Chapter Two: Soon, It Will Be Their Turn to Be Afraid

[Mission triggered: First encounter with Gu Xingze. Gain five points of Gu Xingze's Heartbeat Value, and he will become your strongest shield.]

"Hello, can you help me up?" Xu Nuo's eyes were brimming with tears, giving her a pitiful and fragile appearance.

007 wailed in despair: [We're doomed. This target is the coldest and most heartless. You've already used up all your skills, and he hasn't reacted at all. What else can you use to move him?]

Xu Nuo replied to 007, "Perhaps, a sincere heart?"

Gu Xingze was silent for a moment before reaching out and lifting her up with one hand.

"Huh?" She wasn't some stray cat or dog; was this really how people were supposed to be picked up? Gu Xingze was taller than her, and as she dangled from his hand for a moment, Xu Nuo felt thoroughly humiliated.

Gu Xingze squinted and sized up the girl before him. She was beautiful and clean, looking for all the world like a carefree university student from a peaceful era, a temperament entirely at odds with the corner of this ruined city.

Yet, the way she fought just now was skilled and ruthless—certainly not the actions of a naïve college girl.

Too contradictory.

"Who are you?"

"Me?" Xu Nuo slipped down from Gu Xingze's grasp, answering righteously, "Of course I'm alive. What, do you think I'm a zombie?"

Gu Xingze looked up; a few rays of sunlight slipped from the edge of his cap and fell into his dark eyes.

[Heartbeat Value +5. Congratulations on completing the beginner mission: First encounter with Gu Xingze. Reward: Skill cooldown reduced by ten minutes.]

007: ??!

What happened? How did his heart stir? Wasn't he supposed to be cold and unfeeling?

007 suddenly realized: [Could this... be the miracle of love!] Yes, what else but love could explain it?

Xu Nuo softened her tone, "Can I follow you? My entire family was wiped out by the zombie tide; I'm the only one left..."

Viewers in the live stream couldn't hold back:

[That was explosive—her whole family gone just like that.]

[That's how love-obsessed people are: the man is everything, even their family can be casually said to be dead.]

[Viewer SweetSweet tips a family photo.]

Xu Nuo didn't explain. Though abandoned in a garbage heap days after birth by her biological parents, raised in an orphanage, and her parents had died in a car accident years ago, there was little point in clarifying.

What purpose would an explanation serve?

Her thoughtless plea for pity prompted several new comments and drew in more viewers, stirring up emotions and boosting the live stream's popularity.

She glanced at the sarcastic "family photo" she received as a tip—a buff in this apocalypse setting. As long as the condition of "a family of three" was met, it increased attack power by ten percent.

Xu Nuo tucked the family photo away. Just because she couldn't use it now didn't mean she wouldn't need it later.

"Keep up," Gu Xingze said, his tone cold and devoid of emotion.

Xu Nuo trotted after him, asking the system, "Little Seven, doesn't your game have any scripts?"

[No,] 007 replied, pride swelling in its words. [The worlds we select—no, the games—are highly free-form, incredibly close to reality. Anything can happen with the plot. After all, we're after sweet, romantic love. What's romance if you follow a predetermined script? That's not romantic at all!]

Hearing this, Xu Nuo's eyes curved with a smile, radiating warmth and charm. "Is that so? Then I really love it."

007 was delighted: [Yes!]

.

Gu Xingze led Xu Nuo to the supermarket entrance. Xu Nuo knew what was coming: a classic scene from apocalypse novels—treating supermarkets as free supply stations and looting goods.

But upon entering, she realized that most of the supermarket had already been emptied. There was barely any food or water left, only heaps of mostly useless items rotting and expired.

Gu Xingze spared these odds and ends barely a glance, heading straight for the warehouse. What was sturdy enough for ordinary people was fragile for an ability user.

Within a few breaths, Gu Xingze sliced open the warehouse doors with invisible wind blades.

Xu Nuo sincerely exclaimed, "Wow, that's amazing." The game's visual effects were so realistic, nearly indistinguishable from reality. Abilities were so cool; she wished she could experience them herself.

"Little Seven, when will I get powers?"

007: [Host, you don't need powers. Your targets will protect you. You won't face any danger to your life.]

"Fill it with food." Gu Xingze tossed her a large backpack.

Inside the warehouse, the food was piled like a mountain. Xu Nuo indulged in the joy of grabbing whatever she wanted, as if everything were free.

Just as she finished stuffing her bag, ready to leave with Gu Xingze, a commotion erupted outside.

"Hey, boss, we've struck it rich—so many supplies!"

Xu Nuo barely had time to react before Gu Xingze moved to shield her.

A group of men blocked the warehouse entrance, aggressive and fierce, each brandishing dangerous weapons.

"If you know what's good for you, scram!"

"Bang—" The leader fired at Gu Xingze.

Xu Nuo reacted instantly. The moment the leader drew his gun, she realized his intent, tugged Gu Xingze, and rolled to the ground. The bullet whizzed through the spot where she'd just stood.

Unfortunately, Gu Xingze dodged in the opposite direction, leaving them both exposed to the attackers.

"A girl? There's a girl!"

Seeing Xu Nuo, the group of men stared like starving wolves, their eyes glowing green. A pretty, delicate girl was rarer than food in the harsh apocalypse. Who knew how long they'd been starved for such a sight!

"A real beauty! We've hit the jackpot!"

"Come here, little lady, follow me. I won't mistreat you," the leader said with a lecherous grin. "Look at your boyfriend—skinny arms, skinny legs. Can he protect you? Why not stick with me? You'll eat well and live comfortably. All my brothers here will treat you right, heh heh..."

Gu Xingze frowned deeply, telling Xu Nuo, "Don't move when the time comes."

Xu Nuo replied, "Mm, I know."

007 screamed: [Ahhh! What a tense and exciting damsel-in-distress moment! Host, your reaction is far too calm. You don't seem at all like a heroine expecting the male lead to save her! Quick, act weak, cry, grab the target's sleeve and whimper!]

Xu Nuo raised her brows, "Didn't you say there's no script? I can improvise, right?"

007 was at a loss, feeling a little aggrieved: [Host, aren't you afraid? Our game is extremely realistic—five senses fully restored, any injury feels just like in real life.]

Xu Nuo looked at their weapons—guns and electric batons. "No worries. Soon, they'll be the ones who ought to be afraid."

007: ??? Suddenly, it had an ominous feeling.