Although You're Socially Dead, I'm Still Pulling Pranks

The Rose Army, an Outland resistance force that has been active since the era of the Frostplate Republic. It is the largest and most influential, and at one point even came close to success.

Throughout history, all those who have resisted the Four Nations have not fared well.

Either they are ruthlessly torn apart by the state machine, or they briefly achieve success before rapidly falling into Depravity, becoming the very bureaucrats they once fought and resented.

Li Aoz does not subscribe to the notion that the dragon slayer will eventually become a dragon. He firmly believes in a predetermined Fate, that certain people are destined to do certain things, and their outcomes are already set.

The Rose Army's ability to achieve considerable success is actually due to the unwavering struggle of its three generations of leaders.

Even though the Warriors of the Rose Army are great and valiant, if the leadership forgets their original intentions, the cause of resisting such a behemoth as the Four Nations cannot continue.

Although the Rose Army also underwent changes in its later stages, it proved one point: to eliminate the Four Nations with absolute violence, and then let new life bloom on its ruins—this route is absolutely foolproof.

Janelia, an Esha Infected who doesn't look very old, speaks with eloquence and accuracy, and is practically a civilizational ambassador.

In reality, she is a resistance Warrior raised from a young age in the Rose Army's base, and her combat power is quite considerable.

"Comrade? Really?"

The girl, who calls herself Nomi, shrugged, a look of disdain appearing in her purple monocular eye:

"You haven't contacted me for two years, and now you come looking for me when a battle breaks out. How am I supposed to not think you're deliberately using me as a pawn?"

"I don't deny that there is indeed that need."

Li Aoz stated calmly:

"I was also pleasantly surprised to find a Comrade of the Rose Army here, but the most important thing right now is to preserve our lives."

"You're pretty straightforward."

The girl lay on her back on the ground, yawned, and said casually:

"Haa... A few words won't convince me, even if you really are a member of the Rose Army. You've been cooperating with the Nethermark Humanity's dog Doctors for experiments these past few days, which isn't a good look—but, you're also a pragmatic person. So, what do you want?"

"I want you, Nelia."

Bang! Nelia punched the bulletproof glass, gave Li Aoz the middle finger, and cursed: "Don't be so (quality Frostplate) cheesy! Damn, what do you think I am, some little girl? That's disgusting!"

Li Aoz didn't mind. It might sound a bit presumptuous, but with his high Charm stat, even if he threw away a used lipstick, men would fight over it.

Speaking of which, the proportion of women in Frostplate is too high, making it difficult to find a reliable male teammate.

It's not out of misogyny. Li Aoz's journey ahead will be long, and men's bodies are sturdier and more resilient, and they won't complain about doing physical labor like beasts of burden.

On the other hand, the Starcaller is a solo career, and managing a faction would be a waste of energy. Li Aoz's plan is to recruit only a small number of teammates and form an Elite group. In comparison, men are more suitable for joining the team.

Moreover, according to official data, due to the influence of culture, economy, War, and politics, the proportion of men among the Awakened is always overwhelmingly higher than that of women. Recruiting more male Awakened into the team won't attract attention.

Li Aoz stopped talking and quietly watched her, waiting for a response.

"—Tch!"

The girl crossed her arms and said with dissatisfaction:

"You just need a coolie, don't make it sound like human trafficking—then it's settled. You let me out, and I'll be your hired gun."

"It's not to be a thug, it's to protect my personal safety." Li Aoz said, "Just think of it as being my bodyguard."

"Dream on, trying to trick me into working for free, huh? I spit on that! Let me make it clear, once we get to the Rose Army's base, we're parting ways!"

"Alright."

Li Aoz didn't bother with the nonsense, pressed on the door lock, gravity inverted, and the door unsealed.

The next moment, the door was violently kicked open, and a petite figure, like a female leopard, instantly broke free, darting past Li Aoz's ribs. While escaping, she turned back and playfully tugged at her eyelid, mocking, "Neener neener neener—did you really think I'd obediently listen to a stranger? This girl's leaving, bye-bye to you!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and ran wildly, only to realize that the environment in front of her seemed a bit off.

It seemed the more she ran forward, the farther her feet were from the ground. After a few steps, her body suddenly lost its balance and crashed onto the ceiling.

Thwack! "Ouch!"

She rubbed her face, her mask had been flung off, and muttered as she stood up:

"That hurt, damn it—what the hell is going on? This is really messed up. How did I end up on the ceiling?"

Nelia suddenly came to her senses, her foot was stepping on a hot light bulb, and she quickly retracted her bare foot. She looked up, and Li Aoz was "upside down," arms crossed, looking back at her.

"Am I that scary? So eager to get away from me?"

Li Aoz said calmly, "Why don't you keep running?"

