"Ahhh!!!"

A piercing scream echoed through the clouds.

Looking at the security guard's contorted face, Liu Zheng felt an inexplicable sense of comfort. This dungeon world was filled with things that seemed familiar yet alien, constantly putting pressure on his psyche. The human-like yet inhuman natives also deeply irritated him from the core of his being.

Liu Zheng had been suppressing his thoughts all along, forcing himself to remain rational to the point of numbness. Now, these familiar wails had returned. It felt less like being in a dungeon and more like returning to reality. The comforting laws of existence - scream when hit, die when killed - were back.

"Hahaha."

Liu Zheng laughed maniacally as he tore open the security guard's uniform. A standard-issue sheathed dagger appeared before his eyes.

"Oh, so that's what it was."

He drew the dagger and gripped it in a reverse hold, fist facing downward with the blade protruding from between his knuckles.

"Your luck just ran out."

Liu Zheng ducked under a guard's punch and thrust upward, striking the neck. He'd never formally trained in weapon combat, but happened to know some dagger techniques. The unfortunate guard's eyes bulged as he grabbed at the dagger, trying to stop Liu Zheng. But in the next second, Liu Zheng yanked the blade free, severing two fingers' worth of flexor muscles in the process.

High-pressure arterial blood sprayed onto Liu Zheng's face, covering it in crimson. This only excited him further.

"Thud!"

A powerful punch connected squarely with his right cheek. Liu Zheng shook his head and looked at the guard who'd hit him. The man's face had lost all traces of amusement, leaving only stern seriousness.

"Don't be so tense. Why not smile a little?"

Liu Zheng coaxed gently.

The guard remained silent, throwing another punch at his face. Liu Zheng pushed off with his right foot, executing a textbook left sidestep to evade, then struck the guard below the ear with his dagger-wielding fist. The hard metal hilt hurt his palm, but the guard fared much worse. Overcome by violent dizziness, the guard swayed before collapsing toward the ground.

Liu Zheng considerately caught him, then used the dagger to slice open both sides of his lips. Seemingly unsatisfied with the opening, he inserted his fingers and forcibly stretched the wounds apart until the red gums and white molars were exposed.

"See? What a sweet smile."

Liu Zheng nodded approvingly, addressing the remaining guard. That guard let out an incomprehensible shout before charging madly, swinging his baton.

Liu Zheng could have easily dodged, but a violent tracheal spasm stopped him. The baton struck his head squarely, blood flowing down his forehead to cover one eye.

"Damn it!"

Liu Zheng cursed, desperately trying to focus. But concussion wasn't something willpower alone could overcome - his vision blurred. Through the haze, he saw the guard raising the baton again.

Without thinking, Liu Zheng threw his whole body into the guard's chest. Caught off guard, the man could only bring the baton down on Liu Zheng's back. Once, twice, three times...

The attacks gradually stopped as the guard rested his head on Liu Zheng's shoulder. Shoving the man away, Liu Zheng left the dagger buried to the hilt in his chest.

"Huff... huff..."

Liu Zheng sat on the ground, gasping heavily - not just from throat discomfort, but also the stinging pain in his back and throbbing lungs. After half a minute's rest, he used the guard's corpse to pull himself up.

Though severely injured, the job still needed doing. Fortunately, while the elevator hadn't stopped at the first floor this time, Heavenly Villa had one elevator per household.

As the doors opened, he staggered to unit 301's entrance.

"Ding-ding-ding."

Liu Zheng rang the doorbell.

"One moment please."

A woman's voice came from inside.

"Hmm?"

He frowned slightly - wasn't this Mr. Li's place?

About ten seconds later, the door opened to reveal a Gothic-dressed maid in white stockings looking up at him. Her expression remained utterly unfazed at the sight of Liu Zheng's bloodied head.

"I'm a delivery person from Bloody Restaurant. This is Mr. Li's order."

Liu Zheng initiated the conversation.

"Your efforts are appreciated. Please hand it to me."

The maid replied calmly, her voice and demeanor as composed as a multi-generational head butler.

"Apologies, but the restaurant requires personal delivery to the recipient."

He showed no intention of handing it over.

"Then please wait while I consult my master."

The maid didn't press further, turning to re-enter and ascend the stairs.

Several minutes later, a silver-haired elderly man descended with the maid's support. Though thin and heavily wrinkled with few age spots, his eyes shone clearer than any youth's. He wore pink silk pajamas embroidered with spore plant patterns.

"Is my sashimi here?"

The old man asked loudly.

"Are you Mr. Li?"

"That's me."

The old man nodded.

"Forgive me, Mr. Li, I'm new. Could you provide something to verify your identity?"

Liu Zheng inquired. Though potentially offensive, better safe than sorry. Google seaʀᴄh ⓝovelFire.net

"Of course, young man."

The old man smiled tolerantly, producing a phone from his pajamas.

"Xiao Jiu, please call Miss Si for me."

"At once, master."

The maid took the phone and dialed a number. Almost supernaturally, Liu Zheng memorized the digits.

"Hello, Miss Si? Apologies for disturbing you. Your employee is here with delivery and wants identity confirmation - could you verify for him?"

After the call connected, the old man spoke briefly before handing the phone to Liu Zheng.

Accepting it, Liu Zheng pressed the receiver to his ear.

"Hello boss, I'm the new deliveryman Liu Zheng."

He said respectfully.

"I know. His identity checks out. Deliver the order."

The unmistakably emotionless voice of Si Xue came through.

"Understood, boss."

Before Liu Zheng could finish, the dial tone sounded.

"Well young man, may I have my order now?"

Mr. Li smiled.

"Of course, here's your delivery."

Liu Zheng handed it over.

Mr. Li glanced at the receipt and sighed.

"This today? What a shame."

"Is there an issue with the order?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"No issue - I quite enjoy this dish. Unfortunately, I've been ill recently, and my doctor advised against eating facial organ foods."

Mr. Li lamented.

Whether referring to aesthetic features (eyes, brows, ears, nose, mouth) or medical senses (eyes, ears, mouth, nose, tongue), eyeballs were included either way.

"Then I wish you a speedy recovery."

Liu Zheng said politely, turning to leave.

"Wait, young man. Such fine ingredients shouldn't go to waste - why don't you eat it?"

Mr. Li called after him.

"Me?!"

Liu Zheng turned back, shocked like a catfish spirit.

Well played - the trap had been waiting here all along.