Chapter 160

Chapter 160 The Boundless Dark Realm 15

Augus: “I’m truly sorry for keeping you waiting. I couldn’t get back to you in time, Maí.”

He Kangshi shuddered at his words and replied under Kui Xin’s instruction: “Perhaps you’ve noticed the posts on the forum.”

Augus: “Yes, I was not surprised.”

He Kangshi was shocked; he hadn’t expected Augus to openly admit that it was him who posted the forum thread. He had to be either a lunatic or someone with utter recklessness. Or maybe even both.

Back when Augus proposed the “murder competition,” He Kangshi got a first glimpse of his madness. The black snake made him take up Augus’ invitation in place of Remover 233. At that moment, He Kangshi felt uneasy but didn’t show it.

Even though He Kangshi had some speculations, his vigilance and bias towards Remover 233 remained intact. He believed that the black snake’s scheme to make him participate in the ‘murder competition’ was just temporary, but he still couldn’t eliminate the anxiety. After returning, he checked the list of deceased players specifically to see if there were any kills by Remover 233, only then did he feel relieved.

“Are you not afraid, Augus?” asked He Kangshi.

“What is there to fear? I fear neither pain nor death; what frightens me is an uninteresting reality.” said Augus. “This world has become intriguing; this is a pleasant change.”

He Kangshi furrowed his brows and looked at Kui Xin: “Boss, this guy must be some sort of tax evader!”

Kui Xin pondered and said: “Keep probing him further. Investigate his identity in the Second World.”

In the post about Remover 777, players speculated he had unique information sources, enabling him to recognize players from others. Some claimed he might have ties with the government, some believed he belonged to a secret organization, and others thought that perhaps he possessed extraordinary abilities.

Organizing his thoughts, He Kangshi questioned, “I’m increasingly curious about your identity in the Second World, Augus.”

“I am equally interested in knowing your identity in the Second World, Maí,” replied Augus.

What’s wrong with you people?! Can’t you call me anything else in such a serious moment?! Exchanging words with people whose language and culture I don’t understand is so exhausting!

Augus continued: “I feel like we’re playing two games. One is a hunting game where we count who can eliminate more targets. This week, I noticed you didn’t kill as many as I did; I guess you hit some troubles, just like myself.”

He Kangshi zeroed in on the key point: “You encountered some trouble?”

“Exactly,” Augus replied, “I have a little trouble at hand – being entangled by problems is no fun, but solving them is enjoyable too, albeit this one prevented me from completing the competition, which is regrettable.” He chuckled, “The other game is a hide-and-seek game; did you notice that?”

Augus spoke subtly, “You don’t know my identity, and I don’t know yours. In the First World, we’re far apart, while in the Second World, we have no connections. Yet, our deeds in both worlds align – isn’t that remarkable?”

“It doesn’t mean the Removers are not special,” he added, “With such terrifying abilities, we attract trouble like powerful magnets. We face challenges effortlessly thanks to The Crimson Soil. I bet there’s something exceptional about this role. We’re special, yes, but also similar.”

He Kangshi, initially thinking that Removers 233 and 777 were alike and mad, changed his mind after joining under the black snake’s command.

He recounted Augus’ words to Kui Xin, and she pondered over it.

“Can I interpret that you’re inviting me into another game, Augus?” she used He Kangshi as a mediator to communicate with Augus.

Remover 777 carried many mysteries within him. His real identity had to be unusual and extraordinary.

“Yeah, you always seem to understand my intentions immediately. That’s great,” said Augus, “Let’s compete between the two worlds. Who will find the other’s identity and reach their presence first?”

“What a fascinating game,” Kui Xin said, “I am already looking forward to it.”

Their conversation temporarily ended.

He Kangshi suddenly felt an icy chill and asked Kui Xin, “Big Boss… What is Remover 777’s true intention? Is he really just a lunatic?”

“When you ask this question, you show that you doubt his true motives,” she responded.

“I fear he’s genuinely insane, yet I fear even more that he’s pretending to be one.清醒而疯狂的人很可怕; they may truly commit acts of madness,” He Kangshi blurted out, “After Remover 233 finds Remover 777 and they reveal their identities, what would happen next?”

From an outsider’s perspective, there were two possible outcomes: mutual agreement or life-or-death battle. Insane as they might be, they could still possess common ground, but the rule that two tigers can’t share the same mountain applies universally.

“That’s personal matter regarding 233 and 777,” Kui Xin stated.

He Kangshi considered it cautiously: “It seems like these two will keep entwining for a long time.”

