Chapter 2

Mu Li ultimately decided against trying to wake the young man. He didn't know the apartment number, had no key, and since this was an old residential area likely without an elevator, moving the man upstairs would be a problem.

He'd have to wait until the man regained consciousness.

Meanwhile, Mu Li continued to study the System. Besides the Livestream Screen, there were two other sections: Instance Quests and the Player Forum/Mall.

His Instance Quest section was completely grayed out, probably because he hadn't entered an instance in time. The place he was in looked like a small town in a residential area. Though he didn't know who lived here, it clearly wasn't an instance.

With a thought, Mu Li opened the Livestream Screen to see what the comments said.

What's going on? Where is this?

I thought he was dead for sure, but...

New instance? Interesting.

I've subscribed. Streamer, keep up the good work—I'm curious to see how this unfolds. (5 Points Donated)

Seeing everyone comment on the unfamiliarity of the place, Mu Li realized this was an area no player had ever explored before. This gave him a clearer picture.

The 5 Points from the donation were converted into balance and displayed in the System Mall.

Mu Li studied the Mall. The items there were truly of excellent quality and reasonable price; even a Low-Grade Recovery Potion cost only 5 points.

He glanced back at the youth in the backseat, whose breathing was nearly imperceptible. Mu Li pursed his lips, steeling himself to buy a Low-Grade Recovery Potion, his balance returning to zero.

He wasn't the type to abandon someone to die. Though he had transmigrated to this unfamiliar place and was struggling to survive himself, he was still alive and well, while the youth beside him lay unconscious, with no medication to treat him.

Mu Li was an Omega who had grown up in a hothouse. He might be rational, but he also possessed an overly abundant savior complex.

With a soft sigh, he got out of the driver's seat and opened the back door.

The youth was tall and long-limbed, curled up awkwardly on the backseat. His posture was clearly uncomfortable.

Mu Li carefully helped him sit up, leaning him against his shoulder. He uncorked the Low-Grade Recovery Potion and slowly fed the liquid into the youth's mouth.

Since the youth was unconscious, Mu Li feared he might choke. Gritting his teeth, he supported the youth's body to prevent him from slumping.

He's so pretty and refined, like a delicate scholar prone to illness. But he's so heavy!

Mu Li ignored the sweat beading on his forehead as he grumbled inwardly.

Finally, he emptied the potion bottle. He gently laid the youth's head on his lap, allowing him to lie more comfortably.

It wasn't that he had any romantic intentions toward the young man, but rather that Mu Li's habit of caring for others meant he could quickly notice any symptoms the youth might develop.

While waiting for the young man to awaken, Mu Li checked the Player Forum.

The forum was completely different from what he had imagined. Mu Li's eyes widened in excitement as dense text filled the Livestream Screen, reflecting in his sweet, amber eyes.

The Player Forum was divided into four main sections: Instance Strategy Discussions, Player Team-Ups, Goods Trading, and General Chat & Miscellaneous.

Judging by the forum's traffic, the Infinite Escape Game had a large player base and had existed for at least five years.

Mu Li clicked on a post marked as being from 3061, titled "Must-Read Guide for Beginners." The current System time was 3066.

_ Common Knowledge Collection: 1. Housing. After completing the Beginner Instance, players return to the Player Living Area. In the Player Living Area, unless you are among the top 200 players on the combat power rankings, you cannot choose your own housing.

Each player pays rent daily, at 1 Point per day. The time flow in instances and the Player Living Area differs. Don't worry about wasting rent while in an instance. The longest instances only take half a day, equivalent to a standard workday. _

Here are images of the standard room type. Image Image

Each player is assigned a single room with no private bathroom, toilet, or kitchen. All facilities must be used in the communal restrooms and kitchens on their respective floors.

Mu Li's vision darkened upon seeing the spartan room and learning there were no private facilities. In his world, even the most basic school dorm rooms were three-bedroom, two-living room suites for single students. As a precious Omega, he'd always lived in his own villa.

This player room wasn't even as large as the bathroom in his dorm.

After secretly calming his shock, Mu Li continued reading.

2. Food and Clothing.

Many newcomers to the Instance worry about these two issues, so I'll explain them in detail. There are three ways to obtain food:

First, you can buy ready-made meals from the player cafeteria. The taste is average, and the price is relatively high.

Second, you can purchase food from the market, where NPCs sell items they've consigned. This includes raw vegetables, fruits, and meat, as well as prepared meals. The prices are reasonable, but the quality isn't guaranteed.

Third, players can trade food privately. Some players post surplus food on the Player Forum and arrange to trade at a specific time and place. However, beware of players with malicious intentions.

