Chapter 1 Li Ang Is Dumbfounded

Li Ang was stunned for a moment, the speech he had just formulated in his mind suddenly stalling.

He had just transformed into a demigod Titan, destroyed a steel jungle, severely damaged the indomitable Vermillion Bird visage, and chatted and laughed with two Eternal Species and a Traverser about the world's格局大势 (geju da shi, overall situation and trends). And the first thing you ask me when you see me is this?

"Hmm?"

Wang Congshan's eyebrows shot up when she saw Li Ang's sudden daze.

In the distance, Chai Chai's eyes widened as she watched intently, while stuffing a pink donut from the cafe counter into her mouth, chewing rhythmically.

"Uh..."

Li Ang fell into unprecedented wavering and hesitation.

How to introduce her?

[This is Chai Cuicao, a female ghost I brought back from ancient times, and she's been living with me for almost a year. She knew I was a player before you did. When you're playing games, going to school, and shopping, it's her disguised as me. Just letting you know.]

No, no, that's no good. It feels like it would be over if I said that.

[This is my most trusted secretary, my second-in-command, the will inheritor I have high hopes for, and the only designated saint of the Zerg hive.]

No, no, that's not good either. It's not time to expose the Zerg hive yet, and there's something wrong with the description of secretary and second-in-command.

[This one is even more important, CEO Chai. She's older than you, call her sister. You have to get along well with her in the future, you are both my wings.]

Huh?? Even Li Ang felt something was wrong with this statement. A chill went down the back of his neck.

[My friend, one who plays Qing'e armor. She's usually my Platinum Star external equipment, and also works as a cuisine taster and game booster.]

Li Ang rejected it directly in his mind without even thinking. He wasn't an ungrateful person. He didn't want to hurt Chai Cuicao's feelings.

Li Ang opened his mouth and got stuck. After hesitating and struggling for a while, he slowly said under Wang Congshan's gaze, "She, like you, is very important to me, someone I cherish like my own life.

Uh,

She's a ghost..."

"Hmm?"

Wang Congshan raised her eyebrows high, opened her mouth, and stopped talking.

Chai Chai, on the other hand, belatedly realized what was happening and tilted her head and said "Eh?" from a distance.

The atmosphere froze.

Wang Congshan pursed her lips, sighed softly, and slowly sat down on the sofa. Her tone softened as she said, "Let's sit down and talk."

"I'll just stand."

Li Ang felt inexplicably guilty. He stood there honestly without moving. After seeing Wang Congshan's sharp eyes, he decisively sat down and waved for Chai Chai in the distance to come over as well.

"Give me your hand."

Wang Congshan took Li Ang's right hand, lowered her head, and gently pressed Li Ang's fingers, rubbing the calloused rough fingertips and pads.

She whispered, "It must be hard, being a player."

"It's actually okay,"

Li Ang scratched his head with a smile. "It was a little flustered and tiring at first, but I got used to it later..."

He said whatever came to mind, talking about his experiences since becoming a player,

From the very beginning, encountering the human-faced cat and obtaining player qualifications,

To meeting and saving Chai Cuicao at Guhan Temple,

Then to Dusheng Village, Sheng Nan Wang, the alchemist,

And even the Lost World, and the long night he had just experienced.

Basically, except for the Zerg hive, Li Ang told her everything he could. Chai Chai sometimes added information,

For example, when Li Ang wasn't around, she would disguise herself as Li Ang—Wang Congshan occasionally thought Li Ang had become gentle and flirtatious, but most of the time it was Chai Chai adding drama for herself.

Wang Congshan sat on the sofa, listening quietly, watching Li Ang sometimes beaming, sometimes frowning as he described things.

Time passed quickly. As the clock on the wall chimed, Li Ang realized that he had been talking for four hours.

"...After teleporting out of the script mission, I heard about you and Chai Cuicao in the Special Affairs Bureau. After that, it became the situation it is now."

Li Ang smiled embarrassedly and took a sip of the coffee on the table that had long gone cold.

Bitter, no sugar.

"...Actually, I should be very angry."

Wang Congshan took a deep breath. "Why did you hide it from me?"

"...Sorry."

Li Ang was silent for a moment, his expression a little complicated. "One reason is that after becoming a player, I still had some things I hadn't finished.

The second reason is that I didn't want to disturb your original peaceful life.

Player qualification is not simply wealth or reward. Becoming a transcendent means constantly facing the threat of the Killing Game, with life hanging by a thread under the Sword of Damocles.

Not just yourself, but the people around you may also be drawn into danger..."

Wang Congshan said softly, "...Is that why you gave me the bracelet?"

"Huh?"

Wang Congshan smiled slightly and took out a silver bracelet in the shape of a Möbius strip from the void. "I knew when I heard the Killing Game system notification.

Seeing the item description of this bracelet you gave me, I put it in my backpack in advance without letting my cousin and the others find out."

[Name: Topological Torus]

[Type: Armor]

[Quality: Perfect]

[Effect: Topological Projection. Binds one holder, automatically releases a power projection with a maximum of 2000 psionic value when the holder encounters serious danger. The power projection has a random topological structure and can be refreshed by actively charging it. The power projection has no intelligence, actively protects the holder, obeys the holder's orders, and lasts for a maximum of 30 minutes. Psionic power will not be restored during the duration. A maximum of one power projection can be stored each time]

[Consumption: None]

[Cooldown: 24 hours]

[Usage Condition: None]

[Note: The power projection will not disappear on its own and will only automatically disintegrate when it is destroyed, runs out of energy, or the time limit expires. After triggering the effect, it takes 24 hours to recharge the bracelet]

[Note: We spend our entire lives walking on a Möbius strip with no end. We go around and around, returning to the origin, only to find that we have reversed our shape]

"...Although I'm not very clear on the specific rules,"

Wang Congshan held the bracelet in her right hand and kneaded her palm with her left hand, and said softly, "But, something of perfect quality should be very, very expensive."

"It's okay, it's okay."

Li Ang smiled and pressed Wang Congshan's hand to make her put it away. "Just take it. I have no shortage of this kind of thing, and I don't really need it.

Oh, right."

The expression on Li Ang's face became serious. "You only received the system notification today, becoming a player, right?"

Wang Congshan nodded. "Yes."

"In that case..."

Li Ang pondered, "It's been said on the forum that newbie players, after gaining strength through forced growth,

Will be subjected to the system's invisible punishment,

Adjusting the script mission to the corresponding level after the player's sudden increase in strength.

If the body's strength goes up, but there is no improvement in combat awareness, literacy, etc., they will suffer a great loss.

You've just become a player, so logically speaking, you wouldn't be getting a script mission so soon.

But just in case, it's best to seize the time to train yourself and learn skills in the next few days. It may be more difficult. I have experience in this area and can help."

"Okay."

Wang Congshan nodded. "By the way, where are you going to live in the future?"

"Where to live?"

Li Ang was silent for a moment. His player identity had been completely exposed, so it was impossible to live in the Wanhua community anymore.

Staying at the Special Affairs Bureau headquarters, or just finding a hotel outside, would be too inappropriate.

"In the future, I might not even be able to go back to school."

Li Ang sighed with some emotion. "Forget it, let's talk about it later, let's solve your problem first.

It doesn't matter if I don't sleep for days and nights."