Paired with melodious and soothing music, the broadcast echoed through every corner of the town.
"Every villager in our small town of Verne is the most hard-working, united, and loving villager!"
"We are committed to building Verne into the warmest and most comfortable home..."
"Completing every day's work is the happiest and most fulfilling thing for every Verne resident..."
Lucas glanced at the form posted on the wall beside him. It clearly documented the daily routine of the room's owner.
[7:00] Wake-up
[7:00–7:30] Morning Exercises
[7:30–8:00] Personal Hygiene & Breakfast
[8:00–11:00] Assigned Tasks
[11:00–11:30] Lunch
[11:30–14:30] Rest Period
[14:30–17:00] Study or Work
[17:00–17:30] Dinner
[17:30–19:00] Personal Hygiene
[19:00–22:00] Entertainment
[22:00] Sleep
"So precisely arranged," Lucas murmured, his brow furrowed. He hadn't relaxed for a moment since stepping into this bizarre simulation. Every minute ticked by with a sharp edge of unease.
He turned his eyes to the table clock: 7:01.
Outside, the rustle of footsteps and voices began. Lowering his head, Lucas noticed he was wearing a plain white T-shirt. Opening the closet revealed more of the same—identical T-shirts in black, white, and gray.
Closing the closet door, he slipped the kitchen knife back into his inventory, then stepped out of the room.
As he left his house, Lucas passed a small, immaculately clean yard. The iron gate was locked tight. He opened it and walked onto the street.
To his surprise, every house looked exactly the same.
Like they were copied from a single mold.
The villagers walking by were dressed identically in black, white, or gray T-shirts. Their expressions were serene, and their paces synchronized.
Everything was so neat, so clean... it was disturbing.
"Is everyone's schedule the same?" Lucas wondered.
Before long, he blended into the crowd, quickly becoming the least conspicuous person in sight.
---
After some time, he reached the central square of Verne Town. Villagers from all districts had gathered. The square, despite being packed, wasn't noisy.
Lucas scanned the area calmly. "The game has adjusted my appearance. I'm indistinguishable from the others now."
Suddenly, a piercing electric hum crackled from the speakers. Lucas looked up.
On the stage, a woman stood with perfect posture. Her hair was pulled neatly back, and she wore a knee-length skirt.
She smiled warmly as she spoke:
"Dear villagers, today's morning exercises will be led by me. Exercise is an essential part of our daily lives."
As her speech ended, the morning exercise music began.
Everyone followed along like clockwork. Their movements were precise, practiced—rehearsed to perfection. Lucas followed along too, even memorizing the routine as he moved.
By 7:30, the session ended.
Without pause, the villagers all turned to the left and marched toward a massive building nearby.
The sign above the door read in flowing script: "Verne Canteen."
"This place is huge enough to serve the whole town at once," Lucas thought.
Inside, the canteen resembled a school cafeteria. There was no menu—just identical service windows.
Everyone lined up silently. No one talked. No one complained.
Each received the same portion of food—simple vegetables and chicken. Then, they quietly took seats and ate.
Lucas followed the flow, sat at a random table, and began eating.
The others at his table devoured their food like machines.
Seeing Lucas eating slowly, one of them leaned over and whispered urgently:
"Eat quickly. You can't leave until you finish. How else will you clean up in time?"
Before Lucas could ask questions, the speaker had already returned to his meal, scarfing down the remainder and dashing off after handing his plate to the canteen staff.
"So... finishing the meal quickly is mandatory too? And cleaning up is part of the schedule?"
Lucas took mental notes, picking up his pace. "When entering a game copy, the worst thing you can do is break an NPC's taboo."
He quickly finished his food and handed his plate over.
Just as he was leaving, he noticed a bald man picking through the food with visible disgust.
"You must be another player..." Lucas thought but quickly turned away. Other players' fates were not his concern.
Just then, the town's central clock chimed.
Current time: 7:45.
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