Su Yu stared at the spot where NPC Linling had dramatically disintegrated into light particles. He was still processing the weirdly intimate hug, the cryptic message about him hating the real Linling (which, okay, maybe wasn't entirely inaccurate?), and the sudden influx of angry villagers who seemed ready to perform a public exorcism via pitchfork. He reached out a hand desperately towards the real Linling, who was still looking slightly stunned herself.
Su Yu (Voice cracking slightly):
"Linling! What was THAT?! Did your NPC clone just achieve sentience, deliver a therapy session, and then self-delete?! Why did she look like you?! WHY AM I SURROUNDED BY ANGRY FARMERS?!"
Linling crossed her arms, regaining her icy composure, though a thoughtful frown lingered.
Linling (Coldly):
"Isn't it obvious? You programmed a subservient, clingy version of me because the real one bruises your fragile ego. Don't blame me for your pathetic wish-fulfillment fantasies manifesting as buggy NPCs."
With a dismissive sniff, she turned, preparing to stalk away with queenly disdain. But something stopped her. A strange echo in her mind. A phantom chill.
A memory flashed – unwanted, intrusive:
(Flashback Sequence: Filtered through static and forgotten emotions)
* A sterile, modern office. A man in an impeccably tailored black suit, back turned, adjusting his tie in a window's reflection. Cold, precise, utterly distant.
* A sun-dappled garden. A young boy, face flushed scarlet, nervously holding out a clumsily woven daisy chain.
Boy (Voice trembling):
> "W-when we grow up... w-will you marry me?"
(Her younger self's laughter, sharp and cruel, echoes.)
Linling (Shaking her head slightly, muttering to herself):
"Ridiculous... Why am I thinking of... that now? Who were they?"
Abruptly, she spun back around, marched towards Su Yu (who flinched), and yanked the other NPC Linling – the Sweet Wife variant still clinging pitifully to his leg – off him with surprising force.
Linling (Growling, voice dangerously low):
"Listen up, you pixelated parasite. He. Is. My. Contractually. Obligated. Husband. Get your own."
Suddenly—the air shimmered. The wind howled, swirling leaves and dust around them. A single, perfect autumn leaf spiraled down.
Before it hit the ground—SHINK!
A flash of white energy from Linling's drawn sword disintegrated the leaf into nothingness. Pure, reflexive power.
NPC Linling (Sweet Wife variant), who had been cowering, suddenly looked up. Her eyes glowed with an eerie white light. The wind intensified, forming a swirling vortex around her.
NPC Linling (Voice echoing, layered, ancient):
"By programmed role... by fractured code... by the echoes of rejection's sting... I claim the power of the path not taken."
A blade of pure, white energy erupted from her outstretched hand, solidifying from light and code. The ground beneath her pulsed with complex, glowing white runes. She wasn't just a sweet wife NPC anymore.
She slashed upwards. The air itself seemed to tear. A wave of terrifying, cold energy surged towards the real Linling.
Linling reacted instantly – defensive runes flared, teleport bursts shimmered, wind blades lashed out – but the white energy consumed them all, pressing relentlessly forward. A blinding flash engulfed everything.
Linling blinked. The pain, the cold, the attack – gone. She was... floating? Held gently, princess-style, in the arms of the now-glowing NPC Linling.
NPC Linling (Gazing down with ancient, sorrowful eyes):
"So fierce. So brittle. You are still just... a child."
Her form began to dissolve, shimmering particles of light drifting away, merging into Linling's own avatar.
Her voice echoed one last time, directly inside Linling's mind:
"Do you know why the Administrator subconsciously coded me? Why he needed a 'Sweet Wife'?"
"Because the real you... terrified him."
And then—utter silence.
Linling fell, landing hard on her knees in the now-quiet village square. Her eyes were wide with shock and something akin to confusion. Su Yu, having finally disentangled himself from the angry (but now leaderless) mob, rushed to her side.
Su Yu (Voice laced with genuine concern):
"Linling! Are you alright?! What the hell just happened?! Where did... where did the other you go?!"
Linling didn't respond. Her mind reeled. Two contradictory thoughts slammed together:
* He created a docile version of me because he fears the real me.
* That docile version just called me a child and sacrificed itself... for me?
And beneath it all, another ghost of a memory: A boy's pained eyes watching her walk away in the rain...
(Audience Comments - Exploding with Theories):
> [NPC_GIRLBOSS]: "OMG NPC LINLING WENT SUPER SAIYAN, DROPPED LORE BOMBS, AND DIPPED! ICONIC!"
> [TraumaDump]: "She didn't just attack, she attacked Linling's entire sense of self! Brutal!"
> [DevsAreExes]: "Confirmed: This game was coded by someone with MAJOR Linling-related trauma."
> [AdminSecrets]: "So Su Yu/Lu Siyan subconsciously fears Linling?! This marriage just got 1000x more complicated!"
Linling stood, brushing dust off her avatar's clothes. Her movements felt… different. Sharper. More fluid. As if muscle memory from the NPC fusion lingered. She checked her status screen, frowning.
Linling (Muttering):
"Still no new attack skills? Just... 'Deadly Cuddle Attack (Passive)' and 'Intimidating Glare +5'? Useless."
Meanwhile, Su Yu had finally escaped the bewildered villagers (who seemed to deflate once NPC Linling vanished). He leaned against a wall, panting slightly.
