Dead?

Right as Lin Xiao opened the door, he found himself back in the village. He was shocked. What the heck just happened?

The village seemed the same at first glance, but as Lin Xiao walked through it, he noticed that the people were different.

The once familiar and friendly faces were replaced with strangers who seemed out of place.

The villagers had a stern and cold demeanor, and their eyes lacked the warmth and familiarity he remembered.

Their clothes were simple but well-maintained, and they moved with a purpose, as if they were on constant alert.

Lin Xiao approached the nearest person, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek. Before Lin Xiao could even speak, the man looked at him with cold, piercing eyes.

"You are not supposed to be here," the man said in a chilling voice.

Before Lin Xiao could react, everything around him shifted. The village disappeared, and he found himself in a dark, oppressive chamber.

His heart pounded as he looked around, and he saw Li Jing and the others bound and unconscious against the wall.

Relief washed over him mixed with confusion. What the heck just happened? How had he been transported here? 

As he moved towards Li Jing, a system notification appeared before his eyes:

[Emergency Mission Completed - Rescue Li Jing - Reward +300 Exp +2 Strength].

Lin Xiao felt a surge of energy as the rewards took effect. He quickly checked Li Jing and the others, ensuring they were still breathing.

"Teacher, can you hear me?" he asked, gently shaking her shoulder.

Li Jing's eyes fluttered open. "Lin Xiao? What... where are we?"

"We're in a chamber. I don't know how we got here, but we're together now," Lin Xiao replied. "We need to get out of here."

He moved to untie the others, and as he did, his mind raced. The villagers, the sudden teleportation, the strange chamber and the library—everything felt like pieces of a puzzle he couldn't yet solve. He freed Wang Lei, who groggily sat up, looking around in confusion.

"Lin Xiao? What happened?" Wang Lei asked, his voice weak.

Right as Wang Lei spoke, a system notification appeared before Lin Xiao's eyes:

[Mission Failed - Find Wang Lei - Rewards +200 Exp +1 Intelligence].

Lin Xiao was shocked. Wang Lei is right in front of him. How can I fail that mission? he thought, and quickly asked the system.

The system soon replied:- 

[Wang Lei is dead]

Lin Xiao's heart pounded. What do you mean Wang Lei is dead? He is right in front of me... unless that is not Wang Lei at all. Lin Xiao felt a wave of tension wash over him.

He decided not to tell Li Jing or the others about the system's message, realizing that this wasn't the time to create panic or suspicion. They needed to focus on escaping first.

As they continued to navigate the twisting passages of the dungeon, Lin Xiao kept a wary eye on "Wang Lei." Every movement, every word, he scrutinized, searching for any signs that might reveal the truth.

The corridor led them to a large, iron-bound door. Lin Xiao pushed it open cautiously, revealing a dimly lit room filled with ancient, crumbling bookshelves and old artifacts. The air was thick with dust and the scent of mildew. He motioned for the others to stay close.

"We need to find a way out of here," Lin Xiao said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

They moved carefully through the room, avoiding the piles of debris and shattered remnants of what must have once been a grand library. Lin Xiao's eyes flicked back to "Wang Lei" frequently, looking for any inconsistencies in his behavior.

Suddenly, "Wang Lei" stumbled, grabbing onto a nearby shelf for support. Lin Xiao rushed over, helping him regain his balance.

"Are you okay?" Lin Xiao asked, his tone laced with genuine concern but also a hint of suspicion.

"Yeah, just feeling a bit weak," "Wang Lei" replied, giving Lin Xiao a strained smile.

Lin Xiao nodded, but his mind was racing. If this is not Wang Lei, then what is its purpose? Why is it here with us?

As they exited the library, they found themselves in a narrow hallway that seemed to stretch endlessly. The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Lin Xiao led the way, staying vigilant and ready for any danger that might lurk ahead.

After what felt like hours of walking, they came to another door. This one was smaller and less imposing, but Lin Xiao could sense that it was significant. He pushed it open, and they stepped into a small, circular chamber with a glowing pedestal in the center.

On the pedestal was a crystal, pulsating with a strange, blueish light. Lin Xiao and the team approached it cautiously.

"This must be important, be careful," Li Jing said, her voice filled with awe.

Lin Xiao nodded, reaching out to touch the crystal. As his fingers made contact, a surge of energy coursed through him, and a vision flashed before his eyes. He saw a great battle, a clash of powers, and the face of a man who looked strikingly similar to him.

 He saw thousands of monsters attacking cities on Earth, and someone who looked just like him dying at the hands of one of the monsters. His cats were nowhere to be seen.

Lin Xiao snapped out of the trance when Li Jing exclaimed, "A portal!"

A bluish portal had appeared where the crystal was. Lin Xiao's fingers were right next to the portal, and as they accidentally brushed against it, he was instantly teleported.

Alongside him, the others were also teleported, and they found themselves back in the underground makeshift hospital where the crystal was.

Xiao Bai and Lil'blackie were there, looking confused. As soon as they saw Lin Xiao, they leaped towards him and started rubbing their heads against him. Lin Xiao smiled, relieved to see them safe.

He also noticed a system notification:

[Mission Completed - Complete the Man-Made Dungeon - Rewards +200 Exp +1 Intelligence]

[Congratulations, you have leveled up - Level 5]

[New Features Unlocked]