Chapter 20 The Parasol Bearer: A Newcomer’s Friend

Afternoon, outside the Baihe City gym.

"Hey handsome, want to learn about our private coaching? Personalized instruction from our trainers—"

"No, no thanks." Chen Qi declined the staff’s pitch and stepped out of the gym.

He exhaled a long, hot breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a complimentary towel.

This workout session, he’d tried dumbbells, barbells, treadmills, resistance bands, nearly every piece of equipment available.

With the enhancement from the Bloodblade Fruit, a single day’s training felt equivalent to a year’s worth.

That invigorating exercise had eased the aches in his neck and the mental fog he’d accumulated. Not only that, though the game hadn’t specified, his stamina had clearly improved, allowing him to exercise for much longer periods.

He could distinctly feel that, with each workout, his command over his body grew stronger.

At this point, Chen Qi opened his personal interface.

[Bloodblade Fruit Digestion: 1%]

Only one percent? At this rate, it would take a hundred days to fully digest—maybe I should find someone to spar with?

He considered that, if he pushed himself, pure physical training in reality could probably reach three percent digestion per day.

He still had energy to spare. The shadow beast from last night, and Luo Qing’s warning just now, had left his nerves taut.

Out of an uneasy sense for the future, Chen Qi hadn’t exhausted himself completely, reserving a substantial amount of strength to deal with emergencies.

Gurgle—

A strong hunger surged from within.

He opened a bottle of mineral water and drank it in one go, replenishing his body’s lost fluids.

After consuming the Fruit, his improved constitution had greatly increased his need for water and food.

He rubbed his hands together. Time to head home—he still had at least two thousand yuan’s worth of takeout waiting.

…

Dark clouds gathered. The wind howled. Birds vanished from sight. The world seemed shrouded in a heavy shadow.

The residential road was deserted. Returning to his apartment complex, Chen Qi glanced at the sky.

After the attack by the shadow beast, he’d donned his Night Wanderer’s attire in advance for this storm.

The rain was clear—not black…

Something’s wrong…

The humidity in the air felt stifling, oppressive, dangerous…

Drip, drip.

A cold raindrop struck his face…

Someone was behind him…

Instinctively, Chen Qi gripped the handle of his automatic umbrella, cautiously glancing back.

On a stone bench in the park, a man two meters tall sat staring at him intently.

His attire blended into the gloomy weather—a thick black overcoat and scarf wrapped him entirely, his gaze cold as a wild beast.

Who is he?

A chilling aura radiated from the stranger, making Chen Qi tense all over. He stepped his left leg back, poised to run at any moment.

He slipped his right hand into his pocket, ready to toss the Shadowblade Dagger at a moment’s notice.

The umbrella man stood, opening a massive black umbrella with his right hand.

"Heavy rain’s coming soon, friend."

His deep voice carried a casual ease.

Next, he tilted his head, clamping the umbrella under his arm, a cigarette between his lips, and pulled out a lighter.

Flick, flick.

The flame hadn’t even caught before the falling rain snuffed it out.

"Sigh, this newly lit flame goes out too easily. I should keep it under the umbrella."

Eyeing Chen Qi, the umbrella man sheltered his lighter beneath the canopy and struck it again.

"You agree, Night Wanderer?"

Night Wanderer… He knows my username!

Chen Qi thought rapidly. The stranger must have found him through the New Sun Game’s help group.

In this age of vast information, he knew that from the moment he claimed the activation code in the group, it was only a matter of time before someone came looking for him.

It was inevitable.

Hence, Chen Qi’s overreaction when Jiang Zan returned.

Being tracked by an organization wasn’t the problem. The real issue was whether their intent was benign or hostile.

Now, the man’s gaze radiated only fierce hostility and a desire to dominate!

Chen Qi instinctively retreated—the flame extinguished in the rain, hinting that he, a newcomer, was too weak and needed the “umbrella’s” protection?

"Yes, I am Night Wanderer."

He smiled faintly, striving not to appear timid.

"So, you—bundled up so tightly—what brings you here?"

Drip, drip. As he spoke, the rain intensified, pelting his face.

The downpour had arrived—it was time to open his umbrella.

Chen Qi pressed the button on his automatic umbrella.

Swish!

At that instant, the umbrella man whipped a sharp stone, knocking the umbrella from Chen Qi’s hand.

Pain.

The stone grazed his right fingers, a bead of fresh blood dripping into the rain.

"Night Wanderer, looks like your umbrella can’t stand up to this storm."

The umbrella man exhaled a long smoke ring, still relaxed.

"You asked why I’m here?

Let me think—I’m here to take you away. Today, I’m taking you, and nobody can stop me—not even yourself."

Dangerous and forceful.

He mustn’t let the threat shake his composure.

Chen Qi took a deep breath.

"I can go with you, but I need to know—who are you? What’s the organization behind you? And what are you taking me for?"

"Huh?"

The sudden questions made the umbrella man glance sideways.

As the “friend of newcomers,” he’d done his share of grabbing rookies, but never had one so calmly questioned him.

Humans naturally feared large creatures.

His two-meter height, combined with the killing aura honed by the New Sun Game, usually left few newcomers daring to speak up.

The rare few did, but they now obediently called him “Umbrella Bro,” offering him favors.

This rookie really didn’t know the rules. In the realm of Wanderers, the earlier you start, the stronger you become, the greater your seniority.

Where did you get the courage—killed a weak disaster?

The umbrella man looked up, idly blowing smoke into the air.

Should he just take action? But this one had a rare talent…

Maybe be gentle for now—fool him over, then train him well.

He pondered, then said, "Let me think—my codename is Umbrella Man. The organization is Holy Disaster… no, Day Wanderers. Relax, we’re a good group.

To be precise, we’re short on people and need your help. Whatever you want, we can provide—money, beautiful women—"

Ring ring! Ring ring!

In the heavy rain, a sharp phone ring interrupted his speech.

Who’s calling? The umbrella man answered, annoyed.

"Scarecrow, I’m busy, what do you want?"

The voice on the other end was urgent.

"Umbrella Man, move now. Day Wanderers are searching, they’re already on the move. The Tracker is heading your way. Get him back, use the sewers! The faster, the better!"

The faster, the better…

The umbrella man glanced at Chen Qi. This guy didn’t seem the type to meekly follow.

No choice but to use force. This sudden turn suited him just fine. Hanging up, he sneered and asked Chen Qi,

"Rookie, you know the fastest way to get an unruly newcomer to his destination?"

"Hmm?"

Chen Qi kept his eyes fixed on the stranger’s feet, watching his next move.

The left foot shifted!

Not good…

A wave of murderous intent emanated from the umbrella man’s massive frame!

He closed the umbrella and lunged at Chen Qi.

"I’ll show you—the fastest way for unruly newcomers is to break their limbs and pack them in a suitcase!"

Just then, a glaring blood-red text flashed across Chen Qi’s phone.

[In the heavy rain, you encounter a player who launches an attack!]