Su Yu (Muttering):
"Okay, that was officially the weirdest NPC encounter of my life. And I once played a game where the tutorial guide was a sentient toaster oven with abandonment issues."
He looked around, taking in the hyper-realistic environment, the complex NPC AI, the lingering traces of strange energy.
Su Yu (Thinking, CEO brain activating):
"This VR tech... it's lightyears ahead of anything on the market. The immersion... the physics... the AI... If HSE could replicate even a fraction of this..." His eyes gleamed. "...We wouldn't just dominate the market; we'd become the market."
"But... the implications... Releasing this would reset everything. Raise expectations to impossible levels. Our buggy 'Office Simulator' would look like Pong. Do I try to acquire this tech? Suppress it? Or... steal it?"
Poof!
A tiny weight settled on his shoulder. He flinched. A miniature, chibi-style NPC Linling, no bigger than his hand, materialized there, nibbling delicately on a glowing, pixelated apple. She blinked up at him with oversized, innocent eyes.
Mini Linling (Voice like tiny bells):
"Hubbyyyy... Thinking naughty thoughts again? Plotting world domination? Or just wondering how to steal my apple?"
Su Yu froze, every muscle tense.
A few feet away, the real Linling approached, arms crossed, eyebrow arched skeptically.
Linling:
"Still alive, I see. Disappointing."
Her gaze locked onto the Mini Linling perched smugly on Su Yu's shoulder.
Mini Linling (Sticking out a tiny pixelated tongue at Real Linling):
"Heh. You can't absorb me, grumpy old version. My memories are locked behind a cuteness firewall."
Suddenly, Linling's status screen pinged again:
[SYSTEM]: Linked Variant Integration Update!
- [Variant Active]: 'Mini Linling' (Chibi Gremlin Form)
- [Current Emotion State]: Smug (90%), Apple-Induced Bliss (10%)
- [Hidden Memory Core]: 3% -> 4% Unlocked ("Rainy Day Promise - Fragment") [System Note]: Variant stability increasing. Expect further... manifestations.
Su Yu (Eye twitching violently):
"MANIFESTATIONS?! Plural?! How many versions of my homicidal wife are lurking in this game's code?!"
(Audience Comments):
> [ChibiWife!]: "MINI LINLING IS EVERYTHING! I NEED PLUSHIE MERCH NOW!"
> [PlotApple]: "That apple is definitely a metaphor. Or maybe just a really tasty pixel."
> [SuYuBusinessBrain]: "Bro facing existential NPC crisis and still thinking about market share. Peak CEO."
> [LinlingSkillTreeSad]: "Still no OP attacks? Just cuddles and glares? Devs playing favorites smh."
> [MemoryUnlockHype]: "RAINY DAY PROMISE?! Give us the lore!"
( Glass Field – Tactical Calculations & Awkward Confessions)
Miles away, on a crystalline battlefield where floating screens displayed complex data streams, Maya directed the fight like a chess grandmaster.
Maya (Voice calm, precise):
"Recalculating [Cold Calculation]... Enemy aggro pattern shift detected. Zao Feng, flank left, use [Sundering Strike] on the Alpha Goblin. Target vulnerability window: 3.2 seconds."
Across the field, Zao Feng roared, charging a particularly ugly, slime-covered goblin leader screeching orders. His glowing sword cleaved it in two. Squelch. Blue goo splattered everywhere.
Zao Feng (Wiping goo off his face, disgusted):
"Ugh! Why do boss monsters always explode like overfilled water balloons?!"
He stomped back towards Maya, wiping his sword clean. He stopped before her, his expression suddenly serious, the earlier battle forgotten.
Zao Feng:
"Okay. Now you answer my question. The bar. The drink. The kiss. Why?"
Maya looked away, fingers tapping nervously on her floating screen.
Maya (Voice barely a whisper):
"I... I panicked? You looked really good in that lighting? I... wasn't thinking straight."
(Audience Comments):
> [KissGate]: "HE FINALLY ASKED! GET THE POPCORN!"
> [MayaCalculatedLips]: "She used Cold Calculation to aim for his mouth. I knew it."
> [SimpFengReturns]: "Bro still processing trauma while she admires his profile. Classic."
( Village of Extortion – Poison & Power Plays)
In another corrupted village, Ning Rou lounged on a makeshift throne of stolen grain sacks, casually twirling a jewel-encrusted dagger. The terrified village chief knelt before her.
Ning Rou (Smiling sweetly):
"Ten gold bars for the 'Elixir of Eternal Sunshine.' A bargain! Side effects? Only minor soul decay and an unfortunate allergy to puppies."
Behind her, Xu Jie stood rigidly, dark circles under his eyes, polishing her armor with a resigned sigh.
Xu Jie (Internal Monologue):
"Planned to use this game to finally stand up to her... maybe unlock a 'Righteous Fury' skill. Instead, I unlocked 'Advanced Bootlicking' and 'Expert Level Sighing'. My ancestors are weeping."
(Audience Comments):
> [HealerFromHell2]: "Ning Rou out here selling snake oil with a smile. Queen."
> [XuJieNeedsHelp]: "Someone start a GoFundMe for Xu Jie's therapy."
( Marketplace Mayhem – Capitalism vs. Chaos)
In a bustling, slightly dodgy marketplace zone:
Jian Hao, channeling his inner snake oil salesman, held aloft a mundane pebble.
