DSMC Chapter 49

Happy Halloween ฅᨐฅ

It’s only right for a series about black cat to celebrate it, so I’ll upload chapter 50 as a bonus for today /ᐠ > ˕ <マ ₊˚⊹♡

In the third round of the hide-and-seek game, Team F’s Hiders completely turned the tables. After Yan Jiyun eliminated three of Team C’s players, Gu Wenzhu struck again and took out the fourth, leaving Team C utterly humiliated. The last remaining member of Team C had no chance of finding Yan Jiyun, much less eliminating him. The outcome was clear: Team F had won the third round without suspense.

Now that they were in the lead, Team F could set their sights higher. Not only did they intend to win, but they also wanted the double-point reward. As for high-level props, Yan Jiyun had already found several, and Qiu Xi and Gu Wenzhu had made their own gains. With time still remaining, they could continue searching for more.

Yan Jiyun guessed that Gu Wenzhu would likely stay at the front desk, posing as a bartender meant moving around NPCs, which didn’t count as hiding and therefore wouldn’t trigger a passive-play penalty. Even if such a penalty existed, it would only start counting from the moment he eliminated the fourth player.

The fourth wave of NPCs was about to enter.

[Time remaining: 22 minutes 32 seconds]

The hotel had grown livelier. It was as if the entire setting had leveled up, with the number of guests and staff increased significantly. The restaurant now had two tables of NPC diners instead of one, with seat rotations, and the front desk line had nearly doubled.

The place finally looked like a real, functioning hotel.

Yan Jiyun wasn’t sure which of these NPCs could still provide him with useful props.

He hid nearby when a bellboy helped a guest carry their luggage upstairs, quietly eavesdropping on their conversation.

A newly arrived NPC, a young woman, asked the bellboy cheerfully, “Your Qingyun Town is so lively! I almost couldn’t get a ticket here today.”

The bellboy smiled. “It’s tourist season. Most of the visitors come to see the roses at Siyun Castle. But our local street food is famous, too. Tour guides love to take tourists sightseeing and then let them wander around and shop.”

The girl said, “Oh, I’ve heard of Xiaoyun Street! People said there’s a century-old bun shop there that sells limited quantities every day, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. You have to be lucky to get any.”

The bellboy chuckled. “It’s not that bad. Locals can usually get some, but with so many tourists lately, you might indeed miss out. If you want to try it, line up early.”

“Alright,” she said. “You guys have a wake-up service, right? Please sign me up, I want to get up early tomorrow.”

“Of course,” the bellboy replied.

Yan Jiyun’s ears twitched.

So the roses at Siyun Castle were blooming, and tourists were flooding in to see them?

What was so special about those roses?

As more and more NPC tourists arrived, Yan Jiyun grew wary of being spotted or chased off. He only moved downstairs when no one was around, hiding in corners and eavesdropping on guests chatting in the lounge.

Tourists were easy to identify, as they all wore bright yellow sun hats printed with their travel agency’s name.

He overheard a guide distributing pamphlets.

“Everyone, please take note of the reminders. Siyun Castle is private property, though it’s open to visitors. Please don’t damage the flowers or furnishings inside. Everything in the castle is valuable. I couldn’t afford to pay for it if I broke something! So please, be careful tomorrow.”

The tourists’ accents varied, but that didn’t matter. What mattered to Yan Jiyun was learning why the castle drew so many people.

One tourist had left their “Qingyun Town One-Day Tour” itinerary on their luggage. Yan Jiyun hooked the paper closer with a paw.

The first page was an introduction to the castle’s owner and the love story behind it.

The castle’s master was a wealthy man named Si Yun¹Si Yun and Siyun Castle has the same exact characters, who had built the estate for his wife, a graceful dancer who couldn’t adapt to city life due to her health. To fulfill her childhood dream of living like a princess, he built Siyun Castle here in Qingyun Town. He adored her deeply — so much that they never had children because she wanted to maintain her dancer’s figure. When she became obsessed with roses, he uprooted all their expensive flowers and replaced them with rose bushes.

But in the end, Si Yun’s wife succumbed to illness, and he soon followed her, grief-stricken.

Every May, when the roses bloom, the entire castle transforms into a sea of flowers. It was a romantic, fairytale-like vision of eternal love.

The castle was later inherited by Si Yun’s nephew, who didn’t live there and instead entrusted its care to the local village chief.

The legend of the couple’s love and the breathtaking roses made the castle a hotspot for young couples, who came to take photos and pray for everlasting love. Some visitors, however, had little respect and would sneak in to pick flowers.

To manage the growing crowds, the local government partnered with Si Yun’s nephew to officially open the rose gardens for tours, employing locals as caretakers. The initiative both protected the site and boosted tourism.

Under heavy promotion, Siyun Castle quickly became the pride of Qingyun Town.

