The Young Lady Who Ran Away from Home

Heaven Dou City was the most prosperous imperial capital on Douluo Continent.

Even its out-of-the-way backstreets were neatly paved with bluestone, and richly dressed soul masters passed by from time to time.

At the corner of one such street stood a strange little shop called Origin, looking utterly out of place.

Inside were two rows of minimalist silver-white tables and chairs with a futuristic look. Each table held a streamlined black device and a silver device resembling a helmet.

Lin Ye sat behind the counter with his chin propped on one hand. He stared at the empty street and sighed to himself.

"System, are you sure you're not messing with me? I'm a penniless guy who just arrived in this world, and you want me to recruit a gorgeous woman as an internet cafe attendant within twenty-four hours? Do you think women like that grow on trees?"

[I am the Super Black-Tech Internet Cafe System, dedicated to spreading the ninth art of the multiverse across countless worlds. An excellent internet cafe requires a first-rate attendant. Host, please complete the beginner mission as soon as possible, or you will be unable to unlock any games.]

Lin Ye felt helpless. He had activated the system after taking over this run-down shop on the verge of closing. He had expected to make a killing with the masterpieces from his previous life, earn piles of Gold Soul Coins, and reach the pinnacle of success. Instead, he was stuck at the very first step.

Gorgeous? Where am I supposed to find someone like that in Heaven Dou City...

Bang!

Just as Lin Ye was grumbling to himself, someone shoved open the shop's glass sliding door without the slightest courtesy.

"I'm so mad! Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa didn't even speak up for me! I can't stand another day in that stupid sect!"

A clear, pleasant voice rang out, edged with indignation, as a petite figure stormed inside.

She was a girl of twelve or thirteen, dressed in an exquisite teal dress. Beneath her smooth, shoulder-length hair was a fair, rosy face. She was pouting in a huff, but even that could not hide her striking grace—or the spoiled air about her.

Lin Ye froze. Before he could speak, a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind.

[Eligible attendant candidate detected.]

[Target: Ning Rongrong (young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect).]

[System tip: What a stroke of luck! Host, trick her into... ahem, recruit her immediately! Complete the mission to draw a game for the shop!]

Lin Ye's eyes lit up. Just when he needed someone, she had walked right in!

Ning Rongrong noticed Lin Ye behind the counter too.

She surveyed the peculiar shop, scooped a large handful of Gold Soul Coins from her storage Soul Tool, and slapped them onto the counter.

"Hey, you're the owner, right? I'm taking over this shop! If a few old men come looking for a young lady in teal, tell them you haven't seen me. Got it?"

Lin Ye looked at the dozens of Gold Soul Coins on the counter. Outwardly, he remained perfectly calm; inwardly, his mind raced.

"Sorry, miss." Lin Ye gave her what he considered an impeccable smile. "This is an internet cafe, not an inn. We don't offer private refuge."

"Internet cafe? What a strange name..." Ning Rongrong frowned. "Not enough? I've got plenty of money!"

She reached for her purse again.

"But..."

Lin Ye changed tack. From somewhere, he produced a sheet of paper and a pen and slid them toward Ning Rongrong. "If you become a trainee attendant here, you'll have every right to stay. I'll even let you experience the most incredible illusion Soul Tool on the entire continent."

"This is the trial contract. All you have to do is sign."

"Attendant? You want someone like me to... work for you?!" Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes widened as if she had heard the most absurd thing in the world.

"It's just a trial position in name." Lin Ye coaxed her gently. "If you don't want to sign, the door's behind you. I won't keep you. But I'd guess the people looking for you will reach this street soon."

Ning Rongrong bit her lip, glanced back at the street, and stamped her foot. "Fine, I'll sign! I want to see what you're really up to! The most incredible illusion on the continent? Hmph. I've seen every rare treasure under the sun!"

She snatched up the pen and swiftly signed her name: Ning Rongrong.

[Congratulations, host. You have recruited your first attendant.]

[Beginner mission complete!]

[Opening the beginner prize wheel...]

In Lin Ye's vision, a huge wheel blazing with light began to spin.

Countless game icons flashed past: immortal heroes riding flying swords, fighters trading bone-rattling blows. At last, the pointer stopped on an icon awash in neon.

[Congratulations, host! You have drawn the groundbreaking open-world VR game—Cyberpunk 2077!]

[The game has been automatically installed on all computer terminals.]

[Internet cafe pricing rules have been generated. Host, please follow them strictly.]

Lin Ye took a deep breath and suppressed his excitement.

Night City! A genuine AAA game!

"Hey, owner, I signed. Where's that illusion you were talking about?" Ning Rongrong demanded, hands on her hips and defiance written all over her face.

Lin Ye pointed to the machines behind him. "Pick any seat in the first row. But you'll need to pay before you try it."

"How much?" Ning Rongrong asked without a care.

"Two Gold Soul Coins per hour of machine time, plus 298 Gold Soul Coins to activate a Cyberpunk 2077 account. Also, to prevent excessive play, each person is limited to six hours a day." In his calmest voice, Lin Ye quoted prices that amounted to daylight robbery on Douluo Continent.

Silence fell for three seconds.

Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes went wide, and her voice rose. "How much?! Two Gold Soul Coins an hour? And 298 just to activate it?! Are you insane? That's more than an ordinary family of three spends in years! This place is a rip-off!"

On Douluo Continent, one Gold Soul Coin was worth ten Silver Soul Coins or a hundred Copper Soul Coins. Its purchasing power was immense.

For 298 Gold Soul Coins, she could eat at Heaven Dou City's finest hotel for months!

"The prices are posted. Everyone pays the same." Lin Ye pointed to the holographic price list that had just appeared on the wall. "And no bargaining. If it's too expensive, you don't have to play."

"You—!"

Ning Rongrong laughed in outrage. "Fine! Very well! Now I have to try it! If your lousy illusion isn't worth the price, I'll have someone tear this shop down and hang you from Heaven Dou City's gate for a beating!"

Smack!

Ning Rongrong slammed three hundred Gold Soul Coins onto the counter.

Lin Ye calmly collected the coins, seated the proud young lady at a machine, and guided her as she put on the silver-white VR helmet.

"Close your eyes and relax. Welcome to... Night City!"

As Lin Ye finished speaking, Ning Rongrong's vision went black.

The next instant—

Boom!

A ferocious blast of electronic heavy metal tore through the darkness!

Ning Rongrong opened her eyes. The sight before her left her unable to think.

Huge neon signs flashed wildly across her field of vision. A city of skyscrapers rose toward the clouds. Strange metal vehicles with brilliant blue exhaust streaked across the sky, leaving long trails of light as they roared past.

Enormous holographic mechanical koi swam through the air. Among the people walking the streets, some had arms made entirely of silver-white metal, while others had glowing red electronic eyes embedded in half their faces.

"This..."

Ning Rongrong stood dazed at the apartment window, looking down at Night City's bustling traffic. Even her voice trembled.

"Wh-what is this place?!"