Let's give space a touch of Chinese horror!

Chapter 14 Humans are really strange

Jiang Yi sat by the window, intently watching the scenery outside.

Outside the porthole, a vast nebula was slowly unfolding, its pale yellow halo gently expanding, swirling around the deep blue star clusters like a vortex; a broken star stone, trailing a magnificent streak of light like a peacock's tail feather, swept past the window and was instantly swallowed by the boundless darkness.

Humans... are truly amazing creatures.

From the moment Luo Feng invited her to board this warship, Jiang Yi had been pondering: How did humanity come up with the idea... to travel and traverse in this dark universe?

The beautiful nebula was left behind, and darkness returned to the outside of the window. Jiang Yi withdrew her gaze from the window and slowly placed it on the food in front of her... which was said to be called "nutrient solution".

It was a tube of liquid contained in a squeeze-type transparent tube. The tube had only a very simple label on it, which stated the expiration date and flavor, but nothing else.

Jiang Yi curiously reached out and picked it up.

The tube felt soft to the touch, and the translucent liquid inside began to flow up and down as Jiang Yi gently squeezed it. However, judging from the way it clung to the sides, the liquid had poor fluidity and was sticky, making it look rather unappetizing.

Jiang Yi studied it for two seconds, then opened the lid and carefully smelled it.

A moment later, a blank expression appeared on her face.

Why did she feel... that the food smelled like the disinfectant she had smelled when she sneaked into the hospital instance in a horror game?

She tentatively took another sip.

The liquid slid across the tip of her tongue, its texture so thick it was unpleasant—Jiang Yi felt as if she were drinking something called "glue"—it lingered on her tongue, hung on her palate, and stuck in her throat… leaving behind a faint "film" wherever it went.

It has no taste at all, yet it vividly demonstrates its presence through this dullness.

Jiang Yi glanced at the label, which had the words "Original Flavor" written in large letters.

The expression on her face immediately became even more subtle.

So... this is what human food tastes like?

No wonder she always had a pained expression whenever she saw players eating in dungeons back in the horror game...

It really tastes terrible.

—The woman in crimson robes, who had gained human taste and smell for the first time, expressed understanding for the player and deep sympathy for humanity.

"Aaaaaahh ...

Suddenly, Luo Feng's distraught voice came from outside the door: "Why can't I find it?!"

"I've explored the entire game map, why can't I find that house I encountered last time?!"

"Where did that house go?! Why is it gone now?! Why?!"

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised.

She really didn't understand why that young general named "Luo Feng" wanted to find the haunted house that she had previously constructed based on her memories.

After all, judging from the fear level collected by the system, Luo Feng must have been quite frightened in the memories of her unknown master.

The horror game players she had encountered before, except for one strange, overly friendly man, all avoided the dungeons like the plague; otherwise, no player would have preferred to blow up the main system and perish together with the game in order to escape the horror game.

Now, someone actually wants to do it again after experiencing it once and being thoroughly terrified? Judging from Luo Feng's excited expression earlier, he seems... to be quite enjoying it?

Jiangyi felt that humans were truly difficult creatures to understand.

"drop--"

The system suddenly appeared at this moment: "Based on language and data analysis, this is also an excellent opportunity for the host!"

Crimson Robe: "?"

"Since humans in this era are receptive to horror games and are even looking for opportunities to enter them, the host can use me to create dungeons to attract humans into the game and collect fear."

"The more fear (energy) you collect, the more system functions you can unlock."

"At that time, there is still hope for rebuilding the horror (infinite) game."

Jiang Yi had no interest in rebuilding the ridiculous game, but she swallowed her refusal after hearing about "unlocking more system functions."

She also remembered that someone had left a gift inside.

Outside, Luo Feng was still wailing, "It's all over, it's all over... I hope the boss doesn't think I'm lying to him?!"

"Won't I be 'exiled' as soon as I get back?"

"But I really did encounter it in the game before!"

Someone nearby comforted him, saying, "Could it be that the game developer turned that part of the map off?"

Luo Feng's expression sharpened: "Very likely!"

"I'll send that author a private message right now! I absolutely have to find that map!"

The woman in crimson robes slowly brightened.

She forgot that the method... had always been right in front of her.

There just happened to be a horror game competition going on, so she could subtly infiltrate her "game." This way, she could obtain the energy the system needed without resorting to the old path of playing horror games.

Jiang Yi got up and opened the door.

"Sorry, did I disturb you?"

Luo Feng, who happened to be passing by the door, stopped in his tracks: "Sorry, we were a little too loud. We'll be more careful next time."

Jiang Yi shook her head, indicating that she didn't mind. However, her gaze fell directly on the game helmet that Luo Feng was holding.

Luo Feng followed the gaze of the woman in crimson and looked down, then suddenly realized, "Look at me!" He slapped his forehead, "That was my oversight!"

After bringing Jiangyi aboard the warship under the pretext of treating her illness, he spent most of his time searching for maps in the game, except for ordering food to be delivered. He completely forgot that their warship had no entertainment facilities, Jiangyi had no personal computer (it was destroyed after being taken by space pirates) to pass the time, and she didn't know anyone on the warship to chat with. The fact that she stayed in her room for so long before coming out showed how considerate she was of their busy schedule.

"Wait a minute!" Luo Feng looked around. "I'll go find you a holographic gaming headset!"

He couldn't get his hands on a quantum computer, a device that required binding to biometric information, but he could find an unused gaming headset for Jiang Yi to pass the time.

He left in a hurry. A moment later, he returned carrying a somewhat worn-looking gaming helmet.

He looked a little embarrassed: "Sorry, this is the only one we can find on the ship right now that's not in use."

"This gaming headset might be a bit outdated, but it should still be usable for playing games and killing time..."

Jiang Yi stared at the game helmet for two seconds, then reached out and took it, nodding to Luo Feng in thanks.

She watched Luo Feng leave in a hurry, then looked down at the game helmet in her arms.

It's great to be able to get what you're looking for without saying a word, but...

The woman in crimson tilted her head slightly.

How do I use this thing?