Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 68: The Inescapable Room 201

Ethan Walker was set on continuing his exploration of the second floor. The space there was somewhat intricate, and he needed to replace the key to the third floor. James Mitchell followed by his side, familiar with the area, so he wasn't in a panic.

Robert Anderson stood behind them, silent, lost in his own world. The patient, Robert Anderson's brain, was working at full speed.

A barrage of comments flooded in:

- "I don't think Robert Anderson seems like a regular NPC. Why does he appear to be not so bright?"

- "What's wrong with not being smart? Can't they be an NPC?"

- "First, he says he's a sheep, and then he claims he's a bear."

- "This guy's words seem to carry some philosophical depth."

- "Hey, are you okay? Maybe you should also visit a hospital? I can recommend someone."

- "What's he thinking? Not engaging in conversation, giving no hints. Are we expected to figure it out all by ourselves?"

- "Ethan's mental state seems quite in sync with his."

- "Wait, he looks like he's about to speak!"

- "Let's listen, maybe we'll finally get a clue!"

True to their speculation, Robert Anderson did open his mouth, seemingly ready to speak. But when he did, it was a shock to everyone. "Actually, I am a bear named Robert Anderson."

Silence followed.

James Mitchell, ever patient, could only glance at him helplessly and carry on with his own tasks, no longer holding any expectations.

Ethan Walker then kicked open the door of room 201 with an air of "I'm in charge here," leaving everyone wondering who the real oddity in this scenario was. Ethan spoke up. "Robert Anderson, come here."

Before this, Ethan and James had been whispering to each other for quite some time, seemingly plotting something, keeping Robert Anderson, the NPC, out of their discussions. The comments continued to pour in:

- "Is there anyone who can read lips? What's Ethan planning?"

- "I'm so curious! Why aren't they speaking out loud?"

- "If it's as usual, we might be about to witness the classic 'Ghost Hitting the Wall' at the Seventh Hospital. As viewers, we'll probably see rooms 201, 201, and 201."

- "That sounds terrifying!"

- "Let's see if Ethan can break the cycle. He seems confident."

- "With Ethan's character, he might just break down all four walls of room 201."

- "A physical solution to 'Ghost Hitting the Wall'? That's bold!"

- "Ethan's the kind of guy who might just do it."

- "But why is he suddenly calling for the NPC?"

At this moment, they were standing at the doorway of room 201. Just like the last time the Emerald Tempest Guild had descended, the lighting on the second floor was minimal. Only a pale white bulb hanging at the stairwell at the far end provided some illumination, highlighting the limited area they could explore. The two players switched on their flashlights for better visibility.

Ethan Walker gestured with his hand, and Robert Anderson, stiffly, took a couple of steps forward.

"Robert Anderson," Ethan said with a disarmingly benign smile, "you go in first."

Robert remained silent this time. Sending an NPC ahead was a first in the annals of the White Tower's challenges.

Robert's complexion was deathly pale, devoid of any hint of color. Apart from occasionally getting lost in his own world, he generally resembled a clear-headed university student. At Ethan's beckoning, Robert shuffled a few steps forward.

Comments streamed in:

- "Wow, this NPC is surprisingly obedient!"

- "Honestly, facing a crazy player like Ethan, I'm starting to feel sorry for NPCs."

- "Empathy only leads to trouble!"

- "A quiet dog bites hard. This NPC is too quiet, he must be brewing something big!"

The viewers speculated if Robert, as an NPC, would turn traitor like the previous Little Red Riding Hood at the boss level, ruthlessly eliminating everyone.

Obediently following Ethan's instructions, Robert entered the room and stood at the doorway, scanning his surroundings in a daze.

Ethan raised his right hand, holding a black flashlight, and shone it beside Robert. The beam of light reflected off his face, causing him to squint as he discovered a mirror to his right.

The mirror was largely intact, save for a few cracks in the upper left corner, but it still reflected a clear human figure.

This time, Ethan directed the flashlight's beam onto Robert's face. The white light cast from below his chin upwards, in combination with his numb expression and pallid skin, created a particularly eerie reflection in the mirror. The chat was filled with discomfort:

- "This is genuinely scary."

- "What is Ethan doing? Using the NPC as a human reflector?"

- "Who uses a reflector like that?! Ethan, please do something! I'm going to be scared out of my wits at home."

- "He's moving! Stop spamming the chat; I can't see Ethan's handsome face!"

- "Aren't you the one who spammed just now...?"

- "Wait, won't the NPC realize he's not a bear upon seeing himself in the mirror and turn evil?"

- "I'm so torn between fear and laughter right now!"

Standing in front of the mirror, Robert stared intently at his own face. Just as everyone anticipated some grotesque transformation - sprouting tentacles or some other sanity-shattering feature - he suddenly grinned sinisterly at his reflection. "I actually look pretty good, heh heh."

Silence fell.

"If only I could admire myself all the time..."

Amidst a barrage of speechless comments and James Mitchell's similarly speechless reaction, Ethan suddenly called out.

"James Mitchell, now's the time!"

Suddenly, a slender umbrella extended from Robert's left shoulder, its sharp tip aiming at the existing cracks in the mirror, and jabbed fiercely.

Crack...

It took less than three seconds for the mirror to go from cracked to completely shattered. In the mirror, Robert's face also fragmented into several pieces.

He stood in disbelief in front of the mirror, watching his handsome face become fragmented.

"Am I... perhaps an egg?"