Loot:

[Rusted Iron Rod x5]

[Bloodstained Iron Fork x3]

[Rusty Iron Sword x2]

…

Qin Yu had already started his looting spree. Everywhere he went, not a single item remained—just like an RPG player obsessed with scavenging everything.

Leaving nothing behind? Call it Lootsky mode.

So far, Qin Yu hadn’t encountered danger—a stroke of luck. Earlier, many players stepping onto this land met grim fates; some screamed, drawing monster attention.

“May you be reborn in Shuilongjing Paradise next life… and never return to this Fate Paradise,” Qin Yu muttered with a wry smirk as he pressed on. His destination lay ahead, patrols lurking—caution was key.

To muffle footsteps, he swapped light armor for looted leather boots.

Meanwhile, a female assassin-clad player stealthily explored.

“Unbelievable! Nothing like half-baked VR games. First time feeling this real… so thrilling!”

This was Sugar—the esports alias “Sugar” from her competitive days. Here, her ID was Tang Jihede. Driven by curiosity, she ventured deeper into the eerie town.

Peeling walls, potholed streets, shattered houses—no sign of life anywhere.

…

Qin Yu, crossing cautiously, suddenly slowed his pace. A sound approached.

He ducked behind a concealed wall, waiting.

“Weird… Is there really no one? Not even monsters?” Sugar murmured, bewildered. As a PvP prodigy, open-world exploration had always been her weak spot.

Thud… thud… thud…

Footsteps neared. Just as Sugar turned to investigate, a shadowy hand clamped over her mouth and yanked her back.

“Mmmph!”

Panicked, she lashed out—but her strike was blocked.

“Shh. Keep quiet.”

It was Qin Yu. Moments later, a squad of masked, tattered monsters marched past. Sugar froze until they vanished.

“…Thank you,” she whispered.

Though rough, he’d saved her. Those monsters were Tier 1–2.

All players started at Tier 0. Damage was possible within a three-tier gap—but killing? Nearly impossible. Against Tier 5, only Tier 2+ dealt real damage; Tier 1 attacks barely scratched the surface—practically just polishing armor.

Tier 0 players seeing even one Tier 1 monster? Run.

“You’re welcome.”

Qin Yu hadn’t planned to save her—letting her draw aggro would’ve been useful. But… more friends, more paths.

“West has another Blood Servants patrol. If spotted? Don’t peek. Just run.”

He turned to leave.

“Wait!” Sugar called out.

“Something else?”

“Are you… skilled at this?” Seeing his calmness, she guessed veteran status.

“Just a little.”

“Could you guide a PvE newbie like me?”

*Perfect.* Qin Yu hid a smirk. Playing mysterious worked.

“A prodigy like Sugar counts as newbie?”

Sugar blinked. *He knows me? A fan?* Unlikely—fans aren’t this cold.

“People excel differently. I’m PvP-focused. PvE? Not my strength.” Humble, yes—but a guide helped early game.

“Fine. Don’t slow me down.”

Goal secured. Connection made. Useful later.

They walked on.

“What should I call you?”

“Wing Yu.”

Sugar blinked—her ID blended English and Chinese too.

“Can I call you Yu?”

“Sure, Miss Tang Jike.”

“Just ‘Sugar.’ And it’s *Tang Jihede*, not *Jike*.”

“Oh? Sounds the same.”

“How?! Can’t you tell ‘Ji-he-de’ from ‘Ji-ke’? Are you a StarCraft player too?”

“Used to ‘Jike.’ Too lazy to fix.”

“…”

Sugar puffed her cheeks, annoyed. Her swaying single ponytail made her look adorably flustered.

They reached a lightless street—Qin Yu’s destination lay beyond.

“Slow down! I’m jogging to keep up!”

“Kids these days… no stamina~” Qin Yu teased in grandpa-mode.

“You don’t look older.”

“’97.”

“’98.”

“Then I surrender…”

Banter over. Time for business. Qin Yu stripped to plain shirt and pants.

“What—?!” Sugar nearly yelled *pervert*.

“Shadow Street requires traveling light. Clear mind. No stats gear. Titles exempt.”

He stepped in without waiting. Sugar scrambled to unequip and followed.

Pitch black. Sugar froze.

“Yu—? Are you there?”

“Clear your mind. Walk forward. Don’t stop.”

Qin Yu, boosted by his title, covered two-thirds. Sugar barely passed one-third.

Soon, Qin Yu emerged.

[Congratulations! Shadow Dash Challenge cleared with S-rank!]

Reward: [Advanced Shadow Step Skill Book x1]

First perfect S-rank bonus: [Vanish into Shadows Skill Book x1]

…