Chapter 85.2 Crimson Sunset Expedition
Wen Shi’s life principle had always been: When there’s a shortcut, charge ahead!
Besides, he couldn’t reach the destination with his current speed.
Shortcuts and detours could always transform into each other. Taking this path meant greater danger.
Suddenly, the sound of a train whistle came from behind. Even though he was mentally prepared, Wen Shi’s body still trembled reflexively. The wailing sounds overlapped, making it seem like more than one train was coming.
The safety guide from the toy bunny mentioned that it was all an illusion and not to worry, but the system hinted that there were things that could run them over.
“There must be an illusion between them.”
According to the toy bunny, this illusory train could carry him hundreds of meters away.
Not far from the gap between the railway tracks, Wen Shi turned around and saw two trains coming side by side in the distance. They were much slower than regular trains, providing players with some time to think.
Wen Shi slowed down his running speed, looking at the trains for a few seconds. Just as his focus settled on a certain pattern, a voice echoed in his ears:
“Leave it to me!”
The words were scarcely finished when the scarecrow transformed into an afterimage and surged backward over a great distance. In the fleeting moment between lightning and sparks, the oncoming train heartlessly sent it flying into the sky.
As the scarecrow’s hands weren’t fit for typing, its body was equipped with a brain-machine interface, allowing it to send voice commands to the mechanical cat using its consciousness.
The impact was too great. His eyeball were knocked out of its socket for a moment, causing his mental control speed to fall behind.
“No… it’s… this…”
“……” I can see.
Even before the scarecrow was sent flying, Wen Shi had already leaped towards another track with his fastest speed ever. For a moment, everything turned black, and the wind brushed against his cheeks. Amidst the blowing sand, he could only keep his eyes shut. When he could finally open his eyes again, there was less than a hundred meters left to the platform.
【Countdown: Seventeen seconds.】
Wen Shi sprinted towards the platform with all his might, simultaneously racking his brain for any item that could help him climb onto it.
“I’ve got this.” A half-human, half-worm player who had run from the other track, began to swell continuously. Effortlessly, he lifted Wen Shi and placed him on the platform.
“Thanks.”
Upon reaching the platform, Wen Shi turned his head slightly and saw the scarecrow not far away, looking disheveled while holding the slightly deformed mechanical cat, standing there in a daze.
After being knocked away, it was the first to get up and eagerly headed towards Wen Shi. However, from a distance, it witnessed Wen Shi being lifted by the worm-human and thanking him with a smile. Wen Shi felt strangely uneasy.
The mini scarecrow walked along the railroad tracks, looking dejected. It didn’t bother flying until it was close to the platform.
“You just saved my life.” Wen Shi cleared his throat, choosing not to mention that he had already figured out what was going on. From the moment he realized the collaboration between the train and Crimson Sunset Travel Agency, he kept an eye out. One train had a conspicuous symbol on its front that was identical to the one on the travel agency’s brochure. The game’s indication that the travel agency didn’t exist on the map meant anything related to it was likely an illusion, including the collaborating train.
However, even as Wen Shi deduced this, the scarecrow had practically tested the theory through its actions.
A life-saving favor.
The mini scarecrow seemed content with this answer and glanced warningly at the chubby worm before hovering back onto Wen Shi’s shoulder.
Wen Shi comfortingly stroked its head, ruffling its straw, realizing that it was quite easy to appease when Jian Qingrong wasn’t overthinking things.
Wen Shi and the wormplayer were among the last to reach the platform. Those who had already arrived, whether players or shadows, stood far apart from each other, their bodies fatigued. Despite their weariness, they remained vigilant, watching each other closely to guard against surprise attacks at this crucial moment.
Wen Shi counted. There were still eighteen players and eleven shadows left.
Fortunately, Yu Xingzhou had successfully eliminated shadows. Otherwise, the numerical gap would have been larger. Shadows tended to have a higher survival rate when boarding compared to players.
“Let’s go.” After a brief rest, Wen Shi, along with the mini scarecrow, headed towards the tour guide to retrieve their luggage.
Despite the steep drop in favorability by ten points, the tour guide didn’t openly display any displeasure. When Wen Shi expressed gratitude, she waved her hand with a smile, “Assisting tourists with their luggages is also part of my job responsibilities.”
Dealing with these seemingly friendly NPCs could be tricky. Wen Shi tried his best to avoid unnecessary interactions.
