Chapter 232: Rebooting the Game

Chapter 232: Rebooting the Game

Truth be told, when Xie Fangcheng pushed open the door, he hadn't expected the Finance Department's office to look like this.

Previously, the office had only been used by him and the Eastern Mountain Deity. Or more accurately, it had hardly been used at all.

The Eastern Mountain Deity spent most of his time away from the underworld, presiding over earthly matters from the Eastern Mountain Temple above. As for Xie Fangcheng, he was either out assisting other departments with challenging tasks or collecting debts.

Thus, the office had been more like a storeroom for documents and materials. Xie Fangcheng directly reported to the Eastern Mountain Deity, so typically, he only needed to account for his tasks to him.

At first, upon joining the underworld, Xie Fangcheng would diligently write reports in this office.

Later, realizing he was the only one ever there and the boss wasn't around, why would anyone choose to stay in the office when they didn't have to?

As a result, while the Finance Department's office wasn't in complete disarray, it was hard to find even a desk. Heaps of materials piled up everywhere. When Xie Fangcheng once had someone search for clues, they had to carve a path through the chaotic stacks to move about.

But now, the once cluttered office was transformed. Six large bookshelves were neatly organized with various documents categorized and stored.

Centered between the bookshelves was a large desk, noticeably clear of any items.

Tucked into a corner, a slightly smaller desk was laden with documents awaiting action. Having just signed a file, Gu Shanshan looked up at the sound of the door opening.

"Brother Xie!" Gu Shanshan stood up, her face lighting up with genuine joy. "How did it go?"

Although her question seemed out of the blue, compared to others in the underworld, Gu Shanshan, who had previously helped Xie Fangcheng find clues and analyze the situation, probably had the best understanding of his whereabouts.

Facing Gu Shanshan's inquiry, Xie Fangcheng didn't hold back. He briefly outlined what had transpired after he entered the game "Three Thousand Worlds."

After listening, Gu Shanshan furrowed her brows.

"Based on your description, Xie Fangcheng, it seems you no longer resemble a player from 'Three Thousand Worlds'."

Xie Fangcheng nodded, "Exactly."

If he still held the identity of a player, why had his in-game item bag disappeared?

Initially, when Xie Fangcheng found himself in the underworld, he presumed he'd been summoned like Zhan Xiaoming by the hunting ground's call.

But that didn't fit. Zhan Xiaoming could use skills and system tools. Players in the hunting grounds could also summon the system interface to check acquired clues and general information.

Now, all traces of the game "Three Thousand Worlds" seemed erased from Xie Fangcheng, as if he'd never been part of that universe.

Gu Shanshan pondered, "If your adversaries are the leaders of the six major guilds, who are currently managing the game, could they possess a way to strip you of your player identity, confining you to this smaller world?"

"It's possible," Xie Fangcheng, having mulled this over on his journey, replied, "If that's the case, can't I just re-enter through the base of the underworld?"

Gu Shanshan, familiar with the underworld, knew of the notorious base's dangers. Crossing it wasn't as straightforward as Xie Fangcheng suggested.

"But, Brother Xie, if they've severed your connection with the game once, they can do it again. Surely, you can't risk crossing the underworld's base every single time? It's too perilous."

Honestly, Xie Fangcheng recognized the risks, but if it was the only way, he wouldn't shy away.

Another point struck Gu Shanshan, "What about the 'Private Tickets'?"

Originally, the group entered the smaller world using these tickets. Could they serve as a passage for Xie Fangcheng back into the game?

Grasping her idea, Xie Fangcheng shook his head, "The occurrence of 'Private Tickets' is somewhat random. Players aren't sure of their origin but know they might receive one after clearing certain dungeons."

By this reasoning, it appeared there were no clear paths for Xie Fangcheng to safely return to the game.

Seeing Gu Shanshan also stumped, Xie Fangcheng decisively spoke, "Given I'm back, let's consider it a break."

Quickly adding, "Tomorrow, I'll inspect the base of the underworld."

Of course, he wouldn't truly rest. Given the attention of the six major guilds, their next move was uncertain in his absence.

Aside from potentially tracing back to discover Zhen Daoan's world, he worried about the players like Zhan Xiaoming who were close to him. Their fate against the guilds remained unknown.

Xie Fangcheng felt a nagging concern. Though he lacked the distinguishing features of a "Three Thousand Worlds" player, his abrupt return to his own world made him wonder: was his universe seeking his help?

