"Hey Fred, got a minute?"

The strict prison square gradually came into view from an aerial perspective as a black inmate chatted with two fellow prisoners.

Leo walked over and called out to the black inmate.

Fred turned to look at Leo, then said to his two companions: "I'll be right back."

With that, he stood up and approached Leo: "What's up?"

"I need to get up to that roof. Any ideas?"

Following Leo's pointing finger, Fred looked over.

That was the labor reform block.

As the name suggested, it was where prisoners did manual labor - whether sewing machine work or making matchboxes, all activities took place there.

Because—

The camera panned—

A chisel with a blue handle rested on the windowsill outside the corridor of the prison complex building connected to the roof.

'Oh damn—that's the chisel from the gameplay demo!'

'This chisel has been sitting there for months (laughing)'

'Hahahaha, one day in-game equals one year real time, no wonder people say prison is paradise (dog head)'

'So they need to get up there for the chisel'

'Feels like the black guy's name has Shawshank Redemption vibes'

'This prison's style is very Shawshank Redemption-like'

'So is the boss also planning to dig for 19 years?'

'The actual gameplay is just digging tunnels, keep digging (squinting smile)'

'Ridiculous...'

Tree-ge handed Fred a pack of cigarettes.

And just like that, the deal was struck.

The next day.

With Fred's introduction, Ayin and Tree-ge successfully obtained roof cleaning duty.

"See, this is what we call social skills, man,"

On the roof, Tree-ge mopped while lecturing his livestream audience on prison survival tips:

"Guys like Fred are the know-it-alls in prison. Gotta build good relationships, understand..."

"Are we actually here to do labor reform or what?"

Ayin couldn't take it anymore and interrupted Tree-ge's prison networking seminar:

"Think of a way to get that chisel!"

"Yeah, I know, I just can't think of any damn way..."

Tree-ge scrubbed the floor vigorously, answering without shame:

"To get the chisel we'd need to climb that scaffolding, but there's a guard standing right there! How am I supposed to do it?"

Indeed!

Although they'd reached the roof and were close to retrieving the chisel on the windowsill,

The problem was this already cramped roof space had two guards on duty!

One stood behind them, while the other guarded the northern emergency exit next to the scaffolding.

To climb the scaffolding, they'd at least need to distract the northern guard.

Crack!

At this thought—

Tree-ge suddenly stomped on the mop handle, snapping it clean in two.

He weighed the broken handle in his hand:

"Maybe we should just go the violent route!"

Instantly, the barrage exploded with laughter—

'As expected of the pyramid scheme boss, equally skilled in civil and military matters'

'He meant distract the guard, not attack the guard (eye roll)'

'Lift the stick and bash the guard's head—that's one way to "distract"'

'Physical distraction (dog head)'

'Originally just seven years, now the sentence gets super extended'

'LMAO...'

'...'

"Cut that out,"

Ayin stepped forward and snatched the stick from Tree-ge's hand, stopping this dangerous idea.

However—

Just as he took the broken mop, the guard behind them looked over:

"Hey! What are you two whispering about? Get back to work!"

"Uh..."

Ayin had a sudden inspiration:

"Officer, my mop's broken, see?"

"Broken? Then go get a new one!"

The guard frowned and waved impatiently:

"What's with all the muttering?"

Holy shit!

An opening!

As an experienced player, the guard's words made Ayin realize he might have found the key to progressing.

"Yes, yes sir."

Ayin nodded obsequiously, then took the broken mop to the northern guard as instructed:

"Officer, my mop's broken, can I get a replacement?"

"Hmm..."

The guard looked suspiciously at Ayin:

"You stay right here. I'll get you a new one!"

Ayin froze.

The hell? That sounded like he was being mocked somehow.

Though internally complaining, for the sake of their escape plan, Ayin nodded:

"Sure, take your time."

"Wait here." The guard gave him a final glance before taking out keys to unlock the door behind him and stepping inside.

