https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-157-The-Protagonist-s-Advance-Part-2-/13547010/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-159-The-Protagonist-s-Advance-Part-4-/13547022/
Chapter 158: The Protagonist Strikes (Part 3)
Chapter 158: The Protagonist Strikes (Part 3)
The situation matched Copernicus's information. Just under one kilometer ahead stood a structure – and a sizable one at that.
It was a wide, solemn mansion with a garden before its gate. The garden entrance sat about two meters from the main road. Like the fields along the roadside, the entire area remained pitch-black even from over ten meters away, as if streetlights and moonlight were blocked by some misty barrier.
Approaching the courtyard, Feng Bu Jue took a flashlight from his satchel and switched it on. The others followed suit, pulling out their own illumination devices – mostly flashlights. Only Meng Jing Chan raised a kerosene lighter, the exact one he used for lighting cigarettes.
"Hey, Brother Chan", Feng Bu Jue remarked, "shouldn't you be careful your fearless stride doesn't send flames drifting sideways and burning your hand?"
"Fearless..." Meng Jing Chan began, intending to explain the term's significance. But after the first two words, his expression shifted – he'd suddenly realized Feng Bu Jue's point. Still, having said "Fearless" already, he couldn't stop halfway. After a three-second pause, he awkwardly continued, "Er... Just fearless!"
"Got it", Feng Bu Jue chuckled, finding the man amusing. He played along with a mischievous grin, "Then I've got a suggestion – when the time's right, take a swig of wine and spit it through the flame. You'll expand the illumination range while creating some offensive capability."
"Hah! Brilliant idea!" Meng Jing Chan exclaimed.
"Just put the lighter away and stick with us", Galileo interjected. "There's enough people here; we don't need your tiny spark adding to our light source."
"Mm... Fair enough", Meng Jing Chan readily agreed, pocketing his lighter.
"There doesn't seem to be a doorbell or anything..." Ye Zhi had already reached the iron-barred garden gate. As she spoke, she gently pushed the door, which creaked open without resistance.
The group peered inside. Beyond the threshold lay not a garden, but a wild, overgrown wasteland.
A dried-up pool stood in the courtyard, its center dominated by a weathered fountain. Several fruit trees grew haphazardly, unpruned. Weeds spilled beyond their flowerbeds, spreading an unpleasant stench.
Perhaps this place once offered tranquil shade, filled with the fragrance of fruit blossoms and the soothing murmur of water. But now, like any haunted western mansion in a horror game, its first impression screamed decay, oppression, and darkness.
"I suggest letting Yongzhe Wudi lead the way", Copernicus proposed. "With Protagonist's Grace, he can handle any sudden danger ahead."
"Wait – are you implying you know there'll be danger after we enter?" Feng Bu Jue muttered under his breath.
"Ah, I was just thinking the same thing myself", Yongzhe Wudi said, stepping forward with casual confidence. "But honestly, this place probably only has some weak wanderghosts. Nothing immediately lethal."
【Protagonist's Grace has been transferred】
【Current player possessing Protagonist's Grace – Ye Zhi】
As Yongzhe Wudi finished speaking, the system prompt echoed in their ears.
"Eh? What's going on?" Yongzhe Wudi blinked in surprise.
"Ah, I see. So speaking purely foolish words with sincerity causes you to lose the Grace", Feng Bu Jue mused, stroking his chin.
"Hey, you do know I can hear every word you're saying, right? Could you at least tone down the commentary?" Yongzhe Wudi said, his expression turning awkward.
"So this is the Protagonist's Grace transfer condition?" Ye Zhi pondered aloud.
"I think there are two transfer mechanisms", Feng Bu Jue explained. "First, someone like Yongzhe Wudi here losing it through their own actions." He licked his lips, eyes glinting. "The second way is an unmarked player actively seizing the Grace through specific behaviors."
"How? Just by saying insincere, impurely foolish things?" Yongzhe Wudi retorted, clearly trying to match Feng's sarcasm.
Feng Bu Jue paused, then grinned. "Hey, you're right! Let me test it!" He suddenly stepped to the front of the group, striking a serious pose. "I shall take the responsibility of scouting ahead!" Standing tall, he adopted a dramatic posture, declaring with exaggerated flair, "Even if I must face the entire world alone, I'll stand unwavering to protect my companions!"
