I'm Trapped in the Block

Chapter 307: Chapter 304: Li Luo’s Old Acquaintance

”An identity?”

Li Luo looked confused. She hadn’t expected Qi Qi to ask such a question.

”Yes, you must have an identity on this island. For example, I’m a receptionist. You can fill in any identity you like, but it has to be legal and compliant. Whatever your identity was outside the Abyss, I can help you register it.”

Qi Qi explained patiently, but Li Luo’s expression only grew stranger.

”Will this identity affect my time on the island in any way?”

”Of course not. You’re free to do as you please. It’s just one of the island’s rules.”

Seeing how skeptical Li Luo was, Qi Qi’s hands, which had just calmed down, began to tremble again.

She picked up the electronic tablet in her hands and scrolled to the last item.

Sure enough, the last item on the form was ”Islander’s Identity.”

’It’s not that strange, I guess.’

But Li Luo didn’t seem to want to tell Qi Qi her identity from outside the Abyss. Instead, she looked down at the nameplate she had just taken out for registration.

”In that case, I’m... a Fire Thief?”

Li Luo asked tentatively.

Hearing Li Luo’s answer, Qi Qi quickly entered the words ”Fire Thief” and pressed the ”complete” button.

”There. Your identity on the island is now ’Fire Thief.’ If people see you and call you by your identity instead of your name, please don’t be surprised.”

She then had Li Luo take out her own electronic tablet and transferred a program to it.

”What’s this?” Li Luo asked, confused.

”It’s the identity program. You can use it to see other people’s identities. Think of it as a pass for the island. Remember not to uninstall it.”

Li Luo blankly opened the identity program. The interface looked like a simple, unadorned chat software. There were only two people on it: ”Fire Thief” and ”Receptionist.”

”I’ve already added you as a friend. If you need anything, you can contact me directly,” Qi Qi said shyly.

’With a personality like that, I wonder how she ever became a ’Receptionist’.’

”Is that all?”

”Yes, that’s it. The identity program has a map of the island, so you’re free to go wherever you want. If you need to take a boat, you can check the ferry schedule. It has the departure times for all the various vessels.”

After hastily saying all this to Li Luo, Qi Qi gave a deep bow, then scurried away, leaving a very confused Li Luo standing there alone.

She had wanted to ask more about the island, but she hadn’t expected Qi Qi to run off so quickly.

”Is she really a ’Receptionist’? How does someone so introverted end up as a receptionist?” Li Luo shook her head as she watched the retreating figure.

After that, Li Luo started walking toward the island’s interior, checking the ferry information on her electronic tablet as she went. However, she couldn’t figure out which ferry was headed in the other direction.

The destination names for the boats were a jumbled mess. Some listed islands, while others named a certain sea region, leaving Li Luo completely unable to get her bearings.

The *Paradise* was among them, its destination listed as Fishman Island, with the word ”Docked” written next to it.

Li Luo searched again but couldn’t find any information on the routes. There was only a single message: ”Due to the complex sea conditions on the 3rd Floor of the Abyss, routes are subject to irregular adjustments. Please refer to the island’s ferry for specific itineraries.”

Looking at the chaotic ferry information, Li Luo quickly gave up. She sighed, looked toward the Block, and said helplessly, ”Looks like I’ll have to ask someone.”

Just as she said that, an excited cry came from the side.

”Li Luo?”

Li Luo looked toward the voice, her face showing surprise.

”Aunt Lin?”

’They know each other?’ Mo Ling, inside the Block, immediately realized.

In all his time in the Abyss, this was the first person he had seen who knew Li Luo.

Mo Ling quickly looked over as well.

The woman Li Luo called Aunt Lin wasn’t old at all; she looked to be in her thirties. Her black hair was neatly combed over one shoulder, tied at the end with a white hairband, and fell naturally across her chest.

Like Qi Qi before her, she wore a simple white outfit and was staring at Li Luo with a look of utter astonishment.

After Li Luo responded, she walked briskly over to her. Her two slender hands naturally cupped Li Luo’s face, examining it carefully.

As she looked, a worried expression appeared on her face.

”You’ve gotten so tanned.”

After inspecting her face, she took a step back and began to check Li Luo’s body. She even went around to her side, lifted her arm, and pulled open her combat suit to look underneath.

”Good, no serious injuries. You really make a person worry.”

Li Luo just stood there, letting the woman inspect her.

The woman circled her once, and only after a thorough inspection did she let out a sigh of relief and lightly rap Li Luo on the head.

”Don’t call me Aunt Lin. It makes me sound old. Call me by my name, how many times have I told you? Lin Nian! Lin Nian!”

”What are you doing here on the 3rd Floor of the Abyss all by yourself?”

Li Luo had been in a daze, but the tap on her head snapped her out of it.

”I’m going to the Bottom of the Abyss.”

”Alright, you’re as stubborn as ever.” She gently rubbed the spot she had just tapped, her face full of affection.

”Did you sign up the moment you came of age?”

”Yes.” Li Luo nodded.

”You didn’t even tell me... but with your personality, I guess you couldn’t wait.” Though Lin Nian’s words were full of complaint, she was still gently stroking Li Luo’s head.

She looked up at the Block floating in the sky and sighed helplessly.

”Since you were able to get here by yourself, you must be strong enough. I shouldn’t worry about you. I just never expected such a coincidence.”

”It is a coincidence. I never knew you were on Paradise Island,” Li Luo said, still finding it hard to believe.

”I’ve been here for a long time,” Lin Nian said, a nostalgic look on her face. ”This is a wonderful island. Not only is the scenery like paradise, but life here is also like a paradise within the Abyss. Stay for a few days, and you’ll understand.”

Li Luo looked at the vast expanse of white all around and felt the urge to retort, but the words died on her lips.

Lin Nian, however, saw right through Li Luo’s discomfort.

”You probably find it too boring, don’t you? It’s not as bustling as Dawn City, with no flashing neon lights or colorful holographic ads. But this is what Paradise is supposed to be. Purity is enough.”

”Spend some time on the island, and you’ll see. This is a place that can truly bring peace to one’s soul. There’s none of the backstabbing and intrigue of Dawn City, none of the heart-pounding dangers of the Abyss. That’s why I stay here.”

As Lin Nian spoke, the corners of her mouth slowly curved into a smile.

After another pat on Li Luo’s head, she finally, reluctantly, pulled her hand back. She then took out her own electronic tablet and began scrolling through it.

”Fire Thief? Your identity is certainly... special.”

Then, she tapped her tablet a few times, and Li Luo’s tablet chimed with a notification.

Li Luo quickly took it out. A new name had appeared in her friends list:

”Researcher.”