Cat 177: Announcement

Chapter 177 Announcement

After Qi Feng entered the game, Yan Jiyun gathered quite a bit of information from following Lan Mo and the others, and when combined with what his master-pet system revealed, he knew more than most players still lingering in Central City.

He spent half a day with Lan Mo’s group before deciding there was no reason to stay any longer. He left a note and slipped away, this time writing with his left hand. Even if Qi Feng figured it out, it hardly mattered; since Qi Feng suspected the cat was with “Yan Jiyun,” he was surely relieved on that score. Before entering the “Sweet Christmas” instance, Qi Feng had mentioned learning a thing or two from him, and he also believed “Yan Jiyun” to be a reliable sort.

True to form, the reliable “Yan Jiyun” slipped away just before dark while Lan Mo was in the bathroom.

When Lan Mo and Shi Yan found his note, they were practically coughing up blood. Their leader had left them such an important task, and they’d botched it completely.

First their boss was ambushed and pulled into the top-tier field by a schemer, and now they’d lost his cat. Who had managed to sneak in and steal the cat from their base? If only Central City had the equivalent of surveillance cameras, they wouldn’t be stumbling around like headless flies. The finest video game console, indeed.

Yan Jiyun’s points from the last instance were considerable; he didn’t need to scrimp on trial passes this time and could stay longer in Central City using a human form.

Right away, he contacted his two teammates, Gu Wenzhu and Qiu Xi, who greeted him with no small measure of delight.

Yan Jiyun maintained his unique air of mystery before them.

Three days had been enough for Gu Wenzhu and Qiu Xi to set up their little base in Central City, and they had arranged it quite handsomely.

After reviewing their performance in the last instance, they realized that the leap in difficulty had brought them a handsome haul, pushing them all beyond the 150,000-point threshold.

“So that means we can all enter the mid-level field now?” Yan Jiyun exclaimed in delight.

His own points had passed the 300,000 mark, making entry to beginner fields impossible. Only mid-level and above remained open to him.

Strictly by his points, he could even enter top-tier fields without issue.

Gu Wenzhu and Qiu Xi had jumped from beginner to mid-level fields in just their second attempt—like riding a rocket, almost unbelievable. The previous instance had seen them clear levels two, four, and five in rapid succession; it had been an excellent trial, and since mid-level fields hovered around difficulty levels three to four, they should be able to handle it.

Gu Wenzhu said, “No problem on my end—my points are more than enough.”

Qiu Xi gestured sincerely: I have 150,000 points, plus streaming rewards—it’s plenty.

Yan Jiyun said, “Then our next target is a mid-level instance. Until then, let’s all take some rest. Qiu Xi, if you have time, see if Lan Mo can teach you some fighting skills—that’ll improve our survival chances in instances.”

Qiu Xi nodded vigorously: I’ve already set up a session, and senior Lan Mo will train me.

By now, Yan Jiyun could more or less understand Qiu Xi’s gestures. “Good.”

Gu Wenzhu said, “I went back to the real world and had someone draw up a training regimen for me—don’t want to be the weak link in the team anymore.”

Yan Jiyun said, “You shouldn’t underestimate yourself—your mind’s your strength.”

Qiu Xi agreed emphatically.

It had been a while since he’d seen his teammates, and they even took the initiative in gathering intel on upcoming instances. On their first day back, they decided to have a team-building event.

“Come on, my treat today.” He’d heard from Lan Mo that the restaurant was the priciest and tastiest in town. “Let’s go see what Central City’s best restaurant has to offer.”

The three set out, aiming for the city’s top-rated establishment.

Taking a shortcut, as they passed through a narrow, chaotic alley, someone came running at full tilt from behind and bumped into Gu Wenzhu, who was leaning slightly outward. Already relying on a cane, he lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Yan Jiyun and Qiu Xi turned in time to see three people giving chase.

As the runaway dashed past, he shouted, “Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean it!”

Watching his gait and hearing his voice, Yan Jiyun found him oddly familiar.

They helped Gu Wenzhu up. Yan Jiyun asked, “Are you hurt?”

Gu Wenzhu shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Yan Jiyun, relieved, said, “Wasn’t that He Yuanle just now?” The voice was unmistakable.

Gu Wenzhu nodded. “It was him.”

Yan Jiyun frowned. “Why would anyone be chasing him? Did he owe someone money?”

He Yuanle looked timid, but in reality was resourceful—the act of being weak and pitiful was just a front, and it was anyone’s guess whom he’d provoked this time.

