Every Absurdity Has Its Reason

": Teary-eyed."

": Teary-eyed +1."

": I acknowledge you, buddy."

": Hey, don't say it like not docking a criminal's points is some kind of noble act!"

There were so many things to criticize that the audience watching the live stream didn't know where to start for a moment.

Bai Youyou knocked the man unconscious with a single punch: "You talk too much."

At that moment, Xu Xiaoyou observed that the foam gel pinning Jason down was trembling faintly. The man's face was dark and sullen, looking like a beast about to tear its cage apart. The duration of the gel bubble gun was coming to an end, and he would soon break free from his restraints.

However, Xu Xiaoyou glanced at the electronic display in the upper left—【Asimov Square → Fire Medical Center | Arriving Soon】

"Attention, valued passengers. We are about to arrive at the next station, Fire Medical Center. Passengers departing here, please prepare your belongings and exit through the left doors under the guidance of the crew. Thank you for your cooperation."

A pleasant, melodic female voice echoed throughout the carriage.

Xu Xiaoyou had calculated the timing for the bubble gun in advance to ensure the train would reach the platform the moment Jason broke free.

The rules stated that at every station, the actions of the label catcher would be restricted, and awakened ones would have ten minutes to rest and reorganize.

Time ticked away second by second. The girls did not advance any further. Jason’s breathing echoed through the carriage, low and heavy through his mask. A cold, oppressive atmosphere spread. The crescent-shaped platform slowly came into view on both sides of the train. Commuters stood outside the waiting lines with their heads down, browsing through their curtains. A youth in a hoodie pulled up his hood and held a skateboard. A frail-looking girl glanced around, and the crowd jostled together. Warm yellow indicator lights on the ground lit up. Under the blue-gray concrete dome, everyone was immersed in the rhythm of their own lives. The train entering the station was but a minor interlude in their melody.

At the moment the train doors opened, the aisle doors closed simultaneously. Jason roared as he tore through the foam gel, but he was blocked by the aisle doors just before he could charge forward. The violent impact shook the entire carriage, yet the pedestrians entering the train one after another noticed nothing. They completely ignored the awakened ones with scarlet tags standing in the center. Occasionally, someone would accidentally bump into them, only to turn back with a smile and apologize.

Even the passengers previously in the carriage now looked dazed. They glanced at the mess on the floor and then at each other, unaware of what had happened inside the train. Several disciplinary officers who had fallen to the ground simply got up and returned to their posts on their own.

This was not numbness, but a form of cognitive impairment.

As long as they remained in the dungeon, their presence would be reduced to a minimum until the train started again. The previous passengers would forget their actions at the station, similar to a status refresh. New passengers boarding the train would likewise fail to notice anything unusual, let alone realize that notorious awakened ones were right beside them.

Xu Xiaoyou looked at Jason. Behind the barrier, the man was glaring at them fiercely, his cold gaze calculating how to tear them to pieces.

Clearly, the girl's scheme had enraged this human beast.

Xu Xiaoyou tossed several bottles of vitality potions to the three girls. The previous chase had cost them a lot of stamina, and this was the perfect time to recover.

Angelina took the vitality potion and downed it in one go. The licorice-like medicinal taste was truly beyond words, causing her face to twist in disgust. "Even in Oasis, couldn't they make vitality potions taste a bit better? Improving the flavor should just be a matter of a single thought."

Bai Youyou glanced at her: "If this medicine actually tasted good, what if someone lacking common sense mistook it for a drink?"

"Every absurdity has its reason."

"What do you think the clear condition is?" Xu Xiaoyou suddenly asked.

"What else could it be? The rules say we win the game once we reach the fifth station."

"Is there a possibility that a second, hidden clear condition exists?" Akabane Tsubaki pondered while looking at the wide-open train doors.

Thinking about it, she decided to try.

Akabane Tsubaki walked toward the train door on her own. As expected, the moment she reached the door, she hit an invisible wall and fell to the ground. The platform, where passengers could pass freely, was a tantalizing but unreachable goal for them.

Akabane Tsubaki clutched her head and grimaced as a notification box appeared before each of the girls' eyes.

"Game Rule 4: Awakened ones may not disembark at the station."

"Just as I thought." Xu Xiaoyou nodded. "The designer wouldn't put a hidden clear condition in such an obvious place."

"Since it's come to this, let's focus on recovering our strength first."

"I wonder how Big Sister Tang is doing on her side," Akabane Tsubaki grumbled while rubbing her head.

"Facing four killers, won't Big Sister Tang be in any danger?"

....

The other train had also reached the Fire Medical Center not long ago. Inside the carriage, a bizarre yet strangely harmonious scene was unfolding.

Tang Xin calmly played the violin resting on her shoulder. Three terrifying killers, who were notorious for slaughtering people on the Pale Red Battle-Net, were actually sitting in front of her like kindergarten children with their legs tucked in, immersed in the girl's elegant music.

"I miss my sister." Michael wiped the tears from his face. "When I was little, she would play the violin by my bed every day. If I get another chance, I'll definitely kill her more slowly so I can listen to her voice for a bit longer."

"I miss your sister too," Freddy remarked with a sigh. "To be honest, Old Mike, I often enter your dreams to date your sister. She always resisted me at first, probably because I like the romantic atmosphere of candlelight, but later she usually stopped pushing me away. Maybe it's because she was charred."

"Oh! Oh!" Leatherface pulled the starter cord of his chainsaw, raising it high above his head to join the excitement.

"Damn it, I'm going to kill you!" Michael grew furious and was about to get up to fight Freddy to the death with his kitchen knife when he saw Tang Xin frown and open her eyes to look at them.

"Quiet."

"Okay."

Michael obediently sat back down with his legs tucked in, and Leatherface scratched his head, silently lowering the restless chainsaw.

Only Joker Pennywise in the corner looked like he was questioning his life. He clutched the deep bloodstains on his neck, unable to understand what his three teammates were doing. Were they playing house?

One had to know that once the countdown ended, that girl would chase them down again like a vengeful spirit.

Even though a buffer wouldn't be able to kill four thick-skinned grade 4 killers even with enhancements—not to mention Tang Xin's limited mobility, meaning they only needed to keep running to be safe—they were equally unable to confront this Starry Singer head-on.

Pennywise turned his head away resentfully. Half of his already swollen head had collapsed inward from being smashed by stars, and blood was flowing like a river.

He was about to go mad with resentment, constantly cursing his three companions in his heart.

Damn it, the music she played attracted him like magic, like a pair of warm hands soothing his agitated soul. He also really wanted to lean in and listen, but he truly couldn't bring himself to lower his pride. Why was he always the one getting hurt!