Chapter Forty-Three: Good News and Bad News

Depositing items in the real world is a remarkably powerful feature in the New Sun game, and it’s precisely because of this ability that players can trade with each other. If limited to New Metropolis alone, any exchange between players would require a grueling journey and a rendezvous for the swap to take place. Yet within New Metropolis, traversing districts is perilous; most players lack the ability even to leave their birth zone.

Most players opt for offline exchanges, or else rely on the courier service established by the White Dove Hostel, which caters exclusively to Wanderers for remote trades.

To all appearances, the Calamity Courier Lin Yuxing seems like a mage-type player; she must have no shortage of books.

Night Wanderer: “Calamity Courier, may I request your help? Do you have a copy of ‘New Metropolis Language’? I have money.jpg”

Calamity Courier (Lin Yuxing): “I do. I also have plenty of money.jpg.”

This is exactly what I need.

This saves me the trouble of running around New Metropolis or exchanging through the Daywanderer Club forum; both methods are a bit inconvenient and don’t allow me to get the book immediately.

Going directly to Lin Yuxing for the book is a solid plan.

Chenqi made up his mind, glanced at his phone, and stepped out of his room, striding toward the dining hall.

According to his messages, Calamity Courier was sitting by the window in the dining hall.

Chenqi hurried all the way to the dining hall.

Inside, Lin Yuxing was seated by the window, her left hand holding a small book as she ate dessert.

At this moment, Lin Yuxing wore her hair in a ponytail and was dressed in simple black casual clothes, her icy demeanor gone, replaced by an air of confident elegance that radiated from her like a true heiress.

Her eyes shone with self-assurance, clearly having made significant progress in the game.

Lin Yuxing closed her book, tilted her head with a smile, and cast a curious look:

“Good afternoon, Night Wanderer.”

“Good afternoon, Calamity Courier.”

Chenqi took a seat opposite her, scanned the menu, and ordered a feast, getting straight to the point:

“I need ‘New Metropolis Language’ urgently, just for a few days. Hmm… I’m willing to trade you some knowledge gained in-game, or pay for a copy.”

Lin Yuxing closed her book, her dark, shining eyes fixed intently on Chenqi:

“My library in the game happens to have two copies of ‘New Metropolis Language.’ What kind of knowledge?”

You have a library in the game?

Chenqi paused, realizing that everyone’s starting point was different, and so their play styles and living environments varied widely:

“Just some basic game tips.”

Lin Yuxing’s eyes darted:

“No need, most basic tips can be found in the Daywanderer Club’s newcomer forum section.”

Chenqi continued:

“Ten copper coins, just a one-day loan. Your game character probably doesn’t need this book right now.”

If she tried to squeeze him for more, Chenqi considered simply going to Chen Shi for help, or else buying the book on the Daywanderer Club forum.

Ten copper coins? Lin Yuxing checked her phone, glancing at her in-game currency:

“Hmm… no, let me think. I want to know something.”

Chenqi grew anxious:

“What is it?”

Lin Yuxing glanced around, saw the coast was clear, and whispered:

“I heard that this morning you kicked down Captain Chen Shi’s door and barged right in without knocking.”

It spread so fast? Chenqi recalled:

“That’s true. I was in a hurry and acted a bit rudely. Should I pay for the door?”

No, no. Lin Yuxing wasn’t interested in that, and cut him off:

“Chen Shi’s door doesn’t matter. What I want to know is, what did you encounter in the game? And why did you borrow a fire crossbow in such a rush?”

Her curious gaze pierced straight through! Chenqi took a moment to organize his thoughts:

“I came across a powerful wood-type monster in the game. The situation was urgent, and I desperately needed a fire weapon to defeat it. That’s why I was in such a hurry.”

I didn’t lie, Chenqi nodded, expression unchanged.

So the game has elemental counterbalances. Lin Yuxing picked up her tablet and recorded this in her key strategies.

A flicker of competitive spirit flashed in Lin Yuxing’s eyes:

“You’re advancing quickly…”

Such a fierce look… Chenqi glanced down at his phone.

“It’s true, I’m moving a little fast.”

“My own progress isn’t slow either. Let’s keep pushing and surpass the branch captain soon—I hear he has a rare talent!”

Lin Yuxing tapped the New Sun game interface, and a book appeared in her hand.

“Here you go. If you damage it, you owe me two months’ worth of silver coins.”

“No problem, I’ll return it soon.”

Chenqi accepted the exquisitely bound book, which came with a raven feather bookmark.

As his fingers touched the book, a notification popped up in New Sun:

[Book acquired—‘New Metropolis Language’]

[Description: A textbook for learning New Metropolis Language. Reading increases your mastery. Current mastery: 75%.]

Finally, I’ve got it. Once my Reflection is rested, he can start learning happily!

Well… perhaps not happily, Chenqi mused.

Lin Yuxing took a napkin, wiped her lips, and picked up her tray:

“I’ll head out now. My in-game character is almost fully rested. I need to speed up my learning of basic runes—the teacher will test me soon. By the way, Captain Chen Shi has something to discuss with you, both good news and bad.”

Both good and bad news?

What on earth could it be?

Chenqi was a bit puzzled and pondered for a while.

Just then, the restaurant staff arrived with a steaming, fragrant, authentic spicy hotpot!

A meal worthy of the Gluttonous Blossom!

Chenqi rolled up his sleeves.

His stomach growled with hunger—first food, then everything else!

…

White River District Branch, Captain’s Office.

Chen Shi slumped in his chair, deep in thought; his mind was full of both good and bad news.

First, the bad news.

He was trapped on the plain near the Lightless Abyss!

According to intelligence gathered from other Seekers, someone bold beyond belief had lit a fire in the Lightless Abyss, causing the Abyssal Shadow to wander restlessly within.

The Dogmaster, braving the Abyssal Shadow, had chased right after!

Now, the rest of them—poor, lonely Seekers—were left to survive in the underground plains of the gutter.

Still, Chen Shi tried to comfort himself: the Decaying Elder was gone, and dozens of rats posed no threat to their team.

He wasn’t worried about starving, either; he had stocked up plenty of New Sun game food in his Earth-side inventory.

Now, he and his team could only wait for the Abyssal Shadow to calm down.

Then, the good news.

There was quite a bit.

But for now, one particular piece of Schrödinger’s “good news” left Chen Shi perplexed.

A Seeker with ridiculous luck in the Abyss had, according to intelligence, heard the sound of arrows just before the Abyssal Shadow went wild.

After a loud explosion, the Seeker heard the Decaying Elder’s anguished howl!

Arrows…

And Chenqi, just recently, had come to him for a crossbow—specifically, a fire arrow.

Chen Shi’s expression grew complicated as a bold guess took shape.

He’d borrowed the crossbow to kill the Decaying Elder in the Lightless Abyss! But this was the Lightless Abyss—such a wild idea! Such a coincidence!

It didn’t make sense; surely it was just a coincidence… wasn’t it?

Chen Shi’s mind whirred, but considering Chenqi’s previous feat—killing the Umbrella Man—maybe it wasn’t impossible after all.

Not impossible, not impossible, Chen Shi murmured.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.