Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Before the forum notification appeared, Fang Zhou hadn't considered the possibility of significant supporting characters nearby, hence she didn't bother to hide.

Ark kept her identity and abilities hidden primarily to avoid pursuit by Central authorities and attention from other powers. Both being an "Old Human" and "controlling aliens" were too conspicuous. Until she had absolute overwhelming power, it wasn't wise to reveal herself.

However, whether the game forum's players knew her identity or abilities had no impact on her.

The two characters had different appearances, abilities, and identities. The mere similarity in their merged alien creatures wasn't convincing enough, and this subplot was soon overshadowed by other responses.

With the thread's large number of replies and limited time, Ark couldn’t read through everything. After extracting information from the first few pages, she typically jumped to the last few pages.

978L: Regardless, I have high expectations for this character. The Central Line's progression has been relatively bland so far. The storyline inside Paradise isn't as thrilling as outside. The plot advancement is slow, mostly involving human intrigues, lacking adrenaline-pumping fights. It's not as hotly debated in the forum as the Joker Line. Adding a mysterious and controversial character is a wise choice by the officials.

979L: Totally agree. This is the best change since the public test began a few days ago. I hope they give this character more screen time.

980L: I really wish the neighboring Joker Line would learn from this... What rubbish changes they make, ignoring the good ones.

Reading up to this point, Ark found no further useful information and began to understand the reason behind her increased reputation.

Her disguised identity was recognized by the players as a new character, forming a separate reputation from her original identity.

She exited the thread and returned to the forum's homepage. In this short time, her second line of positive reputation had risen by five thousand points, reaching twenty thousand.

The first line of negative reputation remained unchanged, likely representing her original identity. How had it accrued an additional negative five thousand since her last forum visit? Given the forum's shift in sentiment due to the Caesar incident, this shouldn’t have happened.

For the players, playing the game was a matter of a few days, but she had spent over half a month in that world, equating to just one day in the players' reality.

This meant her original identity had garnered more negative reviews from players due to other factors within that day.

Based on past experiences, Ark could guess the probable reasons...

By the way, she also wanted to know about Fang Xunjiang’s activities after leaving Shelter 001. She exited the thread and began searching by date.

Discussions on Fang Xunjiang’s storyline post-rebellion would likely be from the previous day.

Ark scrolled down to the posts from the day before and immediately noticed a thread with a resentful title. After hesitating, she clicked on it.

[Topic: How could there be such a stupid choice, it made me laugh in anger, thanks to Joker for brightening my day.]

Main Post: Who came up with this option? We could have followed the storyline directly, but they gave us a choice instead. Seriously, I'm crying.

[Image.jpg]【Image.jpg】

The first image posted by the original poster shows Fang Xunjiang's communication details. Fang Zhou scrutinizes it carefully. It reads simply "004". She breathes a sigh of relief; that was the message she had initially sent to the unknown number. It seems her gamble paid off; the unknown number was indeed Fang Xunjiang.

Then comes the second image, displaying two options.

First: [Problematic, but possibly sister]【Will go】

Second: [Is sister]【Will go】

"...Pfft." Fang Zhou is somewhat speechless, yet finds it amusing.

This is indeed his style.

In the game "Old Capital Wasteland", players can control the protagonist to make different choices during the storyline, unlocking various branches. However, these branches do not affect the major plot twists.

So far, Ark is still unclear about how these player-controlled diverging sub-branches are represented in her game world. After all, when it comes to matters related to her, Fang Xunjiang usually encounters only one outcome, much like this post.

1L: Really speechless, family... This is obviously problematic, a mysterious and unclear code 004. I can't stand Joker's tendency to jump into every pit he finds. Someone needs to fix his sister’s 'brain', and I would pray for the divine physician's fortune every time I offer incense.

2L: I chose the first one because I think it makes Joker look less stupid.

3L: +1 to the above, I'm the real Joker, not Joker.

4L: In the internal test story, he was supposed to go to Shelter 004 anyway. Joker's main stage in the first half is basically there, so this doesn't really have any impact. Plus, with Ark not dragging him down, I think the following storyline might go much smoother.

5L: Will it really go smoother? I don’t believe it.jpg

6L replying to 4L: Now I think it would be better to have Ark by his side... At least he wouldn't go crazy randomly and his mental state is stable.

7L: The above is correct and to the point. Originally, in the internal test, the central authority did not intervene openly. Joker had some freedom in Shelter 004, but with the current situation, it's uncertain how smooth it will go.

8L: Actually, after a while, I think this brother-sister duo is quite interesting. I suggest everyone look at them from a different perspective.

9L: Shipping everything will only harm you!!!

10L: Regardless of the official changes to Ark’s character, I just hope she gets out of the way soon so she doesn't hinder Joker's endeavors!

