Chapter 61 - 61 61 Sincerity

61: Chapter 61 Sincerity 61: Chapter 61 Sincerity “Unfortunately, that’s another kind of mutated toxin, and the current antitoxin is not very effective,” Chief Wu shook his head. Is Professor Han dead or alive? Xu Huo thought to ask Liu Jia next time. “Mr. Xu, besides bringing these materials, I’ve also come to formally invite you to join us. Our nation has already established Pioneer Player Teams in various cities, and we are in dire need of talented individuals like you. If you decide to join, you will have first-hand access to the latest findings on the Dimensional Rift, and you could even apply for high-level game props when necessary.” “Your family could be moved to a safe zone established by the nation, avoiding the risk of being involved in random copies.” Last time Nie Xuan said that Xu Huo could strive for the best terms, and this time Chief Wu directly offered the conditions. Xu Huo wasn’t interested in the rest but was quite curious about the method of avoiding random copies. “In fact, over twenty random copies have already appeared within our country’s borders, and that doesn’t include those suspected but uncharted copies. Domestically and abroad, we have grasped some patterns in the appearance of copies. With current technology, we can only build avoidance facilities in some key locations, which is an effort of the whole nation.” Chief Wu’s gaze was firm, and with a grave tone, he said, “This is not due to a lack of manpower but the absence of special materials.” “Therefore, moving your relatives into the safe zone is the greatest benefit that the research institute could secure on your behalf. I hope you can understand.” Xu Huo understood in his heart that the nation used Cannibal Evolvers for experiments, which must have cost many lives in testing the safe zone. But to truly control the patterns of the copies and completely avoid them was impossible; they only had a superficial understanding of the game and were far from grasping its principles. However, Chief Wu had shown sincerity, and Xu Huo needed to respond accordingly. “I can cooperate with you, but I won’t be at the disposal of the research institute,” Xu Huo said, looking at the two people facing him. “I can exchange some information I know for the materials you need. Additionally, if I find any exotic metal substances in the game, I can try to bring them out for you.” Chief Wu’s expression became complex. Actually, one of the tasks for Pioneer Players upon entering the game was to collect soil, plants, metals, fossils – especially metal materials, many of which were present in various props. Of course, special materials alone couldn’t explain the extraordinary nature of the props themselves, but without the ability to bring firearms into the game, these were indispensable for crafting defense tools. The game world is connected to an advanced civilization; this had become an acknowledged fact. The current shortage of information and materials on the nation’s part is also a fact. “If that’s the case, it may not be possible to move family members to the safe zone,” he said. Xu Huo nodded. The so-called safe zone wasn’t truly safe. With Super Players emerging in other game areas and Wormhole Points not completely isolated, it was possible for other players to enter. The nation’s real core could remain hidden, but these places, like lighthouses in the sea, would be conspicuously visible. Having failed to persuade him, Chief Wu did not stay for long and left after putting down the items. As soon as the door closed, the painting stuck to the corridor wall slid down, turning into a person as the thin sheet of paper hit the floor, still dressed in Xu Huo’s T-shirt, smiling at him with a strange face. The clothes worn could also transform into paper. Xu Huo quickly made a judgment in his mind, then acted as if he hadn’t seen anything, turned around, and began to collect the potions. The antitoxin too could be stored in the potion slot, but it didn’t have a specific use; only the words “Unknown Potion” were shown. He had tried to place some weapons and items into the prop slot, but none were successful – it seemed that except for rewards given by the game, other items couldn’t be stored. The antitoxin might be a modified game potion, proving that even out-of-game materials could be stored. Xu Huo glanced at the woman, took a step forward, and grabbed her wrist. The game did not display any information. “Do you belong to no one?” The woman nodded. Ownerless prop, without information and unable to be forcefully stored—could it be that once a prop developed sentience, it was no longer a mere object, but like a person, could decide its own fate? Looking at the woman pouting and leaning against him, Xu Huo showed a kind smile, “Do you want a badge?” The woman nodded vigorously. “Get in the prop slot, and I’ll let you play with it.” The woman shook her head forcefully. Xu Huo pushed her away and went into the bathroom, not forgetting to say as he closed the door: “There’s change in the drawer, go buy soy milk and fried dough sticks at seven o’clock tomorrow morning, and wash my clothes by the way.” The woman huffed back into the wall. The next morning, Xu Huo looked at the large bag of fried dough sticks on the table and hesitated, “Are you going to eat too?” The woman, hanging the laundry, ran over with her legs bare, excited to take credit, she pulled out two one-yuan notes, and pointed to the items on the table. “You bought so much with just two yuan,” Xu Huo glanced at the shape at her chest and the hem of her shirt barely covering her behind. “Go put on some pants, and I’ll take you out to buy clothes later.” The woman’s smile blossomed like a flower as she blew him a kiss, quickly digging out a pair of shorts from his backpack to put on, then she sat opposite him, hands cupping her cheeks, staring intently at him. As their eyes met, Xu Huo ate his fried dough sticks without hurry and took a sip of soy milk, “Do you have a name?” The woman nodded, lifted her foot, and spread her toes apart, revealing small letters next to her big toe: “Female·Painted during Li Chun.” The Girl in the Painting emphasized the first two words with her mouth: Girl in the painting, Girl in the painting. The painting became a prop. It wasn’t surprising that players could turn paper into a prop, so for a painting to become one too. “The name Girl in the Painting sounds strange, call you Li Chun,” Xu Huo decided on the spot. Li Chun sulkily accepted the name, and upon seeing that he had finished eating, swiftly put the rest in the fridge, then hooked his arm and got ready to leave. Pulling her a half meter away by the back of her neck, Xu Huo locked the door behind him and left. He first went to the police station to hand in a wallet he had found. Sёarch* The nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Outside the station, he encountered Zhao Biao seeing off some police officers’ family members. “Xu Huo!” Zhao Biao waved at him then approached after speaking a few words to the people he was with, “Is this your girlfriend?” “A distant relative,” Xu Huo paused, “Did you lose any colleagues this time?” “They weren’t as lucky as me,” Zhao Biao sighed, patted his shoulder, and said, “I heard from the research institute that we owe you one this time. You’re a capable person; I wish you good luck.” Leaving the police station, Xu Huo grew silent. The people coming and going here were either identifying bodies or filing reports. The once prosperous and peaceful Ting City had been wiped out within a month. Suddenly, Li Chun pulled on his clothes, pointing at a women’s clothing store on the street, and mimed: I want a dress. Xu Huo coldly checked his account’s balance via a text message: “You have a budget of five hundred yuan.”