Now's the chance!!!

Click!

As the small security door closed, Ayin urgently waved to Tree-ge who was peeking over:

"Come here! Quick!"

The two quickly reunited at the scaffolding base.

Ayin kept watch on the security door while positioning himself against the scaffolding, bending his knees slightly with interlaced hands:

"Up you go!"

But!

Just as Tree-ge stepped onto Ayin's hands—

Click!

The security door handle turned!

Creak—

Whoosh!

In that split second—

Ayin mustered all his strength to heave Tree-ge up, then immediately turned to inspect the scaffolding.

"Hey! What are you doing?!"

Behind them—

The guard emerged with a new mop, pointing angrily at Ayin!

"Ah!"

Feigning fright, Ayin snapped to attention:

"Reporting, sir! Just looking around!"

"No unauthorized looking!"

The guard studied Ayin, then the scaffolding no single person could climb, before tossing the mop at him:

"Get back to work! No wandering!"

"YES SIR!!!"

Ayin caught the mop and returned to his assigned area.

The guard watched him leave with sharp eyes.

Meanwhile, hidden behind scaffolding debris, Tree-ge looked utterly shaken.

The exquisite cinematography and sound design, like a true movie, left all viewers breathless!

'HOLY SHIT—!!!'

'I literally held my breath just now!'

'Sweating buckets yet, little bro?'

'This game is insane, the visual storytelling is artistic-level'

'I was clenching my toes so hard from tension'

'Boss and Tree-ge's heart rates must've hit 130, damn!'

'Hahaha so intense'

'Half a second slower and they'd have been caught, so close...'

'Friendly reminder: you can breathe now'

'I actually let out a huge sigh...'

'...'

Thrilling! Exciting! Tense!

The undercurrents beneath apparent calm!

The heart-pounding terror behind straight faces!

The joy of successful cooperation, the magical experience of growing teamwork!

With Vincent creating a distraction, Leo quickly retrieved the chisel and entered the building through the labor block skylight.

Later, Vincent unlocked the door from outside, allowing them to reunite and secretly pass the chisel to Fred.

......

"Whew—so intense!"

On the couch, Shen Miaomiao sprawled against the armrest, taking a sip of cola with exhilaration.

Her pink, delicate feet peeked mischievously from under the blanket, resting on Gu Sheng's lap as his bony hands gently massaged them.

As they say, good habits are hard to learn but bad ones come easily.

Ever since that time in the car when she'd first offered her feet to this mental pervert, Shen Miaomiao seemed to have grown dependent on the feeling.

Whenever those dry, warm hands enveloped her little feet, an indescribable sensation arose in her heart.

Like a tiny brush tickling her heartstrings, itching pleasantly.

Or like approaching a warm fireplace in winter, cozy and comforting.

The lingering comfort and palpitations were like some addictive drug, making her slightly intoxicated.

"So does this story have a happy ending?"

Shen Miaomiao tilted her head to look at Gu Sheng.

"Spoilers ruin the fun,"

Gu Sheng avoided a direct answer:

"It's like opening a Conan comic to find someone circled the killer in red ink. No suspense means no story."

"Then I want to play too,"

Shen Miaomiao set down her cola:

"Let's continue."

Though during the GDC demo, Gu Sheng had taken advantage of his designer status to mess with her,

She couldn't deny this game's strong appeal even to a non-gamer like her.

The sense of accomplishment from coordinated teamwork and the joy of gradually escaping was truly exhilarating.

While the game had top-tier cinematic quality,

Having experienced it firsthand, Shen Miaomiao knew the motion-sensing pod's immersion offered a completely different kind of thrill!

And this was precisely the game's unique strength!

"Done watching?"

Gu Sheng gathered Little Nezha's feet in his palms, raising an eyebrow.

"Let's act it out ourselves!"

Shen Miaomiao nodded:

"The game has auto-editing export, right? We'll make our own version and watch that."

"Alright."

