Chapter 29
In the corners of the living room, untouched by the crystal chandelier’s light, the players exchanged glances, barely containing their excitement.
“Big Boss, when did you enter the dungeon?”
The buzz-cut player, emerging as the group’s leader, rubbed her hands and approached the Big Boss.
Wen Xingxue wiped his blade, stained with thick, black blood, his dark eyes cold as ancient ice.
He wore a black short-sleeved shirt and, seemingly uninterested in answering, sheathed his curved blade.
The Big Boss’s aura was too powerful. The buzz-cut player exchanged glances with the others and fell silent, not daring to ask any more questions.
A newbie, not understanding the veterans’ excitement, whispered to one of them:
“Senior, is this Big Boss really that powerful? What level is he?”
Why were the veteran players acting as if their dead father had been resurrected?
The veteran player’s voice trembled, his eyes shining as he looked at Wen Xingxue, who was resting with his eyes closed.
“That’s Wen Xingxue! The top-ranked player! He soloed several SSS+ level dungeons!”
The newbie’s eyes widened, and he gasped, clenching his fists in excitement.
“So we’re saved! This dungeon’s level increased so much, but now a Big Boss player has arrived! We might actually survive this!”
The veteran player nodded, letting out a long breath.
The heavy weight that had been pressing down on him for the past two days lifted the moment he saw the Big Boss.
He knew that even if this dungeon was a trap, the system wouldn’t just let them die!
And now, a god-level player had arrived!
The buzz-cut player’s anxiety also lessened. Seeing everyone’s improved morale, she tried to lighten the mood.
“Looks like we won’t have to hide and wake up the little master for protection tonight.”
As if hearing those keywords, Wen Xingxue opened his eyes, his voice hoarse:
“Little master?”
Where did this “little master” come from?
The buzz-cut player, nervous about talking to such a high-level player, quickly explained.
“Yes, the little master of the castle. His name is Xing Nuo. He came here with us from the path outside.”
Wen Xingxue’s voice was surprisingly hoarse, like an old bellows, grating on the ears, creating an unsettling feeling, like a cold, slimy snake crawling over your skin.
“Xing Nuo?”
He repeated the name, then, as if remembering something, asked:
“He’s upstairs?”
The buzz-cut player nodded.
Perhaps it was the Big Boss’s intense aura of violence, but she felt a chill run down her spine.
“Yes, but Xing Nuo is different from the other monsters in the castle. He’s a very cute little boy.”
The buzz-cut player had a very favorable impression of Xing Nuo and quickly explained, afraid Wen Xingxue would suddenly decide to kill the little master.
Another newbie quickly agreed.
“Yes, Xing Nuo is quite adorable. He even saved us earlier.”
Another male player snorted, his expression disdainful.
“Are you crazy? Defending a little monster?! Don’t forget we’re humans, they’re monsters! Cute? When he turns into a monster, he’ll be the first to kill you idiots!”
The buzz-cut player’s eyes narrowed, her gaze cold.
“Have you forgotten last night, when you were running around the living room like a scaredy-cat, screaming your head off, almost dying, and Xing Nuo saved your life?”
How could he be so ungrateful?
If it weren’t for Xing Nuo’s warning to the monster servants, they would be dead by now!
The male player cursed.
“Just because the little monster is good-looking? Don’t forget, a monster is still a monster!”
The buzz-cut player’s face flushed with anger, her usual calm demeanor cracking.
“You son of a—”
Just then, her prop activated, pulling her back from the brink of losing control.
Biting her tongue, the pain grounding her, she glared at the male player and walked away, putting as much distance between them as possible.
The male player’s eyes were bloodshot, his emotions spiraling out of control, wanting to pick a fight.
The other players, sensing something was wrong, moved away from him, leaving him to fume alone.
Wen Xingxue, annoyed by the noise, glanced at the agitated player.
“Shut up.”
His voice was flat and cold, sending a chill through the air.
The male player froze, his anger unvented, his chest heaving, as if he were about to explode.
But he didn’t dare offend Wen Xingxue. He suppressed his anger, no matter how uncomfortable he felt.
