A Simple Novice Quest

The torrential rain seemed as if it would never cease. Inside a dilapidated villa nestled in the mountains, the flickering firelight mingled with the savory aroma of roasting meat.

"You say you've already solved the puzzle!?"

Following Bai Zhi's declaration, not only did Beard Guy's gaze lock onto him, but Temperance Gentleheart and Night Owl also found their eyes drawn to him involuntarily.

"That's right, I have solved the puzzle."

Setting the brush back into the seasoning jar, Bai Zhi looked up.

"In truth, from the very beginning, I have been pondering a question in my heart: what is the actual meaning behind the Novice Quest? Is it merely a pointless adventure, or is it some form of test for Player Qualification?"

"A test?"

Temperance Gentleheart was slightly taken aback.

"Exactly. Don't you feel that you've learned many lessons during this Novice Quest?"

Bai Zhi glanced at her, his face filled with disdain.

"While it's true that Night Owl is timid, she's useless. While it's true she didn't help much, she's dim-witted. While it's true she's been deceiving herself by refusing to face reality, she is at least obedient. Unlike you? Look at the state you've ended up in now..."

"Are you trying to compliment me..."

Night Owl's mouth twitched violently.

"Being meticulous, earnest, and not overlooking a single detail—this is the first component of this test, and the first pass required to become an Official Player. Yet, you haven't managed a single one. Mere surface-level composure is useless."

Bai Zhi ignored Night Owl entirely.

"..."

Recalling the two times she had been attacked, Temperance Gentleheart fell into a momentary, silent stupor.

"Then what is the second part of the test?"

As he stripped off his uncomfortable, sodden outer garment, Beard Guy couldn't help but ask.

"It's also quite simple: whether you can muster the courage to face it."

At this point, Bai Zhi cast an extra glance at Night Owl.

"Launch Players shouldn't have the luxury of renting equipment like you do, yet they still manage to clear their Novice Quests, don't they?"

"So, what exactly is the answer to the puzzle?"

Frowning slightly, Beard Guy didn't grasp the point the other was trying to make, so he simply brushed it aside and asked for the answer directly.

"You mentioned earlier that the Sealed Right Hand might not be in the villa, but if it isn't here, where else could it be?"

"Oh, that Sealed Right Hand should be in another world."

While eating the roasted meat, Bai Zhi answered quite casually.

"Let's make an assumption. If you hadn't rented that life-saving equipment, then when Temperance Gentleheart was attacked at the start, she should have simply vanished... Mind you, not died. If there were a guaranteed death trigger, the difficulty of this Novice Quest would be far too high for ordinary people like us."

"So, I actually saved the wrong person back then?"

After hearing Bai Zhi's words, Beard Guy's expression looked rather unpleasant.

"Meh~ think what you want. But if you hadn't saved her back then, she would have been dragged by that hand into the Mirror Space of this villa."

Bai Zhi shrugged indifferently.

"The final missing piece, the Sealed Right Hand, should be inside that Mirror Space. In fact, we should have deduced the existence of the Mirror Space long ago. After all, those dragged into that space don't die; instead, they play a game of Hide and Seek with the Vengeful Spirit hiding there while communicating with us. Then, both sides work together to find all the body fragments and burn them to clear the stage... That should be the official script for this entire scenario."

"But that is just your speculation, isn't it?"

Beard Guy snorted coldly.

"Hmph, merely the wisdom of mortals."

Having donned a pair of glasses at some point and pulled an Apple from his Inventory, Bai Zhi sneered.

"There is an hour and a half left until dawn. Do you think we can hold out for this final hour and a half? As long as the probability of something is greater than 50%, it is worth the gamble."

"...Fine, then what do you suggest we do next?"

Struggling to calm his emotions, Beard Guy spoke.

"Because of your completely unsubstantiated deduction, we have to risk our lives to actively enter this so-called Mirror Space? You've seen the state Temperance Gentleheart is in; what if that really is a guaranteed death flag?"

"That is precisely why I asked if you were willing to trust me."

While eating the Apple, Bai Zhi looked innocent.

"If you are willing to trust me, then give me the remaining two Subordinate Bodies you have, and I will enter that Mirror Space to search for the final piece of the puzzle."

"Wait, have you lost your mind!?"

Before the stunned Beard Guy could speak, Night Owl interjected urgently.

"If your deduction is wrong, then you will..."

"The essence of the Novice Quest is merely a test. If no accidents occur, the test isn't that difficult. Since I am the one who proposed this hypothesis, it is only natural that I should be the one to see it through."

Standing up, Bai Zhi looked at Beard Guy.

"I don't know the exact situation inside the Mirror Space, and since we don't have much time left, I need the two Subordinate Bodies you have remaining as insurance."

"..."

After a moment of wordless silence, Beard Guy took a deep breath and stood up as well.

"Then I'll go in with you; having an extra person means an extra layer of prot..."

"That's impossible. You need to stay here to look after them, and this side needs someone to keep watch as well."

Shaking his head, Bai Zhi cut him off directly.

"As time passes, the chill surrounding us has grown deeper and deeper, which means that Vengeful Spirit is gradually breaking its restrictions. Temperance Gentleheart has basically lost the ability to move; if you come in with me, everyone outside will definitely die."

"..."

Night Owl opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but when her gaze touched the dark corners of the surroundings, she bit her lip and slowly lowered the hand she had intended to raise.

"But if you go alone... I understand."

Exhaling, Beard Guy took the remaining two Subordinate Bodies out of his Inventory without hesitation and handed them over.

"Then I'll leave it to you."