章節 25: The Red Key Emerges
Despite Zhou Bai's efforts to appear earnest, his inexperience as a 22-year-old newcomer to the workforce showed. His attempts to play the role of a diligent employee lacked the finesse needed to impress a seasoned supervisor like Director Liu. In contrast, the Chosen One from Sakura Country, Jiro Ishida, demonstrated a masterful understanding of subservience and respect.
In Sakura Country's live stream, Jiro Ishida approached Director Liu's office with a deep 90-degree bow. "Honorable Director Liu, I am deeply honored to work for you. I hope you were satisfied with my performance yesterday."
Although Director Liu's face looked grim, he managed a forced smile at Jiro Ishida's impeccable manners. "Since you're here, report on your work from yesterday."
Jiro Ishida stood upright and began his detailed report. "Director Liu, yesterday I guarded the gate. Fifty-six employees entered, and fifty-four left. The remaining two stayed in the infirmary overnight. I confirmed they did not leave the infirmary."
Director Liu nodded, seemingly pleased with the report. Encouraged, Jiro Ishida continued with even more enthusiasm. "I also inspected the entire slaughterhouse. There are 17 rooms and 17 doors. After the employees left, I checked each door to ensure they were locked and all assets were secure. That concludes my report. Please advise if there are any improvements needed."
Jiro Ishida stood tall, proud of his performance, awaiting Director Liu's feedback. Director Liu looked at him and said, "Very good. I think it's time for a change. You won't be the gatekeeper anymore. Report to Slaughter Room No. 8 tonight."
Jiro Ishida, thinking he had been promoted, bowed again, delighted. The viewers from Sakura Country cheered, believing this was a positive sign. They interpreted the transfer to Slaughter Room No. 8, a key department, as a recognition of Jiro Ishida's competence, paving the way for an S-level clearance.
Meanwhile, Zhou Bai's interaction with Director Liu was less impressive. Even viewers from Great Xia cringed at his awkward conversation. Zhou Bai had spent 15 minutes in the office without addressing any significant issues, clearly testing Director Liu's patience.
"So you're saying the protective suits in Slaughter Room No. 8 need regular replacement because they smell bad?" Director Liu asked, frustration evident in his voice.
Zhou Bai nodded. "Yes, they really stink!"
The viewers from Great Xia facepalmed in unison. They were embarrassed by Zhou Bai's lack of tact.
Director Liu, visibly irritated, scribbled notes furiously. "Fine. Your suggestions are noted. Anything else?"
Zhou Bai shook his head. "No, that's all."
"Then you may leave," Director Liu said, barely hiding his annoyance.
Zhou Bai noticed a fresh wound on Director Liu's arm as he left the office. The viewers from Great Xia felt a mix of frustration and disappointment.
—"Has Zhou Bai never worked before? Who complains about smelly suits on their second day?"
—"Look at the Chosen One from Sakura Country, so respectful and diligent."
—"I cringed so hard I almost dug a hole in my floor."
—"Maybe our experts should give Zhou Bai some tips on workplace etiquette."
Unbeknownst to the viewers, after Zhou Bai left, Director Liu pulled out a form from his drawer. He marked a check next to Zhou Bai's name before putting the form away. Zhou Bai, unaware of this, returned to the gatekeeper's room and locked the gate at 11 AM, then went to sleep.
In this scenario, all employees had to adjust to a nocturnal schedule due to their work hours. Some Chosen Ones struggled to sleep during the day, but Zhou Bai adapted well, falling asleep quickly. His ability to sleep on demand impressed the viewers.
Zhou Bai woke up at 10 PM, refreshed and ready for his shift. He grabbed the keys and began his patrol, turning on lights as he moved through the dark slaughterhouse. As he neared Director Liu's office, he heard muffled groans again, recalling the fresh wound he had seen earlier.
Was Director Liu punishing another employee? Zhou Bai decided to investigate further the next day, following the rules to avoid the office after sunset. He turned back, heading in the opposite direction.
As he walked down the long corridor, he saw the red door again, this time in a different location. It seemed the door did not appear in the same place twice.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
The knocking from inside the door echoed. The viewers held their breath, hoping Zhou Bai wouldn't approach. The red door was dangerous, and interacting with it once without incident didn't guarantee safety a second time. The person behind the door clearly had ulterior motives.
Despite their hopes, Zhou Bai walked towards the red door. His previous experience suggested that the forbidden elements were often key to clearing the scenario.
Standing before the red door, Zhou Bai turned the handle, but it was locked. He needed the red key, which he had seen in Director Liu's drawer. The viewers watched anxiously as Zhou Bai decided his next move.
"Who's in there?" Zhou Bai asked, hoping for a clue.
The voice from inside responded, "You want to know the secrets of this slaughterhouse. I can tell you, but you must find the red key and set me free."
Zhou Bai hesitated, weighing his options. The voice continued, "Look behind you."
Zhou Bai felt a chill and turned slowly, seeing the doctor from the infirmary standing silently behind him, eyes bloodshot.
"What are you doing?" the doctor asked, his expression eerie.
Zhou Bai tensed up, ready for anything. The doctor's eyes were filled with red veins, a sign of contamination.
"What did you see?" the doctor demanded, not looking behind Zhou Bai but staring at his face. "Why aren't you answering me? Why?"
The doctor lunged at Zhou Bai, who instinctively punched him in the face, just as he had earlier. The viewers winced at the sound of the impact.
"Ouch... it hurts..." the doctor whimpered, clutching his face. "It really hurts."
Zhou Bai observed the doctor, noting how pain seemed to clear his mind. The doctor, now lucid, looked at Zhou Bai with fear. "Gatekeeper, why are we meeting again?"
Zhou Bai sighed. "It's almost time for work. I'm just inspecting the rooms."
The doctor nodded, then suddenly panicked. "I came out to find someone. A critical patient has escaped."
He looked around frantically. Zhou Bai glanced back at where the red door had been, now just a plain wall. Had the door been an illusion?
"I saw him coming this way. Strange. He's not very mobile. Where could he have gone?" the doctor muttered.
Zhou Bai asked, "Who are you looking for? What does he look like?"
The doctor hesitated. "Characteristics... characteristics..." He seemed reluctant to answer.
"Right! Slaughter Room No. 8. He might have gone there." The doctor ran towards Slaughter Room No. 8, with Zhou Bai following.
As they neared Slaughter Room No. 8, Zhou Bai saw a shadow on the ground, like an animal crawling.
"Master Ma, I found you!" The doctor called out to the shadow. Zhou Bai was stunned. The shadow, crawling like an animal, was the critical patient?
Zhou Bai's heart raced as he followed the doctor. When the shadow reached the light, Zhou Bai and the viewers gasped. The man's face had an empty eye socket, and he had only one hand to crawl with. He was just a few steps from Slaughter Room No. 8.
The doctor grabbed his hand and lifted him. "Master Ma, you can't work now. Come back with me."
Master Ma struggled. "No. It's almost midnight. I have to work. Let me go."
The doctor, unfazed, carried him back to the infirmary. Zhou Bai watched them leave, his doubts about the slaughterhouse growing.
As he turned to leave, he noticed a piece of paper on the ground. Picking it up, he read the heading and frowned. It was a new set of rules.
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