Chapter 23 The Boots of Black Rain

Centered around the umbrella bearer, a thick black mist began to spread instantly, plunging the entire residential complex into darkness and obscuring the umbrella bearer’s escape route. There was no sound of fleeing footsteps either...

Had it been anyone else, they would likely have lost their quarry in such dense fog. But Chen Qi possessed the innate talent of “Morning Star’s Quest”—a human GPS and treasure map, more than enough to keep his target in sight. He opened his talent interface, entered a keyword, and locked onto the umbrella bearer.

Morning Star, lock onto the prey!

A morning star, dazzling in the night, leapt from his palm and shot swiftly into the black mist. It quickly pinpointed the umbrella bearer who was running for his life, tracking every movement with astonishing clarity. Chen Qi marveled at the brilliance of the morning star.

Indeed, he was to the left—wait, this route, he’s heading into the building, then planning to escape in the opposite direction... His jump is incredibly strong, and his overall speed has doubled! He’s running up vertical walls!

Chen Qi activated the silent mode of his Night Traveler’s Garb, sprinting ahead to ambush the umbrella bearer along his escape path. Fortunately, after countless chases, he had accumulated enough experience... The umbrella bearer had discarded his black umbrella, darting through the residential block at full speed. On his feet were a pair of black, specialized rain boots, greatly enhancing his mobility.

Good, jump out of the mist here, right onto the street outside—freedom regained... The umbrella bearer, as always, plotted his escape, his heart leaping with joy as he vaulted over the complex’s fence in a single bound!

But as he landed, a chill swept across the back of his neck—no, something more terrifying, a primal fear...

He had to stop the other party; the other party surely knew the cruelty of the Sacred Calamity Association!

The umbrella bearer spoke, survival instinct compelling him to quietly threaten: “The sacred calamity will not spare you...”

With a swift motion, Chen Qi burst from the shadows. His blade struck, slicing across his opponent’s neck.

Blood sprayed! The shadow blade spread across the umbrella bearer’s nape!

Blood flowed down his back, pooling on the ground. The umbrella bearer lost his grip—not only on his escape, but on his life...

How was he found? Was there drone surveillance...? Mortally wounded, the umbrella bearer could no longer maintain his black-blooded form, collapsing and bleeding profusely. The cold of death crept from within...

Even in death, he must not drop his gear! The umbrella bearer strained to raise a finger, trying to press the inventory on his phone and send his equipment back to the game—he couldn’t let it fall into enemy hands...

But Chen Qi stomped viciously on his hand, breaking the last bit of resistance.

No... The umbrella bearer let out a final wail.

Rain washed the blood from Chen Qi’s body.

His phone vibrated.

[Your enemy bled to death. You successfully killed the player Umbrella Bearer, gained 27 experience. Blade Affinity triggered: +5 extra experience. Current experience: 47/50.]

[Blood of Slaughter spreads on your blade tip! Bloodblade Fruit digestion +19%, Blade Affinity +1. Current Blade Affinity: 7/20.]

[Bloodblade Fruit digestion reached 20% phase. Constitution +1. Current HP: 32.]

A 19% digestion boost—this battle yielded quite a bit!

Chen Qi removed the umbrella bearer’s black rain boots. The boots bore dim black patterns, and the soles were coated in slime-like black active liquid. Excellent!

[You have obtained the rare equipment: Black Rain Boots.]

Chen Qi glanced at his inventory; the Black Rain Boots could also be used in the real world.

In other words, any item from New Capital could be transferred between worlds. Apparently, player organizations already existed; since items could be traded in reality, a trading system would soon emerge.

He clicked to view the item.

[Black Rain Boots
Attribute: Agility +2
Durability: Medium (When fully broken, some functions may malfunction; repairing increases attribute bonuses)
Equipment Requirement: None (Difficulty increases for users weighing over 80kg)
Description: Boots sewn over a year by the Sewer Weaver, imbued with the powers of agility and shadow.
Value: In the sewers, it’s believed only the best rat hunters deserve these boots.
Agility: Grants agility effect while moving; body becomes light as a swallow, greatly enhancing mobility and balance.
Shadow Tendril: The boots’ soles extend strong, sticky shadow tendrils for rapid movement on vertical terrain.]

