Confound it! What is transpiring downstairs?

Napoleon, confronted by beings of stone-like skin and wings, conversed with them. He discovered they were a troop of gargoyles. Upon inquiring about their abilities, he learned that at the brink of death, they could become invincible for 15 seconds and recover 60% of their defense value to continue the battle.

In a surge of elation, Napoleon saw them as frontline 'knights' in the upcoming war. Conversing further, he surmised, "You, like us, partake in feasting upon humans, do you not?" The gargoyles nodded in agreement and suggested joining forces.

Napoleon welcomed them into his army.

Napoleon's forces increased by 11.

Upon receiving this information, Ming felt a tinge of envy. To behold Napoleon's might!

Downstairs.

[Question five, considering your aptitude, the difficulty is reduced.]

[What will be the topic of my sixth question? Reward: Temporary quadruple attribute increase. Penalty: Lose attacking capability for 30 minutes. Exceeding the time limit incurs a fine of 100,000 end-of-day coins.]

The group, holding back their frustration, awaited the timeout.

On the building's 19th floor, David smiled wryly. Considering his descent into battle, what did money matter? But what was this group's endgame? Their hidden objective? Still, compared to the exhaustion consuming him, these thoughts were trivial. He was utterly drained.

Suddenly, an agile antelope hopped down the stairs, passing David and continuing its descent. Glancing back at the weary man, it bleated.

David felt slighted.

Below, zombies were assaulted, and Mike took it upon himself to fend them off alongside a giant zombie and a mantis.

[Question six, a general knowledge query: If your ordered takeaway is five minutes late, would you insult the deliverer? Reward: Random food item. Penalty: All food items confiscated from the warehouse.]

[One, yes.]

[Two, no.]

"Choose two."

Everyone promptly made their choice. Without hesitation, Ming agreed. Whether based on the accounts from the diary or in reality, he wouldn't resort to such behavior."Choose two."

Hum~

At that moment, beams of light descended in front of each person, revealing boxes filled with food supplies.

Inside the building:

On the 14th floor's emergency staircase, David opened his supply box and tore into a chicken, stuffing mouthfuls as he continued downwards. He noticed the antelope nibbling grass in the stairwell and gave it a shove with his foot, chuckling, "Take your time; this might be your last meal."

Napoleon led his vast army through the streets and alleys, making numerous alliances. He gazed with contentment at the gargoyles soaring alongside flying leeches, the fierce beasts such as the three-headed dogs, and the massive horde of zombies trailing behind.

Napoleon harbored a new plan: after bidding you farewell, he'd venture back into the mist to conquer that particular hill that had once defied him, ensuring the creature wielding the rake there would bow before him.

"~~"

A rake? What's that?

[Question seven, no longer of significance. Congratulations on completing this hidden quiz task. Reward: 10,000 end-of-day coins per person and 100,000 experience points.]

The group collectively exhaled in relief; the questioning was finally over.

[Congratulations on obtaining a new hidden task, Gargoyle's Paradise. The task was detected as completed. Reward: 50,000 coins per person, 100,000 experience points, and one super treasure box.]

Everyone, except Ming, looked puzzled. Completed? How?

Inside, on the 8th-floor emergency staircase:I think you should take a look at

David, clutching a handrail, despondently slid downward, trying to fathom how they'd completed another hidden task. What awaited them below?

[Congratulations on acquiring a new hidden task, Hell's Gatekeeper. The task was detected as completed. Reward: 60,000 end-of-day coins, 150,000 experience points, and the exclusive title "Fear Not the Bite".]

All eyes turned to Ming, who looked innocent, signaling that it wasn't his doing. Indeed, it was all Napoleon's doing.

Napoleon was elated. This time, he had ample resources to challenge that creature with the nine-toothed rake. He intended to tame and mount it. He ordered his army to spread throughout the city, consolidating every nook and cranny, and waiting for further instructions. He returned with a few generals, assuring you that the entire city had been seized and that Ming, you were safe now.

"~~"

Ming's heart was shocked. After all, Napoleon was incredibly powerful and boundless in his actions.

As David reached the ground floor, he noticed a group of epic beings surrounding his siblings. Filled with rage, he yelled, "I'll fight you all!"

Without waiting for a response, he lunged forward, striking one of the tentacles of the flying leech. The flying leech's multiple eyes fixated on him.

Napoleon whispered to the flying leech, suggesting that David was merely trying to greet it in a friendly manner. "You saw it too. He was gentle, barely leaving a scratch on you. Want to greet him back? Go ahead~"

Suddenly, Napoleon felt something was amiss and tried to call for a halt, but it was too late.

Boom~

A tentacle whipped David, sending him crashing into a wall. He slid down, grimacing in pain from the impact.

Napoleon chided the flying leech, "Next time you greet someone, be more gentle. That's Ming's friend you just hurt. If you kill him, who's going to cover the funeral expenses? Are you that wealthy?"

Everyone turned their attention to David, "Are you okay? This is our boss's new puppet."

Holding his chest, David replied, "I'm okay. It was quite gentle, considering."

"Where's the antelope?" Ming immediately inquired.

"Baa~"

At that moment, the antelope appeared in front of everyone, hinting at the start of a new chapter. But how could this be, as they were still under restriction?!

[Congratulations! There is no second chapter. You have passed the hidden test of 'Faith in Friendship.' By not abandoning any team member, you have proven its existence.]

[You will leave this place in 10 minutes. The special coins you have obtained will be automatically exchanged for end-of-day coins at a 1:100 ratio. Any penalties will not be refunded.]

[You will receive the following rewards:]

[1. A random assortment of food weighing 500 pounds.]

[2. A random assortment of water weighing 500 pounds.]

[3. One million free experience points.]

[4. 200 free attribute points.]

[5. One box of epic random materials.]

[6. An exclusive talent titled, "My Dear Siblings."]

[7. Before the fifth chapter, no hidden tasks will be triggered. Doubt it? Give it a try.]

[A gentle reminder: Farewell.]

The group exchanged glances, smiling.

As Napoleon watched your departure, he leaped onto an armored boar, croaking commands. "All heed my call! Head into the eastern mist to confront that pig-headed foe!"

Roars and cries echoed. The entire city, filled with zombies and strange creatures, sounded an alarming crescendo. Like a great torrent, they surged into the mist.