Zhang Xinyuan was secretly shocked. He had been obsessed with writing books recently and hadn't paid much attention to the setup of Horror Novel Web. He only knew that there were over a hundred authors in the world.

Among tens of millions of people, only one person was an author, and the chance of two authors meeting was almost zero. Coupled with the fact that authors were not allowed to communicate within Horror Novel Web, Zhang Xinyuan had never thought that one day he would be able to interact with other authors.

Yet the authors actually contacted each other proactively and created a group.

The group name was simple: HOPE.

Including Zhang Xinyuan, there were a total of 8 people in the group.

"Group leader, what you said earlier about something related to my life, what is it exactly? Is being an author a dangerous thing?" Zhang Xinyuan sent the message and found that his group nickname had changed to his own name. He was puzzled because his QQ nickname was not his own name... Could it be set by the group leader? Did the other person know his name?

He opened the group leader's information.

The group leader's nickname was "Kenna," seeming to be a girl. Her personal space was empty.

Kenna quickly responded to Zhang Xinyuan's words.

Kenna: "Being an author is a high-risk profession, especially for newcomers. The mortality rate is over 90%. First, take a look at the group rules and the documents I posted in the group. After reading them, you should have a general understanding."

Zhang Xinyuan looked at the group rules.

【Attention all authors in the group, please do not discuss anything related to the content inside that website, not even mentioning the name of that website. Although there are no outsiders in the group, there is still a chance of alerting that website. For your own safety, do not take risks.】

There was also an English version of the group rules.

Zhang Xinyuan had a faintly ominous feeling.

Was Horror Novel Web really that scary? Why were these authors so taboo about it, not even daring to mention its name?

Zhang Xinyuan opened the group file "Precautions for newcomers.txt."

【Congratulations, by reading this document and following its instructions, your survival rate will greatly increase.

Pay attention to the following points:

1. Do not write works about the "real world."

2. Don't update too quickly, keep a certain amount of draft to cope with unforeseen needs.

3. Avoid writing complicated plots, the simpler the setting, the better.

4. Do not write anything in the setting column.

5. Strictly abide by the rules of that website.

6. Don't waste points in the customer service consultation center.

As for other more in-depth knowledge, I cannot mention it in the group file, otherwise, something bad might happen. If you want to know more, we need to talk face to face.

If you find yourself in a strange event or have signs of entering a strange event, you must inform the group leader, this is crucial!】

Similarly, there was an English version translation at the end of this paragraph.

After reading it, Zhang Xinyuan was at a loss: What is all this?

He had even more doubts, but Zhang Xinyuan didn't dare to ask rashly because the group rules stated that he couldn't mention "Horror Novel Web" and its content.

Kenna: "Mr. Zhang Xinyuan, have you finished reading? After three days, we want all members to meet face to face and discuss the detailed content of that website."

Zhang Xinyuan was a bit nervous, "Can't we discuss it online?"

"For other matters, yes, but absolutely not about that website. Because that website may directly monitor our electronic devices, and no one can guarantee that what you say won't be heard by that website."

"Alright then, where shall we meet?"

"In the United States, Twisted Alliance."

Ah? In the United States? Zhang Xinyuan was stunned for a moment. He had never been abroad because it was troublesome, he had no time, and most importantly, he didn't have the money...

"Don't worry, during this period, all living expenses, transportation expenses, even including your pass, passport, will all be taken care of by the association. You just need to stay at home, and I will bring the other newcomers from the group to find you, and then we will all go to Twisted Alliance together."

"...Do you know where I am?"

"Yes, I know the location of everyone in the group," replied Kana.

At this moment, another person in the group named "Ma Youcai" sent an exaggerated message:

"Oh oh oh oh - Finally met a Chinese author! Finally not feeling lonely! Welcome, welcome!"

Zhang Xinyuan: "Mr. Ma, hello hello!"

Ma Youcai: "Just call me Youcai. You have no idea how bored I was. Before you joined, I was the only Chinese person in this group. Only the group owner and that Neon Girl can speak Chinese, making me quite uneasy."

Zhang Xinyuan: "Haha, is that so? How long have you been in this association?"

Ma Youcai: "About three hours."

Zhang Xinyuan: "..."

Kana: "This group was formed eight hours ago and Mr. Zhang Xinyuan was the last person to join."

"Wait, is this association formed temporarily?" Zhang Xinyuan asked in surprise.

"Not exactly. Our 'Hope Association' has been established for several years with dozens of members. I am one of the key members of the association, and you all are newly joined members," replied Kana.

Ma Youcai: "By the way, Kana, are these mysterious incidents really that scary? The way you guys talk about it, I even want to try it."

Kana: "Mr. Ma Youcai, for the sake of your life, please don't try it!"

