This Game Is Too Real

When Fang Chang and Miss Dolly were all lovey-dovey, Gui Gui, sitting on the other side of the tavern's main hall, had already covered his mouth and nose, making exaggerated expressions while quietly grumbling to Feng Qing, who was sitting across from him.

"Oh no... I smell the sour stench of Mortal Serum!"

Feng Qing, calmly sipping coffee, tilted his head and looked at Gui Gui's exaggerated expression with confusion.

"Mortal Serum doesn't have a smell."

"It's that kind of Mortal Serum, you know, the kind... Ah, never mind," Gui Gui gestured awkwardly for a long time, unable to muster the courage to say it out loud. Finally, he sighed and supported his cheeks with both hands. "Speaking of, isn't it weird to fall in love with an NPC? Especially if in reality there's a family involved, does that count as cheating?"

"Emmmm..." Feng Qing thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "I wouldn't know about that kind of thing."

Whether in reality or in the Game, she wasn't much interested in romantic relationships. But this kind of thing should count as a personal matter, right?

However, Gui Gui was still dwelling on it, even subconsciously nibbling on his fingers.

"...Damn, whenever I think about how the adorable Miss Dolly is actually sitting across from a middle-aged man with five or six kids in reality, I can't stand it anymore! Damn it, Fang Chang needs to explode quickly."

Ah, so it was about Dolly...

Feng Qing made a helpless expression, put down the coffee cup held between his hands, and said.

"I think if you're so concerned about what others are like in reality, why not ask yourself... It's quite rude to randomly speculate about a stranger's private life behind their back."

"Ugh... I was wrong."

Feeling the boundary of his behavior, Gui Gui raised both hands in surrender.

Looking at his distressed friend, Feng Qing smiled gently and said,

"I didn't mean to blame you; it's more like comfort. There are plenty of adorable NPCs, why not go explore yourself... Moreover, I think the couple themselves don't actually enjoy living in the spotlight; it's entirely because friends from the Burning Corps were stirring things up on the Forum that drew so much attention."

"True," Gui Gui stretched his arms and sighed as if he had just suffered a heartbreak, but quickly rallied with energy, "Speaking of which, Citrus is in junior high now, right?"

That was the girl Feng Qing had rescued from an orphanage run by a gang in the slums outside the old Giant Stone City.

The incident was also the catalyst for the Alliance's purge of gang elements outside Giant Stone City. Afterward, those kids, who had been raised like merchandise, moved into regular welfare institutions.

The Alliance has a comprehensive social care mechanism to look after these orphans, including raising them until age 18 and covering expenses during compulsory education, so they don't have to pay out of pocket to raise her.

But they still occasionally visit her, making cotton candy together, buying her pretty new dresses... treating her like their own daughter.

Talking about Citrus, a reminiscent smile naturally appeared on Feng Qing's face.

"Last time I saw her, she was preparing for the entrance exams. By mid-year, she'll probably be taking the test."

Gui Gui, with his chin resting on his hand, also remarked wistfully.

"She's going to junior high already... Time flies fast."

The players' bodies don't seem to change much.

Of course, maybe it's because they often die, so everything refreshes after each resurrection.

I've heard there are hardcore players who haven't died once since leaving the Novice Village, and their bodies still undergo some changes as they age.

Seeing his sentimental friend, Feng Qing thought for a while and said.

"Though that's what you say, technically, it's only been two or three years since we met her."

Gui Gui scratched his head.

"Uh, seems like it."

Somehow those two or three years feel longer than twenty or thirty years.

Perhaps this is what a fulfilling life feels like.

After placing the coffee cup and used utensils back on the tray, Feng Qing looked at Gui Gui sitting across and said.

"I'm rested up, continue doing tasks?"

Gui Gui jumped up.

"Oh right! Task, task... I almost forgot about the task; we've got to catch that little rat from the Enlightenment Society."

Opening the VM interface, Feng Qing reminded.

"There's also the package to deliver to the town hall and the mutant rat nest in the sewer to clear."

"Huh?! I accepted a sewer task?"

Seeing Gui Gui's terrified expression, Feng Qing tilted his head.

"I accepted it... But the reward is quite good, with 1000 Silver Coins, and the mission process is pretty short. Just endure it."

...

Just as the tearful Gui Gui was being pushed out of the tavern by Feng Qing, a pair of foes were bickering incessantly on another street, not far from the talent market.

One of them was Night Ten from the Burning Corps, and the other was Jiang Xuezhou, a Level C Researcher from the Academy.

The two were originally operating in the Southern Quarantine Zone of Welch Province, but now that the focus in the quarantine zone has shifted from control to the development of vaccines and antidotes, the two who weren't specialized in this field really couldn't be of much help.

Moreover, a major incident happened recently—the Academy lost a research ship and an entire beacon team went missing in Yavente City. So, Jiang Xuezhou was sent to Yavente City.

