Chapter 46 Part 3

The Bald Man sneered. “You two got something going on? Who knows if he’ll go easy—”

Before he finished, he was gripped tighter, cursing and yelling in pain, eyes bulging.

Jie Jialiang spoke unhurriedly. “Let Zhong Nian do it then. The request isn’t excessive.”

The Masked Man snorted coldly and flung the Bald Man’s arm away. Five purple bruises from fingerprints marred it, the flesh indented—evidence that the grip had nearly crushed bone.

Rage filled the Bald Man’s eyes, but he swallowed his anger and said no more.

Zhong Nian silently took the hemp rope and stepped forward.

The rope in his hands was nothing like the one those kidnappers had used on him in the previous Instance; it was probably from the Cabin’s Utility Room—rough and tough.

Looking at the Masked Man, who had already extended his hands proactively, Zhong Nian felt unsure how to proceed.

At that moment, Jie Jialiang’s gentle voice sounded in his ear. “Don’t know how? I can teach you.”

Zhong Nian glanced at him. “No need.”

Even if he had never tied anyone, he had been the one tied before.

Zhong Nian wrapped it around twice and made a knot. Before he finished, he heard the Bald Man scoff.

“Playing kinky games here? That’s as good as no tie.”

Zhong Nian: “…”

What was wrong with it?

He had followed the exact method those kidnappers used on him; logically, no one was more professional at tying than them.

As he wondered if he had missed a step, the Masked Man said lowly, “I’ll tell you how to do it.”

Zhong Nian: “…Okay.”

Afterward, all the Players watched as Zhong Nian, guided step by step, tied up the Masked Man.

Circle after circle of hemp rope formed a neat and tight pattern, ending in a dead knot with a long tail left for leading.

Midway, the Masked Man repeatedly instructed, “Tighter. Use more force.”

Zhong Nian tired until his arms ached and sweat beaded on his nose tip, but he worked earnestly.

[…No, this scene feels a bit like that.]

[Close call; turns out it’s Phoenix clips. I thought this was a horror game stream.]

[Our baby is such a good student; he learned so well.]

[Master, tie me tie me!]

[Teaching such a pretty guy to tie you up—this guy’s face stays expressionless, but he’s probably thrilled inside.]

[Leading him like that—ain’t it like walking a dog? Got to be my wife’s dog vicariously; what luck.]

[Wish the Masked Guy would turn on his stream. Wanna see first-person view.]

[The others are all dumbfounded lol.]

After finishing, Zhong Nian wiped the sweat from his nose with the back of his hand, only then noticing the strange, subtle atmosphere in the room.

He felt puzzled inside but did not care about the other Players’ views. He grabbed the rope’s tail. “Is this okay?”

Jie Jialiang snapped back, reining in the emotions in his eyes and resuming his usual smile. “Yes, it’s fine.”

Time ticked by in the overly quiet atmosphere. A quarter-hour before midnight, the thick fog outside the Cabin dissipated.

This discovery relieved everyone.

The Girl Player said joyfully, “I was a bit worried about running into the Devil in the fog, but now we don’t have to fear.”

Jie Jialiang said, “Let’s move quickly.”

Zhong Nian led the Masked Man by the rope and stepped out of the Cabin.

The Small Town at night was extraordinarily silent, without a single sound, like an abandoned town.

With flashlights lit, they reached the Church without incident.

The Church at midnight seemed even more eerie, its iron doors opening automatically for them, as if it had been waiting.

“Let’s go.” Jie Jialiang entered first, followed by the other Players.

Footsteps echoed in the empty hall. Under the light and shadows, the goat reliefs on the walls and the goat skull on the altar looked especially sinister.

Everyone’s vigilance peaked as they anxiously scanned their surroundings.

“Baa—”

In the tense atmosphere, a goat bleat rang out, startling the Skinny Man and the Couples into screams.

“What are you yelling for? It’s just a goat!” The Bald Man swung his flashlight over, illuminating the source of the bleat.

A Black Little Goat stood there stock-still, soft and harmless in appearance, but its horizontal pupils stared so intently that it sent chills down spines.

Before they could react, it turned and ran off.

“Damn it, one day I’ll catch that damn goat and roast it.” The Bald Man waved his flashlight and urged, “Come on, hurry up.”

Zhong Nian snapped back and led the Masked Man to the Confessional. As he went in, he secretly slipped two candies he had been reluctant to eat into the other’s hand and blinked.

The Masked Man paused, then closed his hand around the items still warm from the young man’s body heat.

After binding and blocking the Confessional door with the rope as well, the group hurried away on time.

The closer to midnight, the lower the temperature dropped.

As expected, the fog appeared, slowly chasing from behind like a hunter toying with prey.

Everyone ran with all their strength at top speed, desperate not to be engulfed.

Bang!

The Skinny Man, last in line, slammed the door shut and collapsed to the ground, gasping heavily. “Almost died…”

“Who told you to be the slowest?” The Bald Man mocked mercilessly. Then he saw Jie Jialiang standing by the window, brow furrowed tightly, which was unusual. “What’s up? Something outside?”

Jie Jialiang shook his head. “Zhong Nian disappeared halfway.”