Fang Shiqing's Invitation: [We]!

This was a cramped utility room, tiny and stuffed with all sorts of cleaning tools.

The space where one could stand was no more than half a meter.

Within this cramped half-meter space, Cheng Shi and Fang Shiqing stood face to face.

Fang Shiqing wore a smile, while Cheng Shi looked surprised.

"So the so-called 'fog of war' was actually to kidnap me?"

Cheng Shi eyed his surroundings with a strange expression, finding the small space to be a good hiding spot.

"That's not how the word 'kidnap' is used."

Fang Shiqing chuckled, placing her hands on Cheng Shi's arms to create a bit of distance between them, and explained seriously:

"Miss Clip was following too closely. This was the only way I could shake her off for a while."

"Huh? You call her Miss Clip too?"

Cheng Shi's eyes lit up, feeling like he'd found an ally.

"Of course. Enough small talk, we don't have much time. Cheng Shi, I have something to tell you."

"I like men, thank you." Cheng Shi's mouth moved faster than light.

"..."

Fang Shiqing was stunned at first, then burst into laughter:

"It's not what you think. No need to rush to refuse."

Hearing this, Cheng Shi breathed a huge sigh of relief:

"Thank goodness. Then I still like women."

"You... don't I have any appeal at all?"

"If you mean the kind of appeal Bailing has, then no, not really."

"...I won't joke with you anymore." Fang Shiqing wasn't annoyed at all. Her eyes fixed on Cheng Shi, her expression becoming quite serious as she said:

"Cheng Shi, I know you lied about your Ladder score, and I know you're very capable. But I won't pry into why you're hiding it. I just want to invite you to join us."

"Join you?"

Cheng Shi's smile gradually faded, his brow furrowing slightly as if he'd thought of something.

"Are you from the Reason Association?"

The Reason Association was an organization formed by players who gathered under the banner of [Truth] believers. The association's philosophy was to pursue the truth of the universe and explore the essence of deities.

Influenced by [Truth] and the "Tower of Reason" in the trial background, they possessed a fervent desire to know the origin of all things and the laws of the universe.

These people had become quite mad in their pursuit of knowledge about [Understanding Divine Power] and [Becoming a Deity], completely abandoning reason.

In fact, there were many other player organizations like the Reason Association, such as the "Order Alliance," "Nature Sect," "History School," and so on.

The fundamental reason for the existence of these organizations was the innate desire for survival and power among humans who were forced to become [Players].

Thus, they spontaneously gathered together, tirelessly cooperating to improve themselves.

Since Fang Shiqing was a believer in [Truth], Cheng Shi naturally thought of the Reason Association first.

However, Fang Shiqing shook her head and sighed:

"The Reason Association has abandoned reason. They'll do anything to become gods. Rather than believing in [Truth], they're more like believers in [Filth Fall], followers of [Foolishness]. They unleash their ambition, expand their desires, and have long since stepped outside the bounds of normal people, becoming incomprehensible lunatics...

And we are not like that.

Cheng Shi, do you remember your home?"

Fang Shiqing's sudden earnestness made Cheng Shi a little flustered.

How to put it? If you considered the utility room of the orphanage as home, then yes, he remembered.

After all, the current scene evoked memories; this small space was similar to where he lived as a child.

Seeing Cheng Shi's lack of reaction, Fang Shiqing continued:

"Everyone has a warm family, loved ones who care about them.

But after They descended, everyone lost their beautiful lives.

The [Faith Game] shattered the world and pushed hundreds of millions of compatriots to the brink of a cliff."

Her tone grew somber, and the hand gripping Cheng Shi's sleeve tensed.

"Cheng Shi, not everyone can win trial after trial like you and I.

Can score 2000 points.

Can get S-rank talents.

Can strive to survive.

Many people... take one wrong step and fall into the abyss, and even more have already fallen beneath it.

But is it their fault?"

They were just innocent people, struggling to survive, compromising to get by, only to be branded as 'God-forsaken' even after death.

And among these people were your family, my family, those who love you, and those who love me."

Fang Shiqing gave a bitter smile, then rallied her spirits and continued:

"Is there truly no way to avoid all of this?

In the face of the Deities, are everything we love and wish to protect destined to be lost?

No!

Any human with flesh, blood, bones, and spirit would never allow this to happen!

Therefore, we were born!