Wen Xingxue, finally having some peace and quiet, looked at the buzz-cut player and asked:
“Xing Nuo, you said? How old is he?”
The buzz-cut player hesitated, looking at Wen Xingxue’s cold, deep eyes, then answered:
“About three or four.”
Wen Xingxue chuckled, a hint of amusement in his expression.
“Interesting.”
So, that ruthless monster Shen Wen was raising a child.
Wen Xingxue stood up, glanced at the suddenly dimming crystal lights, and drew his blade.
“Move aside. Get back.”
He glanced at the other players, then charged towards the lurking shadows.
Xing Nuo, exhausted after listening to his dad read several stories, curled up under his blanket and fell fast asleep.
Shen Wen, as usual, placed a prop pillow in his arms, bent down, and gently caressed his face.
“Sleep, Xing Nuo. Daddy is going to get rid of some eyesores.”
He kissed Xing Nuo’s cheek and quietly left the room.
Xing Nuo had a strange dream. Daddy had become someone he didn’t recognize.
The dream was pitch black, only Daddy glowing brightly.
Even though he looked completely different, Xing Nuo knew this giant being was his beloved Daddy!
He wasn’t afraid at all and ran towards him, wanting a hug.
But before he could reach Daddy, he was picked up by a stranger.
“A human cub, indeed.”
Wen Xingxue, having teleported to the bedroom, poked the soft, little cub’s face with his cold finger.
Xing Nuo, dangling by the back of his neck, half-asleep, couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or awake.
His eyelids drooped, his little feet dangling limply, his head nodding.
He was about to fall asleep like this.
Wen Xingxue, dressed in black, looked down at the little one and chuckled hoarsely.
“Interesting. Not like Shen Wen at all.”
The moment he finished speaking, Shen Wen arrived, ready to attack.
Wen Xingxue, looking regretful, put Xing Nuo back on the bed. The little one lay there, his dark eyes open but dazed, looking vaguely familiar.
“Gotta go.”
Wen Xingxue looked away and vanished from the bedroom.
Shen Wen didn’t pursue him. His face grim, he stood at the doorway, composing himself.
He entered the bedroom, sat down by the bed, and gently tucked Xing Nuo in.
He patted Xing Nuo’s back, soothing him.
“It’s okay, Xing Nuo. Go back to sleep.”
Xing Nuo, still half-asleep, mumbled in agreement.
He nuzzled his dad’s hand, feeling safe and secure, and smiled softly.
The next moment, he was fast asleep.
Shen Wen watched him sleep, his initially gentle expression turning cold and sinister.
He glanced in a certain direction, his chest rising and falling slightly, and spoke to the butler, who was waiting outside.
“Inform everyone. Kill Wen Xingxue. No matter the cost.”
The butler nodded, not asking for an explanation, and turned to carry out his master’s orders.
Xing Nuo’s sleep was restless that night.
Strange rustling sounds kept disturbing him, forcing him to wake up several times.
But each time he opened his eyes, there was nothing there.
The darkness outside the window faded, replaced by daylight streaming through the curtains.
Xing Nuo yawned, faint dark circles under his eyes, clearly not having slept well.
He hugged his pillow and sleepily walked to the next room to find his dad.
Padding across the thick carpet, barefoot, he bumped into Shen Wen’s leg just as he was about to leave.
He nuzzled his dad’s leg, his fluffy head resting against it.
“Daddy, Zaizai sleepy.”
Shen Wen’s expression was cold and indifferent, as always.
He looked down at the little one clinging to his leg and picked him up.
“Go back to sleep if you’re sleepy. What’s the point of looking for me?”
Xing Nuo, dangling in mid-air, kicked his little feet, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
He tilted his head, his eyes dazed.
“Daddy, tell stowy.”
Shen Wen snorted and put him down.
“Can’t.”
He had never told anyone a story and wasn’t about to start now.
Shen Wen went downstairs, ignoring the sleepy little one.
Xing Nuo, in his pajamas, hugging his pillow, looked up as his dad walked away.
He blinked and rubbed his eyes.
Daddy seems strange again.
Huh what’s happening?? The past and the future keeps altering with each other?
is he just an instance boss in the morning at the castle? and himself at night? or is he cursed?