Still clutching his mobile phone, he pondered, eventually slapping his head with frustration.

Yeah, it’s their personal affair, he reminded himself. He’s merely a messenger; fretting wouldn’t help, nor would being a hindrance.

He mumbled his survival mantra in bed—avoid trouble, stay out of mischief, prioritize self-preservation, listen to the boss—to calm himself down.

As soon as he repeated those phrases, He Kangshi couldn’t hold on any longer, and drifted off to sleep instantly.

At around 1 AM, Kui Xin remained awake.

Before falling asleep, she switched to the forum’s background, checking private messages. The amount of private messages was still substantial.

Since she announced the recruitment conditions for the black snake section, messages never ceased. She focused on the player suspected of having links with the Special Affairs Department whom she had communicated with before her last world transition, but he had stopped messaging her.

She scrutinized the private messages further in vain and closed the forum, lying quietly on the bed.

Good sleep was rare.

Only in this familiar world could Kui Xin rest securely with utmost vulnerability.

…

“A young man in his twenties suddenly passed away late at night in his dormitory. Experts confirm that sudden deaths are becoming more frequent among younger people…”

Kui Xin was flipping through the morning news while cooking for breakfast when she saw news about young people dying suddenly trending.

Every year, countless people die; not every death by accidents is reported. But seeing the news, Kui Xin felt a strange sensation. Those players died unnoticed, vanished without trace, just like the waves they left behind in the sea.

Ten thousand people is too few, distributed evenly across the globe. A thousand beta testers during the initial test phase and ten thousand during the second… If numbers increased by tenfold, could the third wave reach a million?

The second beta testing ended mere weeks ago, the arrival of the third beta testing is likely closer than anticipated.

Kui Xin went for her routine morning exercise. Upon returning from her workout, she decided to bathe and headed instinctively to the library.

Both studies and exercises had to continue. One never knew when those skills might come useful someday.

The morning swiftly passed. Having finished lunch, Kui Xin sorted out her math notes. With a backpack slung over her shoulder and her sun hat, she proceeded to Su Rong’s house.

Standing in front of Su Rong’s door, she knocked lightly. Immediately, steps were heard approaching from behind the door. Su Rong peeked through the peephole and threw the door open.

“Xi Xi Ge! You’re here!” She exclaimed with obvious excitement. “I’ve washed strawberries and cut pineapples for you! They’re really sweet!”

Supporting herself by the doorframe, Kui Xin took off her shoes and entered, listening to Su Rong’s recount, “This morning, I searched for fitness videos and jogged on the treadmill for a bit, did some basic exercises…”

It seemed Su Rong took her advice seriously and engaged in physical activities.

“Great job,” Kui Xin praised, “Keep it up.”

Following like a little trail behind Kui Xin, Su Rong eagerly brought strawberries and pineapples but found Kui Xin heading straight for her bedroom and sitting at her study desk.

Flipping through her detailed notes and textbook, Kui Xin said, “Now let’s study; gather your practice notebook, today’s lesson covers solving triangle problems…”

Su Rong’s eyes widened blankly, “Oh.”

After Su Rong sat down, Kui Xin was about to start her lecture when she mentioned suddenly, “I thought we would discuss more important matters first, but I suppose Xi Xi Ge still thinks of teaching me…”

“Studying is a top priority,” said Kui Xin, flipping the notes to the correct page. “When compared to the Second World, I prefer the First World; it’s my home, where people I care about are, and where I truly belong.”

“Yeah,” Su Rong nodded animatedly, “But switching between the two is so disjointed. We’re criminals there but students here; I have to prepare for the college entrance exam and you, for university…”

“This situation is inevitable. Managing multiple fronts demands immense effort,” Kui Xin concluded. “Prioritize immediate needs now as we shift from the Second to the First World. This is truly one’s home.”

“Absolutely!” Su Rong pouted, feeling helpless, “But I feel inadequate; lacking control and cool-headedness, while Xi Xi Ge is composed and never lost. I keep being pulled back by the other world, which disrupts my focus and leaves everything haphazard…”

“Not quite,” Kui Xin said calmly, “I don’t feel lost as I prioritize essential goals and principles. Think of the two worlds as ends of a seesaw. When balance fails, simply choose one side.”

“Is that right?” Su Rong considered, “Xi Xi Ge, you’ve been through so much!”

“Studying is vital; continuing our discussion now ensures you focus on your studies,” Kui Xin stated, “We’ll talk later. For now, let’s get started on today’s lesson.”

“Alright,” Su Rong dutifully picked up her pen and plunged into her homework amidst the sea of questions.