Lin Ye: I don't know what this event is either, but I currently know of four activities - Maze Exploration, Carnival Feast, Station Mission, and War Front. I'm guessing there will be one each for the last four days. Of course, this is just my speculation.

"What? So no Maze Exploration then?"

"War Front? That sounds dangerous."

"If it's dangerous, just don't go."

"Fair point."

"What about this event? I haven't gathered enough materials to upgrade my shelter yet."

"I'm just one short, so I can participate in the later Station Mission."

"I want to take the risk. Even if I gather enough materials to upgrade my shelter now, what about later? If we keep avoiding nighttime activities, we'll eventually be eliminated by the system."

"You're right. I'll take the risk too!"

"I'll pass. I'll take it one day at a time."

Lin Ye: I've prepared some protective gear. Since they're experimental products, I'll be putting them up for free in the trading area later. Feel free to grab them, but remember to message me with your feedback after use.

Lin Ye: Since these are free experimental products, I won't be responsible for any issues that may arise. Please use them with caution.

After saying this, Lin Ye listed over a dozen simple protective items in the trading area.

"What? The big shot is at it again?"

"Damn! I missed it!"

"Haha, I got one! This is what 30 years of being single does for your reflexes!"

"Shit! My internet lagged!"

"Lag my ass! This isn't campus wifi. I've never seen the system lag."

"Perfect timing. I didn't have any protective gear."

"Post the system description!"

"Simple protective items. Check it yourself."

"Holy shit! The big shot can already make spiritual energy items?!"

"The big shot is insane!"

Lin Ye: Test them out for me. If they work well, I'll gather more materials to make additional batches.

"Roger that!"

"Roger that!"

"Going to test it against some first-rank mutation creatures now."

"Did you all get one already? Just saying 'roger that' like that?"

...

Lin Ye chose to join tonight's event, equipped his gear, and sat by the bed waiting for the countdown to end.

Too bad there were no small animals to pet today.

[00:01]

[00:00]

…………………

[Carnival Begins]

[Do whatever you desire]

[There are no rules here tonight - the only limits are those you impose upon yourself]

[Embrace the world amidst flames and revelry, or destroy yourself]

Lin Ye woke up on a circus stage. The stage and audience seats were empty, with glaring lights shining on nothingness.

Exiting the tent, he found himself in a deserted amusement park, with towering buildings in the distance.

This was a corner of some city.

"Lucky me. Found a rookie who hasn't even reached first rank. Are you a lowly creature chosen by the system, or just an idiot trying your luck?"

A humanoid creature with a bird's head entered the amusement park, its avian face wearing a malicious smile as it approached Lin Ye step by step.

As the distance between them shortened, Lin Ye quietly adjusted his breathing and prepared himself.

The bird-headed creature had two mutation organs, but the degree of mutation was average - not as extreme as that robed idiot from last time.

Still, to guard against potential hidden means like runes, Lin Ye used his spiritual energy to sense its every move.

The bird-headed creature, however, showed no wariness toward Lin Ye, swaggering toward him with complete confidence.

"You're too close."

An invisible blade severed spiritual energy while a visible one split flesh.

Before the words finished echoing, the bird-headed creature collapsed, both of its mutation organs cleanly severed.

[Enemy defeated. All enemy items have entered the loot space. After the Carnival Feast concludes, loot will be transported to your shelter]

[Obtained Carnival Potion*1]

The bird-headed creature's corpse vanished without leaving a trace.

'I see. So this really is a feast of carnage.'

Lin Ye sheathed Red Blade at his waist and picked up the potion bottle from the ground.

It was a semi-transparent orange-red potion, about 200 milliliters, glowing faintly within the bottle.

Item information could only be viewed within the shelter, so Lin Ye had no idea what this potion did.

Storing the potion, Lin Ye walked to the base of the Ferris wheel, whose top was the highest point in the entire amusement park.

Finding the control panel, he pulled the switch, and the nearly 200-meter-tall steel wheel began rotating slowly.

Lin Ye boarded the Ferris wheel. Though Ferris wheels frequently appeared in various works, this was actually his first time riding one.

And he was alone.

"This won't do. Riding a Ferris wheel alone is just too sad."

Little Ye suddenly spoke up.

Somehow, Little Ye had appeared sitting on the seat opposite Lin Ye.

"How are you here? Is this the spiritual world?"

Though he didn't show it, Lin Ye was genuinely happy to see a friend in this place.

"Not quite yet. This is the Carnival Feast, where anything is possible."

Little Ye sat demurely, watching the slowly rising scenery outside the window.

"So you appeared because I thought riding alone was lonely?"

Lin Ye genuinely felt pathetic now - imagining a female version of himself to keep him company on a Ferris wheel.

"No, I wanted to accompany you."

Little Ye stood and moved beside Lin Ye, resting her head on his shoulder.

Lin Ye gazed at the city outside, silently memorizing the urban layout. The peaceful atmosphere gave him an unfamiliar sense of tranquility.

"Academy, commercial district, hospital, underground sewers, theater, city center, library. These places are extremely dangerous, but you must choose one to occupy and hold until dawn."

Little Ye closed her eyes and whispered into Lin Ye's ear.

"Any suggestions?"

Lin Ye preferred the library or theater over the hospital or sewers, but he valued his friend's advice.

"The library is nice, but the theater suits this carnival better."

Rather than practical advice, Little Ye cared more about Lin Ye's feelings. She wasn't exactly a good girl.

"Then the theater it is. Should we go now or wait until closer to dawn?"

Lin Ye rarely trusted others, but he made slight exceptions for versions of himself.

"Go now. The location will become your nest. The longer you hold it, the higher your chances of victory."

Little Ye took out the Carnival Potion from Lin Ye's possession and took a small sip.

"Ugh, disgusting."

Sticking out her tongue, she fed the remaining potion to Lin Ye.

Lin Ye didn't refuse. Since the system provided the potion, he had to choose whether to drink it or not. Little Ye had made the choice for him.

As the potion entered his mouth, before he could even taste it, an irresistible excitement surged through every cell in Lin Ye's body.

"Hehehe..."

Lin Ye found himself laughing uncontrollably as the feverish sensation ignited his nerves, setting his entire being aflame.

Yet strangely, this frenzy didn't impair his thinking - instead, it made his mind even clearer.

"Well then, see you later."

Little Ye stood up to say goodbye.

"You're not coming with me?"

Lin Ye also stood as he asked.

"It's not my time yet. A lady needs to prepare properly. Don't worry - since our date has started, I won't leave halfway."

After one full rotation, Lin Ye stepped out of the Ferris wheel cabin alone, concluding his first Ferris wheel experience.