Chapter 31: Letting Players Charge Ahead
The death of Number 7 made Bai Fu realize that helping players level up at the right moment was indeed a very wise decision.
If it hadn’t been for that, even if those players had knocked Number 7 to the ground, it would’ve been hard to suppress him—and without player effort, her idea of reaping Number 7’s life was pure nonsense.
Of course, the ones who won big in this battle were not only Bai Fu, but also the players.
Number 7’s level was far above the players’, and a high level difference brought massive experience bonuses.
After he died, even players who dealt just 2 points of damage received 196 experience points, and the one who threw the poison sac earned a whopping 1,724 XP—making all the other players green with envy.
For a moment, all the players excitedly surrounded Bai Fu.
After all, who wouldn’t like a good‑looking NPC who also helps you level up?
【Angel!】
【If I’d known Bai Fu would show up, I’d have used all my items to rush that bastard—now I missed out on hundreds of XP, I’m crying】
【Don’t stop me next time—if there’s another chance like this, I’m charging in first】
【Dream on—this kind of luck isn’t going to you】
Bai Fu didn’t linger long at the players’ stronghold; after circling around and boosting her standing in their eyes, she left.
Before returning to the Wildfire Gang, she wandered nearby, but unfortunately didn’t trigger any high‑reward missions.
No matter—the rewards she got today were more than enough.
The XP alone was one thing; with the video of her downing Number 7 with two shots going viral in the community, her popularity surged again, and she was trending as if ready to dethrone the giant mech atop the popularity leaderboard.
Bai Fu felt deeply satisfied.
She thought she couldn’t just wait for the game devs to buff her—she had to make good use of this popularity and let players help her level up fast.
…
In the lab, the instrument indicator lights flickered nonstop, and Number 9, stationed at the door, crossed his arms with impatience writ large on his face.
“How is he not back yet?”
It had been a full eight hours since Number 7 left, and not a single word had come back, which made him extremely uneasy.
After a moment, the lab door swung open, and the Wildfire Gang boss walked in.
“Where is she?” Number 9 asked urgently.
The boss said, “Not found.”
Number 9 furrowed his brow. “Not found—aren’t you going to send more people searching?”
“If we send too many, won’t we spook them?”
“Are you fucking stupid?” Number 9 suddenly shouted. “You’re worried about spooking them—then find another excuse, like saying we’re rounding up outsiders! Now send people to search—if you don’t find her, you just wait and see!”
The boss’s face flushed bright red, but he still obediently agreed.
“I’ll do it immediately.”
With that, he dashed out.
Though he wore a frustrated expression, inside he was overjoyed.
Those outsiders really were fierce—they’d actually driven Number 7 away for good. But with Number 7 gone, there was still Number 9 to deal with.
The gang boss hardened his heart, braced himself, and decided to go all out—
Secretly inform the outsiders to take Number 9 away too!
They couldn’t kill him outright—Number 7 and Number 9 were both lunatics; if they didn’t eliminate them, sooner or later they’d be killed themselves.
“If you won’t act like a person, then don’t blame me for abandoning humanity too!”
After exiting through the secret door, the gang boss immediately dispatched his men to search for the missing Number 7, then he found Bai Fu.
“Bai Fu, can I trust you?”
He said that—the character for Bai Fu literally spells loyalty!
Bai Fu immediately pledged allegiance: “Boss, you’re the one who raised me up—you’re the sun and sky in my heart!”
The gang boss said, “I’m glad you say that. I have a very dangerous task. The target’s too big for me to handle alone, so I need you to do it.”
Bai Fu nodded. “Boss, just say it.”
Dangerous?
She’d take the mission first—if it was truly too dangerous, she’d run away.
The Wildfire Gang boss began explaining his predicament.
【You’ve triggered hidden task ［Killing with a Borrowed Knife］】
【Task Intro: During contact with important visiting guests, the boss of the Wildfire Gang was threatened with death and has reached his limit. He’s decided to fight for his life and wants the players to eliminate the threat. He knows this is extremely dangerous, but still entrusts you with this mission.】
【Objective: Inform the players of Number 9’s existence】
【Reward: 2,000 XP, 10 faction reputation, 5,000 credit coins】
Bai Fu’s expression turned slightly odd.
