Chapter Sixty-Three: The Fifth Person

Fang Nian’s emotions began to fluctuate; he hurriedly summoned the system broadcast and opened the task list.

Hell Difficulty: Form a hunting party, which must include the following professions: Warrior, Story Organizer, Mechanic, and Code Breaker, with an overall rating no lower than F grade. (Task in progress, remaining time: minutes. Can be undertaken simultaneously with Nightmare Difficulty tasks triggered by special events.)

Nightmare Difficulty: Triggered by special events, the task and its dangers are extreme—host, please accept with caution. (Click to receive the actual task content. Rewards are generous; please accept rationally.)

Fang Nian felt like cursing—never in his wildest dreams had he expected that accepting a task would require such blindness. Was this some kind of mystery box? The task description sounded terrifying, yet it promised rich rewards. Was this a ploy to lure him in?

Despite his bitterness, Fang Nian knew there was no turning back. Even if the road ahead was hellish, he had to try. Gritting his teeth, he clicked to accept the Nightmare Difficulty task. In that instant, a flash of black light struck, and a sharp pain shot through his wrist.

“What was that?”

He looked down, but darkness had swallowed him completely; he couldn’t see what was happening to his arm. All he could do was check the task summary.

Nightmare Difficulty: Successfully locate its spirit within the hunting ground and…

But before he could read the full description, Fang Nian was engulfed in utter darkness. The hunting ground had opened, and he was severed from the system.

“Damn it, if there’s no trouble, I’ll make some for myself,” he muttered.

…

As the darkness slowly receded, Fang Nian’s thoughts cleared. The rumbling sound of a train rolling over tracks echoed, and he felt a subtle jolt beneath him.

“Looks like I’m already on the train.”

He rubbed his aching temples and slowly opened his eyes, finding himself lying on a bunk bed. Before him was a room styled after early twentieth-century Europe, with no sign of a train carriage.

“Ah… my head hurts. Honestly, the government should take suggestions—why does entering the hunting ground always feel like a bout of illness? How can anyone clear the stage like this?”

He looked toward the speaker: Jin Jinhui, dressed in a neutral fashion. Unlike her brother Jin Jindao, her personality was far more carefree.

Jin Jinhui’s words prompted Xiao Xueluan, who was sprawled on the floor, to get up and nod in agreement, though her tone was tinged with helplessness.

“I’ve always submitted Jinhui’s suggestions, but with our current technology, there’s nothing we can do.”

Guo Ji also woke up at that moment, standing from a European-style wooden desk. He addressed Jin Jinhui.

“All right, Jinhui, go check on Rui’er and Xu Dong. If everyone’s fine, let’s gather and analyze this hunting ground.”

Jin Jinhui nodded obediently and went to check on Duan Rui, while Xiao Xueluan began observing their surroundings. Guo Ji’s voice was thick and mellow, brimming with confident calm; his decisive actions revealed a wealth of hunting experience. Unconsciously, he’d assumed the role of team leader.

Of course, it was good to have someone take charge. Although Fang Nian had received the task of forming the team, there was no requirement that he lead it himself. It was much easier to blend in as a team member.

Guo Ji and Fang Nian weren’t acquainted, though they knew of each other by name.

“Brother Fang, are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

Guo Ji nodded, then beckoned everyone over, speaking calmly.

“Good, since everyone’s all right, let’s gather. In this hunting ground, we’re a team. To clear the stage quickly, I hope everyone can show their skills. For a hunting ground of this level, it shouldn’t be too challenging for us, right?”

Everyone’s eyes shone with confidence; they were self-assured.

“All right, let’s assign roles for this hunt. Xu Dong and I are Warriors, responsible for overall safety. Story Organizer Jin Jinhui, you’ll handle the storylines. Mechanic Xiao Xueluan, opening boxes and locks will be your job. As for the Code Breaker, that must be Rui’er; I assume no one objects?”

When Duan Rui was mentioned, Fang Nian noticed a gleam in Guo Ji’s eye. He nudged Jin Jinhui, who was already fiddling with her 3D watch, sorting through storyline data.

“Your boss Guo doesn’t like Duan Rui, does he?”

Jin Jinhui kept tinkering with her virtual panel but wore an aunt-like smile.

“Everyone in District 16 knows, okay? Those two grew up together—Guo Ji is basically Duan Rui’s guardian. If she’s in danger, he’ll be there, and he’s been protecting her for over a decade. We’re all used to it.”

She sighed softly, then continued.

“But the sad part is, Rui’er has always known how Guo Ji feels, but she’s just not interested. She’s rejected him many times. Yet he’s stubborn, convinced he’ll melt her icy heart someday. Year after year, he persists… a hopeless romantic.”

Fang Nian smiled helplessly. Guo Ji seemed like a genius, but when it came to pursuing girls, he was far inferior—utterly clueless.

As the saying goes, women don’t love men who aren’t a little bad. His approach was just too old-fashioned—a true fool.

“Fang Nian…”

He paused, hearing someone call his name; it was Guo Ji.

“Yes, Brother Guo?”

Guo Ji’s expression grew stern.

“What role do you usually play in the hunting grounds?”

Fang Nian hesitated, embarrassed.

“This is my first team hunt. I don’t have any particular specialty.”

Guo Ji was taken aback, his expression darkening. He muttered to Duan Rui beside him,

“What’s going on, Grandpa Duan? Letting a freeloader in—isn’t this just inviting trouble?”

Duan Rui’s face betrayed no emotion. She glanced at Fang Nian from the corner of her eye and went off to search the room for clues.

Guo Ji, resigned, addressed Fang Nian.

“Brother Fang, as you can see, every position is filled. To avoid conflicts during the hunt, you’ll take the fifth spot—is that all right?”

Fang Nian knew well what the fifth position meant, but he smiled and nodded.

“Of course, Brother Guo. Let’s do it your way.”