Seeing Little Nezha's enthusiasm, Gu Sheng nodded, reaching into a chip bag for a handful which he stuffed into his mouth.

After wiping his hands, he stood up with a wave: "Let's go!"

Meanwhile, Little Nezha's face turned slightly red, her flower-like toes curling slightly.

You... didn't wipe your hands before eating chips... only after...

Do you... have some unclear understanding about what's edible...

......

Rumble—

The sound of a cart rolling over concrete echoed.

In the dark, icy prison, cell blocks stood like forests of steel bars.

Stern, rigid, severe.

On the second-floor walkway, a guard patrolled with a baton.

Following behind was Fred pushing a cart.

Stopping at Leo's cell, Fred slowly halted the cart.

He pulled out a green-covered Bible: "Hey Leo."

"Mm-hmm," Leo stood and approached the bars: "Fred."

Fred handed the Bible to Leo: "The path to redemption lies within. Amen."

Leo nodded, accepting it.

He flipped to the middle and tapped—

A chisel fell into his hands.

[Amen...]

"Wow—! It's just like Shawshank Redemption! Old Gu!"

The moment Fred delivered that classic line, Shen Miaomiao felt goosebumps everywhere!

From the scenario to the dialogue, it was a perfect homage to the classic!

This feeling instantly transported her into the movie, nervous yet excited!

"So where do I start digging?"

Shen Miaomiao weighed the chisel in her hand.

An old friend—acquiring it had taken considerable effort earlier.

Tap.

Gu Sheng, playing Vincent, approached the cell bars, placing a hand on them as he whispered:

"Move the toilet. There's a sealed panel behind it."

Moments later, Shen Miaomiao's voice came: "Got it."

"Unscrew the bolts."

Squeak squeak squeak...

"Done."

"Is there a metal mesh?"

"Yeah."

"Loosen its outer frame... someone's coming!"

Before Gu Sheng could finish—

Footsteps approached.

Shen Miaomiao's heart leapt to her throat!

She instantly stood up and replaced the toilet.

The next second!

A guard's flashlight beam shone in!

"What are you doing?!"

"Reading, officer,"

Shen Miaomiao sat on the toilet, raising the Bible:

"Just borrowed it."

The guard studied her carefully but found nothing amiss, giving her a final glance before leaving.

"Whew—"

Unknown to others, Shen Miaomiao's heart was pounding wildly!

Because nestled within the Bible's pages was that very chisel!

This game's psychological pressure was immense!

Though lacking bizarre psychos or supernatural shadows,

The tension it created rivaled even Outlast!

But!

No time to relax now.

Confirming the guard had left, Shen Miaomiao moved the toilet again and began working on the wall crack.

Set in 1972,

The prison's construction wasn't as sturdy as modern facilities, plus years of neglect.

Soon enough!

With Gu Sheng keeping watch, Shen Miaomiao had opened a sizable gap in the wall.

A kick dislodged the metal mesh, revealing a hole just large enough for a person.

Next, waiting for the guard to look away, Shen Miaomiao passed the chisel to Gu Sheng.

Now it was her turn to keep watch while he worked.

Like this!

Through perfect coordination, both cells' metal meshes were removed.

Click! Click! Click!

10 PM!

Relay switches clicked throughout the prison.

Lights turned off one by one as the prison went dark, leaving only emergency lights' faint glow.

Thump thump—

The faint sound of toilets being moved.

Vincent and Leo simultaneously crawled through their holes, then pulled their toilets back into place.

Successfully outside their cells!

Players reaching this point couldn't help but cheer excitedly.

It was the release after extreme pressure, the catharsis after tension.

But!

Everyone knew!

This was merely their first small step toward freedom.

The utility tunnels beyond were a labyrinthine maze.

To truly escape this massive, heavily guarded prison—

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder before the bottomless maintenance shaft, Gu Sheng and Shen Miaomiao exchanged a look and nodded.

We still need to make some other preparations...

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com