“My dear grandson, do you sense it?” A faint voice came from the suitcase.
Wen Shi bent down.
In the old lady’s pitch-black eyes, a glint of darkness flashed. “Malevolence.”
Without immediately looking at the tour guide, Wen Shi seemed to recall something and averted his gaze towards a certain direction. As his eyes met someone else’s, they quickly looked away. It was the player who had been burned by the fire earlier. Somehow, they also managed to survive and exit the track.
In the few seconds their gazes briefly met, Wen Shi could sense the deep-seated animosity in the player’s eyes.
With a half-smile, Wen Shi couldn’t help but feel that the player might want to consider the evolutionary path of rats.
After the old lady’s warning, she retreated back into the suitcase.
When dealing with threats posed by creatures like the train car full of passengers, the old lady would wield her knife directly. However, when it came to the subtle dynamics between players, she seemed to be refraining from getting involved for now. It appeared she preferred to let Wen Shi handle it on his own.
Simultaneously, the girl across the way whispered to the teenager, “Dealing with people is the most complicated and insincere. I’ll do my best to help you avoid that.”
The teenager didn’t argue with her. He stood tall in place, keeping an eye on the mini scarecrow.
Jian Qingrong’s shadow was a product of the same proportions. The game had virtually copied everything at a one-to-one scale. Both the scarecrow and his original self shouldn’t be in their current states.
Wen Shi boarded the train early and hadn’t seen Jian Qingrong’s shadow yet, so he didn’t have this concern for the time being.
“Are you really not curious at all about where he is?” the teenager suddenly asked.
Wen Shi played dumb, “Who are you talking about? Who?”
He was absolutely certain that if he inquired, the mini scarecrow would explode. Jian Qingrong’s possessiveness and the possessiveness of his grandma’s shadow were quite comparable.
The teenager gave him a deep look. In terms of pretending to be ignorant, he might not actually be better than the other person.
In reality, Wen Shi had to manage the mini scarecrow’s emotions partly for a reason, but mostly because he was somewhat similar to Jian Qingrong in their lack of interest in each other’s shadows. With one game level following another, Wen Shi didn’t have the time to think about these matters. Now, taking a moment’s break, he also didn’t bother trying to get answers from the teenager.
Regarding Jian Qingrong’s shadow, Wen Shi’s attitude remained consistent: as long as it didn’t create trouble for himself, everything else was optional.
Passengers who boarded the train with players weren’t subject to the time constraints of the stations. Up to this point, only a few passengers could be sporadically seen in the distance, leisurely walking.
The tour guide retrieved a small flag and positioned herself between the players and the shadows. She waved the flag and said, “Welcome everyone to Sunset Station. All the tourist attractions on this trip are in Sunset Town. To enhance your travel experience, we hope you won’t leave the group without permission, and avoid leaving personal marks as a way to document your visit. Additionally, there are many precious and special artifacts in Sunset Town. Photography is strictly prohibited.
“Later on, I’ll lead everyone to an inn in the town for a break. At 11 o’clock tonight, we will visit the first featured attraction of this trip: the House of Screams.” Assuming an air of mystery, the tour guide continued, “This is a new free benefit added by the travel agency this year.”
After saying that, the tour guide turned and led everyone outside.
Before they could completely exit the train station, they were greeted by various shouts and calls, as if they had stepped into a lively world.
This illusion was instantly shattered upon seeing the turtlekin at the entrance. Their physical features were all turtle-like, except for limbs resembling those of humans.
The tour guide seemed to dislike anything slow-paced and reminded everyone, “Some of these turtlekin make money through fortune-telling. They can roughly predict the outcome of events. But I advise you not to approach them.”
A curious newbie humbly inquired, “Why not?”
“Because when you see the outcome of something beforehand, you become unwilling to try and change it. You stay in your shell, and eventually, you evolve into a turtlekin.” The guide raised an eyebrow slightly. “Of course, if anyone wants to follow this evolution path, I can provide you with the specific methods.”
Not wanting to be stopped for a sales pitch by these fortune-tellers, she purposely walked in the opposite direction.
However, before the tour guide could take the detour, the turtlekin’s tiny eyes locked onto her. It swiftly moved on all fours, rapidly heading in the opposite direction.
The tour guide frowned and swiftly threw the flag which went straight into the ground about three inches, conveniently planting itself right in front of the turtlekin.
“Why run?”
