[In the beginning, we miners didn't really realize what its appearance meant.]

[We just thought it was a bloodthirsty monster, like those mutant creatures we often encountered while exploring in the mine.]

[But as time passed, we slowly realized...]

[From the moment "it" announced its personal involvement, the unity we coal miners were proud of ceased to exist.]

[Initially, "it" often impersonated those key members who got separated, people who were usually the strongest and had the most prestige and responsibility in the team, often taking on the task of staying behind, so we generally wouldn't suspect them.]

[Relying on our trust, "it" silently infiltrated, waiting to harm a companion as soon as we let our guard down... until the body was destroyed.]

[In desperation, we established a rule that anyone who got separated could no longer return to the team and had to fend for themselves in the tunnel, and if they returned, they would face attacks from the entire team.]

[But this did not work because "it" quickly thought of new methods...]

[Living as a team is one thing, but sometimes people need a little personal space, like going to the toilet or cooking... and once in that personal space, "it" takes advantage of the opportunity.]

[In just a few days, our team was permeated by "it" like a sieve. Everyone was in a state of panic, afraid to step outside or let their partners out of sight, even staying closely knit while eating, sleeping, and relieving themselves.]

[But this wasn't the end.]

[Eventually, "it" got even further, being able to quietly become one of us while we blink and then raise the butcher's knife again...]

[So slowly, we no longer dared to trust each other, and the team gradually fell apart.]

[However, "it" still lingered around us like a haunting ghost, seemingly everywhere and nowhere.]

[With our mere mortal bodies, how could we confront "it"? I didn't know either...I could only write down a few potentially helpful suggestions based on the bloody lessons we've learned... Whether they would work, even I wasn't sure, future generations will have to judge for themselves.]

[1. Any "darkness" is dangerous; only the areas in sight are safe. Sounds heard; tactile sensations felt; feelings in the heart might all be false. Only what is under the eyes is real.]

[2. If working as a team, try not to separate from any team member, even when going out. Always travel in pairs and preferably install cameras to prevent the dangers of "blinking," since "it" can appear anytime, anywhere.]

[3. Currently, "it" can replace anyone, taking on anyone's appearance. Men, women, children, the elderly, the disabled... and before deciding to kill, its disguise is nearly flawless.]

[But a fake is still a fake; no matter how much it tries, it cannot achieve perfection, not even "it."]

[As of writing this letter, I have summarized three things "it" frequently does.]

[①. Maybe due to energy needs, when "it" disguises as a human, "it" feels hunger immediately and eats a lot in a short period. This hunger is entirely unbearable, and if food isn't consumed within a minute, "it" will go berserk due to hunger.]

At this point, Yun You let out a long breath.

Because neither she, Jack, nor Frost Moon had eaten for a long time.

They had been in the mine for almost 8 hours by now, and if "it" had turned into one of the team, "it" would definitely not resist the hunger.

From this perspective, the three-person team seemed to have no...

"By the way, are you guys hungry?"

Suddenly, Frost Moon turned around to look at Yun You and Jack, taking out a few tubes of Orleans roast chicken flavor nutrient paste from the bag.

"Come to think of it, I am a bit hungry after all this walking. Why don't we eat now?"

"It's been over ten hours since we last ate, let's refill and restore some physical strength to be ready for any upcoming battles."

With that, Frost Moon handed the nutrient paste to the two, then drank down two bottles herself.

"..."

Yun You was silent.

She squinted her eyes, scrutinizing Frost Moon, but found no abnormalities after a glance.

The hacker was still the same hacker; neither the cold tone of voice nor the slightly mechanical movements had changed.

Moreover, the most crucial point was that Frost Moon had always been within Yun You's field of vision, even when blinking, under the watch of the reconnaissance chip.

It was unlikely that "it" had replaced him right under the little girl's nose.

Even so, the intangible sense of oppression "it" brought still left Yun You uneasy.

"Alright, I'm actually hungry too."

Jack couldn't read the words on the paper, so he naturally wasn't as anxious as Yun You.

He reached out to take the nutrient paste, but Yun You suddenly held his hand.

"?!"

Jack was slightly stunned, instinctively looking at the little girl, his face full of confusion.

But Yun You didn't answer, just silently waiting...

As time slowly passed, about two minutes later, seeing Jack still not making any aggressive moves, Yun You finally let go of his hand, indicating that he could eat.

Jack was naturally quite puzzled, but Yun You couldn't bring herself to explain it to him.

The person replaced by "it" couldn't bear hunger at all, but Jack endured it, enough to prove that Jack wasn't "it".

At least not for the time being...

Yun You continued to read the note.

[②. Perhaps to adapt to the human body, it constantly makes small movements, like shaking its leg, moving wrists, ankles, neck, or doing exercises, often with excessive range of movement, sometimes even beyond typical exercising.]

[This is a relatively obvious flaw, but in a dark environment, with unsteady minds, we often fail to notice these actions.]

Again, another strange hint.

Yun You glanced at Frost Moon.

The child had remained still from start to finish, no unnecessary movement apart from the rise and fall of the chest caused by breathing while sitting.

"Since Frost Moon hasn't, then Jack probably wouldn't either..."

Thinking this, Yun You turned her head to look at Jack, whom she had just trusted.

And then...

She saw Jack moving his body in place, doing so in an extremely exaggerated manner.

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