Chapter 44

... What is a player?

A pure participant in the game, watching the fire from the other side of the river, high above, unconstrained, and purpose-oriented.

When someone calls himself a "player", the name itself may be able to explain some problems.

Xu Ming slowly lowered his eyes and tried to regulate his breathing, but he still couldn't help feeling a sense of oppression. At this moment, she suddenly understood why someone could be so cruel as to take away the things that Sister Yun and the others relied on to survive when they knew that they were saving people -

because they are players, so they don't have to think too much. Whether they are alive or dead, they are just NPCs separated from themselves by a layer. They don't have to be responsible for their life and death, and no one will be held accountable if something really happens. There are only two things they need to consider, how to pass the level, and how to get more rewards and drops.

The strange story area is a place where the rules of the real world are blurred. The existence of the rule book gives them the capital to further ignore and trample on these rules.

"So, she took away Sister Yun's roots. It's like picking up a rare item." Xu Ming said softly. It was warm all around, but she couldn't stop shivering. "And there are still many people like this?"

"There used to be many." Shi Mian sighed. "In the early days, they only relied on online communication to form a group. Later, the relevant organizations found out that something was wrong and began to severely crack down on this behavior. All those who were expelled and warned gathered together and began to act openly in the name of 'players'..."

The reason why it took so long to discover it was, firstly, because the communication technology at that time was more backward than it is now. After humans entered the strange story area, they lost the channel to communicate with the outside world, and it was difficult for outsiders to determine what happened inside; secondly, it was because these "players" were relatively restrained in their initial behavior.

They would only increase their probability of obtaining roots as much as possible within the scope allowed by the organization. But obtaining roots is difficult in itself. Even with the support of an organization, they cannot obtain enough resources. Therefore, after realizing that their needs are difficult to meet, their behavior becomes more and more outrageous. There are countless cases of deliberately taking risks to obtain roots, leaving their companions and other trapped living people behind. In the end, some extremists will even take the initiative to harm living people, just because there is a chance that they will obtain natural roots after death... It

is difficult for outsiders to detect the situation in the strange area, and they are very close to each other, often helping each other to conceal things, which slows down the speed of each unit discovering clues.

On the other hand, they obviously knew how big Anxin Gardening's background was in the real world, so after the incident was exposed, many of them began to hide, and some even chose to hide in the strange story area. Even so, they still did not give up the name of "players", and even still gathered and looked for opportunities to enter the strange story area together...

But as time passed, these people who called themselves "players" became less and less active, until now, they have disappeared.

"Some of them were arrested in the real world, some chose to commit suicide. Others disappeared completely. Considering their unrestrained activity frequency, we think it is very likely that they died in the strange story area."

...?

Facing Xu Ming's inquiring eyes, Shi Mian continued, "After all, the use of rule books is something that comes at a price. It is also very attractive to mutant roots and the dead... Of course, it is even more attractive to their own people."

Mutated roots and the dead cannot use rule books. But they can digest the rule book directly, or they can choose to dismantle it and peel out the roots inside for absorption - and no matter which method they take, their benefits are the same, and they can get at least one root at a time.

At the same time, once the holder of the rule book becomes a dead person, it is also possible to obtain new roots - in fact, based on past experience, the probability of this happening is quite high.

In other words, if you can successfully kill a holder of the rulebook, no matter whether the attacker is a human or a non-human, the benefits obtained are likely to be several times that of killing a non-human.

Those players regard the power of other beings as a reward for their actions, but if you really look at it from the perspective of the game, aren't they themselves walking experience packs and big treasure chests?

"And as I said before, it is not easy to get roots from the ghost story area or the dead." Shi Mian said this and sighed softly, "Compared to that, it is much more convenient to attack the people around you directly, isn't it?"

Xu Ming: "..."

How to say it, it is indeed in line with the logical behavior of these players.

But from another perspective, since they can't get what they want from "NPCs", they turn to their fellow players... Isn't this even more crazy?

"Come to think of it." She pondered for a moment and said softly, "Regarding the generation of the rule book, have you... figured out the method?"

Shi Mian was stunned for a moment, then showed some hesitation, as if she didn't know whether to answer this question. After a few seconds, she said, "I don't know the details, but it is said that they have only mastered some rules."

Xu Ming: "Then how many people have the rule book?"

