Chapter 57: Gaoji Academy (Twenty-two)

Chapter 57: Gaoji Academy (Twenty-two)

Dou Siqi was momentarily stunned, blurting out, "How can this be?"

Saying this, he froze in place.

It was evident from Zhang An's implication that the eight individuals on Xie Fangcheng's side would band together from now on, leaving behind the six individuals including Dou Siqi, intending to segregate completely from these six players.

In previous dungeons, such a choice would be more than normal; it could even be considered morally upright. After all, they were not backstabbing; they were stating their intentions clearly.

In the same dungeon, players from the same faction would still be wary of potential backstabbing from "comrades". Players have fully adapted to these mind games and human indifference. Having cleared numerous dungeons, Dou Siqi was well aware that this dungeon was different.

No, it wasn't that the dungeon was different, but rather, the player with the highest combat power within it was the anomaly.

The first dungeon Dou Siqi entered in the game was both a blessing and a curse. Among the players in that dungeon was a veteran who had cleared it over fifty times.

This veteran was extremely powerful, single-handedly driving the entire dungeon forward, finding clues, solving puzzles, and defeating key bosses... This seasoned player could virtually do it all on their own.

But even now, recalling all the dungeons he has encountered so far, Dou Siqi realizes that one was the most terrifying.

Because within that dungeon, the determinant of his fate... was another player.

All the efforts of Dou Siqi were futile; his survival depended entirely on the whim of another person.

That pro player completely disregarded the lives of others, viewing other players as disposable tools for mine clearance or as moving puppets... definitely not as individuals.

Furthermore, the slightest dissatisfaction would provoke him to berate and assault his "teammates", maintaining a disdainfully superior attitude.

In that dungeon at that time, apart from Dou Siqi, there was another newbie, a recent university graduate who seemed to have never faced hardships, exhibiting an unbending spine and a tendency to meddle.

Thus, one night, the pro player threw him into a swarm of monsters.

Even now, Dou Siqi vividly remembers the blood-curdling scream emitted by that university graduate.

From that point on, Dou Siqi dared not let his guard down while sleeping in the dungeon, fearing he would wake up amidst a horde of monsters.

—And the majority of players could hardly find peaceful sleep within the dungeon.

Owing to the potentially looming threat of horrifying NPCs and even more terrifying backstabbing players whose next move you could never predict.

Dou Siqi had grown accustomed to this.

However, not long after entering this dungeon, he found himself able to sleep soundly at night, even more so than in the player's base.

Because he knew, in this dungeon, there existed a powerful player capable of beating down all the NPCs. If any NPC were audacious enough to cause trouble at night, this mighty player would wield his staff to chase away these terrifying creatures.

Xie Fangcheng's character was quite evident. Despite his strength, he was indeed reasonable.

Even when dealing with NPCs like Director Wei, Xie Fangcheng would find a rationale before taking action, executing each move with calculated precision. If a reason couldn't be found, he would merely stand regretfully with his staff, sighing.

Not once did he impulsively attack Director Wei without a word.

Principled, bounded, and powerful.

With such a person safeguarding the players' faction, Dou Siqi quickly adapted.

He grew accustomed to Xie Fangcheng's mighty presence, always lending a helping hand to players.

——He's already so capable; assisting me with defeating an NPC is merely a small favor for him. How could he possibly refuse?

Looking back, such a notion is truly naïve and... shameless.

Since entering the instance, their group, to varying degrees, has enjoyed the protection of Xie Fangcheng.

Chief Wei is quite competent but, until now, hasn't laid a hand on any of the players.

The deceased students were strong and numerous. They've ventured into the student dormitories twice without any fatalities.

This isn't due to their advanced skills in clearing the instance or significant personal strength.

It's all because they have a Xie Fangcheng on their side.

Now, their group of six chooses not to align with Xie Fangcheng. It seems he isn't angered, just unwilling to continue offering help. What more is there to discuss?

Zhang An silently watched him, realizing that he had come to understand on his own.

"Is there anything else?" he asked.

Dou Siqi opened his mouth, hesitating.

He knew this was the time to appease the other side, trying to persuade him to accept him.

However, facing Zhang An's gaze, Dou Siqi only managed to stutter a dry "no more issues" in the end.

Having said that, he turned around and left, looking back three times with each step.

Tong Xinxin was spectating nearby, unable to restrain herself once Dou Siqi left: "Teacher Zhang, have you and Brother Xie discussed this beforehand? No longer accepting other players?"

Zhang An shook his head: "No."

