Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 884: Chapter 883: As Expected, Not a Single One Went Smoothly

After exchanging friend requests with Black Snow Princess, Fang Zheng took Yuki and Argo away from the square and headed to the next destination to find the second player Argo had mentioned.

However, the other party gave Fang Zheng a tough challenge right from the start.

”I want you to help me find my brother.”

”Your brother?”

Fang Zheng widened his eyes, looking at the player in front of him named ”Leafa.” She was also a girl with short black shoulder-length hair, and she looked full of spirit. According to Argo, this player’s skills were quite good. Although her level was only 14, her skill was impressive... well, since Argo said so, it should be correct.

”Yes.”

Leafa nodded.

”I came to this world with my brother, but I don’t know where he is...”

”Your real brother? You don’t know his ID? Didn’t you guys add each other as friends?”

After listening to Leafa’s explanation, Fang Zheng felt incredulous. What kind of sister is this?

”Ugh...”

Faced with Fang Zheng’s questions, Leafa was clearly a bit annoyed, but she held back her anger and explained.

”Actually, I came to this game without telling my brother. I just wanted to see what kind of game had him so obsessed. I originally wanted to surprise him here, but...”

”...But you don’t know his ID either...”

Faced with Leafa’s story, Fang Zheng was completely speechless. This game initially had a character customization system, and if you didn’t know the other person’s ID, you wouldn’t even know if the person in front of you was male or female. How could someone like Leafa, who was so naive, think she could surprise her brother? She probably doesn’t even know what her brother looks like in the game!

Though, because of that guy named Kayaba Akihiko’s twisted sense of humor, everyone in the world had been forced to revert to their real appearances. But finding one person among ten thousand is not easy, let alone the fact that Leafa doesn’t know his ID. For all you know, that person might already be dead.

Fang Zheng, of course, wouldn’t say that out loud. According to Argo’s description, this player had already received several recruitment offers, but until now, she had not joined any guild, which indicated that those previous negotiations had broken down. Surely someone must have mentioned this possibility to her.

But for Leafa, it was clearly something she couldn’t accept.

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng spoke decisively.

”It’s impossible for us to help you find your brother. The game world is so vast, with thousands of players. We can’t possibly search for them one by one. Moreover, you don’t know your brother’s ID. Under these circumstances, finding a player is unlikely.”

”...!”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, the girl named Leafa raised an angry eyebrow, while Argo sighed, holding her forehead in frustration. It was clear she thought the negotiations had broken down again.

But at the next moment, Fang Zheng changed his tune.

”However, you can have your brother come find you.”

”...Eh?”

Surprised by Fang Zheng’s answer, Leafa was taken aback.

”What do you mean by that?”

”Exactly what it sounds like.”

Fang Zheng spread his hands.

”I don’t mind telling you this: the reason I’m recruiting you isn’t simply to increase our combat strength. I want to gather a team to tackle the Lord boss, so I need the strongest players. Argo assured me of your skills, so that’s why I sought you out.”

At this, Fang Zheng fixed his gaze on Leafa.

”You should also understand what it means to defeat a Lord boss. If we can successfully conquer it, our fame will naturally increase, and eventually, almost all players will know our names. By then, if you want to find your brother, it won’t be so difficult. Just saying a single sentence could spread throughout the player base, right? Additionally...”

At this point, Fang Zheng seemed to have thought of something.

”I also have another way to help you, but it’s still in preparation.”

”...”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s statements, the frown on Leafa’s face slowly relaxed. Indeed, as Fang Zheng mentioned, she didn’t know how to find her brother, whose ID she didn’t even know, among thousands of players. She couldn’t think of a better way, but listening to Fang Zheng’s suggestion... it seemed plausible?

”Will you really help me?”

”You help me, I help you.”

Fang Zheng pointed at himself, then at Leafa.

”Everyone for me, and me for everyone. Of course, you should also be aware of the risks involved. If you’re unwilling, then I get it.”

”No, I’m willing.”

This time, Leafa nodded readily. As Fang Zheng said, she truly had no other options. For now, she could only take it step by step, and at least Fang Zheng had shown her a clear path...

And so, Fang Zheng successfully recruited another player, but this wasn’t the end. According to the system’s rules, a guild can only be formally established with at least ten members. Including Fang Zheng, Ester, Restia, Black Cat, Aoba, Asuna, Yuki, and Leafa, there were eight people. They still needed to find at least two more.