It has reached the point where they can form factions.

"I'm even less clear about this." Shi Mian sighed, "But as far as I know, it seems that during that period, more people were able to obtain the rule book naturally. Unlike now, even if the generation conditions are completely copied, the probability of obtaining the rule book is quite low..."

Having said that, as if afraid that Xu Ming would misunderstand something, she immediately added: "Of course, we are now more strict in the management of employees who hold the rule book. A more stringent background check link has been added, and ideological and moral education, psychological status assessment and counseling will be arranged for employees on a regular basis..."

The previous exchange forum has also been stopped. The field system has also been reformed, including but not limited to the following: there can only be one member holding the rule book in the same action group, and other members have the obligation to supervise him; members holding the rule book must keep it confidential, are strictly prohibited from touching the roots, and are strictly prohibited from taking actions without authorization; all employees should try to avoid continuing to "exist" after their death, and even if they exist, they should not leave any roots, etc. It

is said that the requirements of peer units are more stringent. In short, we should learn from our mistakes and focus on both ideology and work style.

In addition, there are not many people holding the rule book now... At least the people within the unit are very strict.

"..."

Shi Mian seemed to be very worried about the impact on his company's image, and explained this aspect very seriously. Xu Ming listened and nodded seriously, but he was thinking about another thing in his mind.

"Naturally acquired," she silently repeated Shi Mian's words in her mind.

In other words, the rule book, like the root, will automatically descend into the hands of humans? But the rule book is limited to living people, and the root is limited to dead people.

...But this doesn't seem right. She remembered that the whale man said that the rule book was melted from the roots. For example, the No. 9 rule book in her hand was melted from three roots.

In other words, the prerequisite for possessing the rule book is to first obtain the root... Can it be understood that under certain appropriate conditions, the root held by humans will automatically transform into a rule book?

Xu Ming's brain was spinning rapidly. After thinking about it, the focus finally fell on the issue that she cared about most.

"So, has the 'player' who cheated Sister Yun of the root been arrested?" After a moment of silence, Xu Ming asked softly.

In response to her, Shi Mian shook her head slightly.

"No." Shi Mian said, "The information I can find is limited, but I can be sure that she is one of the missing persons. And she has been missing for more than a year."

"..." Xu Ming's heart, which had just been relieved, was suspended again.

Missing... does that mean she is not necessarily dead?

No, it should be said that she is not necessarily "disappeared"? ?

The woman with red shoes that Lu Yueling mentioned frequently before came into her mind again. When she thought of Gu Yunshu's disgust towards that woman, Xu Ming suddenly had a terrible idea.

She pursed her lips tightly and said with a sense of gratification: "Let me ask you a question. Does the person you are talking about have any obvious personal preferences? For example, what she wears?"

"Wear?" Shi Mian heard this and looked at her in surprise, "I don't know about that."

... I just knew it.

Xu Ming hit himself in his heart with regret, regretting that his question did not hit the point - come to think of it, it would be a miracle if anyone could answer such an abrupt and broad question...

"But when I was looking up information, I found one thing." The next second, Shi Mian added, "In order to be able to smoothly exert the power of her rule book, every time before entering the ghost story area, she always carries a pair of red shoes with her as a trigger condition..."

As she spoke, she looked at Xu Ming again, but her eyes became more and more strange:

"Speaking of which, Miss Gu. Why did you think of asking this question?"

Xu Ming: "..."

After looking at Shi Mian deeply, this time, she did not hesitate and told the truth directly:

"Because this time in Butterfly Building, a similar thing happened again.

"Someone stole the butterfly's roots, which caused the butterfly to suddenly run away. And the person who stole the roots, according to my companions' witnesses... was wearing a pair of red shoes."

...? ! !

This time, Shi Mian was more than just surprised.

She didn't understand what Xu Ming meant at first, and when she understood, she almost jumped up:

"You mean--"

"And." Xu Ming added, "We think that she is most likely not a living person." Shi Mian

: "..."

Staring at Xu Ming in disbelief, Shi Mian's mouth slightly opened, obviously trying to digest Xu Ming's words.

After a while, she looked gloomy, her body leaning forward retracted, and the whole person sat upright on the chair again.

"Thank you for sharing the information. May I report this? I think this is very important. "

Xu Ming couldn't wait for her to go back and report it. It would be best if the company would issue a wanted order directly after reporting, with the highest priority - so she nodded without hesitation.

