Chapter 30: 30

Anonymous Player: ‘Then so far has anyone found this cryptic side of the game?’

Huang Yin (Tester Account Player 0999): ‘Including this time, Perfect Life has conducted 6 CB already, endless players have ventured very far into the game but none caught sight of this so-called cryptic world.

Anonymous Player: ‘If you ask me, this whole thing does have a hearsay ring to it.’

Huang Yin (Tester Account Player 0999): ‘By the way, do you mind if I come over to visit you in game? What is your name? It’s fated for us to be friends since we’ve managed to encounter each other considering there are literally 999 chat rooms.’

Anonymous Player: ‘You are welcome to visit me any time. I’ll be glad to introduce you to my friends. My name is…’ Han Fei was about to key in a fake name when he realized Chat Room 444 got grayed out once more. Turning around to look at the wall clock, Han Fei noticed it was now 4.01 am. ‘This chatroom is only accessible between 3.59 am to 4.01 am? Why is there such a unique time restriction?’

In any case, Han Fei leaned back and went over the whole conversation he had with Huang Yin, ‘This person does not appear like they’re playing the same game as I do.’ Sitting on the couch, Han Fei stared at the haunted television set. ‘If Huang Yin is telling the truth, then it is very likely that I am in this game’s cryptic world while the other players are on the surface world. The players between these two worlds can only interact through the chat rooms during the twilight hours. Of course, there is a possibility that this Huang Yin is faking everything. There might not be an actual living human behind this person. Huang Yin could have gleaned this information by scamming and murdering other players.’ Nothing was impossible in this hellish game, caution was the only way to survive.

‘Huang Yin’s Id is 0999. Perhaps I can look into that after I log off the game.’ To prove his suspicion, the most direct way to do it was to approach Huang Yin in real life. ‘If only he can provide me with a solution to leave this place.’ Standing up, Han Fei walked to the boarded-up window. He looked through the gap. ‘The sun still hasn’t come up. It feels like there is only nightfall at this place.’ After checking his surroundings, Han Fei logged out from the game at his home. Actually Han Fei’s initial plan was to log out from Meng Si’s home. The next he logged in, it would be at the old lady’s home. He’d be safe there. But after giving it some thoughts, Han Fei decided to keep his ability to essentially quit this ‘perfect life’ a secret from the other in-game characters.

Clicking on the exit button, his eyes turned red. Han Fei removed the gaming helmet and crawled towards his computer. He keyed in all the new information that he had gathered into his note files. ‘I should purchase all the books Meng Changan has read, that will help me enter his inner world more easily.’ Over these past few days, the biggest purchase Han Fei had made was on books and lectures. With the threat of death, even studying became so much more interesting. After making his order, Han Fei started to search for information on Huang Yin.

He tried many websites but all the tester’s information for Perfect Life was confidential. Even if he knew the person’s Player Code and Id, he was unable to dig up any information. ‘If Huang Yin is really that person’s name, he’ll exist in the law enforcement’s citizenry database. Li Xue will be able to access it but I’ll have to figure out a reasonable excuse to get her to help me.’

Han Fei’s reflection stared back at him through the computer screen. He sat next to the walls with the dead victims glaring soullessly down at him. If one walked into the room, one would not expect this young man to be an actor. The dawning sun rose but Han Fei moved to pull back the curtains. He had gotten so used to darkness that the light hurt his eyes. After a simple breakfast, Han Fei took out his phone to call Li Xue.

“Do you mind helping me investigate someone?”

“Are they living or dead?”

“I’m not sure, I only know that their name is Huang Yin and they’re a doctor.” Han Fei added, “They might be related to the latest immersive game out on the market.”

“Is this person related to the human jigsaw case?”

“Perhaps.”

“Then give me a minute.” Li Xue ended the call. After a few minutes, she called back, “I found someone that matches your description. Huang Yin, male, Xin Lu City’s Andrology Clinic’s new vice president, a graduate from the country’s best medical university. He took over his father’s clinic at the young age of 30. He resides at the core district of the intelligent city centre. He is known for his gaming hobby, as evidenced by the shocking statement that he gave several years ago on a dating show. The host asked him to choose between gaming and his girlfriend. He answered that he’d give up his girlfriend without much hesitation. Perhaps because of that, he is still single today.”

“Sounds like an interesting character.” Han Fei connected this new information to the Huang Yin he met in game. They did sound like the same person. After thanking Li Xue, Han Fei hung up and exited his house. He took the train that connected the old city and the intelligent city centre. Ignoring the charm of the city centre, Han Fei hurried to Xin Lu City’s Andrology Clinic. Han Fei decided to visit this man in person so he asked for an appointment. The response that he got from the nurse was quite inexplicable—Huang Yin was unavailable because he was currently attending Deep Space Tech’s gaming convention.

If this 6th CB was successful, Perfect Life would enter OB. Their advertisements could be seen everywhere and their promotion activities were held almost every day until the OB launch. However, why would a doctor abandon his day job to attend a game’s promotional event?

Han Fei did not quite get it until he arrived at the event venue. He could finally understand why this event would attract a gamer’s attention so much. Deep Space Tech had booked the entire international business centre, they used six 3d exhibition halls and 12 interactive booths to promote the game. After stepping through the entrance, you’d think you have stepped into a different world. This was an era where human imagination and creativity were the selling point. Mature technology matched with crazy inventions, be it heaven or hell, human beings could construct them in real life.

“How am I supposed to find him among the crowd?” After registering, Han Fei came to the 12th booth which was the least crowded. Even though his social anxiety was recovering, shuffling through the crowd, Han Fei still felt slight attacks of vertigo. He staggered from the crowd and stood to catch his breath near the emergency exit.

“Perfect Life is a casual Iyashikei game that will comfort your soul and ease your tension. Here, you will find plenty of laugh out loud scenarios, and heart-warming familial life waiting for you. With hope and bliss as our central tenancy, we strive to bring positive energy into every player’s life…”

Hearing that familiar opening, Han Fei shivered and his face blanched. Throngs of passionate gamers flooded the place, Han Fei appeared so lonely standing to the side.

“Brother, are you feeling okay?” A hand patted Han Fei’s back and then passed him a bottle of mineral water supplied by the event.

“Thank you.” Han Fei turned to the person. A handsome uncle in a sharp suit stood next to him. The suit the man wore cost about half of Han Fei’s yearly income. It was clear that this man was part of the successful elites.

Han Fei asked, “I’m fine but why are you dressed so formally at a gaming convention?”

“I actually hate dressing like this but I was supposed to attend a date arranged by my family today. Normally I’d escape to work but today, they sent the girl directly to my workplace.”

“So you came here just to avoid meeting her?”

“Of course not! I’m here because I like gaming, it’s that simple!” The man was friendly and bright, the complete opposite of Han Fei. “Looks like this is your first Perfect Life convention. Come! I’ll show you around, you’ll soon fall under its charm!”

“I don’t want to trouble you. I’ll just saunter around on my own.”

“It’s no trouble at all!” The man reached for 2 virtual reality glasses from the counter, “I see myself as a personal ambassador for this game, it is the best game I’ve played in my life! I don’t mind making another brother in the game! Come! Put these on. When you’re done with the convention, just return it to the counter by keying in my name. Oh, right, the name’s Huang Yin.”

“Huang Yin?” Han Fei’s expression shifted for a moment before it returned to normal again.