Chapter 36: Unexpected Developments in Reality

The next morning, before the dawn had fully broken, some players of the Fifth Militia Squad logged in early, only to discover upon their arrival at the camp that their tents were gone. The entire camp was in a state of utter disarray, the ground scarred with deep blade marks as if a fierce battle had taken place. They soon learned that just a few hours prior, a semi-professional-grade Specter had invaded the camp, leading to a violent struggle that ended only when the militia squad members managed to kill it.

"A Specter invasion? I've never actually seen a ghost before. Are they like the ones in movies and novels?"

"You should hope you never see one. I heard that a while ago, a Specter was lurking in the village and killed quite a few people..."

When Dugu Feng logged in, the members of the Fifth Squad immediately surrounded him. "Big Brother Dugu, did you hear about last night? A Specter invaded our camp!"

Hearing the word "Specter," he instinctively shuddered, only relaxing when he saw Gu Chenghu in the distance, busy setting up a new tent. With the old captain nearby, it meant the threat to the camp had been neutralized.

"Brothers, what exactly happened? Tell me in detail."

After listening to their chaotic explanations, Dugu Feng finally understood what had occurred, and he couldn't help but feel lucky that he hadn't been logged in last night. It had been a semi-professional-grade Specter! Moreover, the white mist it emitted had blanketed the entire camp, leaving no room for escape. In the end, it was Lin Yi who had coordinated with Gu Chenghu and Gu Laosi to take it down.

Wait, since when had his brother Qingshan become so fierce? Even his good friend, the level 9 Chang Kongkuo, wouldn't have dared to attack a semi-professional-grade Specter head-on. Was it really just because he had changed to a semi-spirit-grade long blade that he possessed such combat power? If he recalled correctly, Lin Yi had been suppressing his experience points and was still only a level 3 player. The gap between level 3 and semi-professional grade was far too vast.

Truth be told, in Dugu Feng's mind, Lin Yi’s image was still that of a player capable of killing a level 5 corpse monster without taking damage—a combat power of level 5. But even with the progress Lin Yi had made over the past week, it seemed impossible for him to handle a semi-professional-grade Specter. If he didn't know that the Apocalypse game was free of hacks, he would have suspected Lin Yi of cheating. Dugu Feng couldn't wrap his head around it; he really couldn't...

As time passed, the members of the Fifth Militia Squad gathered, and Gu Laosi began their training. Gu Chenghu waited for Lin Yi to log in, but seeing that Gu Laosi had already led the squad deep into the valley to hunt zombies, and Lin Yi was still offline, Gu Chenghu began to grow restless. "Strange, Qingshan rarely arrives late. Could something have delayed him?"

...

As Gu Chenghu suspected, Lin Yi had indeed encountered an unexpected situation in reality. After waking up, he had planned to log in early to examine the [Mist Specter Stone] he had obtained the previous day. However, while eating steamed buns at a breakfast shop below his apartment, Lin Yi—whose mental capacity had significantly increased—suddenly sensed that someone was watching him from afar. For several minutes, the gaze of the person in the shadows seemed fixed on him. Lin Yi was certain he was being tailed.

Could it be the authorities? Had Liu Bo revealed his identity as an Apocalypse player to them? His first thought was that Liu Bo had betrayed him, but he quickly dismissed it. Even if it were the authorities, there was no need for them to be so swift as to watch him first thing in the morning. Besides, he trusted Liu Bo; given their relationship, there was no reason for him to do so. If not the authorities, then who? A member of the Black Card Alliance mentioned in Liu Hong’s diary?

But so much time had passed since the incident with Liu Hong; why would anyone still be watching him? Or perhaps he had been watched all along, and only now, with his mental attributes and perception drastically enhanced in the Apocalypse world, was he able to notice it? Despite his doubts, Lin Yi continued to eat his buns as usual, not looking up to find the person watching him. Once finished, he canceled his plan to grind zombies in the Apocalypse world, hailed a taxi, and headed toward his studio.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of a shop nearby, a man holding binoculars lowered them and edited a message on his phone: "No. 1, this guy seems quite normal. He finished breakfast and took a taxi. It looks like he’s headed to his game studio."

Soon, the person known as No. 1 replied: "Keep watching for now. This Lin Yi is not only closely related to Liu Hong but also very close to Liu Bo. If Liu Bo obtained the activation code left behind by Liu Hong, this Lin fellow might know something. Here is what you do: No. 16, while he’s out, go check his residence."

"Understood, No. 1."

