Lin Zhao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Lin Zhao (林昭)
Alias(es)	Xiao Zhao
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Ancient Shadow Record Game Company; Administrator Department, Group 7
Occupation/Role	Newcomer administrator; player guide
First Appearance	1

Background / History

Lin Zhao joined the company in the same newcomer intake as Zhang Anzai. Early in her employment, she had slightly better matchmaking luck than him, though both struggled under the company’s survival-based performance quotas. She worked as an administrator, monitoring and guiding players through instances while trying to earn enough working time to avoid being “laid off.” 1 5

She was previously a programmer before joining the company. Her blunt, practiced way of insulting others suggests that she was an experienced trash-talker even before entering the company. 5 6

By the time of the newcomer performance meeting, Lin Zhao had completed half of her probation requirements. She needed five more mid-tier evaluation instances to qualify as a formal employee and was considered one of the stronger newcomers, despite Zhang Anzai eventually surpassing her performance. 36

Appearance

Lin Zhao has long, ink-black hair and is usually seen in the company’s standard employee uniform. Her voice is described as crisp and hushed. 1

• Long, ink-black hair. 1
• Wears the company-issued commuter-style uniform. 30
• Often appears tired from overwork, meetings, and late-night habits. 8 9

Personality

Lin Zhao is candid, sarcastic, and easily exasperated by incompetent players, workplace hypocrisy, and Zhang Anzai’s habit of overworking himself. Her sharp tongue does not prevent her from being considerate; she regularly checks on Zhang’s condition, brings him food, offers to lend him Employee Points, and saves him training-room space. 7 26 27

She is hardworking despite her complaints. Zhang’s increasingly intense work habits motivate her to become even more diligent, and she continues to guide difficult players even when doing so requires costly support items. 12 33

Lin Zhao also takes her players’ survival personally. Behind her harsh combat coaching is genuine concern for martial artists she knows, whom she does not want to see die in the Reflected World. 34

Abilities & Skills

Martial-Arts Knowledge and Instruction

Lin Zhao possesses substantial knowledge of martial-arts forms, footwork, weapon handling, and combat timing. She can identify flaws in a fighter’s fundamentals and provide immediate corrections during combat. 12 33 34

• Guided Big Brother through a fight with a Skeleton General using commands such as “Wrap the head,” “Point! Circle!,” and “Step, parry! Sweep!” 33 34
• Helped him parry a heavy broadsword strike, sever the Skeleton General’s wrist, and finish the battle. 33 34
• Criticized a saber user’s weak backhand, imprecise forehand, loose footwork, and slow reactions. 12
• Encourages players with martial-arts backgrounds to resume training, viewing their skills as a major advantage in instances. 34

Player Guidance

As an administrator, Lin Zhao monitors instances, purchases support services, and communicates tactical advice to players.

• Used the Free Communication Spell, costing 100 Employee Points per use, to directly coach Big Brother during an instance. 33
• Helped a player in the Ghost Market settle a debt by having him keep Grandmother Hu San company; the player received forgiveness and a Class C Soldier-Assisting Formula. 12
• Can become frustrated when players disregard training or repeatedly require rescue. 33 34

Equipment / Items

• Half-burned ancient book — Kept beneath her pillow; she uses the player shop to buy additional copies for the martial artists she guides. 34
• Free Communication Spell — A 100-point administrator support service enabling unrestricted communication with a player. 33

Relationships

• Zhang Anzai — Colleague from the same newcomer intake. She worries about his health and overwork, brings him meals, offers practical help, and shares workplace frustrations with him. Their rapport is marked by teasing, mutual support, and occasional envy of each other’s performance. 1 7 9 26 27
• Big Brother — A player she guides and mentors in martial arts. She scolds him for neglecting practice but makes clear that she wants him to survive the Reflected World. 33 34
• Sister Wang — A senior administrator from Group 4 whom Lin Zhao introduces to Zhang Anzai for guidance on the binding feature. 10
• Dog-Head Team Leader — Her group’s supervisor, whose constant barking orders she mocks with Zhang Anzai. 1 8

Story Role / Major Arcs

Newcomer Administrator

Lin Zhao is introduced as Zhang Anzai’s nearby coworker during his final five hours of remaining working time. She immediately recognizes the severity of his situation and later celebrates when he survives. 1 4

Workplace Companion

She frequently acts as Zhang’s sounding board within Group 7: discussing dungeon mechanics, sharing reports from their respective instances, attending newcomer meetings, and arranging a meal with Sister Wang to learn about player binding. 5 8 10 12

Martial-Arts Mentor

While guiding Big Brother through an ancient collection-hall instance, Lin Zhao reveals her ability to analyze and direct weapon combat. Her instruction allows him to defeat the Skeleton General, while her final warning establishes that her harshness comes from concern for the players under her guidance. 33 34

Notable Quotes

“This company turns people into ghosts!” 26

“Practicing martial arts now isn't for the Dao my father passed down, nor for the reputation of the martial arts gym, but for your own lives.” 34

Trivia

• Lin Zhao has a late-night-snack habit developed before joining the company. 9
• She ordered inexpensive food for herself and Zhang Anzai despite claiming she would “eat him broke.” 10
• She often trains during lunch breaks and appears to use only basic training projects rather than purchased programs. 27 30