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PFRG: Chapter 129

Strange Stories Arcade (38)

Ji Xingque’s action this time was carried out very smoothly. He quickly pulled the player back from the brink of danger.

As Chi Ting walked over, he could see that the body that had almost been eroded by the doll costume had gradually regained human signs.

He glanced at the man’s pale face, which was still filled with lingering fear. Then he looked away. He paused for a moment, felt relieved, and looked back again.

This was the third time he had looked back in such a short period of time. Even if Yue Ren hadn’t noticed, he had noticed it. He finally raised his eyes from the state of looking at the ground with an unclear expression. “What’s wrong?”

Chi Ting asked back, “What’s wrong with you?”

“……”

There was a subtle pause before Yue Ren slowly cleared his throat. “Not much. I was just thinking about something.”

“Oh.” Chi Ting nodded. After getting the answer, he finally turned his attention to the player again and walked up to check the situation. “Little Bird, have you checked it? How do you feel…?”

Yue Ren stood still, watching the tall figure acting busy. There was a long silence before he finally let out a sigh of relief in his heart.

It was really nothing. Just… his ears or something, it seemed that he couldn’t let others touch it casually in the future, especially Chi Ting.

As the party time ended, they could see the players coming back one after another.

This was until no one else showed up.

A simple check of the number of people showed that there was a decrease compared to before the party started.

“Even so, there are fewer people…”

Ji Xingque’s voice sounded a bit frustrated. This made Song Xuefeng glance at him again. “Don’t say you haven’t gotten used to it yet?”

Ji Xingque: “……”

There was a pause before he said, “This type of thing is still hard to get used to.”

Yue Ren listened to the conversation between the two of them, his expression always distracted and his attention always on Chi Ting. He watched Chi Ting walk around the player for a long time before he finally stood up. He was about to walk over when he saw Chi Ting turn around and walk again.

He looked in that direction and caught sight of the Jazz team. Yue Ren slightly raised an eyebrow. As he followed them, the shadows under his feet shook as if aware of something.

The rules of the animal party were undoubtedly very simple. According to the instructions of Rule 4, once the celebration time was over, the players needed to return to the service desk to settle the game coins and face the final choice of the forest.

‘Settlement’ and ‘final choice.’ No matter how he looked at it, they were full of foreshadowing for the end of this instance. Before trying the result of such an operation, no one knew what would happen. This made other players, who already had insufficient game coins, not dare to act rashly for a long time. However, the Jazz team undoubtedly had plenty of game coins. Due to this, under the attention of everyone, they walked towards the service desk without paying attention to anyone else.

The staff member’s voice came from behind the settlement desk. “Excuse me, do you want to settle the game?”

Just as Qu Leng was about to say something, he heard someone behind him say, “Wait a moment.”

He turned around, and his gaze fell on the approaching figure. Then his expression became harder to grasp. “Is there something wrong?”

Such words sounded very polite, but there was no gentleness in his eyes. He stared at Chi Ting in front of him. Unknowingly, the atmosphere around him became a bit cold.

The other two members of the Jazz team also looked over. Compared to their captain, who showed no emotion, they all had obvious surprise on their faces. They didn’t have many interactions with the Dawn team previously, but after the end of the Death Go-kart project, the two teams couldn’t be considered harmonious.

On the other hand, Chi Ting didn’t seem to feel the obvious estrangement at all. He just smiled slightly at Qu Leng and said, “Sorry, Captain Qu. It might not be the time to settle accounts now.”

“Oh?” Qu Leng raised his voice slightly and smiled superficially. “The party is over. The settlement was also mentioned in the rules. Listening to you, is there something wrong with the rules?”

“It isn’t the rules. There are other issues.” Chi Ting didn’t beat around the bush, and the curve of his lips didn’t change at all. “Captain Qu, you see, we have so many game coins at the moment. Even if there are no more bonuses from this party event, it is still enough to exchange for the pass to leave. But these other friends…”

“Do you want me to transfer these gift cards to them?” Qu Leng waited quietly until Chi Ting finished speaking. It was as if he heard a funny joke that he hadn’t heard for a long time. “Captain Chi, I didn’t realize you are such a kind person. From the sound of it, you want to transfer these…”

He glanced at the players behind him, swallowed down the word ‘useless’ and cleared his throat. “Are you going to help all these friends pass the instance together?”

There was actually a strong hint of sarcasm in the understated tone. Qu Leng obviously didn’t expect it. Chi Ting just nodded leisurely without any burden on his mind. “Well, I do hope so if possible. Captain Qu, do you want to join me?”

Qu Leng: “……”

Together? He wasn’t crazy!