"Ah." Tong Xinxin gestured, "Isn't this... somewhat inappropriate?"

Zhang An understood her implication.

Their small group of eight, even though Xie Fangcheng utterly refuses to think, was formed entirely around him.

Of course, Xie Fangcheng has no intention of being the nucleus. Judging by his usual behavior and mindset, he prefers to slack off at the fringes of the group.

His slacking aside, not to mention others, even a strong-willed person like Tong Xinxin had aspirations to be the core of the team on the first day of entering the instance.

However, after being rescued by Xie Fangcheng, Tong Xinxin willingly became a subordinate.

Despite Zhang An appearing to be the decision-maker within the group, in reality, if Xie Fangcheng disagrees, the rest of the group would also dissent.

But now, Zhang An has rejected others' requests to join their small team.

Dou Siqi, who doesn't interact much with Xie Fangcheng, perceives him to be overpowering and fearsome. However, a team member like Tong Xinxin knows well that he is quite approachable, with a good temper, and prone to being easily moved.

If Dou Siqi were to approach him directly, there's a high likelihood that Xie Fangcheng would agree.

Zhang An cast a glance at Tong Xinxin.

Although this glance seemed insignificant, Tong Xinxin felt inexplicably infuriated, sensing a demeaning undertone in his gaze, as if he were looking at an imbecile.

"I was just deceiving him," Zhang An stated calmly, "You hardly believe what I say, don't you? How come you trust me when it comes to deceiving him?"

Tong Xinxin: "..."

Who are you asking? Shouldn't you be questioning why you have cultivated such a notorious reputation for deception amongst us?

Gritting her teeth, Tong Xinxin shifted the conversation in another direction.

"But why deceive him in the first place?"

Zhang An responded in a steady tone, "If I don't deceive him, he might assume that Teacher Xie owes them something."

Tong Xinxin started to catch on.

When Dou Siqi first arrived, he appeared somewhat reluctant, resembling a reluctant sweeper coerced into marrying a tycoon, yielding out of necessity rather than willingness, which greatly annoyed Tong Xinxin.

The expression on Dou Siqi's face completely transformed when he left, evolving from a coerced bride-to-be into a sweeper facing bankruptcy and eviction from a mansion. The metamorphosis of his facial expression was both dramatic and vindicating.

At this point, Zhang An continued, "Teacher Xie is congenial and not arrogant despite his formidable strength. He realizes that the average player doesn't possess remarkable skills, hence his willingness to protect them. However, his ability to overlook the difficulties of this instance does not entitle beneficiaries to take his help for granted."

"Right now, they simply expect Teacher Xie to extend his protection to them while aiding others. Soon, they will start demanding more, insisting that his superior skills obligate him to work harder to ensure their safety. Eventually, they might even resent and blame him for not rescuing them when they face peril from NPCs."

"People who lack gratitude are prone to overstep boundaries. Hence, I refuse to allow such foolish and selfish individuals into our team. My reasoning is sound, don't you think?"

After listening, Tong Xinxin felt as if she had been struck hard with a hammer.

Although Zhang An's words were aimed at Dou Siqi, on introspection... the first time Xie Fangcheng rescued her, Tong Xinxin felt both awestruck and grateful.

However, during the second visit to the student dormitories, she was not at all anxious, taking for granted that Xie Fangcheng would rescue her if any danger arose.

What if he failed to save her?

Would she resent Xie Fangcheng?

Tong Xinxin wanted to say "no," but deep down, she knew the answer was quite the opposite.

Humans really do tend to push their luck, don't they?

Tong Xinxin pondered.

I really need to express my gratitude to Brother Xie.

As she thought this, even contemplating the idea of finding a gift, Zhang An, with his keen insight, quickly discerned her thoughts.

"Planning to present him with a gift as a token of appreciation?"

"Ah... yes."

"What to give?" Zhang An inquired, "A student greeting card? Or perhaps some homemade snacks, or a small toy?"

Tong Xinxin: "..."

It has to be said, there was a moment when Tong Xinxin genuinely considered the items he mentioned... but his expression and tone were utterly infuriating!

Tong Xinxin touched her nose lightly.

Zhang An appeared unflustered: "We're all adults here, something more substantial would be appropriate."

"Something substantial?" Tong Xinxin asked eagerly, her ears perked up.

"Credits?"

"Ah, well... Isn't that a bit too straightforward?"

"Not if you give a substantial amount. Perhaps something in the range of hundreds of thousands."

