Chapter 156: Group Action
Zhao Yu: We're doomed. Running into a big shot like you means this mission is going to be insanely difficult.
Shen Bing: Definitely. Last time I encountered a relatively famous expert too, and we almost wiped out completely.
Li Qihou: The harder the mission, the better the rewards. How come you youngsters are more cowardly than an old man like me?
Lin Ye: Old Man Li is right. Don't be scared. Although my missions are always quite difficult, the rewards are especially generous... so generous that I can't even use them all yet.
Zhao Yu: Are you sure you're trying to comfort me right now?
Shen Bing: Wuwuwu, something's wrong with this vehicle. I want to get off.
Li Qihou: Heh, not dressed very well but thinking quite fancy.
Zhao Yu: This robe is third-tier spiritual energy equipment!
Shen Bing: Mine too, otherwise I wouldn't be wearing it over my clothes.
Li Qihou: You're just too weak. Can't even get properly fitting clothes as drops, have to strip them off corpses to wear. Zhao Yu: I didn't strip any corpses! I stole this robe.
Shen Bing: That's even worse than stripping corpses.
Just as the group was chatting happily, two notifications popped up in the chat room:
[Please choose any station to disembark, survive at that station until the train arrives tomorrow, and board the train to leave the station]
[Note: After ten stations, the train will enter the Shallow Sea Area]
Li Qihou: Should we check out the Shallow Sea Area? We happen to have an expert with us this time.
Lin Ye: No, regular stations are already difficult enough.
Li Qihou: Sigh, how come you young people have less spirit of exploration than me?
Lin Ye: You can go by yourself, you know. The system didn't say we have to disembark at the same station.
Li Qihou: I'd like to live a bit longer.
The first station arrived.
It was still a station introduction similar to a movie poster:
Four friends arranged to take a cruise ship vacation together, but in the deep sea beyond their sight, dark currents are subtly stirring. Can they leave the cruise ship alive?
Below the text was a luxury cruise ship with four abstract figures singing and dancing on deck, but beneath the ship, a massive shadow was gradually approaching.
Zhao Yu: Environment too poor. Next.
Shen Bing: I've never been on a luxury cruise before. Next.
Lin Ye: Deep sea is too dangerous. Next.
Li Qihou: Then next it is.
Ten minutes later, the train arrived at the second station.
Station introduction:
Your friend invited you to go skiing in the snow mountains, but when you arrived at the destination, you discovered there was no ski resort as your friend had described—only a deserted, uninhabited snow mountain.
Below the text was a tall snow mountain shrouded in clouds and mist, with four abstract figures standing at the mountain's base, shivering.
Zhao Yu: This one seems okay, though there might not be much loot.
Shen Bing: I've never been skiing before. Feels alright.
Lin Ye: I've never been to snow mountains, only know basic information. Does this count as extreme environment? Could spiritual energy users freeze to death at night?
Li Qihou: You two really don't have much brains. Don't think snow mountains are just a bit cold. Let's find an environment we're familiar with.
Zhao Yu: Now that you mention it, I also feel something's not quite right.
Shen Bing: I'm fine with anything.
Another ten minutes passed, and the third station arrived.
Station introduction:
As horror story enthusiasts, you and your friends joined a horror-themed tour group. The group's destination is a mysterious ancient village hidden deep in the mountains. Can you return alive?
Below the text was a moving bus with a group of headless abstract figures sitting inside eating snacks. At the end of the road, a deathly silent mountain village could faintly be seen.
Zhao Yu: How about this one?
Shen Bing: Horror theme? Feels like we'll encounter some really terrifying things.
Lin Ye: Why do only four figures have heads?
Li Qihou: After entering the village, there might not even be four left.
Zhao Yu: Then let's go with next.
Shen Bing: Agree.
Another ten minutes passed, and the fourth station arrived.
Station introduction:
As external personnel of the Public Security Bureau, you've finally received a simple missing person task after a long time. But is this mission really that simple?
Below the text was a prosperous city with towering skyscrapers. Four abstract figures stood in the city center, each with a large question mark above their head.
Lin Ye: Let's go with this one. I'm quite good at finding people.
Zhao Yu: Not bad. It's the urban environment we're most familiar with, and we can even get help from the Public Security Bureau. Even if the mission isn't simple, it should be fine.
Shen Bing: We can collect some loot before leaving too.
Li Qihou: Then let's disembark here.
The four disembarked from the train and entered the light green glowing gate at the exit one by one. Lin Ye lost consciousness.
[Station selection completed. Additional tasks obtained, optional]
[1. Eliminate enemies, receive rewards based on enemy numbers and strength]
[2. Find the target person, protect her until dawn]
[3. Eliminate all enemies hidden within the city]
Three additional tasks appeared in the chat room as Lin Ye woke up in a hotel bed.
A file sat on the room's desk.
Sarah, female, 19 years old.
The file contained only strangely brief information and a photo with blurred facial features.
Lin Ye tried to reconstruct the photo subject's appearance in his mind, but until he saw the person himself, he couldn't be sure if his reconstruction was accurate.
Shen Bing: I'm in room 715. Do you all have files too?
Zhao Yu: I'm in 716. Yes, I do.
Lin Ye: I'm in 717. Blurred face, but otherwise okay.
Li Qihou: 718. This file is practically a joke. The Public Security Bureau must have problems.
Lin Ye: Indeed. Can't rule out that the Public Security Bureau might be hostile.
Zhao Yu: Then we're finished.
Shen Bing: Nobody said to drive over and bomb the Public Security Bureau. Before turning against them, we can use the Bureau to help find the target person.
Li Qihou: I actually think we should strike first. Go directly to the Public Security Bureau, kidnap the director, figure out the whole story from beginning to end, and incidentally replenish our weapons and equipment.
Lin Ye: That works, but we can't just ignore the target person either. How about this: we split into two groups. You three form one group, I'll go alone. Finding and protecting the mysterious girl versus infiltrating the Public Security Bureau to kidnap the director—you choose.
Zhao Yu: As expected of an expert. I choose protecting the girl.
Shen Bing: Same here. Should we send one person with you?
Li Qihou: Will you be okay alone?
Lin Ye: It's fine. I'm familiar with the Public Security Bureau... I'm actually more worried about your side. If anything happens, notify me in the chat room. I'll come as quickly as possible.
Li Qihou: You're somewhat underestimating us.
Lin Ye: No, you're underestimating me. This is a mission with me, after all. Your side is actually the main mission objective. You don't really think finding the girl is safer than causing trouble at the Public Security Bureau, do you?
Zhao Yu: ...Hearing you say that makes me want to change my mind.
Shen Bing: Same here.
Li Qihou: If you keep embarrassing yourselves like this, I'm going to slap you.
Lin Ye: Then I'll head out first. Good luck.
Lin Ye closed the chat room, took a sip of the ice-cold cola beside him, and glanced at the window where Little Ye was eating fast food at a fast food restaurant.
He wasn't alone after all.