After thinking about it, she added: "The demolition office is also keeping an eye on this guy. After all, Butterfly's accident was caused by her, and she is already on our blacklist.

"So, if there is any progress in your company's investigation..."

"Got it." Shi Mian said immediately, "I will do a synchronized work with your company."

"Sorry for the trouble." Xu Ming breathed a sigh of relief, "Just contact me directly when the time comes."

So far, the two sides have reached a consensus again, and Xu Ming's heart is finally relieved. Although there are still many doubts lingering in his mind, at least some things are clear in his mind.

Things went more smoothly afterwards. According to the previous agreement, Xu Ming completed all the records about Hongqiang and Butterfly Building in one go, leaving no detail behind - except for the part about being an idiot and running a shell company.

No matter what, the character setting must not fall apart. Fortunately, all her current behaviors are completely acceptable under the identity of "Gu Ming, an intern clerk in the Weird Story Demolition Office."

What Anxin Gardening needs most is such detailed and reliable records. When Shi Mian finished recording, she could hardly control her complex and joyful expression. In addition, Xu Ming provided additional information about the red shoes -

when Xu Ming finally sent her out of the room, her eyes were shining when she looked at Xu Ming. It was as if she was looking at a friend of life and death.

"Thank you very much for the information you provided. It is really valuable." She repeated this sentence for the nth time, her not-so-mature face full of seriousness, "Or do you need any award? I can help you try to apply for it when I go back..."

"No, no, the reward has already been given." Xu Ming waved the manila envelope she gave him, vowing, and after thinking about it, he added, "And my cooperation is also the intention of the Demolition and Relocation Office..."

Shi Mian immediately showed an expression of understanding: "Thank you for your open-mindedness and help. I hope there will be opportunities for further cooperation."

"..." Xu Ming thought to himself that there was no way to talk about cooperation, and next time he met someone like that, he would just not expose the counterfeit directly.

After seeing Shi Mian off, Xu Ming returned to the house. While the others were still not back, he quickly opened the envelope given by Shi Mian. Inside was an old-fashioned red horizontal strip of letter paper with an address scribbled on it in pen. Apart from that, there was nothing else.

The address was in the new city area, which matched the information Xu Ming had previously inquired about from Yunjie's neighbors: because Gu Yunshu said her home was nearby, Xu Ming had tried to find Yunjie's address according to Hongqiang's employee information. The result was an empty house. The neighbors said that the people living in it had moved to the new city area a long time ago.

However, the possibility of coincidence cannot be ruled out. We still have to wait for Gu Yunshu to come back for confirmation. Xu Ming was very clear about where she was at the moment. As early as yesterday when he had just unlocked the new skill, Xu Ming had seized the time and checked all the nameless work badges in the current rule book to confirm the current location of the woman in red shoes.

The so-called "checking" is actually a very mysterious state. Xu Ming couldn't explain what it felt like. She only knew that the moment she touched the corresponding work badge number, her vision seemed to be pulled to a very far place, and with a bird's-eye view, she quickly locked the location of the current wearer. The

observation time was very short, only one or two seconds, but the field of vision was very large. In addition to the wearer, some things around the wearer could also be scanned. It just so happened that most of the semi-finished work badges that Xu Ming gave out were on hotel employees and old tenants...

So during the whole investigation process, she saw Gu Yunshu from the perspectives of at least three people. Every time she saw him, he was holding a drink cup in his hand - gulping, his cheeks bulging under the mask. The amazing thing is that the color of the drink in the cup is different every time.

...If Xu Ming didn't know Gu Yunshu's righteous character, he would have suspected that one of the main reasons for her stay in the hotel was the self-service drinks there.

Anyway, she was fine and had a good time drinking. Xu Ming didn't care.

Another good news is that from the results of her investigation, none of the existing work cards were worn by the woman in red shoes.

Xu Ming was greatly relieved. Coupled with the intelligence brought by Shi Mian today, her mood suddenly rose to a good level, and her patience was much better when facing the annoying cuteness of the whale man that night.

...Unfortunately, Xu Ming's good mood did not last long.

Another day passed. Gu Yunshu had not come back yet, but an unexpected message came first.

