Players, Please Board the Train

This was a suffocating topic. All their assumptions were built on the thinking of normal people, but Xu Huo himself had a history of psychological treatment records. No one knew his current mental state, and even normal people could develop problems after being baptized by the game, let alone him.

”To date, the Special Defense Department has handled a total of seventy-two abnormal players. Most of them were elites before entering the game—high intelligence, high emotional intelligence, strong abilities—but after their mental state collapsed, they became threats instead.” Minister Fan continued, ”Have the specific items Xu Huo used at the club been analyzed yet?”

Jiang Qiao flipped open the file in front of her and activated the projector to match the video explanation. ”These clips were all taken from the internet.”

”First, speed. Xu Huo’s speed has reached one hundred meters per second. It’s unclear what level his evolution rate has reached, but based on the Special Defense Department’s existing data, it’s more likely a bonus from his characteristics or an item, and it can be reused.”

”Second, this sandstorm item that destroyed the armed helicopter needs to be used away from the hand. The windmill has a rope tied to it. According to analysis, this item may not last long, and there’s a 50% chance it’s afraid of water.”

”Third, he has at least one item that can melt metal. After collecting the wreckage of the helicopter, all metal parts were destroyed, while plastics, fibers, and other materials remained intact. Additionally, we estimate that the usable range of this item should be larger, with one of its usage conditions being close contact.”

”Fourth, he has at least one characteristic or item that can control another person’s mind in a short period of time, enabling him to make this gray-robed person commit suicide.”

”He is carrying multiple items on him. It’s unclear which one it is.”

”The above all falls within the normal range of items and characteristics.” Jiang Qiao paused the video on the spot where Xu Huo directly knocked over several gray-robed people. ”Only this part is abnormal. Based on the situation at the time, at least seven players surrounding him had their attention focused on him. They should have used their characteristics and items simultaneously, but they didn’t take effect.”

”Xu Huo himself is also very aware of this, but we estimate that the duration of this ability won’t be too long, which is why he used brute force head-on to save time.””So he can casually destroy weapons and also has a period of invincibility?” Team Leader Chang clicked his tongue.

”That’s what it looks like for now.” Jiang Qiao put down the remote control. ”But limited by time and usage count, it won’t be difficult to exhaust.”

”Is there a good way to deal with that Type B pollutant?” Team Leader Lü asked again.

”No.” Jiang Qiao answered bluntly. ”Even if our people are fully armed, they can’t achieve complete isolation. The pollutant will transfer through pores. The best way is to cut off the source.”

”How do we cut it off? Don’t forget he still has a spatial teleportation item in hand.” Team Leader Chang said.

After a moment of silence, Minister Fan said, ”Activate the highest-level emergency plan. Evacuate the civilians around the Special Defense Department in advance, and seal off the area to isolate the headquarters.”

”Urgently mobilize elite players from all over, contact the three military commanders to cover the headquarters area with firepower in advance. No matter what Xu Huo and those players ultimately want to do, our Special Defense Department must prepare for full combat.”

”We will do our duty. If an irreversible situation occurs in this incident, it must absolutely not be caused by the Special Defense Department!”

”Not only the players, every member of the Special Defense Department is a pioneer. To dare to be pioneers, to willingly be pioneers, means having the awareness to sacrifice for the country and the people. Our merits and faults will naturally be judged and remembered!”

After the brief mobilization, each team leader busily went to handle their respective affairs. Minister Fan kept Team Leader Wu and asked him to invite Xu Huo’s parents and family to temporarily stay in Zone 01’s safe area.

Team Leader Wu paused. ”There’s no other way. Why not ask Professor Tang to conduct a psychological assessment on him? He doesn’t need to be present in person, just through the video footage.”

But Minister Fan didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he said, ”The expert team is already conducting the assessment. Results should be out soon.”

Team Leader Wu left the conference room. As soon as the door closed, Minister Fan made another call to urge the information department to speed up deleting related videos from the internet.

*

”Psychological assessment? I think he’s more normal than anyone.” Nie Xuan received a call from Team Leader Wu and laughed after listening. ”Instead of worrying about him attacking headquarters in a fit of insanity, they should catch a few more Player-Eaters who are looting during the chaos.”

He hung up the phone and raised his glass to clink with Xu Huo.

In a hotpot restaurant filled with swirling smoke, the two sat across from each other, completely unconcerned about the Special Defense Department’s solemn preparations and the chaos boiling over on the internet.

As for the videos on the internet that were deleted, reposted, and then deleted again, Nie Xuan gave a meaningful explanation: ”Players are also important national assets. The Special Defense Department will do everything to protect national assets.”

”Some people value stability above all else.” Nie Xuan didn’t offer too much commentary. Instead, he said, ”This Double Snake incident doesn’t have much to do with the Special Defense Department.”

Xu Huo nodded and brought up the Fog Zone.

”It should be a new energy area.” Nie Xuan said. ”Several such places have appeared. The specific changes involve mutation in flora and fauna, covering a wide range, mainly in forested areas. The exact results haven’t been announced yet, but they have found several mutated elements effective against terminal illnesses inside.”

”That’s good news.”

”It’s considered good news.” Nie Xuan smiled. ”But now, many local hospitals simply can’t keep running.”

”There will be a day when things stabilize.” Xu Huo took a sip of his drink. ”There are quite a few stable places like this in the game.”

”Looks like you’ve been to plenty of good places.” Nie Xuan refilled his own glass. ”I haven’t been so lucky. I’ve been going to places where people don’t act like people.”

Xu Huo gave a thumbs up. ”Your humor has improved.”

Nie Xuan laughed heartily, and after joking around for a bit, he shifted the topic to the item shop that had appeared in Zone 014. ”It’s not just domestically, but overseas too. The ore the Special Defense Department sent didn’t meet the trading standards. Who knows if any other players have traded with them.”

Xu Huo chuckled lowly. ”We’re all familiar here. No need to beat around the bush. The Special Defense Department has to be able to offer the conditions first.”

”The antidote fungus isn’t under my jurisdiction.” Nie Xuan wiped his mouth. ”But I’ve recently acquired some decent items. I’m open to exchanging if you’re interested.”

”Actually, it’s simple. What they want to trade for is a new type of energy ore, which is one of the raw materials for making items and certain advanced weapons.” Xu Huo put down his cup. ”This isn’t hard to find out in other districts.”

Nie Xuan wasn’t surprised. He just waited for Xu Huo’s next words. ”So what’s the real value?”

”I suspect the energy ore is connected to the origin of the Dimensional Rift game.” Xu Huo tapped his finger on the glass tabletop that reflected both their faces.