Chu Ci

"Have no idea."

Faced with Bai Zhi's question, the man finally sighed.

"... have no idea?"

Bai Zhi frowned slightly.

"In his final moments, Elder Xu took that entire place into another dimension, a bizarre area that we are absolutely unable to explore at present... Even if one doesn't die in such a place, staying there for a long time will gradually corrupt one."

As if he had remembered something, the man's tone became rather somber.

"It's because of your Special relationship with Elder Xu that I specifically came to extend this invitation to you... However, I personally respect your choice."

"You know about the existence of Fallen Species?"

Bai Zhi keenly noticed certain words in the man's words.

"It seems you've already encountered such a being."

The man looked up and glanced at him.

"The so-called Fallen Species are Monster minds and bodies have become mutated. Because they are transformed from Player, they also possess all the characteristics of Player. In the end, they are no different from those Criminal Player driven by Strength and desire, and the latter are even more evil."

Is there a way to identify them?

Bai Zhi's thoughts raced through the six Player he had encountered during his last mission, and he asked the man in front of him a question.

"Them? Unless they deliberately expose themselves, the only option is probably to kill them. They'll reveal their true forms after they die."

The man answered these questions casually, as they were not particularly important.

"... A corpse?... That makes sense. After Fallen Species dies, it's naturally impossible for their corpse to be human..."

Bai Zhi let out a breath and nodded.

He finally realized which of his six Teammate was the Fallen Species.

"Alright, have you made your choice? Do you want to join the Night Watcher Organization?"

The man smiled and spoke.

"After joining the Night Watcher Organization, you will gain access to a large amount of resources, but you will also have to shoulder some responsibilities. The choice is yours."

"... I'm not used to being restricted."

After a moment of silence, Bai Zhi shook his head.

There are too many things about me that I can't explain. Putting aside that Land Deed, my Sanity Value, which is displayed as???, is not something I can show to anyone. It's better for me to be alone.

"In that case, let's leave it at that. Hopefully, we'll have the opportunity to cooperate in the future."

With a nonchalant smile, the man reached out, took out a business card, placed it on the table, and handed it over.

"Player of similar Level will easily be matched into the same mission. This is my business card. If you encounter any problems in the future, feel free to call me for help... We share common Trait, and I look forward to cooperating with you."

"A business card? Uh... Chu Ci!?"

Slightly curious, Bai Zhi took the business card and glanced at it. When he saw the contents recorded on the card, he was completely stunned.

This wasn't the first time he'd seen the name Chu Ci. A double PhD in mathematics and physics, a Legendary early-game Big Shot, one of the founders of the official organization "Relevant Department," and the Player, before him, had also completed that Hell Town game with Perfect progress...

It's safe to say that any Player who has ever been to Auction House or auction Plaza will be familiar with the name Chu Ci.

So, how did you, a Big Shot since the server launch, come to think that Newbie like me, who just reached level six, could be matched with you in the same mission?

"..."

With a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, Bai Zhi looked up at the front of him, somewhat speechless. However, just as he was about to explain away any possible misunderstandings, he discovered that the man who had been sitting opposite him had disappeared without him noticing.

A private two-person ward in the city hospital.

"Doggy, I really shouldn't have gotten involved in your mess. This time I've really lost out big time."

Wearing a Patient Uniform, Xia Wen lay sprawled on the hospital bed, looking utterly dejected.

"So, after what's happened, you've decided to still pursue him? I hope you think it through carefully. Perhaps his approach is the right one. For us, staying away is the best protection."

"Hmph, once I've made up my mind about something, I'll never give up easily. I'll never admit defeat."

Clutching her pillow and lying face down on the bed, Lin Xiaoyi let out a soft hum.

"Thinking about it now, those things weren't so scary after all. Compared to spiders and flies, they weren't so bad..."

"Yes, yes, there was nothing scary about it. I wonder which one of them was so frightened that she cried in my arms. It's so strange, who was that person? It's a pity I forgot to take a picture with my phone, otherwise I could have used the photo to blackmail her into doing some naughty things."

Xia Wen looked regretful.

"If I had those photos, I could get her to treat me to dinner every day."

"... I'll treat you another day."

"A meal?"

"Forget about it for a week."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"..."

"Alright, let's get back to the main topic."

Xia Wen sat up in bed, his face serious.

"You'd better think this through. If you want to continue getting close to him, or even pursuing him, then you'll inevitably have to deal with these strange things in the future. Are you sure you can handle that?"

"... True love conquers all."

After a moment of silence, Lin Xiaoyi buried her face in the pillow and spoke in a muffled voice.

"We only personally experienced this one Anomaly Incident, and under strict protection at that. He didn't just experience an Anomaly, he faced it head-on... He didn't back down. If I backed down, I wouldn't be worthy of him."

"You're just stupid!!"

Xia Wen looked at him with a face full of disappointment and frustration.

"It was just one Hero rescuing a damsel in distress, and you've already fallen deeply in love? This time, it wasn't him who saved us!!"

"Stop joking around. It was our fault for wanting to investigate the other party... Speaking of which, weren't you the one who suggested coming here to investigate him this weekend?"

Lin Xiaoyi turned her head to look at Xia Wen.

"Who do you think I'm doing this for? Isn't it all for you?"

Sitting cross-legged on the bed with his arms crossed, Xia Wen let out a cold snort.

"Let me put it this way, you're lying in the hospital right now, but does he even know? He almost lost his life, and he's still thinking about whether he's good enough for him. If he's so capable, he should show himself in front of us right now..."

"Excuse me."

Before Xia Wen could finish speaking, someone pushed the door open and entered.

Xia Wen: "..."