Hourglass Project - Chapter 16
Latest Location of the Graveyard Master: United States
“Huh?” Lin Yi looked puzzled, pulling Huang Jijun’s hand to check the blue screen on her watch. ‘What kind of ridiculous movement is this?’
Huang Jijun said, “He’s probably moving based on national population statistics.”
That was the only logical explanation.
“Ugh—” Huang Yuhan sighed and walked to the window. “Who knows when he’ll return to Beijing.”
With that, she yanked the window open. A frigid gust blasted into the room, sending Huang Jijun and Lin Yi into disarray.
“What the hell?! Why’d you open the window?!” Lin Yi wiped her face and stormed over.
Huang Yuhan turned, letting her curls whip wildly across her face, and sighed dramatically. “I’m feeling stifled—I just wanted some air to relax.”
“If you’re stifled, go cuddle with Yaoyao and sleep!” Lin Yi slammed the window shut. “Stop with the melodrama.”
“…How could you say that…?” Huang Yuhan clutched her chest, heartbroken. “I’m going to blacken!”
“…?” Lin Yi stared. “Are you stupid?”
Ignoring her, Huang Yuhan stomped out of the room with exaggerated force!
Huang Jijun watched her leave, then turned to Lin Yi with a smirk. “Did she really just blacken?”
Lin Yi burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, Huang Yuhan marched into Li Moyao and Tao Luo’s room. Under their bewildered gazes, she walked to the window, exhaled a white puff onto the glass, wiped it away, and then—yank—pulled the window open!
A freezing gust slapped all three in the face, along with snow.
Huang Yuhan tilted her head back, eyes closed, her lashes quickly frosting over.
Tao Luo got up, wrapped Li Moyao in a blanket, then walked over.
The girl glared defiantly, narrowing her eyes in challenge.
Tao Luo shut the window. “What’s wrong?”
Huang Yuhan pouted. “I’m blackening.”
“…………”
They returned to the bed. Tao Luo tucked her into a blanket burrito beside Li Moyao and said, “Too much cold air got to you.”
Huang Yuhan: “…” She buried her face in Moyao’s chest.
The latter laughed loudly, patting the oversized “silkworm cocoon.”
“Ohhh, blackening, huh, little Hanyan~”
The two from next door walked in, scanning the room before spotting Huang Yuhan on the bed.
Lin Yi cackled and poked her. “So? Successfully blackened?”
The “cocoon” let out muffled protests. She laughed so hard she doubled over. “Maybe wait till you’re a butterfly before trying to blacken.”
Before she could finish, the “cocoon” erupted! Huang Yuhan burst free, grabbing her and screeching, “Lin Yi! I swear I’ll fucking kill you one day!”
Lin Yi howled with laughter. “I knew you’d try to murder me!”
Over by Li Moyao’s bed, Huang Jijun watched the chaos and sighed. “Ahhh~”
It had been a while since she’d seen something this hilarious.
Amid the laughter, all five suddenly froze—their heads snapping toward the window.
“Caw—!”
“What the fvck?!”
“Holy sh1t—!”
The curses died instantly. The room was empty.
Outside, the blizzard thickened. Few figures walked the streets. A crow, soaring high, watched with sharp eyes.
Hide malice in your heart, but lay your sins bare. Remember, never pray to the gods with good intentions. That’s always a mistake.
Commit your crimes, then thank the gods. Never forget to curse them. Make them swallow the bitter core of the fruit they tempt you with. Lure them further, they’ll offer themselves to you with endless gratitude.
The high-ranking Cursing Deity protects you. But if you ever stray, it will never forgive. Its holy words will weigh on you until death.
Twins, disciples of the Cursing Deity, bearers of curses.
Exchange your body, repay with power.
Remember always: Keep your original heart.
The Cursing Deity guides you.
The Sacred Words Church doors are always open. The Cursing Deity loves nightly gratitude and prayers.
The twin doors stood wide, the storm raging outside, silence reigning within.
At the front, a five-meter-tall white statue of a robed man loomed, his hooded face revealing only a stern, lipless mouth. Arms outstretched, he seemed to welcome all.
Below, a woman in black robes finished reading scripture, now flipping quietly through a tome, her bowed head the picture of submission.
Across from her, two boys no older than ten sat in the front pews, one on each side.
Bi An glanced left at his brother across the aisle. “Ugh, why so serious?”
Bi You turned, meeting his mirror image with equal disdain. “You disgust me more.”
He didn’t deny his brother’s words, he was hated. But he knew his brother was even worse.
Bi You stood. Bi An followed. The twins walked side by side toward the church doors, their exchanges nothing but venom.
——
“Welcome, players, to the micro-dimension titled ‘Mohe University.’ Player count: 30. Time limit: Five days.”
Snow and thick fog obscured the surroundings—even the five couldn’t see far. Likely the system’s design.
Thirty players huddled near a bus stop, the only landmark in the emptiness. Instinct drove them together.
“You are this year’s freshmen at Mohe University. Tomorrow is the first day of classes. Today, your task is to familiarize yourselves with the campus.
“The weather is getting colder. Students must wear the university-issued scarves for warmth. But if your scarf gets dirty, the teachers will not forgive you. Additionally, daily chapel attendance is mandatory. After each service, submit a reflection. Failures will be punished.”
“A bus will arrive in five minutes to transport all students to Mohe University. Until then, remain calm.”
A soft whimper cut through the silence.
