Chapter 179: An Item That Can Communicate
Xu Huo picked up the book and checked his item slot. This adult fairy tale book was in the ordinary item slot without any special grade markings, likely an E-grade item.
However, this fairy tale book seemed different from other ordinary items.
Turning off the eerie music, he opened the book again. This time, the patterns on the pages were different, transforming into a regular red pattern, while the original black text had turned into red blood characters.
The previous reading, though hoarse and dry, had been relatively smooth, but now it was interspersed with gurgling and coughing throat sounds, as if it were reading with its very life.
After listening for about ten minutes, Xu Huo suddenly said, "If your throat is bad, do you want some medicine?"
The reading paused for a moment, then gradually faded. Soon, the blood characters and patterns all disappeared, and the book closed.
Xu Huo immediately reached out to open it again, but this time he couldn't.
Setting the book aside, he examined the other items.
This instance in Fairy Tale City hadn't unlocked any new traits, and this was the only item obtained. However, compared to other ordinary items, this fairy tale book could engage in simple communication with the outside world, making it a relatively promising item.
Beyond that, his personal list had gained two thousand White Notes. Combined with his previous income and expenses in Fairy Tale City, his personal wealth hadn't changed much.
He had gained three bottles of P1 Evolution Agent, three bottles of D-grade Self-Healing Agent, five bottles of D-grade Hair Growth Agent, one bottle of E-grade Skin Beautification Agent, and two bottles of E-grade Health Agent.
The note on the Health Agent stated it could be used by ordinary people, but he didn't trust game products. He took one bottle along with various potions bought in Fairy Tale City and gave them to Team Leader Wu for testing before deciding whether to use them.
Additionally, he had one more D-grade ticket, and the countdown to the next game had been extended to 43 days.
Taking out the "tooth" given by Old Lady Bai, this white cube didn't match the word "tooth" in either appearance or description.
The description was very brief, only one sentence: [A part among parts, as a lost item, it has lost its due ability.]
In other words, this white cube couldn't be used, and Xu Huo had no idea why Old Lady Bai had given it to him.
When he left the instance, Fairy Tale City had suffered heavy damage. Old Lady Bai's fate was unknown, and he had no way to ask, but even if she were still in Fairy Tale City, it would be difficult for him to return.
After fiddling with it briefly, he stored the cube in his item slot. Just then, Yu Qingqing knocked twice on the door outside. Without waiting for his response, she twisted the handle and stuck her head in. "Cousin, I want to discuss something with you."
"Forget about becoming a player." Xu Huo said without looking up.
Yu Qingqing pushed the door open in frustration. "Why can't I become a player?"
Xu Huo pointed with his chin at the fairy tale book on the table. "Read this."
Yu Qingqing immediately walked over and flipped the book open with a slap. Seeing the bloodstains on the page, her eyes lit up. "An item!"
A terrifying voice began reading the story. Yu Qingqing stood there listening for a while, her confused gaze shifting between Xu Huo and the fairy tale book. She couldn't help but say, "Is this a test of courage? I'm a materialist; I don't believe in ghosts."
"Slap!" The fairy tale book closed with a loud snap this time.
Xu Huo, on the other hand, smiled slightly. He gestured for her to hand the book over, but he still couldn't open it, so he simply put it back in his item slot.
Yu Qingqing looked at him enviously. "Cousin, I think I can contribute to the country."
"I'm not stopping you. You can sign up," Xu Huo said. "But not in my name."
Yu Qingqing pouted. "You don't know how many people want to become evolvers. Not everyone can make it. You have to get checked first, and I hear there's a long line. I just wanted to cut in line."
Seeing Xu Huo silent, she continued, "Actually, it's not just because of the outer zone player invasion. There are many reasons. It's not safe at home either. Non-evolvers don't dare go out easily. If I become a player, I can protect the family."
Xu Huo knew that not that many people had actually signed up, but becoming a player would certainly require screening.
"Sign up yourself." He pushed her out, washed up, turned off the lights, and went to sleep.
The next day, when Xu Huo went out, she still hadn't given up. He simply had the armed personnel lock her in the house and not let her out.
After driving for over half an hour to the cemetery, he parked the car outside and got out with flowers he had bought along the way.
Compared to the quiet streets outside, there were quite a few people coming and going in the cemetery. Avoiding a funeral procession, he walked to his elder brother Xu Zhi's grave, placed the flowers down, lit a cigarette and set it on the tombstone, then lit one for himself:
"I don't know if you've quit smoking."
Looking at Xu Zhi's photo, Xu Huo stood silently before the grave for a long time.
"Isn't this Gambling King Xu? After hiding out for so many years, you dare to come back?" Three people came over from a nearby funeral procession. One of them, a woman with a clearly mocking expression, was Gu Yu, whom he had met before in Decibel Town.
She had originally wanted to greet Xu Huo, but she didn't expect her companion to start off with such a hostile tone.
"Zheng Liang." She called out to her companion, then asked, "Do you two know each other?"
"We were neighbors for a few years." The man who had spoken first, Zheng Liang, crossed his arms and sized up Xu Huo. "I heard Gu Yu praising a player like a flower, and I thought it was someone with the same name. I didn't expect it to be you."
"For someone like you who killed his own brother over gambling to become a player, there's really no justice."
Xu Huo glanced behind him. "Who died in your family?"
Zheng Liang's face darkened, and he said nothing.
Gu Yu quickly pulled him back and smiled at Xu Huo. "I've been trying to contact you. I'm glad you're okay. Do you want to come see our newly established headquarters? Maybe you'll be interested in joining."
During the outer zone player invasion, the small group she was originally in had banded together. While protecting themselves, they had also absorbed some local players. Now their numbers were considerable, and a few core members had fully set up shop.
"No need. I have no plans to join any organization for now." Xu Huo said.
Zheng Liang sneered from the side. "Give it up. He's a lone wolf. If he's going to work with anyone, it'll be with the country. How could he listen to people like us?"
Gu Yu frowned. "Can you talk properly?"
"I'm like this to people with bad character. If you don't like it, don't look!" Zheng Liang provocatively stared at Xu Huo.
Xu Huo didn't even glance at him and turned to leave.
"Xu Huo! Don't get cocky. I'll settle the score with you sooner or later!" Zheng Liang shouted from behind.
But Xu Huo didn't look back. Gu Yu grabbed Zheng Liang. "You two have a grudge? What grudge?"
"None of your business." Zheng Liang glared hatefully at Xu Huo's back and gritted his teeth. "I'll have it out with him sooner or later!"
Xu Huo didn't take him seriously. After leaving the cemetery, he drove to the airport.
Ms. Fang had already arrived, along with her current boyfriend.
"You must be Xu Huo. My surname is Tang. I'm three years older than your mother. You can call me Uncle Tang." The middle-aged man extended an olive branch.
Xu Huo didn't shake his hand but instead asked, "Are you from Y Country?"