Despite the turtlekin’s reluctance to stir up trouble, after much hesitation, it offered a reminder along with a common saying, “Misfortune never comes alone. Misfortune upon misfortune.”
The turtlekin possessed a unique sixth sense, causing them to avoid certain unlucky matters at all costs. Having said something to the tour guide, it suddenly felt that it, too, had encountered a bout of bad luck.
Scanning the surroundings, its eyes suddenly lit up when it spotted Wen Shi’s instant portal.
It moved closer, and with a swift motion, leapt from the ground, soaring over Wen Shi’s feet.
“…?” Wen Shi’s expression was one of total confusion.
The voice of the old lady came from inside the suitcase, “Seeking good luck and avoiding bad luck, it’s hopping over the fire pit.”
Wen Shi: “Fire pit?”
[T/N: so it was said that by jumping over a fire, you’re burning all the bad luck from you. but imagine doing this right in front of the “bad luck” LOL these turtlefolk have no manners ]
They were currently walking through the corridor leading to the outside world. The old lady’s voice was light, yet audible to everyone.
The train station was bustling with various businesses: rickshaw pullers, snack vendors, and even those attempting to lure tourists to their own inns.
Many of the passengers who came here were dealing with minor annoyances in their lives and seeking clarification, which was why numerous turtlekin had set up stalls nearby.
Upon seeing the tour guide approach, they hurriedly moved their stalls, and the disdain was clear on their turtle-like faces.
Wen Shi became a hot commodity.
Successive turtlekin leaped from beneath his feet. If it weren’t for the issue of height, they might have even tried to jump over his head while muttering to themselves:
“Jump.”
“I jump.”
“Great wealth and fortune, great luck and prosperity.”
“……”
The people behind him were left in astonishment.
Xiao Hua moved to Yu Xingzhou’s side and asked, “Boss, you’ve done investigations before. Is Pei Wenwei really that lucky?”
It was as if he was the darling of the heavens.
Yu Xingzhou shook his head. Luck always had a frame of reference. The turtlekin only started leaping over Wen Shi like fire pit after sensing the tour guide’s overwhelming misfortune. There must be some kind of energy conservation present in the middle of this portal, no matter how one think about it.
“The tour guide’s favorability towards you: -10.”
“The tour guide’s favorability towards you: -10.”
The notification sound pelted Wen Shi like hail, twisting his expression. He hadn’t done anything, yet he was inexplicably suffering a deduction in favorability?
Human emotions were complex and varied. Some envied and begrudgingly discussed Wen Shi’s good luck, quietly murmuring, “I heard someone say that Pei Wenwei’s skill is【Lucky Star】.”
Liu Yun and the others helped spread the notion that Wen Shi’s skill was as he had described: luck.
Most people remained sensible. Shadow Xiao Hua retorted, “So, what did he gain from it?”
Based on the current situation, apart from becoming an eyesore to the tour guide, it seemed like he hadn’t gained anything.
The person who had been grumbling fell silent.
The tour guide expressionlessly caught hold of a turtlekin and, with a somewhat willing-to-believe attitude, took out a hundred yuan bill. “Is there a way to counter this?”
Turtlekin: “Your issue is quite significant, that’ll be two hundred.”
The tour guide pulled out another banknote.
The turtlekin raised an arm and pointed at Wen Shi, “It’s simple! He’s very lucky. Just stay close to him more often, interact frequently. You’ll definitely receive the blessings of good fortune.”
It spoke earnestly. The turtlekin had avoided the issue for so long that their brains seemed almost as stiff as muscles.
The tour guide squeezed a few words through her teeth, “I’m terribly unlucky, he’s extremely lucky. Don’t you think there’s something wrong?”
Right from the start, the tour guide seemed to be luring the tourists into danger. The designed game quests also headed in that direction, appearing polite on the surface, but in reality, both sides stood in an invisible opposition.
The turtlekin opened its mouth as if it understood something, realizing it had suggested something foolish.
Unashamed, its expression turned grave. “You see, even if you lose money, you can’t escape disaster. This marks the onset of a streak of bad luck.” After a pause, it shifted the focus of the argument, “Every grievance has its cause and every debt its debtor. Ultimately, if you didn’t have bad luck, you wouldn’t have come to me. So, who do you think the problem lies with?”
“The tour guide’s favorability towards you: -10.”
Wen Shi: “……”
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Thank you for the chapter!
The turtlekin are hilarious