Chapter 612: Life-saving Favor

    H-He had been discovered!

    He had to run! He must not allow himself to get caught or else...!

    In that split second, the image of himself strapped to the operating table with the psycho doctor looming above him flashed through his mind with vivid clarity, sending a violent shudder racing down his spine. He did not even have the luxury to ponder over the connection between that shadow with the doctor or how long he had been found.

    At this moment, the only thought dominating his mind was— keep running! Run as quickly as you can!

    Gu Luoxin scrambled through the maze-like corridors, the wind whistling beside his ears. Or was it the sound of adrenaline coursing through his blood veins? He could no longer tell. He could only act in instinct and desperately retrace the paths he had taken, hoping to shake off his pursuers.

    But when he threw a glance over his shoulder, he almost received another heart attack.

    Fuck, fuck, fuck— the shadow was still hot on his trail!

    Gu Luoxin knew this because he had two shadows on the ground. One belonged to him, while the other elongated across the wall in a way that defied science, its hand stretching out... toward his head!

    Gu Luoxin’s pupils dilated sharply at the sight. Oh no, he was going to get caught!

    In that fraction of a second, Gu Luoxin’s mind exploded, eliminating every single thought that remained until all that was left was blankness. There was no room for doubt or hesitation; the shadow was going to seize him at any second.

    He pulled out his life-saving prop, ready to activate it, when all of a sudden—

    An unknown figure descended from the roof and shoved him out of the way!

    With a fluid motion, they tossed a small object toward the hanging lantern, causing the oil inside to tip over the ground. A long trail of flame lit up with a whoosh, and the sudden flare of light drove the shadow to retreat with a muted shriek!

    "There’s only one way to deal with shadow..." the newcomer exhaled heavily, "and that is with light."

    No sooner had he muttered that line than he bent over with a pained hiss. Swaying lightly, he clutched his shoulder where the shadow’s claw had scratched him, leaving a bloody stain that bloomed across his shirt—the identical servant uniform Gu Luoxin was wearing right now.

    Gu Luoxin, who had landed on his butt when the other person pushed him, stared at him in shock, still yet to recover from the sudden turn of events. The blazing fire enabled him to catch the man’s side profile, and if he remembered correctly, this should be... his roommate who had snuck out earlier!

    Moreover, this holier-than-thou and pretentious way of speaking sounded extremely familiar for some reason...

    After a brief hesitation, Gu Luoxin tried tentatively, "Jiang Shun...?"

    A brief surprise flashed through the man’s eyes, though it was swiftly replaced by alertness and vigilance.

    —It really was Jiang Shun!

    Realizing that he had gotten it right, Gu Luoxin jumped to his feet in joy, but his face quickly paled when he heard rapid footsteps approaching from a distance. Damn it, the ruckus just now must have been noticed by others!

    The unexpected reunion could wait later—they had to run away first!

    "This is me, Xinxin," Gu Luoxin swiftly introduced himself before urging with an anxious tone, "Let’s find somewhere else to hide first!"

    Jiang Shun looked like he still had something else to say, but he swallowed them back and nodded tensely. The two of them continued to escape, but not long after, Jiang Shun suddenly cursed under his breath, "Damn..."

    He had been clutching the wound on his shoulder all this time in an attempt to staunch the blood flow, but the gash turned out deeper than he had expected. Blood continued to seep through his fingers, soaking the back of his shirt and leaving a line of bloody droplets behind. If this went on, their pursuers could easily locate them by following the trail they left behind!

    Under normal circumstances, other players would have immediately suggested they parted ways; after all, the one who was injured was Jiang Shun, so if the nightmare creatures wanted to go after someone, Jiang Shun would be their first target for sure.

    However, the thought of ’sacrificing others to save oneself’ did not even cross Gu Luoxin’s mind. Not to mention, Jiang Shun had suffered this wound from saving him! If not for him, who knew what would have become of Gu Luoxin by now!

    Gu Luoxin was literally dying out of guilt and anxiety right now. Glancing at Jiang Shun’s wound, which was deep enough to reveal the bones, he only deliberated for less than a second before taking out his healing prop and hastily wore them around Jiang Shun’s body.

    Sorry, Xiao Shen, I’ve promised not to take out this prop carelessly, but... it’s really urgent this time! The novice tutorial has expired and I can’t just leave him alone like this. Just... just consider me paying him a life-saving favor!

    "What are you—" Jiang Shun instinctively struggled, only to freeze in surprise when he sensed a soothing coolness washing over the throbbing pain on his shoulder. "This is... a healing prop?"

    Biting his lip, Gu Luoxin chose to ignore his question and drag him along instead. "Hurry up!"

    The two of them broke into a mad sprint before they finally returned to Young Master Ares’ courtyard. Along the way, Jiang Shun unhesitatingly removed his bloody shirt and burned it with the lit candelabra along the corridor, successfully destroying the last evidence. They stuck themselves to the wall, suppressing their harsh and rapid breathing. Only when they could no longer hear any footsteps did they finally relax and let down their guard.

    "Damn, that was so close!" Jiang Shun slid down and sat sprawled on the ground, his complexion still pale from the blood loss.

    "A-Are you okay?" Xinxin asked nervously. "Thank you... thank you so much for saving my life earlier."

    Jiang Shun waved his hand in a dismissive manner, looking distant and arrogant. "Don’t sweat it, I was just passing by. I knew you were a player at first glance, but I didn’t expect it was you, Xinxin. What were you doing there?"

    "The novice tutorial... it led me there." Gu Luoxin fiddled with his fingers and glanced at the gash on the man’s shoulder which was healing with a speed visible to the naked eye. Heaving a subtle sigh of relief, he continued to ask, "How about you? Did you not follow the tutorial as well? Also, that shadow just now... do you know what it is?"

    Jiang Shun had his head lowered as he poked at the bracelet around his wrist. Strands of black hair fell over his forehead and eyes, rendering Gu Luoxin unable to guess what he was thinking.

    A horrifying possibility belatedly crossed Gu Luoxin’s mind.

    Damn it, he couldn’t be interested in snatching the healing prop away, right?!