Even Guo Siming, who had been silently contemplating by their side, turned his head in astonishment.

My goodness, this man really dares to say anything!

Hundreds of thousands? The base score for a level two instance is only fifty thousand. Of course, with various bonuses, it could amount to hundreds of thousands, but the difficulty of a level two instance is quite high, with a general survival rate of less than 20%. One could say that players earn their credits at the risk of their lives.

Tong Xinxin only hesitated for a moment, her response further shocked Guo Siming.

"It's only fair," she nodded earnestly, "If it weren't for Brother Xie saving me, I would be dead by now. It would be unjust to give him too few credits."

Only after she finished speaking, did Zhang An afford her a second glance.

After her statement, Tong Xinxin turned towards him with a blossoming smile, "Teacher Zhang, what thank you gift do you intend to give Brother Xie?"

Zhang An also offered a smile.

"I don't need to."

"Why??"

Zhang An adjusted his glasses slightly.

"Because I haven't been chased down by NPCs."

Tong Xinxin, who had been hunted down by NPCs all night: "..."

This man is really insufferable!!!

.

Meanwhile, after Dou Siqi returned alone, it didn't take long before the diligent students of class eighteen transferred to class one.

During the evening self-study period, as Dou Siqi walked past them, the students each slipped notes into his hand.

Dou Siqi's back was drenched in sweat from nervousness. It was only after he returned to the office that he dared to secretly unfold the notes.

"Teacher, my Chinese score has surpassed 130, as you promised. You said you'd take me outside if I could score over 130. When will you fulfill your promise?"

"Teacher, I want to leave the school. Can you take me out tomorrow? No, I can't wait any longer, can we go tonight?"

"Teacher, I scored 132, don't forget what you promised me!"

"Teacher..."

On the last note, the initial part of the word "Teacher" was written in black marker, but it seemed like the black pen ran out of ink midway. The student then switched to a red pen to continue the message.

"Teacher, don't deceive me."

The message on the note was penned in red.

Dou Siqi held his head in his hands.

It's alright, it's alright. These students were new to the class, and besides, he wasn't a teacher NPC; even if the students rose up in rebellion intending to execute him, he possessed the power to resist.

Taking the students outside the school was an utterly impossible task, thus Dou Siqi decided to feign ignorance, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Soon, the number of notes addressed to him multiplied, and the messages therein grew increasingly frantic.

"Teacher! Why won't you answer my question? When will you finally take me outside? I can't bear to stay in this place for even a day longer!!"

"Take me out! Let me out!!"

"Teacher Dou, have you seen the notes I've sent you? When will you fulfill your promise!"

Finally, on the third day, Dou Siqi's hand trembled as he unfolded the last note, on which he found words written in blood.

— "You lied to me!! I'm going to kill you!"

Dou Siqi's fingers twitched involuntarily.

It's fine, it's fine, the third round of examinations is coming soon.

As long as they endure until the fourth major examination, given class one's current performance, they should be able to pass successfully.

Even if the students might withhold their scores from the Chinese subject due to their disdain for Dou Siqi, it would suffice as long as the total score met the threshold.

What could these students possibly do?

Dou Siqi wasn't like those teacher NPCs who would let themselves be thrown off a building.

There was nothing to fear from the living students.

Harbouring such thoughts, he once again flips through the student files of his class.

Yet, by the evening, Director Wei approached him with a beaming smile.

"Mr. Dou, you have clinched the highest score in Chinese language amongst the senior year two teachers, and your class has also garnered the highest overall score, thus granting you the privilege to reside in the villa district," he said gleefully.

The infrastructure at Gaoji Academy is remarkably superior; even the staff dormitories are quite luxurious. However, the villa district undoubtedly stands as the pinnacle of luxury.

Director Wei carried on with his gleaming smile, "Our school's villa district not only provides living quarters but also hosts an entertainment hall for leisure and fun – a unique feature within the school. Of course, these amenities are not the pinnacle offerings of the villa district."

Dou Siqi was not particularly keen on moving to this villa district. It was a place yet unexplored by the players, and he was reluctant to be the first to venture there.

Hearing Director Wei’s proposal, he pondered over how to politely decline, yet feigned enthusiasm, responding, "Oh? Does the villa district house surprises beyond its stellar facilities?"

Director Wei nodded affirmatively.

"Yes, indeed," he replied with a smile, "The teachers' and students' villa districts are interconnected. This means, Mr. Dou, you can encounter your students during your leisure time as well. Isn't that delightful?"

Dou Siqi's expression changed drastically in an instant.