For others in the Wildfire Gang, this task was indeed very risky—one wrong move and the players could handle them—so the 2,000 XP reward was reasonable.
But to her, it was a one‑sentence job—and essentially free experience. Refuse? No way.
As Bai Fu accepted without hesitation, the gang boss smiled in relief.
He had actually thought of getting someone else to do it, but trusting anyone in a place like the Wildfire Gang made him laugh—it was all about self-interest.
Bring in the old hands, and they might sell him out to Number 9 after weighing their options. Better to go with someone young like Bai Fu who had drive.
“Go,” he gestured, just as Number 9 strode over to him.
Bai Fu turned and walked away. After going a bit, she faintly heard Number 9 saying he was going to personally join the investigation.
“One called Number 7, the other Number 9. Though the boss didn’t explicitly state it just now, it seems his ‘important visitors’ refers to the Truth Society folk. I wonder what the Truth Society is doing here.”
Bai Fu was curious—this abandoned Cooling Plant was hardly a profitable location.
She made no extra moves, first heading to the players’ stronghold to notify them of the intel.
On her way back to the Wildfire Gang, she saw a pickup truck parked by the roadside outfitted with multiple layers of armor. Two people stood beside it—a young man and a young woman. The man wore a leather jacket; the woman wore a work‑style jacket.
This was the first time Bai Fu had seen an intact vehicle since becoming an NPC, and she reflexively sent out two “Psionic Vision” scans.
The data panel of the male NPC was relatively simple.
【Name】: Yago Kaufman (Elite)
【Template】: Special
【Main Class】: Sniper Lv2 [Sub Class: Agent Lv10 (Max Level)]
The female NPC’s data panel looked quite simple at first glance.
【Name】: Xia Shi (Elite)
【Template】: Normal
【Main Class】: Junior Mechanic Lv2 [Sub Class: Scholar Lv10 (Max Level)]
Skipping a string of unimportant stats, Bai Fu’s gaze fell on Xia Shi’s 【Talent】.
What met her eyes was a dazzling red 【Great Luck】.
【Great Luck】: Born with exceptional luck.
Although the description was only a single, simple sentence, Bai Fu already understood—this woman named Xia Shi was a life form that one could only envy, resent, and hate—
A Luck Goddess!
The terror of a Luck Goddess was self-evident.
They could easily pull double golden draws in a ten-pull, withdraw cash from digital wallets instantly.
Rumor had it that Luck Gods lived short lives, but the truth was, they actually lived very long.
[Got Knocked Out by Dog Luck Goddess.jpg]
Bai Fu hurriedly closed the data panel. She couldn’t stand looking at that dazzling talent.
“What are these two here for? Judging by their classes, they’re definitely not ordinary people.”
A bad feeling crept into Bai Fu’s heart.
First, the Truth Society showed up, and now another unknown group had appeared. It seemed something big was about to happen at the Abandoned Cooling Plant.
Although major incidents in newbie villages were pretty standard plot setups in games, right now her strength wasn’t enough to ensure her own safety.
That was troubling.
Maybe she should consider leaving the Abandoned Cooling Plant.
With her current strength and finances, leaving wouldn’t be hard at all.
After reaching a larger settlement, not only could she receive higher-level quests, she could also find profession advancement knowledge books.
The only problem was that players wouldn’t be able to follow for a while.
Bai Fu pondered for a moment.
Just as she was about to leave, she spotted someone she only half-knew.
In the alley across the street, Number Nine was staring intently at that woman named Xia Shi.
He stared for over ten seconds before finally turning and leaving.
She didn’t know what Number Nine was up to, but judging from the look in his eyes just now, Bai Fu felt his intentions were anything but good.
“Better send him to reunite with Number Seven soon.”
Bai Fu turned back and informed the players of Number Nine’s whereabouts.
The players, already itching for action, didn’t hesitate to grab their weapons and give chase the moment they got the news.
Having had experience dealing with Number Seven before, the players were full of fighting spirit and eager to try out new tactics and go big in this battle.
