ICTEUWMN Chapter 137.2

The pacing of “I Picked A Traveling Light Brain” was, without a doubt, the fastest among the books Fish Soup Noodles had ever written. The rapid changes and intense twists made it impossible to look away, and its reader engagement was outrageously high. It was clear that Fish Soup Noodles was in excellent writing form.

But the problem with an author being in peak form was that they could get carried away, letting their imagination run wild. If the power scaling got too out of control in the later stages, there would be no saving the story from collapsing.

[Crispy Shark: Some people are even questioning whether you’re just trying to scare the readers! (Whispering)]

The process of Si Yao’s repeated deaths, resets, and desperate struggle for survival had most readers feeling heartbroken for him. However, a few conspiracy theorists began to believe that Fish Soup Noodles’ new book was intentionally crafted to be a horror-themed torment novel.

After all, every time Si Yao reset upon death, it would trigger an explosion of interest, with readers mourning his fate so intensely that their sympathy practically spilled off the screen.

Yet, the author himself remained completely unfazed.

[Fish: Editor, do you know that in this type of novel, when there are only a few chances left, it’s usually a hint that the last one will definitely break through? :-)]

Yu Mian deliberately replied with a cute character-smiley face.

Though it was different from the eerie smile emoji on the light brain in the novel, it still successfully left Shaxs feeling reassured while simultaneously breaking into a cold sweat.

Why did it feel like his author’s bad taste was growing stronger?

Or was it just that writing horror novels was inherently exhilarating?

Damn it, but somehow, he was even more excited.

Perhaps it was just like those negative conspiracy-theory comments, complaining fiercely while still maintaining a 100% read-through rate. Fish Soup Noodles’ ability to keep readers hooked was only getting better.

Could this be the legendary”baiting author”?

While countless readers outside the book anxiously speculated and analyzed every clue, inside the novel, Si Yao once again tried to remain absolutely calm, contemplating what crucial detail he had overlooked.

[[‘From the patterns of these repeated deaths, it’s clear that the director possesses near-BUG-level power, and Experimental Subject 114 is even described as his perfect masterpiece.’

‘Players can start with various identities, yet despite sharing the same mission objective, most end up slaughtering each other under the rules until the very last moment.’

After contemplating for several seconds, Si Yao finally developed a key hypothesis.

If only he and a handful of top-tier surviving players were left to fight against the director’s overwhelming power, then they would never be able to break through the final barrier.

The dozens of deaths he had experienced had already proven this.

But what if the force opposing the director wasn’t just a small elite force, but the entire nest of survivors who harbored resentment and fear toward their prison?

Time and time again, people had been kidnapped and thrown into the Nest. Most scientists had initially been filled with fury and despair, but after being implanted with chips, they gradually learned to protect themselves…or worse, gave up and chose apathy.

Likewise, most players assigned various roles within the Nest secretly longed to break free and grasp at the hope of survival.

His unique identity was his greatest golden finger. It was the perfect tool to bridge the information gap and exchange intelligence across different factions!

However, the risk involved would undoubtedly be higher than ever before, and the difficulty even greater.

The more people involved in the plan, the higher the chances of leaks or unexpected incidents.

In this Nest filled with suppression, betrayal, and madness, could human nature still be trusted?]]

Reading up to the latest chapter in one go, interstellar readers were both fired up and overcome with an indescribable sense of tragic heroism regarding Si Yao’s final three chances.

[Damn it, wife, you absolutely HAVE to succeed! If you fail all three times, Teacher Fish Soup Noodles, we’re seriously going to riot! (Gnashing teeth)]

Si Yao’s strikingly beautiful yet deranged character design made him stand out among countless novel protagonists, drawing readers’ attention irresistibly.

In one extreme scenario before a reset, Si Yao had even snapped his own pinky finger without flinching just to stay conscious, causing interstellar readers to collectively take a sharp breath while simultaneously thinking, “Damn, wife is ruthless!”

As a result, the protagonist of this new book, Si Yao, had unexpectedly gathered a rather peculiar fanbase.

Their biggest slogan was: If Experimental Subject 114 doesn’t show up and prove his worth soon, then Si Yao might as well just become everyone’s brain-wife!

[A Bowl of Fish Soup Noodles V: Soon, soon, soon! The moment for our 114 to play a crucial role is almost here! OwO Also, the offline haunted house flash event will provide a small preview of 114’s upcoming scenes! Did you guys manage to get tickets? It officially opens tomorrow. [smile]]

Yu Mian’s author post on StarBlog was meant to appease readers eager for a romance subplot. However, his casual question about whether they had secured haunted house tickets only served to stab at the collective wounds of many.