Clothing also follows these three channels, and I won't elaborate further.

Mu Li stroked his chin. This game was surprisingly practical, with rules that weren't as strict as he'd imagined.

3. Regarding Points

The Infinite Escape Game requires 1,000,000 Points to return to the original world. Each game session only grants 20-500 Points, and daily life also consumes Points.

Don't be discouraged. The game allows players to earn extra income. As far as I know, the legendary Great God Z, who has already redeemed himself, achieved this by relying on side hustles and earning money through advanced Instance Quests. He successfully redeemed himself in just one year.

However, the specific nature of these side hustles remains unknown.

One million points... Mu Li pondered. Even with his best efforts, he might not achieve it in his lifetime. Would he never be able to go home?

He missed his parents and sister. They must be preparing a lavish dinner at home, waiting for him to return and celebrate his graduation.

No one could have imagined that he would never see them again.

Mu Li was a soft-hearted Omega with a low threshold for tears. At this thought, his eyes welled up, and tears streamed down his cheeks.

Someone was still lying on his lap.

Mu Li frantically wiped his tears with his sleeve and lowered his head to check if any of his tears had fallen on the young man's face. They were so close he could clearly smell the floral fragrance emanating from him—not cloying, but rather with a refreshing hint of mint.

Every time Mu Li saw this face, his inner perfectionist would be momentarily entranced. Beyond his flawless features, the young man's skin was also flawless, with no visible pores.

Only a single red mole below the corner of his mouth added a touch of color to his otherwise cool and detached expression.

In that moment of daze, he saw the young man's thick eyelashes tremble slightly. Then, his pale green eyes reflected Mu Li's face, now close enough to touch.

He hurriedly straightened up and asked, "Are you feeling better?"

The young man, who had been tense and ready to attack, paused. Recalling everything that had happened before he fainted, he allowed Mu Li to help him sit up and pressed his temples. "Thank you."

"I brought you to the foot of your building, but I didn't know your apartment number and you were unconscious, so I waited in the car," Mu Li explained the situation.

"My name is Ming Shiyu," the young man introduced himself. "I'm an NPC in the Infinite Escape Game—basically, I work for the game."

Just as Mu Li had suspected, he wasn't a player.

"I was working when I had a run-in with a difficult colleague," Ming Shiyu explained. "We fought, and my old injury flared up." He clarified his presence in the house: "It's one of my properties, the closest one to me. I was resting there when I heard your voice and came to ask for help. Thank you for saving me."

Mu Li nodded. "I'm Mu Li. And you saved me too. Without you, I would have been eaten by monsters. No need for thanks."

Ming Shiyu hadn't gotten a good look at the boy who had appeared out of nowhere when he was unconscious. Now he noticed that Mu Li didn't resemble a battle-hardened player, nor did he have the uncanny aura of a non-human NPC.

Mu Li's skin was fair and soft, without a single scar. His cheeks were flushed with the healthy color of a living human.

As their eyes met, Ming Shiyu felt a slight stir. "What are you now?"

Mu Li sighed, his brow furrowing with worry. "I'm actually a newcomer. It's my fault for being distracted; I got lost on my way to the Beginner Instance. While trying to find my way, I ended up in the Desolate City and ran into you."

Ming Shiyu frowned. No player had ever wandered into an NPC territory before. Even the Desolate City was a forbidden zone for players. Most lost players only died to monsters in the transitional zones.

It was possible Mu Li was lying, but Ming Shiyu, looking into his clear eyes, didn't think so. Perhaps Mu Li was a special case.

Ming Shiyu kept his thoughts to himself. Leaning back against the seat, he gradually regained his strength and asked, "Did you give me medicine earlier?"

Mu Li blinked. "Yeah, I used some Points I got from viewer donations during the livestream to buy you some."

I've never... met anyone like this... Ming Shiyu struggled to find the words. A soft spot in his heart seemed to have been touched. After a moment of silence, he said, "You don't have anywhere to go now. Why don't you stay at my place? Consider it my way of repaying you."

"No, no need." A faint blush rose on Mu Li's face as he hastily waved his hands. "I can't take advantage of you."

"I'm not fully recovered yet. I was hoping you could take care of me in exchange for rent. Would that be acceptable?" Ming Shiyu's cold fingers politely brushed against Mu Li's wrist before quickly withdrawing. "Please consider it."

Mu Li knew this was the best option. He was in a strange place with nowhere else to turn. Though Ming Shiyu seemed aloof, he was willing to offer him a place to stay on equal terms.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, he agreed.