Someone in my police station! Is there someone in the hospital?

"No! Can you at least be mindful of appearances!"

Lu Ce quickly pulled his leg back as he looked at Xie Antong, whose eyes had lit up and she was starting to take advantage.

He had originally wanted to test the waters, especially since his condition in the game had been quite terrifying, and that leg had been amputated.

But judging by her reaction, the girl in front of him probably hadn't happened to see him in his initial game state.

"People are best at projecting themselves onto others. You say you were chosen but chose to hide it; are you actually talking about yourself?"

Lu Ce didn't dwell on his own issue, instead shifting the topic to her.

But to his surprise, after staring into his eyes for a moment, Xie Antong nodded seriously.

"Yes."

Lu Ce: ?!

Wait, you're just going to tell me that?

Xie Antong glanced around. Her classmates were all chatting amongst themselves, no one paying attention to the two of them. She turned her head away from Lu Ce and whispered, "In a completely unknown world, being the 'minority,' it's best not to be too conspicuous. Observing the world's situation first is perfectly normal."

Suddenly, Xie Antong changed the subject. "So, for the second game in two days, are you choosing to participate?"

Lu Ce's mouth twitched at her words.

So you're just assuming I'm also a chosen one, huh? I haven't even admitted it!

Not waiting for a response, Xie Antong proactively said, "No matter what you think, I suggest you don't participate! Wait for now!"

"The temptation to change your fate is immense, I know. If you have the chance, you won't miss it."

"However, our country's internet regulation is very strong. During such major upheavals, to maintain stability, many news and information have not been released."

"I was one of the first 'audience members.' Last night, after a brief moment of shock, I made a complete record."

"I watched over a hundred game streams. There were all sorts of people, facing different or similar scenarios."

"Some scenes were very brutal, not present on the internet at all. Those trials disregarded all modern moral and legal standards."

As she spoke, Xie Antong's face turned slightly pale, as if recalling some unpleasant memories.

"I even saw one player actually die in that game!"

"If the game is another world, and time and space are continuous with the real world, meaning players are directly transported…"

"Then, can they still live?"

Lu Ce: ……

Xie Antong quietly stared at Lu Ce's profile, speaking earnestly, making Lu Ce feel inexplicably a little guilty.

Because Lu Ce was the person who knew best about what she was saying; he was a firsthand witness!

He had even experienced the most brutal and bizarre trials in this world. He understood the danger and bloodshed better than anyone.

"……Thank you."

Actually, Lu Ce could vaguely guess why his wealthy deskmate wanted to approach him.

It was probably just a pampered young lady who, upon arriving in a new environment, found that a poor boy was different from the sycophants around her. He didn't fawn over her or care about her, so she became curious.

What else could it be? Teenage girls are just like that.

But he still thanked her.

A gentleman judges actions, not intentions.

"Sigh, I hope you consider it carefully." Xie Antong didn't know if Lu Ce had taken her words to heart, so she could only sigh and started scrolling through videos on her phone, looking at the latest news.

People walked back and forth outside the corridor. Occasionally, some students left. Lu Ce even saw the figures of police officers.

The internet was filled with all sorts of speculation, but as time went on, the credibility of much of the information became highly questionable.

Many self-media outlets, desperate for traffic, were going crazy, saying anything to grab attention. Some even claimed that in-game personnel had gained superpowers, and the strongest among them could now create nuclear bombs with their bare hands.

Lu Ce: How come I don't know I'm that awesome?

His own assessment was that ordinary, normal humans were no match for him bare-handed, but with firearms… he would still surely die.

He was still too weak; he was nowhere near the point where personal strength could provide him with a sense of security…

The first day of global change passed just like that. Lu Ce, alone on his way home, found a deserted spot and quietly looked at a wall.

Using the knuckle of his right fist, he forcefully punched the exposed corner of the wall.

With a dull thud, the brick and stone directly shattered at a corner, and a few pieces of gravel fell.

Lu Ce put a lot of force into this punch, to the extent that a red bloody imprint instantly appeared on his entire fist.

Even the edge of his knuckle was scraped, and a little blood seeped out.

Looking at his fist, Lu Ce frowned slightly. He didn't feel any pain, nor did he know what level of pain this should be. However, the stat-up mechanism of the Chosen of Suffering did not appear.

"Is the pain level not high enough, or is there some kind of restriction…"

This stat-up from the Chosen of Suffering was his greatest reliance, allowing him to pass the initial game and temporarily secure the world's number one ranking.

He needed to figure out the mechanism of that thing as soon as possible. Having a cheat but not knowing how to use it would just make him a joke.

He punched the wall a few more times, but still no sound of pain points being added. Behind him, however, a voice that annoyed him somewhat spoke up.

"What? Depressed? Starting to take it out on the walls?"

"Do you have to do everything a brainless villain would do just to prove how stupid you are?" Lu Ce punched the wall again with force, sending several small stones flying. He turned to look at Zhang Tao.

Zhang Tao had enjoyed special treatment all day, feeling high and mighty. He was already fantasizing about his future life as someone superior, and couldn't resist belittling the guy who had previously embarrassed him.

But Lu Ce's punch cooled his heated heart a little. He said with a sneer, trying to sound tough:

"You even deliberately showed up late this morning, trying to make everyone think you've been chosen?"

"How many people have been chosen in the whole world? The Chosen Paradise, even your own parents didn't choose you, so why do you think you'd be chosen by God?"

Lu Ce had no intention of responding. He pried half a brick from the already broken wall with his bare hands and calmly walked towards the other guy.

"Did you forget what I told you when I beat you up back then?"

"What do you want?" Zhang Tao suddenly took a step back, fearfully picking up a bike lock from nearby.

He had spent the entire day immersed in the world's great changes, the fact that he had become a darling overnight, gaining superpowers and all that.

He had forgotten that he didn't have superpowers yet! He couldn't beat the person in front of him.

"I'm telling you, our statuses are different now. Even if I kill you, I won't be held responsible."

"Don't come any closer! I'm telling you, I have connections in the police station!"

"Oh? Did your dad get arrested for soliciting prostitutes?" Lu Ce retorted expressionlessly, having already reached Zhang Tao.

The hell, arrested for soliciting prostitutes! Zhang Tao was stunned.

The two stared at each other. All of Zhang Tao's previous confidence had vanished, replaced by pure fear.

Ever since he was beaten up in high school, he hadn't dared to provoke Lu Ce. But he had never been this scared before.

He looked into Lu Ce's eyes and felt his legs go weak. Eyes that have killed are different.

"F*** you!" In his extreme fear, Zhang Tao cursed loudly to bolster his courage, waving the bike lock around wildly.

Lu Ce had gotten into countless fights since he was a child. With a casual block, he used his wrist to knock the bike lock away.

[Chosen of Suffering! Suffering Value +1!]

"Huh?"

Lu Ce froze for a moment. Hearing the long-absent voice in his mind, he seemed to recall something, and a twisted smile spread across his face.

"I think I understand something. Thank you."

"Also, you mentioned you had connections in the police station earlier. Do you have anyone in the hospital?"

"If not, that's fine. Soon you will~"