There's definitely something wrong with this murder mystery game

Yin Banqian's character was a Semi-Mechanical Lifeform, with eighty percent of his body consisting of machinery, which allowed him to fly into the sky directly powered by the machinery without relying on an externally attached prosthesis.

He raised the Blunderbuss Cannon named "Wolf Spider"; the gleaming projectiles fired in continuous shots without a moment's pause!

The cosmic space was filled with the broken limbs and remains of the Insect Race; after dying, these bodies wouldn't decompose and vanish until this wave of attack concluded. The green and purple blood floated in space, emitting a faintly discernible stench.

The battleground was saturated with the odor of blood and carnage; the blood-red warriors fought with such intensity that even their eyes turned red, and the other players kept their distance, daring not to come close.

But when Que'er, who was slashing at the insects, turned his head to look around, he found that all his nearby prey had already been killed by Yin Banqian's gunfire, and it would take a while for the next wave of creatures to respawn.

The warrior stared at the nearby Semi-Mechanical Lifeform, his crimson eyes betraying no emotion, merely adopting an aura of solemnity and brutality amidst the surrounding atmosphere.

Yin Banqian, unchanging in expression, looked back at him and then laughed, "Brother, you've got impressive skills. It's not good for us to just stay below and wait for rewards; let me help you grind some monsters as well."

No sooner had he spoken these words than he suddenly felt dizzy, with an uncomfortable sensation rising in his heart.

It was as if his entire being had been seen through by the gaze of the person opposite him, leaving no secrets hidden!

However, within a moment, his mind cleared up, and it felt as if there was a defensive line inside his body keeping the weird sensation outside; that vague feeling of being watched also disappeared.

Yin Banqian came to his senses and cautiously sized up the person opposite him.

The red-eyed warrior cocked his head slightly, his glowing red eyes conveying a hint of confusion, but then he cracked a smile and laughed.

"Hello there~"

The warrior's voice was unexpectedly youthful, sounding like a teenager still in puberty, with a light and rising intonation at the end.

However, due to the earlier sensation, Yin Banqian at that moment held no contemptuous thoughts; he simply responded and turned his head towards the cosmic Star Gate, saying, "The next wave of insects is coming. I'll take care of this side."

The warrior merely looked at him and smiled, saying nothing.

Yin Banqian firmly believed his feeling wasn't an illusion; there's something definitely off about this guy!

Maybe he wasn't ordinary!

Glancing at the target hiding in the ruins of the planet below, Yin Banqian made his calculations. He got used to controlling the Semi-Mechanical body, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the nearby warrior.

In the cosmos, the floating remains began to decompose and vanish, a signal that the second wave of the battle instance was about to begin.

The vortex-shaped Star Gate thrust out Insect Race starships, and a multitude of grotesque creatures, large and small, flew out. Some of the Insect Race had wings of their own, which unfolded like sharply honed metal.

But just as the second wave commenced, the dark red warrior suddenly flicked his dual swords, charging toward the Semi-Mechanical Lifeform!

Yin Banqian was prepared, his Blunderbuss Cannon extending into a sword. In the clash where swords met, sparks flew everywhere!

...

On the ground, the two people hiding watched the battle unfold in space.

The target looked puzzled, "Why are they fighting each other? Doesn't Que'er know that he's a teammate and thinks he's competing for resources?"

Cheng Can appeared to be very calm, "They've probably just realized that the other is really good at the game and wanted to spar a bit; well, it's just a game after all!"

"Oh!" The target suddenly nodded as if having an epiphany.

"By the way, there's an offline gaming exhibition for 'Free Night' in Mandala City in two days' time. Do you want to go?" Cheng Can asked, as if offhandedly.

"A gaming expo?!"

The target's eyes brightened, but then he hesitated, "But Mandala City is too far; I probably can't make it."

How could he tell the other person that he was a poor resident living in a trashheap building at the lowest level, essentially unable to leave his own city…

In this world, the difficulty for the poor to travel alone is about the same as climbing up high-rise buildings.

These people, struggling through decades, probably couldn't afford a single expensive maglev train ticket.

They may be doomed to rot at the bottom for life.

People like Arman who unexpectedly had gotten a gaming headset and were able to improve their lives by making money in the game were after all, a minority.

Arman's dream was simply to leave that junkyard, to move away from the scaffold buildings clinging to the high-rises and to actually live on the plaza.

By then, he might even have the chance to attend school!

With these thoughts in mind, his eyes burned with fervor.

Cheng Can certainly knew the other's living situation, even the details of this person's life from birth up until now at sixteen were fully stored in his micro-end.

But he pretended not to know, and continued casually, "Are you worried about not being able to get tickets? Don't worry, I have a car, I live in Huai'an City. Where do you live? I can pick you up on the way."

Huai'an City!

His eyes lit up once again!

Then he hesitated, "But, isn't going to the game exhibition going to require tickets? This... will it be very difficult to snatch one?"

Will it be very expensive?

Cheng Can laughed with hands on hips, "Don't worry about that. Because a friend of mine is an insider at the venue, he tossed me over a dozen tickets. I can't even find enough people to give them away to, so I'm asking if you want to come have some fun with me, after all, we're good brothers, aren't we!"

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and clasped the other's shoulder, both of them appearing like good buddies.

However, upon hearing this, his target still seemed hesitant.

"I heard that for this offline game exhibition, the organizers even invited the top player to be a guest, and the champion of the offline competition will receive a generous reward. I'm planning to give it a try," Cheng Can said, his tone gentle and tempting.

It must be said, Arman was really moved!

The top dog in gaming had been reigning the competition scene for several years, worshipped as a god and idol by countless "Free Night" players!

He was also Arman's idol!

After all, becoming the champion of the competition scene meant official prize money every year!

Actually, the top ten all received it, but he was particularly envious of the top player's shining, godly gear. If he peeled it off and sold it, it would surely fetch a lot of money...

Enough to afford a place on the plaza directly!

"Um..."

Thinking of this, Arman said timidly, "If you're willing to take me, I... I should have time to go."

That's exactly what I was waiting to hear!

Cheng Can's mouth curved into a smile, "Of course, I'm willing to take you. After all, you're my best friend in the game! By the way, which city are you in? I'll come pick you up the day after tomorrow on my way."

Arman suppressed the excitement in his heart, "Actually, I also live in Huai'an City."

"Wow, what a coincidence?!" Cheng Can exclaimed in feigned surprise.

"Yeah... yeah..."

"Then that makes it easy. Which port are you closest to? Just wait for me there and I'll come for you," Cheng Can said.

Yet again, the target's eyes filled with hesitation.

The nearest port to him was Kapok Port, but Kapok Port was also famously part of the lower districts of Huai'an City, where the factories of major conglomerates regularly transported goods in and out.

So after thinking a bit, he opted for a bit more distance, "White Jade Port."

Cheng Can raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

He knew that with the abilities logged by the target, reaching the destination was absolutely possible.

Thus, the two exchanged real-life contact information, and at that moment, their relationship had transitioned from in-game to real-life best buddies!

Afterward, it was time to probe this kid for the organization's purposes; in any case, he had already successfully lured him out.

...