Chapter 170 · Volume 1

Isn't This My NPC?

【Floor 11 OP's Reply】: I speculate that you'd need at least two high-combat players on Arbiter's level, and each Arbiter would need to bring along someone like Yan Zheng, to even stand a chance.
【Floor 12 First of All, My Name Isn't Hey!】: Hahaha, I have to brag a bit. My luck was absolutely insane this time. I was in the same instance as the great Arbiter and the great Yan Zheng, and we actually defeated the final boss in the end.
I was just a bystander, freeloading the entire time. I barely found any clues and didn't participate in any fights, yet I still got an A-rank in the end. This is by far the most satisfying carry I've ever experienced.
The great Arbiter and the great Yan Zheng probably got an S-rank, right?
【Floor 13 OP】: @Yan Zheng I just saw this. You guys actually beat the final boss? Was it an S-rank in the end?
Based on my database of your combat power, you and Arbiter theoretically shouldn't have been enough to handle the combination of the incarnation of evil thoughts and the trainmaster. Is there some instance mechanic I missed?
【Floor 14 Yan Zheng】: It was an S-rank.
The incarnation of evil thoughts was extremely difficult to deal with. During the final battle, the trainmaster was turned to our side and helped us fight the incarnation of evil thoughts. That's how we won.
【Floor 15 UC Editorial Department Heir】: OMG! My eyes, what am I seeing? You can actually turn the trainmaster to your side?
Even my hundred-percent charm skill couldn't inflict any status effects on him. How did you turn him? Please share the details!
【Floor 16 The Rain on the Day Yiping Asked for Money】: I don't get it. Aren't hundred-percent skills guaranteed to hit? Also, what is the Evolution Cult? Can some kind veteran explain?
【Floor 17 UC Editorial Department Heir's Reply】: Here comes a veteran (if I do say so myself).
There are no absolute hundred-percent skills in Anomalous Infection. Most skills labeled as hundred-percent have their success rates heavily discounted when facing elite monsters and bosses.
For instance, my charm skill is often reduced to a ten or twenty percent success rate. I've gotten used to it.
As for the Evolution Cult, they're nothing but trouble. That's all you need to know. If you're still curious, make good use of the forum's search function and look it up yourself.
【Floor 18 OP】: @Yan Zheng Do tell. I didn't deduce any mechanic to turn him. Did I miss a clue?
【Floor 19 Yan Zheng】: @Floor 12 First of All, My Name Isn't Hey! Why don't you explain? You were right there on the scene and saw it most clearly.
【Floor 20 First of All, My Name Isn't Hey!】: I'm here, I'm here! My hands are shaking from excitement!
It was an NPC in the instance who turned the trainmaster. The trainmaster's attitude toward that NPC was completely different. He wasn't full of malice like he was toward us; instead, he showed a bit of patience.
Maybe I'm just a romantic, but you could really see the difference.
P.S. Great Yan Zheng, can I add you as a friend? I'll just sit quietly in your friend list and promise never to bother you!
【Floor 21 OP's Reply】: What was the exact process?
【Floor 22 First of All, My Name Isn't Hey!】: Oh, right! Here's how it went.
At the time, we were trapped near the wooden cabin, and the trainmaster came looking for us. That NPC stepped forward on her own initiative to negotiate with him.
It just so happened that the incarnation of evil thoughts was summoning reinforcements right then. The NPC said she was willing to let the trainmaster consume her in exchange for him not responding to the call and staying out of the fight.
As for how he was turned, I didn't fully understand that part either.
Basically, after that NPC died, a wisteria tree suddenly grew from the pit next to the wooden cabin.
The wisteria flowers from the tree fell onto the trainmaster. After he ate the petals, he said, “I will help you,” and then turned around to attack the incarnation of evil thoughts.
My brain could keep up with the first half, but I was completely lost on the second half.
【Floor 23 OP】: I see.
That NPC must have awakened the residual will of the Mountain God. The Mountain God's power purified the resentment in the trainmaster, essentially redeeming him. That's what triggered the change of sides.
What was that NPC's name?
【Floor 24 First of All, My Name Isn't Hey!】: Her name was Lora. She seemed to be a wealthy young lady, an NPC from Carriage One.
【Floor 25 Sleeping While My House is on Fire】: Wait, that's not right. In my run of this instance, Carriage One only had two NPCs—a noble young master and his servant. Both were male. There was no female NPC named Lora at all. What's going on?
【Floor 26 Huaqiang the Gossip Lover】: Yeah, exactly! I didn't run into this Lora NPC either. There were only two male NPCs in Carriage One, and one of them was in terrible health.
I figured since his character model was so detailed, he might have a storyline, so I tried to escape with him. But his constitution was too weak, and he ended up dying on the way.
【Floor 27 First of All, My Name Isn't Hey!】: Huh? So many of you didn't have her?
【Floor 28 Arbiter of the End】: In the secret realm where we were trapped, the space designated as number one contained three walkers of destiny.
【Floor 29 Good Luck from All Directions】: Taking a photo with the great Arbiter!
In my instance's Carriage One, there were also only two people—the noble young master and the servant. I never saw anyone named Lora the entire time. Could some associated NPC have spawned in the great Arbiter's instance?
【Floor 30 Wish I Knew Better】: Damn that idiot OP! Lora? Isn't she my associated NPC? My wealthy lady NPC, how could you die here!
【Floor 31 OP's Reply】: Do explain.
【Floor 32 OP's Reply】: Never mind, no need. I checked your post history and found it. She's the NPC who appeared in the Withered Wood Post Office instance.
【Floor 32 Wish I Knew Better】: Idiot OP, and great Er Xiang, you're way too fast! I was only halfway through typing my reply.
Yes, that's her! Although I don't know if they just happen to share the same name.
In the last Withered Wood Post Office instance, she was a wealthy young lady who came to join her fiancé, only to find out he had died of the plague.
She mentioned back then that she might return home afterward. I never expected her to spawn in the Wisteria Train instance this time.
【Floor 33 Love is a Rare Miracle】: I get it now. But this sister's luck is way too tragic.
She went to find her fiancé, but her fiancé died. On her way back, she ended up on an accident-prone train, and in the end, she sacrificed herself for others. Her luck is seriously terrible.
【Floor 34 Maka Paka】: Speaking of associated NPCs, that noble young master NPC in Carriage One must definitely be an associated NPC too, right? Just look at his detailed model and that specific physical condition.
He mentioned a piece of information—he's from the Chaos family. Does any veteran know anything about this Chaos family? It feels like they're a big deal.
【Floor 35 Eat Sleep Fight Anomalous Infection's Reply】: Just Google it and you'll know.
【Floor 36 Maka Paka's Reply】: I already searched. No one on the forum has mentioned this family before.
【Floor 37 Eat Sleep Fight Anomalous Infection's Reply】: If there are no clear clues right now, then this is highly likely a setup for future instances.
For those who managed to keep the noble young master alive, they might get some conveniences in future instances—or perhaps obstacles.
...
“Brother Mo, are you browsing the forum again?” Lin Wan stopped her walk as she passed by while lifting weights.
“I just saw the news of the young lady's death.” Chen Mo shared the information with Lin Wan and forwarded the original post to her.
“Brother Mo...”
“What's wrong? Why that face?”
Lin Wan stopped her weightlifting entirely. “Well, when I was trying to get close to the young lady's fiancé back then, I learned the young lady's last name from him. I think it was also Chaos.”

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