Ch. Midnight Zoo 2 Midnight Zoo 2

The place was a wreck, shrouded in a grim, eerie silence. It looked like it was one bad day away from being condemned. 

I used to be a zookeeper myself, right up until my last zoo went bankrupt. So, I’d been unemployed for a while. 

Well, no way I’m getting fired in a video game, too, I thought. 

Just then, a system notification chimed in my head. 

[Welcome to the Midnight Zoo instance.] 

[Number of participants: 10.] 

[Objective: Survive for 7 days without being killed by the animals.] 

[Friendly Reminder: Do not, under any circumstances, break the zoo’s rules. Otherwise, it’s game over!] 

My ears must have been acting up again, because the system’s voice was muffled. I was about to ask it to repeat the rules when it spoke again. 

[All players will assume the role of Zookeeper. Please care for the animals responsibly!] 

The voice faded, and I noticed a group of people standing near me. They were all around my age, a mix of men and women, their faces grim and 

silent. 

A man in a sharp suit pushed his glasses up his nose. “Looks like we don’t have any rookies this time,” he announced. “Makes sense. A newbie 

wouldn’t last a minute in an instance this tough. So, let’s stick to the usual protocol.” 

He scanned the group. “I’ve cleared four instances. I’ll take point on this one. Any objections?” 

People exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing. His leadership was accepted by default. I sighed internally. Even in a game, the corporate 

ladder was a thing. Who knew a zookeeper position would be so competitive? 

Chapter 1 

16:46 

The suit, pleased with the silence, continued. “Let’s do quick introductions, then we’ll split into teams to scout the area. If I’m right, this is a ‘rules- based‘ instance. An NPC will probably show up soon to lay them out. Until then, I suggest no one wanders off.” He paused, his voice firm. “Teams 

of three. Find your partners.” 

But I wasn’t listening. Before he’d even finished his sentence, I walked straight through the zoo gates. 

By the time you’re done with your little pow–wow, it’ll be dark, I thought. Bunch of newbies. The first thing you do is report to the warden’s office. 

Amateurs. 

Drawing on muscle memory from my old job, I found the warden’s office. 

The suit saw me go. His voice cracked with anger. “Hey! Didn’t you hear me? A reckless move like that will get you killed!” He then scoffed to the others. “Forget her. Let her be the guinea pig. She can scout the dangers for us.” 

A woman in a tight–fitting, fiery red dress and impossibly high heels smirked. “Exactly.” 

M 

These people are nuts, I thought. It was just an animal care game, and we were all here for the same zookeeper job. Why were they wishing death 

on each other? The world really had gone downhill. 

A 

I knocked and entered the warden’s office. A man in a crisp white shirt sat behind a large desk, as if he’d been waiting for me. He glanced up, his 

gaze sharp as ice, and gave a curt nod. 

“Good. You’re the first to report in. You get a little gift.” 

A system notification pinged. 

[Congratulations! Player has obtained: Animal Care Manual x1.] 

Seeing my dazed expression, the warden continued, his voice a low monotone. “Read the employment contract carefully. There’s a three–day pro- bationary period, after which you may be offered a permanent position. And these are the zoo’s rules.” 

“Rule 1: Do not get too close to the animals. The zoo provides security, but accidents do happen.” 

“Rule 2: The tiger is temperamental and has a massive appetite. No more than two keepers should be present during feeding.” 

“Rule 3: The monkeys enjoy stealing human possessions. Any item stolen by a monkey will become permanently unusable.” 

“Rule 4: Do not wander the animal enclosures at night. Nighttime is the animals off–duty period, and they have their own activities. If you encount- 

er an animal, return to the staff dorms immediately.” 

“Rule 5:…” 

Before I could finish reading, the list was snatched from my hands. I looked up to see the same group of “applicants” from the gate crowding arou- nd me. I was starting to suspect this was a massive multiplayer game, simulating a real–world interview process with actual people. 

“Everyone, over here! The rules are all right here,” the suit barked. 

They swarmed in, pushing me aside. The warden watched them, a cold, thin smile playing on his lips. He then rose and handed me a ring of keys. 

“These are for the animal cages. Feed them on time. You wouldn’t want… unpleasant things to happen.” 

I took them without a second thought, a little thrill running through me. The warden clearly favored me. Why else would he give the keys to me 

and no one else? 

“Don’t you worry, Warden, sir,” I said earnestly. “I won’t let your faith in me be misplaced.” 

The warden’s eyebrow twitched. A strange flicker of emotion crossed his handsome, pale face. “I’m only 27.” 

“Of course, Warden! So young and successful!” 

His expression didn’t improve. The suit, Marcus, shot me a dangerous look. “Sucking up to an NPC. What a talent. Let’s see how long she lasts.” 

The young warden’s icy gaze swept over the other applicants, his smile turning unsettling. “Alright. Let’s go meet your new charges.” 

Another system notification. 

it is now feeding time. Players, please take your assigned food and feed the animals.] 

Chapter 1 

བཅཅས་་ ་་་་་ཅ 

[Penalty: Any player who has not fed their assigned animal by 6 PM will be denied entry to the staff dorms.] 

16:46 

The color drained from everyone’s faces. This was forcing them into the cages. One by one, we were each handed a bucket of feed. I looked down at the reddish–white, sloshing liquid in mine and wrinkled my nose. This zoo’s nutritional plan was seriously unscientific.