Chapter 53
The moment Xing Nuo jumped, a feeling of weightlessness washed over him.
The rushing air ruffled his clothes and hair. He covered his head as he tumbled down the chute.
With a thud, like landing at the bottom of a slide, Xing Nuo fell out of the chute, landing face-down on the ground.
If he were still a human child, he would have been crying by now, waiting for Daddy to come and comfort him.
But as a doll, he felt no pain.
Only a layer of dust and grime coated his small body.
The cotton doll twitched, then slowly got up.
Xing Nuo stood in front of the display case, looking up at the space he had just occupied.
Inside, the green-haired doll, awake at some point, was staring at him.
Xing Nuo smiled and waved his little arm.
“Bye-bye~”
The green-haired doll watched as the little clown doll walked away, his button eyes wide, as if thinking, He actually escaped?!
He looked at the chute opening in the corner, puzzled.
Strange. Why didn’t I ever think of escaping, even though the exit was right there?
He thought back and realized they hadn’t always been so docile and obedient.
When they first became dolls, they had struggled and fought, trying to escape and find a way to turn back into humans.
But after the first one failed, then the third…
After so many failures, they had given up, their memories fading, their bodies and minds becoming like real dolls.
When one lost the will to resist, one became a true puppet.
The green-haired doll, realizing this, was startled. He wanted to call out to Xing Nuo, who was disappearing into the darkness.
But he had been a doll for too long, his mind almost completely assimilated.
After hesitating for a long time, he closed his mouth and sat back down.
The clown doll is gone. Oh well.
Now that I’m the only one left, the next customer will have no choice but to buy me.
Then I’ll have an owner too.
In the darkness, the tiny doll, smaller than a human foot, slowly made his way down the street.
Being a doll had its advantages.
He wasn’t tired anymore, and his feet didn’t hurt, even after walking a long distance. He could see clearly in the dark, without needing any light.
Xing Nuo, feeling cheerful, his little cloth feet slightly worn from walking, started skipping.
He walked and walked, through the darkness, through narrow alleys, until finally, he reached an open area.
He looked up and saw the most bustling place in this world—
the central city of the horror world, where the players gathered.
Skyscrapers towered over him, their lights blazing all night.
Hovering trains, no longer a fantasy, zipped back and forth, transporting players to various dungeons.
The cyberpunk-style city amazed the little one, who had never seen anything like it.
Xing Nuo looked up, his eyes filled with the colorful, flashing lights.
A giant electronic screen displayed information about the players, the leaderboard constantly updating.
Countless players stood there, analyzing the rankings.
A mechanical voice announced:
[Player “Shuaike” has acquired an S-level prop!]
[Player “Xueluoyu” has cleared an A-level dungeon! Perfect achievement, points doubled!]
[Player…]
Each announcement celebrated a player’s achievement or mourned their death.
Several players standing in front of the screen sighed and shook their heads.
“What’s going on with these S-level players? They haven’t been challenging S-level dungeons lately.”
“No choice. I heard SSS+ level monsters have been appearing in dungeons, increasing the difficulty. Even the top players can’t handle it.”
“What about the player who escaped the Castle Exploration dungeon? Any news? He actually survived an SSS+ level monster! He must be pretty skilled.”
A player who had been gathering information clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“Same as everyone else. They said he survived by befriending the little master of the castle and gaining his favor.”
Another player scoffed.
“What a load of crap! Who would believe a castle monster would help a human? They’re more likely to stab you in the back!”
“What about the other dungeon, the zombie one?”
“Don’t even ask. That monster only stayed for a few minutes, looking for his little brother, apparently.”
“…A monster’s little brother? Are they teaming up in dungeons now?”
Xing Nuo, peeking out from the alley, then hiding behind a trash can, listened to their conversation.
He didn’t understand what they were talking about. The zombie and castle dungeons were unfamiliar to him.
He shook his head and moved to another spot, continuing to eavesdrop.
Not many players had cleared A-level dungeons recently, so the conversation shifted to Wen Xingxue, the top-ranked player.
“Why do you think Wen Xingxue is so fearless, always challenging S+ level dungeons?”
“He’s a lunatic!”
“I think he’s cool. I’d feel safe if I encountered him in a dungeon.”
“Safe? He’s always scowling. Who knows if he’d kill you on the spot?”
Just as someone was badmouthing Wen Xingxue, the electronic screen flickered.
[Congratulations to player Wen Xingxue for clearing the S+ level dungeon, Snowfall Town!]
A blue and white circle of light appeared under the screen, and Wen Xingxue materialized.
He still wore black clothes and pants, a knife at his waist, but this time, he also wore a black mask.
He seemed to have overheard the players’ conversation, his eyes narrowed, a cold aura emanating from him.
He walked towards them, his voice hoarse and grating, like a reptile’s.
“Move.”
He seemed irritable and violent, barely suppressing his murderous intent.
The players quickly scattered, clearing a path for him.
Xing Nuo’s legs were too short to escape. He was exposed, lying next to the trash can.
But he was just an ugly doll. He could just play dead.
He lay there, his button eyes staring at the brightly lit skyscrapers.
Wen Xingxue walked past, glancing at the ugly doll at his feet.
So ugly, he thought.
Who would buy that?
Just as Xing Nuo was about to get up and continue his search for his dad, he was suddenly lifted.
Wen Xingxue, his masked face obscuring his expression, his voice muffled and hoarse, picked up the clown doll and stared at it.
Xing Nuo, knowing he should play dead when faced with a stranger, remained motionless, not even blinking.
Wen Xingxue stared at the doll for a long time, then poked its messy hair.
“Looks kind of familiar.”
Like that sleepy little master in the castle, his hair a bird’s nest.
The corners of his hidden mouth twitched slightly.
He put the doll in his pocket, pulled up his hood, and quickly left.
The players, seeing the menacing figure disappear, sighed in relief.
“Wen Xingxue likes dolls?”
“It looked like a wish-granting doll. Those are just trinkets, good for blocking a single attack, not as useful as other D-level props.”
“Why would he take it?”
Players usually bought wish-granting dolls because they couldn’t afford proper props, a cheap alternative, not expecting them to actually grant wishes.
Otherwise, these dolls would be priceless and highly sought after.
Wen Xingxue, the subject of their discussion, quickly returned to his residence, avoiding the crowds.
Unlike the other top-ranked players, who spent their points on luxurious accommodations with a view of the central city,
Wen Xingxue lived simply, in a small house on the outskirts of the city.
Secluded and quiet, with no disturbances.
He entered his house, removed his hood and mask,
took out the clown doll, looked at it for a moment, tossed it on the table, and left, carrying his knife.
Xing Nuo, tossed onto the table, lay there obediently.
Seeing Wen Xingxue leave, he slowly turned his head, looking around the room.
The room was sparsely furnished, with plain white walls and no decorations.
He could see everything at a glance.
nooo, i caught up.
anyways, ty for the translation!