Being an Extra Actor in an Escape Game

That is when Lin Qin and X Beijin hear a knock on the door.

X Beijin goes to open the door, wondering who it could be, to see that its Mu Jiashi.

He ran all the way here, so hes panting while greeting X Beijin. Then he almost audibly stops seeing Lin Qin in the bookstore.

Lin Qin

Hes glaring at Mu Jiashi, thinking about why hes here.

X Beijin can only act like he doesnt notice the strange mood in the bookstore, and ask Mu Jiashi, how can I help you?

He also moves aside to let Mu Jiashi in.

Mu Jiashi enters under a piercing gaze, while saying, its for the Tower residents.

Lin Qin moves to the side of X Beijin, and hes about to speak when X Beijin tugs on his arm to stop him, giving him a smile.

The forgivingly gentle expression he has stuns Lin Qin, who, like a little animal being comfortably pet, immediately settles down where he sits and not say a word.

Ok. Beijin has business. He is going to be good.

Meanwhile, hes casting a rather unfriendly face at Mu Jiashi.

Fortunately, the man in question has a heart of steel; he manages to organise exactly what he wants to talk about, telling X Beijin, I want to ask about one thing. Are you providing clues of Nightmares to us, because of settings in the Tower?

X Beijin is surprised by the question somewhat. He wasnt expecting anyone to have figured it out already.

He cannot answer, though. With NE filtering out their words, Actors cannot enunciate the keyword of Acting.

It is only because that Nightmare with the crumbling building had elements of sticking to a script within, that the word is permitted, which X Beijin took advantage of to relay information to Fei, Wu Jian and Mu Jiashi.

The fact that X Beijin is remaining silent instead of reacting any other way is telling enough.

Mu Jiashi takes a deep breath. He says, I ask because I realised, that the equivalent exchange you provide, isnt simply the exchange of equivalent information that it looks like.

X Beijin, very slowly, blinks.

What What do you think it is? What did I say?

X Beijin is currently stupefied by Mu Jiashis firm, confident tone.

He cant help but suspect if he did something weird that sent the wrong signals without his knowledge to Mu Jiashi.

Mu Jiashi seems almost, if not more imaginative, than conspiracists like Fei and Wu Jian.

But well, regardless of how he drew that conclusion from this strange thingProbably some insane logic X Beijin can never hope to achieve

That Mu Jiashi now understands the Tower residents so well is a great relief to X Beijin.

Mu Jiashi also has no idea what X Beijin is thinking, of course, as all he could always see is how X Beijin is looking calm and mysterious over there.

In fact, when facing X Beijin, he finds himself mentally strained for some reason.

And the more he does so, the greater the stress.

Not from some physical or social position aspect, but simply because X Beijin knows much more than he does At least, regarding the Tower.

Mu Jiashi gulps nervously, while asking, so, can I ask if that is also the case, for your Nightmare?

X Beijin

He is looking at Mu Jiashi quietly, as he realises why Mu Jiashi is mentioning that Actors would reveal clues to Missiontakers.

What hes doing, is trying to score free clues about his Nightmare from him, isnt he?

X Beijin finds himself a little speechless.

Although X Beijin thinks he shouldnt pay it any mind, as Tower residents do need to convey clues one way or another, so its true;

While the equivalent exchange Mu Jiashi mentioned, was itself an excuse to gather free clues on X Beijins part.

You might even call it a karmic retribution.

That said, X Beijin finds he is still curious about something else, so instead of answering, he asks, I am interested in hearing what else you have found out, about the Tower residents.

In the livestream earlier, worried about it being cut off again, X Beijin did not dare keep the camera on Mu Jiashi, Ding Yi, Fei or Wu Jian much. He gave much more prominent showing to the Nightmare itself instead.

Thats why, he actually isnt sure, how much they know right now.

Mu Jiashi has to take some time to organise his thoughts, and he says, we now know that the Apocalypse is split into two parts, a mental illness that spread madness, and then, a physical Raining Hellfire.

But how it gave rise to this Tower and Tower residents is completely unknown for now.

It tends to be that the Tower residents who have Nightmares featuring the Apocalypse in any form, would likely reveal nothing about the Tower itself.

X Beijin does not comment on Mu Jiashis guesses and possible probing of information from him.

He knows Mu Jiashi is quite curious about how humans ended up in the Tower. In fact, most Missiontakers and Actors are equally curious.

It remains a curiosity, only because they have never received an answer. Its like a small obsession.

Some people might not want to know the truth, but more people, like Mu Jiashi said, would find themselves devastated if they were to never know the truth.

But even if X Beijin does know the truth, he cant tell them easily either.

Partly because of restrictions and the attention he receives from NE. And also, because unlike Su Enya, he cannot bring himself to do something like drag others down with him solely because he is in pain having learnt the truth.

Where he can help it, X Beijin really is a traditionally good person.

The silence is somewhat disappointing Mu Jiashi, but then he recalls the question on NE.

He says, with this conflicted tone, also, we are suspecting Where NE stands on all this.

X Beijin is more than mildly surprised.

Mu Jiashi says, there have been many rumours flying around recently, as I believe you are aware, such as one that says only NE is capable of pushing such things along At least, my companions also believe in that.

They believe NE may really be helping us, or at least, is finally letting us into the truth.

And about Xie Ji Su Enya, your neighbour, we think its also a deliberate move by NE to send her back down here.

X Beijin finally speaks up, asking, you said that is what your companions believe. So, what about yourself?

I What I was originally suspecting, was Mu Jiashi is looking at X Beijin with this complicated gaze.

It makes X Beijin feel awkward, but he asks, gently, and you think it is

I suspected, that it was you.

X Beijin

Oho

He narrows his eyes slightly at Mu Jiashi, while giving him an expression that reads are you dumb?

Mu Jiashi seems relieved he finally got that off his chest, however, and says with a forced chuckle, you might find this ridiculous, but Su Enya, she was your neighbour, and it was you also guided me, to look for her before.

Then there was also the time a few years ago, you once provided a clue on the Nightmare with a building thats about to collapse, and also featured Acting. I did not realise at all what you were trying to expose to me back then. Ive surely disappointed you.

Mu Jiashi seems quite embarrassed.