[Do you even have to ask?? No, we didn’t! I couldn’t get one at all! The ticket page was taken down so fast I suspect it never even existed!]

[And now you’re telling me that the haunted house event lets people preview the plot in advance? Huh?! How is that fair? I refuse to accept that someone else gets to sneak a peek at content I can’t read yet!]

While the wails of the unsuccessful resounded, a few lucky ones were practically shaking with excitement.

[I got one yes yes YES, I get to experience the interactive story early? I’m so excited!! (laughs out loud at work, gets stared at by boss and coworkers)]

[Hehe, I have nerves of steel. I loved the thrill in the novel, just wait till I report back after I visit the haunted house!]

“Honestly, missing out on tickets the first time might not be such a bad thing.”

Yu Mian chuckled as he watched the lively discussions on his light brain. He had a feeling that once those fans actually stepped into the haunted house inspired by the novel’s world, their reactions would be very different.

After all, he had already watched a lot of special effects demonstration videos in advance from Editor Shaxs. He could only say that Piedmont Park truly lived up to its reputation as a professional amusement park. The haunted house’s set designs, effects, and even NPC interactions were all terrifyingly lifelike.

If someone entered alone without a companion, they might actually start believing they had been abducted into this interstellar prison, doomed to be trapped there for life.

[Also… why do I get the feeling your next dungeon is going to be even more supernatural…?]

The little system, which had been accompanying Yu Mian in researching materials over the past few days, was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. Even as a system, it couldn’t bear it anymore and found everything quite creepy.

Yu Mian held a sheet of material in his hand, which depicted a bright red wedding dress and towering red lanterns.

“Isn’t this just introducing sci-fi horror first and then giving our readers a taste of Chinese horror?”

Yu Mian thought his idea was brilliant.

The prerequisite was that he wasn’t alone in the study writing outlines and settings, otherwise, it would indeed be a bit unsettling.

Huo Ting picked up a few sheets of paper that had fallen onto the carpet at Yu Mian’s feet. His eyes landed on the eerie illustration of a bridal sedan in the dark night, with four figures supporting the poles. He hesitated for a moment before glancing at Yu Mian.

Was it really appropriate to be researching this on a gloomy rainy night?

“What are you doing? Stop messing with my stuff.”

Yu Mian suddenly felt a little embarrassed and immediately leaned forward, snatching the papers back from Huo Ting’s hands.

Obviously he was just helping pick things up, but he was still scolded by a certain fish. Huo Ting smirked slightly and asked, “…Should I go downstairs then?”

“!!! No way. You have to stay and help me finish setting this up tonight.”

The next second, Yu Mian grabbed Huo Ting and pushed him into a chair.

Originally, they had separate studies on different floors, but now, after some adjustments, they had two large desks placed side by side.

When he was hiding his presence, he used to secretly borrow Huo Ting’s desk. Now, they each had their own space to work together.

Although the efficiency was somewhat questionable.

Just as Yu Mian assigned Huo Ting a stack of documents from Secretary Hals, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.

It was as if he was being asked whether there would be any payment for this.

“…”

Although they didn’t say a word, the moment they looked into each other’s eyes, Yu Mian blushed and he shifted his gaze to the window at the lake, where the rain was still falling.

Ever since that night by the lake when he had pecked Huo Ting on the lips, it felt like the guy had formed an addiction.

Wasn’t this a bit too much? Or was this just how people acted when they were in love?

“Are you a puppy?”

Either way, today’s quota was used up.

Yu Mian tried to push Huo Ting’s hand away, but instead, his wrist was gently grasped.

“…That tickles.”

Huo Ting’s fingertips were always calloused, and when they brushed against the fine, tiny scales on Yu Mian’s wrist, it made him want to laugh from the ticklish sensation.

Seeing Yu Mian smile, a hint of amusement flickered in Huo Ting’s eyes as well, though his tone remained serious. “Didn’t we agree to learn together?”

“And if you want an answer, you’ll have to try and see for yourself.”

Yu Mian froze.

That was something he had said himself the other night.

Now, hearing Huo Ting repeat it word for word, he felt his face heat up even more.

Why did this guy have such a sharp memory for things he wasn’t supposed to remember?!