Logically speaking, Lin Yu completely understood why Furbollo suspected him of being a member of the Psychological Society. After all, he had been hiding many things and appeared highly suspicious. Combined with Furbollo's earlier analysis, Lin Yu realized that from Furbollo's perspective, he did seem like someone from the Psychological Society.

However...

Emotionally, being mistaken for a Psychological Society member still irritated Lin Yu somewhat. "Do I really look that mentally unstable?" he asked Furbollo helplessly.

Furbollo cautiously observed Lin Yu. "To be honest, you do tend to overreact sometimes... But it seems you really aren't from the Psychological Society after all."

"Why the sudden certainty?" Lin Yu countered curiously.

"Because Psychological Society members never bother hiding themselves," Furbollo sighed. "In some ways, they're quite open about their activities. Among the three recognized 'anti-Order' organizations, the Psychological Society is actually the most transparent one."

Lin Yu nodded as Furbollo spoke. "You're right, I have no connection to that organization. In fact... I have grievances against them."

This time Lin Yu didn't perform or conceal his true feelings, directly expressing his hostility toward the Psychological Society.

Furbollo noticed Lin Yu's animosity. "I can tell those lunatics are quite annoying... Anyway, since you're not one of them, I can relax." Furbollo exhaled in relief, adjusting his cotton pants before continuing: "Let's return to the dungeon topic... The organization behind this setup at Extreme Winter Mountain is called 'Truth Corporation' - their activities appear in many Death Game dungeons."

"Moreover, once you interact with their NPCs... they seem to add you to their database. If you oppose them, you'll need to be extra cautious when encountering them in future dungeons," Furbollo warned.

Lin Yu suddenly understood. "So that's why you kept this hidden?"

"Yes, initially I thought you were from the Psychological Society and considered setting you up," Furbollo admitted, hiking up his pants again. "But since it was a misunderstanding... I should make things clear now. Are you sure you want to wade into these troubled waters?"

Lin Yu exhaled slowly while looking at Furbollo. "We've come this far - why not? I'm genuinely curious about the truth behind all this, not to mention... there are extra rewards to gain, right?"

This statement was half-truth again. Furbollo likely thought Lin Yu referred to the "Threading the Needle" achievement bonus, but actually... Lin Yu meant his Promotion mission.

Furbollo gave a thumbs up. "Great, May, my good brother! I knew I wasn't wrong about you! In that case, I'll risk my life to accompany a true gentleman!"

Lin Yu felt speechless at Furbollo's words. 'Not wrong about me'? When did we become 'good brothers'? Weren't you the one suspecting me as Psychological Society all along?

But one shouldn't attack someone offering friendship, so Lin Yu didn't want to dampen the mood. The two continued down the passage until... a faint light appeared ahead.

By Lin Yu's estimation, although the downward slope was gentle, they had been walking for over ten minutes and were now at least fifty meters underground.

"What do you think we'll find ahead, having encountered Truth Corporation before?" Lin Yu asked.

Furbollo shook his head. "I don't know - I've only interacted with them three times. But I do hear water sounds."

Lin Yu nodded slightly - he too detected faint water sounds from the lit area ahead. Both unconsciously slowed their pace. Finally, they emerged from the passage onto a platform at the top of stairs.

Looking down, beyond the already spacious passage lay an even vaster space - a natural cavern large enough to contain an entire factory. High-tech cold light strips embedded in circular patterns along the rock walls illuminated the entire area.

And here... there was indeed an entire factory!

Tall metal tanks and various instruments stood everywhere, interconnected by smooth metallic pipes that appeared quite advanced. Yet this sophisticated factory complex now lay abandoned, with most equipment and pipes submerged in pitch-black oil that formed a small lake.

At the center stood the only still-functioning massive device - a structure resembling a metallic heart that pulsated rhythmically like a real one. Two large holes at its top gushed black oil with each beat, producing the water sounds they'd heard.

"So it's literally a 'leak' in the physical sense," Lin Yu exhaled. "Which brings the question - what's Chate's connection to all this?"

Furbollo looked grave. "I don't know, but these things... give me a very bad feeling. Nothing from Truth Corporation is ever simple... especially this technology that materializes emotions."

"If I had to guess, this 'black oil' likely represents 'fear'."

Lin Yu nodded. "I agree it symbolizes fear..." Suddenly he recalled the hint he'd received as a Teacher: 'Chate is not alive.' This could mean Chate was dead, or alternatively... that Chate wasn't a living creature to begin with.

Lin Yu looked up at the machine. "I remember a childhood animated movie with similar concepts - monsters using human 'fear' as energy, scaring children to collect it."

"We've heard NPCs mention 'snow monsters' and 'Chate', but... no one has actually seen them. Even Chate's killing method involves frightening people to death in their sleep!"

As Lin Yu spoke, Furbollo had an epiphany. "You mean Chate might not be an actual creature, or even a physical entity!"

"Exactly."

A gentle voice spoke behind them. The flowing black oil had crept onto their platform, coalescing into the form of a curly-haired young man in a white lab coat - Vale Valetti appeared before Lin Yu and Furbollo.

"As you've correctly deduced - 'Chate' is the name of a project by my employer, Truth Corporation."