Chapter 24: The Passionate Fool

Yang Liuqing looked at the impassioned Shen Si in front of her, lowered her voice, and said to Liang Dan, "I finally understand why it’s always high school girls who save the world in anime."

Yang couldn't help but laugh, "This must be what they call a hot-blooded idiot."

Liang Dan replied, "I think what she says makes a lot of sense, and there’s even more I want to know than she does."

Yang Liuqing paused, plopped down on the ground, and said helplessly, "The people who killed the NPCs and the ones who summoned that ruin of a building back into existence are almost certainly the same group."

Liang Dan and Shen Si spoke in unison: "Why?"

"It’s obvious. They killed those people just as we were about to uncover information about that building, which means they already have that information. And based on my previous assessment, these scenarios can only be summoned if you have obtained the relevant information."

"So that’s how it is," Shen Si exclaimed in realization. "You’re so smart."

Yang Liuqing curled her lip. "If you two can’t even sense something this obvious, I hope you’re just stunned by anger rather than actually being this stupid."

Yang stood up, brushed the blood off her pants, and said with a tone of regret, "These villagers are all dead. If the River God doesn't actually exist, we might be able to spend the next four days in peace. You two better think it over—living a peaceful life in a dungeon world is a rare opportunity."

Shen Si clenched her fists. "I’ve thought about it. I want to figure out this damn hellish world!"

Liang Dan said, "You can find a place to hide for the next four days, and the two of us will go investigate."

"Exactly, exactly," Shen Si grabbed Liang Dan’s arm. "Sister Liang is highly skilled in martial arts; she will definitely be able to protect me."

Liang Dan said gloomily, "But I can only use self-defense; I’m not allowed to attack."

"Huh?!"

Yang Liuqing laughed, "Even though the NPCs are mostly dead, there are too many players and too many secrets. Even if I hide, I might not be safe. So, I’ll reluctantly go with you guys."

Shen Si was eager to try, "You two are so smart; hurry and think of a way. How should we investigate next?"

Yang Liuqing said, "I do have a method, but it might be a bit risky."

Shen Si said, "Exploring the world is a game for the brave anyway. Speak your mind; we are mentally prepared!"

Liang Dan nodded.

Yang Liuqing asked, "Our top priority is to understand the story behind that building, right?"

Shen Si and Liang Dan said in unison, "Right."

Yang Liuqing said, "If that’s the case, the problem is simple. The players who killed the people earlier know the story of that building. We just need to find them and ask them directly."

Shen Si gasped, "Find them and ask them directly? Are we trying to get ourselves killed?"

Liang Dan nodded.

Shen Si moved closer to Liang Dan. "Don't you think this proposal is too risky?"

Liang Dan replied, "I think what Yang Liuqing said makes sense. We should just find them and ask."

Shen Si took a large step back. "Who exactly is the hot-blooded idiot here? Why are you two so crazy?!"

Liang Dan said, "Since they didn't kill us, there must be a reason. Maybe they are restricted by system evaluations, just like me."

"Exactly," Yang Liuqing said. "If you’re really worried, I can find a 'security guard' first."

Yang Liuqing took a deep breath and shouted with all her might, "Help!"

Liang Dan covered her forehead. "Is this really a good idea?"

"Is politeness more important than life?" After saying this, Shen Si also pulled at her throat and yelled, "Help!"

Yang Liuqing walked toward the entrance of the village, shouting as she went: "Help!"

Shen Si followed behind her: "Help!"

The three walked out of the village, the temple and the ruined building in plain sight.

Yang Liuqing shouted, "Help—"

"Stop shouting!"

The temple door was pushed open, and two young women in sportswear stood at the entrance, looking incredibly annoyed.

The woman on the right, wearing a red tracksuit, frowned. "It’s no use shouting anymore; that poor sap left yesterday."

Yang Liuqing stared, "Left?"

Shen Si frowned, "Left?"

The woman in the blue tracksuit looked impatient. "Yes, she left yesterday!"

"Ah!"

Liang Dan dropped to her knees with a thud. "My savior! I hadn't even thanked you properly; how could you just leave like that!"

Shen Si squatted beside her, rubbing her eyes vigorously. "Even though we only met once, she was a good person. It’s such a pity she passed away so young!"

Yang Liuqing bowed to thin air and scooped up a handful of dirt from the ground. "You two shouldn't be too sad. Please accept my condolences!"

The woman in red stammered, "There’s really no need to be this sad—"

Liang Dan slowly stood up. "No, you don't understand. You don't understand the bond between us! Though we only met once, we had already established a deep friendship, and now we are separated by life and death!"

Shen Si hugged Liang Dan. "Family, please take care of yourself! Accept my condolences!"

The woman in blue crossed her arms. "What we mean is, she finished the dungeon quest and went home yesterday."

Liang Dan raised the corners of her mouth. "Ah! So my savior—"

"Wait," the woman in red reached out a hand. "Wait a moment before you lament. What do you want with her? If it’s important, you can tell us. We might be able to help."

Liang Dan’s eyes lit up. "You are such kind people. It seems you were friends with my savior, too. I knew it! My savior was not only very kind but also well-liked. Her friends are all wonderful people!"

Liang Dan rattled on, and without waiting for the two women to respond, she continued: "I am so sorry, we pretended to be locals to deceive you yesterday, but we had our reasons. I know the words 'had our reasons' can't erase the hurt our deception caused you, and I am truly sorry! Come, 3, 2, 1, let’s bow and apologize to the kind friends of a kind person!"

The three of them bowed together: "We are very sorry!"

The woman in red pressed her palm to her forehead, seemingly preventing herself from fainting.

The woman in blue said gloomily, "'Had our reasons' is three words."

"I'm so sorry, my math has been bad since I was a child—"

"Peerless philanthropist Liang Dan, you lied to and deceived players. You are dead!"

*

The woman in blue said, "'Had our reasons' is three words."

Liang Dan smiled slightly. "Yes."

The woman in red asked, "What happened to you just now? You were suddenly frozen."

"I'm sorry," Liang Dan said. "I lagged for a second. I hadn't finished what I was saying. Let me start over from the beginning."