The other five stared, stunned into silence by his over-the-top declaration. Meng Jing Chan even took a swig of wine to steady himself.
Seconds later...
【Protagonist's Grace has been transferred】
【Current player possessing Protagonist's Grace – Mad Bu Jue】
"Pfft!" Meng Jing Chan immediately spat out his mouthful of wine.
Feng Bu Jue turned, beaming. "Hmph. Child's play!"
"That actually worked!" Yongzhe Wudi exclaimed. "So if I just shout 'Coach, I wanna play basketball!' randomly, would that work too?!"
"Not at all", Feng Bu Jue countered. "You'd need to kneel before someone, voice cracking with emotion, then scream that line while tears stream down your face."
"And how exactly did you figure out these requirements..."
"Just sharing my theory – might not even be right", Feng Bu Jue shrugged. "Oh, also, your line was a side character's line. That's why it failed."
"Che... We should just rename it Middle School Syndrome Grace", Ye Zhi quipped. "Not that I'd have a chance anyway, or any interest in trying."
"You could give it a shot", Feng Bu Jue suggested. "Like... 'In the name of the moon, I'll destroy you!'"
"Don't you dare say ridiculous lines expecting me to repeat them!" Ye Zhi snapped.
Feng Bu Jue grinned. "How about you, Brother Chan? Or you two astronomy pioneers?"
"Don't let my current state fool you... I used to care about dignity too", Meng Jing Chan replied.
"Heh... I'll pass", Copernicus declined.
Galileo sighed. "Honestly, Feng Bu Jue, manipulating Protagonist's Grace seems to be your specialty."
"I think it's simple", Feng Bu Jue shrugged. "Like now, if I don't want it..." He suddenly adopted a lecherous grin, winking. "I'm no pervert – well, maybe just a gentleman (perverted) in name only."
【Protagonist's Grace has been transferred】
【Current player possessing Protagonist's Grace – Yongzhe Wudi】
"See? Just say lines like that..." Feng Bu Jue instantly regained his composed expression. "You'll definitely lose the Grace. But since I'm actively transferring it, the mechanism remains random."
"Big brother... don't do this..." Yongzhe Wudi pleaded.
Ignoring him, Feng Bu Jue continued, "Want to get it back?" Suddenly adopting an exhausted expression, he declared with lazy determination, "Wig, stop thinking about dying gloriously and focus on living gloriously instead!"
【Protagonist's Grace has been transferred】
【Current player possessing Protagonist's Grace – Mad Bu Jue】
"Are you done yet..." Ye Zhi sighed, hand on forehead, shaking her head. Deadpan world - women will never understand.
"You're going to break the Protagonist's Grace!" Yongzhe Wudi groaned. "Enough already! Just keep it! No one wants to compete with you!"
"Oh, I'll reluctantly accept this protagonist responsibility... temporarily", Feng Bu Jue said, changing personalities faster than flipping a book. Within a second, he resumed his normal demeanor and strode into the courtyard.
"In a way... this guy's amazing..." Meng Jing Chan muttered, exhaling smoke toward Yongzhe Wudi and Ye Zhi.
Soon, six figures passed through the garden gates into the abandoned western mansion...
...At the same time, deep in the mountains at a shrine.
In a corner of a dim room sat a jar – a brown ceramic relic covered in thick cobwebs. In the dark, it seemed utterly unremarkable.
Suddenly, a human hand emerged from the jar.
Before piercing the dust and webs, the limb remained surprisingly clean, as if it hadn't been inside at all. The hand led to an arm, yet the shoulder and beyond remained stuck inside – the jar's mouth acting like a portal to another dimension, too narrow for full passage.
"Che... What a pain", a deep male voice grumbled in the darkness.
Against the wall stood a shrine. Beside it radiated a massive, glowing chrysalis-like structure – over a meter tall and wide. On its surface, a human face had begun forming. The voice originated from there.
"The data fragment conversion speed has been severely hindered..." Another male voice echoed from the rafters. "Are you a third-level derivative being?"
"You level-4 guys sure love asking pointless questions", the chrysalis-being scoffed. "Hmm... You wouldn't understand the meaning of 'pointless' even if I explained."
"Is there anything I can assist with?" the level-4 derivative being asked from the beams.
"Of course", the chrysalis-being replied. "Try completing the clearance condition before the players arrive, and teleport them out."
(End of Chapter)
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