Chapter 7: How Am I Any Different from That Scoundrel Cao?

The beautiful woman’s words were laden with ambiguity, as if uttering a few more syllables might cost her dearly.

Cao Yu listened, feeling as if he had just been dismissed.

Of course, he wouldn’t fuss over such a small matter. Taking the phone handed to him, he began to operate it…

…

Twenty minutes later, all seven had completed their breakups, reclaiming their noble status as single dogs and obtaining the “Safe House Shelter.”

At the same time, two side mission prompts appeared:

[Side Mission 1: Uncover the Truth Behind “The Idol’s Grudge”]

[Side Mission 2: Save the World]

[Warning: When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you]

These two side missions were optional.

If abandoned, they would remain safe indefinitely.

The instance began at 11:00 a.m., and their main mission was to survive for twelve hours.

In other words, they could simply find a spot to wait until 11:00 p.m., then clear the instance smoothly and return to the real world.

The only downside would be a lower “instance rating” and fewer rewards.

“So, can we say we’re half-way through the instance?” The frail woman’s voice was light, as if lacking a sense of reality. “It’s… that simple?”

“After all, it’s a newbie instance, and we’re all new players too,” Brother Mo said. “A bit simpler is better, isn’t it?”

“Simple?” Zhou Fan couldn’t stand it. “Why don’t you two try it yourselves?”

These guys were already getting cocky?

Their rapid acquisition of the “Safe House Shelter” was mainly thanks to Cao Yu.

Otherwise, the first wave of illusionary peril alone would have nearly cost them their lives.

Even if they’d escaped the illusions, they’d likely end up like that man with the hood, fleeing the funeral parlor battered and bruised.

At that point, without intelligence from the “non-illusion crowd” and with the bloodthirsty Du Ruo on their trail, they’d have to run and gather intel simultaneously… just the thought made Zhou Fan’s head ache.

Thankfully, they had a veteran leading the team.

“Uh… I just don’t feel it’s very real, that’s all. I’m just reflecting, not saying the instance is easy,” the frail woman explained.

“Our team is well-equipped. Among the eight of us, two have superpowers, and three have items, which makes things seem easier,” Cao Yu smiled. “If you measure against ordinary newbie players, our gameplay is quite different.”

Seeing Cao Yu so approachable and unpretentious, the woman became curious: “What’s your superpower?”

“There’s nothing to hide,” Cao Yu answered honestly. “Number 123, Binary World.”

“Binary World? No wonder you tore Du Ruo’s corpse apart so easily,” Zhou Zhenglian joined the conversation, clearly surprised.

The beautiful woman glanced at Cao Yu.

For certain reasons, she was very familiar with “Binary World.”

The “Dust-Leaving Golden Ring” she wore on her finger was actually a Class D item.

Although her weak mental strength prevented her from unleashing its full power, the corpse she couldn’t destroy with the item was effortlessly shredded into pieces by Cao Yu.

That was not the typical strength expected from “Binary World” at the newbie player stage.

Achieving it was possible, but not with such ease.

This guy was lying.

Yet she chose not to expose him.

“I envy you for gambling on a superpower. I spent all 100 evolution points on mental strength and didn’t even make a splash,” the frail woman sighed, then asked, “By the way, do you all know each other in real life?”

She looked at Cao Yu, Chen Ran, Zhou Fan, and Zhou Zhenglian one by one.

During the previous battle, when the former shouted orders, the latter three immediately followed them to block the door. Such tacit understanding among strangers was unreasonable.

“No, but we can get to know each other,” Zhou Zhenglian smiled. “I’m Zhou Zheng, a reserve member recruited straight from the military by the Federation Special Affairs Bureau. We’ve been through this ordeal together, so if you don’t mind, how about introductions? If you do mind, just give your in-game nickname.”

Cao Yu glanced at the nickname he had set before entering the instance—[What Difference Am I From That Scoundrel Cao]… definitely not one to reveal.

“You’re with the Special Affairs Bureau?” Chen Ran was surprised.

