"One hour," Meng Dehai said calmly.
Chi Mu's body jolted. His eyes lit up—his guess was spot on!
As he had suspected, every time Meng Dehai reported the duration of his sleep, the timing was exactly right.
After confirming this, Chi Mu didn't say another word. He turned and left the compartment.
—"So that's it! The old man's time reports are always accurate! Chi Mu was faking his sleep just now to confirm his theory!"—"Mu God lives up to his name! Always calm in crisis!"
People from other countries, watching the Dragon Nation's livestream, immediately regretted their choices. They had already used up all their hint opportunities, and now there was no way to pass this vital information on to their own Chosen Ones.
But Chi Mu wasn't the only one who noticed. A few sharp-eyed Chosen Ones from other nations had picked up on it as well.
In the Island Nation's stream, the Chosen One, Kawakami Ryoji, stroked his tiny mustache and grinned. "Yoshi, Old Man Meng, you've got a very kind heart!"
...
For now, the problem of not knowing how much time had passed while sleeping was solved. Chi Mu no longer had to worry about being in the dark every time he woke up.
But he still had one lingering concern—what if something happened to Meng Dehai later? The old man was the biggest variable in this strategy.
The only true solution was to figure out why he kept falling asleep in the first place.
[10: Feeling drowsy on the train is normal.]
That rule was marked false from the very beginning. So clearly, the constant drowsiness was not normal.
Something—or someone—on this train was actively making him sleepy. It was likely connected to the angel or demon in control of sleep.
Chi Mu began investigating other train cars. He combed through both soft sleeper and hard seat sections.
There were many passengers, most behaving normally. But it was impossible to spot an angel or demon just by appearances.
When he reached Car No. 9, things changed.
Half the passengers there were already asleep. Those still awake looked like they could nod off at any moment.
"Looks like I'm getting close..." Chi Mu muttered and pressed forward.
In Car No. 10, nearly everyone was fast asleep. Only one or two passengers remained awake.
Chi Mu instantly felt the heavy pull of fatigue himself. If he stayed, he was certain he'd fall asleep right there—and with no Meng Dehai around, he wouldn't be able to confirm the time when he woke.
He hesitated, then backed out.
Now that he had pinpointed the area causing the drowsiness, he could return later with a plan.
Just as he turned to leave, something caught his eye. The two awake passengers had packets of coffee on their table.
Chi Mu raised an eyebrow, then made his way back to Car No. 9.
Sure enough, several passengers who were barely keeping their eyes open also had coffee on their tables.
"Could it be... that coffee blocks the unnatural drowsiness?"
It was a logical deduction—and probably a correct one.
Excited, Chi Mu returned to his own Car No. 5, and right then, a train attendant came by with the snack cart.
"Hi. I'll take six bottles of 3-liter water... and five packs of coffee."
The attendant smiled politely. "I'm sorry, sir. We don't sell coffee on the train. You'll need to purchase that at the self-service vending machines during our next station stop."
"...Alright. Just give me the six bottles of water, then."
After paying, Chi Mu returned to his compartment.
Then the train intercom crackled to life—the conductor's voice filled the car.
"Dear passengers, the train will soon stop for a short break. You may exit to stretch your legs or purchase any needed goods.""The stop will last 20 minutes. Please be sure to reboard before the train departs, or you will be left behind."
As the whistle blew and the brakes screeched, Chi Mu rushed to the doors. He had just 20 minutes to get that coffee.
A few minutes later, the train pulled into the station. The doors hissed open with a heavy clang.
Right at the platform entrance stood a two-meter tall sign labeled: Platform Rules
Platform Rules
Do not trust anything a platform attendant says.
Do not purchase water from vending machines on the platform, even if it's cheaper than on the train.
Everything that happens on the platform is normal. No matter how shocking it is, act as if it's routine.
If you vomit on the platform, return to the train immediately.
You may encounter someone you recognize. You do not know them. They will try to make you miss the train.
All clocks and timers on the platform show the correct time.
Chi Mu stared in surprise. He hadn't expected the platform to have its own set of creepy rules.
There was no system voice warning this time, which meant—all six rules were true.
He scanned the platform. Besides the passengers who had just disembarked, there weren't many others.
There were a few benches and two self-service vending machines nearby.
While he was still looking around, both vending machines had already formed long lines—everyone was trying to buy coffee.
"What the...?! Everyone's here for coffee?!"
Chi Mu was stunned. He rushed to join the line, finding himself at the very end.
There were at least forty people ahead of him. If each one took just 30 seconds, it'd take 20 minutes to reach him.
If anyone dawdled? He'd never make it.
And at that point, the coffee might already be sold out.
On a large digital screen at the platform, the current time flashed: 13:21
Chi Mu anxiously watched the line inch forward. Five minutes passed.
—"They're all buying coffee! There's no way Chi Mu will get his before the train leaves!"—"Even if he does, the coffee will probably be gone by then!"
The Dragon Nation's stream was filled with anxious viewers.
Chi Mu clenched his jaw.
Then, without hesitation, he walked to the front of the line, shoved the man currently buying coffee aside, and jumped in front of the vending machine.
The man stumbled. "Hey! What's your problem?! Don't you know cutting in line is incredibly rude?!"
Chi Mu glanced back and shrugged.
"Sorry—I don't have morals."