Virus King [Translation]

The Cosmic Will sent a notification that snapped Novak back to reality:

[Team members killed the Crazy Nurse of the Red Star Mental Hospital and gained 20 Experience Points based on level difference and contribution!]

Novak quickly composed himself. After all, he wasn't all-knowing. The memories of his previous life were vague, especially regarding such low-level dungeons. In truth, he had never personally dealt with this Secret Realm's development and attack. This left him with only limited clues to work from.

With that in mind, Novak decided not to dwell on it further. He glanced ahead, where Crow's fearsome scarecrow loomed large in the manor's courtyard. The eerie smile on Crow's masked face made him look every bit the villain, causing Ian to shudder involuntarily.

Ian turned to look at Novak:

'Big Brother White seems way more normal,' he thought. 'Meimei's dream-linking ability is already weird, but this Boss Crow in front of us is downright evil! From any angle, White Emperor definitely comes across as more of a regular person!'

Sure enough, White Emperor, the creator of the gifted Evolution Sky Group, also known as Chat Group No. 001, exuded a positive aura. Yet, just as this thought crossed Ian's mind, Crow—the clear villain of the group—ran over to the nurse's body, took something from it, and trotted back to the others with a grin.

"Brother White, Meimei, Ian, take a look at this!" Crow said, beaming.

He clearly understood his role: a loyal thug, content with gaining experience and dungeon rewards without needing pay. It was a thrill for him just to be part of this Secret Realm.

Novak smiled and glanced at the item Crow held:

[Scream of Horror (Level E): An active skill that unleashes a terrifying scream with mental power, dealing damage within a certain range based on mental strength. (Note: High-pitched screams may attract monsters!)]

Mental skill books were rare, making spiritual evolution difficult in the early stages. But now, there were two spiritual evolutionists in the group. Ian, though often goofy, wasn't stupid. He waved his hand and said, "Give it to Meimei. My talent tree already includes spiritual skills."

He wasn't lying. In the real world, outside of dreams, Meimei couldn't fortify her physical body with spiritual power like she could in the dream world. If she were ever found in reality, zombies could easily take her down. That's why she needed spiritual skills to protect herself in the real world.

Understanding this, Meimei didn't refuse. She nodded and said, "Alright, I'll take it. But I won't ask for anything else from this dungeon."

She was sensible. Meimei knew that distributing rewards within a team could easily breed suspicion, and she liked the atmosphere of Chat Group No. 001. The last thing she wanted was to ruin it with petty disagreements over loot.

While Meimei was being thoughtful, she didn't anticipate what Novak would say next:

"Meimei, use the skill and see how it works."

Meimei shook her head. "No need, Brother Novak. I can already sense the skill's effects from the book."

But Novak smirked, "What I meant was, use the skill to attract all the nurses. Let's bring them to us."

Meimei, Crow, and Ian fell silent. 

Then, with a scream charged with emotion, the entire Red Star Mental Hospital erupted into chaos. Staggering figures began converging from every corner of the manor.

The sight of the sheer number of approaching enemies made Ian and Meimei—neither of whom were particularly strong in combat—turn pale. Crow, on the other hand, was ecstatic, his eyes gleaming as shadows gathered behind him. Something terrifying seemed to be taking shape in the darkness.

In the world of talents, some excel at combat while others offer support. Crow's "Fear Incarnate" talent was clearly geared for battle, and it was incredibly potent. Normally, a level 4 like Crow shouldn't stand a chance against level 7 monsters. However, anyone capable of becoming the feared Fearmonger in the previous life was far from ordinary.

Novak grinned. "Don't kill them all—leave me two. I have plans for them. And Ian, use this opportunity to practice your combat skills."

"Yes!" Ian responded eagerly.

If Ian had entered this eerie mental hospital alone, the oppressive atmosphere would have crushed his spirit. But with the group here, the dread and anxiety were replaced with excitement as they followed Novak's lead through the dungeon.

Without further ado, Ian summoned two knives and, using his mental power, controlled them in mid-air. His fighting style was simple but brutally effective—directly manipulating objects with his mind.

Novak, meanwhile, watched his group members showcase their skills. A faint smile played on his lips as a black-red light enveloped him. In the next instant, he was standing before two of the nurses, his hand closing around one of their throats. Black and red tendrils coiled around them, instantly consuming the nurses.

Ian, having just finished off a nurse at great mental expense, glanced toward Novak, as if seeking approval. However, what he saw shocked him. He had witnessed Crow's Fear Incarnate before, but seeing the White Emperor battle up close like this was another story entirely.

The black-red tendrils twisted and writhed, wrapping around the two nurses. Within moments, there was nothing left of them—not even a trace.

Ian froze, his body stiffening as he watched Novak, who seemed to nonchalantly brush off the carnage like it was nothing. Next to him, Crow was giggling with excitement, while Meimei stood motionless, a strange whirlpool swirling in her eyes.

A shiver ran down Ian's spine. He suddenly realized he had to take back his earlier thoughts.

He looked from Crow, with his twisted smile, to Novak, who had effortlessly wiped out the nurses, and then to Meimei, who stood silently yet menacingly.

'Am I the only normal one in this damn chat group?' he thought.

This wasn't just some talented pioneer group of evolutionary elites—it was an alliance of villains! And Novak was undoubtedly the boss of them all!