Old Landlord’s treasured bed!
The Landlord’s wrinkled face betrayed no emotion as he raised a hand covered in Corpse Spots and moved it toward Ji Yan’s crown.
Ji Yan maintained a calm expression, though his heart practically leaped into his throat.
He feared the Landlord, having broken through his defenses, might punish him outside the Instance’s rules.
Fortunately, the hand merely brushed through Ji Yan’s black hair before the Landlord spoke in a low voice: "According to the rules of the apartment, your punishment is confinement in the [Confinement Room]."
"If you can emerge alive after three hours, this matter will be settled."
The Supernatural Residents behind them widened their eyes in shock.
"Since when has the Old Landlord’s temper been so lenient? In the past, that kid’s head would’ve already been separated from his neck!"
"Speaking of which, what kind of place is this [Confinement Room]? I’ve never heard of it."
"I think I’ve heard of it. It’s horrifying—no resident who’s been locked inside has ever come out alive!"
"Damn! Might as well get slapped to death by the Old Landlord. At least it’d be painless."
Hearing the punishment of the [Confinement Room], Ji Yan inwardly sighed in relief.
Everything he had done was precisely to be sent to the [Confinement Room].
Back when he was still studying the Strategy Guide for the [Crimson Apartment], Ji Yan had discovered this hidden map through [Omniscient Understanding].
Causing 30%–40% damage to the apartment’s Foundation would result in confinement in the [Confinement Room].
Thus, during his rampage, he made sure to keep the destruction within that exact range.
If the Old Landlord followed the Instance’s rules, he would take Ji Yan to the [Confinement Room].
This way, the three-hour confinement would clash with the Archive’s expulsion timer—but the [Confinement Room]’s enforcement took precedence.
And this was precisely Ji Yan’s method of extending his time!
As for why he also smashed the Black Coffin, it was purely because he had his eyes on the [Coffin Nails] embedded in it.
Damaging the Black Coffin to 40% would yield a chance to drop [Coffin Nails]—another hidden operation.
For Ji Yan, who possessed [Omniscient Understanding], these hidden operations were as clear as day.
The [Coffin Nails] were of Collector’s Grade, and Ji Yan had witnessed firsthand just how valuable they were.
Using them was incredibly smooth!
Seeing Ji Yan’s eager expression, the Old Landlord guessed his little scheme.
What puzzled It, however, was how this kid had discovered the [Confinement Room]—such a hidden location.
And how he had damaged the apartment’s Foundation just enough to fall within the confinement threshold!
Could this be a coincidence?
His tone turned erratic as he spoke, "You little rascal, you don’t actually think the [Confinement Room] is just some place where you sit and reflect, do you?"
"Do you know how the residents sent in there come out?"
"They’re scooped up with a shovel and carried out."
Ji Yan gulped.
A look of shock crossed his face. "C-carried out?"
"Old man, I suddenly don’t feel like going anymore. Are there any other punishments?"
The Landlord let out a cold chuckle. "Seems you know nothing about that place."
"Then go and experience it properly."
As he laughed, the Landlord suddenly noticed that the edges of his [Black Coffin] had been smashed.
His smile froze instantly as he glared at Ji Yan. "Where are those nails?"
Ji Yan wore an innocent, confused expression. "What nails?"
"Good, very good. The little rascal even took them with him."
"This old man has never been taken advantage of by a junior before. Old Mo, take him to the [Confinement Room]!"
The Bandaged Supernatural Entity, who had been waiting in the back, immediately stepped forward, seizing Ji Yan. "If you’d listened to me earlier and left on time, nothing would’ve happened."
"But you had to stick around. Now it’s too late for regrets!"
Dragging Ji Yan, the Bandaged Supernatural Entity entered a hidden passage in the basement.
The passage was littered with bones.
At the very end stood a dusty stone door, untouched for ages.
"Alert! Due to the Player’s violation of the rules, they must be confined to the [Confinement Room] for 180 minutes. If the Player exits the room after the time expires, the punishment will end, and the [Fearless Expert] achievement title will be unlocked!"
"Ding! Due to the Player’s destruction of the apartment building, all Supernatural Residents now harbor hostility toward you. Favorability accumulated in the Strategy Guide has decreased by 350%."
The [Key] could only be used once.
After this, the Archive would sever all ties with the [Crimson Apartment]. Even if it meant making enemies with every Supernatural Resident, Ji Yan didn’t care.
The stone door slowly creaked open.
A wave of heat rushed out from inside, and in the pitch-black depths, something seemed to move, emitting eerie sounds.
Darkness amplifies the fears in a person’s heart.
And to spend three hours in a pitch-black, sealed environment— Not to mention, from the Landlord’s words, there was something utterly terrifying lurking inside.
The Bandaged Supernatural Entity eagerly awaited Ji Yan’s panicked expression, grinning darkly. "Why aren’t you moving? Legs gone weak, or scared stiff?"
But Ji Yan’s face showed no trace of tension or fear. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets and yawned. "No, it’s just a bit stuffy in here."
Taking off his coat, Ji Yan stepped inside.
"See you in three hours, Butler."
As his figure vanished into the room, the stone door closed behind him.
The Bandaged Supernatural Entity felt something was off but quickly dismissed it. "That kid’s doomed. All humans feel fear, and once they do..."
"What’s inside will make him experience terror like never before!"
The entity inside the room was actually a former resident who had severely violated the [Apartment Rules]. The Landlord had thrown him in there and transformed the place into a [Confinement Room].
This Supernatural Resident could amplify a Player’s deepest fears infinitely, even manifesting them, torturing them until their minds shattered.
Some Players didn’t even last 10 minutes before their sanity crumbled, melting into bloody sludge...
Moreover, three whole hours!
For the Bandaged Supernatural Entity, the only headache was the hassle of transporting the bloody remains each time with a shovel and wheelbarrow...
...
...
Time gradually passed.
Inside Room 801.
Xu Xin remained in the living room, still comfortably reading her book, utterly indifferent to Ji Yan's predicament.
Beside her, Xi Xi idly grabbed a rat, tearing its head off with her mouth.
But then, she noticed something strange in Xu Xin's arms—a violently beating heart!
"Elder Sister, what's that? Is it tasty?"
Flipping a page of her book, Xu Xin replied nonchalantly, "It's not food."
"Rather, it's something left with me for safekeeping by a certain someone."
"If you eat it, that person would truly be finished..."
Her flawless, jade-like fingers pinched the throbbing heart as Xu Xin examined it calmly.
"Still, I wonder... why did he dare to trust me with it so carelessly?"
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