Players, Please Board the Train

”Not abandoning them,” Team Leader Wu said. ”They still have three days to consider.”

”Three days is too short,” Nie Xuan replied without hesitation. ”Even if we anticipate the Super Item attracting players from other zones, it wouldn’t happen this quickly.”

Team Leader Wu sighed. ”Can we still treat this world as the same world from before?”

”The wormhole point we belong to is designated E27. There’s already evidence suggesting other wormhole points exist. If these points become interconnected in the future, the turmoil caused by this Super Item could affect the entire world’s destiny.”

”Humans don’t consider tiger cubs as threats, but they still cage them, slowly domesticating them and eradicating their wild nature. If a tiger cub eats a person during its growth, killing it becomes the inevitable choice.”

”We are currently that tiger cub.” Walking over and patting Nie Xuan’s shoulder, Team Leader Wu said, ”You need to understand. Go prepare.”

Nie Xuan silently watched him leave before sitting down at the conference table, his face dark as he stared at the doorway.

”Captain Nie!” Sima Xiao Er with his red hair hurried over. ”The notice you mentioned is ready. Should I post it on the forum?”

”No need.” Nie Xuan stood up and walked out of the conference room, quickly entering the elevator.

”Did higher-ups make other arrangements?” Sima Xiao Er followed behind him. ”Aren’t we looking for that player anymore?””There’s not enough time.” Nie Xuan pressed the button for basement level two. ”No need to waste effort searching for that player. He’s not a player originating from Zone 014.”

Sima Xiao Er opened his mouth to ask how he knew, but seeing his grim expression, swallowed his words.

The elevator quickly arrived at basement level two, where the research institute stored items.

After exiting, Nie Xuan signaled Sima Xiao Er not to follow and said to him, ”Go to the logistics department first thing tomorrow to get a train ticket into the game. After obtaining the return ticket, don’t rush back. Stay as long as you can.”

Sima Xiao Er looked completely bewildered, but before he could ask the reason, he saw him turn and leave.

The elevator doors closed. The fluorescent lights in the corridor lit up. Nie Xuan stood before the identification device at the entrance. After confirming his identity, he spoke: ”Nie Xuan, head of the Ting City branch of Vanguard Players, applies for C-grade special item ’Serial Killer Finger Claws’.”

*

”Looks like the only option is to hide in the game,” Huang Junjie said. ”If we obtain return tickets, players can remain in the game at least until the next dungeon time limit approaches.”

”Do even E-grade players like us need to hide?” Yuan Yao frowned. ”Entering the game carries high risks, and clearing it doesn’t guarantee obtaining a return ticket. Without a return ticket, you can’t come back.”

”You have extra train tickets. If it becomes unbearable, just proceed directly to the next dungeon,” Huang Junjie said. ”This could be a way to buy time.”

”Can we hide in remote mountains or places nobody knows about?” Yuan Yao asked hopefully. ”I want to bring my parents.”

”That’s also feasible,” Xu Huo nodded. ”Hide in smaller cities with fewer people.”

”Then I’ll make a call. Might as well return to my hometown to hide,” Yuan Yao said, getting up and heading to the balcony.

”Do you really plan to find some remote place to hide?” Huang Junjie looked at Xu Huo. ”Players from other zones might hunt Zone 014 players. Nowhere is truly safe.”

”Players from other zones are limited after all. Using train tickets still provides several days of dungeon buffer time. If we can completely resolve this problem within a short period, we might be able to turn the tide,” Xu Huo glanced at the time.

Completely resolve the problem?

Unless we hand over both the player and the Super Item together.

Is that possible?

”Being targeted by players from other zones is inevitable sooner or later. I’ve come to terms with it—just doing my best to protect myself is enough,” Huang Junjie couldn’t help but scratch his scabbed face.

Xu Huo looked at him. ”Has that layer of white scabs on your face receded?”

Huang Junjie nodded, then went to the room and brought out a cardboard box. ”As you suggested, I didn’t discard these scabs. Are they useful?”

”They’re all products of the game. They might come in handy someday,” Xu Huo took the box.

Huang Junjie looked thoughtful.

Yuan Yao returned to the living room at that moment. ”Brother Xu, I need to go.”

”I don’t have much capability, so I can only hide away. Brother Xu, you’re so skilled—entering dungeons shouldn’t be a problem for you. What Huang Junjie said makes sense; the game is definitely safer than outside.”

Xu Huo gave him two bottles of P0 potion. ”Be careful.”

Yuan Yao accepted them without ceremony.

After he left, Huang Junjie also prepared to take his leave. ”Xu Huo, hope we meet again someday.”

Shortly after they left, the door lock sounded again.

Yuan Yao and the others had left in a hurry earlier, and no one had mentioned the Painting Woman’s whereabouts. But she had taken the keys, so she had probably gone out shopping—her current favorite activity.

Hearing the door open, Xu Huo turned and first saw Yu Qingqing’s face.

He slightly frowned, but heard her say with a smile, ”Didn’t expect it, did you? I’m back.”

Just then, Yuan Yao sent a message: ”Brother Xu, forgot to tell you earlier—your cousin came. She went shopping with Lichun. They should be back soon.”

Xu Huo put down his phone, glanced at the Painting Woman behind her carrying numerous shopping bags with a wronged expression, then said, ”I’ll call your aunt later.”

Yu Qingqing pouted her red lips and sat down opposite him in a huff. ”And here I bought you clothes. Is this how you treat me?”

”Hey, you—if you want to be my cousin-in-law, hurry up,” she then directed the Painting Woman.

The Painting Woman quickly placed the bags on the sofa, precisely picked out a set of men’s clothing, held it up, and looked at Xu Huo with a somewhat pleading expression, her sparkling eyes seemingly asking if it looked good.

Xu Huo only glanced at it. ”A suit and tie in this sweltering heat? Are you insane?”

”You’re the insane one!” Yu Qingqing said irritably. ”Do you have any idea how expensive these two outfits are?”

”I don’t need clothes. Cash equivalent will do,” Xu Huo picked up the box containing the white scabs and headed toward the room. ”Lichun, come with me.”

Yu Qingqing glared at him angrily, kicked off her shoes, and ran to the bathroom.

The Painting Woman entered Xu Huo’s room, looking at him shyly, her large eyes blinking and sparkling.

Xu Huo stared at her for a second. ”Did you slightly adjust your face?”

The Painting Woman uncomfortably twisted her body, took out her phone, and typed: ”The previous face wasn’t pretty enough.”

”No need to be too pretty,” Xu Huo took out two aluminum cases from under the bed—leftover from when the Special Affairs Department had delivered items to him last time.

”Being too pretty draws too much attention.”

Something about these words struck a nerve with the Painting Woman. She blushed and nodded, then her facial features underwent subtle changes again. Generally similar to before, but not as striking as moments earlier.

Seeing that Xu Huo wasn’t looking at her, a hint of disappointment appeared on her face. She then leaned on the desk, watching him take things from the leather case and place them into the aluminum cases.

Besides one each of POT and P1A Syringe, there was a piece of Black Metal brought from Decibel Town, a bottle of soil, a piece of cloth covered in adhesive mucus, plus some of the white scabs.

But the Black Metal was taken out again after being placed inside.