Escape Filming Location - Chapter 3 - Act One

Hawkeye quietly observed Qian Cang Yi, showing little interest in explaining the basic rules to newcomers. After waiting for half a minute and realizing Hawkeye had no intention of continuing, Qian Cang Yi broke the silence:

“I was wondering if this is some kind of reality show-”

Before he could finish, Hawkeye interrupted:

“-It’s not.”

Qian Cang Yi swallowed, pressing on with his questions:

“What is the Hell Movie? Can I opt out?”

Hawkeye leaned back on the sofa, arms crossed, and replied:

“I don’t know what the Hell Movie is. It might be an unknown entity, or perhaps… a god.”

“The only certainty is that you’ve been chosen by the Hell Movie.”

“Our roles are as Actors in these eerie, suspenseful films.”

“The only common thread in these films is that if we don’t do something, we’ll definitely die.”

“As for opting out?”

“I wish someone would tell me the answer.”

“And here’s another thing.”

“After each film, you’ll receive Payment and Reputation Points as rewards.”

“Payment can be exchanged for special items, and Reputation Points can increase your Actor level.”

“I won’t go into more details. Survive, and you’ll learn.”

“This concludes the Q&A.”

“If you have questions, ask someone else-assuming you survive.”

After speaking, Hawkeye reached into his coat and put on a pair of sunglasses.

Qian Cang Yi knew Hawkeye wasn’t keen on discussing these matters further, but he felt that gathering more information might unravel many mysteries.

Weighing the pros and cons, he decided to give it a shot. After all, it was rare to have someone who could answer his questions.

He asked:

“Actors probably need to know how to act. I have no acting skills. Does that matter?”

“And is it just the two of us?”

He waited for Hawkeye’s response.

Hawkeye remained motionless, ignoring him completely.

Qian Cang Yi leaned back against the sofa, reflecting on everything that had happened since last night.

Why was I chosen?

Is it because I enjoy complex horror games?

But Hawkeye doesn’t seem like that kind of person.

Various questions swirled in his mind, but none could be verified.

After some time, the black bus gradually slowed and came to a stop.

The front door opened.

“Let’s go,” Hawkeye said, standing up and heading for the door.

“Oh,” Qian Cang Yi replied, rising to follow.

Outside the bus, everything was shrouded in darkness, obscured by thick fog.

Hawkeye stepped out without hesitation.

Qian Cang Yi hesitated for a couple of seconds before following.

As his feet touched the ground, he looked around for Hawkeye but couldn’t find him, so he continued forward.

The scent of earth mixed with a faint floral fragrance filled the air, refreshing and soothing.

As Qian Cang Yi moved forward, the fog gradually thinned and eventually disappeared.

Looking down, he found himself standing on a country path.

The path wound through the valley, twisting and turning like a pale ribbon wrapped around emerald hills.

Turning his head, he saw Hawkeye standing to his right.

Both had changed into new outfits.

Hawkeye wore a white shirt with a black jacket, fitted sky-blue jeans, and black sneakers.

Qian Cang Yi wore a white shirt with a blue jacket, loose light-blue jeans, and white sneakers.

The sun was glaring, and Hawkeye took out a pair of sunglasses from his jacket pocket and put them on.

Seeing this, Qian Cang Yi searched his pockets but couldn’t find any sunglasses.

Huh? Why don’t I have any?

He checked again, confirming their absence.

At that moment, memories surfaced in his mind, memories of the character he was portraying, along with the script for Act One of “Death Ritual.”

The script appeared in his mind like pages of a book, easily readable with a bit of focus, requiring no effort to memorize. Without any tone or speed requirements, it was hard to get wrong.

Qian Cang Yi’s character was named Bian Zhe, while Hawkeye’s character was Zhang Zian.

Their relationship was that of colleagues, both being village teachers.

They were currently heading to Yuxi Village, a remote mountain village.

In Yuxi Village was their student, Li Ling, who hadn’t attended school for three days without any notice, prompting them to visit the village.

Qian Cang Yi began reading the script in his mind.

[Act One]

[Under a bright sky, branches swayed, and the mountain village lay silent, as if deserted.]

[At three in the afternoon, at the entrance of Yuxi Village.]

[Two young men approached from a distance, stopping at the village entrance.]

[Bian Zhe: Ahead is Yuxi Village. We’re almost there, but something feels off. It’s as if the village is empty. Though it’s small, there are old and young here. They couldn’t all have moved suddenly unless something unusual happened.]

[Zhang Zian: Indeed. Let’s go in and take a look, then decide based on what we find. It’s getting late; we should hurry.]

[Bian Zhe: Yes, it’s not safe in the mountains. We should return before sunset. But I have an ominous feeling. I wonder if it’s just my imagination.]

[Zhang Zian: An ominous feeling? Can you be more specific? Are you suggesting there’s a plague or wild animals in the village?]

[Bian Zhe (shaking head): No, it’s not that kind of feeling. I can’t quite explain it. Never mind, forget I said anything.]

[The two walked toward Yuxi Village, their shadows eerily twitching behind them.]

[Bian Zhe (turning back): Something’s strange. I felt like something was watching my back.]

[Zhang Zian: Something watching you? Maybe you’ve watched too many horror movies and are imagining things.]

[Bian Zhe: You might be right. Let’s go.]

[End of Act One]

Qian Cang Yi quickly skimmed through the script and looked at Hawkeye.

As a newcomer, it was natural to observe Hawkeye’s actions before making decisions.

Hawkeye calmly said:

“Keep moving.”

“If you wish to leave, you can turn back, but I don’t know where it leads or what might happen. I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Qian Cang Yi shook his head:

“I’ll follow you.”

They continued along the path in silence.

After about ten minutes, they rounded a bend, and the village nestled in the mountains appeared before them.

This village was undoubtedly their destination-Yuxi Village.