So Fang Zheng buckled down and put in more effort.

However...

”Hey, Argo.”

”Yes?”

”Are you treating me like some daycare worker or what?”

Looking at the girl in front of him, Fang Zheng was at a loss for words. Not only were all the recruits Argo introduced to him girls, but they all appeared younger one after the other!

”Isn’t this an elementary school student...?”

”...What a joke, I’m a high school student!”

The one standing in front of Fang Zheng was a girl with messy blonde hair, who looked even smaller than Aoba from her figure. According to Fang Zheng’s estimation, Aoba might not even be 1.5 meters tall, and this one... might not even be 1.45 meters tall?

With such height, a high school student? Who are you trying to fool?

Of course, that’s how he thought, but Fang Zheng obviously wasn’t foolish enough to say it out loud. Not to mention, this girl had her own merits, which was clear from her rank.

Level 20!!

This is truly a hard-core grinder!

Mind you, Yuki had just reached Level 19, and this so-called high school student who looks like an elementary school student was close to Level 21! Considering the feature that the higher the level, the less experience you gain, reaching this level of leveling up solo could be described as crazily dedicated.

”Alright, so Miss... Gabriel.”

Fang Zheng looked at this high school student with an elementary school student’s build and sighed helplessly.

”What are your requirements?”

”Very simple, give me a bonus every month and cover room and board. That way, I’ll help you handle anything, whether it’s a Lord, a Demon King, or whatever!”

As she spoke, Gabriel waved the One-Handed Hammer in her hand... Well, yes, her main weapon was actually a One-Handed Hammer! That’s some unexpected violence...

”Of course, that’s no problem, but I also have conditions, which are that you must follow my orders unconditionally, and the upcoming training will be tough. Are you willing to accept this?”

”Ugh...”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s conditions, the player girl named Gabriel showed a pained expression on her face.

”I don’t want to suffer, but since it’s in the game... fine, as long as it’s not too excessive, I’ll listen to you.”

Eventually, after a round of negotiations, Fang Zheng managed to recruit the player named ”Gabriel.” Now, he just needed to find one more person, and he could form a guild. But then...

”There’s no one left?”

Looking at Argo, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but widen his eyes. Although I’m not obsessive, you can’t play me like this, I’m just one person short!!

”Yeah, do you think it’s that easy to find players? These are the only ones I could find.”

”But we’re just one person short...”

Saying this, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but look at Argo.

”How about... you join?”

”Me? No way!!!”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s suggestion, Argo’s face changed dramatically, and she quickly waved her hand. No kidding, she’s seen Fang Zheng’s devilish training style and has no interest in it; she’d rather continue her promising career as an information broker!

”Hmm?”

Hearing the conversation between Fang Zheng and Argo, Gabriel’s eyes twinkled.

”Hey, young man, you’re still short of people?”

”Yes.”

”How about we make a deal?”

As she spoke, Gabriel made a money-grabbing gesture.

”I’ll introduce you to someone, and you give me 2000 Kor! Don’t worry, that person will definitely meet your requirements. Young man, aren’t you looking for someone strong and obedient? They’re perfect for it!”

”...If the talks go through, but what do you need so much money for?”

Fang Zheng wasn’t short of money, after all, he had been continuously grinding levels and killing monsters, so he naturally had plenty of money at hand. 2000 Kor was neither too much nor too little, but he couldn’t figure out why Gabriel needed the money.

”Ah, I’ve been eyeing some equipment lately, but I’m short on cash. I’ve spent all the money I got from farming monsters...”

”...Alright.”

Hearing Gabriel’s request, Fang Zheng thought for a moment and then nodded.

”If the person you mentioned really meets my requirements.”

”Alright, it’s a deal then!”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Gabriel clapped her hands excitedly, and then quickly opened the system and pulled up her friends list.

”Hey, loser! I found a guy for you, come over quickly!!”

”...”

What the heck is this?

”Thud thud thud thud!!!”

As Fang Zheng and Argo exchanged speechless glances, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed, followed by a loud ”bang” as the door swung open, and a red-faced twin-tailed blonde girl stormed in.

”Who are you calling a loser!!!”

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