"Uh... Hehehe hahaha, look at you joking, with your upright appearance, dignified temperament, as quiet as a secluded orchid, as graceful as a virgin, enough to make flowers blush and the moon hide, a light breeze and faint clouds, how could I find you scary?"

Nelia chuckled obsequiously, slowly approaching Li Aoz, and suddenly threw a punch: "I'm gonna beat you to death, you (civilized Frostplate)!"

Li Aoz remained unmoved, a golden halo lighting up in his eyes, and then gravity shifted again. Before Nelia's fierce punch could arrive, she was sucked away as if by the end of the corridor, falling towards Li Aoz, her body slamming hard against the door.

"Ouch, ouch—that hurt!"

The door was deformed by the impact, Nelia coughed incessantly, rubbing her spine, struggling to get up from the door.

Li Aoz leisurely came to her again, and Nelia immediately tried to punch him again. Li Aoz unceremoniously kicked the door lock, stopping her movement: "Just now, you were fifteen meters away from this door, which, converted, is equivalent to the height of a 5-story building. It's a light thing that you didn't break any bones."

Even though he had lost the [Bodyguard] skill, his high [Charm] attribute of 20 points made his words full of influence: "And this door is a full 120 meters away from the end of the next passage. Do you want to experience the feeling of falling from the top of a skyscraper? Friendly reminder, falling from this height, even if there's water below, it's no different from a steel plate."

"I haven't been to school much, but I vaguely remember, h = (1/2)gt², that is: height H, equals one-half of the gravitational acceleration G multiplied by the square of time T."

"With an initial velocity of 0, and g taken as 9.8 meters per second squared, ignoring air resistance, you can estimate that the time from your fall to landing is less than 5 seconds."

Li Aoz lightly dodged the opponent's two attacks, walking along the walls and ceiling as if on flat ground. After circling around, he held out his hand, holding up five fingers:

"5 seconds, that's how short the time is."

"A lovely girl like you, you'll be directly smashed into a pile of mush."

"You terrorist! Scumbag! Hypocritical beast in human clothing! I curse you! You (civilized Frostplate) idiot (purified society), I will definitely first (harmonious society)! Did you hear me!"

Nelia gritted her teeth, her petite body trembling slightly, the thick door beneath her seeming no longer safe, each deformation emitting a creaking sound, as if a call came from the depths of hell.

She couldn't hit him, couldn't touch him, her fate was completely controlled by the other party.

What kind of ability does this guy have?

Even if the dog doctors keep saying he's a Level 5 Infected—it shouldn't be this mysterious, right?

"Gulu..."

A hint of red-black flickered in her light purple, single eye: "Sooner or later, I'll kill you!"

"Is that so."

Li Aoz made a gesture to kick open the door lock:

"Then I'm opening the door."

"—Damn it!"

Nelia quickly closed her eyes, screaming shrilly: "Mommy! Murder! Someone's publicly torturing a beautiful girl! Is there any justice? Is there any law? Is there any legal system left?! Wuwuwu, I haven't eaten so many things yet, chocolate pudding, red bean bread, mango juice, apple pie, crispy fried chicken, cupcakes, beef pies, cheese pizza, supreme beef steak, frosted milkshakes—ahhhh, I don't want to die!"

She cried and shouted for a long time, but the expected ending of being torn to pieces and turned into a meat paste did not occur.

"Eh?"

She suddenly realized something, quietly opened a slit in her eyes, and jumped up in surprise: "I'm still alive? Yay!"

"Yes, congratulations." Li Aoz's voice slowly came: "That crying and shouting, it can be said to be loud, very loud. Although you didn't experience biological death, I recommend you look around."

"Ah?"

Nelia suddenly realized something and turned her head stiffly.

What came into view were several medical staff members who had appeared at some point, as well as the Infected gathered here. They might have been hiding from the bandits' invasion, but at this moment, they were all attracted by Nelia's loud commotion, staring at the girl sitting on the ground with a dazed and strange expression.

Nelia's exposed skin visibly turned red and hot. She quickly covered her face wrapped in bandages.

It turned out that she disliked these bandages for being too tight and not breathable, but now she wished the doctor would wrap her up a few hundred more times, no, she might as well find a building and jump off!

"Don't worry, although you've suffered social death, you put on a good show."

Li Aoz patted the other party's shoulder, and whispered in her ear: "Come with me, at least I won't harm you. Nethermark Humanity lost a lot of people in this war, maybe it's a good opportunity."

"Don't talk to me, quickly get me out of here!"

Nelia covered her head and pleaded urgently: "Quickly say that I was beaten by you with an iron rod just now!"

"So you agree to work with me? Comrade."

"I agree! Just take me away, you—uh, what's your name?"

"Li Aoz." He grabbed the back of Nelia's neck like picking up a kitten, and said casually, "Then what should I call you?"

"Nomi! If you dare say the three words Nelia again, I'll bite your head off!"