Chapter 10: Rest assured, I will protect you

In the moment of crisis, the instinct to seek shelter.

Lu Ming watched the flashing subtitles, feeling fortunate and still somewhat clear-headed.

【46831：Its country manages, C country can't stop being funny? No hands, no feet, how else?】

【58471：A-level player also stopped one, said the S player belongs to C country.】

【37931：Understood, is C country not that confident?】

【46223：Very curious, what kind of S player can cramming-style education teach?】

【64212：Manage, first confess to the S player! Old lady saw it, don't care which country!】

【37782：Two A-level players sent, only to the S player.】

…………

The tone of the world channel suddenly shifted, and few began to speculate about the identities of the two players who had never appeared.

Lu Ming stared at the world channel, a wave of fatigue swept over, and he closed his eyes without any sign.

How long had he been aware?

Hearing a rustle, in a daze, it seemed a figure stood beside the bed, and Lu Ming suddenly opened his eyes.

However, there was nothing.

The panel showed it was already 2:10 PM.

Lu Ming discovered he had received many friend messages, all from Lin Jiu, the last one just five minutes ago.

【Lin Jiu: Can we talk?】

【Lu Ming: Sorry, just woke up.】

After sending that message, Lu Ming noticed the friend request from yesterday that he had ignored.

Being able to add friends for the first time, besides that guy who sent a companion invitation at the opening ceremony, Lu Ming thought of him.

Continue to ignore.

Lin Jiu's chat box vibrated once.

【Lin Jiu: The place where we ate yesterday, right? Wait there.】

A message came almost immediately:

【Lin Jiu: Just one.】

Lu Ming also wanted to tour the Main God Space today, and prepare for a dungeon; if an veteran player showed the way, it would be more convenient.

He agreed.

Ten minutes later, Lu Ming saw Lin Jiu at the restaurant entrance.

"How are you, still getting used to it?"

Lin Jiu and Lu Ming walked side by side down the commercial street.

"Not bad." In an instant, Lu Ming again recalled the shadow he saw last night.

He asked: "Do you know where to buy healing medicine?"

"Hmm." Lin Jiu nodded.

Guiding the way, Lu Ming quickly found the pharmacy, only to learn that in the Main God Space, buying healing medicine costs only 2 points, and antidote also only 5 points.

These items in the Main God Space are reasonably priced, but dungeons are extraordinarily expensive.

Lu Ming bought two bottles of healing medicine and one bottle of antidote in one go, spending a total of 9 points.

"Lu Ming, are your points enough?" Lin Jiu asked worriedly: "Shall I help pay?"

"Used, buying medicine is still enough." Lu Ming said while trading points.

Lin Jiu suddenly chuckled.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ming felt bewildered.

"Nothing, just thinking about some things..." Lin Jiu said: "I've already taken care of the matter of joining the guild."

What is the dungeon rating?

"S." Lu Ming said.

"s?" Lin Jiu repeated.

His expression showed no surprise, no doubt, but rather happiness: "Since it's S, the guild president will surely agree to let him join the guild."

Lu Ming chose to remain silent, and they continued walking down the commercial street.

"By the way, how many dungeons have you gone through?" Lu Ming changed the subject.

"How many..." Lin Jiu rested his chin on his hand, thought a moment: "About five times, they've been quite dangerous... so, I still hope the points matter can be helped to resolve."

Lu Ming expressionless, gazed at the commercial street ahead: "Do you still understand?"

As a psychology student, Lu Ming clearly knew how to effectively resolve conflicts when the topic came to an end.

"Also."

Lin Jiu indeed showed a bright smile, gentle and charming: "I will protect you, I just want the dungeon."

Afterwards, the two visited a few more shops; as noon approached, Lu Ming planned to return to the space first.

"In a hurry to go back." Lin Jiu grabbed Lu Ming's hand: "The Main God Space apartment, let's go there."

"Used..."

"Actually, there are still many things to watch out for in the dungeon." Lin Jiu said softly: "I haven't had the chance to tell you yet."

Lu Ming remained silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Alright."

From the commercial street, through a suburban area, then reached the residential district.

The houses varied in style; at first glance, they looked like a town blending East and West.

Inside, there were noticeably more veteran players, few lingering in tea houses, seemingly discussing the allocation of a dungeon.

"Sit down, brew tea." Lin Jiu's eyes glittered with stars; she was very happy.

Lu Ming nodded and started scanning the room.

The simple style makes one feel relaxed and happy; compared to the cramped space, the inside is obviously better.

Lu Ming noticed the Hello Kitty doll on the bed, the quilt neatly folded, and a white pajama as well.

Lu Ming quickly averted his gaze—first instinct, then judgment.

Lu Ming opened the world channel; new players were still discussing how to clear the dungeon, even though they would actually die, but they didn't want to experience death.

Veteran players seized the chance to eagerly recruit newcomers; dungeons rated B were especially sought after, and such players were also called "potential stocks"; for players with lesser strength, it was like panning for gold in sand—willing to take everything, even if mistaken.

Lu Ming saw several guilds extending olive branches to him, promising generous rewards for joining.

But he had no intention to join a guild, and didn't give it much thought.

"Just jasmine tea..." Lin Jiu walked over holding a tray.

Lu Ming looked away, took a glance, and said: "Anything works."

He blew away the mist, took a gentle sip—the flavor was fresh and mellow, with a clear sweet aftertaste.

Surprisingly good...

"Very good." Lu Ming said.

Lin Jiu hummed, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.

"Are there mechanisms like game rankings?" Lu Ming said, staring at the guilds offering him olive branches.

Lin Jiu adjusted the panel: "Guild player rankings; new players need to clear a dungeon once to unlock."

No wonder I hadn't seen it.

Lu Ming looked at the panel Lin Jiu had adjusted, beginning with the player ranking.

The ranking displayed players' names and nationalities.

Beside it also showed the overall score for clearing the dungeon.

Lu Ming saw a familiar name at #5 and was slightly startled.

"Rank 5?" Lu Ming looked at Lin Jiu.

"Yeah, the new dungeon's rating is C." Lin Jiu said: "Solving those complicated puzzles, just killing those deemed problematic, that got me to fifth place."

If you just brute-force to the end, wouldn't you have to kill everything the whole way?

Lu Ming felt the girl had changed a lot compared to before.

Perhaps because of domestic violence and bullying, her values had become muddled, distorted by the environment.

Lu Ming recalled his own family; at the door came a knock, a trembling girl asked him for money to buy wine for her father, her face streaked with tears, her arms and neck covered in wounds.

He gathered his thoughts and continued to check the ranking.

The player ranking also includes a new ranking, but the display shows no seats yet; it's expected to appear after new players clear the dungeon.