Chapter 32: Changes in the Real World

Ye Luo slept soundly and without a care, but the others who heard the announcement found sleep impossible.

This was humanity’s first time as a whole participating in a copy. The Dark Forest, this filtering scenario, was terrifyingly difficult for ordinary people without supernatural powers. In the end, everyone knew what was required for a perfect clearance. Normally, only those with zero light contamination could achieve it. Yet, according to hidden rules, every player was required to visit the Light Zone at least once. Entering the Light Zone would inevitably result in light contamination; how could anyone possibly clear perfectly then?

But this time, among all of humanity, there was actually someone who had achieved an S-ranked perfect clearance! Who was this mysterious player? How did they manage it? Endless questions churned in everyone’s minds, but bound by the rules, they could only discuss it in small circles with people nearby. (The author admits to a major plot hole here: the rule in the real world that prevents communication has been changed—if you know someone’s name, you may converse face to face. Refer to Chapter One for details.)

Currently, there were two hundred million supernaturals on Earth, but not too many in Jiang City. In a thirty-square-meter rental room, Su Xiao heard the prompt and her eyes sparkled with excitement. If anyone could achieve an S-rank score, she believed it could only be Ye Luo. Most of those who participated in this copy were in the Jiang City area; Ye Luo should be somewhere in this city as well.

A smile lit Su Xiao’s face. She didn’t expect to meet that expert again—just knowing they were not far apart filled her with happiness. What’s more, that man had died forever inside the copy. Su Xiao had gained a C-rank power. From this day on, she was free. Even if one day she were to die quietly—perhaps under the rules of reality, perhaps in another copy—it didn’t matter anymore. At least she could die freely. Humming a tune, Su Xiao prepared to begin her new life.

Elsewhere, Luo Yaonan and Chen Ziqian were discussing the intricacies of the copy when they heard the news. The two exchanged glances.

“S-rank score…” They looked at each other.

“Cousin, do you think the one who got the S-rank… could it be…” Chen Ziqian couldn’t help but whisper.

Luo Yaonan lowered his own voice. “Very likely. But experts like this don’t want their identities exposed. So this matter—heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know, and that’s it. Don’t tell anyone else, not even our parents or elders.”

Chen Ziqian nodded gravely. If he and Luo Yaonan hadn’t been lucky enough to meet Ye Luo, they probably wouldn’t have survived, much less received a C-rank. The expert hadn’t asked anything in return, but at the very least, they couldn’t become a burden.

Ye Luo had a solid, undisturbed sleep.

When she woke, the world outside was still bathed in blood-red moonlight. She glanced at the time. It was noon, May 11. She boiled a kettle of water and ate a packet of instant noodles from her supplies. Then she stepped outside. Since the onset of the rules, this was her first time leaving the house. The supplies in the villa were still ample—she had thought she might never need to leave. But today, she had something to do.

She had promised Huo Qianqian to visit her daughter. A promise made was a promise to keep. Huo Qianqian’s daughter was in the neighboring city, two hundred kilometers away—a distance only possible to cover by car. This month’s rules made driving difficult; Ye Luo would have to wait for next month to set out. But she intended to collect the things Huo Qianqian had prepared for her daughter first. Huo Qianqian, desperate at the time, had likely shared her home address with several people. If someone else got there first and took the items, Ye Luo would be displeased at being prevented from keeping her word.

The villa district was still quiet, but as Ye Luo left, she discovered that there were now quite a few people moving about on the streets. Vendors had even set up stalls on the sidewalks.

“Top-grade items from the copy! Anyone looking to trade? My name is Zhang Wenqiang—if you know my name, we’re no longer strangers. Come take a look! Here’s my ID too, so you know I’m not lying about my name!”

Several people, clearly interested, approached. According to the findings of the past ten days, now that they knew Zhang Wenqiang’s name, they could converse with him. However, unless Zhang Wenqiang also knew their names, he couldn’t respond. Otherwise, he would die instantly under the rules. So, the first thing everyone said was their own name, holding out their IDs. Only once both parties knew each other’s names could they converse freely.

This rule was at least merciful; the definition of a stranger was not too strict. As long as you knew someone’s real name, you were no longer considered strangers and could interact face to face.

Ye Luo’s eyes flashed as she walked over for a look. She didn’t intend to speak, so she didn’t introduce herself, merely listening in.

“My item is really powerful! It’s a rope with excellent material, can bind your enemies!” Zhang Wenqiang boasted.

“If it’s so powerful, why are you trading it?” someone asked, skeptical.

Zhang Wenqiang coughed. “To tie someone up, you’d need to control them first, right?”

If someone was already stronger than you, there was nothing you could do. If they were weaker, you didn’t need the item. In short: utterly useless.

“So its only advantage is being tough. Not interested. Take a look at my item! It’s a comb—when you use it, your hair becomes silky smooth and never falls out!”

Everyone glanced at the speaker.

The person holding the comb was, without a doubt, completely bald…

No wonder he wanted to trade! But in this world of terror, was hair loss really so important? No one paid him any heed.

After listening for a while, Ye Luo raised her eyebrows. She realized that the items these people had obtained were entirely different from hers. Her items—whether the Iron Rice Bowl, Steel, or Soul Summoning—were all imbued with powerful supernatural abilities. These others… were only marginally better than ordinary things.

Ye Luo turned to leave. Suddenly, a burly, brutish man strode over, grinning coldly at Zhang Wenqiang. “What age do you think it is? Still trading goods?”

Zhang Wenqiang started. He wanted to say something, but though he’d introduced himself, he didn’t know the man’s name and therefore couldn’t respond. He could only purse his lips, looking aggrieved.

“We’re all supernaturals now—the new order is about to begin! From now on, might makes right,” the brute sneered, stepping forward and smashing his fist down. The table Zhang Wenqiang used for his stall splintered to pieces.

Zhang Wenqiang’s pupils dilated in shock.

“Hand over your item, or my next punch will be aimed at your head,” the brute threatened.

He’d just acquired a C-rank supernatural power—an offensive enhancement that greatly increased his strength, the sort of ability that was highly effective from the start. Zhang Wenqiang’s own power couldn’t be converted to combat ability immediately; he was no match for this man. He had no choice but to hand over the rope.

The brute snatched it up with a grin. “That’s better.” He turned to the next person. “Chen Jian, right? I’ll take that comb too.”

Ye Luo frowned. Had gaining supernatural powers already gone to some people’s heads? Surely the authorities had contingency plans; otherwise, the world would descend into chaos.

“And you, Lin Hua. Since you’re here, you must have something to trade. Hand your item over as well.” The brute extorted one after another.

Someone tried to slip away in the confusion, but the brute grabbed him and slapped him so hard he spat blood.

“Don’t even think about running if you won’t hand over your item!” he barked, glaring at the remaining few, who all looked frightened.

But one woman stood there, her gaze cold as the snow atop a mountain. The brute felt a sudden discomfort. She hadn’t introduced herself, so he couldn’t speak to her, but that didn’t stop him from trying to act.

He flung aside the man in his grip and strode straight toward Ye Luo. Ye Luo narrowed her eyes, watching him with a blank expression.