Jian Hao (Voice booming):
"BEHOLD! The Sacred Stone of Serendipity! Found only once every thousand years! Guarantees +5 Charisma, attracts wealthy widows, AND repels minor debt collectors! Only 500 gold!"
A crowd of gullible NPCs gasped and reached for their coin purses. Beside him, Qing Qing strummed her harp, singing a hypnotic tune while subtly lifting wallets from the mesmerized crowd.
Qing Qing (Singing sweetly):
"Give your gold, find your bliss~ Forget your woes with just one kiss~ (From this rock, not from me, obviously~)"
Jian Hao (Counting coins gleefully):
"Business is BOOMING! I'm a natural!"
Qing Qing (Stuffing gold into her harp case, whispering):
"Our business, darling. Mostly mine."
Jian Hao (Suddenly notices his coin pouch is suspiciously light, whispering to System):
"System, can I report my bonded partner for theft?"
System (Ding!):
"Inter-party theft is a feature, not a bug. Builds character. Alternatively, purchase the 'Revenge Package' for 10 Billion Gold?"
Jian Hao:
"...Never mind."
(Audience Comments):
> [ScammerDuo]: "Bonnie and Clyde if they were really into MLM schemes."
> [MurderIsExpensive]: "Even the System knows Jian Hao is broke AND vengeful."
> [QingQingBestGirl]: "She sings, she steals, she slays. Multi-talented Queen."
(Back with Su Yu & The Linlings)
In the now quiet village square, Su Yu stared uneasily at the Mini Linling perched on the Real Linling's shoulder. The mini one was now attempting to braid the real one's hair with tiny, pixelated fingers.
Mini Linling (Humming happily):
"Real One is so stiff. Needs more fluffiness." To Su Yu: "Hey, Dog-Man Husband! You agree she needs more fluffiness, right?"
Real Linling (Deadpan):
"One more 'fluffiness' comment and I'm deleting your apple privileges."
Su Yu (Internal Monologue):
"Okay. Two Linlings. One tiny and annoying, one regular-sized and potentially homicidal. Both seem to hate me. And I'm stuck here. This is fine. Maybe I can leverage the admin thing..."
Su Yu (Clearing his throat):
"Alright, look. You mentioned a villain? Hidden in this place? Maybe if we cooperate—"
Mini Linling (Interrupting, pointing):
"You only know this place exists because the Admin Protocols were triggered when she," (points at Real Linling) "...attacked you. This 'Novice Village' is just a containment zone for... her fragmented memories." She gave Real Linling a smug look. "Specifically, the ones involving you, Dog-Man."
Real Linling (Eyes narrowing):
"Explain. Now."
Mini Linling (Shrugging nonchalantly):
"Game lore is complicated. Point is, the 'villain' isn't a person. It's a corrupted memory core. Probably located somewhere symbolically painful. Like... that rainy place?" (She winked at Su Yu).
Su Yu paused. That blurry photo... rain... a broken umbrella...
Linling (Voice sharp):
"What rainy place?"
Su Yu (Suddenly feeling cornered):
"I... I have no idea what she's talking about! Probably just NPC gibberish!"
Mini Linling (Giggling):
"Liar liar, pants on fire~ Admin powers don't grant good acting skills, Hubby~"
Audience Comments:
> [LoreDrop!]: "Fragmented memories! Rainy day! Containment zone! YES!"
> [DogManConfirmed]: "Mini Linling calling him Dog-Man is my new favorite thing."
> [AdminPowersUseless]: "Su Yu has admin powers and still gets bullied by a chibi. LOL."
Before Linling could interrogate Su Yu further, the ground beneath them trembled violently. The sky didn't just fracture this time; it shattered. The peaceful village dissolved, replaced by swirling gray mist, chilling winds, and the distant sound of... weeping? The atmosphere turned heavy, oppressive, saturated with sorrow and regret.
(Qing Qing & Jian Hao - Mid-Scam)
Qing Qing, who was demonstrating how the 'Sacred Stone of Serendipity' could also be used as a 'premium foot exfoliant' (for an extra 100 gold), blinked as the sunny marketplace vanished around them.
Qing Qing:
> "Ugh, mood lighting change? So drab. Where did my gullible customers go?" (She quickly pocketed the gold she'd collected).
>
Jian Hao (Looking around wildly):
> "Okay, maybe the 'quit acting for business' plan needs refinement. Possibly involving less... existential dread?"
>
(Audience Comments):
> [QingQingPriorities]: "World ending? Gotta secure the bag first. Queen."
> [JianHaoRealityCheck]: "Bro the universe literally said 'stick to singing'."
(Ruan Yue & Shen Ye - Power Surge Interrupted)
Ruan Yue, who had been experimentally using Shen Ye as a charging station ('Mental Contact Mana Transfer,' she called it), frowned as the world warped.
Ruan Yue:
"Annoying. The ambient mana signature just shifted. My 'connection' to you feels... weaker."
Shen Ye felt the oppressive weight lift slightly. A surge of his own mana, previously suppressed, flowed through him. His eyes glowed blue again, but this time, with his own power. Veins pulsed not with Ruan Yue's control, but his own awakening magic.
Shen Ye (Muttering, flexing his fingers):
"Finally... System interference weakening? Maybe... maybe I can fry her brain..."