Gu Wenzhu patted his pants. “Might be. He Yuanle’s pretty sharp.”

Yan Jiyun agreed: “Does he have a grudge with some guild?”

Gu Wenzhu gestured around, “Everyone here’s a free player.”

“So He Yuanle is, too?” That genuinely surprised Yan Jiyun. For all his feigned helplessness, why wouldn’t He Yuanle join a guild?

Ten minutes later, the three finally reached one of the city’s premier restaurants. No reservation was needed, the food was excellent, and the place had plenty of tables, with a steady stream of gamers dining.

In Central City, there was no such thing as a dinner rush. Players came and went quickly; few came here for true leisure.

They booked a private room with good privacy.

They’d just settled in when someone climbed through their window.

Qiu Xi nearly landed a kick on the intruder, who clung to his leg. “Qiu Xi-ge! Whoa, whoa, it’s me, don’t kick me!”

Qiu Xi, lately trained by Lan Mo, was indeed nimble—he’d nearly landed a kick on the man’s nose.

Once he saw who it was, he withdrew his leg.

He Yuanle, agile as a cat, scrambled inside—gone was any trace of clumsiness.

Yan Jiyun asked, “What were you running from?”

He Yuanle, panting, poured himself a cup of tea. “I had some fallout with those guys in an instance. Every time they see me, they try to kill me—it’s ridiculous.”

Gu Wenzhu: “What’d you take from them?”

He Yuanle: “Just picked up a stray prize and, wouldn’t you know it, wound up first in the instance. Who knew they’d be so vindictive?”

Yan Jiyun: “Looks like you scooped their victory right out from under them.”

He Yuanle grinned, “I just get lucky sometimes, that’s all.”

Yan Jiyun glanced at his own black coat and steady luck gauge; his eyes roved over He Yuanle, who instinctively hugged himself at the scrutiny.

“What’re you staring at? I’m not edible,” He Yuanle muttered.

“Were you always this lucky?” Yan Jiyun couldn’t help his curiosity; lucky people fascinated him—what set them apart?

He Yuanle shrugged and chuckled awkwardly; he did feel as if he’d escaped a tiger pit, only to end up in a wolf’s den. Cautiously, he asked, “What brings you out of the free players’ zone?”

Yan Jiyun rested his chin on his palm, leaving Gu Wenzhu to answer: “We didn’t join a guild.”

The real He Yuanle, when he dropped his act, was quite straightforward. He slapped his thigh. “Well, look at that! Birds of a feather. I don’t want any part of those rotten guilds—what a drag!”

Yan Jiyun called him out, “You already knew we weren’t in a guild. Spit it out—what’s on your mind?”

He Yuanle pulled a face. “Nothing, really. I ran into you fleeing for my life—and stumbled across you again climbing in.”

Yan Jiyun gave a cold laugh. “Full of nonsense. Qiu Xi, toss him out.”

He Yuanle rushed to Gu Wenzhu’s side. Gu Wenzhu, as the eldest, commanded the most composure, while the youngest, Yan Jiyun, would probably respect Gu Wenzhu’s wishes.

“Brother, help me!”

Gu Wenzhu sipped his tea and replied, “Can’t help you. Jiyun’s our captain.”

At the threat, Qiu Xi made to drag He Yuanle away, radiating menace.

Despite being nimble, He Yuanle was short, and facing three six-footers, he wisely conceded.

He gave up struggling. “Alright, I’ll say it—I’ve been alone too long. I want to join your group.”

Yan Jiyun raised a fist. “Are you finally telling the truth or not?”

It was convoluted, but He Yuanle understood: “Alright, alright. I just want to latch onto your coattails.”

Since he was at least speaking honestly, Yan Jiyun asked, “Why me? I don’t have much of a coattail.”

“There’s plenty of reasons. You were masterful against the western dragon in the peak tournament, and did great in the mermaid instance too. Brother Zhu is as clever as I am, Qiu Xi’s the muscle—if I team up with you guys, I’ll always have an exit. Truth is, I’ve never found a captain I wanted to follow before. This is the first time I’ve asked to join a team. Will you consider it?”

Yan Jiyun mused, “You’re a high-level player now.”

He Yuanle nodded. “So are you all, more or less.”

All three of them exchanged looks.

Gu Wenzhu sighed, “You didn’t run a background check on us first?”

He Yuanle shrugged, “What I just said was my background check—I’ve seen your skills for myself and want in.”

