Chapter 38: Let’s Talk

When Xiao Muyu looked at the number “52348526,” she suddenly felt momentarily confused. Why did it feel like she had seen this number somewhere before?

She tried to look at it again, but the interface was already gone. Those eight digits were engraved in her mind. 52348526. She believed it wasn’t any special number, so why did it feel so familiar?

Xiao Muyu closed her eyes and mulled it over, but came up with nothing. She could only conclude that she was overthinking it.

However, there were more than fifty-two million players. That number was somewhat beyond Xiao Muyu’s expectations.

What exactly was this so-called Skynet World made of? How could it select over fifty million players to participate in the game, to defy the cycle of life and death?

Could this world be supernatural? Was there truly a paranormal world hidden from people in reality?

Xiao Muyu took a deep breath. She decided to find an inn to stay at first and then slowly figure out what to do next. At the very least, during her two-day break, she wanted to take the time to gain a better understanding of this world.

This time, after some consideration, she found a cheaper inn costing only 1,000 gold coins daily. Although the conditions were a bit subpar, it was clean.

Xiao Muyu noticed that most of the people staying there were players. When they saw her, they all gave her a scrutinizing look, which made her uncomfortable.

Ignoring those stares, Xiao Muyu entered her room, immediately locking the door. She took out her phone and logged into the forum.

Once logged in, Xiao Muyu saw that most posts were for team recruitment. She clicked on one and saw it was more detailed than a job listing.

The requirements were varied. The most common ones included gender, age, number of instances cleared, and completion rating. Some posts had fewer conditions but required the possession of specific items. In short, recruiting teammates was all about strengthening the team.

As Xiao Muyu was browsing the page, a fresh recruitment ad appeared. The title read: [Urgent Recruitment] April 5th, Level A Instance No. 006, recruiting two members.

The date in Skynet World was April 4th. The recruitment was for tomorrow.

Time passed as it should in Skynet World, but it was unstable within instances. Xiao Muyu wasn’t entirely sure what that meant yet. However, in the short period she’d been there, she hadn’t noticed any significant difference.

After returning, Xiao Muyu spent most of her time in the inn browsing the forum.

The forum was for relevant discussions, so few people chatted. After all, players had no mindset to waste time on social media when danger loomed over their heads.

Occasionally, the posts offered basic information. But those were often outdated or only a few entries deep.

Xiao Muyu also tried sharing her own experiences in the forum. But as expected, the content couldn’t pass review.

However, while browsing, Xiao Muyu came across a post by a player with the username “The Little Prince’s Balloon Flower”.

She found the name odd. Why balloon flower? Wasn’t it supposed to be The Little Prince’s Rose? But after looking at it again, Xiao Muyu felt there wasn’t anything wrong with it after all.

Surprisingly, their post was a guide, not for clearing instances, but an introduction to Skynet World.

It covered sections of Skynet World’s map, with recommendations on where to eat, live, and shop. It even included prices on food, clothing, daily necessities, and where to find the best deals. It was a comprehensive survival guide for Skynet World players.

There was even an introduction to the small street that sold all sorts of items, which Xiao Muyu had passed by before. The information matched what she had learned.

Skynet World served as a hub, a resting place for players. It seemed that the rest periods would be extended for now, though they likely had limits. It was rare for someone to put in the time and effort to create a guide and share it with others.

Among the many urgent, cold, businesslike recruitment posts, this post stood out for its warmth. Despite the unwillingness to waste time chatting online and fear of revealing personal information, some players had left comments under the guide. There was gratitude, admissions, and even final well wishes amidst hopelessness.

Xiao Muyu read one of those comments.

[Thank you, OP. Even though I might never be able to use this again, many others can benefit from it. A warm person like you deserves to go home. Bless you!]

Beneath it, “The Little Prince’s Balloon Flower” replied: [Everyone should go home. If you make it back, give a call. Someone will be thinking of you.]

Xiao Muyu looked at the last comment from two months ago. There was no response to “The Little Prince’s Balloon Flower”. Other players consciously avoided that particular comment thread. Instead, they offered blessings to other commenters.

