Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 39: A Flashy Move

Crimson raised an eyebrow at his friend list.

Jack’s rank plummeted, and soon after, Crimson couldn’t find his name at all.

The Eternal Church had done experiments. If a player “logs out” and dies, their name should appear in gray as offline on the friend list. But Jack’s name had completely disappeared from the list—Crimson checked three or four times to make sure he wasn’t mistaken.

It seemed that the initial [Blood Gnome’s Bargain] went off without a hitch, giving Jack a very… fresh ending.

Whistling in high spirits, Crimson thought that if he wasn’t already in the middle of a quest, he’d love to dash into the instance to check.

But for now, he had a solid alternative plan.

“I need a squad of about ten Immortal Knights to enter ‘Night of the Hunt’. I need to know what’s inside.” Crimson eagerly contacted the Eternal Church. “I’ll be waiting at the instance exit. This opponent is intriguing—a reminder, don’t make me wait too long.”

The Immortal Knights of the Eternal Church were on par with the Investigation Knights of the Temple of Life. They were elites, but no matter how elite they were, they were just locals and couldn’t compare to players.

They were just disposable cannon fodder. It didn’t matter if they couldn’t come out, as long as the news did.

Crimson meticulously sorted through his inventory, ensuring he was as prepared as possible.

‘I need another tank to help take the damage,’ Crimson thought casually, sure that his god would arrange everything for him.

He absolutely—absolutely needed to know the true identities of those two figures.

If they could make Jack vanish, they could probably do the same to him. The way he and Jack entered the game was nearly identical and equally bizarre.

Crimson would always remember that day.

He was wandering around City A. Knowing he was being tracked by the Country C police, he changed his hair color and appearance, donned sunglasses, grew a beard, and tried to blend in as a foreign tourist.

Yet somehow, those damn cops sensed something. His homestay was being watched, so Crimson didn’t return, opting for a 24-hour coffee shop instead. To avoid attention, he mostly hung out in the coffee shop bathroom, smoking and planning his next move.

That was when he met the “game company employee”.

Just as Crimson was leaving the bathroom, he saw the man blocking the doorway. It was a nondescript Country C young man with a warm smile—though Crimson always found it hard to differentiate Country C people by their appearance. The man locked eyes with him, offering a chance to try the latest VR game.

Even for a true psychopath like Crimson, he thought the guy was off. Who would promote games in a bathroom?

“This test must be conducted in secret. If you agree, we’ll need you to sever all communications with the outside world for its duration,” the man said without noticing Crimson’s disdainful look. “Our company will provide accommodations and a cash reward once testing is complete.”

Crimson stopped dead in his tracks.

A secret test event, an excellent opportunity to elude the police… Why not? If the guy was playing tricks on him, Crimson would make him pay in blood.

The way Jack entered the game was similar to Crimson’s. When they first teamed up, after having too much to drink, Jack enthusiastically shared his own “adventure”.

Poor Jack, or rather, Mr. Liang, had been captured by the police. Almost certainly, the death penalty awaited him.

Liang Guanghui wasn’t willing to accept that fate. But with irrefutable evidence against him, not even the best lawyer could help. The only option left was to escape prison. To get a chance, he harmed himself and was sent to the hospital. But the tight security made it impossible to find an escape.

He was on the verge of despair.

However, the day before Liang Guanghui was due to return to prison, a strange doctor in a white coat visited him. The doctor’s features were forgettable, leaving no impression on Liang Guanghui.

But his words were unforgettable.

“We have an agreement with the police to let you test our latest VR device. The new device might have some risks, and we need your consent,” the doctor said.

Liang Guanghui didn’t know much about the law, but this didn’t prevent him from thinking the situation was ridiculous. Not to mention that domestically, using death row inmates for experiments wasn’t allowed; his case hadn’t even been brought to court yet!

“Don’t worry, we will conduct the test in the form of a ‘game’, which is not painful in itself. If you agree, we will transfer you to a better place, where you will be under the care of a research institution,” the doctor continued.

Liang Guanghui immediately set his doubts aside. It didn’t matter what the situation was; escaping police control was all he wanted! If he agreed, those who would be guarding him would no longer be police but frail researchers. There would definitely be more chances to break out.

So, he readily agreed.

What followed for him was identical to Crimson’s experience. They were both taken to a remote building, put on helmets, and logged into a game called “Tahe World”.

But on closer inspection, their experiences were all wrong. The game itself was extremely odd—

The novice village that Crimson and Liang Guanghui entered was called “Crossroads”. It was only later that Crimson learned that there was another novice village in the world called “Three Forks Road Village”.

The players in Three Forks Road Village were all law-abiding citizens, each with their own strengths in the game. They were worlds apart from them. According to the church’s intel, these players entered the test through an invitation email from the game company, a process that wasn’t as strange as theirs.

Why would a company mix death row inmates with gaming experts? What a peculiar combination.

…From the moment he knew this, Crimson keenly realized that compared to those law-abiding good people, his own experiences might be closer to the “truth” of the game.

This was extremely valuable information.

However, since Liang Guanghui “disappeared”, his information could basically be considered leaked.

Not sharing his own experiences with the young man was the right call, Crimson thought. The guy was proud yet spineless and had a big mouth; he was bound to run into trouble.

Like he always said, those who kill for lust are really boring.

Crimson was different—he intended to extract all the information from the two men. Honestly, Crimson was very interested in the method of “making people disappear completely”.

He hoped his targets were married, powerful, and successful. Crimson prayed fervently.

He would get valuable information, and his god should receive an equally valuable sacrifice.

