Chapter 98

After a night's rest, Qin Ran, feeling refreshed, ate another vegetarian meal that seemed to send his tongue to hell, and logged into the game once again.

Just as Wu Fa Wu Tian had predicted, the war between Steam City and the Steel War Wagons had stopped.

The gunfire that had been a constant presence in his ears had vanished.

As Qin Ran walked towards the door, the prompt changed to—

【Leave the house? Yes/No】

"Yes!" Qin Ran said.

【Hide appearance? Yes/No】

"Yes!" Qin Ran gave the same answer.

Then, the iron door in front of him slowly opened, and a warm ray of sunlight shone upon Qin Ran, accompanied by a gentle breeze, making him feel incredibly comfortable.

Qin Ran widened his eyes as he took in the scene before him.

Although Wu Fa Wu Tian had already given a detailed description of the game's scenery outside the player's room, Qin Ran was still amazed when he saw it for himself.

Under the sunlight, a blue swallow-tailed flag fluttered in the wind atop an ancient castle.

In the distance, the glass walls of tall buildings reflected the dazzling sunlight.

A dark steam locomotive pulled several carriages along the tracks, weaving through the streets of the massive city.

Occasionally, people with various outfits appeared on the streets—some bare-handed, some with swords at their waists, some with guns on their shoulders, some in long robes, and some in heavy armor and shields.

However, their faces were all protected by the system, making them unrecognizable, even with the best eyesight, appearing as a blur.

This was true for everyone.

Naturally, Qin Ran was no exception.

Qin Ran, carrying a large backpack, glanced back at the appearance of his room, but had no extra thoughts, for it was 'consistent inside and out'!

From the inside, it was an old warehouse, and from the outside, it was the same.

Even more accurately, it could be described as: abandoned.

An abandoned old warehouse.

Anyone who saw it would come to the same conclusion.

Even with the door number.

13 Wallway Street.

Qin Ran noted his door number and then headed to the location he had agreed upon with Wu Fa Wu Tian.

Of course, he did not walk.

Instead, he boarded a mode of transportation similar to a train that he had seen before.

The reason it was called 'similar' was that, apart from the dark steam locomotive, there was nothing about this mode of transportation that resembled a train.

Neither in speed nor in comfort.

Qin Ran boarded the vehicle at a station, walked into the spacious carriage, and casually chose a seat—a large, soft sofa that made him close his eyes in comfort as soon as he sat down.

However, he did not forget Wu Fa Wu Tian's instructions.

He quickly entered the address he wanted to go to on the LCD screen, waiting for the 'conductor' to arrange the fastest route for him.

Even outside the instance, players could not use functions like 'instant teleportation.' To reach any destination, they could only walk or take this train-like mode of transportation.

Without 'instant teleportation,' it was the only choice for players.

The only thing to be grateful for was: it was free.

No matter where you went, even if you circled the entire city, it was free.

As long as you had enough time.

Qin Ran did not have such leisure time, but that did not stop him from enjoying the scenery outside the window.

The rapidly receding scenery outside the window seemed to turn into a dazzling light show. If Qin Ran's perception had not reached the D+ level, he would not have been able to see any of the scenery clearly.

However, now?

Faced with a landscape different from what he knew, Qin Ran was thoroughly engrossed.

And in the spacious carriage, no more players appeared.

This allowed Qin Ran to enjoy the scenery even more comfortably.

Until about ten minutes later, the 'conductor' gave a prompt.

【Player 2567, you have arrived at your destination. Please disembark!】

The text prompt that appeared directly on his retina made Qin Ran stop his appreciation, and he got up from the comfortable sofa and walked out of the carriage.

The train did not start immediately after Qin Ran disembarked but waited for about three minutes before setting off again.

If Qin Ran had remained in the carriage, he would have had to ask the 'conductor' to plan the route again.

Qin Ran looked around and immediately saw Wu Fa Wu Tian standing not far from the station sign.

The other party was too easy to recognize.

Even with the face blurred, the tall, muscular build and the cigar always in his mouth were too conspicuous.

"Hey, 2567!"

Wu Fa Wu Tian waved his arm.

When Qin Ran saw Wu Fa Wu Tian, the other party also saw Qin Ran.

Even though Qin Ran was not very noticeable, Wu Fa Wu Tian, who had grouped with Qin Ran before, instantly recognized him when Qin Ran looked over.

"How was it?"

"First time on such a train, right?"

"Did you have any... encounters?"

"Let me tell you, if you want something interesting to happen on the train, you have to sit by the window..."

Wu Fa Wu Tian walked over, put his arm around Qin Ran's shoulder, and started chattering non-stop in Qin Ran's ear.

Immediately, Qin Ran pushed Wu Fa Wu Tian's hand away, moved two steps to the side, and increased the distance between them.

"Aren't we friends?"

"Was your journey that bad?"

"Don't worry, I'm the king of train... encounters!"

"Let me lead you into a new chapter of your life!"

Wu Fa Wu Tian put on a hurt expression.

However, the next moment, he started talking to himself again, especially when he proudly mentioned his eye-rolling 'title.' Qin Ran had already increased the distance between them to two meters and was walking towards a two-story building not far away.

Although he was not sure of the exact location of 'Black Market,' Qin Ran could not imagine any other place that would attract so many players.

While Wu Fa Wu Tian was boasting, Qin Ran had noticed that more than ten players had entered the building.

And more players were appearing, heading towards the two-story building.

In three quick steps, Qin Ran reached the two-story building. From the outside, it looked ordinary.

A regular decoration, it looked like a family restaurant or a cozy café.

Except for the three-meter-tall, rough-looking robot standing at the entrance instead of a greeter.

"Entry ticket, 10 points!"

In a mechanical, monotonous voice, a transaction option appeared in front of Qin Ran.

Qin Ran, who already knew the rules, directly completed the transaction.

Then, a card-sized entry ticket was printed from the robot's left palm.

However, what Qin Ran paid more attention to were the robot's right hand and shoulders.

A heavy machine gun with six barrels and two shoulder-mounted cannons!

"This is the 'broker's' treasure!"

Wu Fa Wu Tian, who had caught up, introduced the robot and greeted it.

"Hi, Jason!"

"Hello, Mr. Wu Fa Wu Tian!"

The robot responded to Wu Fa Wu Tian and made a welcoming gesture.

With this gesture, Qin Ran could clearly sense that the five pairs of eyes that had been on him had all disappeared.

Clearly, Jason the robot was not the only line of defense.

Qin Ran followed Wu Fa Wu Tian into the shop.

After a quick scan, Qin Ran confirmed that the narrow shop was empty.

Including the upstairs.

Then, instinctively, Qin Ran activated [Tracking].

A row of footprints appeared in his vision, leading to a wall inside the shop, where a life-sized oil painting hung.

The oil painting was a door!

"What is this?"

Qin Ran was taken aback.

"Follow me!"

Wu Fa Wu Tian, however, walked to the oil painting and gently knocked three times on the door in the painting.

Knock, knock-knock!

First one, then two.

Then, the door in the painting, which should have been closed, opened.

Wu Fa Wu Tian stepped directly into the painting.

Qin Ran followed.

Although he knew that with Wu Fa Wu Tian's character, this would not be a trap, Qin Ran still cautiously examined the oil painting.

But neither [Tracking] nor [Mystical Knowledge] could provide Qin Ran with more information.

This made Qin Ran frown, and he carefully extended his hand towards the oil painting, as if passing through a water curtain.

Before Qin Ran could fully feel it, a mysterious suction force suddenly appeared, pulling him entirely into the painting.

Instantly, the shop was empty again.