Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Artificial Soul 42

Kui Xin was also stunned for a moment.

She hadn’t anticipated that her nickname would have such a significant influence in the player community. He Kangshi had agreed to her invitation without any hesitation.

His reaction could be seen as a result of good causes leading to good outcomes.

He Kangshi was still quite sensible. He had moved his residence, and his new neighbor was the local police station. He feared something unexpected might happen to him, so he moved closer.

His current location was in Yuzhong, more than two hundred kilometers away from where Kui Xin was. If she wanted to provide him with protection, he couldn’t stay too far from her; he should stay relatively close to her place.

Kui Xin straightforwardly sent a message: “You need to relocate.”

“Okay,” He Kangshi agreed instantly. “I also feel unsafe where I live now; extraordinary abilities are hard to defend against, and seeking help might not work and could even cause further trouble… Where should I go? What’s the relocation plan?”

“Go to Jingchu first; don’t worry about the details yet.”

“Jingchu?” He Kangshi paused. “That place subject to regional missions by the Game System?”

“Yes.”

He Kangshi responded, “So it turns out the big bosses’ territory is there!”

“More or less,” Kui Xin replied succinctly.

“More or less?” thought He Kangshi.

Even if this Black Snake’s territory wasn’t in Jingchu, it seemed some trusted allies were working there. From what the snake said, it sounded like he was drawing others to his side, one of whom was He Kangshi. Upon reaching Jingchu, someone would protect him—a person who might not necessarily be the Black Snake but could be another influential figure.

“The Depriver 233’s territory seems to be in Jingchu too,” said He Kangshi cautiously. “Could it be dangerous there? This player killed Fang Zhi.”

“It’s no longer an immediate threat now,” Kui Xin responded ambiguously.

He Kangshi stared at his phone screen, visualizing a great drama unfolding in his mind.

Is Depriver 233 controlled by the Black Snake?! There’s no death notice on the forum; he’s definitely alive. Why then does the Black Snake believe him no longer to be a threat? Even more absurd thoughts crossed his mind—could Depriver 233 be a subordinate of the Black Snake? Or does the Black Snake know his real-world identity?

After spinning these possibilities around, he never considered that the two 233s could be the same person, as they had drastically different styles.

“Alright,” He Kangshi typed reluctantly, followed by another question, “How do I get to Jingchu? Should I buy a high-speed train ticket?”

“I’ll notify you once everything’s arranged,” said Kui Xin.

She assured him, “There’s no need to be overly nervous; most Awakened ones aren’t strong enough to withstand firearms, let alone since there are few players now.”

“I understand,” He Kangshi became less concerned under her reassurance.

“Now, tell me about your situation in the Second World,” Kui Xin said. Yet, she warned him in advance, “I can’t offer the same kind of protection in the Second World that I could in the First World.”

He Kangshi accepted this fact. The big boss knew a lot, but gathering information always came with risks. The Black Snake’s situation in the Second World didn’t seem bright.

Every player faced a dire state in the Second World, which was why all united to fight together and support each other. The strong helped the weak, sharing untold information with one another. Only through solidarity were they able to survive the major disaster.

“Luckily, not-so-lucky, in my case. In the Second World, I became an undocumented individual right after appearing and got disfigured too,” He Kangshi recounted earnestly, “Remember how a player working for the Federation government said earlier, if you become an illegal immigrant in the Second World, the chances of being exposed drop drastically. While my illegal status made starting off tough—with near-death street incidents—I escaped exposure as a player. But unfortunately, the injury happened due to a sulfuric acid attack from a few street thugs.”

Kui Xin sighed deeply, “At least it could have been worse.”

“Yeah. Anyway, I’m trying to pull through. Life gets harder, yet hope remains,” said He Kangshi. “I’ve delved into the underworld more frequently there, beginning as a novice Bounty Hunter. I used all my earned money from tasks to heal my injuries, and now I’m penniless. I’m reluctant to make money through killing; instead, I’m trying to survive by my own means.”

“How did your fellow player die then?” She asked.

“He worked at a night club as a bartender. A customer got drunk and accidentally shot him,” He Kangshi explained.

“I’m sorry,” Kui Xin reacted.

