“The Monster Arena Tournament Event has successfully concluded. Congratulations to the Blue Star players for achieving a perfect victory in all arenas. Reward settlement is now in progress.”
“All level-20 dungeons are now permanently closed. Equipment and items previously dropped from level-20 dungeons have been added to the item database. The monsters available for purchase in the Monster Ranch have also been updated. Detailed monster production information can be viewed in the Monster Ranch interface.”
“Because the event was completed perfectly, an additional reward of 5% Administrator Fragments will be granted to all awakened players. These fragments are non-tradable.”
The Voice of the World dutifully broadcast the final event settlement. He Wuning wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but the emotionless voice seemed to carry a hint of relief.
—Apparently the one who felt this event was torture wasn’t only the monsters.
He Wuning didn’t rush to leave the event area. He glanced toward Padra in the spectator stands.
After the event ended, portals opened, and players left the arena in small groups. Some looked like they had survived a disaster, while others seemed infected by the coliseum’s feverish atmosphere and were still in high spirits.
Padra remained seated, as if he had already expected He Wuning would have something to say to him, and showed no hurry to leave.
He Wuning walked over. Padra, who had spent the entire day as a spectator, gave him a friendly smile and watched him approach.
He Wuning spoke directly. “Go back and pass a message to your superiors.”
“We’ll clear the level-30 dungeon as soon as possible. Tell them to be ready—the third invasion event will start very soon.”
Both he and Yi Luo were already close to max level. Most of Zone A’s players who could be considered combat power were also nearly fully leveled. Since the players currently held the advantage, it was time to expand that advantage in one push and try to end the game as soon as possible.
Padra raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded. “Ah, so you mean that this time we’ll openly prepare the level-40 dungeon?”
“You saw it yourself this time,” Yi Luo said brightly with his hands in his pockets. “Even an event triggered by a dungeon you worked so hard to clear didn’t give you much advantage. This time the event didn’t even have a ‘commander-in-chief.’”
“Even if you clear one, it doesn’t mean you’ll gain much.”
“And besides…” Yi Luo smiled with interest, “the level-30 ocean area is a rather special place. So far we don’t know much about the dungeons there. You deliberately avoided that area—not just for tactical reasons. You also don’t want to dive underwater and fight sea dungeons, right?”
Padra didn’t hide his thoughts. He laughed heartily and looked at He Wuning. “I heard you have a special skill that can turn players into mermaids. If you’re willing to provide the items, it wouldn’t be a problem for us to attack the level-30 dungeon instead.”
“In my heart, we’re companions—good partners all from Blue Star.”
He spoke in a very friendly tone and tried to drape an arm over He Wuning’s shoulder, but Yi Luo slapped it away mercilessly.
“You’d better mean what you say,” He Wuning said lazily. “When people start seeing the light of victory, that’s when they’re most likely to think they’ve already won and start getting restless.”
“You’d better remind them.”
Padra smiled. “I hope they’ll listen to me as well. But… you should also be careful.”
This was a livestream across the entire game region. He Wuning didn’t intend to hide their conversation, but Padra subtly made a “C” gesture that only they could see.
Zone C’s current power holder—the infamous J, whom they had yet to meet face-to-face.
He Wuning naturally kept his guard up around him. But the man rarely appeared in events like this, which made people curious about what he was plotting.
Even his own secretary had said he was someone who only cared about immediate benefits. Whatever decisions he made wouldn’t be surprising.
Padra slowly stood up and waved goodbye. “While I was waiting here, I watched the streams from the other arenas. How interesting. That group who once became believers—you actually turned them into strength.”
“What’s even more surprising is that they seem very happy.”
He smiled meaningfully. “I once heard you took those believers in and turned them into summons. I was worried you might have used some harsh methods…”
He Wuning raised an eyebrow. That was probably what many players unfamiliar with Zone A believed.
Padra’s smile widened. “But now it seems they get along with Zone A players like family.”
“After this battle, I’m afraid many wavering believers will also come to Zone A seeking help.”
He waved his hand. “Every time we meet, you surprise me. I hope next time you’ll give me another new surprise.”
He shrugged regretfully. “If we were outside, I’d invite you two for a drink.”
He stepped into the portal and disappeared.
He Wuning looked thoughtful. Earlier he had wondered why the Commander-in-Chief specifically asked him to bring Professor Ge into the arena. Members of the Combat Department might have been more efficient.
