Doomsday Wonderland Vol. 12: New Game Launch [Complete]

1461: A New Way to Ride the Elevator

The axe paused mid-air as Lin Sanjiu froze, only slowly turning her gaze.

From her vantage point, she could only see the elevator on the far left of the lobby. As she heard the elevator door slowly open, the one visible remained shut. She lowered her axe, straining her ears for any sounds.

After the door fully opened, several seconds passed in silence. No one came out, and no one went in. It felt like her ears had been taken off and buried underground in a coffin.

The Life Coach silently mouthed, "Shall I take a look?"

Lin Sanjiu nodded. He was an object; the chances of him being noticed were slim.

The Life Coach's expression was a mix of sheepishness, suppressed excitement, and a need to be serious. He raised his hand, mimicking a crushing motion.

Charging just to take a look? What a rip-off.

Reluctant to give up an item, Lin Sanjiu decided to go herself. Observing the stillness in the elevator area, she gently propped the axe against the wall. The spot where she placed the axe marked where she intended to strike, ensuring she wouldn't forget her direction.

She silently moved to the corner, crouching down. After a few breaths, she stealthily peeked around the wall.

The elevator area was spacious and well-lit. There were two rows of four elevators on each side, a few brass-colored trash bins, withered potted plants, and decorations along the walls, but not a single person. The elevator that had arrived was the farthest from her. Its doors had receded, revealing an empty cabin bathed in soft light, devoid of human presence.

Just as Lin Sanjiu pondered whether to approach, a gentle female voice, accompanied by a faint buzzing sound, emerged from the empty elevator. "Please prevent the new game launch within an hour. If unsuccessful, you will participate in the next game."

She was taken aback, then the voice, now dripping with commercial enthusiasm, continued, "Selecting only the freshest green leaves, picked after the early spring rain on green mountains, brewing a unique tea aroma..."

To hell with the game launch. Lin Sanjiu was almost amused by the advertisement displayed in the elevator.

She had anticipated some danger or a posthuman presence, making her unnecessarily anxious. At a time when the grand prize truly needed her, she had no interest in any damn game. Even if volunteers showed up later, intending to take her to another venue, they'd have to contend with her fists first. She hoped for a fight. If the volunteers were competent, they would drag out whoever was behind all this—she had scores to settle.

She turned around and briskly walked back, grabbing her axe once again.

The Life Coach glanced at the elevator area and then at the visibly furious Lin Sanjiu and asked, "What do you plan to do?"

"In an hour, I'll be long gone," Lin Sanjiu declared, raising her axe. "Let them come find me!"

As her words fell, so did her axe. Swinging with an astonishing force, the sound it made as it cut through the air was sharp enough to seemingly pulverize a speeding train. With a tremendous force, she buried it deep into the wall. Debris flew everywhere, causing the Life Coach beside her to duck, quickly shielding his face with his arm.

"Be careful!" he shouted, perhaps worried Lin Sanjiu might not hear him while striking the wall. As he stepped back, he hurriedly added, "This is what I use for sustenance – I rely on it—"

Lin Sanjiu's axe, raised once more, suddenly stopped mid-air. His words were abruptly cut off as their attentions were involuntarily drawn to the wall before them. Much to their disbelief, the huge crater made by her axe rapidly returned to its pristine state. Even the white plaster launched into the air hadn't had the chance to land before the wall was completely restored.