The waiter arrived with dishes. The trio remained silent until he left. He Yuanle sensed they weren’t unwelcoming, just… looking at him like a sucker?

But how could he be a sucker?

He Yuanle pressed, “Are you letting me join or not?”

Yan Jiyun picked up his chopsticks and dipped a piece of cold beef in the sauce before rinsing it in a bowl of water. “It’s not that you can’t join—we just don’t know each other very well yet. Nor do you know us that well, for that matter.”

He Yuanle was startled. “You mean I don’t know you well enough? We just cleared a level-four instance together!”

Yan Jiyun gave a little nod. “Guess we’d better get reacquainted. Let me introduce Brother Zhu and Qiu Xi—the last instance was only their second beginner field, and they’ve only just reached mid-level. As for me, I’ve done one more peak tournament, but I’m also just out of the beginner fields, freshly promoted. So, your turn, Senior He.”

He purposefully hid the fact that he could already access higher instances—no need to be flashy. After all, they didn’t yet really know He Yuanle.

Senior He gaped. “You’re kidding, right? Apart from Qiu Xi-ge, none of you look like newbies.”

Yan Jiyun replied, “Still time to change your mind.”

He Yuanle pressed his brow, but his expression soon firmed. “No regrets. If I cared that you’re all rookies, I wouldn’t be here. Let me reintroduce myself: He Yuanle, 26, unmarried, single.”

Yan Jiyun cut in, “We don’t really care about that.”

He Yuanle persisted, “You’ll care in a couple’s instance—who’s with who’s big news for teammates.”

“I meant you in particular—I can smell single dog on you,” Yan Jiyun replied drily.

He Yuanle rolled his eyes. “Fine. I take back what I said about not regretting this.”

Gu Wenzhu said, “Go on.”

Qiu Xi, grinning, could barely get a word in edgewise, what with all the signing and translation required when he did speak up. It was just too much fun being with these teammates.

He Yuanle continued, “I’ve cleared instances for seven months and am a high field player, but climbing further is tough without the right teammates. What I value is your team spirit and your fearlessness—you match my attitude, and the vibe is great. In the real world, I’m just a grunt laborer, but in the game I’ve learned to keep my head down and blend in.”

Gu Wenzhu asked, “What are you best at?”

He Yuanle had to pause—it felt like he, the high-level player, was being interviewed by newbies. But hanging around these three, he felt surprisingly at ease.

“I’m best at playing the weakling and sneaking into others’ teams.”

Yan Jiyun was intrigued, his eyes lighting up. “Does that always work?”

If so, aside from good luck, He Yuanle would make a born spy—played right, he could help them clear instances faster.

He Yuanle nodded. “If I run into a really close-knit group, it gets harder—there is some genuine camaraderie in this game. In teams like Qi Feng’s, no matter how much I act weak, they don’t fall for it; they’re too focused.”

Yan Jiyun chuckled, “Against that group, acting’s pointless—they’re already too strong.”

He Yuanle shook his head. “Not quite. Qi Feng is extremely strong solo, but put him in a team and it actually masks his brilliance.”

Yan Jiyun always enjoyed hearing people praise his owner. “Details? Seems you have a high opinion of Qi Feng.”

He Yuanle helped himself to more utensils. “Of course—though I haven’t played long, I’ve heard tales of his exploits. He was practically mythic.”

Yan Jiyun had been dying to learn more about Qi Feng, and now the chance had come knocking.

Feigning indifference, he steered the topic. “We only heard mention of a falling out with a friend—what’s the story?”

He Yuanle replied, “I only know what a senior top-field player told me—Qi Feng and the vice-president of Peakfire. Only the principals know the truth, and it’s a complicated story, not easily told.”

Yan Jiyun said, “Well, we’re just here for lunch—tell us anyway. If we ever have to deal with them, it wouldn’t do to blunder into a sore spot.”

He Yuanle agreed—it made sense. Since Qi Feng and Yan Jiyun got along, their two teams might cooperate in the future.

“Let me see how to put it—anyway, I’ll just recount what that senior told me.”

Yan Jiyun understood; he’d have to sift fact from fiction as the story was retold.

“Right. No need to ask around outside anymore.”

Gu Wenzhu shot a glance at Yan Jiyun, noting his keen interest in Qi Feng. From the way his eyes sparked at the name, it was obvious. But that was normal; young people admired strength. Some even called it ‘sapiosexual’ these days. In the end, it was just ordinary hero-worship.