The message was sent in the form of a text message, and the sender's note in Xu Ming's mobile phone was [There is a bump on the head]. The reason for sending the text message was because his WeChat account had been blocked by Xu Ming a long time ago.

Before receiving the message, Xu Ming was experiencing the joy of combing the golden retriever's hair. He was originally in high spirits today, but the moment he opened his mobile phone, his face suddenly sank.

Lu Yueling was squatting beside him, staring at the dog with curiosity and some disgust. Noticing the change in Xu Ming's expression, her eyes immediately turned to him: "What's wrong? Is the bank asking you to pay back the money, or is someone you don't know getting married?"

"That's right." Xu Ming pouted unhappily and put away his phone, "It's my family."

Lu Yueling: "?"

"My brother asked me to go home." Xu Ming said.

"Oh...ah?" Lu Yueling nodded in sudden realization, and then looked at him with amusement, "I didn't expect your family to be so strict. But it's not surprising, some parents are like this, they don't feel at ease with their children being alone outside. Bohe's family is the same, unlike me, I basically don't go back home after college, and my father encouraged me to go out after graduation..."

She began to recall her past again. Halfway through her conversation, she saw Lando waving his hands slightly at her. She was wondering, but then she saw Lando pause, and then he seemed to realize something, and turned to look at Xu Ming in surprise.

"Is it your brother? Hasn't he always..."

"He never wants to see me. Every time I have a holiday, he always tells me not to go back." Xu Ming replied expressionlessly, and then his inquiring eyes swept over, "How do you know I have a brother?"

She just said that they were just brothers.

"..." As soon as the voice fell, Lando froze visibly.

Then he smiled lightly, leaned over, lifted the upper body of the golden hair up, and stuffed it into Xu Ming's arms beggingly. Xu Ming looked at him meaningfully, then looked at the big dog with wet eyes in her arms, was silent for a while, and finally decided to give up this problem.

"They said they were going to sell the old house, and asked me to go back to see if there was anything to take away. They also need to discuss the signing." She rested her chin on the neck of the golden retriever and exhaled heavily, "If it weren't for this, they probably wouldn't want me to step in again."

In fact, she really didn't want to go back. Now there is only a brother and a sister left in her family. Her brother is a powder keg. He never looks happy when he sees her. He drives her away as if he is driving away the plague god. The most outrageous time was when her biological parents' funeral had just ended. She stayed in that house for a while longer because of some personal matters. As soon as the matter was done, her elder brother came out of the bedroom like a tank and directly pushed her out. Qiu Yufei happened to be there at the time and almost had sex with him.

As for the younger sister, she was the type that Xu Ming was least good at dealing with. When Xu Ming just rented a house outside, she always sent messages, asking her when she would go home, saying that she wanted to see her, even though she knew that Xu Ming lived outside. She really wanted to come to Xu Ming, but her brother wouldn't let her. She was so sad and wronged, so could Xu Ming come to see her...

There were many similar messages, which were particularly interesting when compared with her brother's whole row of "not allowed to come back" messages.

...Xu Ming didn't really want to say anything harsh. But she had also read the novels that Qiu Yufei pushed to her, which had many excellent families.

Excuse me for being frank, the excellent family members were of higher quality than her family. At least she could understand what they wanted to do.

Therefore, Xu Ming felt a bit complicated when she received a text message from her brother again.

"Does everyone on the property certificate have to sign to sell the house?" Xu Ming searched online without giving up, "Can it be done online?"

To be honest, she didn't care whether the house was sold or not. She was just afraid of being bothered.

However, before she could find the answer, messages saying "there's a bump on the head" came one after another, and her sister, who she marked as "inexplicable", also sent a message to ask. Xu Ming was gradually annoyed, so she blocked both accounts, and then went to Qiu Yufei's WeChat to complain, then threw the phone away and lay directly on the bed.

Her good mood was shattered, but someone was still making trouble in her own apartment -

that night. In the apartment.

Xu Ming, who got up at night, hugged the pillow in her arms, staring blankly at the fair-skinned and beautiful...

uh, man in front of her?

"Ballit man?" Her mouth twitched slightly, and her brain, which had just woken up, tried hard to understand everything in front of her. "Excuse me, what's wrong with you?"

"..." The fatlit man firmly lifted the flesh on his chest up again, and said firmly, "I'm trying to prove my worth."

Xu Ming: "..."

