“Begging you to give it to them?”
Gao Yi’s tone was clearly distrustful; he had directly faced that black-hoodied player on the subway.
Although that person was completely insane, that kind of fear couldn't have been faked.
Across the table, Zhao Qian seemed to sense Gao Yi’s numerous doubts and began to explain with a smile:
“The person you met last night was frantically looking for tickets on the forum, but he couldn't afford them—neither cash nor star coins…”
“Forum?”
Gao Yi caught the keyword and interrupted him.
At the same time, he began to recall that his attribute list also seemed to have a “star coin” section.
If he remembered correctly, an instance of 【Mind Mist】 had given him 500 star coins.
“Oh, it’s our players’ communication forum. Don’t worry, it’s completely legal. I’ll add you later? If you put me as the inviter, I even get a rebate.”
Zhao Qian spoke very quickly, and his thoughts jumped around when he talked.
“Fo—rum—”
Beside them, the paper doll named Yi Yi opened her mouth again, maintaining a somewhat eerie smiling face, and spoke in a cute voice that didn't match her appearance.
“That’s right~ The forum is where we ‘players’ exchange information, trade items, and accept missions.”
Zhao Qian truly resembled a very patient father, turning his head to explain to the paper doll.
Of course, it was more like he was speaking for Gao Yi to hear.
“Let’s get back to that black-hoodied player.”
Gao Yi kept his poker face, not letting the incomprehensible scene before him affect him.
Shrugging, Zhao Qian continued to explain:
“You should have noticed, right? Although it changes, every so often, we ‘players’ must participate in an ‘instance’.”
【Next Game Countdown: Fifteen Days】
Recalling the last line written on his attribute list, Gao Yi nodded.
“Simply put, those people were running out of time and didn’t have tickets. I just helped them out for free.”
Zhao Qian still had that smiling expression, his tone light, as if he were truly doing something good.
And this also answered many of Gao Yi’s previous doubts.
For example, what the Director had said about most later “players” not being very good, and Xiao Hong also said that everyone she met was an incommunicable lunatic.
Now it seemed that it was precisely because Zhao Qian was providing tickets for 【Mind Mist】.
And those players who entered were all at their wit's end, or even already insane.
“What does ‘holy grail 5’ mean?”
Gao Yi thought for a moment, then asked his question first.
“Oh, that. The game is divided into four types: ‘holy grail’, ‘treasure sword’, ‘star coin’, and ‘Wand’. The difficulty increases from 10 to 1.”
Zhao Qian answered without hesitation, as if it were obvious.
“…Tarot cards?” Gao Yi quickly found the corresponding information in his memory.
“Yes, Tarot cards, specifically the Minor Arcana.”
Zhao Qian stroked Yi Yi’s paper head, waved for the waiter to come and take their order, and looking at the menu, asked Gao Yi:
“Do you want to eat anything?”
“No, thank you…”
Gao Yi turned his head again to look at the paper doll named Yi Yi, who was currently staring at him, tilting her head slightly.
There was a hint of cuteness amidst the eeriness.
Regardless, Gao Yi had no desire to eat with the person and the paper doll.
Shrugging, Zhao Qian ordered a large amount of food from the waiter, all main courses.
But for some reason, the waiter seemed not to see her, and had no reaction to the paper doll beside him.
“Any other questions?”
After the waiter walked away, Zhao Qian looked back at Gao Yi.
Looking at his sunglasses, Gao Yi slightly lowered his head and asked the most crucial question:
“Why did you come looking for me?”
Hearing this, Zhao Qian across from him smiled, not answering directly, but instead changing the subject:
“You might not know, among the four script types, ‘holy grail’ is generally considered the most difficult, because it tests a player’s judgment, mind, and wisdom more.”
His explanation clearly wasn't over, and Gao Yi couldn't find a reason to interrupt, so he just sat up straight and continued to listen.
“Most players cut it close, participating in simple level 9 or 10 scripts, and then seeking a night’s peace.”
“Level 5 is considered something only C-tier players can challenge, let alone holy grail 5… And you, as a first-time player, actually cleared it.”
After a long roundabout explanation, Zhao Qian finally returned to Gao Yi’s question.
With that, he leaned forward, resting his hands on the table, and lowered his voice:
“I’m very curious how you did it, and… what benefits did you get?”
