The root of "urban legend rule"–type games is nothing more than the existence of an "inner world" overlapping with the surface world… and within that "inner world," there must exist a murderous "thing."
For ordinary people, if they merely see some things they shouldn't during the overlap between the surface world and the inner world, there is still hope of survival—they can avoid danger by following the "rules" summarized by predecessors at the cost of their lives. But once someone, like Ebner, completely falls into the inner world, escaping becomes almost impossible, leaving only a tragic ending.
However, that is only true for ordinary people.
In Ebner's "eyes," he very easily discovered the weak points in the spatial structure of this inner world. He then directly used the abilities of a "Wanderer" to "open a door" and leave, completely ignoring the so-called "rules." This caused the brain of a certain monster—one that was hiding in the morgue, waiting for its "prey" to gather all the "rule text fragments" and then plunge them into despair at the moment hope arrived—to completely crash.
The inner world of this "urban legend rule" scenario even nearly collapsed as a result.
A long while later, that monster let out an unwilling hiss, but there was nothing it could do. After all, its "domain" had just interacted with the surface world, and it was unlikely such an interaction could happen again in a short time.
Soon, however, it quieted down once more and patiently waited for the next "prey" to arrive… and it wouldn't have to wait long, because recently the frequency of interaction between the inner and outer worlds had been increasing—from once every few years to once every few days. Perhaps in the future, the two worlds might even remain overlapped for long periods of time.
…
On the other side, Ebner, who had "opened a door" and left the inner world, instantly felt the hospital environment undergo earth-shattering changes.
The originally dim surroundings became bright. The filthy rooms became clean and tidy. All kinds of facilities and instruments reverted from dilapidated to brand-new.
Although there weren't many people around, doctors and patients constantly passed by… in short, the place was filled with the presence of "people"—even though Ebner knew that the "people" in this world were likewise played by "ghosts."
At that moment, his phone suddenly rang. Ebner picked it up and saw that the caller ID displayed "Girlfriend 1."
Feeling speechless, Ebner still pressed the "answer" button.
Immediately afterward, Xio's voice came through the phone:
"Ebner, where did you go? You said you were coming to the hospital to keep me company, but you disappeared in the blink of an eye… And I couldn't even get through on the phone just now."
Listening to this string of complaints, Ebner blinked, realizing that Xio had once again been overwritten by the "identity" assigned by the world. Suppressing a laugh, he said:
"I'm coming back right now."
Although similar situations had already happened four or five times, this was the first time he had seen such a "cute and naive" side of Xio.
Muttering to himself inwardly, Ebner directly ran toward the surface-world version of the hospital room corresponding to the one where he had appeared in the inner world earlier.
If nothing unexpected had happened, his previous "self" had triggered the "urban legend" rules there.
Arriving at the ward on the third floor, Ebner immediately saw Xio lying on the hospital bed, as well as "Iceberg Admiral" Edwina Edwards sitting by the bed, peeling an apple for her.
The latter was dressed in a neat women's business suit, looking entirely like a modern professional woman—so much so that Ebner almost didn't recognize her.
Xio also saw him at this moment and called out:
"Ebner, come here quickly… Teacher Edwards is here."
Teacher Edwards… Ebner glanced at the school-uniform-like outfit Xio was wearing, matching his own. Even though his "Insight" ability was greatly restricted inside the Ghost Empire, he could still roughly guess the relationship among the three of them.
Xio and I should be classmates in some middle school, and Edwina is a teacher in our class—possibly the homeroom teacher.
But why is the teacher labeled as "Girlfriend 2"? If this isn't just this role indulging in self–wish fulfillment, then the plot development of this world is seriously problematic…
And then there's Madam Philina, listed as "Girlfriend 3"—what role would she be? A strict dean of discipline? Or someone's mother?
Cough, cough… it shouldn't develop in that direction, right?
While these thoughts spun through his mind, Ebner walked over to Xio's hospital bed. He didn't immediately snap Xio out of it, but first looked toward Edwina.
The "Iceberg Admiral," dressed in professional attire, nodded at him, indicating that she had already broken through the "identity" imposed by the world.
As a demigod of the "Reader" pathway, and under the rules of the Ghost Empire approaching level 30, with her "Grand Arcanist" profession already at level 19, she naturally wouldn't allow herself to be repeatedly confused by assigned identities and would take effective countermeasures.
It was precisely because she had regained herself not long after entering this world that she had come directly to the hospital based on the role's memories.
—It had to be said that, because Ebner was no longer restricted by the "rules," although he was also assigned an identity, he received none of its information, making things less convenient for him than for Edwina and Xio.
At this moment, Xio noticed the exchange of glances between Ebner and Edwina, and her mood immediately soured. She snorted and said:
"Ebner, where did you just go? You said you'd help me make up the lessons I missed, but you disappeared and went off to have fun by yourself!"
Judging from her tone alone, it was clear that Xio's role was extremely familiar with "me," most likely a childhood friend… As his thoughts shifted, Ebner didn't answer her question; instead naturally reached out and tapped a finger against Xio's forehead.
Although this version of Xio was quite "cute," they weren't really here to play a game. Naturally, the sooner they cleared this place, the better.
In the next moment, Xio's gaze changed, and her temperament instantly became much steadier—it was obvious she had regained herself.
Recalling what had just happened, and having already experienced several worlds, she no longer felt embarrassed or angry. After all, making a fool of herself in front of Ebner wasn't a first—it no longer mattered…
As for "Iceberg Admiral" Edwina? Everyone had about the same number of "black marks" by now, and an unspoken "tacit understanding" had long been established.
Knowing that Ebner lacked any "role" memories, Xio pondered briefly before quietly explaining what had happened on her side.
As it turned out, she and Ebner truly were childhood friends, having grown up together. Moreover, since both of their parents had mysteriously disappeared at the same place on the same day several years ago, the two of them were now even living together.
Three days earlier, Xio's "role" had accidentally encountered a "strange person" holding a giant axe at school. While fleeing, she fell down the stairs, spraining her ankle, which was why she had been hospitalized.
But strangely, no one else had seen that "strange person," so the teachers at school all believed Xio was lying and that she had simply misstepped and fallen on her own.
"That 'strange person' really exists… It's possible ordinary people can't see them…" Xio said in a low voice, glancing around the ward.
"That was the 'inner world,' essentially very similar to the 'Spirit World' after being 'ordered'… When I first entered this world, I directly appeared inside the inner world.
"It seems the two worlds are constantly intersecting… This is probably the 'disaster' this world is facing!
"It's just unclear where the 'source' is…"
As he said this, Ebner suddenly noticed Edwina holding her "phone" in front of him.
Ebner looked over in surprise and saw the headline displayed in the phone's browser:
"Grand Celebration for the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Saint Roselle Gustav…"
Roselle… Old Huang? He really is everywhere.
With this world's technology developed to such a degree, perhaps it was also Old Huang's handiwork?
However, since the crisis in this world still existed, it meant that even Old Huang, as the "Emperor of Knowledge," had failed to resolve the "source of disaster" back then—either he had no way to leave the Ghost Empire directly, or he had taken a lower-tier "exit" and gone around another way…
So is this a problem even the Emperor of Knowledge couldn't solve?
Additionally, if Old Huang really did leave the Ghost Empire from here… then would the book he wrote, The Book of the Three Artifacts, also be located here?
(End of the chapter)