Xiao Muyu just stared at it, feeling little emotion. As expected, she was cold-blooded.

Many players had discreetly begun posting records of their instance experiences in that thread before they gradually stopped.

In reality, this sent a very negative message. Seeing players like them going no further from certain instances was nothing short of torment for others. Yet, no one stopped or reprimanded it. Xiao Muyu understood. Besides the online community here, probably no one would even know these people had ever existed, much less where or how they disappeared.

Time passed quickly. She came out of the instance in the afternoon. Now, the sky outside had darkened in what felt like no time.

After eating a simple meal, Xiao Muyu lay down on the bed and opened the map on her phone. Strangely, her gaze settled on the Yellow Springs District and then zeroed in on Abyss Grand Hotel.

It wasn’t far from here.

Once she realized what she was looking at, Xiao Muyu immediately turned off her phone, tossed it aside, and closed her eyes to rest.

Numerous thoughts filled her mind. She had questions about Skynet World and uncertainties about future instances. And then, there was Shen Qingqiu, the woman who practically barged into Xiao Muyu’s world without allowing any refusal.

Although her physical wounds had healed after exiting the instance, the exhaustion from intense mental exertion and tension couldn’t simply disappear. Before long, Xiao Muyu drifted into sleep.

*

Early the next day, Zhou Yuan, the receptionist, saw the person he had been thinking about—Shen Qingqiu.

Yesterday afternoon, he saw her come down several times and linger around the hotel entrance. This morning, she approached him for the first time, asking him to watch out for any guests looking for her.

Her rare willingness to talk to him surprised Zhou Yuan. He couldn’t resist trying to make conversation.

“Miss Shen, you’ve successfully cleared another instance. That must have been exhausting. Since you’ve got some rare free time, how about finding someone to give you a spa and help you relax?”

Shen Qingqiu had changed into casual clothes in the hotel. She appeared much more laid-back, her usual cold and aloof aura had softened quite a bit.

After hearing Zhou Yuan’s words, Shen Qingqiu looked up at the young receptionist. With slicked-back hair and stylish looks, he believed himself irresistibly handsome.

Zhou Yuan was a native of Skynet World, otherwise known as an NPC. He stood at the front desk, acting suave, taking advantage of befuddled players to have one-night stands with them.

To Shen Qingqiu, he was utterly revolting.

Despite feeling disgusted inside, Shen Qingqiu maintained a pleasant smile. Yet, her eyes stared blankly at Zhou Yuan.

“Do you know what you look like right now?” Shen Qingqiu’s voice seemed to bear hidden hooks. She leaned closer as she spoke. With a smile in her eyes and faint red lips, the woman appeared particularly enchanting in the morning light.

Zhou Yuan swallowed and grinned like a fool. “What do I look like?”

“A flamboyant peacock about to spread its tail feathers.”

Zhou Yuan’s face looked like he was suffocating. His neck quickly reddened as he fumed in embarrassment. With big, glaring eyes, he spoke through gritted teeth: “Watch your words, Miss Shen!”

Shen Qingqiu’s smiling eyes turned cold. Her fair, slender fingers lightly tapped on the front desk. She gave Zhou Yuan a neutral glance with her gray eyes.

“I always speak without care. What’s it to you?”

Even ghosts found her aura intimidating, let alone a receptionist who had never faced real challenges in Skynet World. He immediately shrank back in fear, not daring to make a sound.

“I know what you’re thinking. You best keep your eyes and your mouth in check. Don’t aim that stuff at me; I find it filthy. Skynet World only has rules about not killing you people. But it doesn’t say anything about the rest. Do you get me?”

Although they were said in a dulcet tone and with the same charming expression, her words sent chills down Zhou Yuan’s spine. He hastily nodded.

As Zhou Yuan quailed, the woman standing outside walked in. She looked at Shen Qingqiu expressionlessly. Shen Qingqiu also spotted her.

Zhou Yuan then witnessed the demeanor of the smiling death goddess in front of him turn a complete 180. Her smile remained witty and charming. But the cold, deadly glint in her eyes had brightened beautifully. She even winked at the cheerless yet elegant woman.

