Being an Extra Actor in an Escape Game

Lin Qin, mystified, asks, the fog its floating closer?

Something about what Lin Qin said seems to amuse X Beijin. He giggles for a while before saying, yes, the grey fog its rolling towards the Tower.

Even someone as generally clueless of the world as Lin Qin knows how serious this is.

He asks with a serious tone, Beijin, there are a lot of insane people in the grey fog, right?

Yes X Beijin says, sighing, and, in a sense, the fog is like a bridge connecting the Tower to the Collapsed Nightmares; if the grey fog reaches the Tower, then the madmen inside can just roam right back out into the Tower.

Lin Qin thinks about it, then comments, thats really dangerous.

X Beijin smiles, and reassures Lin Qin, we still have some time.

Lin Qin asks, still worried, stay safe Do you really have to stay on the top floor? You cant come back down?

He is feeling slightly irritated by the whole affair.

That pale face X Beijin had not too long ago is still quite traumatic for him.

He thinks he only feels the safest with X Beijin by his own side, yet right now, X Beijin has to stay on the top floor to get a handle on everything thats happening.

He hasnt seen his Beijin for a day already!

X Beijin tells Lin Qin, with a cooing tone, just wait wait a bit longer. Ill be down there soon enough.

Lin Qin can only go ok Then he asks something else, why is the grey fog coming here? Is it because of the Ultimate Nightmare? Would it interfere with what youre doing?

X Beijin thinks, then explains, it is related to the Ultimate Nightmare in a sense but also, not exactly. Its a failsafe mechanism they implemented into the game.

If this were just a simple game, then the grey fog will of course stay exactly where it is all the time, but remember, this is what they have implemented to jail and select their prisoners of war.

Lin Qin gets it, saying, so its something in case we resist?

Thats right X Beijin quietly says, the longer the Ultimate Nightmare goes on, the more people succumbing, the grey fog will roll closer to the Tower, until it swallows the Tower up.

Its the games self-destruct mechanism.

Lin Qin sounds genuinely concerned, thats terrible.

We just have to finish dealing with everything before the grey fog can swallow every floor up; and at least, in the Ultimate Nightmare, if they successfully pick the choice I want them to, then the game will forcefully disperse the grey fog.

Lin Qin nods.

X Beijin then says, and outside the Ultimate Nightmare, itll come down to us.

Lin Qin feels touched that it sounds like hes fighting with X Beijin side-by-side, and he says, of course, Beijin. Im happy I can work with you.

X Beijin smiles, saying, its because we are special in the Tower

Lin Qin doesnt seem to find the situation tragic at all, instead, he happily declares, it means were destined to be with each other!

X Beijin doesnt know what to say to that, so he just goes, right, now I need you to find a book in my bookstore. The one we got earlier the Update Log.'

Lin Qin quickly leaves the window to walk to the bookshelves.

While Lin Qin is checking the titles of the books one by one, X Beijin, having nothing better to do, happens to recall something.

Lin Qin, youve always said I felt special to you from the beginning, X Beijin asks, why did you feel that way?

I just do, Lin Qin answers casually.

He cant explain why he feels like this either, but he just knows, and stubbornly insists that Lin Qin is special, and also,vice versa.

Before X Beijin can ask about it again, Lin Qin says, got it. What do you need this book for?

X Beijin is quite surprised. Why is Lin Qin able to find a book so quickly in the piles among his bookstore?

As far as he knows, the Fyecas strengthened Lin Qins physical stats, but then where did this mysteriously accurate intuition come from?

While fascinated, X Beijin thinks he might have a clue.

In the past, Lin Qin was among the few Missiontakers that outperformed everyone else so much the Fyecas took him out the Tower; according to NE, Lin Qin merely had his memories wiped, but not his intelligence or way of thinking.

And, X Beijin always had a niggling doubt that Lin Qin is quite tricksy and scheming inside.

Maybe he really is not so innocent in the core?

Acting dumb while faceslapping? Or perhaps, become so wise that every action he takes appears irrational?

Maybe, there are matters that, rather than pure intuition, its more a conclusion Lin Qins mind already arrives at in the blink of an eye, that Lin Qin himself doesnt even notice happen?

X Beijin is astonished.

Eyeing the bookshelves in his own bookstore with that in mind, he ponders, perhaps Lin Qin is able to isolate the Update Log so quickly among the countless books, is because hes internally categorised and remembered where every single book is approximately where

After coming to that conclusion, hes seeing Lin Qin anew.

Of course, whatever happens, the little apple is already his. Hes his boyfriend, his Lin Qin.

Clever or dumb, hes still the Lin Qin that has a bunch of drinks in his hands, and clumsily tries to appeal to him.

Rubbing his nose, X Beijin finds himself smiling subconsciously watching Lin Qins form.

Beijin? Lin Qin calls out to X Beijin, whos been quiet for some reason, what do we need the book for?

X Beijin snaps back to reality, and tells him, just put it back there. Theres no need to hurry; its one of the data ports.

Lin Qin looks at the Update Log in his hands doubtfully, then asks, I can put it back where I can easily find it in the bookshelf? Or should I bring it with me after all?

Just leave it on the bookshelf. Well come back to it at the end, X Beijin replies, now, its time to find the second data port.

Lin Qin nods and puts the Update Log away, then walks outside of the bookstore.