[Welcome, Chosen Ones, to the World of Rule-based Horrors. Remain vigilant at all times and obey the rules.][Your success or failure will directly affect your nation's fate.][If you die in the world of horrors, your country will be plagued by a corresponding curse.]
Chi Mu opened his eyes to find himself in a hotel room, mechanical voices echoing in his ears.
"What the hell? Am I the new Chosen One for the Dragon Nation?!"
He couldn't believe it. Just seconds ago, he had been watching a live stream of a Rule Horror scenario at an internet café. The previous Chosen One from the Dragon Nation had broken the rules and died.
And now, somehow, he had taken their place!
A few days ago, a bizarre phenomenon had occurred—the World of Rule-based Horrors had descended upon reality.
From that moment on, every nation would randomly select one "Chosen One" to enter the Horror World.
These Chosen Ones must strictly follow the rules of each scenario, and their every move would be live-streamed across the globe.
"No!!! Why me?!"
Chi Mu screamed in despair, thrashing helplessly inside the room.
At that moment, an A4-sized sheet of paper materialized before him, densely packed with text. It was the rule set for his scenario.
[Rule Horror: The Creepy Online Lover][Difficulty: A-Rank][Scenario Overview: You met her online. After chatting for over half a year, you naturally slipped into an online relationship. Then one day, she suggested meeting up in person and booked a hotel. But soon, you begin to suspect... she might not be human. Strange and terrifying things start to unfold...]
[Rule Set – Sequence One]
You have a date with your online lover at 6:00 PM at the café next to the hotel. Be warned: your online lover is human.
You can always trust the messages she sends you via phone.
You must always carry a "Child's Last Breath" pack in your shirt pocket.
Do not speak to her unless she speaks to you first.
You've been single for 20 years and have never dated. If anyone claims to be your ex, leave immediately with your online lover.
Follow all rules during your time with your online lover.
There is a chicken named Ah Kun in your hotel room. It never crows. If it does, immediately lock it in the bathroom.
Maintain a good relationship with your online lover.
Remember: Never lie to your online lover.
Your online alias is "HeartlessWood." If your lover calls you by that name, do not respond. Only respond when she uses your real name.
Chi Mu's scalp tingled as he finished reading the rules.
Break even one rule... and death is immediate. The horror would also descend upon the Dragon Nation.
He glanced at his watch. It was already 5:50 PM.
Cold sweat trickled down his back. "Ten minutes left... If I don't get there in time, I'll violate the first rule!"
Without another thought, Chi Mu bolted for the elevator. He had to reach the café within ten minutes.
Back in the Dragon Nation, a panel of experts was already analyzing the scenario in the Rule Horror Command Center.
"This one's rated A-Rank... the highest difficulty so far. The last guy, a university professor, couldn't even survive a B-Rank scenario…"
"Each country gets two lifeline hints. That guy was too reckless—we didn't even get the chance to use one. Hopefully, this Chi Mu guy is smarter."
"Quick—get me Chi Mu's full personal dossier. I want it on my desk in five minutes."
"Thank goodness we've gone through several rounds already. New Chosen Ones don't instantly break down anymore."
At exactly 5:59 PM, Chi Mu arrived at the café and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Whew... made it just in time."
Viewers from the Dragon Nation flooded the livestream with comments:
— "Damn, Chi Mu's fast! Just one minute later and it would've been game over."— "This guy's not thinking straight! Rule #3 said he must carry the 'Child's Last Breath' in his shirt pocket! He ran here so fast, he probably forgot it back at the hotel!"— "We're doomed again. Another rule violation—another horror will descend upon us! Chi Mu, you idiot!!"
Meanwhile, in the Bakaga Nation stream, their Chosen One, Meikawa Naiku, had grabbed an entire box of "Child's Last Breath" packs and calmly made his way to the café.
The screen suddenly cut to black.
— "W-What?! Meikawa's dead?! He followed the rules, didn't he?!"— "You moron! The rule said shirt pocket! He had them in his pants!"— "Damn it! The horror's coming for us!"
Back in the Dragon Nation, the expert team was puzzled—Chi Mu hadn't grabbed a pack, yet nothing happened.
Then, Chi Mu patted his chest pocket smugly. "Hah, good thing I always carry one with me. Looks like all my personal items came with me into the Horror World!"
— "WTF! Chi Mu's packing heat! Man brought one with him by default!"— "Yo, Bakaga Nation is crying in the bathroom right now! LMAO!"
The Dragon Nation experts stared at Chi Mu's personal file, now spread across their desk.
Their faces darkened.
— "This guy... actually carries that stuff around?"— "Well, at least he's a college graduate. Not totally hopeless..."
Inside the café, Chi Mu hit another wall.
He had no idea what his online lover looked like.
There were four people inside: three women and one man. He ruled out the man immediately, but had no clue how to pick between the women.
Suddenly, a robotic voice echoed in his mind:
[Rule Analysis System Activated.][Each time you receive a new rule, you'll be granted one chance to identify an incorrect rule.][Daily Task: Successfully deduce one incorrect rule to earn an extra hint.][Rule Sequence One: Rule 5 is incorrect.]
Chi Mu froze, then burst into silent joy. As a seasoned internet junkie, he instantly knew what this was—a system!
"Hah! I knew I was the Chosen One! With a system like this, the world is mine!" he laughed inwardly, though his expression remained calm and composed.
Wasting no time, he pulled out his phone and opened WeChat. The pinned contact at the top was marked "Baby."
Without hesitation, he typed:
"Baby, I'm inside the café. Look at the entrance!"
— "What the hell is Chi Mu doing?! He barely knows the rules and he's already texting her?"— "Exactly! Shouldn't he wait and observe? He's going to trigger something!"— "We're doomed! We got stuck with an idiot for a Chosen One!"
The Dragon Nation chat exploded with complaints.
Over in the India stream, their Chosen One stood hesitating at the café entrance. Suddenly, the stream went dark.
Dead.
Same thing in Russia.
Dead.
Australia.
Dead.
Dozens of nations lost their Chosen Ones in an instant.
But those who, like Chi Mu, texted their online lovers before being noticed? They were fine.
Chaos erupted in livestreams around the globe.
— "WTF?! They all made it to the café! Why did they die?!"— "Maybe there's a hidden rule—you have to message her when you arrive?"— "You guys are dense. Go read Rule #1 again. It says: 'Meet your online lover at 6 PM in the café.' If she hasn't looked at you, the meeting hasn't started."— "HOLY SH*T. That's why Chi Mu texted her—to make sure she looked his way!"