“What if I tell you? Are you planning to forcefully take it?”
Gao Yi showed no fear, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.
“No, no, no… How could I? The ‘game’ doesn’t encourage us to kill each other. If a player dies in reality, all their items and abilities disappear.”
Zhao Qian smiled, shaking his hand, and leaned back against the chair:
“I just want to make friends with you, and, give you something.”
Saying that, Zhao Qian reached into his red Zhongshan suit and pulled out a ticket, placing it on the table and pushing it towards Gao Yi.
Along with it, he also took a pen and wrote two lines on it: “This is the forum’s website. Remember to add it later, then you won’t be an unregistered user.”
After a slight hesitation, Gao Yi still took the ticket and examined it carefully.
【West City Mystery (treasure sword 7)】
【Mode: Multiplayer】
【Start Time: 08:47:32】
“According to what you said, many players still lack tickets, but you can still give out a bunch of tickets… Have you mastered some production channel?”
Putting the ticket down, Gao Yi looked up again.
“Well… that’s a secret!” Zhao Qian still wore his smiling expression, combined with his round sunglasses, he looked quite like a fortune teller on a pedestrian bridge.
“Se—cret—”
Beside him, the paper doll Yi Yi also chimed in.
“I don’t lack tickets, why do you think I would want this?”
Gao Yi pushed the ticket on the table back, his tone flat.
“I heard you’re quite short on money, and from what I know, this ticket is also in the hands of someone valuable…”
Saying that, Zhao Qian took out his phone and manipulated it.
Turning the screen towards Gao Yi, a wanted poster was clearly displayed.
【Wanted: Zhang Tu】
【Bounty: 1000 star coins or one million cash】
【Dead or Alive】
The photo below was of an unremarkable-looking man, who even seemed a bit dull.
But the crimes listed below him were shocking.
Murder, rape, robbery, theft…
To say he committed every evil imaginable was not an exaggeration.
After a brief thought, Gao Yi still took the ticket and examined it carefully.
Drawn on the ticket was a rather ordinary Town, showing no obvious clues.
A moment later, Gao Yi looked up again, at the smiling Zhao Qian across from him, and raised the ticket in his hand, asking:
“Why do you think I would take this ticket?”
“That’s what the divination said.”
“…Divination?” Gao Yi froze for half a second before asking again.
“Yes, why? You can believe in all sorts of games and instances, but not divination?”
Zhao Qian raised his hand again to take a sip of tea, but his left hand waved a few times in front of him, making it look like he was performing a spell.
On the other side, Gao Yi’s expression grew even more somber. As he put his phone back into his pocket, he spoke again:
“Did your divination tell you that I’m leaving now?”
Zhao Qian watched Gao Yi pack his things, raised an eyebrow, and rested his chin in his hand:
“You’re a smart man, Gao Xiong, you should be able to see that the situation is different now.”
“Then you’ve misunderstood. I’m not a smart man.”
Gao Yi didn’t look at him again, standing up on his own and putting on his jacket.
“Then you’d better be careful. Stupid people don’t live long these days.”
Zhao Qian’s tone fluctuated for the first time, his voice suddenly becoming several shades colder.
“Is that so? I, on the other hand, think that those who are too clever for their own good die faster than stupid people…”
Gao Yi didn’t look back, saying as he walked towards the restaurant’s main door. After pushing open the door, letting the sunlight into the restaurant, he briefly turned his head:
“Take care.”
As the automatic electronic doorbell chimed, “Thank you for your patronage, we look forward to your next visit,” Gao Yi disappeared into the winter sunlight.
Sighing slightly, Zhao Qian took a sip of tea, leaning his head back against the chair:
“There are more and more interesting people in Nankang City…”
“Should—I—go—follow—big brother—?”
Yi Yi beside him also mimicked Zhao Qian, tilting her head and asking.
“No, no need. That brother’s fortune line is almost black as charcoal; he’ll definitely use that ticket… Let’s eat first.”
Zhao Qian stroked Yi Yi’s paper head, smiling dotingly.
Then, he picked her up and placed her on the table, watching her extend her small hand towards the plate.
A few seconds later, the paper doll opened her mouth at an extremely abnormal angle, swallowing the entire dish, plate and all, into her stomach.
“So—good—”
“Is it good? If it’s good, eat more…”
....................