As for Night Ten, he was half forced over here and half concerned about the danger this guy might encounter if acting alone.

The Academy's top brass had given up hope that the missing beacon team was still alive, but the lost research ship had to be found.

There were too many potential unknowns drifting in outer space that could slip through one's grasp.

If people who shouldn't get their hands on those things arrive there first, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Understanding the importance of this mission, once Jiang Xuezhou arrived in Yavente City, he seriously began searching for the whereabouts of the missing research ship. However, the two have been looking for almost two weeks now without finding a single clue.

The longer the time drags on, the lower the chance of the missing members' survival, and more unlikely that the research ship would be retrieved.

Jiang Xuezhou was somewhat anxious too, and couldn't help but vent his grievances on Night Ten, who had an indifferent expression.

"Don't you have that sixth sense? Can't you use your sixth sense to find that guy?"

Night Ten rolled his eyes, hit by stray fire, and retorted unceremoniously.

"The sixth sense is not used like that; do you think I can do magic?"

That guy aiming at him from a distance might be possible.

Using thin air to locate enemies separated by an unknown distance is already cheating, okay!

Jiang Xuezhou curled the corner of his mouth.

"Tch, really useless."

Hearing this, Night Ten suddenly felt disgruntled.

"How am I useless? When I was carrying the whole show, you were just a Little D Grade! By the way, aren't you from the Academy? Don't you have that kind of technology to lock onto our target among the crowd?"

Jiang Xuezhou flushed red and glared at him.

"What carrying, I don't understand... What nonsense are you talking about; why not organize your language before expressing it."

"Carrying means MVP... Forget it, forget it, there is no need to talk about past glory; even my younger siblings are gone now, sigh."

Looking at Jiang Xuezhou's baffled expression, Night Ten sighed while looking up at the sky, arms behind his head, paused for a moment, and continued.

"But I say, isn't your Academy one of the three major forces? Since it's already confirmed that the Enlightenment Society took your research ship, why not just send the Alpha Special Mobile Force over? Even if you turn Yavente City upside down and find that little rat, the Enlightenment Society definitely won't obediently exchange hostages with you, right?"

The Alliance has captured Enlightenment Society captives before, and even the Thorns Corps in Pioneer City could capture one or two every now and then.

But it doesn't do any good.

All they can do is let those misguided residents of the refuge undergo labor reform, witness the achievements of the Alliance's work, and persuade those folks to return to the right path.

As for finding the headquarters of the Enlightenment Society or extracting intelligence through these captives.

Those refuge residents deceived by the Enlightenment Society don't even know themselves.

Not to mention exchanging hostages; those sneaky people don't have any concept of compatriots in their hearts.

Hearing Night Ten criticizing her organization again, Jiang Xuezhou's eyes showed a complex expression.

If it were any other time, she would surely rebut, maybe even argue with him eyebrow to eyebrow, but now she was indeed feeling a bit lost.

"I don't know… But I think the upper ranks must have their concerns, and finding the only clue is also the only thing we can do."

Night Ten glanced at her, then cast his gaze toward the street ahead.

"I believe, it's no secret that the Academy has a thousand tricks up its sleeve in the Wasteland… I'm just worried, you're not within the scope of their concerns."

So what if it's Level C.

As long as one seed survives, it's considered a victory; the others are just nutrients in the soil.

The Academy possibly doesn't just disregard Level C researchers; he even thinks they don't care about Level A or even the only S-level.

They are the true Leviathan.

Unlike the Family Meeting which uses ideals as a guise for deception, they are truly a faith-bound organization, a body born for knowledge and fully serving knowledge.

Apart from their only goal, everything else is expendable.

Including the Chief Technical Officer himself.

Even Doctor Conclusion.

A Level C Researcher is too insignificant in the narrative where civilization is the height.

Night Ten originally just wanted to advise her not to overwork herself, that it's not worth putting her life at risk, but didn't expect the latter to suddenly fall silent.

He looked puzzled at the side, only to see Xuezhou's face showing a shy expression for some reason.

Just when he was about to ask, "What's wrong with you?", a mosquito-like whisper came.

"...Were you worried about me just now?"

Worry?

"Not at all—"

"Yo, Night Ten, on a date?"

An untimely voice suddenly came from the side, interrupting Night Ten just as he was about to speak.

What the hell?

Night Ten quickly turned his head towards the direction of the voice, only to see Big Eyes and Construction Guy making goofy faces at him.

"Such a good relationship!"

"Of course, their relationship is so pure, unlike you who just enters the body, not the family."

"Roll roll roll, roll your mom's!"

Big Eyes, who was smiling just a moment ago, suddenly flipped out, unknowingly spoke the words Night Ten wanted to say.

Watching Big Eyes pick up his fists and chase Construction Guy to beat him, Night Ten held back the sarcasm that came to his lips.

