I’m A Little White Flower In An Escape Game ☆ 15

Arc 2: 《Deadly High School》 Ch15 — Ch29

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Ruan Bai's rage was cut short by an abrupt removal from the game world. As she slipped into a coma, she swore a hundred complaint letters to the system's executives, determined to make them pay.

Once she returned to reality, Ruan Bai wasted no time reaching out to Gu San. She had one goal in mind: to join his team.

A simple reason motivated her: a countdown timer in the bottom right corner of the system prompt caught her attention. It was ticking down from 30 days!

【The Escape Game forces players to enter the game world after a certain amount of time, unlike the White Lotus work area,】 the system stated with icy calmness. 【 Host Host, you have only 30 days until your next game entry.】

"This is your doing!" Ruan Bai exclaimed, fuming.

Unfortunately, a person could only bind themselves to one system, leaving her with no other options. With only the White Lotus system by her side, survival in the Escape Game was an improbable feat.

Yet, she had no choice but to endure, gritting her teeth through the hardships.

Ruan Bai was still a high school student when she faced her most challenging times. She had lost both parents, and her grandparents were in the hospital. She had been unable to afford tuition, let alone other expenses. Her future had been uncertain, and she had felt powerless.

Alone outside the hospital, she sat, engulfed by the thick, dark night that seemed to constrict around her, robbing her breath and chilling her to the bone. It was the first time she had ever felt so alone. Even in the past, she had managed to pull through the darkest moments. But now, hope was within reach, and as long as she had hope, she refused to give up.

To gain a better understanding of the game, Ruan Bai's thoughts naturally drifted towards Gu San. She recognised his abilities and knew that teaming up with him would strengthen her. So she messaged him, and he quickly responded with an address, instructing her to rest for two days before they set out to complete a quest together.

Ruan Bai had no objections to the plan. After spending so long in fear in the game, she desperately needed a good night's sleep. The only thing that surprised her was the mermaid bell from the Taoist temple that had followed her back to the real world. The warm, dark red bell lay quietly in her pocket. At a glance, Ruan Bai could see the blood-like stains on its surface that flowed with her heartbeat.

[TN: If you are not reading this novel on puukkiss.wixsite.com/inkydragon, please support the original translator by visiting my website. Thank you! :)]

"System, what's going on?" Ruan Bai had never encountered this situation before. "Can quest items be taken away? Can you explain?"

After silence, the system replied, 【Unknown error, unable to detect.】

Not knowing what to do, Ruan Bai could only continue to carry it with her. On the third day, she arrived at the agreed location, dragging her luggage. Gu San met her there and led her to a place he called the "base." It looked like an office building, and as Ruan Bai walked past the front desk, she saw the sign for "XX Limited Company."

"That's just to fool people," Gu San explained, noticing her confusion. "So players have a legitimate reason to explain to their families."

Gu San's real name was Gu Bu Chao. The name he used in the game was a pseudonym.

After hearing Gu Bu Chao's explanation, Ruan Bai suddenly understood. She had lied to her grandparents about becoming an actress. The money she received actually came from her involvement in the game. Despite this, she couldn't help but feel that her lie wasn't entirely untrue.

Although there were eight other members on their team besides Gu Bu Chao, they were always in a rush and rarely stayed for long. Ruan Bai had only exchanged greetings during their first meeting and didn't communicate much with them afterwards.

Over the next month, Gu Bu Chao put Ruan Bai through a gruelling "devil training" regime in the game. "The real danger in the game doesn't come from ghosts but from other players," he explained. "That's why I'll divide you into specialised training groups. First, I'll assign you some physical tasks to strengthen your body and teach you useful combat skills. Female players are far outnumbered by male players because women tend to have weaker physical strength, making them more vulnerable to ghosts and other players."

Ruan Bai then crushed a soda can into a small ball, demonstrating her physical prowess.

Gu Bu Chao was momentarily speechless before continuing with a straight face. "Since physical training isn't necessary for you, I have other projects in mind. You have excellent acting skills and can effortlessly play the role of a naive and innocent girl. This could become an advantage in the game, but your skills still need improvement."

Gu Bu Chao shook his head and sighed, "Your acting is not the issue, but your language is unsuitable for normal environments and does not reflect reality. It is easily detected. If you were in front of an ordinary player, you would not be able to convince them."