Li Moyao sat on the curb, snow dusting her thin coat, now useless against the cold. The other four stood like sentinels around her.
Her head was bowed, her world white until a shadow fell over her, stopping the snow.
She looked up.
A long-haired girl held an umbrella, shielding Li Moyao and Tao Luo as best she could. Flustered under their collective gaze, she stammered, “You… seem like a group. Could I… join you?” Her voice trailed off as she lowered her head.
Five different expressions met her. Huang Jijun smiled apologetically. “Sorry, we prefer staying as five members.”
The girl forced a smile. “Oh… Then let me at least shield you from the snow? The umbrella’s small, but…”
Her voice faded, pitifully sweet.
Her intentions were obvious. In survival games, unsolicited kindness was suspect. Everyone sought protection, no one helped without motive.
The five were her targets. Rejected, she persisted, hoping small gestures would win them over.
Lin Yi studied her, wondering how Huang Jijun would refuse, when movement caught her eye. “Bus is here.”
Salvation arrived. The white-and-red bus (License: WL082) rolled to a stop, identical to the one from “Village and Villagers.” Same franchise, maybe.
“Ugh, this bus again?” the girl muttered.
Huang Yuhan grinned. “What do you mean?”
“Huh? You don’t know?” The girl blinked. “I’ve ridden this model twice already.”
“Ohhh~” Huang Yuhan’s smile deepened.
The doors hissed open. Hesitant players boarded, the five claiming adjacent seats, the girl clinging close.
Warm air flooded the cabin, thawing frozen limbs.
“Junjun, Junjun—” Huang Yuhan reached for Huang Jijun, only to find Lin Yi already hugging her. Defeated, she turned. “Luo Luo—”
Tao Luo lifted an arm, letting her cling, then pulled her close.
On the left, Li Moyao slumped against the seat, asleep.
Ten minutes passed unnoticed before buildings emerged from the white void. A gothic university, its name stark against the storm:
Mohe University
The brakes hissed. Cold air rushed in as the doors opened.
Li Moyao stirred, eyeing the girl who’d slumped against her shoulder. She’d dodged the initial lean, leaving the girl to awkwardly tilt sideways.
The girl’s lashes fluttered. She jerked upright, staring at Li Moyao’s profile before flushing. “S-Sorry! I didn’t mean to—”
Li Moyao smirked. “It’s fine. Let’s go.”
Most players had already disembarked. The girl grabbed her bag and fled, embarrassment in her steps.
Li Moyao pocketed her hands and sauntered off. Behind her, the bus doors sealed shut.
Thirty players stood before the university gates, its gothic spires looming through the ominous fog, foreboding.
As they hesitated, a black figure materialized in the mist.
Emissary CB021
The umbrella-toting emissary counted heads, then spoke:
“Welcome to the micro-dimension ‘Mohe University.’ This instance’s boss is the Twins. Your task: Ensure at least five players survive until the final day.”
Shock rippled through the group.
A boss? The Twins?
Only five survivors?
This was the first time the system had outright named a boss and objective. The difficulty was clear: Stay alive while twenty-five perish.
CB021 ignored their stunned silence. “Follow me.” He turned, forcing them to scramble after him.
Thirty-one figures trudged through the snow, reaching a dark gothic dormitory minutes later.
“Today is a rest day. Classes begin tomorrow. Prepare accordingly.” He paused. “My primary task is complete. Secondary objectives will unlock after your mission.”
With that, he vanished.
Players exchanged glances before filing inside.
The lobby was warmly lit, two staircases curling upward. The first man pushed open a heavy oak door, revealing an elegant, old-world interior.
Li Moyao, last to enter, shut the door. The dorm was classic European ornate but sterile.
Upstairs, they found two large rooms per floor, each door labeled with three names.
“Huh? My name’s here!”
“Mine too!”
They pieced it together: assigned dorm rooms, three per, gender-segregated.
Inside, the layout impressed—three antique beds against one wall, matching desks, wardrobes, and a pristine bathroom.
Guards lowered, players scattered to claim rooms.
The five were split: double Huang on the third floor, Tao Luo and Lin Yi on the fourth, Li Moyao alone on the fifth.
After settling in, Li Moyao examined the parchment nailed to her door:
Mohe University Regulations
- Daily chapel attendance is mandatory.
- Submit reflections post-service. Late submissions punished.
- No leaving rooms after dark.
- Wear university attire at all times.
- Obey teachers without question.
Violators will spend the night in the chapel, seeking the Cursing Deity’s forgiveness.
Daily Schedule
6:30 – Wake up
7:00-7:30 – Breakfast
7:45-9:45 – Chapel
10:00-10:30 – Reflection
10:30-12:00 – Lessons
12:00-13:00 – Lunch
13:00-14:00 – Nap
14:20-17:30 – Lessons
17:30-18:30 – Dinner
18:30-19:30 – Bath
19:45-20:45 – Study
21:00-21:30 – Reading
21:30 – Lights out
Li Moyao turned, and froze.
Liu Jingtao, the umbrella girl, stood there, now clad in a black robe and red scarf.
“Do I look okay?” she asked, cheeks pink.
Li Moyao smirked. “Not bad~”
The girl beamed.
At her wardrobe, Li Moyao found uniforms, pajamas, another robe, a red scarf, and shoes all her size.
System’s thorough.
Notably, no school emblem.
She’d checked everywhere gates, dorms, even the clothes. A university without a crest?
Probably a disposable setting. The real focus was the task.
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