Chapter 5: How Can I Live Without My Phone!

Chapter 5: How Can I Live Without My Phone!

Chen Shijin sat on the garden balcony, facing a delicate and delicious dinner.

Though the people in this world were peculiar, at least the food was still charming and lovable — succulent seafood, tender and fragrant veal steak, and a vibrant green and red vegetable salad, accompanied by a glass of red wine from an unknown era. Indeed, it was "delicate and delicious."

And this deliciousness, when combined with the screams of annoying people, was doubly enjoyable.

Chen Shijin took a bite of the veal steak, his expression content: "Ears that catch the wind."

Thus, the screams and subsequent conversations from the first floor drifted up to his ears on the night breeze.

"Ahhhh! What's happening! My butt! Why is my butt in such a state!" After screaming in the shower for a full three minutes, Lv Jun rushed out to show Wang Baojie his dreadful condition.

"Wang Bro! Wang Bro, look at my butt! Did I suffer some special attack?! Why is it like this? I did nothing since I got here, just moved with everyone else!"

Wang Baojie, witnessing the blood-stained backside thrust towards him, tactically recoiled and quickly turned away. Despite everyone being men, he had zero interest in looking at a man's buttocks, especially one so gruesomely injured.

"Well, since we arrived, we've been chased by those big-eyed creatures for likes. If you're sure you weren't attacked... did you encounter anything in the Exile Land?"

Though he turned his head away, Wang Baojie still tried to offer his elder's assistance.

"You were randomly dropped in different areas of the Exile Land. Apart from the 'Devourers' that manifest the 'Devouring World', there are smaller or immature exiled creatures lurking around.

If you were attacked by these smaller creatures before being devoured, it is indeed possible to sustain additional injuries."

Lv Jun vehemently shook his head: "No, no! I'm sure I wasn't attacked by any creatures before being devoured. I just heard people's screams and obediently awakened my power following the voice in my ear.

At first, I couldn't believe such a horrific thing could happen to me, but after my abilities awakened and those who doubted it went silent, how could I not believe and obey?"

Hearing this, the other men in the room sighed empathetically.

The delivery guy added, "There was a guy who looked like a big leader near me. He kept shouting 'Nonsense' and 'Get your leader to talk to me', and then, he was suddenly pulled into the darkness."

"That scene was so intense, it shocked me into awakening my ability to sprint five hundred meters. And then... well." That's when he ran into the Devourer's mouth.

This was why the newcomers were so keen to follow Wang Baojie's instructions upon entering the Devouring World.

Because those who didn't listen, truly met their end

"That's strange about your... situation." Wang Baojie was puzzled. "Think again, were you really not attacked by anything? Anything at all related to, well, your backside?"

Lv Jun, about to shake his head in denial, suddenly stiffened as if remembering something.

He abruptly turned towards the bathroom, recalling that when he was screaming, he seemed to hear Kai Ge in the toilet screaming as well.

And Kai Ge hadn't come out since.

Lv Jun was about to rush into the toilet to check on Liu Dakai.

However, Liu Dakai emerged from the toilet, his face dark and twisted, limping grotesquely.

His awkward gait was unmistakable to any man. The eight males in the room collectively winced.

"Brother Liu, are you... affected too?" Bear Paw Guy asked, both earnest and blunt.

Liu Dakai's expression twisted further, "I'm not affected! It's just a skin abrasion! Just a scrape!"

"Just a scrape and you walk like that? Brother, no need to hide. We're all men here, nothing to be ashamed of," Bear Paw Guy didn't buy his excuse.

Liu Dakai's forehead veins throbbed, refusing to engage with Bear Paw Guy.

He just cast a suspicious and inquiring glance at Lv Jun, who nodded grimly, prompting Liu Dakai to take a deep breath in frustration.

"Damn it!"

"It must be that guy's doing!"

"I knew he was spiteful and couldn't bear to see us well off!"

"Liu Dakai's growl left everyone in the room a bit puzzled. Before anyone could ask, Liu Dakai directly turned to Wang Baojie: 'Brother Wang, weren’t we all going to gather later to discuss the check-in matter? Can you, no, can you ask Chen Shijin what ability he has awakened?'"