He Yuanle began recounting the tangled history between Qi Feng and his former teammate.

“Supposedly, when Qi Feng first entered, he shattered the instance record immediately. Back then, most newbies had been pre-screened by the system for strength. Su Qiuming was among them. Two powerhouses, man to man, they became friends on their first joint run.”

Yan Jiyun summed it up: of that year’s batch, Qi Feng and Su Qiuming were the two strongest newcomers.

“The game’s in its fifth year now—the first two years, players were still feeling things out. As the numbers grew, factions appeared, and guilds arose. Both Qi Feng and Su Qiuming achieved stellar results in their early runs, and as newcomers, helped one another out, even rescuing other newbies from bullying by more experienced players. After their rookie period, they moved up to the beginner field and founded their own guild—what became Peakfire.”

Yan Jiyun could not understand why the guild name remained unchanged after their falling out.

Gu Wenzhu raised the question: “Why not change the name after the split?”

He Yuanle shrugged, “That, I don’t know—my source didn’t say. Maybe because the name had become so prominent: within a month, Peakfire was the biggest guild, envied by all. Maybe they kept the name to keep attracting new recruits?”

Yan Jiyun also asked, “Wasn’t Qi Feng more famous than Su Qiuming? Did most people join because of him?”

He picked up a slice of plain steamed fish, chewing thoughtfully.

Two equally outstanding people entered together, but Qi Feng was clearly more famous. Was it possible this disparity warped their friendship? Su Qiuming might have relished power, but found himself always eclipsed by Qi Feng. The imbalance would inevitably foster resentment—with all fame falling to Qi Feng, even when efforts were equal.

He Yuanle confirmed, “Exactly. As the guild grew, management disputes arose. People started saying Peakfire was a dictatorship under Qi Feng, and eventually, the guild split into Qi Feng supporters and Su Qiuming supporters.” He lowered his voice, “The final break came when Qi Feng and Su Qiuming first entered a high-level zombie instance together.”

Gu Wenzhu, “What was that instance like?”

He Yuanle replied, “The boss said it was a zombie apocalypse type—if you got infected, you really became a zombie unless you took the antidote within 12 hours. It was notorious for killing everyone inside.”

Yan Jiyun, “Couldn’t they have chosen another scenario? Why zombies?”

He Yuanle shook his head. “Not so easy—back then, new instances were a crapshoot. The name rarely matched the content. You could have 200 players in a high instance and fewer than ten survive. The mermaid instance you were in was actually high survival.”

Yan Jiyun realized now how tough those pioneering “blind runs” had been. With no info, not even knowing what tools to bring, those first-timers had it much harder than later players.

Guilds now sold info as a service; survival rates from newbie to high field were all improved.

Yet he sensed there was something else here, just out of his grasp.

At this point, he was less interested in the personal drama between Qi Feng and Su Qiuming than in why Qi Feng was so slow to enter the top-tier field.

He had the strength, and every one of his teammates had their own talents. So why?

He simply couldn’t work it out.

Yan Jiyun frowned. “So what happened in that zombie instance?”

He Yuanle replied, “No one really knows. Rumors abound: some say Qi Feng got hurt and was abandoned by Su Qiuming; some say he was infected and left behind; others say Su Qiuming shoved him into a zombie to block it, Qi Feng was bitten, but then found the cure and made it out alive.”

“When they emerged, Qi Feng took his people and quit Peakfire, becoming a free agent. Oddly enough, neither ever spoke about the zombie instance or what exactly went wrong.”

Yan Jiyun lost all appetite for the lavish meal before him. If Qi Feng had really been infected, he’d come within an inch of death in the game. The finest video game console, indeed.

He checked the master-pet notifications—aside from the original three, there had been nothing.

It was really worrying.

By the end of the meal, they had, tentatively, a new teammate—for now, still tentative, as they knew little of He Yuanle.

That night, Yan Jiyun lay in their base and entered his personal space.

He slept deeply until, in the dead of night, a system announcement jolted every sleeping player awake.

[New Instance Announcement.]

[To all players: We are honored to bring you “Destiny.” In order to offer you a fresher gaming experience, a selection of veteran instances from the new-player, beginner, mid-level, and high fields will be discontinued. At noon tomorrow, new versions of new-player, beginner, mid-level, high, and the new instance itself will launch. We wish all players a pleasant night. See you at noon tomorrow.]

Yan Jiyun: Damn it!

What a trash game!