Chapter 211 Self-Introductions in Progress

Chapter 211 Self-Introductions Underway

"That kind of joke is truly terrifying, sis," Xiao Xiaodie's voice still trembled with lingering unease.

"It might actually be true," the woman in the black nightgown said playfully, then rose and walked barefoot to the water dispenser to pour herself a glass. "While players rarely possess such sinister abilities, the Eerie Entities of the Nightmare World are another matter entirely. The only reason we can introduce ourselves so casually right now is because the game grants us this brief safe period at the start. Once the game officially begins, it's best not to reveal your names so freely."

Though the woman in the black nightgown seemed unapproachable, her words clearly showed consideration for the other players.

"What this lady says certainly makes sense, but we are still in the initial safe period of the game. If we don't seize this opportunity to get to know each other, such a good chance might not come again," Yue Zhengqing stated, then pointed directly at the bespectacled girl with braided hair sitting in front of him. "Let's start with you. Have you registered on the player forum? What's your ranking on the leaderboard?"

"Four..." The bespectacled girl, suddenly addressed, paused, then lowered her head and gave a light cough. "I think it's around... four thousand something? The number is so large I can't quite recall."

"While a high ranking on the experience list doesn't necessarily equate to high ability, a player ranked in the four thousands might not even have developed an ability yet, right?" Yue Zhengqing massaged his forehead, a pained expression on his face. "I didn't expect such a rookie in our team."

"My apologies," the girl said, pushing up her glasses with a hint of embarrassment.

Yue Zhengqing ceased questioning the girl and, with an impolite gesture, pointed to the middle-school-aged boy beside her, who was wearing pajamas and carried nothing.

"What about you?"

"My name is Zhang Yibu! My ranking is 3567. I've tentatively grasped some abilities, but I can't use them consistently yet. I'll do my best not to be a burden," the boy declared, his voice loud and clear despite his nervousness.

Qin Yuxuan, standing nearby, watched Zhang Yibu introduce himself. Although this boy's ranking was several hundred places higher than the previous girl's, the difference in experience among lower-ranked players wasn't significant. Most players receive at least a month of rest after clearing a game, but the gap between the 4000th and 3000th rankings might only be a matter of ten days or so. Ultimately, they were all pure novices.

"My name is Yao Qing. I'm a busy corporate drone who hasn't registered on the player forum yet, but I've been a player for three months," the man sitting next to Xiao Xiaodie introduced himself. "My ability is related to dreams. Every time I dream, I can receive some information about the future."

*Prophetic dreams?*

Qin Yuxuan's expression turned serious for the first time. He detested players with prophetic abilities because no matter how meticulously he planned, their visions could potentially unravel everything. Thus, whenever he encountered a prophetic player in a game, Qin Yuxuan would always find a way to act preemptively, preventing them from spoiling his enjoyment of the game.

"Can you only prophesize when you're dreaming?" Yue Zhengqing's tone carried a hint of disappointment.

"Yes, but other players I've met have said that the prophecies I gain from dreams are more numerous and detailed than those of other seers," Yao Qing admitted, scratching his head somewhat awkwardly.

"Then you'd better start dreaming now," the woman in the black nightgown suggested earnestly.

"No need," Yao Qing shook his head. "I was sleeping in the car before entering the Nightmare Game and already received some information from a dream."

Upon hearing this, the other players' gazes brightened with interest.

"However, I still need some time to process the information, so everyone can continue with their introductions. By the time everyone is done, I should be able to share what the dream conveyed," Yao Qing said politely, sounding like a good-natured person.

"Then it must be my turn. My name is Meng Zhi," said the middle-aged woman sitting on the opposite sofa. "I'm a bit older than all of you, so you can call me by my name or call me Sister Meng. I haven't registered on any forum either, but I've been a player for about as long as Mr. Yue."

Given her unassuming appearance, no one had expected Meng Zhi to have roughly the same level of experience as Yue Zhengqing. By Yue Zhengqing's standards, this Sister Meng could also be considered a "veteran."

"It's rather embarrassing to admit," Meng Zhi sighed. "My ability might not be of much help to others; it's mainly useful for saving my own life. So, for safety reasons, I'm afraid I can't explain my ability in too much detail."

"It's perfectly fine. After all, if it weren't for this game bringing us together, we might have remained strangers who merely crossed paths. Being cautious isn't a bad thing," Yue Zhengqing's tone had softened considerably compared to his initial sharp demeanor.

In Qin Yuxuan's estimation, Yue Zhengqing, by repeatedly interjecting, had already seized control of this self-introduction session. His next move would likely be to dominate all the players in the lounge, and perhaps even the entire game's progression.

Yue Zhengqing wanted to be the leader.

Qin Yuxuan rather liked guys like this; his mind was already conjuring up various creative ways for him to meet his demise.

"Ahem." The girl standing against the wall, clad in a black-and-white Lolita-style dress, coughed, drawing everyone's attention. Then, she puffed out her chest and introduced herself proudly. "My name is Chen Xi. My ranking on the experience list is 777, and my ability is physical enhancement."

Her tone was as proud as a princess, and her ranking was quite high. So when Yue Zhengqing and the others heard that Chen Xi's ability was physical enhancement, they were all taken aback.

"Hmph." Noticing their expressions, Chen Xi added with a cold snort, "My brother is Chen Hai of the Candlelight Association."

When Chen Xi mentioned the name "Chen Hai," the "girl" curled up in the single sofa on the other side, who had seemed utterly drowsy, opened her eyes. The bespectacled girl with braided hair also couldn't help but let out an "Oh?"

"The... Candlelight Association? Chen Hai? The leader of that player organization that vowed to catch up to the Nameless Society?" Yue Zhengqing clearly understood the significance of the Candlelight Association and the name Chen Hai, and his previously confident tone gradually faltered.

"My brother and I have a special item that allows us to communicate anywhere. So if anyone bullies me because I'm a physical enhancement player, even if they survive this game, they're as good as dead," Chen Xi declared. Though not tall, she used her standing position to look down at the other players, chin held high. "Of course, if everyone gets along peacefully, I'm very easy to work with, and I won't hold you back."

"As Leader Chen Hai's sister, even without any abilities, you'd possess gear and tactics beyond our imagination. Of course, we wouldn't worry about you holding us back," Yue Zhengqing said nervously, then turned to look at Qin Yuxuan, who was also standing, and quickly changed the subject. "What's your name, young man?"

"Qin Yuxuan," Qin Yuxuan lowered his head to conceal his gaze. "I... I just became a player not long ago, so I haven't registered on the player forum either. Also, what do you mean by 'abilities'? Are you talking about that 'talent' thing?"

Yue Zhengqing instantly gasped.

"That's a question only a newbie who's just completed their first tutorial mission would ask, right?" The woman in the black nightgown's expression also turned serious. "The proportion of new players in this game is far too high."

And now, apart from the woman in the black nightgown herself, the only player left who hadn't introduced themselves was...

The players' gazes all turned toward the "girl" curled up on the sofa, who for some reason was exceptionally sleepy. It had seemed like "she" opened her eyes earlier, but now "she" had fallen asleep again.