Standing next to him, Jiang Xuezhou looked blankly at the two running away, then tilted her head to look at Night Ten.

"What are they talking about?"

Night Ten was about to explain but didn't know how to start, his old face blushing in shame as he mumbled.

"Those jerks are mocking me."

"Oh, hehe..."

Completely misunderstanding, Jiang Xuezhou showed a mischievous smile, covering her mouth with her left hand and gently poked his arm with her right.

"Looks like your popularity with the Alliance isn't great. Why don't you come to the Academy with me? Comes with a Ark ticket!"

Night Ten rolled his eyes.

"No way."

Jiang Xuezhou raised her eyebrows, showing her teeth and said.

"Why! I'm not good to you?"

"Not really... Wait, why do I have to go with you just because you're nice to me! I'm doing just fine in the Alliance!" Night Ten was shaking his head while suddenly realizing he'd been led into a logical trap.

Jiang Xuezhou glared at him, gritted her teeth, but ultimately just snorted, not saying much.

"...Ungrateful guy."

For the rest of the journey, the two exchanged no words.

Night Ten didn't know what misstep this fellow had taken, suddenly getting all sulky.

Why is she so insistent on getting him to join the Academy?

Isn't it good as it is now?

This is way too loyal!

At this moment, the VM worn on Night Ten's arm suddenly vibrated. He lifted it and opened the screen to look, only to see a message floating in the center of the screen.

[Edge Shoveling: There's new evidence regarding the Disciples of Enlightenment Society. The guard station on Street No. 17 received a report from residents about suspicious personnel entering and leaving the alley between door 203 and 202, not like locals, and not like our people either. If you're interested, you might want to take a look. If it's a misunderstanding, it would give residents a peaceful sleep.]

Night Ten's eyes lit up, immediately replied.

[Haha! Thanks, brother!]

In a few seconds, another message popped up.

[Edge Shoveling: You're welcome! If you catch a big fish, remember to share with us! (Grinning)]

Night Ten: [Hell no! Am I the kind to eat alone? Wait! I'll be right there.]

Peering at Night Ten typing on the screen, Jiang Xuezhou couldn't help but lean in, wanting to see what he was up to.

Just as she did, Night Ten suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"What are you doing?!" Jiang Xuezhou's whole body was startled, dumbfounded there like a fool.

But Night Ten didn't wait for her, opened the VM map navigation function, pulling her along.

"Don't ask too much, just follow me!"

"???

Jiang Xuezhou confusedly got dragged along, the two crossed two streets and arrived in front of an inconspicuous small alley.

This place looked like the old city, many houses already empty, either the residents moved away or died in the war, only old folks lived here.

Jiang Xuezhou blushed as she pulled her arm away, glaring at Night Ten who finally stopped.

"Why did you bring me here?"

With a smug expression, Night Ten cast his eyes toward the small alley ahead.

"Didn't you say I'm slacking off? I'm proving I'm not."

Jiang Xuezhou: "....?"

Seeing Jiang Xuezhou's bewildered face, Night Ten patiently explained the clues he had.

Speaking bluntly.

Such needle-in-a-haystack tasks should be given to the Beggar's Sect brothers of the Death Legion.

These guys roam everywhere, especially Big Eyes' group loves engaging deeply with local NPCs, finding clues is ridiculously easy.

He greeted Edge Brother as soon as he arrived in Yavente City, the latter informed him of any clues immediately.

Jiang Xuezhou stared at him, dazed for a while, then suddenly lowered her head and softly said, "Thank you."

Unexpectedly, she pulled this move, Night Ten's first reaction wasn't joy, but wariness towards her.

"...Why suddenly thank me?"

Jiang Xuezhou struggled for a moment but ultimately confessed.

"...I shouldn't have thought you weren't putting effort in."

Night Ten looked at her speechlessly.

"Good grief, so that's how you saw me."

Do I have to use a magnifying glass to find bugs in wall cracks to be called putting effort?

Damn!

She's increasingly becoming like his nosy old mother.

Jiang Xuezhou blushed as she turned her head away, lightly snorting with her nose.

"You always seem so indifferent."

"I do find your higher-ups somewhat frustrating, not really wanting to get mixed up in your mess, but it doesn't mean I'm indifferent to you..." Night Ten looked at Jiang Xuezhou who turned red from ears to the back of her neck, sighing, scratching his head randomly, "Wait for me here, I'm going in to take a look."

Watching Night Ten walk straight into the alley, Jiang Xuezhou quickly followed.

"Ah, I'll help too!"

Night Ten rolled his eyes.

"Just don't mess things up!"

Jiang Xuezhou angrily glared back.

"I want to! Pfft, when have I ever messed up? Besides, this is my task!"

"Alright alright, your task."

Night Ten sighed, originally indifferent but now slightly serious.

These days, even NPCs are starting to compete with players for tasks.

This game is too realistic!