Chapter 40 Part 2

Like a herbivore’s innate alertness to a predator, just that one glance told Zhong Nian the man was not to be trifled with. He quickly averted his gaze.

【Wifey, be careful. He’s eyeing you.】

【Looks really strong.】

【Face covered, can’t tell which player it is.】

【But that aura alone is extraordinary… No impression. Maybe an NPC?】

“Bro, I’m talking to you!”

The Bald Man shouted again, but the man still ignored him and turned to leave.

“Fuck, what’s he so cocky about…”

The Skinny Man shivered as he asked, “Is there really poison in this fog? What do we do now?”

“Shut up! You’re annoying as hell!” The Bald Man roared irritably, then yanked off his shirt to cover his mouth and nose.

The other three followed suit.

Though rebuffed, the Bald Man was observant. Seeing the Masked Man stride confidently as if knowing the way, he decisively decided: “Follow him. He might be a town NPC.”

Zhong Nian silently followed as well, but he did not cover his mouth and nose.

As a rabbit with a much keener sense of smell, he could tell the mist was non-toxic.

This time, following the man, they did not circle around. In less than five minutes, they spotted a two-story wooden Cabin in the mist.

To be safe, after watching the Masked Man enter, the Bald Man did not rush in. He shoved the Skinny Man. “You, go check it out.”

The Skinny Man trembled but did not dare defy the Bald Man’s order. He approached timidly.

The Masked Man had not closed the door after entering, so the interior was visible from the doorway.

After peeking around cautiously, the Skinny Man waved them over joyfully. “It’s safe! This is our place!”

The Bald Man remained vigilant, gripping his curved knife as he approached. Upon seeing someone, his tense expression eased. “Yo, what luck. We ran into the Silver Snake Guild’s Big Shot.”

The couple also lit up with joy and entered without hesitation.

Zhong Nian, puzzled, brought up the rear and sneaked a peek inside.

From the doorway, he could see the living room. On an old sofa sat a bespectacled, refined man in a Black Trench Coat. His peach-blossom eyes held a faint smile, making him seem very approachable.

Zhong Nian heard “Silver Snake Guild” and instinctively glanced at the man’s neck, but perhaps it was hidden—no Round Plaque Necklace was visible.

For the Bald Man and the others to recognize him at a glance—did they know him, or was the man famous?

He soon learned the answer from the Bald Man’s words.

“Big Bro Jie, we newbies are counting on you to carry us through this Instance.”

Surname Jie—Zhong Nian’s mind flashed to a name he had seen more than once.

Jie Jialiang.

As a celebrity of the Silver Snake Guild, Jie Jialiang was much kinder than Zhong Nian had imagined. He smiled and shook the Bald Man’s extended hand, without slighting the others. “No need for flattery. Let’s cooperate and clear it together.”

“With you here, we don’t have to worry too much.”

“Are you here looking for props?”

The Bald Man and his group were already chatting with Jie Jialiang. Zhong Nian’s attention shifted to the Masked Man standing against the wall in the Cabin.

He positioned himself where he could survey the entire room at a glance, arms crossed, shoulders slightly hunched. With his hood pulled low, his eyes were invisible, and he still had not removed the Tactical Mask.

Though Zhong Nian could not see his eyes and the man’s face was not turned his way, inexplicably, Zhong Nian felt the man was staring at him.

Like a beast lurking in the shadows fixing on its prey.

Zhong Nian pressed his paling lips together, turning his face away from that inscrutable gaze—only to inadvertently meet another’s.

Jie Jialiang paused briefly, then smiled at him and asked the Bald Man’s group, “He’s with you too?”

This drew the attention of everyone in the room to Zhong Nian, who had been hiding well in the back.

He felt a bit awkward but did not show it, instead staring back fearlessly with a stern little face.

Because he had deliberately minimized his presence earlier, walking lightly behind without speaking, the four—who had been focused on finding the way—had actually forgotten about him. Only after Jie Jialiang pointed it out did they suddenly remember the pretty teammate.

“Oh… him. We just ran into him.” The Bald Man explained to Jie Jialiang.

Jie Jialiang nodded slightly, stepped past the four toward Zhong Nian, adjusted his Silver-Framed Glasses with one hand, and extended his other bony right hand. “Then, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Jie Jialiang.”

“Zhong Nian.” Since the man was polite, Zhong Nian responded politely, lightly shaking his hand.

Contrary to his refined demeanor, the man’s hand was very cold, like ice. Zhong Nian couldn’t help shivering at the contact and rubbed his own hand on his clothes afterward.

“Are you a newbie?” Jie Jialiang asked.

As a newbie, he was already at a disadvantage. Zhong Nian did not want to reveal that and neither confirmed nor denied it, shifting his gaze. “I want to look around the house.”

Jie Jialiang did not mind his aloof attitude, maintaining his smile as he stepped aside. “I arrived earlier than you. If you don’t mind, I can show you around.”

Zhong Nian did not want to make relations too tense and did not refuse.

“The first floor has the living room, Kitchen, and dining area. The second floor is all bedrooms—six in total. We can divide them or draw lots. The inconvenience is there’s only one Bathroom, so we’ll have to queue for washing up at night. The upside is the Kitchen has ingredients—ration them, and they’ll last us two days…”

Zhong Nian did not know how long ago Jie Jialiang had arrived, but he acted like the master of the Cabin, knowing everything intimately and completely relaxed.

He had even brewed a pot of coffee, smiling as he asked, “Would anyone like a cup?”

His demeanor relaxed the others. The tension from trudging through the mist faded as they accepted the offered coffee.

Zhong Nian did not like the bitter, herbal taste. After thanking him, he declined. His attention was drawn by the Masked Man still standing in place at the edge of his vision.

“Don’t mind him too much. He’s probably a Lone Wolf Player. There are plenty of players like that in the game who don’t socialize.” Jie Jialiang said warmly, handing over a cup of hot milk. “I figured you’d prefer something sweet. I added honey.”

“…Thanks.” Zhong Nian was somewhat surprised by the man’s thoughtfulness. He took the milk but only held it without drinking.

“We’ve finished the tour. Let’s discuss the game task now.”

Jie Jialiang suggested everyone sit on the sofa to talk.

The Masked Man did not join but stayed within earshot.

“I think for this game task, we can use a fairer method, like voting.” Jie Jialiang, seated at the head, propped his elbows on the table with fingers interlaced. “After dinner, the one with the most votes goes to the Church Confessional. What does everyone think?”