Xu Ming: "Change back, thank you."

The fatlit man: "..."

"You - really don't consider it?" The fatlit man whispered, stroking his cheek with his hand as if to show off, and then moving down a little bit, his voice gradually became low:

"No matter it's above or below. Any organ, any size, any appearance..."

Xu Ming: "..."

"Repeat again, change back." She said softly.

"..." The blubber man still wanted to fight, "Or not to use the human form? I can actually make a dog head manually, a golden retriever, a Bichon Frise, a Samoyed..."

"Change back." Xu Ming emphasized for the last time.

The blubber man whimpered and finally shrank back. Xu Ming took a breath with restraint, turned his head, and met a pair of dark eyes.

...Landor came over at some point, holding the big golden retriever, standing at the door and looking over silently, and no one knew how long he had been watching here.

He dragged his hands under the dog's front paws, causing the dog to be stretched into a long strip.

Xu Ming: “…”

Her eyebrows jumped again involuntarily, and she asked tentatively: “Something?”

“…” Landuo maintained the posture of pulling the dog, and slightly lowered his eyelids. After a while, he whispered: “I also…”

Xu Ming: “?”

“Anything is fine.” Landuo’s voice was a little lower.

Xu Ming: “…???”

You come too? ?

“Golden retriever, Bichon Frise, Samoyed.” Landuo continued in a low voice. He was clearly reporting the breed of the dog, but it gave people the feeling that he was saying “melon seeds, peanuts, mineral water”.

“…If it’s not a dog, it’s okay.” Landuo continued, with a slightly embarrassed look on his face, but he still insisted, “If it’s a panda, I’ll try and…”

Xu Ming: “…” Wait, so you can control this breed?

Forget about the panda, there's really no need for it. Although it's cute, I'll go to jail if anyone sees me! I'll definitely go to jail!

Xu Ming was silent again. She didn't understand. Did she do something wrong? Why did one or two of them want to send her to the police station?

"Don't join in the fun. Go and do your own thing." Xu Ming rubbed his forehead and couldn't help but said. Seeing that Lando slowly lowered his eyes and was about to walk away, he stopped him after thinking about it.

"...Since it can change, why not a small dog. It takes up less space." Xu Ming hesitated for a moment, pointed to the golden retriever in his arms that was constantly wagging its tail, "You decide the breed yourself, don't make it a Bichon Frise, it gets dirty easily."

"..." Lando turned his head to look at her, smiled softly, nodded, and walked away with the dog.

Xu Ming secretly breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and looked at the whale man who was alone in the corner, feeling sad. After a moment, she seemed to think of something, and her eyes lit up slightly.

"Hey." She squatted down and looked at the whale man who was huddled in the corner, "You said before that you can change into any appearance, right?"

"......?"

The whale man looked at her in surprise, and after a moment of hesitation, he quickly nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, yes, everything is fine, even if you want to counter the big bear muscle man, I will..."

...So what the hell is the big bear muscle man who counters the system?

The corner of Xu Ming's mouth twitched slightly, and he wisely decided not to pursue the issue, but continued:

"How about this, I'll give you a work badge first, and you help me do something. If everything goes well, you can keep the work badge forever - of course, I will still check on you from time to time. If you dare to go to places you shouldn't go..."

"No, no. I'll try my best... I definitely won't go!" The whale man quickly expressed his position, and after thinking about it, he asked curiously:

"So, what is it?"

"..." In response to it, it was Xu Ming's meaningful look.

*

So, the next afternoon.

In the old city area in the east of the city, in an old-style residential area.

Gu Ming, wearing a sports suit, repeatedly looked at the address in his hand, and his eyes finally fell on the unit building in front of him.

Then he sighed, resignedly stepped forward, and began to enter the password of the access lock. During the input process, she would occasionally raise her hand to adjust her collar, and neatly pull the zipper all the way down to her chin, revealing the red work badge rope around her neck.

"I'm really fed up. Don't you know I'm afraid of heat? Do you have to make me come at this time?" She wiped her forehead, complained silently in her heart, and quickly opened the door.

The moment the door opened, a chill immediately came out. Gu Ming breathed a sigh of relief, and while there was no one around, he quickly took out the mirror and carefully examined his face -

after confirming that there was nothing wrong, he took a deep breath and put the mirror away. He walked into the dark unit door in front of him.