(System Message - Shen Ye):
[WARNING: Bonded Contract Interference Detected. Mana Instability Rising. Recommend Pacification Protocols.]
(Audience Comments):
> [ShenYePowerUp!]: "HE'S BREAKING FREE! REVOLUTION!"
> [RuanYueControl]: "Uh oh, looks like Ruan Yue's favorite toy is developing sentience."
(Ning Rou&Xu jie - treasurer's failure)
Ning Rou stared in disgust as the gleaming treasure chest she'd located morphed into a crumbling apothecary cabinet filled with dusty bottles labeled 'Leeches' and 'Questionable Poultice'.
Ning Rou (Groaning dramatically):
"Health supplies AGAIN?! This game clearly discriminates against ambitious capitalists! Where's the gold?!"
Xu Jie (Sighing, already sorting bottles):
"Perhaps the true treasure, my queen, is the journey... and avoiding whatever plague requires leeches?" (Internal Monologue): "Feels like my past life was being her butler. Maybe I organized her leech collection then too."
(Audience Comments):
> [LeechQueen]: "Ning Rou disappointed by lack of gold, finds leeches instead. Karma?"
> [ButlerXu]: "Poor Xu Jie, resigned to his fate across multiple realities."
Back on the shifting plains, Maya gasped as the crystalline structures turned brittle, gray, crumbling like ancient bone. The floating maps flickered violently, dissolving into corrupted red static. A chilling moan echoed on the wind. Zao Feng stood protectively in front of her, sword drawn.
Maya (Touching the corrupted air, pulling her hand back):
"This isn't just a visual change. The data structure... it's degrading. Something is actively corrupting this zone. This isn't a nightmare; it's a system dying."
(Corrupted Village - The Plea)
The mist swirled thick as grave dirt. The air choked with the scent of decay and desperation. Weeping echoed from shadowed corners.
A small, ragged child stumbled towards the newly arrived couples (who had presumably been teleported together by the world shift), face streaked with grime and tears.
Child (Voice trembling, hopeful):
"The Healers! You've come! Grandpa Chief said... the antidote... please..."
Hope flickered in the eyes of other villagers emerging slowly from the mist – gaunt faces, listless movements, the tell-tale signs of a spreading plague.
Just then, a panicked shout from deeper within the mist:
"Chief! It's gone! The entire emergency antidote cache... someone took it!"
Gasps. Despair washed over the villagers.
Child (Turning back, panicked):
"B-but... the notice! The one nailed to the butcher's door! It promised medicine... for gold!"
The Village Chief, an old man leaning heavily on a gnarled staff, emerged from the fog, lips pressed into a grim line. He removed his pipe slowly.
Chief:
"Where?"
Child:
"The old butcher's shop... they... they tied him up outside..."
The Chief's hand trembled. He nodded, his face grim stone.
Nearby, unseen by the villagers, Ruan Yue observed the scene, perched elegantly on Shen Ye's back (who was now kneeling, apparently having lost the brief power struggle). His mana surge had subsided, leaving him looking drained. He'd instinctively reached up to steady her as the world shifted, touching her leg.
Ruan Yue (Lightly flicking his forehead):
"Getting handsy again, slave? Naughty. But... permissible. For now." She smirked. "Seems our entertainment has arrived."
She gracefully dismounted.
"Back to work, pet."
(Audience Comments):
> [ShenYeWhippedAgain]: "Annnnd he's back to being furniture. That was a short rebellion."
> [RuanYueAlwaysWins]: "You don't escape Ruan Yue. You just delay the inevitable."
(Village Path )
The Chief, supported by the child, began walking towards the butcher's shop. Su Yu and Linling stepped out of the mist, blocking their path. Mini Linling was gone, presumably retreated into Real Linling's code.
Su Yu (Adopting his 'Concerned Authority' voice):
"Hold on, Elder. What plague? What stolen antidote?"
Before the Chief could explain, Linling knelt, her voice dangerously sweet as she addressed the child, a hint of blade-like sharpness beneath the silk.
Linling:
"Tell Aunty Linling everything, little one. Who would be so cruel as to steal medicine from the sick?" (Her eyes glittered.)
Su Yu (Whispering to Linling):
"Okay, the 'Good Cop/Terrifying Cop' routine? Nice. Very effective."
Linling (Whispering back):
"I'm not acting. I genuinely find exploiting the sick... distasteful. Unlike some people who sabotage breakfast."
(Audience Comments):
> [GoodCopBadWife]: "Linling showing morals? Character development!"
> [SuYuCalledOut]: "Oof, Linling remembers the arson. He's busted."
Village Chief (Voice shaking with anger and grief):
"A plague... sweeping through the village. Our only hope was the imperial shipment of Sunpetal Antidote, due today." He spat on the ground. "But they got here first. Two couples. Barricaded themselves in Old Man Hemlock's butcher shop. Selling our cure back to us... while our children fade..."
The child sobbed, burying his face in the Chief's robes.
Su Yu's playful demeanor vanished. Linling's grip tightened on her hidden sword hilt.
Linling (Voice cold):
"Take us to the butcher's shop."
(Outside the Butcher's Shop - Black Market Pharmacy)
They arrived. The 'shop' was less a building, more a chaotic disaster zone. Desperate villagers argued, pleaded, wept. Two distinct 'stalls' were set up amidst the squalor.