He Kangshi didn’t speak much afterward.

Tomorrow and accidents could come anytime, especially to those in the lower levels of the Second World.

He Kangshi returned to the First world and transferred $20k to the player’s family. He used the excuse that they were friends, and he recently repaid his debt.

“Tell me about the underground realm,” Kui Xin requested.

“With money, anything is possible in the underground realm. You can access better medical services from unlicensed clinics, who won’t leak your information. With money, you can buy mechanical limbs of any quality. More money allows you to find someone who can arrange fake records or give you a new identity,” He Kangshi explained, “There, you can purchase all sorts of unmentionable items including drugs, slaves, weapons—it’s all dirtied by cash.”

Kui Xin appreciated straightforward rules; transactions with money, no complications needed.

The Investigations Bureau and Mechanized Dawn had drained her strength.

Perhaps after leaving them, she could consider becoming a bounty hunter in the underground realm. If she wished to change her identity, the underground realm might serve her purposes.

However, these were preliminary plans and required careful consideration.

“What city are you in?” she asked.

“White Whale City, near the polar region, colder than Northeast China,” responded He Kangshi.

Kui Xin was taken aback.

Unfortunate as he was, White Whale City housed a branch of Mechanized Dawn, and both Night Cicada and Reynir had business or were once caught there.

Kui Xin warned, “Stay vigilant. The city isn’t safe.”

He Kangshi felt a chill.

Of course, White Whale City was not a tranquil place, but for Black Snake to specifically warn him was unsettling.

“Do I need to do something?” He Kangshi typed nervously, “Should I move in Second World too?”

“You should keep a low profile, blend in,” Kui Xin advised, “You’re poor and without paperwork right now; you need to stay hidden in White Whale City until I make arrangements. White Whale City is complex, just keep doing your novice Bounty Hunter job and keep silent. Lastly, give me your contact in the Second World.”

“I have a private communicator; the number’s…” he gave her a sequence of numbers.

Kui Xin memorized the number and said, “If necessary, I’ll use this number to reach out to you.”

“Got it,” He Kangshi acknowledged tersely.

“Your forum handle?” Kui Xin asked next.

He Kangshi hesitated, finally sending the nickname in embarrassment—”Maicyo is me.”

Seeing the Big Boss’s three dots, he panicked, “It’s the heroine of a favorite anime series I like. I impulsively wrote it; I didn’t expect such a game!”

Big Boss responded, “Understood. Me too.”

Is there a concern here too? “It’s become a symbol of class on the forums!”

“Focus.”

He straightened up.

“Your player code?”

“Proxy 6811.”

“Right. If you pass away in Second World, I’ll see it via the forum.”

He had to ask a pressing question, “What if something happens to you?”

“If twelve hours pass after your return and you can’t reach me, that means I’m dead—but my death isn’t likely. Do your family members have everything they need?”

“They have, given some cash and advised to travel abroad for half a year,” He Kangshi shared candidly, “My will is also set.”

“That’s settled then.”

“Thank you,” He Kangshi replied.

“Transferring can attract scrutiny; remain calm,” Kui Xin added, “Given your unique circumstance, many will take notice. It’ll ensure your safety when you’re within my protective circle.”

“Alright,” He Kangshi accepted.

He put down his phone, looking blankly at the ceiling, feeling a newfound calmness.

This reliance on a big-shot was calming despite not being fully within their protection. Since Black Snake promised safety, he must be formidable.

Elsewhere, Kui Xin booked a ticket on her phone, carefully erasing any trace of her itinerary, planning to personally oversee He Kangshi’s transition.

He Kangshi represented a tempting opportunity.

Whether motivated by kindness or malice, attention was guaranteed. If good intentions, fine—it’s the malicious intent that might lead to action. When he relocated, it would draw reactions.

Kui Xin ready for battle.

No disturbances would be ideal, yet any trouble would make the apprehension simpler.

Yet with Kui Xin sharpening her blade, He Kangshi suddenly reached out, “Help, Big Shot! Another hacker contacted me, asking me to join them.”

Kui Xin: “…?”

The tone… Could this be Yu Qiwen’s group?

This style sounded suspiciously familiar.