Being an Extra Actor in an Escape Game

When he reaches the end, Shen Ynj finally understands. There are likely many similar proposals globally, under different names and principles, as a global effort for humanity to save itself from desperation.

They are about to face societal collapse. So, if you have any ideas, say it.

The last struggle, the last gamble, for everyone to fight against the madness.

Did they succeed?

Shen Ynj, while worrying himself over it, flips over to the last piece of paper.

This thick document of over a hundred pieces of paper was entirely handwritten with even detailed illustrations showcasing the games design. Its an elegant, complete game design document.

However, the last page, is entirely blank, save for a few words.

Theyre here.

Its messy, written hastily, like some kind of note. Of course, its difficult to tell what the person was thinking when they were writing. Maybe it was just a simple graffiti?

Shen Ynj falls into thought.

What could this mean, though?

Who are they? Why are they coming?

What is the meaning behind this sentence? Were they excited? Calm? Relieved? Despaired?

Why did they write this down? Who, exactly, came?

Shen Ynj finds his thoughts turning to a pessimistic angle.

Ye Lan also sees the sentence, then says, did that man write this? Or would there be someone else other than him here?

Shen Ynj blanks out for a moment and realises that Ye Lan believes the mad man on the 16thfloor wrote it down.

He didnt think of that possibility at all, as he thought the Proposal was information related to Earth and the Apocalypse.

Though it certainly is possible, that the man wrote that down?

Shen Ynj gives it a thought and says, we can check the handwriting. See if any of them could have written the phrase.

Ye Lan doesnt seem really willing, but with that man already being repulsed by them as much as he is, they might as well try this more practical method of checking.

Though it might not exactly help their current situation, it might at least help, their purpose for being here in the first place.

They quietly flip through the thick document. Neither of them have ever compared handwriting, and so theyre simply improvising.

Finally, they do manage to find a piece of paper with similar handwriting from the pile.

Is this it? Ye Lans eyes are widened, staring into the paper on which suggestions for game mechanics are written.

She hands it over to Shen Ynj, who furrows his brows and reads it carefully.

He skimmed through this earlier without noticing, as it was a list with too many handwritings.

It seems this game company had many divisions, and in the Proposal, the employees in different departments also suggested mechanics fitting their own style.

For example, an employee, probably from the mobile department that makesgachastyle games, suggested they could usegachafor the players to buy happiness Targeting the players who are more materialistic, maybe?

Shen Ynj only read the first few in detail before giving up and just skimming. Theyre short on time, and hed also rather check out important details in the document itself rather than the minutiae.

Now, the section Ye Lan is pointing out is in front of him, perhaps destined to be read in detail.

It seems Ye Lan was able to identify it quickly because this persons handwriting is atrocious. Its like hes in a hurry and impatient.

The last part of every character is connected to the beginning of the next one. It would almost look like a musical sheet.

However, when Shen Ynj reads this in detail, cold sweat starts erupting all over him.

This suggestion clearly comes from a detective-style game designer.

Perhaps as a joke, he mentioned that, after the madness spread throughout society, it has caused huge disruption. During this time, both the death rate and criminal activity shot to unprecedented levels. As a side effect, the huge disaster also produced many enigmatic mysteries. Many people tumbled and fell to the depths of the abyss, forever mentally trapped in their loss and terror.

The game designer probably loved the genre very much, and suggested a main mechanic based on people investigating these past events that would have been lost to time and obscurity forever.

To investigate the truth, discover secrets, and reveal the sins.

So that those who died innocent, those humans who would be driven mad by all those happening around them, could see the light of justice and hope, could find relief in this nightmare.

This is probably what the game designer thought of, when his superior asked as they were gathering suggestions for the game mechanics.

Nobody really cared how people died since the madness spread. Like, insanity makes people do insane stuff, right? People have become used to that.

He might be one of the few who are interested in the underlying mysteries. Or maybe, hes just out of ideas. So he just came up with something in line with his usual line of work, while tying it in to their contemporary lives.

But Shen Ynj swears his mind is going crazy just reading this game design.

Ye Lans confused questions seem to be so far, far away from his ears. He almost feels like a literal Zombie one that feels no stimuli from the outside world, and knows nothing of what they are doing. Always just shuffling their steps mindlessly.

Yes, he feels a little like that again. Like hes out of this world, and is merely a little wisp of consciousness drifting through the air.

He thinks he can hear something speaking to him a game design? A game design?! The building the Tower

Was this the design document for the Tower?!

ARE YOU OK?!

Ye Lans voice booms and drags Shen Ynj back to reality; his face looks as pale as the dead, and Ye Lan is certainly worried. She yells out at her companion loudly, hoping he would respond.

A moment later, Shen Ynj says, Im fine He exhales, long and hard, then repeats himself, Im fine. Dont worry.

Ye Lan looks at the section in the piece of paper again, confused about whats happening. She asks, is there something wrong with the handwriting?

Shen Ynj shakes his head.

He wonders, is the Tower actually based on a human design? Were they really cast into the game by their fellow humans? But, has human technology even reached such a stage?

And that still doesnt explain, what this game designer wrote in the end what do they mean theyre here? Who are they?

Shen Ynj doesnt understand.

He cant help but wish that Fei, Wu Jian, or even Mu Jiashi were here. They would be able to hypothesise and brainstorm their way through it, but Shen Ynj isnt smart as they are.

Hes quite average, and remains generally constrained. He isnt used to letting his thoughts run free. In fact, he avoids it, almost by instinct.

So he just closes his eyes a little. He finds his eyes and brain all too fixated on the contents of that section, creating a vivid memory.

Then he says, lets just go. I suppose, we might even be able to leave the scene already.

We dont need that man anymore? Ye Lan looks surprised, he might have calmed down, too.

Shen Ynj then glances over at the thick Proposal again, then says, no, its alright, he calmly says, I believe we already have the entire truth here.

Ye Lan doesnt understand, but still nods.

Shen Ynj then repeats himself, quieter this time, yes, Im sure we do.

And when they step through the emergency door to this floor, the familiar grey fog and the door in the fog both appear in front of them.