Chapter 186: The Players’ Lobby

Chapter 186: The Players' Lobby

Had it been before, hearing such words would have left Jie Fangcheng perplexed.

But now, as soon as Gu Shanshan uttered them, Jie Fangcheng, who had experienced the "House of Wax Horrors" sub-level, immediately understood.

"We're NPCs?"

Gu Shanshan nodded and then shook her head.

"Not the kind of NPCs we encounter in the Infinite Game," she explained, handing Jie Fangcheng an oddly shaped pen that had run out of ink and three pieces of paper. "Take a look at this, Jie."

The moment Jie Fangcheng took the pen, he understood Gu Shanshan's implication.

Skills and items possessed by players in the Infinite Game are ultimately condensed from Yin energy and are not physical objects. In the mortal world, the players are spirits, and without practice, it's challenging to maintain these Yin-energy constructs.

The pen in Jie Fangcheng's hand, however, was a genuine physical object. Its design resembled an elongated traditional brush, but its tip was shaped like a fountain pen. The transparent barrel contained a few residual traces of red—presumably the remnants of its ink.

The moment he touched it, even without a display appearing before him, a realization suddenly dawned on Jie Fangcheng.

[Item: Answer—Common]

[Description: A magical pen that can answer anything; as long as it has enough ink, it can write out everything.]

[Note: Though just an ordinary pen, whether its answers are correct remains an unanswered question.]

[Effect: Answers any question.]

This pen was well-preserved but still showed subtle signs of wear and tear, tiny scratches that made it appear even more real. It served as a reminder to whoever held it: this is not an object formed from Yin energy; this is a tangible object.

Jie Fangcheng unfolded the first piece of paper; red ink appeared before his eyes.

[Who are those people coming from the depths of Hell?]

[Players]

"The first line was written in Dongyue Shengjun's handwriting, while the word 'Players' below it was in a language Jie Fangcheng had never seen before."

"Strangely enough, upon seeing it, Jie Fangcheng understood its meaning."

"Who are those people? Just who are they?"

"The depths of Hell serve as a purgatory for souls too malevolent to be dealt with directly."

"For instance, the Yan Wang of the Third Hall who betrayed the Underworld."

"Their spiritual strength far surpasses that of the malevolent spirits on Earth. Were they to be vanquished by divine lightning, the scattered remnants of their souls would spell cataclysmic disaster for ordinary humans."

"The spatial realm at the depths of Hell is exceedingly chaotic. There are no 'rules' here. One moment you're beside an ocean, and the next, you're in purgatory; one second you're walking, and the next you've become a corpse."

"Everything here is unfathomably chaotic. No being could survive here, and it's impossible for anyone to traverse the depths of Hell to reach the Underworld."

"Stepping back a bit, even if someone could navigate through that place, only Dongyue Shengjun would know how to unlock the depths of Hell."

"Yet this line was indeed penned by Dongyue Shengjun."

"This paper is ordinary, but Jie Fangcheng recognized that it must be at least 1,500 years old."

"Fifteen hundred years ago, before the Great War of the Underworld, every department used this type of paper. The white soul grass growing along the River Styx, once stimulated by Yin energy, would form paper sheets of regular book size. They were highly absorbent and convenient, enabling everyone to use them, even the souls waiting for reincarnation in the Underworld."

"After the Great War of the Underworld, in an effort to prevent forgery and other malpractices, the official paper used in the Underworld switched to rice paper from the mortal realm."

"Going to the mortal realm isn't something ordinary spirits can do; even the ghost messengers need proper authorization. Besides, bringing the rice paper back isn't easy due to its Yang energy."

"It was also after the war that the Underworld established a finance department. Jie Fangcheng was once in charge of purchasing rice paper; now he's in charge of A4 paper."

"These days, some spirits still use soul-grass paper, but it hasn’t been seen in the Underworld’s office building for over a thousand years."

"The soul-grass paper in Jie Fangcheng's hands is ancient, even showing signs of curling at the edges, but the ink remains vivid, the red script flowing across the paper like flames."

"Beneath the soul-grass paper lies a piece of ordinary rice paper."

"The rice paper features the familiar handwriting of Dongyue Shengjun, penned in apparent haste."

"[Why have players appeared again?]"

"The answer this time seemed to trigger a 'Truthfulness Uncertain' buff—it was utterly nonsensical."

"[Farming]"

"Rice paper... this piece must be at least nearly a hundred years old."

"The Underworld had long ago switched to using A4 paper—it's non-absorbent and cheap."

"Jie Fangcheng turned his gaze to the last sheet of paper."

"It was a brand-new sheet of A4 paper."