(Stall 1)
Ning Rou stood behind a makeshift counter, radiating smug authority. Bottles of antidote were stacked neatly beside her.
Ning Rou (Voice clear, ringing):
> "Five gold per dose! Non-negotiable! Cash only! Don't like the price? Feel free to die quietly!"
Xu Jie, armor now gleaming suspiciously (likely polished with villager tears), stood guard, occasionally prodding pleading villagers back with his broken sword.
Villager:
"Please, my wife... she needs it..."
Ning Rou (Examining her nails):
"Sad. Should have invested better."
Xu Jie (Gruffly):
"Move along! Form an orderly queue for your exploitation!"
(Audience Comments):
> [NingRaoCapitalistQueen]: "She'd charge admission to her own funeral. Respect the hustle."
> [XuJieHenchman]: "He's fully embraced his role as the muscle. Stockholm Syndrome is real."
(Stall 2)
Across the way, Jian Hao presented antidote bottles adorned with ribbons and glitter.
Jian Hao (Voice full of fake sincerity):
"Friends! Villagers! Don't buy that generic poison! Purchase my exclusive 'Ancestor's Tears Elixir'! Not only cures the plague, but also guarantees good fortune and whitens teeth! Limited time offer!"
Qing Qing, perched nearby strumming her harp (now equipped with a tiny credit card swiper), offered serenades for an extra fee.
Qing Qing (Singing sweetly):
"Pay the price, end your strife~ Buy this cure, save your life~ (Side effects include mild bankruptcy and sparkly pee~)"
A few desperate villagers, swayed by the glitter, handed over their coins.
Jian Hao (Pocketing coins):
"See? Branding works!"
Qing Qing (Whispering):
"And desperation makes people stupid."
(Audience Comments):
> [GlitterCure]: "Jian Hao could sell ice to penguins. With glitter."
> [QingQingSoundtrackOfScams]: "Get Qing Qing's album: 'Ballads for Bankruptcy'."
(Nearby Tree )
Under a weeping willow, Maya rested her head on Zao Feng's shoulder. He awkwardly patted her hand.
Zao Feng:
"Exploiting the sick... it's dishonorable."
Maya (Smiling faintly):
"And yet... strangely efficient. But you wouldn't do that, would you?"
Zao Feng (Blushing slightly):
"N-no! Of course not! Unless... unless the goblin really did owe me rent..."
Maya chuckled, snuggling closer.
Linling surveyed the scene, disgust clear on her face. Su Yu looked equally appalled, though perhaps more at the inefficient market dynamics.
Su Yu (Deadpan):
"Two competing pharmacies during a plague? With different branding strategies? This isn't just evil; it's poor market segmentation."
Linling (Ignoring him, voice ringing out):
"ENOUGH!" She drew her sword, the blade humming with cold energy. "This farce ends now."
Ning Rou (Smirking):
"Well, well. The cavalry arrives. Planning to redistribute the wealth, Miss High-and-Mighty?"
Su Yu:
"Planning to redistribute your teeth if you don't hand over the medicine."
Suddenly—TWANG! CRACKLE! BOOM!
Qing Qing struck a power chord on her harp. A wave of discordant energy pulsed outwards. Several nearby chickens exploded into feathers. An NPC goat fainted dramatically.
Qing Qing (Winking):
> "Show's not over yet, folks! Encore!"
> She prepared another sonic blast.
(Audience Comments):
> [SuYuThreats]: "Su Yu threatening violence? Character development!"
> [QingQingChaos]: "EVERY TIME! WHY DOES SHE HAVE EXPLOSIVE MUSIC?!"
> [LinlingJustice]: "YES! Linling sword fight incoming!"
>
CRASH! Ruan Yue landed gracefully amidst the chaos, Shen Ye stumbling behind her, looking pale.
> "Did we miss the fun?" Ruan Yue purred, surveying the exploding chickens.
> "You fainted during the world shift again? Honestly, darling. Build some stamina."
> "I need," Shen Ye gasped, "less excitement... and maybe... an exorcist..."
Now all the player couples were gathered in the ruined square. Ning Rou faced off against Linling. Qing Qing tuned her deadly harp. Maya and Zao Feng stood ready. Ruan Yue observed with amusement. Shen Ye looked like he was about to pass out again.
Su Yu (Arms crossed, surveying the scene):
"Okay, seriously. We look less like heroes and more like the dysfunctional cast of a post-apocalyptic sitcom."
Suddenly—CRACK! The sky shattered again. Clouds parted. Thunder boomed. And down floated... Hang Mu, Game Master Extraordinaire, looking slightly singed and covered in what appeared to be... bird feathers?
Hang Mu (Brushing feathers off his trench coat):
> "Excellent! You're all conveniently gathered for maximum dramatic effect! Saves me the trouble of teleporting you individually."
> "Now that you've terrorized the local populace and engaged in questionable capitalism, it's time for your next glorious quest!"
(Notification Floods Everyone's Vision):
> [MAIN QUEST UPDATE]: The source of the plague lies deep within the Southern Shadowfen Jungle. Journey forth! Confront the Corrupted Grove Guardian (Villain Boss)! Retrieve the Heartseed Bloom! Failure means... well, more suffering, probably.