This time, they had nothing to worry about.
Bai Fu had already told them that the Wildfire Gang Boss wanted them to eliminate Number Nine on his behalf, so the Wildfire Gang wouldn’t interfere.
They only needed to deal with Number Nine.
The hidden quest triggered after Bai Fu's words seemed to confirm this point as well.
Even if the Wildfire Gang Boss had plans to use them behind the scenes, they weren’t afraid.
As long as they took out Number Nine, they would earn a massive amount of XP to level up.
Once their levels were higher—heh—scheming, huh? Ever heard of brute strength crushing all schemes?
Bai Fu followed closely behind the players.
They advanced quietly and made their way near the Wildfire Gang.
While the players hesitated on whether to charge in directly or ambush from outside, Number Nine had already returned to the underground lab.
“I saw people from the Gene Primordials outside. They're from the Division Four. Those outsiders are definitely connected to them. Number Seven’s disappearance must also be related. They’ve discovered our movements.”
A cold glint flashed in Number Nine’s eyes.
“Today they not only eliminated Number Seven but also revealed themselves. It seems they no longer intend to hide. I estimate they’ll launch a full-scale assault on the Wildfire Gang very soon.”
Yulia’s face was as grim as still water. “At the earliest, I’ll still need two more days to complete the basic verification.”
“Two days?” Number Nine’s breath caught. “That’s too long. But the experiment must go on. If time is short, I’ll buy it for you!”
Yulia asked, “What are you planning to do?”
Number Nine picked up a translucent green cylindrical object from a nearby crate. “Use this.”
“Induction bait? Do you know what consequences using that will bring?” Yulia’s face changed dramatically.
Number Nine smiled. “Mutant creatures will rush in like sharks smelling blood. Along the way, they’ll attack every living thing they see, until those creatures are either dead or turned into their kind.”
“You know that and still plan to use it?”
“By using it, those people outside will be too busy dealing with mutants to interfere with your experiment. Don’t worry—even if the Division Four calls for help from Lynn, reinforcements would take more than two days to arrive. That’s enough time for you to complete your verification.”
Number Nine hoisted the induction bait and headed straight for the door.
He felt no guilt.
After all, the plan was to use the bait to destroy the entire Abandoned Cooling Plant after the experiment anyway—to erase all traces of their presence. He was just starting early.
“You’re insane!” Yulia shouted.
Number Nine stopped. “Insane? Yulia, remember—we are the Truth Society! Don’t try anything funny. Think about yourself, your people back home, and the president’s kindness toward you. Your only task is to use this abandoned cooling equipment to finish the verification as fast as possible. Otherwise, if the president gets angry, you... heh heh…”
Cruel laughter echoed through the lab.
Only when the heavy doors shut did everything fall silent again.
Yulia quietly approached the cooling chamber and resumed her previous work.
This was no time to be distracted.
……
After leaving the lab, Number Nine carried the induction bait toward the outer edge of the Abandoned Cooling Plant.
His goal wasn’t to kill everyone in the plant, but to eliminate the two agents from the Division Four and all the outsiders, to buy time for Yulia’s verification. So he planned to pour the bait near the outsiders’ hiding spot.
“I don’t care if you’re truly undying. Once this place becomes a mutant haven, even if you can resurrect, you’ll wish you were dead!”
His eyes were ice-cold.
After leaving the Wildfire Gang’s base, he walked about four or five hundred meters when a loud shout suddenly came from the roadside.
“He’s out!”
“Who?!”
Just as Number Nine turned around, several arrows flew at him from the distance. He ducked quickly, but the next second, more than a dozen brawny men jumped out from both sides.
“Hmph, trying to run?”
“Pin his legs down!”
Amidst the shouting, a pile of strange items flew at him from the roadside.
Lime, chili powder, rope traps, fishing nets, slippery goo, venom sacs... the throwing group of players hurled whatever they had, not caring at all if they hit their allies.
This ferocious and unreasonable ambush completely stunned Number Nine.
By the time he came to his senses, a venom sac from a Type II Amoeba was already about to smash into his face.
“Crap!”
Number Nine quickly leaned back, and the venom sac flew past his scalp, leaving him drenched in cold sweat.
