However, he recognized the girl's identity: Beatrix Swire, a senior superintendent of the Lungmen Guard Department.
She was also a famously wealthy heiress in Lungmen.
Filthy rich.
In his previous life, Bai Ye had loved taking her missions. The rewards were generous, and there were tons of Lungmen Dollars.
He had not expected to meet Swire under these circumstances.
"Officer Swire, you came at just the right time. I need a team of people in plainclothes to gather near the slums and stand by. I also need a batch of drones."
"Lungmen profanity, my surname isn't Swire!"
Sure enough, it was impossible for these two not to argue. Their conversations always came with a bit of Lungmen profanity, like how the West could not exist without Jerusalem.
Of course, arguing was arguing—that was a personal grudge. The mission still came first. Chen had personally approved temporary measures for managing the refugees, and Miss Swire obediently went to make the preparations.
After the girl left, Bai Ye smiled and teased, "So even Sir Chen can get riled up."
"Just ignore her... I really don't know what's wrong with her. Instead of being a proper young heiress, she came to the Lungmen Guard Department to become a cop." Chen shook her head.
Her feud with Swire had begun in childhood. Perhaps because they knew each other too well, they always argued whenever they met. Chen also showed her genuine feelings around Swire.
Honestly, it was pretty interesting.
Perhaps because Bai Ye had seen that side of her, Chen simply stopped caring and became even more candid around him. On the way back to the office, she even complained about the Oripathy screening issue for these refugees—meaning the Players.
"Not a single infected person. That's pretty absurd."
Bai Ye rolled his eyes, thinking, It would be stranger if you could detect it.
According to the setting, no part of a Player's body could be left behind in the game. Severed limbs, blood... anything separated from the body would instantly break down into particles of light and vanish.
Players' corpses would also disappear after death.
The natives of Terra would gradually discover these traits later on.
So even after they learned of the Players' immortality and unusual nature, they would have no way to uncover the secret through human experimentation.
Of course, that was a matter for later.
After returning to the office, Bai Ye and Chen began arranging their next steps.
Bai Ye was responsible for explaining the mission to the Player Zhai Mao, while Chen discussed the other details of the plan with the black-clad, black-stockinged duo from Rhodes Island.
Bai Ye casually gave Zhai Mao the experience reward for the first stage of the "quest," then assigned the second stage.
This time, Bai Ye had explicitly stated in the mission rewards that there would be a piece of equipment.
Both Zhai Mao and the viewers watching the stream were fired up.
That was just how Players were. As long as there was positive feedback and rewards, they would have endless motivation.
"...A mineral formed from crystallized energy overflowing from nature, commonly known as Originium. It usually appears as a black, translucent mineral. The abundant energy it contains has been used by society in every aspect of modern life..."
"Those infected by Originium are collectively known as Oripathy patients... Depending on their constitution, patients will suffer an outbreak after a certain period following infection. Symptoms include the formation of mineral crystals on or within the body. Their condition gradually worsens over time, with obvious internal and external crystallization that threatens their lives. After fatal crystallization of bodily fluids, they eventually die. There are currently no effective treatments..."
Bai Ye dutifully played the role of an NPC, seriously explaining common knowledge that everyone in this world already knew to the Player.
Moreover, he was not merely speaking to Zhai Mao alone. As a streamer, Bai Ye was effectively explaining things to countless viewers. They were all potential Players, so Bai Ye did not begrudge the effort. After all, this was for future gains!
As he gave the explanation, Bai Ye inwardly complained that he was probably the most NPC-like NPC in the world.
"What you need to play now is an infected person. We need your help to find clues about those selling illegal medicine."
Following the trail, as long as they found even the slightest clue, they could continue investigating.
"Yes, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
After listening, Zhai Mao immediately patted her chest and agreed, even giving an awkward salute.
The viewers discussed and offered all sorts of advice. They felt as if they were witnessing history. This was the first quest Players had received in Arknights Online, and it was not some traditional beginner-village task like killing chickens or wolves.
Zhai Mao's name was destined to be remembered in gaming history. Other Players and streamers could not help complaining about what kind of luck she had stumbled into, getting such a complicated mission right at the start.