Though relatively new with its construction not far from the instance’s timeline, it had been built in a medieval style, which gave it that timeless “ancient castle” charm.

After gathering this information, Yan Jiyun had a clear grasp of the key locations: Xiaoyun Street, Yunxiao Hotel, and Siyun Castle.

Two more waves of NPCs appeared during his investigation. Less than ten minutes remained.

[Time remaining: 9 minutes 12 seconds]

By now, Gu Wenzhu had left the bar, and Qiu Xi had collected a haul of props. Team F was sweeping up common props like they were free.

Team C’s lone survivor had already given up on finding them. Team F’s players were far too cunning.

Instead, he focused on collecting props, and he actually managed to find a high-level one.

With less than ten minutes left, Yan Jiyun reviewed his haul: all high-level props, but still lacking in common ones. He decided to sweep every floor. Nine minutes would be plenty.

As the final wave of NPCs spawned, every room was filled. The front desk even hung up a No Vacancy sign.

Yan Jiyun wandered the halls, slipping unseen between rooms.

But instead of finding a guest, he ran into Team C’s last remaining player on the fourth floor.

Yan Jiyun was about to sneak into the final room when the man emerged from the one opposite. Apparently just finishing his own search.

He hadn’t even run into his own teammates, yet he’d bumped straight into Team C’s survivor.

The man’s look made Yan Jiyun uneasy. Something in his eyes was wrong.

He wasn’t particularly fierce-looking, maybe not yet forty, but when he spotted Yan Jiyun, his gaze lit up with a disturbing excitement..

“A cat?”

“Some of my viewers has… unusual tastes,” the man muttered.

“Tip me a thousand if I catch it?” 

“Sure thing.”

As he spoke, he bent down and reached for Yan Jiyun.

Yan Jiyun was certain he hadn’t exposed himself as a player. This man wasn’t chasing him because of the game, but for the sake of his livestream.

If his viewers had never seen him before, they just wanted to watch him catch a cat. Some of those audience members were clearly sick in the head, and so was this player, apparently willing to go after a cat for their amusement.

Yan Jiyun had no intention of letting him. The moment the man moved, Yan Jiyun bolted, darting down the corridor and putting plenty of distance between them.

Player No. 1 knew how NPC elimination worked. So long as he didn’t do anything to make them dislike him, even running all over the inn wouldn’t get him in trouble.

He hadn’t actually planned to catch the cat, but since some viewers wanted it, he had to deliver. After putting up with Team F’s “disabled” team the entire round, he was itching for something to vent his frustration on—and the little black cat just happened to stumble right into his sights.

Of course, Yan Jiyun wasn’t so frightened that he froze. He immediately bolted down the stairs. He’d meant to find Tang Shi, but since he couldn’t be sure whether Tang Shi’s door was open or closed — most likely closed — he decided to flee downward instead.

[Want to be Human] livestream channel: 

“WTF? Which idiot viewer told that player to chase our kitty?”

“Everyone else treats the cat like an NPC, and he’s the only one trying to do something nasty!! Ahhh, baby, run! Don’t let him catch you!”

“Technically, chasing the cat isn’t wrong. The cat was Player No. 29. If his tag hadn’t been removed, No. 1 might’ve discovered his identity by accident.”

“Maybe, but I can’t stand that some moron in chat told him to do it. What’s he even trying to see?”

“What else? Whatever dirty drama they want on camera, obviously.”

“Damn, I finally found a streamer I like and his fans want him dead. When the broadcast’s over, I’m challenging that idiot to a real-life PK!”

Yan Jiyun had no time for leisure now; he had to find a place to hide. If No. 1 actually caught him, the system would announce it and his identity would be fully exposed.

No. 1 was fast, but nowhere near as fast as a cat.

Yan Jiyun’s hasty dash downstairs had drawn some NPC attention, though. Fortunately, he’d studied the terrain earlier and knew which spots were visual blind zones and which ones were too easy to spot.

No. 1 was cunning enough to question NPCs coming up the stairs: “Did you see a black cat run past?”

Some said they thought they had; others hadn’t noticed.

Yan Jiyun hid in a spot that allowed him to bolt either direction if necessary—never somewhere with a dead end. If a sharp-eyed NPC exposed him, he’d still have a way out.

[Time remaining: 7 minutes 12 seconds] 

The first floor was crowded so he couldn’t stay hidden there forever. He just needed the timer to run faster.

In the next round, he wouldn’t have to stand on stage surrounded by NPCs and players again, but who knew if they’d still gather everyone together? If so, he’d have to find a chance to use his human transformation card.

Seven more minutes… as long as No. 1 didn’t find him, there was hope.

But No. 1, desperate for viewer tips, had gone completely mad with the search. Catching a cat was much safer than hunting Team F players.

The NPCs hadn’t noticed the cat’s trail, so No. 1 searched room after room, questioning any open-door occupants, and finally made it to the first floor.