"Wang Baojie raised his eyebrows: 'Why do you want to ask that? A person's innate ability is our capital for survival in the land of exile and the Devouring World. It's not something shared unless there's a special closeness and trust."

"And even if disclosed, it would only be a vague description. No one would be foolish enough to fully expose their abilities.'"

"Liu Dakai grimaced but did not respond. Wang Baojie seemed to understand something."

"It was apparent from their avoidance of the big-eyed creatures that Liu Dakai and that Chen guy knew each other and had some conflict. Moreover, when Lyu Jun ran to the hotel, he mentioned that Chen was his 'mute cousin.' The emphasis was on 'mute.'"

"Although Chen quickly disproved Lyu Jun with actual speech, it confirmed that the three of them indeed knew each other."

"Wang Baojie initially thought that any major issues wouldn't matter in the Devouring World, but now it seemed..."

"Wang Baojie's gaze shifted subtly between Lyu Jun and Liu Dakai."

"'You're asking me to inquire, could it be that the issues with Lyu's behind and your brother's were caused by him?' Wang Baojie said, shaking his head, 'But I didn't see him attack you two.'"

"At this moment, Lyu Jun spoke up angrily and somewhat embarrassedly: 'He did attack us.'"

"The men in the room looked at them: ?"

"Lyu Jun clenched his teeth with his eyes closed: 'In the few seconds before we fell into the land of exile, he attacked us with his mouth!'"

"All the men in the room: ..."

"How does one attack with a mouth, by spitting?"

"'Don't you doubt it! He said our messing around would lead to rotten butts and...! Now, my butt and Brother Kai’s... are actually ruined!'"

"All the men in the room: !!!!"

After a deafening silence, Wang Baojie's dry voice finally broke the quiet in the room: "Well, that's something."

"If you put it that way, it actually might be possible."

"I've heard about people possessing talents like the jinx or curse. Such abilities are extremely rare... Well, Chen's skills do seem a bit like that."

"I'll try asking him at tonight's gathering."

"But don't blame me if he's not willing to answer."

Only then did Lv Jun and Liu Dakai nod, remaining silent with sullen faces.

At that moment, a mischievously mocking voice came from a corner of the room: "But what's the use of asking? Can he heal your pp and jj?"

Lv Jun and Liu Dakai: ?!

They glared fiercely in that direction, spotting the plump otaku.

The plump otaku scratched his chin: "Maybe you guys should just find some ointment to apply? Otherwise, you won't get any sleep tonight."

Lv Jun and Liu Dakai: "……"

Damn it, it's all because of that cursed mute!

What exactly is his awakened ability, and how come he can suddenly speak?!

On the top-floor balcony, Chen Yixin stopped listening at this point.

He had his fill of amusement.

Such a punishment was enough to make his green-tea cousin and the trashy fiancé frustrated and even struggle to survive in this City of Mobiles.

He wouldn't interfere anymore.

Whether they survive or not depends on their own capabilities and how ruthless they can be.

As for what his ability is?

Chen Yixin put down the wine glass he had just emptied, his lips tinted with a tipsy red, curling into a smile.

That will forever remain unknown to anyone.

Because even he himself couldn't articulate it!

The young man, leaning against the railing, surveyed the distorted beings wandering aimlessly on the streets in the darkness of the night. Suddenly, he spread his arms wide and stepped onto the railing.

The next instant, he glided through the air, over grass and high walls, as silently and gracefully as a bird, finally descending into this mad and perilous darkness.

He only knew one thing.

In this world, he was free.

He no longer had to abide by the agreement with his parents, nor did he have to suppress himself for the sake of those fragile and beautiful lives.

Because here, ghosts and monsters roamed freely.

"Roar!"

"Someone's coming!"

"A new replacement!"

"Like or be slashed, ah ah ah ah—"

Surrounded by these creatures in an instant, the young man in a black silk robe extended his hand towards the moonlight and snapped his fingers.

"I say."

"Explode!"

Consequently, a dazzling light of monstrous explosion radiated from him at the center, shattering the darkness of the night.

"Explode!" "Explode!" "Explode!" "Explode!" "Explode!" "Explode!" "Explode!"

Everywhere he went, none survived; his steps blossomed with life.

The smile on his face grew more pleasant, more unrestrained, and even... more insane.

