Unknown Game

The scorching summer sun burned in the sky. Even though it was already five in the afternoon, the heat was so intense that almost no one walked the campus paths. The ceiling fan rattled as it swayed, and Lu Li lay on his desk, bored, staring at the line of text written in large chalk letters on the classroom blackboard: 29 days until the college entrance exam.

"What a truly boring world. Give me some change!" Lu Li felt as if he could foresee the next month of his life: nothing but studying hard, and more studying hard, waiting for the day that would decide his fate. It was a divergence point of destiny, yet Lu Li only found it dull.

Lu Li closed his eyes, intending to rest for a moment, but the next instant, he felt something that absolutely should not have been there at that time, causing him to snap his eyes open. One moment it was the scorching summer sun, and the next, snow was swirling across the sky. Goose-feather-sized flakes landed on Lu Li, the icy sting making him shiver as the scene before him imprinted itself upon his mind.

Looking around, the world was blanketed in silver, snow falling thick and fast, with all things silent. The only thing that could be considered a building was the dilapidated temple not far away. Just then, a voice echoed in Lu Li's mind, and at the same time, a transparent panel appeared before his eyes:

[You have joined the game. You have received temporary ID Z0001.]

[This game instance is: Puppet Thread Defense.]

[Instance type: Single-player; Test.]

[Instance description: This world hides many unknown dangers, and you are a rare person born with the ability to see them. In a dilapidated temple on a snowy night, you encounter an old man, and unknown dangers are coveting his life...]

[Instance objective: The old man must survive until dawn (i.e., 6:00 AM).]

[Instance hint: On a snowy night, what could be more important than a campfire?]

[Instance completion reward: Basic ability enhancement, 200 game points!]

[We wish you a pleasant game!]

The following are your personal attributes:

[Temporary ID: Z0001]

[Physical assessment: 1.23; Life energy derivative: 0.1 (Normal human average 1/0.01)]

[Soul assessment: 2.77; Spiritual energy derivative: 0.27 (Normal human average 1/0.01)]

[Innate ability: Ultimate Control: A soul of non-human level brings non-human level control. Your control over your own body is exceptionally powerful!]

[Basic abilities: None]

[Skill slots: None]

[Evaluation: A bug among humans!]

"Not the usual strength or agility stats found in games? Instead, it's an assessment of the body and soul?"

After reading the data on the panel, it shrank into a small window that floated at the corner of Lu Li's eye, not obstructing his vision. Lu Li rubbed his arms, which had already turned red from the cold. Before arriving in this frozen wasteland, he had been in the middle of summer, wearing only a short-sleeved school uniform. It had been about five hours since lunch, and the situation could be described as dire.

Lu Li took two breaths. Relying on his non-human level of control, he constricted his pores to retain body heat while slowing his heartbeat to reduce unnecessary consumption. Aside from the energy required for movement and cognitive thought, he subjectively shut down most other non-essential bodily functions.

About a year ago, Lu Li had nearly died in an accident. Since then, he discovered many unknown changes within himself; his emotions had become thin, and his worldview had shifted. This had transformed him from a silent, cowardly high school student into the bug-like existence among humans he was today.

Lu Li looked up to observe the sky. In the original season, it would have been summer, and at five o'clock, it would still be broad daylight. But having suddenly arrived here, the season seemed to have changed to winter. Even if it was still five o'clock, it was already growing dark, and he estimated that in less than half an hour, night would fall completely.

Pushing open the doors of the dilapidated temple, the wind created by the clash of hot and cold air stole another sliver of warmth from his skin. Without time to inspect the interior, Lu Li quickly shut the doors. Only after feeling the temperature rise did he let out a sigh of relief; he could not maintain his current state for long, as doing so for too long could cause irreversible damage to his body.

Only then did Lu Li have time to survey the interior of the temple. A fire was burning on the floor, but that was not the most striking thing. A young girl lay in the arms of an old man, possessing a peerless beauty like a goddess from the heavens. Yet, upon closer inspection, one could see cracks at the girl's joints, and her expression never changed. This stunningly beautiful girl was actually a wooden puppet, or rather, an automaton.

After lingering on the puppet girl for a moment, Lu Li turned his gaze to the old man holding her. The old man's clothes were tattered, covered in layer upon layer of patches, and he appeared ragged and weary. At this moment, a prompt appeared in the corner of Lu Li's vision: [Mission target discovered.]

"So the mission is to protect this old man until morning?" Thinking this, Lu Li cupped his hands toward the old man and said, "Old sir, I am just passing through. With this heavy snow and the bitter cold, and lacking thick clothing, I see that night is falling. I would like to borrow a spot to stay for the night."

Lu Li's words startled the old man, who then hurriedly stood up to reply, "This place is ownerless, and I am merely staying here for a while. If you wish to stay, young master, please do so; do not mind me."

"Then I thank you, old sir." A smile appeared on Lu Li's face. He walked toward the fire, found a piece of wood, wiped it off slightly, and sat down. Feeling the warmth from the flames, he relaxed his control over his body a little more and began to carefully examine the temple.

On the altar of the temple sat a headless statue, which gave off an eerie feeling in this environment. The offering table in front of the altar had been dismantled—it was the very piece of wood Lu Li was now sitting on. Most of the wooden items in the temple that could be taken apart had already been dismantled and set aside as fuel, and judging by the looks of it, there wasn't much left.

"Young master, I have some extra clothing here. It is freezing; if you do not mind, please take it and wear it." The old man cautiously opened the chest he had been using as a stool and took out a set of red, theatrical-looking robes. The colorful patterns were extremely vivid, clearly intended for a woman. Looking at the puppet girl in the old man's arms, he assumed they must be spare costumes for the puppet.

Lu Li did not mind. He accepted the robes from the old man, thanked him, and quickly put them on. Although they were a bit tight, they were at least much warmer. Lu Li then looked at the dwindling pile of firewood, and a new prompt appeared in the corner of his eye...

New book released, seeking collections and recommendations. The group number remains the same: 578342111. Those interested are welcome to join...