Had the Commander already considered this when making the arrangement? Was it meant to attract more “believers” who were secretly watching but hadn’t yet decided—so they might return to humanity’s side?
Yi Luo slung an arm around He Wuning’s shoulder. “So what do we do now? I barely had any chance to show up this time. Should we go clear the level-30 dungeon now?”
“They’re already fighting it,” He Wuning said. “The Master led the team. They’re equipped with honey lemon tea that grants the ‘fish-form’ skill.”
He paused. “The Special Combat Department went too. Bai Yan as well.”
“Bai Yan also volunteered.”
Yi Luo’s expression immediately became complicated. Q-chan snickered. “Everyone’s amazing! There’s no need for you to show off!”
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” Yi Luo said, rubbing his forehead. “Padra just said we have a skill that turns players into ‘mermaids.’ I’m wondering if that description might be a little disrespectful to the Master…”
He Wuning subconsciously imagined it. Yi Luo immediately covered his eyes. “Don’t picture it.”
Xue Xun looked at them with a complicated expression. “That’s enough. There are so many people watching—can you tone it down a little?”
“It’s good that Bai Yan has recovered his spirits.” He smiled with relief. “Recently, with you two troublemakers taking the front line, the Special Combat Department has had far fewer psychological issues.”
He stretched lazily and climbed into the milk tea car. “Ah, I really want to go home.”
Yi Luo’s expression shifted slightly. He hooked an arm around He Wuning again. “Do you miss home?”
“Not really,” He Wuning replied perfunctorily. “Let’s go.”
Yi Luo walked beside him. “If the dungeon’s left to the Master and the others, we don’t need to help?”
He Wuning nodded. “If they don’t call, then no.”
Yi Luo suggested, “Then let’s max out our levels first. I still need three levels. What about you?”
“Just one,” He Wuning said after glancing at his experience bar.
His experience bar had actually been full for a while—the only thing limiting his leveling was the milk-tea shop’s level restriction.
“Then it’s mostly me,” Yi Luo laughed. “I’ll just crash the milk tea car a few more times and repair it. Hey, Xing Yue—lend us that girl with the amazing taunt skill.”
“After we hit max level, we’ll go to the Tech Department. Zuo Qianming said he prepared new equipment for us.” He paused. “He also asked for the weapon I used to be most comfortable with as reference.”
Xing Yue looked worried. Yi Luo grinned. “If you’re worried, come along.”
Xing Yue rolled his eyes. “Don’t I have work?”
Xiao Jie said quietly, “Captain, that’s exactly why you can’t find a partner.”
Xing Yue froze, scratching his head. “…Then maybe I should leave Cao Wu here too?”
Xiao Jie and Cao Wu sighed deeply at the same time. Cao Wu shook his head. “Forget it. Our captain still hasn’t figured things out.”
Xiao Jie nodded firmly. “Exactly. I don’t think he even wants a partner. He just wants one because he refuses to lose to Yi Luo.”
Xing Yue exploded. “What’s wrong with that?! I didn’t even want one in the first place!”
He glanced at Yi Luo and gritted his teeth. “I just don’t understand—how did he manage to get a partner before me? Why?!”
Cao Wu shook his head. “Well, he at least took the initiative.”
Q-chan joined the discussion enthusiastically. “Maybe because he has no shame?”
“You definitely need one person to take the initiative in a relationship,” Xiao Jie stroked her chin. “But captain, your face clearly says—you have zero desire in that area.”
Xing Yue instinctively touched his face, looking even more confused.
He Wuning ignored their conversation. When Yi Luo had announced “my boyfriend” to the camera earlier, he had already expected this outcome.
At this point, the only strategy was to remain expressionless no matter what.
The lively milk tea car started up and slowly drove back toward the safe zone. He Wuning sat in the passenger seat, looking at the black-bladed long knife in his hand.
He used to have a dagger he was very used to called “Eclipse.” Its stats were simple and brutal—just attack and critical hit. Its special effect increased speed in proportion to lost health.
Roughly speaking, every 10% of health lost increased speed by 10%. Extremely practical.
He had left Eclipse with Zuo Qianming. The man said he would create a max-level weapon based on his old combat habits. Apparently he had recently made major progress in integrating administrator fragments with weapons.
If they could recreate a blade similar to Eclipse… Even He Wuning felt a little anticipation.
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