???

Li Ang froze for a moment, the draft he had just been composing in his mind suddenly stalled.

He had just transformed into a demigod Titan, destroyed a steel jungle, severely injured an invincible Phantom Vermilion Bird, and was laughing and chatting with two members of the Forever Species and a Jumper about the world's grand situation. And the first thing you ask when you see me is this?

"Hmm?"

Wang Congshan raised her eyebrows sharply when she noticed Li Ang suddenly freezing.

In the distance, Chaichai was staring wide-eyed, unblinkingly watching, while rhythmically chewing on a pink donut from the coffee shop counter.

"Uh..."

Li Ang found himself in unprecedented turmoil and hesitation.

How to introduce her?

[This is Chai Cuiqiao, the ghost I brought back from ancient times, and she's been living with me for almost a year. She knew I was a player before you did, and the one playing games, going to school, and shopping with you disguised as me was her. Just so you know.]

No, no, that feels like it would end badly if I said it like that.

[This is my most trusted secretary, second-in-command, the one I have high hopes for inheriting my will, and the only designated Lady Saint of the insect nest.]

No, no, that doesn't sound right either. It's not time to reveal the insect nest, and secretary-second-in-command sounds off too.

[This is even more heavyweight, Boss Chai. She's older than you, call her sister. You should get along well with her; you are both my wings.]

Hmm?? Even Li Ang felt this was off, a chill going down the back of his neck.

[A friend of mine, who plays Qinge Armor. Usually, she's my plug-in equipment Platinum Star, part-time culinary tastings, and game training partner.]

Li Ang didn't even consider that option, rejecting it immediately in his mind; he wasn't ungrateful enough to hurt Chai Cuiqiao's feelings.

Li Ang opened his mouth but was stuck, hesitating and conflicted, until under Wang Congshan's gaze, he slowly said, "She is, like you, someone very important to me, someone I regard as life itself,

uh,

she's a ghost..."

"Hmm?"

Wang Congshan's eyebrows shot up, her mouth moved as if to speak, but stopped.

Chaichai only then realized what was said and tilted her head, saying "Eh?"

The atmosphere on the scene became tense,

Wang Congshan pursed her lips, sighed softly, sat down on the sofa, her tone softening, "Sit down and let's talk."

"I'll stand, it's fine."

Li Ang inexplicably felt a bit guilty, stood there honestly, but upon seeing Wang Congshan's sharp gaze, he decisively sat down and signaled for Chaichai to come over too.

"Give me your hand."

Wang Congshan pulled Li Ang's right hand closer, lowered her head and gently pressed Li Ang's fingertips, rubbing the rough calloused tip, finger pad.

She softly asked, "Being a player, it's tough, right?"

"It's actually alright,"

Li Ang smiled, scratching his head, "At first it was quite panic-inducing, quite tiring, but later I adapted..."

He spoke whatever came to mind, sharing his experiences since becoming a player,

from initially encountering the Cat with a human face, qualifying as a player,

to meeting, saving Chai Cuiqiao at the Solitary Cold Temple,

to Dusheng Village, King of Shengnan, Alchemist,

and even Lost World, as well as the long night he just experienced.

He explained everything he could, except for the insect nest, and Chaichai occasionally filled in details,

like when Li Ang wasn't around, she would disguise herself as him—Wang Congshan would sometimes think Li Ang became gentle and charming; many times it was Chaichai adding drama herself.

Wang Congshan sat on the sofa, listening quietly, watching Li Ang animatedly speak at times, frowning at others.

Time flew by quickly, as the clock on the wall sounded, only then did Li Ang realize he had been talking for four hours.

"...After teleporting out of the script task, I heard about you and Chai Cuiqiao's involvement in the Special Affairs Bureau, and then, it turned into the current situation."

Li Ang shamefully smiled, picked up the long-cold coffee on the table, and drank a sip.

Bitter, no sugar.

"...Actually, I should be very angry."

Wang Congshan took a deep breath, "Why did you hide it from me?"

"...Sorry."

Li Ang was silent for a moment, his expression somewhat complicated, "One reason is that after becoming a player, there were still things I hadn't accomplished.

The other reason is that I didn't want to disrupt your calm life.

Being a player doesn't merely mean wealth or reward; becoming a Transcendent means constantly facing threats from the Killing Field Game, living under the Sword of Damocles.

Not just myself, but those around me too could be drawn into danger..."

Wang Congshan whispered, "...That's why you gave me the bracelet?"

"Hmm?"

Wang Congshan smiled faintly, retrieving a silver bracelet shaped like a Mobius band from the void, "I realized when I heard the Killing Field Game System notification,

saw the item description of the bracelet you gave me, I stored it in my backpack ahead of time, so my cousin wouldn't find out."

[Name: Topological Band]

[Type: Armor]

[Quality: Perfect]

[Special Effect: Topological Projection. Binds to a holder, while encountering severe danger, automatically releases a power projection of up to 2000 Spirit Energy Value. Power projection's appearance is a random topological structure, can be actively charged, refreshed, and overwritten. The power projection has no intelligence, actively protects the holder, follows holder commands, lasts up to 30 minutes, does not restore Spirit Energy during duration. Stores only one power projection at a time.]

[Cost: None]

[Cooldown Time: 24 hours]

[Usage Condition: None]

[Note: Power projection neither disappears on its own only disassembles after being destroyed or energy depletion or time limit. Once special effect is triggered, need 24 hours to charge the bracelet again.]

[Note: All our lives we walk on a never-ending Mobius band, twisting, turning, returning to the starting point, only to find our shapes flipped.]

"...Although the specific rules aren't clear,"

Wang Congshan caressed the bracelet with her right hand, squeezing her palm with her left, softly saying, "But a perfect quality item should be very, very expensive, right." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"It's alright, it's alright."

Li Ang laughed, pressing Wang Congshan's hand to secure it, "You hold onto it, I don't lack this stuff on me, nor do I really need it.

Oh, right."

Li Ang's expression became serious, "You received the System notification and became a player today, right."

Wang Congshan nodded, "Mm."

"In that case..."

Li Ang mused, "There's mention on the forum about how rookie players, after acquiring forced growth level of strength enhancement,

face hidden penalties from the System,

adjusting script tasks to the player's sudden surge in strength accordingly.

If the corporal strength steps up, but combat awareness, skills, and other areas show no progress, it'll be greatly disadvantageous.

You've just become a player, logically you wouldn't enter script tasks so soon.

But to be safe, these days, focus on training, learning skills. It might be tough. I have the experience to help."

"Mm."

Wang Congshan nodded slightly, "By the way, where will you stay in the future?"

"Stay where?"

Li Ang hesitated; as his player status is fully exposed, Wanhe Residential Area can no longer be an option,

Staying at Special Affairs Bureau headquarters, or finding some random hotel also doesn't seem fitting.

"From now on, I may not even be able to return to school."

Li Ang sighed slightly with some emotion, "Never mind, talk about it later, let's handle your matters first.

I don't mind staying up days and nights without sleep."