Chapter 83.1 Crimson Sunset Expedition
Hot, irritating, stiffling.
Surprisingly, the train replicated the bumpy feeling of an electric scooter. Wen Shi kept his eyes closed and remained silent for a long time. Even he couldn’t tell if he fell asleep or got overwhelmed by the heat.
Li Nan was the most awake. Every so often, he went to the pool to fill up the water tank because the high temperature made the water evaporate quickly.
When adding water, Li Nan carefully observed the newbies’ scarred amputation areas. Thick layers of dark scars had formed there, like the rings of a tree. Each ring followed another, and on each mark, something resembling small black tadpoles could be seen swimming around.
…a walking curse.
The thought popped into Li Nan’s mind out of nowhere.
Clatter, clatter, clatter.
Li Nan turned around. The old lady from the suitcase had partially came out at some point. She fanned Wen Shi kindly while slightly angling herself toward Li Nan.
Disliking eye contact, she kept her gaze fixed on the ground. Her submissive behavior, however, made people uneasy.
The recent sound had been the old lady tapping on the suitcase handle. She was reminding Li Nan not to get involved.
Li Nan received the warning and returned to his seat.
He discreetly pondered what abilities the old lady possessed. Except for a few rare skills, the First Commandent Guild had almost every skill that players could have. Li Nan didn’t find anything similar there.
“Dark blood, curses…” He suddenly remembered an instance he had played before, where an NPC had similar traits.
The grand backdrop of the story defined it as: a sorcerer.
“We are approaching Common Rich Pile. The train will stop here for thirty minutes—”
The train’s announcement played, injecting a hint of vitality into the lifeless carriage.
Common Rich Pile under scorching heat didn’t offer any relief, but at least players could temporarily escape the dizziness from the crowded train.
The tour guide was already standing at the door, clapping her hands and saying, “Get ready, half a minute after I leave, the flag game will begin!”
Wen Shi, covered in sweat, got up from the bed. Lying down for too long had made him dizzy. Once his vision cleared, he asked, “The other carriage doesn’t have a guide. How will they know about this game?”
The lively tour guide patiently answered him, “There will be announcements over there.”
Wen Shi pondered. From the conductors to the broadcasts, everyone was so coordinated. It indicated a collaboration between the train and the Crimson Sunset Travel Agency. He had to be cautious about anything related to the travel agency to avoid getting tricked inadvertently.
Without the dawdling of the previous Wind River Station, this time, the train slowed down, and within five minutes, the platform came into view.
The game notification prompt rang out without surprise:
【Group Side Quest: Capture the Flag
The time has come to test the speed and endurance of the tourists! Please find a way to catch the tour guide first and seize the flag from her.
Note: If a group fails to capture the flag, the temperature inside the train will rise by five degrees before reaching the final station.】
Despite knowing that asking wasn’t a good idea, Song Yan couldn’t help but ask, “When will the main quest become available? Or is it that after clearing all the shadows, victory will be automatically declared?”
Seeing no response, Song Yan felt awkward and instinctively looked at Wen Shi.
Since he came here, many things were taught to him by Wen Shi. It could be said that Song Yan had an inappropriate fledgling attachment to Wen Shi.
“I’ve only experienced one team battle before. Back then, the main quest wasn’t given until the second day.” Wen Shi’s hand rested on the edge of the bed, his fingertips subtly moving, indicating he was in a contemplative state.
After a while, Wen Shi spoke again, “Unless necessary, it’s better not to finish off the shadows. Keep them in a half-dead state so they can’t fight back.”
In a typical life-or-death team battle, failing a quest would usually result in eliminating the opposing team’s numbers. This time, the punishment was unusually different.
Like Song Yan, there was a quiet air after Wen Shi finished speaking. He assumed it was because they disagree, misunderstanding his excessive mercy. He raised his head, preparing to explain.
“Is it this sort of half-dead state?”
Just before Wen Shi could respond, Xiao Hua asked with an uncertain tone, pointing at the water tank.