Ma Youcai: "Haha, I was just kidding. But what's the survival rate of these mysterious incidents?"

Kana: "According to incomplete data statistics, the death rate of new authors in mysterious incidents is close to 100%, while for higher-level authors, it's around 70%-80%."

Ma Youcai: "Damn! That's too terrifying! Even higher-level authors die so easily?"

Kana: "Yes, because some higher-level authors have special props, their death rate is lower. Higher-level authors without props are no different from new authors."

Ma Youcai: "Thanks for reminding, Kana, I almost fell into it out of curiosity."

At this moment, someone named "Heize Lianyue" sent this message:

"Group owner Kana, hello, and greetings to other members. I am Heize Lianyue from Neon, and I have a concern. Earlier, you mentioned that not all authors are well-intentioned. Can I understand that authors outside the Hope Association could be our enemies?"

"Heize Miss, your concern is correct. I believe you should know that there are currently about 140 authors on Earth, besides the Hope Association, there are other organizations formed by authors. Many of those organizations specifically hunt down new authors because killing authors can earn them points, and those points can be used to exchange for useful things.

We are different, we don't want this world to become cruel, so we choose to save new authors. Whether you want to join us or develop independently outside the association is your own decision, but if you leave the association, please do not become our enemy," replied Kana.

Ma Youcai: "That's so terrifying! This is too dark, isn't it?"

Hunting authors? Authors killing each other?

Zhang Xinyuan's heartbeat stopped for a moment. He was the last one to join the group and seemed to have missed a lot of information. The waters between authors were deeper than he had imagined...

By the way, is this "Heize Lianyue" also a Neon person? How does she speak Chinese so fluently? Could she be a Chinese person pretending to be someone else?

Heize Lianyue: "Kana Miss, what I'm about to say next might make you unhappy. If I offend you, please forgive me."

Kana: "It's okay, Heize Miss. As long as you don't violate the group rules, you can express your thoughts freely."

Heize Lianyue: "May I ask, how does the Hope Association find us new authors? Since you don't want to kill us for points, what do you want from us?"

Zhang Xinyuan looked at the trembling screen, unable to speak.

While he was worried about his own author career, Heize Lianyue had already started doubting the "Hope Association." Indeed, different people have different ways of thinking.

Kana: "Regarding the first question, if you are not a contracted author, the website will not keep your information confidential. Through special tools, we can search for authors whose information is not protected. As for the detailed principles, it's not convenient to discuss online. We need to talk in person."

"The second question, we need your help, no, I should say, we all need each other's help. Firstly, we should present a united front to the outside world. Secondly, we should not harm each other. Finally, we need to explore together that website and find the most suitable survival mode for the authors. Our goal is to ensure that all good authors can live on forever."

At this moment, a person named 'Cai Yanzhen' posted a string of Korean characters, and Kena replied in Korean as well.

Zhang Xinyuan couldn't understand, so he used Google Translate to get the gist. It was about Cai Yanzhen asking how long the website has been in existence and who is operating it, and Kena told Cai Yanzhen not to ask these questions in the group but to have a face-to-face conversation.

...

Heize Lianyue: "There is another hidden danger. We all know that QQ is a product of Tencent Holdings. Our privacy is transparent in QQ, including our conversations just now. So, is Tencent under the control of the Hope Association?"

Kena: "In order to maintain secrecy, the Hope Association has not cooperated with any group or country, and we have not had any contact with Tencent. However, there is no need to worry. The group we are in is currently encrypted and cannot be monitored by anyone other than us. But over time, the secrecy of this group will gradually weaken, so when we meet in the real world, I will immediately disband this group and delete all relevant data. You don't need to worry about this..."

Kena: "That's all for now. I forgot to inform you of another piece of news. All members who join the association will receive a subsidy of 100,000 US dollars in their accounts tonight, equivalent to your country's currency. This money is for supporting your daily life. After that, we will give you a monthly salary of 10,000 US dollars as a token of appreciation. If you have any other difficulties, feel free to communicate with me, and the association will do its best to help you."

Ma Youcai: "Thank you, Sister Kena! I thought we would have to pay membership fees to you, but I didn't expect you to give us money. I am truly impressed!"

Others also expressed their gratitude.

Zhang Xinyuan silently watched the people chatting in the group, but his thoughts drifted far away.

One hundred thousand US dollars, equivalent to 700,000 Chinese yuan. More than he had ever had. And a monthly "salary" of 10,000 US dollars is basically money for doing nothing.

Why did he still have to work until midnight and vomit blood? Why did he have to work 18 hours a day? Why couldn't he go home and spend time with his parents during Chinese New Year? Why...

If, if he had become an author earlier, maybe his parents wouldn't have died.

There aren't so many ifs, maybe this is just life.