We gather together, utilizing all the power we can, uniting all friends we can ally with, to protect all that is beautiful and needs protecting!

We bow to accept Their blessings, and we raise our heads to challenge Their authority;

We turn our backs to entrust ourselves to each other, and we vow to protect our friends' trust with our lives;

We forge weapons into new city walls, and we venture into the darkness to spread the light of hope.

This is us!

For the sake of those behind us whom we wish to protect, we must stand up!

Cheng Shi, do you... understand?

This is... us.

A group of fighters attempting to resist the [Divine Majesty], a group of madmen whose hearts still yearn for 'beauty'.

To achieve all this, we crawl in the darkness, never revealing ourselves easily.

But you, Cheng Shi, I think you are worth the risk for me.

Now, I solemnly invite you to join us, will you...

be willing?"

Cheng Shi listened silently to Fang Shiqing's words, his face blending into the shadows, offering no comment.

Fang Shiqing desperately wanted to see some emotional fluctuation on his face, but clearly, she failed.

Cheng Shi remained silent for a long while, then a slight smile curved his lips, and he retorted playfully:

"After all that, may I ask, Ms. Fire Keeper, can you tell me if you are a City Defender or a City Builder?"

"!!??"

Fang Shiqing's eyes snapped wide open, she looked at Cheng Shi in disbelief, suppressing her shock and forcing her voice down as she exclaimed:

"You know about us? You..."

She immediately thought of something, the shock and hope in her eyes vanished, instantly replaced by deep regret, and she pursed her lips with a wry smile:

"It seems you've already refused us..."

Cheng Shi's expression was extremely unnatural, he shook his head slightly:

"No, no one has ever invited me before, you're the first."

Fang Shiqing's expression became even more shocked, she looked up and said in surprise:

"Impossible, a Player who hasn't been contacted by a Fire Keeper cannot know about us! Where did you find out?"

"Where did I find out?"

Cheng Shi's gaze suddenly became deep and distant, his sight passing over Fang Shiqing's hair to the darkness behind her. He didn't know which memory surfaced as he sighed with immense desolation:

"Yeah, where did I find out?

Probably from some fool.

Tell me, how can someone risk their life for a stranger?"

"Why not?" Fang Shiqing's gaze suddenly became firm, she said solemnly:

"The Fire Keepers spare no cost, especially their own lives, for everything they wish to protect."

"Are strangers considered 'beauty' by you?"

"Perhaps not mine, but it must be his, the 'beauty' in the eyes of... that Fire Keeper you met..."

Fang Shiqing's tone was filled with a romanticism that defied death, even Cheng Shi, who was never serious, was slightly moved.

"I see..."

He shook his head, a smile finally reappearing on his face. He looked up into Fang Shiqing's eyes, gazing at those eyes filled with the light of hope, finding them so... bright.

Even in the mist, even in the dim storage room, they were still so bright.

"I remember you now, Ms. City Defender."

Fang Shiqing was slightly taken aback, surprised that he had managed to discern her identity through his words, but she didn't care.

"So, what is your answer this time?"

"More importantly, I want to ask why you're interested in me? I've never thought of myself as a good person," Cheng Shi said, shrugging.

Fang Shiqing gave a gentle smile. "'Good person' is too heavy a term for these times. We never hope to meet a good person, only that our companions aren't bad people."

"How do you know I'm not a bad person?"

Fang Shiqing released her left hand, which had been gripping Cheng Shi's sleeve, and pointed to her ear.

"The S-rank Singer talent, 'Moving Heartstrings,' allows me to hear the music played by everyone's inner voice. I'm all too familiar with the melodies of evil people. You, you aren't one of them."

"?" Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow and asked with considerable curiosity, "Then what kind of person am I?"

"Hmm... very strange, very unrestrained, very deep, but not dark."

Cheng Shi pondered for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Sorry, I'm laughing because you heard wrong."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chop landed on Fang Shiqing's neck before she could react.

"Bang!"

"You..."

Fang Shiqing's eyes widened for a split second before she instantly closed her eyelids and passed out.

Cheng Shi rubbed his hand and looked at the woman with wavy hair who had fallen into his arms, saying with an unreadable tone:

"Those who stand in the light should be even less inclined to trust those in the darkness. Besides, those who stand in the darkness are usually not human."

"But still... thank you."

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, scooped Fang Shiqing into his arms, pushed open the door to the utility room, and walked out.