Chapter 17: An Assassin?

With heroic courage, exceptional awareness, and flawless marksmanship, Li Xin ignited the fighting spirit of the entire team of defenders in his own unique way. The more they fought, the stronger they grew, achieving victory after victory. The defenders were transforming what seemed an impossible comeback into a tangible possibility.

When the battle ended, the system evaluated the performance of the game.

[System Message: S-grade rating for this round. Growth experience gained: 718 points.
Ding! You have leveled up.
Li Xin: Spirit of the Game
Level: 9
Growth Experience: 118/1000
Attribute Points: 10
Special Skill: Universe Shift
Ding!
Current available attribute points: 60.
...

He exited the room, returned to the channel lobby, and went offline. Li Xin removed his headset, turned, and wandered into the courtyard, collapsing carelessly onto the grand armchair. His face was pale, troubled, clearly still shaken by the act of killing. Even though he knew, without doubt, it was all within the game, that certainty only made him more unsettled. If he could brutally kill someone in a game, what about reality? With the fusion of game and reality, he knew all too well he could do the same. He recalled that day in the hospital—his thoughts alone had driven his hand to press a military knife against Brother Hu’s throat, slicing a sharp wound.

Li Xin shook his head, unwilling to believe it was real. A miraculous game had produced miraculous results, but it also brought a monstrous evil that instilled terror. Was this a blessing or a curse?

“Who developed this game? Unique in the universe—what was their purpose?”

“That sly man Bai Ze, his identity remains unknown, so strange. If I meet him again, I must ask him properly.”

“A game? Heh... I think I’ll stop playing for now. Perhaps I’ll return only when I can accept this terrifying realism.”

Smiling wryly at himself, Li Xin rose and returned to his bedroom, logged out of the game, and then—deleted it.

Now, whenever he saw the screen of CF, his mind would conjure up the image of killing with his own hands. Li Xin knew he was not particularly brave; as a child, he’d cling tightly to his mother’s leg while walking at night. How could he accept all this now?

What next?

Li Xin decided to travel, hoping to make up for wasted youth and fill the many blanks in his life. Browsing online, he saw that the National Day Golden Week had just passed, and major tourist spots were offering discounts and group packages to extend the holiday’s prosperity. Unfortunately, starting today, the number of tourists had sharply declined. Nearly all the spots he checked showed only a few hundred tickets sold online.

He spent the entire afternoon indoors, researching and selecting a route he liked. Since it would be a self-driving trip, he needed thorough preparation and sought advice from netizens. Once dazzling and radiant, he now realized how naïve and simple he truly was, struggling even with basic travel planning.

Looking up, it was almost six o’clock. Li Xin headed to the front store.

“Uncle Chu, Uncle Zhang, Uncle Zhao, Zhang He, Yao Yao, you’ve all worked hard these past few days, not getting to enjoy the holiday. How about this—I’ll pay for you to form a group and take a few days off for a trip, really relax.”

The five looked blankly at their young boss, whose illness had left him with clear eyes and a kind heart, yet unlucky in life.

“Li Xin, let’s not. Your money doesn’t grow on trees. We’re just doing our duty, and your treatment is already generous.”

“Yes, Boss Li, we don’t mind the work.”

Li Xin was inexplicably moved, smiling without a word. Since his return, none of his relatives had visited him, as if they didn’t consider him family. It was these employees who truly cared for him.

“All right, everyone, you can clock out. Yao Yao, come with me for a moment, I need your help with something.”

“Okay.” Li Yao’s brows arched like the crescent moon, her smile bright as she followed him in.

Her boss personally brewed tea, and Li Yao was a little flustered, hastily washing two cups.

“Brother Li, what do you need me to do?”

“I want to go on a self-driving trip for a few days. Can you help me plan a route? I’m really not very good at this.” Li Xin gave an embarrassed smile.

Li Yao smiled charmingly, readily agreeing.

They worked until nine in the evening, finally finishing an eighteen-page travel plan. Skipping dinner, they were both truly hungry. Li Xin decided to treat his little sister to a hearty meal in thanks.

“Wait for me at the store entrance. I’ll go to the back street and bring the car around.”

“Okay, be careful.” Li Yao watched his silhouette vanish into the night, raising her arm to call out.

Huanghua Street was an old avenue, the streetlights lining both sides aged and dim. The neighborhood committee had repeatedly requested replacements from the authorities, but approval was slow to come. Li Yao lived in the northern district and usually took the bus after work. Tonight the boss was treating her to dinner and would personally drive her home, which made her happy.

Her feelings for Li Xin were purely sibling affection, nothing more.

Looking down at her phone, she suddenly noticed the area growing even dimmer. Busy chatting with her friend, she barely paid attention.

Suddenly, a group of burly men appeared from nowhere, stealthily approaching her. By the time Li Yao realized, a thick, dark sack had already been thrown over her.

“Mmm… mmm… help…”

Her cry for help was cut short as she was forcefully stuffed into a waiting van by the roadside.

“Hm? What was that sound?” Li Xin had just driven over from the back street, not yet rounded the corner, and thought he heard someone cry out. He rolled down the window and looked around, but saw nothing unusual. Shaking his head, he wondered if he’d misheard.

Turning the corner, he found the store entrance empty, with no sign of Li Yao. Li Xin frowned, “Where did she go?”

He called her phone—it was switched off.

Looking up, he saw a silver vehicle make a sharp turn at the intersection and disappear. Li Xin’s heart leapt—something was wrong.

“Righteous heavens, let’s see who dares act so boldly?” With a lion’s growl, Li Xin clenched his jaw, his dark eyes flashing with fierce resolve. When he was gravely ill, it was Li Yao and the others who cared for him. Now, when they faced trouble, as a man, it was his duty to rescue them with all his strength. Only then could he live up to his own ideals.

“Yao Yao, hang in there.”

He floored the accelerator, and the SUV shot forward. It was past nine, and traffic was still fairly heavy, but Li Xin risked everything for a chase of speed and fury. He drew closer and closer to the silver van ahead.

Shouldn’t he call the police?

Li Xin did not. He already had a good guess who had abducted Li Yao. She was an upright, proper girl, never one to attract the attention of such vile criminals. The only possibility was collateral damage—the city gate’s fire spreading to the fish in the moat.

He was, in this metaphor, the city gate.

And in his case, there was only one suspect: the burly Brother Biao. The grudge formed in the hospital must have been intolerable for him.

Driving eastward, the traffic thinned, and Li Xin eased his speed. Now was not the time to let the enemy notice him. The road ahead led straight to the abandoned factories of East City—once they reached there, escape would be impossible. Patience would serve him better than haste. Breathing deeply, Li Xin strove to keep his composure. At this moment, a bold idea was forming in his mind, though he hesitated.

In the past, young and impulsive, he would have acted without fear; after falling ill, he’d been anxious and troubled, more likely to avoid confrontation; but now, with virtual reality and Universe Shift at his disposal, perhaps he had the makings of an assassin. And not just any assassin—a super killer who could leave no evidence for the police.

Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Li Xin closed his eyes gently, reclining against the seat’s headrest, and summoned the game’s attribute panel.