In Virtual Reality 109 ☆ The Hydrangea Park (END)

October 15, 2222, 11:45:44.

The digital seconds on her phone's screen danced with a restless energy, each tick tugging the minute hand closer to the ominous noon-hour.

Across the street from Jiang City's sprawling second-largest park, nestled beneath the station's sheltering eaves, a handful of rain-drenched souls huddled, bus commuters seeking refuge from the relentless downpour. Amidst this sea of apprehensive faces, one figure stood out on a long, weathered wooden bench.

Xu Jin Yi had wrestled a hooded cloak from the depths of her wardrobe earlier that morning. The fabric was a dark canvas adorned with sprawling patches of metallic gold flowers. She slipped it on, shrouding herself in a veil of mystery, rendering her expression inscrutable in the mirror's gaze.

This cloak had been a gift from her roommates, a birthday present born of misunderstanding. In her offhand mentions of Chinese horror games, they had mistaken her interest for a fascination with Hanfu attire, and so they gifted her this everyday, otherworldly cloak.

Now, she realized how perfectly it suited her purpose.

Gazing at her reflection with a hint of satisfaction, Xu Jin Yi descended the stairs, her attire cloaked in a shroud of black. The weather today, cool and unpredictable as autumn in the south often was, had begun with a light drizzle. Fortunately, her ebony cloak cocooned her form, its bulk offering insulation against the delicate cascade.

With each step, her feet sent ripples through the gathering puddles, as she arrived at her destination, the park.

Her home sat in close proximity to the park, a favored spot for her running. The latest obsession, "Hydrangea Park," was predominantly modeled after the very park she frequented. This familiarity allowed Xu Jin Yi to navigate its digital counterpart effortlessly.

Yet, it's important to note that in her world, this park wasn't officially dubbed "Hydrangea Park." No, that was a local moniker, a nod to the bountiful hydrangea blooms that graced its summer landscape.

The rain persisted for a spell before finally relenting.

In the station, Xu Jin Yi remained, her visage concealed by a veil of bangs and hood, her unwavering focus directed across the way.

11:56

11:57

11:59:47

...

……

12：00

On the station's digital display, ominous red time indicators cast an eerie glow. Xu Jin Yi anxiously scanned the area, but the anticipated police presence remained conspicuously absent.

Nobody believed her, huh?

With a heavy sigh, Xu Jin Yi dropped her gaze. To be fair, she couldn't entirely blame the Jiang City police; her initial report had been filled with vague, cryptic details. They could've easily called her out for making a false report.

"—Ah! Ah!"

Just as this frustration gnawed at her, an ear-piercing wail sliced through the air, yanking her attention away. The sound, hauntingly familiar, sent shivers down her spine.

Her eyes darted towards the source. Through the misty haze, she spotted a figure drenched in blood on the other side of the park, making its way toward a sleek black car.

Perhaps it was her unwavering focus or the lack of other bystanders, but it appeared the figure glanced her way. Their movements abruptly froze.

In that heart-pounding moment, Xu Jin Yi was certain that the bloody figure was none other than Wang Jin Long.

She couldn't help herself; she raised her hand, offering a forced smile and a timid wave across the distance.

As expected, Wang Jin Long, looking as though he'd seen a vengeful spirit, scrambled into the car. The vehicle roared to life and sped away in mere seconds.

It was clear to her that Wang Jin Long had recognized her.

Thankfully, she'd been cautious enough to keep her black hood up.

There was a lingering sense of regret, though. If only the police had managed to nab Wang Jin Long and wrung some crucial information from him—perhaps about his encounter with someone who looked like 'Silence' at this very station—it would have been a breakthrough.

Then, Xu Jin Yi could have genuinely aided the Jiang City Police Department.

An unsettling premonition washed over her; she sensed more ominous crises looming in the near future.

Before, the 'Spirit Shenanigans ' presence had eluded her, seemingly aided by some supernatural force. Now, events unfolded right under her nose, yet a series of unexpected circumstances had kept her from fully grasping the unfolding horror.

If these inexplicable occurrences could happen to her, they could just as easily befall others.

Using Wang Jin Long's mouth to pass on information to the police in Jiang City, if it succeeds, that would be perfect; but if it fails, it means that in the future it meant that Xu Jin Yi would soon face even fiercer adversaries, perhaps even ones that even distorted people's sense of reality.

Xu Jin Yi observed several cars zooming past her on the rain-soaked road. As the rain ceased, unveiling a golden sun, she rose from her spot, intending to head home. Yet, just as she embarked on her first few steps, an inexplicable heaviness descended upon her head.

Could it be a cold?

Her hand instinctively moved to her forehead, discovering an alarming warmth in her previously healthy body. It wasn't a mild cold; it felt more like a raging fever, a sensation reminiscent of that fateful day. Only this time, it surged even more intensely, rendering her almost unable to stand.

She struggled to cover the short distance, but the overwhelming dizziness caused her to stumble and collapse.

"Oh no, I hope I don't end up sleeping on the street..."

Moments before her consciousness surrendered to the comforting abyss of darkness, she faintly heard a familiar, mechanical voice:

【Welcome, players, to pre-download the latest game from the official website. This game merges all the solo games the gaming network has ever released, crafting the most immersive and seamless interconnected world.

Game Title: 《Finding Your Family》.

The game launches on January 1st, and you can find more details on the gaming network forum's homepage.

What we can reveal now is that 《Finding Your Family》 features a female protagonist, and her name is—

—Xu Jin Yi.】

——— Translator's Notes ———

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