Kaidan Game Train: Abide Rule or Die!
Chapter 777: Lights Out Time

Chapter 777: Chapter 777: Lights Out Time

It was only after someone brought Agarwood into the immigration bureau that Xu Huo, by chance, entered the instance; otherwise, according to the official safety guide, he could have completely avoided the random instances around him.

Red-Haired and the others worked together and spent an entire day cleaning the villa inside and out, even moving the books from the shelves to dust them, replacing the broken windows with spare glass, and re-painting the walls that were damaged last night, making them look almost as good as new. Afterward, Zhao Xiaojing even wiped clean all the kitchen utensils and laid out the tablecloth, arranging the dishes and other items on the table.

"It’s quite nice, a pity we don’t have much to eat," Lu Zhen said with a hint of regret.

"I do have some, though I’m not sure if you dare to eat it," the baby-faced one brought out two large legs of ham, throwing them disdainfully onto the dining table.

Lu Zhen and Zhao Xiaojing looked at each other, then the baby-faced one looked at them in surprise, "You’re not going to make me take a bite first, are you?"

The Appraisal Fork came in handy.

A cartoon chef’s hat character projection appeared in mid-air:

"Preserved ham produced with a multi-step refining process, slightly salty, can be paired with other dishes."

"Preserved ham is not part of a healthy diet, and it’s not recommended for long-term consumption."

"No problem," Xu Huo put away the tool.

"That’s great!" Lu Zhen said, "It’s been many days since I’ve had a full meal."

She and Zhao Xiaojing swiftly sliced the ham, and were pleasantly surprised to learn that Xu Huo had also brought wine.

"I never used to drink before, but after becoming a player, I can, and I sometimes have a few drinks when I can’t sleep," Zhao Xiaojing said.

Xu Huo didn’t give much wine, so Lu Zhen poured a little into each glass, smiling, "Let’s just have a taste today."

Zhao Xiaojing touched her face and also smiled.

Dinner that day was quite normal, with Xu Huo, the temporary host, sitting in the host’s seat, and other players sitting on both sides of the long table. Under the bright lights, clean plates held enticing slices of ham and two freeze-dried vegetables, a glass of cold water mixed from a nutrient solution, and half a glass of wine, with napkins folded neatly beside them.

As everyone took their seats, Xu Huo made a "please" gesture, and they all began to eat.

"Life really needs a sense of ceremony," Red-Haired mused, "After becoming a player, I can’t remember the last time I had a proper meal; it’s either in the midst of passing a level or preparing for one, always on guard against other players, hiding and skulking about, sometimes even afraid to show my face."

The situation in Zone 009 and Zones 011 and 014 was different, with 014 being an area where players had not yet fully proliferated, and the national violence agencies were still the strongest and most deterrent presence. It was the players causing trouble who had to be careful, while Zone 011 was already highly mature, with players and the government forming a power structure that had reached equilibrium and could effectively control the entire area, without worrying about players causing trouble.

The Player Organization in Zone 009 was formidable, but not to the extent that it could dictate everything; the rapid increase in the number of players was sure to bring conflict, and players needed to be more careful to protect themselves at those times.

"Since entering the game for so long, I’ve never felt alive," Zhao Xiaojing said, looking at her wine glass, "It’s just that I haven’t died yet."

"This game really isn’t something that ordinary people like us can play," Lu Zhen sighed, "Right now, I just hope that after clearing the level and leaving, the players from the other zones have already departed. A bit of calmness at least means our lives wouldn’t be so hard."

"Don’t be so pessimistic," Liang Chong said, "The appearance of the game has its benefits too, look at me. Before I became an Evolver, I was already in the late stages of cancer, doctors said three months at best, half a year at most, and now it’s almost three years. I’m still alive and well. If I go for an exam now, every indicator is normal."

"That’s probably the only benefit," Lu Zhen said, "Congratulations to you."

Liang Chong smiled, "So, man, don’t overthink things. Miracles might just appear one day."

"Who knows, maybe the game will disappear one day!" Red-Haired chimed in, "As long as we’re alive, there’s hope. Let’s drink to that hope!"

Xu Huo too raised his glass.

After clinking glasses, Lu Zhen said, "Brother Xu must have been to many game districts, are there any especially peaceful ones where you don’t have to worry about safety and don’t have to hide here and there?"

Clearly, everyone was interested in this topic, and even the people at the end of the table lifted their heads to listen.

"Of course, there are a number of districts like that," Xu Huo said. "I’ve been to one or two of them, really livable places. As long as you have money, getting married and having children is not a problem."

"What great places..." Zhao Xiaojing said longingly, "Female players dare to get pregnant, it’s literally a death wish."

"A player’s identity can be suspended," Xu Huo said. "Once you get to these places, you can get a job from the local government and break free from the instances."

"There’s lots of public information about Zone 009, doesn’t it have any?"

"It does," Zhao Xiaojing said. "But reading about it online doesn’t feel real, not like hearing it directly from someone. Which district are you talking about? I want to get tickets for that district."

"Zone 011."

"I know Zone 011," Liang Chong said. "There are public guides to the instances there online, but it doesn’t seem as good as they say. People at the bottom of Zone 011 have a tough life. In any half-decent city, resources are all concentrated in the hands of a few, and without an Identity Card, you can’t even get close to some public places."

"When have the lower levels ever had it good?" Xu Huo said meaningfully. "Even the districts with strong power and advanced development are but fleeting as a daylily."

It’s like tonight’s dinner, only providing a brief respite. As long as you remain in the game, the hidden downsides will eventually erupt. To end it all, the entire game must come to an end.

Once you become a player, you’re committed to tirelessly moving forward in these gears of life.

"That’s true, Brother Xu is different from us," Lu Zhen said dejectedly. "You need money to settle down."

"Even as a player, you can’t escape the label of a poor person. My life is really miserable. Does anyone have a good way to make money?" Red-Haired asked earnestly.

"Murder," Xu Huo commented casually. "You dare not rob the district government, the Game Government is untouchable. Only robbing other players might be somewhat possible."

Red-Haired paused, "I better just stick to eating."

"Brother Xu, have you ever robbed a district government?" Liang Chong looked at him with fervent eyes.

Xu Huo smiled, "How could I? I’m just a Level D Player in the end."

The Level D Players present almost couldn’t recognize the words Level D anymore.

"Even if you haven’t robbed a district government, you must have killed high-level players," Lu Zhen asked curiously. "Brother Xu, have you ever seen a Super Player?"

Under everyone’s gaze, Xu Huo put down his knife and fork and tapped his watch. "Lights out time has arrived."