A 100% Death Rate on Stage [Infinite]

[The plot outline for this story went wrong, and I’ve been stuck for far too long. I have no choice but to abandon it. Sorry, babies.]

Yi Zixian, a university student majoring in performance, is unexpectedly recruited by an infinite theater. While his teammates turn pale with fear, he listens to the theater’s introduction and bursts out laughing:

In the middle of nowhere, cut off from the world; one NG and you die on the spot…

Doesn’t this mean he can say goodbye to those few abnormal “people” in the real world, and land a job right after graduation, with a secure livelihood?

Yi Zixian: “No problem. This is right up my alley!”

It’s like heaven sent me here!

In the first instance, [Cursed Town], Yi Zixian has barely arrived when he sees his grandmother, who was cremated long ago, standing in front of him, perfectly intact.

Grandma tears apart the monster trying to bite off his head before he can lift a finger. Her mouth stretches from ear to ear, and her eyes are unnaturally round.

“My dear grandson, how can you die at someone else’s hands? Grandma has to do it herself.”

In the second instance, [Sunshine Welfare Home], Yi Zixian watches his counselor, who died in a car accident just last month, crush the monster teacher in front of him. His heart gives a nervous thump.

The counselor elegantly tucks her hair behind her ear, her face menacing as she steps over the monster’s corpse and strolls toward him.

“You won’t earn enough credits hiding in a place like this. How can you ignore the way I taught you to act and listen to someone else? Did I approve your leave? Do you still want to graduate? Get back to school!”

In the third instance, [Snow Village Amusement Park], a high-difficulty instance rumored to have no survivors, Yi Zixian stands beside his usually aloof and serious team leader, Zhou Miao, and tearfully bombards his online sweetheart with messages, asking them to take care of his affairs.

The next second, Zhou Miao’s phone starts vibrating wildly in his pocket.

Yi Zixian: “Nice one.”

Zhou Miao: “…Zixian, come here and let me explain first.”

The nightmare-level monster, the Nine-Lives Cat, is right in front of him. Yi Zixian narrows his eyes dangerously and raises a hand to crush its head outright. “Lying is wrong. I asked you to remember that, didn’t I?!”

His teammates, who were just about to rush in and save him, silently retreat to the corner. “Are there any normal people left at all?!”

At last, one day, every instance has been completed. The whole theater celebrates, but the final page tucked into the script slowly opens.

“Please note: you are still part of a grand performance.”

[Reader’s Guide]:

1. One-on-one romance, happy ending

2. Role-playing-style instances, no livestreams

3. The instances are mildly scary (probably)

4. Blurb dated 2025.8.19

Pre-release blurb:

Yi Xu is the second son of a monster father. True to the principle that “the second son should seek danger,” his father sends him to the human world as an undercover agent.

Yi Xu: “You can count on me, organization. I’ll get the job done!”

Full of confidence, he infiltrates an organization bent on breaking out of the instances as a secretary, hoping to steal the team’s secrets and help his monster family grow stronger.

But on his very first day, all his teammates quit, leaving only him and the boss staring at each other.

Si Ran grabs Yi Xu by the hand. “Come on, we’re entering an instance. Even the secretary has to work.”

In the first instance, [Sweet Home], everyone is sent straight to a monster’s doorstep as soon as they enter.

The door swings open, but the blood-soaked maw at the threshold instantly snaps shut.

His cousin gives Yi Xu a coy, bashful look. “You’d better not tell anyone what I looked like just now, or I’ll bite your head off!”

In the second instance, [Teacher’s Ghost Stories], Yi Xu takes a job as a teacher and unexpectedly runs into the principal of his alma mater.

Si Ran gleefully dances across every rule’s danger zone. The principal glares at Yi Xu and warns him, “My patience with outstanding graduates has its limits. Take your friend and get out, now!”

In the third instance, [Death Wedding Dress], Yi Xu is wearing a wedding dress and has to choose between Si Ran and a girl who once confessed to him. He chooses the former without hesitation.

Yi Xu: “Sorry, I don’t like girls without heads.”

The headless girl bursts into tears, while Si Ran’s lips curl into a smile.

…

In the nth instance, Yi Xu himself is the monster.

Yi Xu gives an awkward wave. “Hey, boss. So, I’m actually a monster.”

Si Ran’s face darkens. “Did you think I didn’t know?”

He gently pulls Yi Xu into his arms, his voice soft and tender.

“But what does it matter if you’re a monster?”

Yi Xu’s monster father waits and waits for him to come home. Long afterward, all he receives is a letter from Yi Xu. It’s short and to the point, but enough to make his father fly into a rage:

“The undercover plan has failed. Please rest assured, organization.”

[A socially anxious bottom who doesn’t realize he’s been found out × A scheming top who’s devoted to playing along]

[Reader’s Guide]:

1. One-on-one romance, happy ending

2. The instances are mildly scary

3. Traditional instances, no livestreams or System

4. Blurb dated 2024.7.24

Theme: Treat others with kindness