Hang Mu (Floating dramatically):
"BUT! Before you embark on this perilous journey... a quick word from our sponsor... ME! And my associate, Queen Bai Luqi of the Intern Brigade, who has a burning philosophical question for our male contestants!" He gestured grandly towards Shen Ye, Jian Hao, and Xu Jie. "Gentlemen! Reflecting upon your... unique... partnerships... have you considered the possibility that you collectively angered a vengeful deity in a previous existence? Perhaps by, say, stealing its favorite teacup? Your current romantic entanglements seem... suspiciously karmic. Discuss."
Silence. The three men stared blankly.
Jian Hao (Voice hollow):
"I... I once jaywalked. Vigorously."
Xu Jie (Monotone):
"I stepped on a snail. Accidentally. I think."
Shen Ye (Eyes welling up):
"I just wanted... a stable relationship... with someone who didn't view corporate espionage as foreplay..." (A single tear rolled down his cheek).
(Audience Comments):
> [BaiLuqiSavage]: "Bai Luqi using Hang Mu to roast the boys! QUEEN!"
> [KarmaIsReal]: "Shen Ye's past life crime was probably just 'Being Too Nice'."
> [XuJieSnail]: "Xu Jie killed a snail and got Ning Rou. Seems fair."
> [JianHaoJaywalker]: "He jaywalked into Qing Qing's web of chaos."
(Hang Mu's Grand Exit & Village Demands)
Hang Mu (Still floating, now checking a clipboard):
"Fascinating insights! We'll add 'Snail Murder' to the potential karma list. Now, remember contestants, the suffering doesn't end when the game logs out! There will be... post-game performance reviews." (He winked, a truly terrifying sight). "So keep those Key Performance Indicators high! And file your expense reports!"
(Audience Comments):
> [HangMuHR]: "Post-game performance reviews?! This IS hell!"
> [TaxThreatAgain?]: "Expense reports?! For what?! Stolen snacks?!"
> [FallingMu2]: "Is he gonna jump?"
With a final, dramatic flourish, Hang Mu saluted, then plummeted downwards, disappearing below the cloud line with a faint doppler effect scream. (Silence. Then a distant SPLAT sound.)
(Villagers Emerge)
As the sky returned to its corrupted normal, the villagers cautiously emerged. Ning Rou immediately reassumed her 'Benevolent Dictator' pose.
Ning Rou (Addressing the Chief):
"Alright, Elder. You can have the remaining antidotes. Our service fee is waived... however... in return for our generosity, we require... tokens of appreciation."
"First, a magnificent statue of myself, preferably in solid gold, placed prominently in the square. Second... a smaller, slightly less magnificent statue... of a dog. A loyal dog. That vaguely resembles my husband."
Xu Jie (Jaw dropping):
"A... a DOG STATUE?! Of ME?!"
Ning Rou (Smiling sweetly):
"Don't be difficult, darling. Dogs are faithful. You could learn a thing or two."
Village Chief (Looking utterly bewildered):
"A... dog? What is... dog?"
Ning Rou:
"Think of him," (points at Xu Jie) "...but more obedient and requires less expensive armor. Functionally identical. Build both statues."
(Audience Comments):
> [DogHusband]: "HE'S CANONICALLY A DOG NOW! I CAN'T!"
> [NingRaoStatue]: "The village is getting a monument to toxicity and its loyal pet."
(Jian Hao & Qing Qing's Demands)
Jian Hao cleared his throat, stepping forward majestically (tripping slightly on a loose cobblestone).
Jian Hao:
"Ahem! As the Saviors of Commerce, we also require tribute! A statue of me, obviously! Titled 'The Merchant Prince Who Bargained With Fate'! And ensure my name appears in all village historical records! Chapter One: 'How Jian Hao Invented Glitter-Based Medicine and Saved Us All'."
Qing Qing (Adding brightly):
"And ME! A statue and a concert hall! All village children must learn my ballads! Mandatory! Title my chapter: 'Qing Qing: The Voice That Shattered Plagues (And Eardrums)'!"
"Also, effective immediately, all lullabies must be sung in my key range. No exceptions."
(Audience Comments):
> [HistoryIsScammed]: "Future generations will learn about the Glitter Hero and the Sonic Tyrant."
> [QingQingLullaby]: "Imagine trying to put a baby to sleep with Qing Qing's battle cries."
> [VillageNeedsTherapy]: "This village isn't getting healing; it's getting trauma and bad statues."
(Closing Scene: The Statue Garden of Dysfunction)
(Fast forward glimpse: The village square now features four bizarre statues: Ning Rou looking imperious; a sad-looking dog statue labeled 'Xu Jie'; Jian Hao striking a 'heroic merchant' pose; Qing Qing mid-song, looking terrifyingly cheerful. NPC children are miserably attempting to hit Qing Qing's high notes during choir practice.)
In
Southern Shadowfen Jungle ,
The air grew heavy, humid, smelling of decay and unseen predators. Towering, bioluminescent fungi cast an eerie glow.
Su Yu stepped into a small clearing, the others gathering behind him. He raised a hand, channeling his (still confusing) Admin powers.
Su Yu:
"Okay, System. Initiate... whatever this 'Death Field' thing is."
DING!
A colossal holographic counter materialized in the sky, runes swirling around it.
[ DEATH COUNT: 135]
Xu Jie: "Death count? For what?"
