Just as he was about to speak, Xiang Zhuo coldly said, “Answer my question, no unnecessary words.”

The steel needle approached Mo Qi’s neck, leaving a trail of blood. Mo Qi wisely remained silent.

Xiang Zhuo asked, “Are you a normal person or a player?”

Mo Qi considered responding with a question about what a player was, but after a moment’s thought, he calmly replied, “A player.”

Since Xiang Zhuo dared to press for answers, he might have ways to detect lies. Moreover, even if Mo Qi pretended to be a normal person, it didn’t mean Xiang Zhuo wouldn’t harm normal people. The best course now was to use the clues at hand to dispel Xiang Zhuo’s urge to kill, and perhaps subtly inquire about some game-related information.

“You’re smart for not lying,” Xiang Zhuo said.

Mo Qi kept his expression unchanged. This statement confirmed his suspicions that Xiang Zhuo indeed had means to detect lies.

“Next question, are you the Task Initiator?” Xiang Zhuo asked again.

It seemed that being the Initiator was indeed a significant role among players. Mo Qi didn’t hide it: “Yes, I am.”

“Looks like I’m lucky. I’ve encountered the Initiator on the first day,” Xiang Zhuo stepped out from behind the tree, the steel needle still against Mo Qi’s neck.

It wasn’t until now that Xiang Zhuo clearly saw Mo Qi’s face. He paused and then said, “You’re Mo Qi?”

“Do you know me?” Mo Qi looked puzzled.

“The system provided background information about you. You’re my junior in the next year, and we had a retake course together. Mo Qi, you’re described as smooth-talking, money-loving, and popular in class,” Xiang Zhuo explained.

Was that how the system portrayed him? Mo Qi smirked.

“My information about you was just a simple impression of a retake student,” Mo Qi replied.

“You’re the Task Initiator. Until we clear the game, I won’t kill you. I’ll also protect you from others. It’s best for you to cooperate with me,” Xiang Zhuo stated.

Mo Qi showed no fear of the steel needle in Xiang Zhuo’s hand. He stared at Xiang Zhuo and said, “The system informed me that the team formation period is over. We should be in a competitive relationship now. Can we still cooperate?”

Xiang Zhuo was softened by Mo Qi’s gaze. His tone slowed down, and his hand holding the steel needle trembled slightly. “Competitive doesn’t mean hostile. We’re competing for points and special item cards, not in a life-or-death situation. What’s wrong with temporary cooperation?”

From his words, Mo Qi inferred that among game players, there were likely three types of relationships: teaming up, competing, and being enemies. Teaming up and competing were relatively benign, but being enemies could be unpredictable.

“I’m a newcomer, and this is my first game. They didn’t even explain the rules to me. Right now, I’m completely in the dark, not even clear on what a Task Initiator is,” Mo Qi explained.

Upon hearing Mo Qi’s words, Xiang Zhuo’s first instinct was to look at the steel needle. Seeing that it hadn’t changed, he exclaimed in surprise, “So you really are a newcomer. This is the first time I’ve seen a Task Initiator who is a newcomer.”

“Does this steel needle detect lies?” Mo Qi asked.

Xiang Zhuo explained, “This is ‘Pinocchio’s Nose,’ an SR-grade item. If you lie, it will suddenly elongate and pierce through your neck, causing blood to spray. The downside is that the user will also uncontrollably tell the truth.”

“I see, good thing I’m pretty honest,” Mo Qi chuckled. “Do all items and skills have negative effects?”

“Of course, and the higher the grade, the stronger the negative effects. We usually only use SR and R-grade items. SSR-grade items have devastating negative effects that can be catastrophic. Even if you obtain such an item, you might not be able to control it,” Xiang Zhuo, affected by ‘Pinocchio’s Nose,’ couldn’t help but speak the truth.

Mo Qi smiled faintly. “And what about player attributes?”

“Attributes also have grades. R-grade attributes are safe but not very powerful in combat. SR-grade attributes are the best choice, as they can withstand negative effects and offer strong abilities,” Xiang Zhuo explained.

