Chapter 810: Both Sides Yield No Results
"We would like to know your relationship with this person." He Hui placed a photo on the table, showing the pursuing player who had previously clashed with Xu Huo and Yan Jiayu.
"Didn't your people explain clearly?" Xu Huo raised an eyebrow.
They had inquired about the pursuing player's identity, and the Holy Sword Society manual had been given to them by that very person.
"It's not that we don't trust you two, but aside from his companions, he only had contact with you two along the way." He Hui maintained his smile. "You two didn't follow him just for the items, did you? It seems you've dealt with him before?"
Xu Huo couldn't help but show a hint of amusement. "You didn't get that murderous item, or rather, the thing you wanted."
"Those people went to the Government Building to snatch things, but the government and player organizations were prepared in advance. What they managed to get might not be what you're after, and what you want is most likely still on them."
"Quite a few casualties, but you didn't get the item?"
Whether it was items, potions, or other valuables, the fact that government players tracked them down here meant it was extremely important, otherwise they wouldn't have pursued it to this extent.
Items players carry are generally not too large and easy to transfer. The fact that they came to them proved that after exhausting all possibilities, they still had no results—their plan had failed.
"We can tell you the whole story." Xu Huo paused before continuing. "Some of our former companions died in a manner similar to those killed by that piece of paper."
"I see." He Hui nodded slightly, then pulled out another piece of paper from his pocket. After placing it on the table, the content of their conversation automatically appeared on it. He then set down a pen. "Could I trouble you two to sign this document? That way, I can report back properly."
Xu Huo's expression turned cold.
"I know this might seem a bit presumptuous, but ensuring the authenticity of our conversation allows everyone to remain at peace." He Hui said apologetically. "You've seen the situation in Zone 009. If we give trust too easily, we take on enormous risks."
"Why should we, unrelated people, make concessions just because you have to take risks?" Yan Jiayu countered, then glanced at the document. "In the game, you can't just take things casually, and you can't sign things casually—that's common sense. Don't we take risks when we give trust easily?"
"Are you relying on your numbers?"
He Hui chuckled. "You're joking. Outside of instances, without a sure kill, who can detain a player?"
"Verifying details is my job... Since that's the case, I won't disturb you two any longer."
With that, he packed up his things and stood to leave. After opening the door, he placed the thank-you gifts sent by other players by the entrance.
A few minutes later, the players lurking near the hotel withdrew.
Yan Jiayu glanced out the window. "I feel like even without signing, they achieved their goal."
"There are all kinds of lie-detection items; this isn't surprising." Xu Huo said. "What I said was also the truth."
"Let's see what they sent." Yan Jiayu walked to the door, took out a small doll, scanned the box with it, and then opened it. Inside were many potions and some local specialties of Zone 009.
They had clearly investigated Xu Huo and Yan Jiayu, as most of the potions were sweet and sour flavors that Yan Jiayu liked.
In Zone 009, with its comprehensive surveillance, this was nothing special.
The two split the potions evenly.
For the rest of the day, they didn't go outside. The large-scale mobilization of player organization members had an effect—the Capital Safe Zone, at least near the core area, was less chaotic than the day before.
Early the next morning, Xu Huo went to the exhibition hall to retrieve the Awakening Puppet.
The exhibition hall was now unattended. When he entered, he first saw Old Zhou standing guard beside the puppet.
Upon seeing him, Old Zhou looked startled and uncertain, and when he saw Xu Huo approaching the puppet, he found it strange.
However, Xu Huo didn't touch the puppet; instead, he threw a pebble at it.
Soon, several people emerged from the puppet—it was Chi Nan and her companions, who had accidentally entered a random instance during the chaos three days ago.
Chi Nan first spotted Old Zhou and quickly asked, "Where are Xiao Peng and the others?"
Old Zhou's expression was pained, and he shook his head.
Chi Nan clenched her fists tightly. "Those people deserve to die!"
They had come out, but it seemed other players were still inside the instance. Xu Huo tried using an item to take the puppet away but failed.
After a moment's hesitation, he retracted his strings.
"You're here too!" Chi Nan was surprised to see him, then said, "Thank you so much this time."
If he hadn't brought the random instance, they would all have died.
"He saved my life too," Old Zhou added.
Chi Nan clearly misunderstood something, her eyes lighting up as she tried to approach for a chat, but Yan Jiayu walked in from outside. "Someone's followed us."
The representatives of the government and player organizations who had negotiated with them were gone, but Zone 009's internal factions were complex. Some might not act, but that didn't mean everyone would stay their hands. Some were bound to be suspicious of two D-rank players, and it wouldn't be surprising if someone tried to make a move.
No need to waste time dealing with them. Xu Huo prepared to leave.
But before he reached the door, the Awakening Puppet spat out two more people, then actively leaped over the rubble and rushed toward him.
Xu Huo grabbed the puppet with one hand and stored it in his item slot, then activated his ticket along with Yan Jiayu.
The two appeared at the station. As soon as they entered, the first thing they smelled was a heavy stench of blood. The spacious station floor was covered in blood, and several emaciated players were crouched in another area, eating frantically. The people they held were unrecognizable, with broken internal organs scattered on the ground.
Hearing the noise, the few of them turned their heads simultaneously, chewing as they stared straight at Xu Huo and Yan Jiayu with bulging eyes.
"You killed people but didn't get their tickets?" Xu Huo asked.
Their eyes gleamed, completely ignoring his words. Though they still retained human form, seeing fellow humans made saliva drip from their mouths.
Hopeless.
"Whether they're cannibal players or not, once they start eating people, they're no longer normal." Yan Jiayu raised her Vajra Pestle. "Let's send them off."
Before the train arrived, the two worked together to take down these deranged players. The process was brutal—two of them were beaten out of shape by Yan Jiayu—but afterward, she arranged the bodies neatly and covered them with a white cloth.
After handling this, neither felt like talking, and they boarded the train in silence.
The train car was quite crowded, with a lively atmosphere. Some people were laughing and chatting in the aisle, but when they saw Xu Huo and Yan Jiayu, whose clothes and shoes were covered in blood, the mood briefly chilled.
Yan Jiayu spoke first. "I'm going to the restroom."
Xu Huo found a seat and sat down.
Soon, the car relaxed again. A few young players gathered to play cards, a female player in the back was knitting, and behind her sat an old man with white hair leaning on a cane.
(Chapter End)