Upon entering the main hall, the first thing that caught everyone's eye was a massive black coffin, standing starkly in the center of the room. Surrounding it in a tight circle were black flowers unlike any Elysia had ever seen, completely encircling the casket.
Above the coffin sat a picture frame, but it was empty, devoid of any photograph.
In front of the coffin lay a neat row of eight prayer rugs. Shi Jun surveyed the room, then bent down to pick up a torn, dust-covered scrap of paper from the floor. Despite its dilapidated condition, several words were still legible:
"Before the third chime rings, all must complete their kneeling prayer. This is the first step of the burial ceremony," Shi Jun read aloud, enunciating each word carefully.
Instantly, everyone's gaze shifted to the eight prayer rugs. But there was a problem: ten people were present—the six veterans of the Stone Army Squad, Elysia, and three new recruits.
If the standard burial procedure required eight people to kneel in prayer, what would happen to the remaining two?
There was no doubt that the two extra people were unlikely to survive. They couldn't just abandon two teammates right from the start, could they?
Moreover, the question of which eight would kneel and which two would be sacrificed was a dilemma in itself.
This first step of the burial ritual presented a formidable challenge, one designed to undermine the team's trust from within.
"This is way too twisted!" The others had reached the same conclusion, and the Streamer couldn't help but curse.
In a normal squad, this situation would likely have already triggered mutual suspicion and infighting. As the newcomers, the three rookies would undoubtedly be the first to be abandoned.
Yet, the newcomers showed no such anxiety. This wasn't because they blindly trusted the squad, but rather because they placed absolute faith in Elysia.
"We definitely can't follow this procedure as written," Lu Tianyu said. "It's asking us to abandon two teammates right away? What kind of depraved acts will they demand next?"
"I say we just pry open this coffin, empty our guns into it, and finish off whoever's supposed to be buried!" the Streamer declared, drawing his right hand across his throat in a slashing motion.
Elysia's earlier words had clearly influenced the others, and given their previous success in eliminating numerous ghosts using similar methods, Shi Jun raised no objections to this reckless plan. He signaled two members to pry open the coffin lid while the rest of the group stood ready, guns raised and aimed.
Ding!
At that moment, the first bell chimed, as if urging them to quickly decide which two members to sacrifice.
But then, with a loud crash, the coffin lid of the manor's master was violently ripped open. In the next instant, a deafening barrage of gunfire erupted like a string of firecrackers.
Killing ghosts earned points, but Elysia had already maxed out her score. Throughout their journey, she hadn't fired a single shot, refraining from competing with the others for points. She maintained this restraint even now.
Only after Shi Jun and his team had finished shooting did Elysia step forward to examine the coffin. Inside lay a pale figure dressed in Qing Dynasty official robes, its face ashen white and ghastly, resembling a zombie.
However, this "Qing Dynasty Zombie" was now riddled with bullet holes, dark blood seeping from the wounds and staining its clothing.
"Is it dead?" the PE student asked cautiously.
"I don't know, maybe?" the streamer said, still warily eyeing the ghost in the coffin.
In the next instant, without warning, the Qing Dynasty Zombie's eyes snapped open. It performed a sudden, spring-like flip and sat upright, its horrifying gaze sweeping across the room.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
As if triggered by instinct, everyone in the room erupted in another chaotic volley of gunfire. The more composed members, like Shi Jun, fired only three or four shots to conserve ammunition, while the three nervous newcomers emptied their magazines in a panicked burst.
Thud!
After the barrage, the Qing Dynasty Zombie slumped back into its coffin. At that moment, a notification flashed before Elysia's eyes:
Side quest 'Help the Manor's Master Complete the Burial Ritual' completed. Reward: 8,000 Points.
"Alright, looks like it's really dead this time," Elysia remarked.
With the reward secured, there was no reason to linger. The group turned and retraced their steps, the once-sealed manor gates now standing wide open.
But the scene beyond the gates was utterly transformed. The gloomy forest they had entered earlier had vanished, replaced by a smoldering ruin, still engulfed in flames.
A scorching heatwave washed over Elysia, even before she stepped outside, she could feel the oppressive heat radiating from the burning ruins.
"What's this...?" She immediately pulled out the communicator the Scholar had given her. "Hello, Scholar? Is something wrong?"
"...
..."
Static crackled through the device. Just as Elysia's anxiety began to mount, the Scholar's voice cut through the noise. "It's nothing serious. After you left, three Hunters attacked me, but they're all dead now."
Relief flooded through Elysia at the news of the Scholar's safety. But she quickly realized this was no coincidence.
Why would they attack the Scholar while I was away? It's as if they knew the Hunters posed no threat to me directly and were trying to eliminate my teammate instead.
Clearly, the Hunters had failed once again.
The Scholar's plane landed at the manor entrance, and the group boarded.
As soon as she saw him, Elysia threw herself into her arms without hesitation, nuzzling her cheek against her. "Why did it take you so long to respond? I thought something had happened to you!"
"I just happened to be in the laboratory, holding something else," the Scholar said expressionlessly, pushing Elysia away without remorse. "You're crowding me."
The Scholar's encounter with the Hunters was merely a minor incident. Afterward, the group resumed their search for their "spawn point" and other side quests.
However, in the days that followed, until the "Survive Seven Days" main quest was completed, they didn't trigger a single side quest. Despite finding their spawn point and thoroughly exploring the surrounding area, they barely encountered any Ghosts.
In the end, Elysia completed the Trial Mission with a total of 20,000 Points: 1,000 from her initial allocation, 10,000 from monster farming, 8,000 from side quests, and the guaranteed 1,000 bonus for completing the "Survive Seven Days" main quest. She returned to the "Plaza" to conclude the trial.