Death Game: Starting as a Trickster, Pretending to Be a God

Zheng City, Speed Net Cafe.

Fu Luo sat in the waiting area wearing a ridiculous duck hat, studying the ordinary-looking young man before him who seemed vaguely familiar. Though the man’s face was mostly hidden behind a mask, there was something recognizable about him. Upon closer inspection, he seemed to just have one of those common forgettable faces.

”So you’re the client who came looking for me, correct?”

Lin Yu gave a slight nod.

”Indeed, esteemed Detective. I’d like to commission you to find someone.”

”Finding people,” Fu Luo mused, ”my fees vary based on difficulty—I’ll need to hear who you’re looking for before quoting a price.”

”A player of the Death Game.”

Lin Yu stated calmly.

Hearing this, Fu Luo showed slight surprise.

”You’re a player too?”

”Of course,” Lin Yu sighed, voluntarily revealing his ”identity.” ”Tell me, Furbollo, as someone who’s survived a dungeon together, don’t I qualify for some friends-and-family discount?”

As he spoke, Lin Yu subtly lowered his mask just enough. He had adjusted his facial features slightly so Fu Luo—Furbollo—wouldn’t immediately recognize him as ’May.’ But with this hint, Fu Luo quickly disregarded those minor alterations, matching this face to the one in his memory while unconsciously correcting his recollection. Exactly as Lin Yu intended.

”You’re May?!”

Fu Luo exclaimed in astonished delight.

”Yes, we meet again, great Detective.”

Lin Yu replied with a smile. He could feel himself accessing the Doctor’s abilities again. All class skills remained functional in reality, though apparently ”balanced”—their effects and cooldowns adjusted accordingly. The Doctor’s abilities were among those weakened in reality, with skill cooldowns extended to three days.

Fu Luo looked Lin Yu up and down before speaking.

”Ah, you—why go through the trouble of meeting offline? You could’ve just contacted me through the forum!”

Lin Yu chuckled at Fu Luo’s words. ”I happened to be coming to Zheng City to find someone anyway. After arriving, I remembered you’re local here too. Considering how... conspicuously you operate, I made some inquiries.”

”Didn’t expect to actually find you.”

Fu Luo nodded proudly. ”Naturally—I’ve built quite the reputation in Zheng City...”

”Since it’s you asking, and considering I owe you for getting through that last dungeon safely—not to mention that Threading the Needle achievement—I’ll help you for free!”

Lin Yu shook his head. ”You should still charge. The person I’m looking for is... more troublesome than you think.”

”Heavenly Artisan of the Marauders.”

Lin Yu said quietly. Fu Luo looked surprised.

”Heavenly Artisan?”

He blinked rapidly, searching his memory.

”Oh, right—that Craftsman who killed five people. First-Tier. Currently has an 8,000-point bounty from Order.”

”One of the highest bounties on any First-Tier right now!”

Fu Luo sighed. ”This guy... is genuinely dangerous.”

Lin Yu met Fu Luo’s gaze. ”Exactly why I’m looking for him. So... you should definitely charge.”

”Going after the bounty?”

Fu Luo asked perceptively.

”You could say that,” Lin Yu considered before adding, ”If you’re willing to help directly, that’d be ideal—I can give you 10% of the points if we succeed.”

He said seriously. The offer was quite reasonable—after all, Lin Yu had no intention of letting Fu Luo take point.

But Fu Luo hesitated.

”Well... you know I already have issues with the Psychological Society. If I cross the Marauders too...”

His voice trailed off uncertainly. Lin Yu smiled.

”Let me ask—without any malice—who poses a greater threat to you: me or the Marauders?”

Fu Luo didn’t answer, seamlessly changing tack: ”Crossing the Marauders would just be adding another debt—so I’m in!”

”But—I want 20%!”

He held up two fingers.

”Deal. Whatever I get, you get 20%.”

Lin Yu agreed without hesitation.

”So, can you investigate Heavenly Artisan for me?”

Fu Luo nodded. ”Of course.”

”How quickly? Before the next dungeon starts?”

Lin Yu asked. Fu Luo grinned.

”Naturally. I work faster than you’d believe.”

Pulling out his phone, Fu Luo tapped away. About five minutes later, he looked up. ”Done! Let’s go, May!”

”Where?”

Lin Yu stared blankly.

Fu Luo said matter-of-factly: ”To find Heavenly Artisan, obviously. Weren’t you going to take him down?”

Lin Yu looked even more confused. ”You found him in five minutes?!”

Fu Luo smirked proudly. ”Surprised? Your boy’s just that good.”

Seeing Fu Luo’s expression, Lin Yu grew wary. ”You’re not actually with the Marauders, are you? Leading me into a trap?”

Fu Luo had been about to boast further, but noticing Lin Yu’s guarded expression—remembering both the Doctor’s tendencies from their last dungeon and certain past encounters—he coughed and explained properly.

”Ahem. Let’s just say recent events have led me to investigate these guys myself.”

”Anyone active in Henan with high bounties on the forum or Hunters’ Association lists has caught my attention.”

”Your Heavenly Artisan happened to be on my radar.”

Lin Yu nodded slightly. ”Running low on points yourself, investigating these things?”

At the casual question, Fu Luo seemed reluctant. He grimaced, rubbing one cheek as if recalling something unpleasant.

”Well... points are always useful!”

”Anyway let’s move—Heavenly Artisan won’t stay put forever!”

Lin Yu nodded. ”Lead the way.”

”Where exactly is he?”

Fu Luo checked his phone. ”Guy used to be a low-level manager at a construction company. Quit after joining the Death Game.”

”Right now he’s holed up in Zheng City’s most famous unfinished development zone southside—his company’s failed project. That’s where he spends most of his time.”