Overworld.
Elisa had returned to the Silent Hill world, and Yang Tao did not follow her.
"Eric, how are things in the Backrooms lately?"
"The population explosion has caused many problems; more than ten organizations, big and small, have emerged, and the M.E.G. people are now stretched thin…"
An alternative 'Day of Reckoning' had arrived. Although it wasn't everyone falling into the Backrooms at once, the number of people was far greater than before.
"Two days ago, a vicious robbery occurred at the supermarket. Iron Bro retaliated and killed over thirty people. Now many people are surrounding the supermarket, demanding an explanation…"
???
Yang Tao's face showed a look of surprise when he heard Eric say this; he suspected he had misheard.
"Wait…"
"Eric, do you mean that someone tried to rob our supermarket, and then over thirty people died, and now some humans are demanding an explanation from us for these thirty-plus dead robbers?"
Eric nodded helplessly: "Thirty-two people, that's right. You know some of them are too used to 'freedom'…"
"No… On what grounds? Where are these people's brains?"
Yang Tao really couldn't keep up with the advanced version of freedom in the West. After much thought, he felt it was because he was too kind. However, just going over and directly eliminating these brain-damaged individuals felt like a waste.
He glanced at Eric, suddenly remembering the favor he owed him last time, and an idea immediately popped into his head.
"Eric, I want to go see the Terror Casino. Do you want to come?"
Hearing that Yang Tao was going to take him to the Backrooms, Eric became very active and immediately stood up, saying, "Yes, there's very little information on the Terror Casino. It's a good opportunity for me to record some."
With that, he picked up the camera, notebook, and several pens from the table and put them into his storage bag.
Just as Yang Tao was about to take Eric to Level 5.1 to talk with the Beast, Angemon flew to his side.
"Yang Tao…"
Looking at the tall and handsome Angemon, Yang Tao smiled and responded, "What is it?"
"Can I go to the Digital World and bring a Digimon back? I feel a bit lonely…"
Hearing Angemon's request, Yang Tao wished he could slap himself twice. He had brought the Digiegg back and hatched Yuramon, raising him until he became Angemon. Besides taking him to some worlds for a tour, he had completely free-ranged him the rest of the time.
When encountering danger or needing to fight in other worlds, he never called Patamon for help, not only because Patamon's strength was too weak, but also because he couldn't bear to put Patamon in danger.
This way, he completely ignored Angemon's own feelings.
Yang Tao looked at Angemon with a loving expression and said, "Go, you can bring back more companions, or I can go to the Digital World and build a home for you…"
"Okay…"
Although Angemon's eyes couldn't be seen, his upturned mouth indicated that he was in a very good mood.
Pushing open the wooden door leading to Level 5.1, the two entered the Terror Casino. Compared to last time, Yang Tao felt it was much livelier.
This was Eric's first time in the Terror Casino, and the soul of an investigator was burning. He immediately took out his camera from his backpack.
There was no electromagnetic or radiation interference inside Level 5.1, the Terror Casino, so the camera could be used normally.
Yang Tao led him to the center of the Terror Casino, where there were specialized counters for exchanging chips, prizes, and even a supermarket selling various items.
Of course, the supermarket was his.
He reached out and knocked on the counter, and a young female Faceling dressed in a waiter's uniform walked over.
"Send the Villagers over!"
The Faceling's intelligence was somewhat problematic. Although the Villagers also had problems, their problems were different.
It was like the difference between psychosis and neurosis.
Most Facelings couldn't communicate, but understanding Yang Tao's words was not an issue for them.
The Faceling turned and left, quickly calling out the Villagers from the room behind her.
"Hmph hmph~"
The Villager was clearly excited to see him, immediately running over to his side with his hands tucked into his sleeves.
"Brave Sir! This week's sales are higher than last week's…"
"That's not important. You haven't been threatened, have you? There was a robbery at the supermarket in Level 4, the Abandoned Office."
"Pillagers?"
The Villager's face showed a fearful expression. Although these guys could lie and deceive, their facial expressions were extremely rich. One could know their true thoughts based on their expressions.
"Humans…"
In an instant, the Villager pulled out a crossbow shimmering with enchanted light from his backpack and said fiercely, "Which guy dares to not abide by the trade, I'll let him taste my guy…"
Good heavens!
You change faces quickly enough.
So, if they're not from the Calamity faction, you're fearless, huh?
Ordinary adults only have 10-20 health points, with a few exceptions having more, but Villagers all have 20 health points, plus their equipped gear and various messy items. Seven or eight ordinary people might not necessarily be able to defeat one Villager.
Of course, if they have weapons, that's another story.
Yang Tao smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, quickly put away your weapon. People who don't know might think you're the Pillager. Be careful here, and when you have time, go find the Tinkers' Construct Blacksmith and request a few more mutated Iron Bros to come over."
"Yang, you clearly don't trust me as a partner…"
The Beast's voice suddenly sounded. Yang Tao was already immune to the Beast's elusive appearances.
He knocked on the table and said to the Villager, "Bring three bottles of red wine."
Turning to look at the increasingly high-spirited Beast, Yang Tao smiled and said, "How could that be? It's just that some special situations have arisen in other levels. My Villagers are all treasures…"
The Beast nodded gently and stood beside Yang Tao. The octopus tentacles on his face constantly wriggled, making Yang Tao rudely think of Little Eight's takoyaki again.
"Yang, your Villagers are indeed good; in some aspects, they are even much stronger than the Facelings."
The Beast looked at Eric, who was still taking pictures, and asked, "Your person?"
"Eric, come over here."
Yang Tao beckoned to Eric, signaling him to come over.
Eric came to his side with his camera and asked, "What is it?"
"Nothing, I'll introduce you two. This is Eric, the future legendary investigator."
"And this is the owner of Level 5 Terror Hotel and Level 5.1 Terror Casino, Mr. Gentleman."
Eric was stunned. He hadn't seen Mr. Gentleman at all, but the introduction about Mr. Gentleman appeared in his mind. He immediately smiled in the direction Yang Tao indicated, "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Gentleman…"
As soon as he finished speaking, Mr. Gentleman, with an octopus head, appeared in his line of sight: a blue octopus head, wriggling tentacles, black eyes, and dressed in a proper black suit.
A strange sense of familiarity emerged from his heart.
Eric didn't hesitate at all, pulling out a bucket of milk from his storage bag and pouring it into his mouth.
The Beast saw Eric's action and smiled, "Mr. Eric, I'm very sorry, I bear you no ill will. I have fully restrained the influence I bring. You are Yang Tao's friend, so you are my friend."
"Welcome, friend."