……

“Can you connect to the Dragon Tomb Garden?” After naming the candle, Nol quickly asked the question he was most concerned about.

While the corpse of the young dragon neighbor hadn’t decayed too badly, he might still try the letter opener. He’d been craving those dragon corpses for a long time, which, to the current Nol, was like a buffet of attribute points.

Black Candle Kando looked at him speechlessly. “I refuse.”

“You said that as long as I know the person I want to find and where they are…”

“Last time you opened the door right into Subelbot’s bedroom, for god’s sake,” Kando lamented. “For the Dragon Nest, that’s a big deal. If we act recklessly again, our lives will be in danger.”

“…Taking a step back, if you connect from a special space to the outside, you definitely can’t afford the magical energy cost. You, me, and that notebook combined won’t be enough. Just drop the idea.” Seeing Nol still considering, Kando quickly added.

Nol looked at it regretfully for a long moment before sighing. “If I don’t specify who I want to find, can I just connect to the space?”

“It’s possible, but what exactly do you want to do?”

“Jack’s death was strange. The Eternal Church might take action.”

“Players can’t join in the latter part of the mission, but locals aren’t restricted. There might be local followers of the Eternal Church coming to investigate.” Nol pondered. “We need to be prepared.”

Although this was just his speculation, Nol felt uneasy without a contingency plan.

“Just prepare for me, and that’s enough.” Teest finished his soup elegantly. “Eugene’s Investigation Knights are nearby. Those cultists have to stay hidden. Even if they dare to come, they won’t send many people.” Teest’s usual smile returned. “The Eternal Church will probably send some Immortal Knights and have a few players ambush us at the exit.”

“…I don’t really want a direct confrontation.” Nol continued to ponder. “To maintain the ‘Betrayal Overture’ buff, we can’t be more than five meters apart. Old Hunter can’t be too far from the mission players… If we confront them directly, Old Hunter might get involved.”

“No, no, no, honey, you have more important things to do—aren’t you going to help the poor Old Hunter retain his memory? If you let those minor characters disrupt the rhythm, it’s not worth it,” Teest said nonchalantly. “Even without skill enhancement, I can handle them.”

“But…” Nol was about to speak when Teest picked up a small piece of cheese with his fingertips and stuffed it into Nol’s mouth.

It was hard to say this wasn’t retaliation.

Teest’s understanding of the human body was creepy. Nol instinctively wanted to close his mouth, but Teest easily pried it open. By the time Nol regained his senses, he could taste the light sweetness of dairy on his tongue.

“After all, you don’t understand their moves. Better to protect your precious neighbors.” Teest casually tossed a piece of cheese into his own mouth.

“Those who act separately die the fastest,” Kando chirped in.

“You’re absolutely right. I’m a bit scared now,” Teest said with a grin. “Want to join me, Little Candle? I can skewer you on my blade and draw them out—might hurt a bit, but I guess you wouldn’t mind.”

Nol eyelids twitched, quickly swallowing his cheese. “Stop arguing. I have a compromise.”

Teest and the candle both turned to him. “What?”

“Curious? Apologize first.” Nol turned to the black candle, which narrowed its eyes as if it were frowning.

“Why am I the only one apologizing?!” it exclaimed.

“You started it.” Nol sipped some hot water. “Besides, we need to cooperate from now on. Apologize quickly—I have experiments to do.”

Five minutes later, outside the hunter’s cabin.

“Wait a minute,” the black candle exclaimed in shock. “Are you nuts?”

“It’s called wisdom,” Nol said.

[Speaking of which, I’m glad you have body temperature now.] Teest’s thoughts came through.

The candle’s flame split again, this time only allowing passage for an arm. Nol only extended one hand—

Inside the hunter’s cabin, Teest happily toasted by the fire. Under his clothes, he concealed a single hand. Nol’s warm hand reached across space to gently touch his shoulder, like an obedient pet.

Around the wrist of the hand, a decorative flame encircled it like jewelry. The flame appeared to be out of place; Teest’s clothes were unharmed, and there was no sensation of burning.

Teest tilted his head, pleased, and kissed the back of the hand through the fabric. “I swear.”

Dozens of meters away in the snow, Nol solemnly replied, “I allow.”

The next instant, [Betrayal Overture] was successfully activated.

Nol nodded approvingly. “It seems the judgment is still within five meters. Not bad.”

“You… oh god, you…” the candle stuttered. “But if it comes to a real fight, Teest can’t always stay still! How will you know his surroundings…”

Nol smiled, directly invoking his skill list and showing the candle the built-in [Telepathy] from his marriage vow.

“This skill can directly transmit vision,” Nol said. “I told you, I’m a married man.”

The candle sighed like a deflating balloon. “You didn’t say the partner was that lunatic!”

“Now you know,” Noel shrugged.

[Actually, I still think it’s unnecessary,] Teest said. [Not to mention you have to keep the space channel open, this also restricts your left hand, doesn’t it?]

[I’d rather be restricted than worry about your side all the time.]

[Hey, don’t you trust my abilities? I’m very hurt.] Teest pretended to sob. [Don’t worry, even if the leader of the Immortal Knights comes, I won’t let them leak any information.]

[I’m just worried about you.] Nol threw back his thoughts.

This time, Teest didn’t respond right away. A few seconds later, his body moved under Nol’s left hand.

[Then I gladly accept.] Teest poked Nol’s fingers. [And, I want to correct my response—]

[Don’t worry, everything will be okay,] he said.

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The author has something to say:

Their operations are getting weirder… Nol, how can you claim the system AI is the one going quirky? (…………

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