Wen Shi hesitated for a moment and didn’t answer immediately, which was taken as an affirmation.
Everyone’s thoughts aligned: He’s quite ruthless!
Branded as a ruthless person, Wen Shi carried an undeserved accusation and awaited the train’s arrival at the platform.
As the train door slid open, the tour guide dashed out with lightning speed.
Xiao Hua checked her watch while waiting for half a minute to pass, then asked, “Who’s guarding the shadow this time?”
Although it wasn’t fair, players eagerly volunteered. With the blazing sun outside, nobody wanted to run under its scorching rays.
Li Nan brought up the previous discussion with Wen Shi about beastkin. When the topic shifted to the tour guide resembling a silver ant, a player muttered uneasily, “Silver ants are really fast runners, and the tour guide is good at prolonged battles. In our current condition, we’d be exhausted after just one or two kilometers.”
When the tour guide had gone out earlier, she was moving at a speed of at least three meters per second, far faster than the average silver ant. Moreover, the tour guide had been cheerful throughout the train journey, while they were already close to heatstroke, let alone comparing their stamina.
As the time neared, a player voluntarily stood by the door, ready to participate in capturing the flag.
“If you don’t feel like running, then don’t. There’s no need to overexert yourselves,” Wen Shi leaned against the edge of the bed, gently pinching his brow, “Just pretend to run. But go to someone you trust, someone who can always observe the shadows’ movements.”
He paused for a moment and laid out the plan, “I have an item that refreshes side quests. When the shadow team gets close to the tour guide, I’ll use the item to refresh the quest.”
“……”
Wen Shi glanced at the players near the door. “Don’t stand there in a daze. Take a couple of steps first, or it might raise suspicion.”
Shadow Yu Xingzhou sneered, “This item can also be used by your shadow.”
“It will take some time for him to think of it.”
Because of the heat, Wen Shi’s face displayed an abnormal flush as he spoke with heated words, “During my rebellious phase, what I disliked the most was doing good deeds daily. It’s hard to think of applying it in a group quest.”
He looked out of the window and said, “Actually, even if the thought occurred, it wouldn’t matter.”
The shadows wouldn’t give up on capturing the flag. Surrendering was the same as handing over victory without a fight. But relentlessly chasing them would result in a futile endeavor. The solution was simple: if Shadow Wen Shi willingly used the refresh item, a balance could be achieved.
However, the other side would never do that.
“Because he’s a shadow,” Wen Shi said with a smile. “With such a valuable item, how could he bear to waste it on a group side quest, all in the name of serving the masses?”
For the first time, Shadow Yu Xingzhou felt that sometimes good was harder to deal with than evil, and selflessness was more vexing than selfishness.
Wen Shi whispered softly, “I’ve already been kind enough to that brat. As long as he behaves, and doesn’t say anything, I’d even be willing to become mute again.”
Otherwise, he could use this matter to have the shadow team ostracize the teenager completely.
At this station, a total of four players disembarked. For the flag-capturing quest, it was best to send those who could run fast and had good endurance. A smaller group wouldn’t arouse suspicion.
The observation task fell to Li Nan. His phone maintained continuous communication with Wen Shi, ensuring that at the first sign of the tour guide being caught up, he could be informed immediately.
Shadow Yu Xingzhou furrowed his brows, genuinely unable to understand why Wen Shi was willing to use a precious item in such an inconsequential stage.
“Severe heatstroke can be fatal.” Even with potions, negative physical conditions wouldn’t disappear in the blink of an eye. With closed eyes, Wen Shi knew what he was thinking. “The game keeps wearing down our stamina. It wouldn’t be surprising if a battle royale ensues at the Sunset Station.”
Shadow Yu Xingzhou suddenly thought of a way to break the deadlock. “Exchange of benefits. Your shadow could easily get the others to offer corresponding benefits by trading the refresh item to make up for the losses.”
Before waiting for a response, he looked up and found Wen Shi gazing at him with a half-smile.
