章 14: The Effective Pharmaceuticals Factory
After the black dog swallowed the pill, its eyes seemed to regain some clarity, and its struggles weakened. However, its fierce expression remained, and it continued to growl. Zhou Bai cautiously released his grip on the dog. The dog backed away warily, lowering its front legs and bending its hind legs, ready to attack.
—"It's not working! The pill isn't enough!"
—"The dog is still going to attack Zhou Bai."
—"What now? When is the Effective Pharmaceuticals company coming to get Zhou Bai?"
Zhou Bai clenched his fists, preparing to fight if necessary. Though not physically strong, he was ready to defend himself. The black dog bared its teeth, its expression twisted in pain, as if two consciousnesses were battling within it. Suddenly, the dog lunged forward.
The viewers expected it to attack Zhou Bai, but instead, it bit into the sofa, tearing at it furiously. The fabric sofa quickly became a mess of shredded stuffing scattered around the room. Zhou Bai stood still, watching the dog. It seemed the gray pill had some effect, possibly awakening his father's consciousness enough to stop the attack.
However, Zhou Bai noticed the white fur on the dog increasing, and its frenzy worsening. He needed a solution quickly. His mind raced.
Rule A, the sixth rule: [If your black dog turns white, throw it off the balcony.]
Was this rule correct? Zhou Bai had doubted it after learning Rule C, the first rule, was wrong. But now, he reconsidered. Perhaps the rule was not incorrect. Throwing the dog off the balcony or taking it to the pet hospital might be different choices, not necessarily conflicting.
Zhou Bai looked at the dog again. The video of his father's hunched figure still lingered in his mind. The image of the black dog bringing him Rule C also stayed with him. Now, the dog's eyes were blood-red, most of its fur white. The sofa was almost entirely destroyed. The dog turned, snarling at Zhou Bai, ready to attack again.
It was 5:55 PM. The time for the Effective Pharmaceuticals company to arrive was near.
—"Hang in there, Zhou Bai! Just a little longer!"
—"You're almost through!"
—"Don't back down, fight it! A disobedient dog needs a firm hand!"
The dog growled and charged at Zhou Bai but stopped abruptly less than a meter away. Its face contorted in pain, veins bulging, and it trembled violently. It looked at Zhou Bai, and in its eyes, Zhou Bai saw a glimpse of his father from the video.
Then, the dog turned and ran towards the balcony. Zhou Bai realized what it intended and called out, "Dad!" The dog didn't respond but leaped over the balcony railing, plummeting straight down. It was a father's final act of protection for his child.
Zhou Bai rushed to the balcony, seeing a pool of blood below. Nearby, several people in white uniforms approached the building, the words "Effective Pharmaceuticals Factory" clearly visible on their clothes.
There was no time for Zhou Bai to process his emotions as the next challenge approached. The viewers recognized the people coming to take Zhou Bai to the safe zone.
Zhou Bai stared at the words on their uniforms, feeling an unease he couldn't shake. It seemed too straightforward. He felt he was missing something.
He returned to the living room, gathering some items to take with him. He grabbed some snacks and then opened the drawer with the pills, taking both bottles—his mother's and his wife's. The words "Effective Pharmaceuticals Factory" were printed on the packaging.
Staring at the bottles, Zhou Bai finally realized the source of his unease. His wife had told him that the "Effective Pharmaceuticals Factory" and the "Effective Pharmaceuticals Company" were not the same. The factory handled research and production, while the company handled sales. Therefore, the factory didn't have a sales department.
The people coming to get Zhou Bai were not from the sales department!
Alarmed, Zhou Bai realized he had nearly fallen into a trap.
"Bang, bang, bang..."
There was a knock on the door.
"Hello, is Mr. Zhou Bai here? We are from the Effective Pharmaceuticals Factory, here to pick you up."
The viewers were excited.
—"Finally, they're here!"
—"We're about to achieve SSS-level clearance!"
—"The Sakura Country didn't unlock the full storyline, but they can still reach the safe zone. It looks like only two countries will clear this scenario."
The knocking continued, but the viewers noticed Zhou Bai wasn't moving to open the door.
—"What? Is Zhou Bai crazy?"
—"Why isn't he opening the door?"
—"Doesn't he want to clear the game?"
—"If he wants to die, why take the whole country with him?"
The viewers from Great Xia were baffled and agitated, flooding the chat with messages. The experts also frowned, knowing Zhou Bai wasn't someone to make reckless decisions. Did he see something they missed?
Meanwhile, in the Sakura Country's live stream, there was celebration. Their Chosen One, Asada Ichiko, had survived by playing it safe and avoiding many rule loopholes. Now, he was on the bus arranged by the Effective Pharmaceuticals Factory. The entire country celebrated in advance, satisfied with an SS-level clearance.
Asada Ichiko's bus drove down a rural road, its lights the only illumination in the dark. The bus headed towards a solitary factory building in the middle of overgrown fields.
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