Guan Wenyue stood at the front, surveying the crowd and taking in all twelve players.
"Everyone, I called you here on short notice to share some good news. We've been working to cultivate everlasting rose vines, and today, we've finally succeeded!"
As the exciting news spread, enthusiastic cheers rose from the crowd.
Clearly, the man's identity was that of a senior researcher, or someone ranked even higher.
Guan Wenyue cleared his throat and continued, "Eleven researchers have been selected for special commendation. Those whose names I call, please wait in the conference room next door."
He then called out the names of every player except himself, and everyone headed next door with an unspoken understanding.
Shen Ru was relieved that he hadn't rashly gone upstairs and had deliberately changed his appearance. Otherwise, he really would have made a fool of himself.
Not long after they sat down, Guan Wenyue entered from outside, then signaled his partner with a glance to shut the door completely.
"I'm sure you already know that our tasks are the same. The game title announced by the system is just a smokescreen. Although our task is demanding, the others are only interns, with limited access to the floors they can explore. It's fair to both sides."
Someone in the crowd spoke up. "Doesn't that make it harder for them? Without access privileges, they can pretty much kiss the tea party goodbye."
Another person said, "Exactly. Those four are probably still congratulating themselves, thinking they've found a shortcut, when they can't even get near the truth. Hahahaha!"
Guan Wenyue listened with a smile without offering an opinion, but his expression made it clear that he was very pleased.
In the livestream chat:
[Uh... well... has it occurred to you that they've already infiltrated your ranks???]
[Hahahahaha this part is killing me. Help, sometimes people's stupidity really does make me laugh.]
[Hahahahaha can't wait for them to find out the truth. Help, this is honestly painful to watch...]
There were always dissenting voices in the crowd. Qi Ning, the leader of the Fifth Guild, strongly disagreed and retorted loudly:
"You're seriously underestimating Mo Yu and Wei Lanxing. Every one of you is too scared to say a word to their faces, but you sure bark loudly behind their backs."
Someone echoed Qi Ning. "Chu Rong usually barks the loudest. Why hasn't he said anything today?"
As soon as those words fell, everyone's gaze turned to Mo Yu, who was wearing Chu Rong's appearance.
Beside him, Shen Ru suddenly felt his toes curl with embarrassment.
If only I'd had Mo Yu pose as Zhao Cheng instead...
What now?
Was Mo Yu supposed to insult himself in front of everyone???
Mo Yu copied Chu Rong's arrogant demeanor, crossed his legs, and said disdainfully:
"Go ahead and bark all you want. I've already met them, and I've got a very important piece of information."
Shen Ru had to admit that, elegant as the man looked, his imitation of Chu Rong was flawless. With that flippant, punchable attitude, not a single person present noticed anything amiss.
The moment he finished speaking, voices erupted all at once.
"Seriously?"
"What floor did you see them on? How come I didn't notice?"
"What did they tell you?"
Mo Yu said nothing. He merely curled his lips and gave Guan Wenyue a challenging look.
From what he knew of Guan Wenyue, the man would never let this opportunity slip, especially when the information concerned Mo Yu himself.
Sure enough, Guan Wenyue couldn't stay seated. He stood and walked straight over to Mo Yu, asking gently, "How did you meet them?"
Shen Ru raised an eyebrow, the interest in his eyes deepening.
Interesting.
He hadn't asked directly what the information was, choosing to hear how it had happened first.
This man was extremely cautious.
Mo Yu's eyes brimmed with mockery as he sneered, "What, you don't believe me? Fine. Zhao Cheng ran into them on the first floor and brought them straight up to me."
Rather than continue questioning him, Guan Wenyue turned a cold gaze on Shen Ru, who looked like Zhao Cheng.
Shen Ru pretended to be startled and nodded, trembling.
Guan Wenyue seemed to believe him, and continued, "It's not that I don't trust you, Guild Leader Chu. After all, this concerns everyone's interests. There's nothing wrong with being cautious. You understand, don't you?"