"On this sheet of paper, the question seemed rather odd."

"[How to close the portal?]"

"But as the last character was being written, the pen ran out of ink."

"The person posing the question received no answer."

"Meanwhile, Gu Shanshan had come up with some analysis."

"'That is to say, we've found at least two groups of ‘players’ entering from the depths of Hell. The first time, it's likely someone from the Underworld killed or repelled them, hence obtaining this pen as a spoil of war—I doubt there was any peaceful conversation around a table; otherwise, the first question wouldn’t even ask who they are. I lean towards the idea that the first entry of the ‘players’ was resolved through force.'"

"'The second time, the person who wrote down this question seemed to be in a hurry... I speculate that during this period, someone was closely monitoring the depths of Hell, assuming that’s the only place the players would emerge. Unexpectedly, players appeared from somewhere else. That's why the question seems chaotic, invaluable, and perhaps posed in a state of emotional instability.'"

"Jie Fangcheng nodded, locking eyes with Gu Shanshan. He knew she had already figured it out."

"'The one asking the questions was Dongyue Shengjun, the highest authority in the Underworld, who is now deceased.'"

"Gu Shanshan nodded in understanding."

"She pondered for a moment, then looked at the last piece of paper."

"'The final question is 'how to close the portal,' which suggests that the person asking it had already discovered a gateway to where the ‘players’ are and may have even been there. And Jie, I think that the infinite game we participated in was actually created by Dongyue Shengjun.'"

"Initially, Jie Fangcheng was firmly convinced that a game designed to exploit human kindness to cultivate malevolent spirits couldn't be the work of Dongyue Shengjun."

"However, now he had this pen called 'Answer' in his hands, and its similarity to the tools in the infinite game—both featuring the same 'Description,' 'Note,' and 'Function' categories—was striking."

"Even the name of the infinite game was 'Do Not Answer.'"

"Come to think of it, the modernization of the Underworld had been hasty. As the person in charge, Dongyue Shengjun didn’t opt for training the staff in computer skills, but rather hurriedly pushed the Underworld towards a high-tech direction by hiring temporary workers."

"Was the Underworld really that short-staffed at the time?"

"The Book of Life and Death was located in the Eighteenth Layer of Hell and had even developed a level of sentience. Stealing it would not be easy unless you were at the level of the Ten Yama Kings or higher."

"All evidence pointed towards the same conclusion."

"But why?"

"Dongyue Shengjun was a guardian barrier for the mortal realm."

"Even if he was worried that 'players' would continue entering this world, he shouldn't have released such a game into the mortal realm."

"Jie Fangcheng stared at the paper in his hand, and after a long pause, tucked both the paper and the pen into his pocket."

"'I need to step out for a moment; please continue your investigation.'"

"Gu Shanshan nodded hurriedly."

"After stepping out, Jie Fangcheng pondered briefly before drawing his 'Manager Jie Special' sword. Holding the blade, he made his way downwards."

"In the Underworld, regardless of whether a body remains after death, the coffin always rests at the entrance of the Netherworld Road, symbolizing a hopeful wish: 'Though dead, you will return in the next life.'"

"Upon reaching the Netherworld Road, Jie Fangcheng found it teeming with grim reapers. They were busy erecting a platform, preparing to send off Dongyue Shengjun with great ceremony."

"As soon as he arrived, Cui Jue, who was managing the proceedings, noticed him. After a moment of surprise, he hurried over to greet him."

"'Lord Jie.'"

"Rumors were rampant that Jie Fangcheng was implicated in Dongyue Shengjun's death. Cui Jue naturally didn't believe this, but the fact remained that Jie Fangcheng had been on the verge of losing control, and no second witness could vouch for his innocence. Therefore, when he arrived, several grim reapers behind Cui Jue readied their weapons, prepared for conflict."

"Cui Jue glanced at the sword in Jie Fangcheng's hand and gave a wry smile."

"'Lord Jie, what exactly are you up to now?'"

"Jie Fangcheng replied calmly: 'I wish to see Dongyue Shengjun's coffin. His body is still there, isn't it?'"

"Dongyue Shengjun was no ordinary grim reaper; he had a temple and a golden statue made in his likeness. Even in death, his golden body should remain intact."

"Cui Jue glanced back, then returned his gaze to Jie Fangcheng: 'Isn't it best if we let it go? You know how things are nowadays; they won't allow it.'"

"Jie Fangcheng gave his sword a little shake: 'Yes, I know.'"

"He hadn't initially intended to inspect Dongyue Shengjun's body; Jie Fangcheng was not a person to fuss over details. If there were any clues, the Fourth Yama King would've already found them; it was not his role to shine in such matters."