Maintaining her leaning posture, Shen Qingqiu added quietly, “And what I just said goes for this person too. Don’t look at her with your filthy eyes.”

Zhou Yuan, who stared at the woman in black pants and a white shirt, immediately shuddered and pulled his gaze away.

After giving that warning, Shen Qingqiu pushed herself off the front desk. She walked over to Xiao Muyu, her face full of smiles.

Giving Xiao Muyu a once over, she said, “I thought you weren’t going to come.”

Xiao Muyu pressed her lips together. Her gaze briefly swept over the pale-faced Zhou Yuan. She then calmly replied, “If I didn’t, how would I know that you don’t only act like a death goddess before ghosts but to people too?”

To Zhou Yuan, her words were laced with sarcasm. But Shen Qingqiu, the so-called death goddess, wasn’t angered. Instead, she laughed even more jubilantly. “Didn’t you already know that from the beginning?”

Xiao Muyu said nothing further. Her expression stayed cold and indifferent. Her gaze, however, unconsciously drifted toward Shen Qingqiu’s left shoulder, near her chest.

Keen-eyed, Shen Qingqiu noticed immediately. She raised her hand to cover her chest. When Xiao Muyu’s eyes locked onto hers, Shen Qingqiu leaned in with a playful smile. “You know no matter how serious they are, injuries heal once you’re out. Are you worried about me?”

Even after she got caught looking, Xiao Muyu’s expression remained unchanged. Her gaze lifted slightly, calm as ever. “You got hurt saving me. Although I don’t want too much contact with you, I’m not an ungrateful person. You asked me to find you, so I’m here. What do you want to discuss?”

‘So cold,’ Shen Qingqiu lamented, though she appeared undeterred. “I told you I’d clean up and wait for you at the hotel. What do you think I want to discuss?”

Xiao Muyu felt exasperated. Why was this woman so aloof in front of others, yet never proper in front of her? Shen Qingqiu had leaned in quite close to deliver her suggestive comment. Xiao Muyu frowned and took a step back. Steadily, she voiced: “I’m not into that.”

“You’re not into what? Women?” Shen Qingqiu, as if addicted to teasing her, ignored Xiao Muyu’s cold response and continued to joke.

“I came here because you invited me to discuss something. If it’s romance, I’m sorry, but I’m not interested. Goodbye.” Xiao Muyu turned around and headed for the entrance.

The playful gleam in Shen Qingqiu’s eyes slowly faded. With a serious look, she followed the other woman outside.

Zhou Yuan watched as the two beautiful women, each with a different style, left the hotel. Only then did the chill he felt eased. He appeared vexed. No wonder Shen Qingqiu wasn’t interested in him. She batted for the same team.

Shen Qingqiu quickened her pace as she stepped out and caught up to Xiao Muyu. “I thought you were usually more patient. You can’t take a few words I said? Fine, I’ll stop teasing you. Let’s find a place. I have some serious business to discuss.”

She dropped her devilish smirk as her expression turned serious. The sincerity in her eyes made Xiao Muyu unknowingly relax and nod in agreement.

Shen Qingqiu found a small tea house. These types of leisurely, peaceful places had very few customers. The occasional patrons were mostly Skynet’s native inhabitants, rarely any players.

There was a simple reason for this. Taking time to enjoy a cup of tea was too much of a luxury.

Noticing Xiao Muyu quietly looking over the menu, Shen Qingqiu chuckled. “It’s on me. Don’t worry.”

Xiao Muyu: ……

“Why are you so insistent on talking to me? What exactly do you want to discuss?” Feeling far from calm, Xiao Muyu decided to get straight to the point.

Shen Qingqiu looked at her intently and was just as direct. “I want to team up with you.”

---

Author had something to say:

Xiao Xiao: I’m not into that.
Author: *Slap*
Xiao Xiao: I have no interest in romance.
Author: *Slap*
Xiao Xiao: I don’t have any feelings for you.
Author: *Slap*
Xiao Xiao: …Fine, I admit it. I don’t want to play any games or clear any instances. I just want romance. I have strong feelings for you and I’m really interested.
Xiao Shen: If you’d said that earlier, we would’ve done it more times than you’ve cleared instances.