Particularly now, with no one left in the Celestial Realm and only four Yama Kings remaining in the Netherworld, it's fair to say that without Jie Fangcheng here, should any significant upheaval occur in the minor realm, the Netherworld would stand no chance of defending against it with its current strength.

It was at this moment that Jie Fangcheng seemed to grasp the purpose behind Dongyue God King's creation of the game.

We're short on people!

Lacking powerful individuals capable of defending the world!

...Huh?

Jie Fangcheng paused and inquired, "Speaking of which, after you all emerged from the game 'Do Not Respond', your tools and abilities remained functional, didn't they?"

Caught off guard by his sudden question, Gu Shanshan hesitated, then nodded, "Yes."

As soon as the underworld's ghostly envoys discovered traces of the game 'Do Not Respond', they swiftly cracked it open and subdued the players.

The tools and abilities utilized by players within the game were manifested from yin energy. Hence, upon initially seeing the ghostly envoys, some players even resisted using their skills and tools.

But, not to mention Jie Fangcheng, even an ordinary ghost envoy possesses yin energy far surpassing that of the player's tools and abilities.

Even the so-called top players in the leaderboard are, to the ghost envoys, merely spirits with slightly more robust yin energy.

"And now? Can you still use your tools and abilities?"

Gu Shanshan shook her head, "After the game was destroyed, we lost all our personal skills and tools. Why do you ask, Jie brother?"

Jie Fangcheng didn't hold back and swiftly voiced his concerns.

Gu Shanshan is indeed astute, quickly grasping Jie Fangcheng's intentions.

"Brother Jie, are you hoping for us to regain our tools and abilities to protect the minor realm?"

"Yes."

Jie Fangcheng is determined to return to 'Three Thousand Realms'. After all, within the entire minor realm, he's currently the only one capable of traversing the depths of the Netherworld to reach that game.

Considering Professor Zhang's speculations, this minor realm might hold different significance for the six major guilds. And as for what the Dongyue God King ultimately perceived through his ghostly eyes about this world, Jie Fangcheng must find out.

Setting aside that ultimate goal, what if players from 'Three Thousand Realms' reenter the minor realm? Without Jie Fangcheng, how will they handle any potential havoc wrought by these players?

He can't possibly divide himself into two, so training a group of powerful guardians is of the utmost urgency.

"Would that really work?" Having spent two months in the Netherworld, Gu Shanshan knows all too well its current state.

The leader, East Peak God King, just passed away, and the four Yama Kings are essentially recuperating. Ever since the Great Netherworld War, the entire Underworld has been strictly adhering to rules. Among the base-level public servants, eight out of ten envoys lean toward orthodoxy, resisting anything outside of established regulations.

Gu Shanshan is very clear about Jie Fangcheng's intentions.

—He wants to restart "Do Not Respond."

Of course, he wouldn't recreate the game as it was, allowing players to battle to the death, nor would he let the game's ethos degrade.

Jie Fangcheng's primary focus is on the tools and abilities system of "Do Not Respond."

There can be instances, but their aim would be to train players in the use of tools and skills, not to have innocent souls struggling for survival as before.

However, rebooting the game is an act that the orthodox faction would certainly not permit.

But after Gu Shanshan posed the question, she quickly realized the answer: "…It's feasible."

Two months ago, it wouldn't have been possible.

Even a month ago, when Netherworld's officials were debating how to deal with the players, it would have been out of the question.

But now, precisely at this moment—

"Currently... many players have passed their first evaluation over this period. There are numerous interns like me!"

It's more than just 'numerous'. The Netherworld is severely understaffed now. The Book of Life and Death is inoperative, many apps were outsourced, and due to "Do Not Respond", more than half of these apps were shut down, fearing further issues.

As for the players? Having experienced "Do Not Respond," life in the Netherworld would seem incredibly dull and unhappy for a common soul arriving after death. Those who can reincarnate would certainly choose to do so.

However, the players are quite content with life in the Netherworld, which is vastly better than the dreadful environment of "Do Not Respond."

Many even possess a profound understanding of life and death, more than willing to continue working in the Netherworld.

On one side, there's a staffing shortage, and on the other, souls eager to work or even compelled to. It's a perfect match.

Presently, of the tens of thousands of active players in the Netherworld, many have taken on temporary positions. It's fair to say that out of every ten envoys, five are players.

With the grassroots filled... now, about the higher echelons...

Gu Shanshan looked towards Jie Fangcheng.

Jie Fangcheng had already risen to his feet.

"I still hold some sway here."

Saying this, he extended his hand and drew his sword from thin air.