Zhai Mao might be a little scatterbrained and look foolishly adorable—please remove "look"—but she was perfect bait for this mission. Her airheadedness required no acting. It was entirely genuine, so there was no fear that no one would bite.
"Do you think this will work?" Chen watched Zhai Mao being taken away for makeup, feeling that the girl was not very reliable.
Bai Ye smiled.
Players were the ones who changed the world. They reversed tragedies, turned the impossible into possible, and gave everything they had to surpass common sense.
They might still be immature now, but Bai Ye would find a way to guide them. A sense of achievement, honor, a sense of mission... If you always viewed Players with the utmost malice, then you would reap poisonous fruit. But if you guided them with goodwill, then everyone could become heroes capable of saving the world.
Justice, kindness... If one had a choice, who would not want to become a hero?
Of course, when it was time to be a tool, they still had to be tools. Heroes and tools were not mutually exclusive, anyway.
Right, Traveler? You errand-running jack-of-all-trades.
(Happy birthday to Auntie Cang Lei, our adorable guild leader.)
While Bai Ye and the others were busy in the Rhodes Island office, a group of rather strange people appeared throughout Lungmen.
They wandered around everywhere, trying to find the "invisible boundary"—what they called an invisible wall. Some looked for work all over the city, so enthusiastic that they resembled model citizens of Lungmen. Some grabbed people and refused to let go, asking question after question like ignorant children. Even more rushed into the slums.
According to standard game conventions, this place was full of chaos and conflict, making it highly suitable for beginner Players.
Most of the first equipment Players could acquire came from here: little knives, daggers, clubs, and the like. In the system's ratings, they were all common-grade items.
Of course, aside from fighting, some Players had found their own forms of entertainment.
For example, Makise and Little Horned Dragon had no interest in fighting. They somehow got hold of guitars and sang in Central Park. It was a successful street performance. Their novel musical style earned them a group of wild fans—Lungmen residents who loved a spectacle—and even attracted the attention of talent scouts from an agency who happened to pass by.
This would be the first step of cultural invasion into Terra.
Some Players even tried entering the red-light district to broaden their horizons, only to discover that they could not even take off their pants.
The Pants Removal Party suffered a crushing defeat! Cang Lei shed tears of regret. He became the first Player arrested by Guard Department officers for offending public decency.
Every vice raid had you in it.
As a senior superintendent of the Guard Department, Chen immediately learned through her communicator about the chaos unfolding throughout Lungmen.
Just as she had expected, these four thousand "refugees" entering Lungmen were far from peaceful. They were even louder and more troublesome than Laterano citizens. Compared with them, even those halo-wearing, highly individualistic angels seemed much more obedient.
"This should count as a good thing, right..." Bai Ye said as he opened the game forum. Sure enough, he saw quite a few casual posts. Players were sharing all kinds of fun they had found in the game. Bai Ye even saw photos of himself, with groups of sword-fighting weirdos gathered underneath.
Officer Chen sighed. "I really don't know where your optimism comes from. There are so many strange people in the slums now. The water's been muddied—can we still fish?"
"Fishing in muddy waters is what we do best." Bai Ye narrowed his eyes. "With so many strangers in the slums, someone named 'Grey Lin' will have their attention diverted. Our enemy may take the opportunity to make a move."
As he spoke, Bai Ye turned to Zhai Mao, who had already been dressed up as an infected person. "Kid, do you remember what I told you?"
Whether she remembered did not really matter. She was not fighting alone—behind her were countless viewers. Although most of them were about as useful as a pair of legendary idiots, as the saying went, three Imperial Guards could equal one Patriot. These viewers would still be of some use.
Zhai Mao nodded. Black mineral crystals had been attached to her arms and legs, while she wore a special "costume" issued by the Guard Department—most infected people in the slums dressed like this.
"We just need to follow her quietly." Bai Ye rose from his chair and stretched his neck and wrists.
"Swire brought the drones over. I hope they'll be useful..." Officer Chen was not as optimistic as Bai Ye.
"Chen, you really are something else. When you need something, it's Swire; when you don't, it's Chashao Mao." The little tiger's voice came from outside the office. The girl truly had a booming voice.
Chen took the drones from Swire, then waved her hand. "You can go back now."
