“The service area is only five kilometers away, but the destination is fifty kilometers?” the woman in the red down jacket frowned. “That is a huge gap.”
“50 kilometers, and we only have eight hours. Walking 50 kilometers in eight hours is almost impossible,” Yang Yunsheng said, pushing up his glasses. “But the service area is too close. The system won't let us reach it easily; there must be a trap.”
“Not necessarily, right?” Qi Yue sighed, standing before the group. “For the ordinary people in the previous world, walking 50 kilometers in eight hours would indeed be difficult...”
Qi Yue scanned the crowd, and everyone went quiet, their eyes fixed on him, waiting to hear what he had to say.
“You must have all seen them by now, those potions that increase attribute points. We are no longer ordinary people. What if the system set the goal just right? What if it's achievable with a little effort, but if we choose to go to the service area, we miss out on completing the goal? How should we choose?”
This statement carried some weight.
For a moment, everyone fell into silence. Finally, the bald man spat impatiently.
“What is the use of saying all this? We've talked in circles and still don't know what the situation is! Hey, you! The one who was in the military!”
The bald man glared at Qi Yue with extreme impatience and sneered, complaining, “If it weren't for you, I would have left long ago! You lot can waste your time here if you want! I’m leaving!”
With those words, the bald man turned and walked toward one end of the highway.
Cheng Shuili didn't say a word, silently watching as the bald man resolutely chose the 50-kilometer path.
Several people in the crowd looked hesitant. The things marked on the system signs couldn't possibly be fake, right?
With the boost from attribute points, they had indeed transcended the category of ordinary people, but completing a 50-kilometer goal was still challenging.
Thinking of this, several people left the group, pursing their lips as they chased after the bald man.
Cheng Shuili counted them; six people had left in total, while fourteen remained standing in place. The person who called herself “Wan Yi” hadn't spoken or moved at all.
Qi Yue glanced at the people who had left and sighed. “Alright everyone, since we have all chosen to stay, we must want to see what's at the service area. Shall we move together?”
Yang Yunsheng and the woman in red nodded first, and the others had no objections.
Cheng Shuili had no objections either. Besides these two paths, there were no other choices. The destination was too far, and if it were the wrong path, the cost of trial and error would be too high.
The service area was close; even a round trip wouldn't take much effort.
Her attribute points were, after all, quite high. From the start of the game until now, she had received the most rewards of anyone.
It would be a travesty if Cheng Shuili's attribute points weren't high.
Even if there was nothing in the service area, Cheng Shuili was confident she could catch up to these people again.
But... she had to hurry!
She couldn't keep wasting time here!
Cheng Shuili understood this, and Qi Yue and the others understood it just as well.
Qi Yue coughed lightly. Cheng Shuili frowned slightly, expecting him to say more pleasantries, but he took a long stride and led the way toward the service area.
The others followed one after another behind Qi Yue and his group.
Seeming afraid that there might be danger if they fell behind, these people crowded forward, pushing against one another.
Consequently, it was only natural that Cheng Shuili and Lin Wanyi were left at the very back.
Cheng Shuili quietly observed Lin Wanyi's appearance. She was wearing a hood, and her silhouette looked quite cool.
Yet, her profile was completely different from the aura she projected. She had a kind of wholesome, peaceful look; if one only looked at her face, the only word that came to mind was “dignified.”
Cheng Shuili couldn't help but steal another glance. Her face was round, an egg-shaped face with almond eyes, and her eyes were crystal clear, looking very clean.
Cheng Shuili snuck several looks before she suddenly realized something was wrong.
She had never seen a photo of Wanyi, had she?
What good was looking at her face? She had to make this person take off her jacket so she could check her arms!
Only then could she recognize if this person was truly her dearest chef!
But that would be too awkward.
The best way was to just ask.
However, Cheng Shuili was worried about being discovered by the others. Since everyone else was a stranger and fighting for themselves, having two people suddenly appear to be working together...
That wouldn't do.
If it ever came to a situation where they were forced to attack other players, Cheng Shuili and Wanyi would definitely become targets!
That would be disastrous.
Cheng Shuili frowned and thought for a moment. Very suddenly, she reached out and grabbed the hand of the person beside her, quickly rubbing her fingertips against the person's palm!
There!
There were calluses! And they were the very thick kind!
The kind that an ordinary person definitely wouldn't have!
It was definitely Wanyi!
No doubt about it!
Cheng Shuili's eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth curled upward.
Just as she was about to say something, she turned her head and saw Wanyi looking at her with a strange expression, as if she had taken her for a pervert and was about to call the others over!
Cheng Shuili hurriedly leaned in closer and whispered, “I am Crow.”
Wanyi was stunned for a moment before she understood Cheng Shuili's meaning.
Two pairs of bright, shining eyes met instantly.
They had found each other!
Wanyi didn't know why Cheng Shuili hadn't just asked her directly, but Cheng Shuili was the boss, and if the boss did it this way, there must be a reason.
Since she was in the same group as Cheng Shuili, Wanyi would definitely stick to Cheng Shuili's side throughout the day.
For the first time, Wanyi wanted to show off in their four-person group chat.
Who else was as lucky as her?! Being carried by the boss through a team dungeon!
Cheng Shuili didn't speak again, and Wanyi remained quiet as well. The two walked shoulder-to-shoulder at the back of the team, looking just like two strangers.
Qi Yue turned back from time to time to see if everyone was keeping up.
There were no incidents on the road from the signpost to the service area. Not to mention monsters, there wasn't even a single living thing.
The service area was situated on one side of the highway, the gray-white buildings appearing particularly jarring under the gloomy sky.
Several rusted cars were parked haphazardly in the concrete square, their windows shattered and tires sunken into the cracked ground.
The neon sign at the top of the main building was missing half its letters, and the remaining tubes occasionally sputtered with crackling electrical sparks.
It looked as if it had been dilapidated for a long time.
The group didn't rush in. Standing at the entrance, they could vaguely see a convenience store on the left, restrooms on the right, a gas station directly opposite the entrance, and another building like a service center behind it.
Qi Yue carefully pulled a dagger from his boot, looked back at the others to ensure they were gripping their weapons, and then stepped into the service area with a serious expression.
His boots struck the cracked tiles of the service area, the crisp sound of his footsteps echoing through the empty lobby.
Rate on N.U.
