Chapter 12 - 12: 12 Communication Paralysis

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Bai Youwei’s face was slightly pale as she immediately looked at Shen Mo in front of her.

In his hand, he held a small toy gun!

They were still on the highway, the car had stopped unexpectedly at some point, and the surroundings were quiet, save for the sound of the wind.

Their eyes met, both of them clearly understanding that what had just happened was not a dream!

Saying nothing, Shen Mo got out of the car to inspect the other vehicles.

Everyone who had participated in the “Tortoise and Hare Race” game, save for the two of them, had been transformed into dolls—

They couldn’t speak or breathe, their rubbery flesh connecting their spherical joints, their eyes now dull, lifeless marbles… these people had lost all signs of life.

Bai Youwei murmured: “So this is it… fail the game and turn into a doll; pass the game, get rewarded with a doll…”

So this was it…

This is why the world had taken such a turn…

As if the fog had been lifted, the clear view turned out to be an endless darkness. Unknown fears spread like tidal water, tension or trembling, with a subtle excitement and stimulation concealed within…

Bai Youwei silently held her rabbit plush, lost in complicated thoughts.

Shen Mo, his face grave, returned to the car.

“We need to leave this place first.”

“Okay.”

…

The highway was straight and smooth, seeming to have no end.

Only a single vehicle sped along the empty road.

Bai Youwei sat in the car, looking at the repetitive scenery retreating rapidly outside the window, her expression somewhat dazed.

This was madness…

Game, doll, reward… these concepts all felt absurd to her.

If every place with a doll has a game, wouldn’t that turn the city into a game level? And the world into a game map?

What about Yangzhou?

Was Yangzhou really safe?

Thinking about this, Bai Youwei quickly rummaged through her bag for her phone, only to find that there was no signal.

Calls could not be made, and the internet was not connecting.

“Turn on the radio.” Bai Youwei suddenly realized something.

Shen Mo seemed to have noticed something as well and turned on the car radio.

There was only a crackling noise from the radio.

Bai Youwei stared unblinkingly at the radio.

Shen Mo looked at the road ahead, one hand on the steering wheel and the other pressing the channel button once every two seconds.

The continuous static echoed inside the car, lingering.

After doing this more than a dozen times, he stopped, turned off the radio and said, “There’s no signal.”

The communication system had collapsed. Phones, internet, radio… all were now useless.

When did this happen?

At the start of the game?

No one knew.

Bai Youwei’s face became even paler. She didn’t care what the world would become, but she cared about herself. If the end of the world was truly upon them, how would she survive?

She clutched the plush bunny tightly, thinking: this annoying farce is less fun than a bloody biochemical crisis!

Shen Mo glanced at her through the rearview mirror and asked, “Do you have any clues about the bunny doll in your hands?”

The seemingly childish plush toy was allegedly the “one-tenth-me” game reward.

Bai Youwei pursed her lips in hesitation.

Of course, she had clues. In fact, as soon as she touched the rabbit, related information appeared in her mind. This sensation was bizarre, yet inexplicably natural.

However, could she trust Shen Mo?

After considering it, Bai Youwei finally responded, “This rabbit can release electric energy within a 2-meter radius, with the highest energy reaching up to one-tenth.”

While saying this, she slightly curled the corner of her mouth and continued, “It doesn’t specify the voltage or current value, so it’s unclear how powerful this one-tenth actually is. Plus, it needs charging before use.”