The Special Affairs Bureau was an official large-scale player organization established by the Federation, managing all matters related to the Evolution Game within the Federation.

The Four Academies were founded by the Special Affairs Bureau’s branch in Four City.

Students there became players, and after surviving their first instance, they were assigned to the Special Affairs Bureau—this was explicitly stated in their contracts.

Only a select few privileged graduates had the freedom to choose.

In other words, Zhou Zheng would become their colleague.

“I’m a reserve member,” Zhou Zheng said, “but after this, I should become a full member.”

“Quite a coincidence,” Cao Yu smiled. “I graduated from the Four Academies, so once we return to reality, we’ll be colleagues. By the way, I’m Cao Bao.”

Cao Bao… meaning “blockhead”? Not even pretending with a real name?

Many wanted to say something but held back.

The beautiful woman introduced herself: “Annie.”

“Ran Chengcheng,” Chen Ran said, “also a Four Academies graduate.”

“Fan Zhou,” Zhou Fan said, “also from the Four Academies.”

According to the newbie player matching rules for the first instance—similar ID numbers and the same region—the eight players in this instance, unless tourists to Four City, were all locals.

Locals were generally aware of the Four Academies.

“No wonder you’re so coordinated,” Zhou Zheng laughed. “I thought you’d been trained. Looks like the students from the Four Academies are quite competent.”

“I’ve heard of the Four Academies,” the frail woman said. “They provide items and potions. Do students there get such good benefits?”

“They only provide potions, and not many at that,” Zhou Fan said. “As for items, those are rare. Without support from your family, you have to prove your worth to obtain the Four Academies’ resource favor.”

He looked at Cao Yu.

“For example, Number 123, Binary World.”

“So,” Brother Mo looked at Chen Ran and the beautiful woman, “Miss Ran and Miss Annie, are you both from wealthy families? Items supported by your families? By the way, I’m Song Yiming.”

The beautiful woman ignored him.

Chen Ran casually said, “What wealthy families? I borrowed this item from my brother and have to return it after we go back.”

“Being able to borrow an item is already good,” the frail woman envied. “I was suddenly chosen by the Evolution Game to become a player, so I practically have nothing. I really envy you all… By the way, I’m Zhuang Na.”

Cao Yu smiled warmly and said in a comforting tone:

“There’s a saying that players actively chosen by the Evolution Game tend to have higher innate talents than ‘invitation players.’ You might not see the difference during the newbie phase, but it will become apparent as you advance on the evolution path.”

“Thanks for the consolation. But…” the frail woman shook her head. “I think that’s self-deception. Maybe your Four Academies students are the ones who get chosen. The invitation just accelerates the process.”

“The Four Academies’ resource support does give us a head start, but the finish line is far away. As long as you’re willing to fight, overtaking on the curve is still easy.”

Cao Yu twirled the toy pistol in his hand and took the opportunity to say something encouraging:

“Right now, the opportunity is right before us. As long as we complete the side missions, our final instance rating won’t be low.

“At that point, rewards like potions will be just basic basics, not worth mentioning.

“A large number of evolution points and powerful items—that’s the key to overtaking on the curve.”

After clearing the instance, the Evolution Game would rate players based on their performance, from a minimum of “E-” to a maximum of “A+.” There might be an “S” rank, but it had never appeared in Federation records.

The minimum rating required to obtain items was “B-.”

Therefore, only a few players actually possessed items.

“The side missions come with warnings!” Brother Mo hesitated. “When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you… If we get involved, we’ll definitely face new dangers, and probably not simple ones. Maybe it’s better to give up?”

The beautiful woman asked Cao Yu, “When do we set off?”

“Uh… Miss Annie, are you sure you want to go?” Brother Mo, feeling a bit embarrassed, instinctively advised, “We just finished our first instance; there’s really no need to push so hard…”

Her gaze was cold. “Mind your own business.”

“Count me in,” Zhou Zheng said.

“I won’t go,” the frail woman sighed. “I have nothing, no training, and my abilities end here. If I go in this state and encounter danger, I’d probably become a burden.”