Luo Di abruptly shook his head, trying to confirm whether what he saw just now was real, directly gouging out his eyeball for inspection.

Although he didn't find a second pupil, the matter remained on his mind.

"Is Luo Di okay?"

Teacher Guo approached him after seeing him linger at the sink for too long.

"I'm alright for now~ I just feel I might be affected more deeply by the influence from the deepest part of the dungeon, not just by the noise."

Teacher Guo, however, looked unfazed, "It's inevitable. Why not stay on campus for a while? I will arrange a student dormitory for you, and as long as you are at school, I can perceive your condition at any time.

Furthermore, the dormitory is close to the cafeteria, and Hunter can also check on your condition there.

For the time being, don't go anywhere; just settle down inside the school."

"Alright… Has Dormo been infected?"

Luo Di gazed over; the other person seemed a bit tired, yet overall seemed well.

"He withdrew early and didn't directly glimpse the dungeon's contents; his issues are minor."

"That's good."

The two returned to the classroom right as the art class ended.

Dormo packed his things and left alone; he needed a good rest. The peculiar dreaming and being mentally eroded by darkness left him utterly exhausted.

As Luo Di attempted to leave amidst the crowd, someone grabbed his collar.

He had missed two consecutive classes, making him not only behind in progress but unsure about the content covered in art class.

Once all the students had left,

Click!

Wu Wen raised her long leg sheathed in black silk, pinning it against the wall with her high heel.

About to sternly criticize and discuss remedial classes, she noticed Luo Di's exceptionally pale face, seeming unable to focus.

Recalling Dormo's prior weakened state, Wu Wen had some guesses.

"Teacher Guo had you connect with the dungeon's deepest layer through dream exploration?"

"Yes."

Wu Wen was also somewhat perplexed, "It's my first time seeing Teacher Guo so rushed. Such dangerous matters should be carefully planned... Are you alright?"

"I'm alright so far. I've obtained useful information, but I'm not certain if I've been deeper affected."

I've been asked to stay on campus, and likely be residing in the school dormitory for a long time."

"… Do you have plans tonight?"

"No."

"I'll come over to tutor you separately, if I can sneak out."

"Thank you, Teacher Wu."

…

Although the school dormitory was constructed, it's not currently in official use.

Students are in a commuting mode, as Vortex Town is spacious enough that space isn't presently lacking. Once student numbers increase, centralized dormitory living arrangements will be considered.

Downstairs in the dormitory,

Luo Di holding a paper signed by Teacher Guo, reached out to knock on the closed glass door.

You could see the dormitory manager's room lighting up; a man wrapped in a military overcoat and cotton slippers, appearing very afraid of the cold, came out.

The darkness inside the dormitory obscured half of his face, as he shivered his way to the door.

Upon receiving the paper, Luo Di seized the chance to examine his face.

The part of the face hidden in the shadow never existed; it was hollowed out, forming a vortex.

Even the eye spun within, the brain and various nerve tissues were stirred.

"Vortex syndrome…"

Luo Di had assumed that Katayama was the sole monster affected by the vortex. Clearly, Teacher Guo didn't waste this ability, secretly cultivating a batch of vortex-infected individuals.

The dormitory manager's endurance was not quite like Katayama's, but at least retained human form.

"Come grab your bedding and toiletries."

Luo Di quickly proceeded up to his assigned dormitory room with an armful of items, despite the entire building being uninhabited, he was placed on the highest floor (seventh).

No elevator was available, requiring him to take the stairs upwards.

Since it hadn't officially opened yet, the hallway's motion-sensor lights were all off.

Though still morning, partial sunlight pierced through the hallway windows, yet the building remained dark, absent of life.

Ascending a floor, Luo Di would glance into each dormitory corridor.

With dormitory doors sealed and corridors designed to be closed off, each path was consumed by a layer of darkness.

Previously, such darkness felt normal, even loved by Luo Di, but now brought a vague discomfort.

Moreover, Luo Di gradually felt something strange.

On each ascent, the corridor's darkness seemed to intensify.

The second floor allowed a complete view down the corridor, but by the time he reached the fourth floor, only half was visible.

Upon reaching the fifth floor, effective visibility shrank further, only allowing sight of the nearest four dormitory rooms.

Although Luo Di knew this was school, Vortex Town, and among the entire corner one of the safest areas, he became alert, reaching for his cervical spine.

Continuing upward,

[6]

Turning to look at the corridor, darkness entirely lay across it, revealing only the nearest room "601."

Just as Luo Di prepared to continue heading to the top floor,

Screech~ A sound like a moaning hinge emerged.

The visible dorm room door surprisingly opened, but merely a crack.

Attracted by the sound, Luo Di looked over and suddenly… in the darkness of the door crack, numerous wriggling eyeballs pressed against it, meeting his gaze.

Simultaneously,

Luo Di felt a sharp pain in his right eye, as if something was burrowing out from beneath the eye socket.

At the critical moment.

A hand suddenly settled on Luo Di's shoulder, along with the sound of bodily rotation from the side.

His train of thought was interrupted.

Buzz!

The anomaly dissipated, the hallway brightening once more.

The corridor remained without light, yet now the faint sunlight allowed seeing to its very end; room 601's door hadn't been opened.

The hand that settled was from the dormitory manager himself, whose spiral structure in half his face oddly comforted Luo Di.

"Luo Di, you didn't grab your dormitory manual! Although not officially open, you need to follow its rules.

I won't hinder your violations, but I will report them to Teacher Guo in real-time, so please adhere strictly."

"Understood, thank you."

Luo Di reached the top floor, locating room [720] assigned to him.

The interior had four beds, desks underneath the top bunks.

He didn't rush in arranging the bedding; instead, tossed his items aside and went to the sink.

Rushing water poured as he washed his face again, thoroughly checking his state, particularly his eyes.

After confirming no anomalies, he exhaled slightly relaxed.

Pushing open the window,

Looking out to the campus scenery,

Took a deep breath.

"I knew the influence had deepened… Formerly just noise, now it seems the mark directly interferes with my thinking, disturbing daily life.

It doesn't matter, staying in school, ignoring any hallucinations should suffice.

With Teacher Guo watching and Mr. Question Mark's mark, it shouldn't pose major issues.

Ahh…"

Luo Di let out a big yawn; today's dream journey instead of providing rest, made his brain more exhausted.

He swiftly made the bed, laying down.

Throughout his time truly as a student, he was always commuting; today fulfilled his dream of living at school.

"A short nap, head to the cafeteria for lunch later."

With this thought, Luo Di quickly drifted off,

Uncertain how long he slept,

Knock-knock!

A knocking sound awakened him; opening his eyes, it was already dark outside! The entire dormitory was pitch-black.

With a groggy head, instinctively asked:

"Who's there?"

"Who else, promised to tutor you, still sleeping? Didn't see you at the cafeteria earlier, did you sleep all day?"

"Teacher Wu… Hold on a moment."

Luo Di's brain felt like it was filled with concrete; muddle-headedly getting up to open the door.

Click!

Turning the door lock,

Wu Wen's head squeezed inside,

Black hair draping,

Facial shape identical,

Except the rest was all eyeballs, glued together by black substances…

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