"Wait, what do you mean by that? Are you deliberately targeting me? You chase me away the moment I get here? You had me running around everywhere for a few drones?" Swire immediately exploded, glaring at Chen with her round eyes.
In an instant, the office conference room became a battlefield between girls. The receptionist had already hidden off to the side, while the two women in black stockings wore expressions that said they had learned something new.
Facing the furious Swire, Chen remained calm. "The situation in Lungmen is rather complicated right now. I'll leave overall public security to you. That's more important, and only you can handle it properly."
"Hmph, even if you praise me like that..."
"I'll leave the Lungmen Guard Department to you for now." Chen patted Swire on the shoulder. "Haven't you always wanted to take over the Guard Department?"
The little tiger froze. "Y-You... how did you know?"
"Heh. What in the Guard Department could possibly be hidden from me?" Chen sneered.
Swire left in the end.
Three sentences were all it took to make Swire obediently comply.
"Actually, having one more person would be nice." Like most Players, Bai Ye suffered from a fear of not having enough manpower. The more, the better. If they could call in more people, they should not leave anyone out.
Chen shook her head and leaned close to Bai Ye's ear to whisper, "The Guard Department was infiltrated before. I'm worried that might be connected to what's happening now. We need to watch out for whoever's pulling the strings."
"You have to keep this confidential."
Officer Chen had only told Bai Ye because she considered him trustworthy.
Bai Ye froze where he stood, utterly embarrassed.
So the mastermind was me.
Bai Ye warned himself that he absolutely had to keep this secret. Otherwise, the grudge-holding Chen would definitely find a way to beat him to death.
He also needed to build a good relationship with the girl. That way, even if the truth came out someday, there would still be room to maneuver.
Once everything was ready, Bai Ye and the others headed for the slums.
Since Bai Ye had crossed swords with Chen while escaping the Guard Department before, his R.G. Industries standard longsword was temporarily inconvenient to use. He could only swipe a short knife and a semi-automatic crossbow from the Guard Department.
Chen handed Bai Ye a bundle of tranquilizer bolts. This time, they needed to take someone alive.
The Guard Department officers, Flanka, and Scythe all changed into plainclothes. It was worth mentioning that when Flanka and Scythe emerged from the changing room, both had suspicious blushes on their faces.
There was no need to ask. They had probably had a little scuffle inside, and the fox had most likely started it.
The orange situation looked excellent.
Although they had not found any useful clues, the Guard Department had at least confirmed the general area where the target had appeared. Now, all they needed was to see how the Player performed.
Bai Ye followed far behind Zhai Mao, keeping the closest position because his stealth skills were the best.
Neither Chen, Flanka, nor Scythe could match him in that regard.
The drones circled high overhead.
The bait had been cast. Now they only had to wait for a bite.
A light rain fell in the evening. After it stopped, the air was slightly damp.
An infected girl clutched the shawl wrapped around herself, pulled the edge of her hood lower, crossed a street surrounded by gaudy neon signs, carefully avoided the puddles beneath her feet, turned into a narrow passage between buildings, and slipped into the maze-like slums.
In the dim alley, only a few weak streetlights provided illumination. Near a trash can in the corner, two or three Feline Beasts were scavenging for food. Sensing a human presence, they retreated into the shadows by the wall and warily watched the small figure passing by.
Yet these night cats seemed not to notice another figure quietly passing behind them. The stealth techniques of a Higashi ninja were enough to fool even sharp-sensed cats.
"What kind of job did this guy do before?"
In the distance, Flanka watched the footage sent back by the drones and could not help clicking her tongue. If she had not known Bai Ye's location beforehand, he would probably have fooled her too.
Chen and Scythe did not respond. Both wore solemn expressions.
This was the third block already. Zhai Mao had been asking around about miracle medicine, yet she had found nothing.
But Bai Ye soon stopped.
Because he saw two suspicious figures following behind Zhai Mao.
Zhai Mao entered a shabby little bar. A moment later, she came back out empty-handed.
At first, her movements and expressions had been somewhat stiff. But as the attempts increased, her acting became better and better. Even the stream chat had to admit that some people were born to play airheaded characters. She was practically performing in her true colors.
After leaving the bar, Zhai Mao sighed and put on a disappointed expression.
Before you continue