Although the venom couldn’t kill him, if it landed on his face, the pain alone could temporarily incapacitate him.
“I’m going to kill all of you!”
Number Nine roared in fury and got back on his feet.
Just then, he suddenly sensed someone rapidly approaching from behind.
Trying to ambush him?
Number Nine chuckled angrily.
Courting death!
He twisted his shoulder and grabbed the incoming punch from Convert to My Fu.
“You think you can—”
Before he could finish speaking, Convert to My Fu lifted her leg and kicked him hard in the crotch.
Pa! — the sound of eggs shattering.
“Ahhh—!”
The intense pain froze Number Nine in place.
Not just him—other players nearby also felt a chill between their legs and instinctively took a step back from Convert to My Fu.
“So ruthless,” muttered Bai Fu, watching from the shadows.
She had to admit the players were doing better than she expected.
She didn’t even need to make a move herself.
Though it meant losing some XP, she didn’t have to worry about exposing herself.
Seeing the other players hesitate, Convert to My Fu grew anxious: “Why are you all just standing there? Hurry up and help me smash his balls! Otherwise he’ll recover soon!”
“Oh—oh! I’m coming!”
Party Big Star broke into a sweat.
He had zoned out during combat, but honestly, who wouldn’t after seeing a move like that?
As Party Big Star charged forward, the other players also snapped out of it.
They drew their weapons—some aiming for the balls, others stabbing at the butt.
Luckily, Number Nine wasn’t just anyone—he was a mutant.
After the initial shock, he grit his teeth and endured the follow-up barrage of nut shots.
He fiercely pressed the button on the Psionic Restraint Device hidden in his pocket.
Buzz!
As the players were immobilized, Number Nine hurled the induction bait onto the ground.
This spot was still far from the Abandoned Cooling Plant's perimeter.
It would take a while for the mutants to smell it and arrive.
But he had no time to think that far—he smashed it anyway.
Then he pulled out a syringe from his pocket and jabbed it into his arm.
After injecting, Number Nine limped toward the Wildfire Gang base, braving his injuries.
The Psionic Restraint Device’s maximum duration was just one minute.
For those with high Inspiration, it only lasted a few seconds.
He had no intention of counterattacking the players now.
All he wanted was to get back to the lab as soon as possible.
Seconds later, one player was the first to break free.
“Damn it! My XP—stop right there!”
Soon, more and more players broke free.
They didn’t care that the Wildfire Gang’s base was just ahead—each of them sprinted after him.
There was no way they were letting their hard-earned kill slip away.
“Hey, what are you guys doing?!”
The underlings left behind at the Wildfire Gang base were dumbfounded at the rushing players.
It took them a moment to process.
“What are you waiting for? Go get the boss! The outsiders are attacking!”
They scattered in all directions.
No one dared to stop the players.
They were already terrified by the players’ shameless fighting style in previous battles.
Barely a hundred bucks a month—no way they’d risk their lives.
As long as they delivered the message to the boss, they’d earned their pay.
Bai Fu didn’t rush to chase after the show.
She quickly cast Psionic Vision on the object Number Nine smashed before fleeing.
If he smashed it while escaping, something was definitely wrong.
【Induction Bait (Damaged)】
【Quality】: Blue
【Additional Effect】: Upon use, attracts nearby mutant creatures. Radiation range: 5 km. Duration: 1 month.
“Five kilometers... that’s enough to reach the pollution zone.”
Seeing the Psionic Vision feedback, Bai Fu’s face turned green.
The terror of mutant creatures was well known.
She didn’t know how many mutants the bait could attract, but even a hundred could trigger a chain reaction enough to overrun the entire Abandoned Cooling Plant.
“That bastard—he wants the whole plant to die with him?”
Run away?
No way.
Clearly, escape was impossible now.
The transport convoy to Lynn only ran once a week, round trip.
Bai Fu couldn’t think of anything else now.
She ran home and told Anya to hide in the basement.
Then she rushed back to the Wildfire Gang.
She could only hope that Number Nine still had something on him to suppress the bait.
Otherwise, this incident would spiral out of control.