Chapter 525: Flowers in the Basement
Chapter 525: Flowers in the Basement
Lindsey's first target was naturally the Fenrir Theatre.
He navigated effortlessly to the center of the Blue Zone and, as expected, on one side of the street, stood the magnificent and grand Fenrir Theatre.
However, unlike in reality, the Fenrir Theatre was now filled with piercing and grating noises, echoing with incessant screams and howls, interspersed with hysterical laughter and roars, causing the entire building to appear gloomy.
"..."
"What kind of reality dungeon is this?"
Lindsey shook his head slightly, maintaining his stealth mode as he slipped inside.
Due to the peculiar psychological assessment, all the people inside were displayed as friendly units on the map.
Lindsey couldn't confirm the situation inside beforehand.
He could only explore and count the number of people in each theatre or room.
"In each theatre, the number of people varies from ten to several dozen."
"The basement... There are also people in most of the rooms here."
"Tsk—I'll have to check them one by one."
Lindsey put his reconnaissance findings into action.
Although the Fenrir Theatre resembled a dungeon, its specific functions hadn't changed much.
Inside each theatre, different plays were being performed.
Most of these stories revolved around protagonists achieving their goals through cruel means. In these performances, they would even prepare special 'sacrifices.'
With the Awakened's skills, the scenes on stage were both decadent and dark.
A brutal and bloody atmosphere permeated every breath of air, and each theatre seemed like a lair inhabited by a beast.
"..."
Combat, release, slaughter...
Lindsey searched through the theatre but couldn't find any traces of Wah Wah Wah or even the powerful presence of an Awakened.
"They're probably not here."
"However, I should still investigate thoroughly."
With the intention of gathering more information, Lindsey headed to the basement.
The basement of the Fenrir Theatre was slightly more pleasant than the theatres above.
There were fewer people, and without a large stage, performances couldn't be held.
Lindsey made his way to Wah Wah Wah's personal dressing room.
On the map, the green marker here remained the same as when he first scouted the area.
"The number of people hasn't decreased?"
Lindsey raised an eyebrow and approached stealthily.
The dressing room door was locked, and there were no sounds of manic fighting within. He listened carefully and heard faint sobbing coming from inside.
"..."
Lindsey's expression grew more perplexed.
He switched spell patterns, activated his earth escape ability, and stepped through the wall into the room.
As his vision pierced through the wall, Lindsey froze.
"This... Savat?"
A familiar figure in a blue robe stood in the dressing room.
It was the same blue-robed Savat that Lindsey had encountered in Thousand Sails City.
At this moment, the man looked deeply troubled.
Behind him, a group of ordinary people were being protected, and the sobbing Lindsey heard earlier came from them.
Lindsey's words also broke his stealth.
Savat turned and was immediately shocked by what he saw:
"You? Lindsey! You, how did you get here?"
Lindsey shook his head as he stepped out of the wall, "I'm investigating and trying to deal with the Enchanted Dream riot. This place is a bit special, so I came to take a look."
While conversing with Savat, Lindsey's gaze also assessed the condition of the others.
The ordinary people under Savat's protection didn't exhibit violent tendencies.
However, their tightly clenched, pale knuckles, clenched teeth, bleeding lips, and dark expressions in their eyes revealed their inner turmoil.
These were the very people Savat had saved, and their eyes conveyed a sense of darkness!
Lindsey felt something was amiss, so he activated his reconnaissance skill.
[Madness Art Infection - Extreme emotions are distorting their consciousness, twisting it to conform to the world's rules.
"..."
Lindsey's tone turned solemn as he pointed to the agitated crowd, "Savat, they..."
Savat shook his head, guessing Lindsey's question, "I know, but there's nothing we can do."
"The people in this Enchanting Dream world are defenseless. They're directly affected by the altered concepts. We outsiders, the Awakened, can withstand it for a while, but the corruption rate of ordinary people..."
Savat's voice trailed off, his expression bitter.
Lindsey sought confirmation, "How much longer can they last?"
Savat replied promptly, "About a day."
One day.
If they couldn't put an end to the tragedy unfolding within the Enchanting Dream world, both its inhabitants and the real-world humans who had stumbled into it would be infected by this malicious art, falling into an uncontrollable madness.
Without hesitation, Lindsey took out the Blossom Headband, "Savat, take this."
"Wearing it can soothe people's emotions and might help you all."
Savat took the flower wreath from Lindsey, and upon testing it, he immediately understood its importance. The man in the blue robe looked excited, "Lindsey, but if you give this to me..."
Lindsey interrupted, "I have my own means."
Savat calmed himself before suddenly remembering something, "Wait, Lindsey, how did you get pulled into this Enchanting Dream?"
"When I was searching for and rescuing people, I don't think I saw you respond to my signals."
After entering the Enchanting Dream, Savat had been diligently gathering people and protecting them in this underground room. When his own Essence was sufficient, he even ventured out to rescue others.
The sudden appearance of Lindsey was baffling.
Lindsey shook his head, "I'm different from you. I came here on my own."
At this point, a question arose in Lindsey's mind.
Aside from Wah Wah Wah, he didn't think the Fallen Artist would have the leisure to bring others into this world.
How did Savat and the others end up here? Lindsey quickly asked, "Savat, where did you enter this world from?"
Savat immediately answered, "I was in the Red Zone last night, dealing with some troublemakers. That's where I entered from."
"Did you notice anything unusual in the Red Zone?" Lindsey asked, then added, "I'm not talking about the real world, but the Red Zone within the Enchanting Dream."
"..."
Savat thought hard but couldn't provide an answer.
He attributed this incident to a special rampage of the Enchanting Dream, never considering that a mastermind was behind it all.
Seeing that Savat couldn't offer any more information, Lindsey confirmed, "You entered from the Red Zone and then fled here, eventually reaching the Blue Zone?"
Savat nodded seriously, "That's right. The people in the other zones are even more insane!"
"At least here in the Blue Zone, they still respect acting and scripts. The paintings in the Purple Zone and the sculptures in the Orange Zone... those are places where anyone who takes a glance would immediately find themselves in a life-threatening situation!"
After gathering the information, Lindsey turned to leave.
Savat called out, "Lindsey, where are you going? Stay here and wait for help!"
"I'm going to rescue Wah Wah Wah," Lindsey replied.
Savat's expression wavered, "Seline... Wah Wah Wah, I..."
Lindsey patted his shoulder, "Protect these ordinary people. That's your duty."
"Don't worry. Once I rescue Wah Wah Wah, you'll be safe soon too."
(End of Chapter)
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