Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Ke Li Nuo Grasslands 1

The traitor was also a player.

Earlier, he’d tried to recruit other players, form his own little faction, and set himself up as king.

Because he had plenty of supplies, he really did manage to rope in a few players and win their loyalty. But most of the neighborhood refused. Did he seriously think no one could see through his schemes?

Everyone was a player. Why should he be above anyone else?

After being rejected, he still wouldn’t give up. He started plotting to join forces with outsiders to teach them a “small lesson.” Then he’d swoop in as the good guy, offer help, and make everyone owe him.

When they kicked him out, they allowed him to take nothing but the clothes on his back.

Everything else was confiscated as compensation for the neighborhood’s “emotional damages.”

He cursed and swore he’d get revenge sooner or later, that he’d make them pay.

But he hadn’t even made it far past the neighborhood gate with a few lackeys when a group of heavily armed people came up and “invited” him into a police car.

Watching him get taken away, Jiang Xin cursed under his breath. What an idiot. Like he’d ever let a tiger go back to the mountain. Go work for the country and stop causing trouble.

The next morning, Ling Mo was jolted awake by the familiar collection notification.

She opened her phone. Seeing one trending push notification after another, a bad feeling rose in her chest.

She clicked a video.

The first frame was a massive explosion, flames surging into the sky. Then a lion-like man stepped out of the fire and began burning, killing, and looting.

Ling Mo stared. “What…?”

Was this from yesterday?

Was that explosion she’d heard just now also his doing?

But then the video showed something else—a rocket streaking in from the distance and slamming straight into the lionman.

Ling Mo clutched her chest. First thing in the morning, and it was already this intense?

Players only awakened talents. They weren’t superheroes. Even a player with body enhancement couldn’t tank endless attacks without getting hurt.

That lionman was dead. No question.

Still, the way they fired a missile without hesitation, with no regard for anyone nearby… that didn’t feel like how things were done on their side.

Only then did Ling Mo realize the video wasn’t from her country at all. It was from abroad.

Understanding washed over her.

She closed the video, opened domestic news, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Halfway down, she heard barking and meowing in the living room. Only then did she remember—she still had over a dozen stray cats and dogs to care for.

After yesterday, the animals could understand her commands, but understanding was one thing. Obedience was another.

Strays weren’t particularly smart. Some things would take time.

She filled bowls for all the animals, then went into the kitchen to make her own breakfast.

After all this practice, cooking had become second nature.

She stir-fried two dishes, steamed a pot of rice, and ate contentedly.

Her plan had been to upgrade her shop after breakfast, then sell a batch of goods. But before she could stand up, a familiar mechanical voice sounded.

“Dear official player Soy Sauce Drunk, the next game round will begin in five minutes. Please prepare.”

Ling Mo shot up from her chair and sprinted upstairs without a second thought.

Damn it—weren’t the games always at night? Why was it morning this time?

No matter how much she complained internally, her hands moved fast.

She changed into the clothes, pants, and shoes she’d prepared, put on a mask, secured her identity, and tied up her hair.

“Three, two, one.”

In the final second of the countdown, Ling Mo pulled on her hat.

Her vision went black.

When she opened her eyes again, she was standing in the middle of a grassland.

All around her were players who’d been pulled into the game.

The last few games had all started at night, and people had gotten used to going out at night and sleeping through the day.

So when this game began, many people had just gotten into bed. No one could blame them for panicking.

Some had their shirts half-buttoned, slippers on their feet, shoes clutched in their hands.

Others were fully dressed but carrying armfuls of gear—wetsuits, sportswear, even down jackets.

Prepared for everything.

Except—

Ling Mo looked at the endless grassland and felt a little speechless. All that preparation was useless. None of it mattered here.

Thanks to prior experience, even though the start was rushed, most people still forced themselves to stand still and wait for the System’s next instruction.

Soon, the familiar voice sounded again.

“Dear official players, hello. Welcome to ke li nuo grasslands.

“As the largest grassland on ke li nuo star, ke li nuo grasslands is home to many beastmen. Beastmen are powerful, born warriors, but they have their own troubles.

“Mission: Find and help beastmen resolve their problems. Within ten days, collect ten satisfied smiley faces. The System will issue rewards based on customer satisfaction.”

As the System finished, a smiley badge appeared in Ling Mo’s hand. Ten dim lights ringed it—exactly ten.

So “collecting ten smiley faces” meant lighting up all the lamps.

Ling Mo pinned the badge to her chest. Around her, other players did the same.

This game lasted ten full days—longer than mo ka forest. That meant it was either especially difficult or extremely time-consuming.

Ten days. Ten smiley faces. On average, one per day.

After a few seconds of silence, the crowd erupted in curses and angry shouting.

Almost everyone was complaining that the game started too suddenly, leaving them no time to prepare.

“System! Ten days and you didn’t give us any food or water—how are we supposed to live?!”

In mo ka forest, they’d started with nothing too, but the mission involved gathering food. The forest was full of things to eat. As long as you had the courage to try, you wouldn’t starve.

This time was different.

Staring at the endless grassland, what were they supposed to eat?

Grass?

After a while, the shouting faded. The System didn’t respond at all. People finally realized nothing would change, and they started to accept it.