Wu Renxin

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• Hair: A buzz cut at his introduction; later described by Lin Yi as unkempt 2 31.
• Build: An imposing physique, first highlighted while he fought amid a locust swarm 24.
• After his defeat: A pale face and an unsettled gaze as he wandered through the forest 35.

Personality

Wu Renxin presents himself as awkward, grateful, and approachable. This appearance is deliberately misleading: shortly after his first meeting with Lin Yi, his innocent expression gives way to a crazed smile. Lin Yi remembers him as outwardly harmless but ruthless enough to slaughter weaker players for personal gain 2 3.

His generosity is similarly calculated. After defeating the Wailing Demon Cicada, he secretly collects two valuable drops, claims the boss dropped nothing good, and offers Lin Yi only the remaining accessory. He maintains the appearance of a helpful companion while concealing his intentions 26 27.

He can suppress his anger when cooperation remains useful, but his restraint eventually fails. Lin Yi's provocations in the ant nest bring him close to violence; after obtaining information about the queen, he attempts a surprise attack. Following his defeat, he responds to Return to Zero's announcement with silent fear rather than open rage 29 30 35.

Abilities & Skills

Transcendent Evil

His talent converts killing into permanent growth. His status panel identifies it as SSS-rank, while Lin Yi's earlier recollection describes it as a three-star talent 3 25.

• Permanent combat-power growth: Every creature killed increases his combat power by 1 25.
• Lifespan acquisition: Killing a player grants him 80% of the lifespan that player loses 25.
• Mass-kill farming: Dense insect populations provide a particularly effective source of growth. In Lin Yi's previous life, the Endless Ant Nest became his principal opportunity 24 27.
• Increasing durability: As his combat power grew, his HP also increased, allowing progressively longer expeditions into the ant nest 27.
• True-damage vulnerability: The ants' 10-point retaliation per kill still depleted his HP. Remaining inside the nest kept him in combat and prevented automatic out-of-combat regeneration 27 28.

Combat Proficiency

• Uses paired flaming staffs or clubs to kill numerous insects while advancing through hostile terrain 24 25 27.
• Defeats the level-10 Wailing Demon Cicada in a one-sided battle. Its ordinary attacks cannot penetrate his defenses, although its true-damage attack remains dangerous 26.
• Possesses Backstab Smash (K) and Merciless Combo (H). Neither is shown being used during his journey with Lin Yi 25 31.
• Attempts a surprise attack with a concealed dagger, but Lin Yi catches and disarms him before the strike lands 30 31.

Scouting

• Uses One-Glance Detection items to inspect enemies and stage mechanics, including the Wailing Demon Cicada and the ants' retaliation effect 25 26 28.
• Depends on Lin Yi to identify the hidden route to the queen and explain its weaknesses during their joint expedition 29 30.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bear Fang Blade (S): A barbed dagger fashioned from a bear's fang; used in his attempted betrayal and dropped upon his death 30 31.
• Blazing Long Staff (H): His main weapon during the eastern expedition; also used to ignite his trousers inside the ant nest 25 29.
• Hungry Wolf Leather Armor (G): Listed in his level-6 inventory 25.
• One-Glance Detection (J): Three initially listed; two remained among his death drops 25 31.
• Demonic Cicada Wings (N) and Chirping Talisman (L): Secretly collected from the Wailing Demon Cicada; both later dropped when Lin Yi killed him 26 31.
• Cicada Cicada Sunglasses: Offered to Lin Yi after the cicada battle, then kept when Lin Yi refused them 26 27.
• A-rank Cloth Pants: Burned in an unsuccessful attempt to clear ants without receiving retaliation damage 25 29.
• A-rank Straw Sandals: Listed in his level-6 inventory 25.

History

Previous Life

In Lin Yi's previous life, Wu Renxin became the second-strongest human on the Human Race Ranking. After discovering that he was the strongest player in Novice Village No. 4396, he began killing people who ventured outside, gaining lifespan while denying them opportunities. Lin Yi was among his victims and was casually killed twice 3.

Wu Renxin later devoted himself to farming the Endless Ant Nest. His repeated expeditions eventually gave him enough HP to reach and defeat its queen. The victory permanently collapsed the nest; according to a rumor recalled by Lin Yi, Wu Renxin then cried for three days and nights 27.

First Meeting with Lin Yi

Wu Renxin accidentally knocks Lin Yi down at the beginning of the game. During their conversation, he reveals his million-point combat power and receives advice to grow stronger while concealing his strength and talent. He promptly denies the figure when other players question him, then follows Lin Yi and observes him killing a slime 2 3 25.

Other beginners subsequently regard Wu Renxin as the village's strongest player, even while reporting that he is still farming green caterpillars 14.

Eastern Expedition

After visiting the South Pole through a teleportation array unlocked by Return to Zero, Wu Renxin decides to seek opportunities in the east rather than continue collecting leftovers. He reaches the insect-filled region on the fourth day—three days earlier than Lin Yi remembers from the previous timeline 24 25.

He invites Lin Yi to travel with him, proposing a combination of his combat strength and Lin Yi's intelligence. Wu Renxin clears the route through the insect regions and defeats the Wailing Demon Cicada while Lin Yi follows without revealing his superior strength 25 26 27.

Endless Ant Nest and Betrayal

Inside the nest, Lin Yi persuades Wu Renxin to carry him on his back while walking on tiptoe. Lin Yi secretly makes himself harder to carry, directs him into a dead end, and later suggests burning his trousers to clear ants. The fire's kills are attributed to Wu Renxin, reducing his health further and forcing him to retreat with less than 30% HP 28 29.

After Wu Renxin recovers outside, Lin Yi reveals a hidden teleportation array at the entrance. Wu Renxin angrily confronts him for withholding it, but accepts continued cooperation after Lin Yi claims he can detect the boss's weaknesses 29 30.

Upon reaching the queen, Wu Renxin listens to Lin Yi's advice and then attacks him from behind. Lin Yi disarms him, seizes his throat, and exposes what he considers Wu Renxin's plan: using him to locate the boss while avoiding a formal party that would prevent attacks between members. Lin Yi also concludes that Wu Renxin had already visited the nest and recognized him as Return to Zero 30 31.

Lin Yi kills him, takes his dropped equipment, and gains 83 years of lifespan. Wu Renxin later reappears wandering despondently through the forest. Hearing the announcement that Return to Zero has unlocked the Eastern Pole leaves him visibly fearful 31 35.

Relationships

• Lin Yi / Return to Zero — Previous-life victim, temporary traveling companion, and enemy. Both conceal their intentions during the eastern expedition: Wu Renxin seeks to exploit Lin Yi's knowledge, while Lin Yi intends to repay his earlier killings and seize his opportunity 3 25 31.

Notable Quotes

“My combat power plus your brains—one plus one will definitely be greater than two!” 25

“You're my best friend for life!” — Said while thrusting a dagger toward Lin Yi's back 30