The Tool Person

Nan Yue moved her fingers but ultimately didn't send anything; it was better to discuss the things concerning her in person.

The next morning, Wen Xiang Yuan appeared before Nan Yue and the others, full of youthful energy. The four of them ate breakfast together, and Zhu Xi Ning added Wen Xiang Yuan to the Beauty is Justice group chat.

"By the way, Boss, there's something I haven't told you all yet."

Wen Xiang Yuan scratched her head. "Sometimes I go into a forced hibernation. Aside from missions, there might be times when you won't be able to find me."

The three eating breakfast were stunned. What kind of thing was that?

Wen Xiang Yuan lowered her head and poked at the egg on her plate. "It's just... sometimes when I wake up, I find that several days have passed, or after a mission ends, I don't enter the ground..."

"Overall, it's not a big problem. Anyway, if I suddenly disappear, just go about your normal lives. I'll come find you."

The expressions on the three's faces were a bit hard to describe. Gu Xiang Kai's handsome face was stiff as he tried his best to look kind.

"But what if that interferes with your missions?"

Even in higher city states, there were mission requirements. If one didn't actively enter a mission when the time came, they would be forcibly teleported.

Wen Xiang Yuan stammered for a long while before they finally understood that forced mission entry didn't really work on her either.

Gu Xiang Kai clicked his tongue. "Then you don't have to enter missions at all! That's amazing!"

She could basically live and eat for free.

Wen Xiang Yuan pouted. "But that's so boring."

Nan Yue marveled at how the world was full of wonders. She nodded. "Don't worry. Just use your Neural Interface to contact us if anything happens. As for missions, enter them if you want, and don't force yourself if you don't."

Wen Xiang Yuan looked at Nan Yue with touched eyes and ate the egg from her plate.

Nan Yue took Wen Xiang Yuan to see Jiang Siyan. Although he was a bit surprised, he still took her into his office.

While waiting outside, the three of them remarked on how they were discovering all sorts of different people as they moved up.

Nan Yue used to think she was special enough, but she hadn't expected someone like Wen Xiang Yuan to be even more unique.

However, putting envy aside and analyzing it carefully, it was actually somewhat tragic.

It was as if... Wen Xiang Yuan was isolated from the rest of the world.

Just as she had said, she seemed to have no connection to the world and couldn't find a sense of belonging.

Under these circumstances, it was perfectly normal for Wen Xiang Yuan to want to enter missions; otherwise, her life would truly become a meaningless, endless game.

Gu Xiang Kai idly played with his silver lighter while Zhu Xi Ning mocked him from the side.

"Do you like Wen Xiang Yuan? I see you staring at her in a daze all the time."

Gu Xiang Kai flared up in embarrassment. "That's because she's beautiful!"

Zhu Xi Ning rolled her eyes, but she had to admit that Wen Xiang Yuan was indeed the most beautiful scavenger she had ever seen.

It wasn't just her looks, but her temperament as well.

She possessed an innocence and relaxation that a scavenger shouldn't have—something even Nan Yue lacked.

Whether they were high-level players or newcomers, scavengers were like weeds trying their best to find a way to survive among the rocks.

High-level players might look relaxed and natural now, but they all shared a tenacious vitality and a desire to survive.

They had all walked to where they were now by stepping through their own blood.

But Wen Xiang Yuan really had that clean, original appearance that only existed in books—the kind where one didn't need to consider money or survival, and didn't have to worry about bloodshed or sacrifice. It was something other scavengers could never have and were exceptionally envious of.

Jiang Siyan opened the door twenty minutes later. "Miss Wen's psychological value is very high."

He raised his hand to adjust his glasses. "Even surprisingly high."

He winked at Nan Yue. She understood and followed him to settle the bill. Jiang Siyan said in a low voice, "As a reward for your trust in me, I'll remind you of something else."

"Miss Wen is indeed not as she appears; she possesses a strong heart."

Jiang Siyan wore his signature smile. "But, she seems to have a secret."

"It's buried deep, very dark, and impossible to glimpse."

Jiang Siyan's gaze shifted to Nan Yue.

"She's very similar to you, Miss Nan."

Nan Yue's breath hitched slightly, and she looked up to give Jiang Siyan a perfectly measured smile.

"Is that so? Then it seems she's also very similar to you, Dr. Jiang."

She hadn't forgotten that momentary feeling of madness and destruction Jiang Siyan had given her. Although it had been as fleeting as a hallucination, Nan Yue never doubted her own instincts.

Jiang Siyan's smile deepened. He gave Nan Yue a profound look and handed over the bill.

"I suggest Miss Nan's team comes to see me for psychological counseling every time you leave a mission. I can give you a discount."

Nan Yue thought about it and realized it was indeed necessary. Who didn't have secrets?

Wen Xiang Yuan had them, Jiang Siyan had them, and so did she.

However, Jiang Siyan's suggestion was useful; at the very least, the feeling he gave her now was one of goodwill.

"Alright, I'll consider it. Thank you, Dr. Jiang."

Jiang Siyan rested one hand on the counter, his body slightly turned as he watched Nan Yue lead the other three away.

The look behind his lenses changed. "See you next time."

"Nan Yue."

His voice was rich, like a melodious tune. The name "Nan Yue" lingered between his lips and tongue as if he were tasting a uniquely flavored candy.

Wen Xiang Yuan had officially joined, but Nan Yue had just moved them into a new four-person suite, and before she could even spend quality time with the new member, she vanished.

Zhu Xi Ning looked at the empty bedroom and gave an awkward smile.

"Is she... like a part-time teammate?"

Nan Yue was speechless. What the hell was a "part-time" teammate?

At first, the three of them weren't used to it, especially since they couldn't contact Wen Xiang Yuan through the Neural Interface. However, on the tenth day after she disappeared, while the three were eating skewers late at night, they heard movement in Wen Xiang Yuan's bedroom. When they opened the door, they saw the long-lost Wen Xiang Yuan.

Nan Yue still had a skewer in her hand and hadn't quite reacted yet.

Wen Xiang Yuan smiled awkwardly and scratched her head. "Heh... you'll get used to it."

Zhu Xi Ning was shocked. "Why are your clothes different!"

Wen Xiang Yuan looked down at the clothes she was wearing. "Haha... it happens sometimes."

Zhu Xi Ning once again expressed her envy for the side effect of Wen Xiang Yuan's ability, but Nan Yue felt that Wen Xiang Yuan definitely had something she was hiding.

At the very least, she didn't seem to be in high spirits since she returned this time, as if something was on her mind.

Nan Yue asked her about it, and Wen Xiang Yuan stated that the feeling of being forcibly erased by the world was very unpleasant, so she needed some time to adjust after returning.

The three expressed their understanding and ordered Wen Xiang Yuan's favorite skewers.

"We plan to enter a mission in two days."

Wen Xiang Yuan said there was no problem. "In the real world, I'm often forcibly erased. If I disappear, remember to leave me a message. I'll meet up with you at the Purification Hall when I see it."

All three of them felt a wave of sympathy for Wen Xiang Yuan's situation; she was essentially just a tool person.