Deep in the Living

Due to the limited activity range of the group of three,

the gathering could only be held at a familiar self-service barbecue restaurant.

Recently, they were deeply addicted to gaming, causing them to spend almost all day on it, surviving on instant noodles and not having eaten outside for a long time.

The barbecue was lively and boisterous,

even Lebeite, who was unfamiliar before, quickly joined in with everyone after tasting human barbecue and beer for the first time, discussing various human-related topics.

On the other hand, Luo Di, the only human at the scene, had no idea how to insert himself into the conversation.

David was also very interested, occasionally extending his greasy hand to pinch Lebeite, seemingly admiring such a unique body structure never seen in Hell.

Luo Di was having a private conversation with the bearded Mr. Hook.

"Senior Hook,

aren't you trying to expand your activity range? Why are you still confined to this area… shouldn't the internet time be reduced?"

However, Hook was indifferent, "There's no way to reduce it. Besides, plans always change, Luo Di! I initially didn't understand the situation here. The expansion plan has been modified, which you must have sensed.

We plan to focus on internet cafes, gradually instilling the 'Hell mentality' into each online visitor.

We found that humans who play games, use the internet, and read novels have better acceptance ability and physical talent than the average person, making them more suitable for accepting Hell.

Internet cafes are like talent screening venues, something we've personally experimented with, so there's no need for doubt.

We will also expand Hell on a per-human basis, which will be more efficient.

Moreover, these internet users often have no chance of becoming investigators and can't accept the Corner System like ordinary people. Giving them another opportunity is also a good thing.

According to the contract we signed with Mr. Kraft, these people might be able to ensure their safety in the future."

"Alright…"

Although Luo Di suspected that Hook and the others were deeply addicted to the internet, the situation at the internet cafe he just witnessed wasn't strange after all.

After all, since the invasion might really come, it's good to prepare in advance.

Seeing they had almost finished eating,

Luo Di suddenly sent some information to Mr. Hook via metal resonance.

The latter was shocked after receiving the information and immediately put down his chopsticks.

"I have an urgent matter to return to the Punishment Room with Luo Di."

David made an OK gesture, "In that case, we won't wait for you, we'll take Lebeite to the internet cafe, which can replace your position. I can see this young man has talent, with a bit of practice, his level will definitely be enough."

The glasses-wearing Oculus wanted to go to the Punishment Room, but his eyes apparently perceived something, so he decided to continue to the internet cafe.

Fifth Hospital, Dean's Office.

The seemingly normal office quickly expanded its space. The overall tone gradually darkened, and metal hooks descended from the ceiling.

It's no longer necessary to transition; just being in the Fifth Hospital can directly switch to Hell's Torture Room.

Hook also reverted to the iconic monk image.

Luo Di, without any superfluous words, directly took out the manga remnant.

In an instant,

the hooks in the Preaching Room began clanking wildly. If Hook weren't there, these hooks would automatically seek enemies and carry the remnants to the incinerator.

Hook stepped forward to pinch the manga remnant, perceiving its essence.

"Is this one of the reasons Mr. Kraft cooperated with us? Some mysterious and unknown Outer Realm invasion is approaching, starting to reverse affect from the Corner Depths and slowly permeating your world.

True Hell has invaded many worlds but has never encountered such a thing. I am completely unfamiliar with this aura.

It seems like paper, but it's actually a kind of [connection medium].

Once accepted by an individual, the mind should form a channel-like structure, being influenced by the Outer Realm.

This paper itself also carries [attributes], affecting the abilities of the accepter… seemingly beneficial, but any relaxation will lead to gradual infiltration and influence.

The paper you obtained harbors a highly invasive abnormal metal accompanied by the scent of the sea and fish.

Came here to ask me to extract the metal and make it harmless?"

"No… I just wanted to show Senior Hook this abnormal metal because I was completely suppressed on a metal level when fighting the original owner of the remnant.

This abnormal metal can assimilate the Execution Room Metal in my body.

And I faintly feel that although these two metals don't belong to the same world and have different origins, they might have the possibility of fusion.

So I thought of showing it to you, Mr. Hook. With your knowledge of metal structures, you might decode the nature of this abnormal metal, or even upgrade the Execution Room."

Pa!

Hook directly slapped Luo Di on the brain gate,

"Isn't it enough to just invade here? Want to open an invasion port for True Hell too?

Besides, the Execution Room system is already complete, and if other material systems are interfaced, the entire system has to be restarted.

However, you said this thing can assimilate Execution Room Metal, which is interesting. Let's conduct an experiment."

At the altar,

a metal hook taken from the ceiling was placed on the altar and then wrapped with the manga remnant.

When Hook released his fingers pressing the remnant,

hissing noises, like the stench of gas, wafted from between the remnant, starting to affect the metal hook, and after a few seconds.

The originally very simple, smooth Execution Room hook had completely changed.

It was not just covered in layers of rust,

but also had two exposed gear connection points on the hook's surface, allowing structural changes and enhanced maneuverability.

Suddenly, the mutated hook moved on its own, just like a biological leg.

The gears rotated,

from an unknown source of power, the hook bounced fully upwards, directly targeting Hook's face like an independent creature wanting to infect surrounding life forms.

However, the hook stopped completely just before piercing Hook.

As Hook made a breaking motion with his fingers,

Snap!

The hook broke from the middle.

Its internal structure also changed, and it was a refined change; metal tubes like "blood vessels" nested inside the hook.

These tubes transported the stench gas released from the remnant, serving as the "power source."

It was the gases and meticulous structure that allowed an ordinary metal to move autonomously and blur the line between inanimate and animate.

"Crap!"

Hook cursed directly.

"What's wrong, Senior Hook?"

"What else! Do you know that the new season of the game just launched? I agreed with a few others to climb ranks together.

And now, bringing this sort of thing, sigh! Can't play the game anymore. I might as well have the net admin do some leveling for me and give him a little benefit.

This remnant sure has something, capable of finely reconstructing metal on a biological level in a short period.

But, to fully master this technology and to extract only the metal-related substances from the remnant, it'll take a lot of work.

Meanwhile, Luo Di, stay here as my assistant, and let's settle this early.

If we can acquire this technology, it could bring some changes to the Execution Room… as for your left arm, it might upgrade too.

Perhaps it can also uncover some information about the Outer Realm.

Of course, the remnant might be destroyed in the process, is that okay?"

"No problem! Feel free to operate, Senior Hook, if it's damaged it's on me."

This was exactly the outcome Luo Di wanted; he didn't want to rashly intervene with the Outer Realm factor.

Finding Mr. Hook for help was to mitigate the risks. He was just a step away from the plant's maturity, could not afford any issues at a crucial moment.