In a luxury building by the Huangpu River in Donghai City, Zhao Yilong—the leader of the Black Card Alliance—slowly put down his phone. He was in his forties, dressed in a light gray suit, his refined face framed by gold-rimmed glasses. He was not only a famous businessman in reality but also a high-level player in the Apocalypse world. As one of the first to enter, Zhao Yilong had already reached the professional level. A few months ago, supported by his vast financial empire, he had founded the Black Card Alliance, an underground organization meant to unite non-official players to explore the world and exchange information and resources.

Although the alliance appeared to be a law-abiding organization, it was a private entity outside official control, and Zhao Yilong had frequently been summoned by the authorities for "tea" until he broke through to the professional level. This time, he had sent people to Linhe City specifically for Liu Hong’s activation code—a code rumored to have an incredibly low serial number.

As an early player, Zhao Yilong knew the secrets of the activation codes. Half a year ago, the Apocalypse world had suddenly opened, picking 108 people from Earth at random. These were the first players, each possessing a numbered activation code from 1 to 108. Codes 1 through 10 were gold-plated and granted incredible, mysterious powers. Codes 11 through 108 were secondary, blue-paper codes that offered different special rewards. Any codes issued after that were common white ones with no ranking. Zhao Yilong had reached the professional level in just half a year because he held the code numbered 102, which granted him immunity to death three times in the Apocalypse world.

However, he knew his code wasn't the best; the top ten were the ones that allowed players to soar to greatness. He had attempted to recruit Liu Hong into the Black Card Alliance but had been busy with affairs in both worlds. By the time he returned his focus to Liu Hong, the man had died in an accident, and his activation code had vanished. A week ago, Zhao Yilong began investigating Liu Hong’s friends and family. Upon learning that Liu Bo was an Apocalypse player currently training at the official headquarters in the capital, he became 70% certain that Liu Hong had left his code to his son.

In the building, standing before the vast view of the river, Zhao Yilong took a photo of Liu Hong from his drawer—a picture of Liu Bo smiling in his training uniform at Tiananmen Square. "Little one, you look quite a bit like your old man, but I hope you aren't as stubborn as he was..."

About half an hour later, No. 16 sent a message: "No. 1, I’ve searched Lin Yi’s place. Nothing useful. The computer is clean. Aside from an unopened decorative Longquan blade in the bedroom, there’s nothing special. I don't think he’s an Apocalypse player."

Zhao Yilong frowned. "Fine. No. 16, keep your focus on Liu Bo. He’s just reached adulthood; see if you can make contact and invite him to join the Black Card Alliance."

"Understood, No. 1."

...

At the studio, Lin Yi was overseeing his employees. Although he hadn't been there much lately, their enthusiasm hadn't waned, which brought him some comfort. After ordering coffee for everyone, he received a message from Liu Yuxi, whom he had met a few days prior: "Brother Lin, are you home? I heard some noises in your room. I remember you left this morning..."

Lin Yi immediately guessed that someone had broken into his apartment—likely the person tailing him. They were certainly bold! Fortunately, he never kept information about the Apocalypse at home; anything written on paper was burned, and browser history was always deleted before shutting down his computer.

"It's fine, it might just be a friend of mine," he replied. After sending the message, Lin Yi decided to contact Liu Bo. He didn't know who was targeting him, but the best way to handle this was through official channels.

Liu Bo was currently in a meeting at the Linhe City Police Station, where Captain Zhang Baichuan was training them on police protocols. Seeing the message from Lin Yi, Liu Bo’s expression grew serious. He quickly replied: "Brother Yi, don't panic. Try not to act abnormally. I’ll find a way to come over at noon."

"Good. Do you need to notify your squad?"

"No, I can handle this."

Lin Yi nodded. He didn't want to alert Zhang Baichuan, who was not only an official veteran but also a high-level player at least at level 9. If his status as an Apocalypse player were revealed now, Zhang might become suspicious, and he might eventually discover the irregularities in how Lin Yi obtained his activation code.

For the rest of the morning, Lin Yi took the time to enter the Apocalypse world. He reported his safety to Gu Chenghu and postponed the zombie hunting for the day. Once back in his tent, he pulled out the [Mist Specter Stone] he had obtained the day before. He had been meaning to research it. The moment he brought the stone near his heart, he felt the Specter Stone in his chest stir. It emitted an intense, desperate craving, as if it hungered to consume the [Mist Specter Stone]—a feeling far stronger than when it absorbed Specter ashes.

Lin Yi hesitated. This was the core item dropped by the Mist Specter; could it be consumed? And the distribution rights for it hadn't even been settled yet. But as he put the stone back into his backpack, a sense of loss washed over him, as if he were missing out on a great opportunity.

"Damn it, fine, you can have it. But don't you dare disappoint me!" Lin Yi made up his mind and slowly placed the [Mist Specter Stone] against his chest.