Chapter 2: The Hidden Rule

A large clod of earth fell from the precarious roof, crashing down beside Liang Dan’s foot. The fine soil crumbled against her leg, splattering dirt on her trouser leg.

“No!” the old man roared. “What if I let go and you run off?”

The sound of collapsing walls grew louder and clearer. A pile of rubble had already gathered beside Liang Dan’s foot.

Yet, strangely, all the debris fell only near her feet, not a single piece striking her body.

Liang Dan sighed in frustration. “But if you stay like this, you won’t save yourself either. Let go of my foot first; at least then there’s a chance to survive.”

Another chunk of earth crashed onto the old man’s body. He screamed miserably and instinctively released his grip on Liang Dan.

Quick as a flash, she darted toward the wall.

Behind her, the old man bellowed, “You tricked this old man; you’ll get your comeuppance!”

“Ah,” Liang Dan called back, holding an iron rod as she ran back to him. “What did you say just now?”

She slid the rod into a gap beside the old man and pried upward with all her strength.

The old man smiled. “Young lady, good deeds will bring good rewards.”

“Huh?”

Liang Dan felt she hadn’t exerted much force, yet the rubble on the old man’s body was lifted entirely. He was quick to scramble out.

The ground shook violently beneath their feet, plaster peeled from the walls, and side by side, Liang Dan and the old man dashed through the hole in the wall as the building collapsed behind them in an instant.

Liang Dan raised an eyebrow, staring at the fallen structure. The timing of the collapse was too perfect, as if the building had waited just for them.

“Congratulations, player Liang Dan, on completing the novice task: rescuing a companion.

“Acquired one hidden dungeon rule.”

“Congratulations, player Zhang Wei, on completing the novice task: escaping death.

“Received novice guidance.”

So the old man’s name was Zhang Wei.

As Liang Dan walked forward, she searched her pockets—four in total—but found them all empty.

Looking up again, the scene around them had shifted. She and Zhang Wei now stood beside a wide road flanked on both sides by rows of cornfields. Turning a corner revealed many small wooden houses.

This must be the village the system had mentioned.

Brushing dust from her clothes, Liang Dan moved slowly inward, asking Zhang Wei, “Are you alright? Can your leg walk?”

At the village entrance stood a large iron cage. Liang Dan strained to see inside but couldn’t tell whether the creatures were ducks or geese.

Zhang Wei strode briskly. “You’re right, young lady. We’re not in the normal world anymore. In the real world, I’d have been rushed to the hospital by now with my old bones.”

Liang Dan examined Zhang Wei’s leg and saw no sign of a limp. She finally felt reassured.

The village was eerily quiet, not a sound to be heard.

“Miss,” Zhang Wei stared at the air in front of him. “My novice guidance says night is falling. We should find a house to settle in quickly.”

“What do you mean, ‘on top’?” Liang Dan asked, looking at the air but seeing nothing.

“Don’t you see? There’s a system panel floating in the air—it’s my novice guidance.”

Liang Dan pointed and gestured but shook her head. She truly saw nothing.

It seemed her hidden rule required some condition to activate.

Zhang Wei said, “Let’s quickly find a house to stay in.”

Liang Dan nodded, “Alright.”

Zhang Wei strode to one house and knocked firmly on the door.

A middle-aged woman opened a crack. “Can I help you?”

“We’re travelers from another village. Night is coming. Could we stay here for a while?” Zhang Wei asked.

The woman looked at Zhang Wei, then at Liang Dan. “What’s your relationship?”

“Father and daughter. She’s my daughter,” Zhang Wei answered.

The woman shook her head. “I have no room here. Try someone else.”

With that, she slammed the door loudly, sounding somewhat displeased.

A crow flew in, landing on her roof, cawing.

Liang Dan smiled. “I guess she’s upset because you lied to her. This time, I’ll handle it.”

She walked to another house and knocked gently.

The door opened to reveal a middle-aged man.

“Hello,” Liang Dan said. “We’re passing travelers hoping to stay one night. Would that be alright?”

The man glanced sideways at Liang Dan. “The old man can stay here. You can’t.”

Zhang Wei looked puzzled. “Why not?”

Liang Dan smiled. “Okay, I’ll ask elsewhere. Thank you.”

Lowering her voice, she said, “Stay here for now. This village is large—I’m sure I’ll find a place.”

Zhang Wei frowned. “Fine, but be careful.”

Liang Dan bade farewell and moved on to knock at another door. This time, a boy about ten years old answered.

The boy welcomed her warmly and led her to a storeroom cluttered with goods, then left.

Just as the boy departed, a screen appeared before Liang Dan’s eyes, displaying a line of text:

“OOC behavior is prohibited in this dungeon. Each player must act according to the personality chosen in the prompt. Violators bear the consequences.”

“Prohibited from OOC?” Liang Dan tilted her head, pondering. Her recent actions were no different than usual. This hidden condition didn’t seem difficult.

“Big sister,” a knock came at the door. “Dad and I prepared dinner for you.”

Liang Dan raised her voice: “Thank you, but I’m not hungry.”

Food in this world shouldn’t be eaten casually, she thought.

The door opened. The boy stood at the doorway. “You must be hungry.”

“Alright,” Liang Dan sighed. “I am hungry. Thank you.”

The boy placed a tray on the table and left.

Her stomach twisted painfully. She was indeed very hungry. This world, like the real one, still had normal physiological needs.

She considered for a moment and then sat at the table, devouring the food. Though the taste was somewhat strange, it was still edible.

After finishing, Liang Dan sat on the bed and waited for a long time. Her body showed no changes. She breathed a sigh of relief and lay down.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, the sound of a bell echoed outside—an old-fashioned large bell, reminiscent of a temple’s chime.

For a moment, drums thundered and firecrackers burst, and the once silent village became lively and festive.

Liang Dan sat up, wanting to see outside. Then she recalled Zhang Wei’s advice to find shelter quickly, not that going out at night was forbidden.

She pushed hard at the door, which opened only a narrow crack.

Squinting, she looked out. The door was locked from the outside, and a line of red firecrackers lay on the floor inside the room.