"And he knew that if he attempted to view Dongyue Shengjun’s body, he would be met with resistance."

"While Dongyue Shengjun was alive, Jie Fangcheng was not willing to cause such a conflict."

"But now, he had an unavoidable reason to do so."

"Cui Jue took his arm, about to say something, but upon meeting Jie Fangcheng's gaze, he silently let go."

"Jie Fangcheng proceeded towards Dongyue Shengjun’s coffin, sword in hand."

"Immediately, someone spoke out, clearly dissatisfied: 'Jie Fangcheng! How dare you—'"

"'Seek death?' Jie Fangcheng calmly interrupted."

"The area fell into a hushed silence."

"Jie Fangcheng continued forward, an invisible barrier seeming to part the grim reapers who had been ready to encircle him."

"The faces of everyone around him bore complex expressions, but when Jie Fangcheng said 'seek death,' it was no idle threat."

"Regardless of what those around him thought, Jie Fangcheng finally laid eyes on the body of Dongyue Shengjun, who had been his superior for over fifteen hundred years."

"Inside the pitch-black coffin, the figure lay with eyes tightly shut and skin pale as snow."

"He appeared as if he were asleep, yet also resembled a puppet that had lost the soul within its core, returning once more to lifeless stillness."

"Jie Fangcheng watched in silence for a moment before finally reaching out."

"A shroud of ghostly energy covered his palm, scanning Dongyue Shengjun's body from head to toe as he moved his hand."

"Nothing."

"There was nothing out of the ordinary, and no visible wounds were found."

"The cause of death must have been a direct attack on the soul."

"Much like that peculiar bullet imbued with strange divine power, capable of shattering a person’s soul on impact."

"Who could have attacked Dongyue Shengjun? Was it those so-called 'players'?"

"What brought them here, and why would they lay a hand on Dongyue Shengjun?"

"Jie Fangcheng stood silently beside the coffin for a while longer before finally turning to leave."

"Just as Cui Jue breathed a sigh of relief, Jie Fangcheng, who had already walked a few steps away, suddenly halted. It was as if he had thought of something; he turned around and quickly walked back."

"'Jie Fangcheng… what are you doing?!'"

"This time, even Cui Jue exclaimed in surprise."

"There, Jie Fangcheng stood beside the coffin and extended his hand."

"He pried open Dongyue Shengjun’s eyelids."

"Years ago, when Jie Fangcheng, then a malevolent spirit, had clashed with the gods and was on the brink of annihilation, Dongyue Shengjun had defied the objections of those around him and personally granted him a great gift. He plucked out an eye from his own divine statue and gave it to Jie Fangcheng."

"From then on, Jie Fangcheng could control his malicious aura, and he gained a 'divine eye' capable of discerning truth from falsehood."

"However, this gift came at a cost to Dongyue Shengjun himself."

"Although he wouldn’t lose vision in one eye, his ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood was diminished."

"Not long after the great battle in the Underworld, Jie Fangcheng had seen him once."

"Dongyue Shengjun’s eyes were blood-red, making him look less like a god and more like a vampire from Western mythology."

"At that time, when Jie Fangcheng had asked about it, Dongyue Shengjun had simply laughed: 'Perhaps I’ve been staying up too late lately.'"

"Jie Fangcheng knew the man harbored many secrets and didn’t press further."

"But now, when Jie Fangcheng pried open his eyelids—"

"Dongyue Shengjun was left with only pitch-black, hollow sockets."

"Those blood-red eyes had disappeared."

.

"Under a night sky as resplendent as cosmic stars, occasional flashes of white light burst from hundreds of teleportation points within a sprawling space capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of people coming and going."

"At the teleportation point labeled B11-107, five figures materialize after a flash of white light."

"Three of the figures manage to stand, but not before coughing up a mouthful of blood mingled with bits of internal organs. Immediately, machines scan the area, emitting a series of beeping sounds."

"[Warning! Rapid decline in vital signs detected. Activate medical pod?]"

"Xiao Qi, the elf with the strongest life force and the least injuries, quickly navigated through the holographic options. Tubes of varying sizes connect to all five individuals, quickly forming into gigantic cocoons that encase them."

"After several minutes, the three large cocoons split open from within, revealing the three individuals who have completed their medical treatment."

"Their wounds haven't fully healed, but even for the wealthiest among them, the exorbitant cost of using the emergency medical pods in the player lobby is too much to bear—each minute costing tens of thousands of points."

"Such expenses are significant even for Class-A players."

"Therefore, players typically opt for emergency treatment to ensure short-term survival before seeking out others who possess healing abilities."