Mo Yu glanced at him and nodded casually, though his expression still looked displeased.
"Then what did they tell you?"
Having verified the source, Guan Wenyue was now ready to verify the information itself.
Shen Ru was also curious about what Mo Yu would say, and straightened up to listen closely.
Mo Yu picked at his ear and said irritably, "Ask Zhao Cheng. I was fucking playing dead in a culture dish at the time. How would I know what they said?"
Shen Ru: ...This bastard did that on purpose, didn't he?
His urge to kill reached its peak.
In the livestream chat:
[Hahahahahahaha I'm fucking dying.]
[Hahahahaha my darling was having such a great time watching the show, and then this massive responsibility just fell out of the sky onto him.]
[I openly suspect God Mo couldn't keep making things up, so he dumped it on my darling. After all, my darling has plenty of experience screwing people over.]
Guan Wenyue thought those words over carefully, found nothing wrong with them, and immediately turned to Shen Ru, signaling for him to explain.
With no time to react, Shen Ru steeled himself and answered, "Seeing that Guild Leader Chu had already turned into nutrients probably gave them the idea. They've figured out the source of the rose vines' nutrients. Since I'd changed my clothes at the time, they thought I was an NPC and didn't hide their conversation from me."
The young man looked as though Guan Wenyue had frightened him, so nervous that he stammered a little. After a pause, he continued:
"They said the secret behind the rose vines' disappearance wasn't inside, but probably outside the walls. When we entered from the front, the invisible barrier was in the wrong place. Leaving the walls outside it on purpose must have been to protect something."
This conjecture was merely a hypothesis Shen Ru had formed at the beginning, when he thought there was something wrong with entering from the front. By now, however, he was almost certain that the vines' disappearance had nothing to do with the walls. Still, he could let them hear that hypothesis.
After all, mixing truth with falsehood was more convincing, and he had to be especially careful when dealing with the suspicious Guan Wenyue.
After weighing it over repeatedly, Shen Ru told them his hypothesis about the walls.
Sure enough, Guan Wenyue took the bait. He keenly picked up on the invisible barrier's position and specifically asked, "Are you sure they said the invisible barrier was in the wrong place?"
Shen Ru looked him in the eye and said with complete certainty, "I'm absolutely sure. Guild Leader Wei Lanxing questioned it too, and President Mo explained it specifically."
Bringing Mo Yu into it made the claim even more convincing.
Everyone nodded in agreement, and someone even slapped his forehead and shouted:
"Fuck, I knew something felt off back then! I didn't think it really was a trap!"
The herd effect was on full display at that moment. As long as one person in a crowd affirmed something, it would often influence everyone else's judgment.
Just like now.
"All right! Return to your respective floors and inspect the walls. Report any problems immediately!"
Once Guan Wenyue finished speaking, everyone rushed out.
Shen Ru and Mo Yu mingled with the crowd, but slipped into an empty room nearby amid the crush of people.
The moment the door closed, Shen Ru couldn't resist lashing out. "Mo Yu, do you have a death wish?"
The culprit who had passed the buck leaned lazily against the wall, his voice mild. "I don't think you're capable of killing me right now."
The young man stared at him for a long time without speaking, his long lashes lowering slightly. He looked so docile that one might have thought he'd suddenly changed his nature.
"I know the answer."
Interest finally stirred in Mo Yu's indifferent eyes, and his gaze on the young man became laden with meaning. "You always manage to surprise me."
"Go on. What are your terms?"
Shen Ru curled his lips, a sly gleam finally flashing through his dark red eyes. "Tell me your talent."
He had originally wanted to know the secret behind the man's ability to use his powers outside the game, but he wasn't naive enough to think Mo Yu would agree. After all, with the man's capabilities, finding the answer was only a matter of time.
"Deal."
Before you continue