Killing within city limits or betraying guildmates would mark you as a red-named player.

The system deemed this criminal. And crime demanded punishment.

After committing such acts, players would be locked in the city prison for 24 hours. Upon release, a crimson skull icon would permanently brand their name.

Just like real-world criminals struggling for acceptance, a red name ruined your account.

No guild would recruit you.

Who’d trust a player who killed in town for petty reasons? Not when they might stab you in the back during a boss fight—ambushing you mid-battle to loot everything you owned.

Red-named players became infamous overnight.

Sure, killing in town was slightly better than betraying teammates. But red was red. Everyone treated it the same.

Without a guild, most game maps were impossible to solo. This game thrived on teamwork.

That’s why players in the bar scattered the moment we drew weapons. No one dared interfere.

Accidentally finishing off a sliver-health player? That’d saddle your account with a permanent red name.

As a frail Lv.2 Priest facing a Lv.3 Warrior and Lv.2 Mage, I stood no chance.

The tanky Warrior absorbed my weak thrusts up front while the Mage hid behind him, conjuring high-damage fireballs.

Guo Tong didn’t attack. He just blocked my path with his bulky frame. The girl’s fireballs came relentlessly—I could only spam *Elyna’s Whisper* to keep my HP from crashing.

For a moment, even the Mage couldn’t break me.

"Guo Tong! Help me kill him!" the girl snapped, noticing her teammate’s half-hearted stance.

"Got it!" Guo Tong straightened up, hefting his one-handed sword with sudden ferocity.

If her magic combined with his physical damage, I’d die instantly.

*Give up, Fan-ge,* Guo Tong messaged privately.

*I don’t surrender without a fight,* I typed back.

I’d rather die charging forward than accept terms.

*Fan-ge, I’m still on your side! I have a plan—help me pull it off,* he messaged again, cryptic.

?!

Guo Tong hadn’t betrayed me?!

*What?* I asked.

*She’s a strong Mage but refuses to join my tiny guild. If she turns red-named? No guild will take her. So…*

*You want her to kill me, get branded red, then you can "rescue" her,* I replied, chuckling.

Scheming bastard. She probably just wanted to vent, but he aimed to get her permanently indebted—and land the girl.

Morally, I found it disgraceful. I’d never fake my death willingly.

*Here’s a compromise: during her casting animation, you suddenly attack first. You’ll only get jailed. She’ll still one-shot me.*

At least this performance would feel real.

I carried only cheap potions—no valuable loot. My gear would respawn at the revival point anyway.

*Twelve hours banned for city PvP?!* Guo Tong’s message reeked of panic.

*That’s my bottom line.*

A man’s dignity mattered.

*Ugh, fine!* Guo Tong relented. Twelve hours offline for a girl? Worth it.

His sword grazed me—my HP halved. The Mage’s fireball slammed into me next. Flames engulfed my vision as I collapsed in the bar.

Static filled the screen.

> **Lv.2 Mage "HoneyPomeloTea" has slain Lv.2 Priest "DrownedInSpittle."**

> **Violated Novice Village Code. 24-hour ban. Marked as Murderer.**

> **Lv.3 Warrior "BillionGirlsDream" violated Novice Village Code. 12-hour ban.**

Satisfying.

> **Lv.2 Priest "DrownedInSpittle" violated Novice Village Code. 12-hour ban.**

Why punish the victim?!

Fuming, I confronted the town guard waiting at the revival point.

"You participated in a brawl."

"It was self-defense!"

"I don’t recognize that term. You harmed another human." His tone stayed flat.

I’d failed to study this world’s laws. A rookie mistake.

Twelve hours in prison meant no gaming today.

As guards dragged my character away, I prepared to log out. I hadn’t slept all night—exhaustion weighed my eyelids shut.

Just as I reached for the quit button, a silken strand of hair brushed my ear. Warm, damp breath carrying faint orchid scent pressed against my cheek.

"What are you playing, Fan?" A drowsy voice murmured behind me.

Jiang Muqing?! I nearly jumped out of my chair.

Must she always appear like a ghost behind me?! My heart hammered against my ribs.

"Knock before entering!" I snapped, tilting my head back.

"Since when do I knock on Fan’s door? Hiding something?" Her suspicion was palpable.

"Just… common courtesy," I stammered.

"So Fan thinks I’m rude?" She leaned closer, wide eyes gleaming like polished ice. Terrifying.

"No! Absolutely not." I surrendered instantly.

A thought struck me. If Guo Tong could game with a girl… could I bring Jiang Muqing into this world? Simple quests, dungeon runs, looting gear—no complications.

Proof: girls could enjoy gaming. And gaming could charm girls.

"It’s an online game. Want to try?" I steered the topic.

"Boys and their anime or games. Even Fan’s no exception." Her tone dripped mild disdain.

"Well… taller guys play sports," I mumbled, feeling utterly ordinary.

"Sports are interesting. Basketball players look cool." So she liked athletic types.

"I don’t play basketball. Guess I’m not your ideal guy," I said sheepishly.

"Who cares about basketball? You’re irreplaceable. Even if you knew nothing, I’d still like you." She backtracked instantly.

"What if I were an idiot?" I tested.

"Even as an idiot? I said you’re irreplaceable." Her emphasis was absolute.

Hopelessly devoted.

"Because I saved you?"

This loyalty made my chest tight.

"No."

"Hmm?"

"Because you’re the one who cares for me most in this world." She turned her head, gaze clear and unclouded.

That stare made my skin prickle.

"Right. Since I like this game… you’ll play too?" I looked away, focusing on the screen to escape her eyes.

"Of course. Whatever Lu Fan likes, I like." Her resolve was ironclad.

Well. She seemed interested enough.

I logged out my account and created a new one.

**Enter your character name.**

"Name?" I asked Jiang Muqing.

Girls usually picked cute names—Bunny, Snowflake, Blossom…

"LuFan10003."

"..."