Yan Jiyun couldn’t dash out through the crowd. Being seen would lead No. 1 straight to him.

He crouched beneath a table by the restaurant entrance, the one covered in a tablecloth and surrounded by random clutter, the perfect hideaway so long as he stayed silent.

But would No. 1 find this place? Gu Wenzhu had said he was from a big guild. He probably had skills to aid the search.

No. 1 rummaged through the lounge area and kept moving closer.

[Time remaining: 4 minutes 12 seconds] 

Yan Jiyun thought he might just make it, until No. 1 suddenly went full drama-queen:

“Excuse me! I just saw a black stray cat run inside. There are so many guests here, even a restaurant. Who knows what diseases it carries! Someone needs to get it out, now!”

Yan Jiyun’s fur practically bristled. That bastard! Just for a few viewer points, he’d stooped this low!

Of course the hotel staff would side with guests. The rulebook even forbade pets, let alone strays. Once the staff joined the hunt, he’d be doomed no matter who caught him.

Though he technically had teammates, being treated as an NPC meant he was effectively playing solo.

After weighing his options, Yan Jiyun stayed put under the table.

As expected, No. 1’s shout drew attention. Staff began combing every floor for the black cat.

The commotion quickly spread. Even NPC guests started talking about it.

Country Aunt: “It’s just a cat. So what if it came in?”

City Aunt: “That’s not okay! What if it licked my snacks? How am I supposed to eat them?”

Country Aunt: “Where I’m from, strays catch mice. We keep a few around to guard the grain.”

City Aunt: “Well, that’s the countryside. We don’t have mice in the city.”

Country Aunt: “You looking down on country folks, huh?”

City Aunt: “I didn’t say that. You said it yourself.”

Country Aunt: “Hah! You over-painted old witch, acting like we’re beneath you!”

City Aunt: “Who are you calling a witch?!”

Perfect. One disagreement and the two tourists from the same group were throwing punches. Even the security guards had to split them up.

‘Good,’ Yan Jiyun thought. ‘The more chaos, the better.’

Three minutes left. No. 1 wasn’t even looking for props or players anymore. He knew he’d already lost. He just wanted some tips from the chat, making the cat chase his personal side quest.

But the staff still hadn’t found the cat.

Yan Jiyun stared at the timer, heart pounding. If he bolted now, he’d run into people. But maybe he could transform here? The space was tight, though…

He was thinking too optimistically. No matter how loudly the aunts fought, it didn’t slow the staff down. They were still flipping tables and searching with zeal and No. 1 led them straight toward the restaurant.

They yanked up every tablecloth they could reach.

No. 1’s footsteps drew nearer and nearer to the table hiding him.

]Time remaining: 2 minutes 45 seconds] 

Yan Jiyun held his breath. Don’t come here, don’t come here…!

But No. 1, true to his guild-trained ruthlessness, yanked up the very tablecloth concealing him.

Yan Jiyun was ready. He kicked off and shot out the other side like a bullet.

He was faster than any normal cat. Before the staff or No. 1 could react, he was already sprinting up the stairs.

No. 1 glared at the disappearing shadow and spat, “Damn it, almost had it.”

With so little time left in the instance, there was no way he’d catch that cat now.

In the crowd, Qiu Xi also caught sight of the black cat, but couldn’t be sure if this was his boss’ Caramel. 

He wanted to rush forward and grab the cat, but hesitated. What if No. 1 recognized him? Just as he steeled himself to run, the black cat was suddenly scooped up into the arms of a handsome young man.

When Yan Jiyun had sprinted upstairs in a panic, he’d run straight into Tang Shi coming down. Acting terrified, he clung to Tang Shi’s jeans and scrambled up his leg.

Tang Shi’s expression was dark, clearly upset about something, but when he saw Yan Jiyun, he froze. Then his irritation seemed to melt away as his attention was drawn entirely to the trembling cat burying its head in his shoulder.

Poor little thing. It must’ve been chased and frightened. Tang Shi’s heart softened. The poor cat was just as aggrieved as he was right now.

Masking the sympathy in his eyes, Tang Shi frowned at the staff who came running up behind. “He’s my cat, his name’s Oreo. Why are you trying to catch him?”

From the crowd, Yan Jiyun also spotted Qiu Xi.

One of the staff stepped forward to explain, “Sir, pets aren’t allowed in the hotel. They could disturb other guests.”

Tang Shi said calmly, “Sorry, I didn’t notice that when I checked in.”

[Time remaining: 1 minute 30 seconds] 

Yan Jiyun was practically in a panic now. The scene was about to end. If he didn’t switch back into human form soon, he wouldn’t be able to at all. What if other players saw him?

He also couldn’t help noticing that Tang Shi’s face looked worse than usual, as if something had happened.