Maya: "Wait... it's climbing... 136... 137..."
Qing Qing: "Is it counting mosquitoes? I hate mosquitoes."
WHOOSH! A shockwave pulsed outwards. The ground churned. Muddy, vaguely humanoid shapes clawed their way up from the swampy earth, eyes glowing with malevolent green light – Mud Lurkers.
Linling didn't wait. She was a blur of motion. [Altered Step] activated, she weaved through the emerging monsters, space distorting around her feet. A flicker of violet energy, a whisper of displaced air – each step left behind disintegrating Lurkers, dissolving into harmless data particles.
Linling (Voice bored)
"Pathetic."
(Ruan Yue & Shen Ye - Reluctant Teamwork)
Ruan Yue yawned delicately, still looking sleepy from her nap on Shen Ye's back.
Ruan Yue:
"Slave, deal with these unsightly things. Don't let their mud splatter my boots."
Shen Ye sighed, the weight of the world (and Ruan Yue's expectations) on his shoulders. Mana flared around him, blue and potent now.
Shen Ye:
"Fine. But you owe me hazard pay." He unleashed a torrent of water magic. "[Tidal Crash]!" Mud Lurkers dissolved into sludge. "Honestly, is this a survival quest or just advanced pest control?!"
(The Defenders - Maya, Zao Feng, Xu Jie, Ning Rou)
Maya's eyes glowed as she analyzed the battlefield.
Maya:
"Pattern identified! They respawn every 15.8 seconds from localized energy pockets! Zao Feng, target nexus points Alpha and Beta! Xu Jie, defensive perimeter! Ning Rou... try not to heal the enemy this time?"
Xu Jie (Shield raised): "For honor! And possibly survival!"
Zao Feng (Charging): "They respawn faster than bad memories!"
Ning Rou (Buffing herself while taking a selfie with a Lurker exploding behind her):
"Healing is a strategic choice, darling. Sometimes... one must prolong the suffering."
(Scammers)
Jian Hao yelped as a Mud Lurker grabbed his ankle. Qing Qing sighed dramatically and unleashed a sonic screech.
Qing Qing: "[Ballad of Internal Bleeding]!"
(The Lurker holding Jian Hao clutched its non-existent ears and melted.)
Every time another Lurker approached Jian Hao: DING! (Sound of gold coins deducted). The Lurker would pause, look confused, then stumble away clutching its head as Qing Qing hummed menacingly.
Jian Hao (Sweating):
"This 'Protection Racket' skill is bankrupting me! But... it beats getting muddy!"
(Audience Comments):
> [LinlingSpeedrun]: "Linling just deleted the entire first wave. BORING (but cool)."
> [ShenYeHazardPay]: "Man needs a union. And therapy."
> [NingRouSelfie]: "Ning Rou taking combat selfies is a mood."
> [JianHaoGoldShield]: "He literally weaponized his wallet. Peak capitalism."
> [QingQingSonic]: "Her voice is registered as a weapon of mass destruction."
The counter in the sky relentlessly climbed.
[ DEATH COUNT: 216]
BOOM! A notification flashed across everyone's vision.
> [WARNING]: BOSS ENTITY DETECTED! [Corrupted Grove Guardian - LVL 50 Mythic Beast] INBOUND!
> [RECOMMENDATION]: Prepare for annihilation.
(The Boss Fight & Admin Abuse)
The ground erupted. A colossal beast made of tangled vines, corrupted bark, and glowing red hatred towered over them. Claws dripped dark energy. Its roar shook the jungle.
[DEATH COUNT: 247] (And climbing rapidly as it swatted NPCs)
Panic flared. Spells flew. Swords clashed against tough bark. But the Guardian seemed unstoppable.
Suddenly—Su Yu's avatar flickered violently. Blue-black energy surged around him. His eyes turned icy cold, pupils replaced by glitching code.
> [SYSTEM]: ADMINISTRATOR MODE - EMERGENCY OVERRIDE ACTIVATED.
He raised one hand slowly, almost casually. His voice echoed, layered, inhuman.
Su Yu/Admin:
[ "Unauthorized entity. Threat level: Moderate. Solution: Deletion."]
He snapped his fingers.
FWOOOOOOOM!
A vortex of pure, void-like energy erupted from his hand, engulfing the Grove Guardian. The beast roared, glitched, cracked like fractured glass... and then imploded into nothingness. Gone. Just... deleted.
Silence. Absolute silence, broken only by the distant chirping of virtual crickets.
(The Aftermath - Collective Outrage)
Everyone stared at Su Yu. Jaws dropped. Swords lowered. Spells fizzled out.
Xu Jie: "...Did... did he just...?"
Qing Qing: "CHEAT! HE CHEATED!"
Shen Ye: "We were fighting for our lives! He pressed the DELETE KEY?!"
Ning Rou: "Unacceptable! I demand compensation for emotional distress!"
Linling (Eyes narrowed dangerously): "So. That's the Admin power."
DING!
> [SYSTEM]: QUEST COMPLETE! BOSS DEFEATED (BY CHEATING)!
[ GAME SESSION TERMINATING DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE INTERFERENCE.
LOGGING OUT IN 3... 2... 1...]
(In-Game – Unknown Shadow Realm)
Darkness. Mist swirling around unseen architecture. A cold wind whispered forgotten names.