Big jumps and vertical walking! Not bad—

The umbrella bearer’s vertical sprint was thanks to this item. With these boots, his mobility would rise dramatically!

It seemed he was veering towards an assassin’s path; Chen Qi glanced at his dagger. In this confrontation, if not for the Raven Staff and Night Traveler’s Garb, his agility would never have matched the umbrella bearer’s.

Chen Qi looked around—no new enemies appeared, and his adrenaline-fueled instincts slowly receded.

It must be over...

“Hah...” Chen Qi exhaled deeply.

It had been a tough battle; after prolonged running, he was utterly exhausted, fatigue enveloping him. Four consecutive raven calls had drained him completely.

If a second umbrella bearer appeared, he’d have no choice but to surrender.

The battle was over.

Chen Qi sat down beside the complex’s fence.

Hungry, thirsty, and a bit cold.

The rain was easing.

He was already soaked, stained with foul black blood.

Slumped against the wall, he desperately needed food.

Just then, a blue car stopped in front of the road.

A girl with long straight black hair lowered her window, surveying the scene, then checked her phone photos, scrutinizing carefully.

Undoubtedly, the man lying on the ground was the kidnapper, Umbrella Bearer. With police cars nearby, the man before her had to be an official...

The kidnapper was dead... The girl breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out.

She was meticulously dressed: sleek black hair, black sweater, black satin skirt, black leather boots. With her strikingly beautiful and icy face, she carried an aura of a distant, untouchable flower.

Chen Qi sensed no hostility from her, perhaps even a request.

She opened an umbrella and approached, holding it over his head: “Senior of the Day Travelers Society, I’ve come as you instructed. Now I need enough personnel to ensure my personal safety.”

Thank you for shielding me from the rain—Senior of the Day Travelers Society, is she talking about me?

But who are you? Chen Qi’s face was full of confusion; the sudden umbrella bearer and Day Travelers Society left him bewildered: “May I ask, who are you?”

Facing a fallen brute, yet remaining calm and approaching him, her identity was likely unusual.

The girl seemed prepared for this question, raising her voice slightly: “I am the Messenger of Calamity.”

Messenger of Calamity!

The same newcomer who joined the group with him, also in New Capital District 8, and possessing the rare “Child of Weather” talent.

A fellow newbie—perhaps she too was attacked by unknown forces.

As in the group, she spoke little.

But right now, Chen Qi lacked the energy to express his astonishment.

After a moment’s silence, he looked up and asked, “Do you have anything to eat?”

Messenger of Calamity pulled out a rectangular piece of black chocolate from her clothes: “Yes.”

Chen Qi accepted the chocolate and began to devour it.

“By the way, Messenger of Calamity, do you know what the Day Travelers Society is?”

“I know a bit. Aren’t you a member?”

“No.”

Not a member? Messenger of Calamity stared at Chen Qi with an expressionless face.

“Are you joking?”

She took out another piece of chocolate, biting calmly.

Chen Qi wiped the rain and blood from his face with a towel: “I’m not joking.”

“Oh.”

Could he really be a ghost? The icy mask of Messenger of Calamity seemed to waver ever so slightly.

Her umbrella quietly moved away from Chen Qi’s head, and raindrops resumed falling on his face.

To prevent her from fleeing, Chen Qi explained: “I’m also a newcomer, ID Night Traveler.”

“Mm.”

Messenger of Calamity took a big bite of chocolate to calm her nerves: “Mm?!”

She choked on the chocolate.

At that moment, Chen Shi of the Day Travelers Society arrived, holding a fire umbrella, and glanced at the umbrella bearer’s corpse.

He really killed him! This newcomer is terrifying!

He braced himself, trying to remain calm as a captain should: “Um... do you two need assistance?”

Chen Qi looked at him—the fiery umbrella was dazzling. With such bold actions, weren’t they worried about exposing their organization? And the fire umbrella—where had he seen it before?

His knowledge of the New Day Game and this world was far too scant. Chen Qi looked up and said slowly, “Yes, I have many questions for you—many, many questions, Day Travelers Society.”

Messenger of Calamity, having recovered from her earlier fright, echoed, “Me too.”