The staff continued, “Some guests have complained. Perhaps we can find a solution?”

Tang Shi’s brows knit tighter. “Then check me out. I’ll take the cat and leave.”

Yan Jiyun noticed that Tang Shi was actually carrying a backpack. He remembered that Tang Shi hadn’t brought much luggage. Why was he suddenly checking out?

The checkout process was quick. Tang Shi handed over his key card.

The staff remained polite but businesslike. “Sir, since you haven’t stayed a full day, the room charge is nonrefundable.”

Tang Shi gave him a flat look. “Did I ask for a refund? What’s the rush?”

[Time remaining: 20 seconds] 

Yan Jiyun stayed frozen in Tang Shi’s arms. He didn’t dare jump down. No. 1 was still watching like a hawk. If he ran upstairs, he’d never make it to a room in time to change.

What should he do? Should he struggle free?

But Tang Shi walked fast, striding through the crowd of gawking onlookers and heading straight for the exit.

What was with this heartbroken boy again?

[Time remaining: 10 seconds] 

Yan Jiyun’s eyes widened as Tang Shi approached the hotel doors. No way! Only eliminated players are supposed to go out there!

[Time remaining: 5 seconds] 

Tang Shi didn’t slow down. Yan Jiyun twisted and struggled to get down, but Tang Shi’s hold was firm. Just then, someone shouted his name.

“Tang Shi, wait for me!”

Through the crowd, Yan Jiyun saw Liang Yu lugging a suitcase toward them.

Tang Shi turned briefly, gave him a look, and kept walking toward the door.

Yan Jiyun had already resigned himself. If the system announced that Player No. 29 had been eliminated, he’d just deny it to his dying breath.

But instead of the elimination notice he was bracing for, what greeted him was a flurry of rapid-fire system notifications. And when he opened his eyes, Tang Shi was still holding him, standing amid a bustling street crowd, with the hotel behind them and people flowing in and out.

[Time remaining: 0 second] 

[Congratulations to Team F Hiders for winning this round. Reward: 1000 points. Bonus 1000 points for avoiding NPC detection.]

[All players have been transferred to the Global Scene.]

[All players have been placed in the Global Scene “Qingyun Town.”]

[Global Scene “Qingyun Town” is now open for a limited time.]

[Prop Inventory fully unlocked.]

[Temporary Shop unlocked.]

[Attention all players: announcing the final round rules for “Hide and Seek”.]

Rule 1: This round remains a team battle. Protect your number tag. If another player seizes it, you’re eliminated. Teammates can spend points or use resurrection props to revive fallen members. The team that wins the round earns a large point bonus.

Rule 2: Teams may spend group points to buy back players eliminated in previous rounds, or exchange high-level props to recruit NPCs as allies. Allied NPCs can fight in your place during tag-snatch matches.

Rule 3: Players have five minutes of preparation. Choose your allied NPCs carefully.

Rule 4: To prevent passive play, every hour the system will randomly select players for a tag-snatch match. Teams may send NPCs or fight personally. Each player gets three chances. Winners earn points, while losers lose points. Detailed rules will be announced before each match.

Final note (in the system’s usual sing-song tone):

[Try not to let anyone steal your number tag~]

Only now did Yan Jiyun realize how important those earlier props really were. The more collected, the greater the advantage. This new round even introduced resurrection props, meaning death could be reversed. But without it, elimination meant true death.

Blending into the moving crowd with Tang Shi, Yan Jiyun read the new rules. He couldn’t opt out this time; refusing to play meant dying.

At least players could send NPCs to fight in their stead. That meant he could hide behind one.

He had two priorities now: protect himself, and protect his teammates.

The game might be structured as a team match, but it was also a survival free-for-all.

Yet the global map was enormous. How were they supposed to find each other?

Worse, the system had spawned everyone separately. Five minutes weren’t nearly enough to coordinate which NPCs to exchange for.

Glancing up at Tang Shi’s still-unhappy face, Yan Jiyun quickly opened his tool bar and selected a prop.

[Would you like to use the high-level prop “Smartphone” to exchange for NPC Tang Shi?]

Yan Jiyun hit “Yes.”

At once, Tang Shi’s eyes flickered slightly. He looked down at the cat in his arms and sighed. “Oreo, I just got dumped.”

Yan Jiyun: “…”

He knew that already. Was this part of the NPC’s initialization script after being recruited?

No— Tang Shi didn’t seem any different. He still remembered calling him Oreo.

So NPCs retain their memories after being converted? Would they still obey the player?

[Want to be Human] livestream channel: 

“Am I crazy, or did Tang Shi’s dialogue just change? I don’t remember any ‘Oreo’ line in his original script.”

T/L: please leave a comment and/or review on NU! I love it when you guys do it, as it tells me this series is enjoyable~

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  Si Yun and Siyun Castle has the same exact characters