A figure cloaked in shadow stood before a swirling red portal. Red eyes burned beneath the hood. An insignia glinted at his neck – an eagle impaled on crossed swords.
From the portal stepped a woman. She looked identical to Linling, but draped in shadows, her aura radiating ancient power and cruelty. Empress Linling.
Hooded Figure: "Your Majesty. The extraction failed. The Grove Guardian... it was purged. Deleted. By... a player."
Empress Linling (Eyes narrowing, power crackling):
"Disappointing. But... intriguing. This 'player' interferes." She gestured towards a floating obsidian mirror. It shimmered, showing a chaotic battlefield – monstrous creatures tearing each other apart. "The Southern Resource Zone remains vulnerable. Secure it."
She walked past a massive, shadowed portrait hanging on an unseen wall. The portrait depicted Su Yu/Lu Siyan, avatar cloaked in Admin code, a fractured digital crown floating above his head.
Empress Linling paused, tracing the portrait's frame with one clawed finger. A cruel smile touched her lips.
"Administrator Lu Siyan... You might be more entertaining than I anticipated."
She dissolved into shadows.
(Audience Comments - Losing Their Minds):
> [AdminAbuseOP]: "SU YU JUST /DELETE BOSS LMAO! HACKER!"
> [RefundMyTrauma]: "They fought so hard! Qing Qing almost lost her voice! And he just clicks a button?! UNFAIR!"
> [EvilLinling?!]: "WAIT IS THAT EMPRESS LINLING?! DOES SHE HAVE AN EVIL TWIN IN THE GAME?!"
> [SuYuFinalBoss]: "PLOT TWIST! Su Yu isn't the hero; he's the broken Admin the game needs to defeat!"
The jarring transition from VR chaos back to the sterile reality show set was nauseating. The automated voice chirped cheerfully.
"Beta Test Complete! Thank you for your... data! As a reward before the next stage - Island Survival commencing in 10 hours - dinner is served! Please exit your rooms and proceed to the dining hall."
Click. Doors unlocked. The weary, traumatized couples emerged, blinking in the sudden warmth of the dining hall lights. A feast awaited – roasted meats, steaming soups, glistening fruits. Comfort food after digital death.
Ruan Yue glided towards the table, elegant as ever, towing Shen Ye like a prized, slightly damaged accessory. She gestured towards a platter of roasted duck.
Ruan Yue:
"Slave. Peel the skin for me."
But Shen Ye didn't move. He stood straighter. The lingering mana from the game seemed to have sparked something. His eyes met hers, cold and defiant for the first time. He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms.
Shen Ye:
"Peel it yourself. My contract doesn't cover poultry preparation. Perhaps you should renegotiate terms... partner."
Ruan Yue blinked, momentarily surprised. Then a slow, dangerous smile spread across her face. The game had changed.
Maya gently placed a spoonful of stew into Zao Feng's mouth. He chewed slowly, eyes still distant from the battle.
Maya (Softly):
"You fought well. Brave like... like the heroes in the stories."
Zao Feng (Meeting her gaze, ears turning pink):
"Y-you fought well too. Your calculations... they saved us."
Xu Jie robotically placed a piece of sweet glazed pork onto Ning Rou's plate.
Xu Jie (Monotone):
"Consume sustenance before plotting further extortion, my queen."
Ning Rou (Giggling, leaning close):
"Aw, are you worried about me? How sweet. Don't worry, darling, I always ensure my... assets... are well-maintained." (She patted his cheek).
Qing Qing dramatically draped herself over Jian Hao's shoulders, sighing loudly.
Qing Qing:
"Ugh, fighting is so tiring! Oppa, let's retire! We can buy a small island with the money I... we... made! We'll get married! I'll manage your finances! It'll be perfect!"
Jian Hao (Pinching the bridge of his nose):
"You want to marry me for my potential earnings from rock sales after you nearly bankrupted me with your sonic attacks? Your logic is... terrifyingly consistent."
Yet... his hand reached up, gently patting her head. He sighed again, a sound of utter resignation.
At the head of the table, Su Yu was, predictably, attached to Linling's side like a barnacle, shamelessly using her as a personal radiator.
Su Yu (Voice muffled against her shoulder):
"Wiiiife... hungry... Need dumplings... Admin powers make tummy rumble..."
Linling stared straight ahead, expressionless, the 'dead fish eyes' back in full force.
Linling (Deadpan):
"You deleted a Mythic Boss with a thought, yet you cannot operate chopsticks? The paradox is staggering."
She picked up a dumpling with her own chopsticks and, with monumental effort, held it near his mouth. "Open."
(Audience Comments - Shipping and Speculating):
> [ZaoMayaSweet]: "Okay, Maya and Zao Feng are officially the recovery couple. Protect them!"
> [ShenYeRebellion!]: "HE SAID NO! Ruan Yue looked SHOOK! YES SHEN YE!"
> [QingQingMarriagePlot]: "She wants his money AND his life insurance probably. Jian Hao, run!"
> [SuYuBegs]: "Admin powers mean nothing against hunger and a cold wife. Iconic."
> [LinlingFeeds!]: "OMG SHE FED HIM! SHE CARES? OR IS IT PITY? OR IS SHE POISONING IT?!"
> [IslandHype!]: "10 HOURS! Island arc gonna be WILD! Bring on the betrayals!"