[TN: If you are not reading this novel on puukkiss.wixsite.com/inkydragon, please support the original translator by visiting my website. Thank you! :D]

Ruan Bai's interest was piqued upon hearing this. She knew that her ability to act as a naive and innocent character was her primary source of points. However, the previous worlds she had experienced had serious logic weaknesses. She could fool the two young men in the mermaid village because they had limited education and exposure to women. The TV dramas they had seen were all similar to "Deep Affection and Rainy Days." If she acted this way in front of an average person, she would be considered a lunatic!

"So what should I do?" she asked expectantly.

Gu Bu Chao raised his eyebrows and gave her a meaningful smile. "That's what I'm going to teach you next."

Under Gu Bu Chao's arrangement, Ruan Bai began strict closed training. She had to endure Gu Bu Chao's mental pollution and learn all the combat skills. After finishing her unique training and walking out of the practice room, Ruan Bai felt a sense of returning to the world as she looked at the road outside.

Gu Bu Chao gave her five days off to rest and prepare for the next game, but two days before she entered the game, a team member, He Zhen, rushed to find Gu Bu Chao. He was 26 years old and very gentle, but now his face was filled with exhaustion, fear, and visible sorrow.

"Boss, Li Jie and Wang Ge died in the game...it was a badger, it was them!"

Ruan Bai had been studying players and games with Gu Bu Chao these past few days. She detailedly understood the 'Badger' that He Zhen mentioned.

In this world, a myriad of players existed. Some developed an aversion to gaming and harboured a fear of death. In contrast, others were absorbed in the ecstasy of slaying and unleashed their primal urges in the game. The 'Badger' gang was a collective of the latter type of players. They delighted in hurting others, experts in various cons, swindles, and kidnappings. Many naive newcomers fell prey to their schemes. They met their untimely demise, and even seasoned veterans were not immune to their manipulations.

Gu Bu Chao repeatedly warned Ruan Bai to steer clear of these players. They had a record of bullying female gamers; some even took their torment beyond the virtual realm. Gu Bu Chao's visage immediately turned stern when he spoke about their atrocious acts.

After a moment's contemplation, he spoke chilly, "I must take action on this matter." He then turned his head to Ruan Bai and added, "I wanted to accompany you through the second game, but now that this has transpired, I'm stretched too thin. I'm afraid I must break my promise."

Ruan Bai promptly shook her head and said, "Don't worry, you go handle it." She couldn't let others keep carrying her, especially after the crisis that claimed the lives of two teammates.

Gu Bu Chao nodded and departed with He Zhen. Ruan Bai did not see him again after that. When the countdown ended, Ruan Bai lay on the bed and felt that familiar dizzy feeling engulf her again.

【Beep! The Host confirmed without error. After scanning and testing, Host Ruan Bai has opened the sixth world.】

【Importing data... Data import complete.】

【This world is perilous. We are not responsible for any casualties. Please take care of your life, Host.】

【Task world begins to activate — Five, four, three, two, one!】

Ruan Bai was suddenly jolted awake as she was transported back into the game world. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by a hazy mist and a group of players, each with a distinct expression etched onto their faces. She stood on flat ground, waiting for the remaining players to arrive. Quickly counting, Ruan Bai noted that nine players were in the game, including herself, two of whom must be newcomers.

As the other players looked over, Ruan Bai lowered her head, feigning a frightened look as if she were about to burst into tears.

Pretending to be a novice, she decided to play the part of a newcomer in the game. "Where am I? And who are all of you?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear. "Is this all just a dream?"

"No, you're not dreaming," a strange male voice responded. "You've been selected to be a player and have entered the game." Ruan Bai looked up and saw a man among the players adjust his glasses before walking towards her. "Are you a newcomer?" he asked gently. "I'm an old player. This place is very dangerous. If you don't understand the game, you can follow me."

Ruan Bai furrowed her brow, still confused about what was happening. "Game? What game?" she asked.

She discreetly scanned the man and noticed a palm-sized black tattoo on his arm. It was rumoured that members of the 'Badger' gang had a badger-shaped tattoo on their bodies, which was the best way to recognise them.

——— Translator's Notes ———

Gu Bu Chao (顾不朝)

Gu = to look after / to take into consideration / to attend to

Bu = no; not so / (bound form) not; un-

Chao = imperial or royal court / government / dynasty / reign of a sovereign or emperor / court or assembly held by a sovereign or emperor / to make a pilgrimage to / facing / towards

He Zhen (何振)

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