Meanwhile, his ears were bombarded with the incessant, unmistakable energy value notification tones—

"You have killed a level-one monster 'Bulging Eye', absorbing its residual energy. Current energy value +10."

"You have killed a level-one monster 'Bulging Eye', absorbing its residual energy. Current energy value +10."

"You have killed..."

"Current energy value..."

Towards the end, even the voice of the announcer seemed to become numb.

However, the young man in the black robe walked freely in the darkness like a fish in water, his slightly hoarse voice unburdened and unhesitant.

"Wow~"

This is what freedom feels like!

[Beep—]

It wasn't until a piercing beep broke the numbness of the announcement in his ear that Chen Shijin reluctantly halted his joyful stride.

[You have cleared all aberrant monsters in the vicinity, eliminating a total of 566 level-one monsters 'Bulging Eye' and 66 level-two monsters 'Gearhead', earning 8960 energy points.

For your bravery, you have earned the respect of the citizens of Mobile City and received the special effect title 'Seeing You Makes Them Want to Close Eyes and Run'.

Congratulations to the exile Chen Shijin on your achievement. Please continue to strive for success and complete the journey!]

Listening to this announcement, Chen Shijin raised his eyebrows, his face showing no sign of pride or triumph. He simply gazed into the endless night and suddenly spoke.

"This prompt voice of yours is quite handy."

"With you, I don't need to do my own calculations, find quest objectives or investigate monster types. Are you really that outstanding?"

The voice in his ear hesitated at his question, seemingly reluctant to respond, yet unable to deny its own excellence. Finally, it conceded:

[Of course, this sensor, ahem, guide is the most outstanding! With me by your side, I can provide comprehensive guidance in every world you enter. As you level up, you can unlock more detailed information and even receive the guide's assistance!]

So your earlier command to silence me was really ill-advised!

The guide eagerly anticipated the human's excitement and gratitude but instead received a soul-searching question:

"Oh, so, is your assistance free of charge?"

Guide: [!]

"Let me rephrase," Chen Shijin's gaze swept his surroundings as if searching for something. "Since you've been clinging to me from the moment I entered the realm of the exiled, how much energy can you extract from me?"

【%￥#@&*！】

Chen Shijin received no response, only a series of glitchy sounds, as if the "Guide" had chosen to feign death and remain silent. But the youth in the black robe chuckled; no one could stay silent on his watch, monsters included.

"Guide, answer me."

As these words left his lips, Chen Shijin suddenly felt a sharp pain in his throat. Simultaneously, he sensed the energy in his body being drained at a terrifying rate with each word he uttered.

It was then he realized he had asked a dangerously significant question.

A question, perhaps, that no one else had ever dared to ask.

A question whose answer was never meant for human ears.

[Beep—Beep Beep Beep—Crack Beep—]

[Foolish human! Now, to answer your question.

Every time you use or gain energy, the Guide extracts half of it as a fee!]

[And now, it's time for you to pay the corresponding price.]

[Detecting Chen Shijin's current energy level: N<10.]

[A large wave of "Pop-Eyes" is rushing towards you! Survival probability tonight is virtually zero. Enjoy your death!]

Foolish human, had you just closed your eyes and obediently followed the guide, you might have lived a few more days.

But you chose to court death.

"Crap."

Upon hearing the broadcast, Chen Shijin's expression shifts slightly as he swears under his breath, realizing he can barely utter the weak-sounding words.

His throat still aches sharply, and to make matters worse, his body feels weakened from the significant energy drain.

Chaotic footsteps approach from all directions, with the loudest coming from the direction of the Royal Hotel. Clearly, the monsters know not to let him run back to the hotel for refuge.

Now, he can't even detonate monster fireworks.

Tch.

Chen Shijin gauges the energy within him. The guide trash said he only had 10 energy points left, but he feels he could only say four more words, words of modest power that could only add a bit of impetus.

Gritting his teeth, the youth hasn't felt this frustrated in a long time.

But, what a thrill!

Then, he speaks four words to himself.

“Little, Chen, run, fast!”

After speaking, the youth stomps his foot and shakes his hands, running like a crazed chicken.

Incredibly fast.

Thus, on this night in the City of Phones, there was an extraordinary sight: a human leading a frenzied charge.

Chen Shijin: Ahh! Thrilling—