Chapter 9: Please become my torch again

An avalanche, not a single snowflake innocent...

Numerous sparks formed a prairie fire, igniting the torch...

Qiming's torch led the lost through darkness, yet burned the fierce fire into light...

Not afraid...

Afraid of the supporters beside them!

——Observer (recorded in Blue Star Era year 2541, the clan's self-defense counterattack)

Location: No. 3 Main God Space (Commercial Street)

Earth Interval: 9:51

"Lin Jiu..." Lu Ming sized up the girl's face, which was almost two heads shorter than his, noticing a few more traces of doubt in her brows.

Lu Ming's impression of merely waiting, as a neighbor, but because the girl was annoyed, Lu Ming didn't like to talk, later his city, gradually they lost contact.

"Long time no see." Lu Ming thought for a while, then only said four words.

"It's been almost five years..." Lin Jiu lowered her head, stirring the already-empty dish with her chopsticks.

Sitting in a restaurant on Commercial Street, although the digitized body must eat, yet the more unfamiliar the environment, the greater the spiritual reliance.

Having a dry meal is one of them.

"Bump, truly unexpected." Meeting an acquaintance in such a place, Lu Ming felt his recent luck had run out: "Server-wide announcement... cheap, right?"

Before Lin Jiu could respond, Su Zhong spoke first: "50 points, what do you say?"

While speaking, the waiter brought another dish.

Lu Ming glanced sideways a few times, as expected, the waiter was also a player, asking: "How long have you been in the game?"

"One year, the first batch of players." Lin Jiu said: "Aside from the new players now, all the other players are from the first batch."

One year, also just that period.

Lu Ming somewhat understood, many mysteriously missing, society had no news at all, he thought he hadn't left society, but when indeed even reports were missing.

Afterward, Lu Ming asked some more questions about the game, thus understanding the situation.

The game is called Earth, divided into five Main God Spaces, each with an administrator.

The two batches of players total over 500,000, each Main God Space lacking about 100,000.

As for the administrators, players generally believe they are an extraterrestrial civilization.

Lu Ming suddenly recalled the administrator Satan's words: "Since it's a game, please rely on strength, after all only the winner can make it to the end."

What the girl from the mental hospital said was the same.

Will they be connected?

"Lu Ming." Lin Jiu said seriously: "Indeed, compared to the original world, I'm even more fortunate to have entered the game."

Lu Ming slightly startled: "Why?"

"Because that world is hypocritical." Lin Jiu said: "Wearing a splendid exterior, its interior is already riddled with holes; compared to there, the world where one must struggle just to survive is better."

Lu Ming shifted his gaze to the girl's chest, still the same; even wearing Gothic attire, she remained quite conservative: "After all, it's ultimately virtual..."

"One year, no matter how many instances I've experienced, I still feel something missing, I've thought for a long time… Torch! A torch that can let the severed pursue!" Lin Jiu suddenly grabbed Lu Ming's hand: "Lu Ming, just like that, become the torch again, okay?"

Lu Ming knew, the candidate's experience unrelated; if that oneself hadn't opened the door, perhaps the story would have been different later.

"If so, I too could become a torch." Lu Ming pulled back his hand.

Lin Jiu's eyes flashed a hint of disappointment, but quickly masked by a smile: "It's fine, if it's about the torch, one is enough; only Lu Ming, what are your plans?"

The new instance offers few points, and each can find clues; killing the boss, points reset to zero will be erased, inevitably creating a situation where some new players must participate in the instance after three.

Main God Space consumes a fixed 20 points each month.

Lu Ming can only afford two months' points, including daily expenses; compared to low-scoring players, it's not much better.

"Will participate in one instance."

Lin Jiu stared: "Are the points enough? To give."

"Lin Jiu!" Su Zhong lowered his voice, tone resentful.

Lu Ming waved his hand: "No problem, points are enough."

Just the instance, at least can earn ten points participation reward; rather than idling in Main God Space, the instance is actually better.

"If enough, then no need to participate." Lin Jiu looked at him, saying: "Join the guild, then you'll get a ten-point commission each month."

Lin Jiu said in a tone that allowed no refusal, as if she had already planned Lu Ming's future path.

"I understand, but the total instance is just a matter of order." Lu Ming's brows, covered by his bangs, furrowed slightly.

"No problem, points." Lin Jiu emphasized, her delicate face slightly youthful.

"Thanks." Lu Ming replied lightly with two words.

Su Zhong's face darkened, he sat aside without a word.

Lin Jiu lowered her head silently, picking up the already-cool dish.

Around eleven o'clock, the three left the restaurant.

"Where do you live now?" Lin Jiu glanced at Lu Ming with her peripheral vision.

"Space..." Lu Ming observed the shop while saying: "Besides space, is there anywhere else to live?"

"." Lin Jiu nodded: "Some houses in Main God Space can also be purchased."

Even the game buying houses is a saying...

Estimating it needs few points, Lu Ming didn't pursue further.

"Then let's return to the space first."

Lin Jiu's steps slowed, the shop lights flickering.

"Brother Ming..." Su Zhong suddenly spoke: "Regarding joining the guild, we must first consult the guild leader."

"I understand." Lu Ming never intended to join the guild; just going through the motions will do.

Opening the panel, preparing to return to the space,, suddenly a hand grabbed.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ming's finger pressing return paused.

Lin Jiu raised their head, their eyes mingled with myriad emotions, after a long while, they lightly opened their lips: "Are you used to the food inside?"

"Hmm."

【Returning to space…】

……………

【Current location: space】

【Prompt: You have spent points to renovate the space.】

【Estimated price: 3 points】

No need…

The space is only a place to rest; Lu Ming intends to waste the points inside.

Lu Ming began to check the panel's other functions.

First, the world chat channel, like the mailbox, is the place for public chat.

【75901: Newbie, please veteran, carry me!】

【38902: Points enough, the next instance is a must; new question one: does every instance feel as gloomy as an orphanage?】

【30912: Veteran, you look familiar; if the instance runs into trouble, please protect!】

Messages refreshed quickly; basically after just a few glances, new messages appeared.

One caught Lu Ming's attention.

【73356: Nuotuo Ge, Country C's Wang Ya!】

Soon similar messages popped up:

【95922: Nuotuo Ge, Country J's Ricefield Village!】

【21890: Nuotuo Ge, Country E's Kaisel!】