As expected, it turned out this way. Not everyone chose to view Caesar's three perspectives, and the effect of changing their impression was minimal.

Ark sighed and exited the post, scrolling further. She had more time now; after reviewing key posts, she could still search for other information.

[Topic: Which locations in the White Whale District sell the anonymous bracelets?]

Original Post: Went to the first store and mistakenly attracted the Order's attention. Could've just run away, but Joker, being true to his character, killed them. Now I'm locked out of many areas and planning to restart. Don't want to trial and error anymore. Any experts with the right choice?

1L: The third store is the right one. A piece of advice for the OP: try to avoid the Order when choosing routes. Joker is reckless, and upon reaching Shelter 004, the only option often is to "kill".

Original Poster: Okay, thanks, first-floor expert.

Combining these two posts, it seems Fang Xunjiang has already headed to Shelter 004 and reached the White Whale District. Ark breathed a sigh of relief and continued reading.

[Topic: Tested some of the Central's highly lethal equipment properties]

Original Post: [Picture.jpg] [Picture.jpg] [Picture.jpg]

Got bored and tested this data. It's shocking. If converted to the danger level of exceeding strength, at least all are above A. I haven't seen real tech equipment combat against high-level exceeders yet, wondering if there will be any in the later stages. Really looking forward to it.

5L: ...No wonder exceeders below B-class are desperate to join the Central for free. With these equipments, ordinary people can become massive killers.

6L: But most ordinary people can't handle these equipments. The threshold for use is high.

7L: I've seen half of these on Scarlet Star. That guy's an equipment fanatic, but it doesn't seem to be as powerful when he uses them?

8L replying to 7L: The gear adjusts according to physical condition. The OP tested the highest settings. Using them at that level is like overtaxing the body, almost like strapping a bomb to oneself, a move of desperation.

9L: Speaking of which, can someone who's further along in the Central Line tell me, are Crimson Star and Mi Le actually Transcenders? I've never seen them use transcendent powers.

10L: This question has been discussed many times on the forum. The person above can search using relevant keywords.

Seeing the data tested in the main thread, Fang Zhou was secretly astonished. The strength of the Central might be even more formidable than she had imagined. Opposing such a behemoth was not a wise move.

Exiting the thread, she had only two minutes of forum browsing time left. Fang Zhou tried to enter text in the keyword search area with controlled intent.

"Ye Zhi".

Over a dozen related searches appeared.

Fang Zhou clicked on the most recent post.

[Topic: Anyone up for discussing the "Ye Zhi" Devourer organization with me?]

Main Post: What's certain now is the rumors about them in both the external 004 Shelter's Tonghua District and within the Paradise.

Logically, it would be more convenient to search for clues directly within the Paradise. Why did the Governor choose to send Crimson Star to investigate the 004 Shelter?

1L: Between a headquarters with 100% protection and a small team with 1% protection, where do you think it's easier to gather information?

2L: Is this organization really that large?

3L replying to 2L: Uncertain. From Crimson Star's perspective, if they can quietly transport so many aliens with just a small team, that's just the tip of the iceberg…

7L: I don't care much about their purpose. As long as it annoys the crappy Central, I'm happy.

8L: That's hilarious.

Ark scrolled down a few more lines, then, as her time limit was nearly up, she exited the game forum.

She had gathered more information this time than in her previous two attempts. Although some of it was currently beyond her reach, the more she knew, the more advantageous it was for her.

Fang Xunjiang, following the normal storyline, had gone to the White Whale District. Both of them were wanted fugitives, and Ark guessed he must have disguised himself well, making it not so easy to find him. She planned to check the fourth dimension later to see if there were any recent hot topics in the White Whale District for clues.

With a weight off her mind, Ark felt both tired and sleepy, longing for a good night's sleep.

She turned over, burying her face in the pillow, and fell asleep in less than a minute.

……

……

The moment Ark left the theater scene, Scarlet Star also evaded the Order's sight and returned to his temporary residence.

It was a secluded building, looking like most unrenovated old-world structures from the outside. As Scarlet Star entered, the building's image momentarily distorted.

This was a junction point set up by the Central in Shelter 004, drastically different inside from its exterior. A lifeless body, dressed like an accidental intruder or a vagrant, lay in front of the strict metal door.

Scarlet Star frowned in disgust, kicked the body aside, and entered through the iris recognition door.

His bracelet chip emitted a familiar prompt.

"Reconnected to the communication network. Central system Jacob at your service."

"Welcome back."

"Jacob, initiate a communication request to the Governor."

"Received. Communication request to the Central Administrator 'Governor' has been sent."

After a dozen seconds, the communication video connected, displaying a figure on the airborne light screen.