Mo Qi took a deep breath. “What about SSR-grade attributes?”

“They are extremely rare in the game. I’ve only heard of them but never seen one. It’s said that SSR-grade players aren’t nonexistent, but most of them are killed by the negative effects of their skills in the early stages of the game,” Xiang Zhuo replied.

Mo Qi fell silent.

If it weren’t for his vigilance while working with the Student Council President tonight, he might have already been dead.

Mo Qi noticed Xiang Zhuo’s expression of suspicion, as if he was about to ask about Mo Qi’s own grade level. Under the influence of “Pinocchio’s Nose,” Mo Qi couldn’t lie, yet he was unwilling to reveal his own grade. Quickly changing the subject, Mo Qi asked, “What exactly is a Task Initiator?”

At this moment, Xiang Zhuo, influenced by “Enchantment,” felt an inexplicable fondness for Mo Qi. Coupled with the negative effect of the steel needle, he uncontrollably answered, “The setting of our current game is this campus. I wasn’t originally a student of this school; I was implanted into the game after it started. Among all players, there must be someone who originally belonged to this setting, and that person is the Task Initiator.”

“What advantages does the Initiator have in the game?” Mo Qi inquired.

“There are no advantages in completing the game. The Initiator’s sole role is to maintain stability between reality and the game,” Xiang Zhuo explained. “For example, this campus was pulled into the game world. With the Initiator as a link, the setting leans more towards reality. If the Initiator dies, the scene will be completely engulfed by the game world. All ordinary people will mutate, turning the game into a scenario where players are hunted down by mutants. The difficulty of the task will increase tenfold or more, and everyone will be doomed.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is. I must be quite important then,” Mo Qi said with a slight smile.

He placed his finger against the steel needle and told Xiang Zhuo, “Remove your needle. Otherwise, if you ask a question I don’t want to answer next, lying would be bad.”

“If you lie, you’ll die first. It’ll just increase the game difficulty, not kill us,” Xiang Zhuo responded. “How come you’re threatening me like this?”

“Because there’s an easy option. You don’t have to choose the difficult one,” Mo Qi said calmly. “I simply dislike being coerced. I want an equal conversation, that’s all. But you want to gamble with two lives—it’s too high a price.”

“Your so-called equal conversation comes with a high price too,” Xiang Zhuo countered, stepping closer. “I’m holding a prop. Let’s see if you’re willing to bet your life on the next question.”

“Go ahead and ask. No matter what you say next, I’ll lie,” Mo Qi declared.

“The ‘Pinocchio’s Nose’ didn’t extend, which means I genuinely meant what I said just now. If you threaten me again, I’ll definitely take extreme measures,” Mo Qi asserted.

Xiang Zhuo’s hand trembled slightly as he questioned, “Are you out of your mind?”

Mo Qi smiled faintly, lips twitching as he was about to speak. Suddenly, Xiang Zhuo swiftly moved the steel needle away and covered Mo Qi’s mouth, fearing he might utter a falsehood.

In this psychological standoff, Xiang Zhuo conceded defeat. He released his grip, stowed away the needle, and resignedly said, “You can speak now.”

“I’m not crazy,” Mo Qi replied calmly. “I really did intend to lie just now, but the condition was that you wouldn’t dare to gamble.”

“Why do you think that?” Xiang Zhuo asked, now somewhat irritated.

Mo Qi stood nonchalantly with hands in his pockets, explaining calmly, “Two reasons: first, I’ve seen what a true gambler looks like, and you’re not one. Second, after you looked into my eyes and didn’t immediately kill me despite the opportunity, it became even more unlikely.”

“The second point, what’s that about?” Xiang Zhuo was thoroughly puzzled.

“You’ll have the chance to find out later,” Mo Qi replied, tapping the ground lightly with his toe. He noticed a wild grass line growing aggressively, devouring other small plants. At this rate, in a few days, the entire campus ground would be overrun by this grass line.