"'Damn it...'" One of the three couldn’t help but curse. "'We barely survived a single attack from that guardian... This 'hunting ground' really is an S-Class one.'"

"After speaking, the individual glanced worriedly at their two team leaders who had yet to emerge from their cocoons. 'I hope the leaders are alright.'"

"Xiao Qi's face was pale as she extended her hand, emitting a soft green light that enveloped the area around the medical pods."

"After a while, Xiao Qi lowered her hand and shook her head."

"'It's not good. Let’s head to the hospital in A1 Zone.'"

"'Sigh...' The speaker sighed, then quickly rallied. 'At least we successfully completed the mission, and the rewards are decent.'"

"Saying this, he pulled a pair of round, red gemstones from his backpack. The gemstones, which resembled human eyeballs, rotated once in his palm, their pupils fixing on Xiao Qi."

"Xiao Qi averted her eyes nervously; members of the elf race dare not make direct eye contact with these eerie 'Ghost Eyes.'"

"[Item: Ghost Eyes (Unidentified)]"

"[Description: A pair of eyes that can see through the veil between the living and the dead. Perhaps, once equipped, you'll uncover even more secrets of the world?]"

"[Requirement: Must possess 'Ghostly Power' to use.]"

"[Function: Reveals the Yin and Yang.]"

"[Special Note: This item is unidentified and cannot activate its special abilities.]"

"This mission offered the highest rewards they could receive. The client had provided extraordinarily detailed information, as if they had lived in that particular hunting ground."

"The mission stated that it was an S-Class hunting ground on the brink of collapse with only three to four guardians, none of whom were particularly strong."

"Their target was purported to be the weakest among these guardians."

"— The mission briefing wasn't wrong."

"After teleporting to the hunting ground through the anchor point provided by the mission issuer, the five-member team quickly located their target."

"He was a frail individual, tinged with an aura of ghostly power."

"Seated in a wheelchair, both his legs were missing."

"However, a guardian imbued with a potent ghostly energy constantly hovered nearby. The team hesitated to confront this guardian from an unfamiliar hunting ground directly. They bided their time until one fateful day, amid thunder and lightning, the powerful guardian hurriedly left the target's side, seemingly preoccupied."

"Seizing the opportunity, the team quickly dispatched their target."

"It was effortless."

"It seemed the target had anticipated his fate; he offered little resistance before succumbing to their attack. His well-preserved corpse was ready to be brought back."

"The bodies of guardians from S-class hunting grounds can fetch a good price; many are turned into enchanted dolls."

"It remained to be seen whether a doll missing its legs would find a buyer."

"The team soon located the mission item as well."

"An unidentified item?"

"Given the presence of a special note, it must be a B-grade item or higher, right?"

"Had they not gotten greedy, this mission would have been a breeze."

"'Our leaders' treatment will require a substantial amount of points. Let's quickly get in touch with the mission issuer,' one of them said, concluding his thoughts."

"Having said that, 'Yan Ge' opened his list of contacts."

"Upon checking his recent contacts, he froze."

"'What’s going on?!'"

"Xiao Qi immediately inquired, 'What happened, Yan Ge?'"

"Yan Ge opened his mouth to speak, 'My recent contacts... they're gone.'"

"Meanwhile, not too far away at another teleportation point,"

"a flash of white light."

"Two figures materialized at the teleportation point."

"One had a scar across his face; the other sported a large, red birthmark."

"The two silently surveyed their surroundings, seemingly newcomers, yet also exuding an uncanny familiarity with the environment."

"It's as if they've heard about this place countless times, even though it's their first visit."

"'Bro, look over there,' says one."

"The man with a scar on his face looks towards the five-member team."

"'As expected, as soon as the 'portal' opens, we can follow through.' Ji Ge looks excited and reaches to touch the necklace around his neck."

"The necklace consists of two intertwined snake bones, each snake biting the other's tail; it’s an unsettling sight."

"Ji Chaoyang gives his brother's necklace a sidelong glance and nods in agreement."

"'Let's go find a place to settle in,' he suggests."

"There's an air of audacious ambition in Ji Chaoyang’s eyes as he adds, 'Finally, we've made it to this game. We're going to make names for ourselves just like before.'"

"Ji Ge laughs, 'Don’t worry, bro! That dead woman left me quite the inheritance; we’ll be just fine.'"

"The two vanish from the player's hall as they continue their conversation."

"On the other side, Yan Ge is frowning."

"'Could it be that the mission issuer is dead? But even if they were, their name should turn gray, not disappear entirely... Why has it disappeared?'"