After a brief pause, Shadow Yu Xingzhou immediately realized he fell for it!
Shadows were selfish, and whether they were willing to trade was another matter. However, his words were completely a reminder to everyone: this person before them was genuinely selfless. He was willing to take important items for the team’s protection.
Even the people soaking and fermenting in the water tank felt a hint of reassurance now.
Wen Shi’s efforts gave them hope of leaving the instance alive.
Among those present, the most selfish was Crew Cut Guy, who had successfully boarded the train by stepping on others’ lives. Even he seemed somewhat moved. Whether intentionally or not, the other side indeed put in a great effort. He finally understood why the players who went through instances with Pei Wenwei had hardly leaked his secrets .
While Wen Shi received the praises of everyone, Shadow Yu Xingzhou noticed that he purposely brought his phone, which was currently in conversation, closer to his direction, ensuring the person on the other end of the call could also hear his kindness.
“……”
A great deception seemed genuine, and great treachery appeared as loyalty.
Shadow Yu Xingzhou was extremely frustrated, pondering how this person could look even more like a shadow.
He had thought that Wen Shi would continue with some triumphant words. However, when he glanced over again, he noticed that Wen Shi seemed to be holding something in his hand, making a praying gesture, and muttering something under his breath.
He started suspecting this person’s mental state instead.
…
Shadow Wen Shi was running under the sun. The girl saw him drenched in sweat and wanted to find water for him.
Unfortunately, Common Rich Pile Station was quite desolate. It was entirely different from Wind River, with no peddlers in sight.
“Rest here for now. I’ll go for the flag.”
The teenager shook his head and found a rare spot of shade to lean against. The quest mentioned that this round’s focus was on tourists. He had a feeling that if the girl joined in, it would be more harmful than beneficial.
After some effort, the girl managed to find a large piece of cardboard and fanned him with it. He felt slightly cooler. When he looked around, he couldn’t spot Wen Shi.
Did he not get off the train?
“Something’s off.” The teenager held the scorching steel pipe, watching as his palm turned red from the burn. The stinging sensation further agitated his mind.
Lowering his head, he remained still for a few seconds until a thought quickly crossed his mind, and his expression darkened completely. “An item.”
The girl responded with a puzzled “huh,” continuing to fan him vigorously.
“By the time I’ve almost exhausted my stamina, that hypocrite will use the refresh item.”
The girl’s thinking was straightforward. “Then you should use it too.”
The teenager shook his head. “The real journey hasn’t even started yet. Using it here would be a complete waste of resources.”
From a self-interest standpoint, his thinking wasn’t wrong. The greatest value of that item lay in refreshing challenging solo side quests. Serving the team with it was something the teenager didn’t think he possessed the quality for.
Regardless of whether the girl understood or not, the teenager, with some frustration, explained a few more sentences. The girl responded, “Then just give up on capturing the flag.”
“Once that happens…” The teenager sighed lightly. “The other side won’t even need to waste the item. They’ll directly secure victory.”
The girl said, “Then use it.”
The teenager felt mentally drained. He didn’t want to repeat the same conversation again. This girl’s mind seemed a bit off.
As he helplessly pinched his brow, the girl softly asked, “My dear grandson, are you being controlled by him?”
Visibly noticeable, in that moment, the teenager’s hair seemed to puff up slightly in frustration. He took a deep breath and quickly adjusted his mood.
When the teenager fell into contemplation, he had a small habit similar to Wen Shi’s. His fingers lightly moved through the air as if playing a piano.
The girl didn’t dare to disturb, continuing to fan vigorously by the side.
His slender body leaned against a pillar, the dark aura around him and the small reflection of the pillar aligned perfectly.
Suddenly, the teenager looked towards the long staircase. He had chased up to this point, and the tour guide had run all the way up, beyond which was the waiting hall. After gazing for quite a while, he stood up straight. “Direct confrontation is the dumbest choice. There’s another path we can try.”
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