If it weren’t for his usual good manners, Qu Leng would have the rare urge to swear.

He quickly adjusted his mood to prevent the smile on his face from cracking. He stared at Chi Ting’s sincere expression and said slowly, “I’m sorry, our team has no interest in this type of savior-playing game. I also hope you can listen to my advice, Captain Chi. It can be seen from the go-kart venue that your team is indeed very powerful, but in this unlimited world, strength is only the foundation for survival. Protecting your own interests is better than anything else. It is better not to meddle in other people’s business.”

His gaze swept around meaningfully, and his smile turned cold. “As for these other insignificant people, they might not remember your kindness even if you really save them. There are so many instances. Once you get out, you will probably be strangers. Even if you meet them again, what is the use? Do you think they will still remember your kindness if they need to kill you to survive?”

“Qu Leng didn’t lower his voice deliberately when he spoke, and Chi Ting had already attracted everyone’s attention when he came over. For a moment, these cruel and cold words fell into everyone’s ears without missing a word.

This made the atmosphere around them even more depressing. As a result, everyone’s expressions became less natural.

This included Wu Ruici and the others who were rescued by Chi Ting’s group. Their expressions didn’t look good.

Of course, they could tell that Qu Leng was deliberately exaggerating, but no one could refute it for a while. Indeed, they would remember the hand that extended to them in a critical moment. However, none of them could be sure what choice they would make to survive if they really encountered a life or death situation.

At this moment, Chi Ting could feel the gazes falling on him from behind.

One of them was particularly clear and came from a few steps away. He knew who it was without looking back. He could fully imagine how Yue Ren, the guy who always scoffed at his ideas, was waiting for his answer with great interest.

Chi Ting laughed silently. In the silence, he slowly said, “I’m sorry, Captain Niu. My biggest shortcoming is that I like to meddle in other people’s business. I am very grateful for your objective reminder, but I really can’t change this habit for the time being. I might waste your kindness.”

Qu Leng’s expression became noticeably subtle as he looked at Chi Ting.

He had come all the way from the small world, and he had seen naive players who hoped to clear the game for everyone. But these players were basically newcomers to the unlimited world. Their excessive kindness would only make them die more miserably in this world. As for the existence of such people in the Sanctuary, he really didn’t expect to meet them.

However, the extremely determined look in his eyes during this smile clearly told him that this man named Chi Ting was indeed serious.

After a brief eye contact, Qu Leng laughed. “Of course, if you like to meddle in other people’s business, that is your own business. All I can do is give you a friendly reminder. It is just that our team has never had such a habit. I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t provide cooperation.”

The moment he finished speaking, he turned sideways and tried to move around Chi Ting. Then he saw that figure suddenly approaching him again, and his tone turned cold. “Why, Captain Chi? Do you still want to force your way in?”

Chi Ting blinked slowly. “Of course not. I never like to force others. The rules of the Starry Sky Arcade also clearly state that fighting between players isn’t allowed here.”

Qu Leng’s patience was almost exhausted. “So you want to…”

Chi Ting said sincerely, “Captain Qu, I heard that you are trying to get on the team rankings. You should also want these gift cards in my hand, right?”

Qu Leng narrowed his eyes slightly. “So what do you mean?”

“Since we are in the arcade, why don’t we play a few more games together? Even rock paper scissors will do.” Chi Ting stopped in front of Qu Leng and tapped lightly on the table with his fingertips. It really sounded like a negotiation. “In any case, no matter what we play, whoever wins will get a gift card. It all depends on your ability. What do you think?”

Qu Leng was silent for a moment before finally nodding slowly. “I accept this proposal.”

Chi Ting also showed a satisfied smile. “Then…”

An abrupt voice interrupted his next words. “Teachers, do you need a place to play?”

This somewhat awkward and stiff voice came from behind the service desk. As everyone looked over, the doll headgear that had been lowered was slowly raised up. The tone of voice was also slightly raised a few points. “The Starry Sky Arcade is willing to provide you the most perfect service.”

The words entered his ears, but Chi Ting didn’t answer.

His gaze remained on the person in front of him for a long time.

He never noticed it before, but this staff member was wearing a pink doll costume.

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Zyninx
Zyninx
8 days ago

Thanks for the chapter ☺️ ☺️ ☺️
…now I know the pains of a cliffhanger. I hope the MC and ML still remember the rule about The game coins, it’s most NOT be lower than the initial amount you had. I just feel like it’s important 😒

Last edited 8 days ago by Zyninx
Stoneegg21
Stoneegg21
8 days ago

Uh oh. Thank you for the chapter!

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