What kind of look was this?
A chill surged from the soles of his feet, and Player 2 couldn’t help but take a step back.
Even though he had cleared countless dungeons before, under the gaze of so many eerie eyes, he couldn’t suppress the creeping fear.
His heart pounded like a drum, and Player 2 could clearly feel cold sweat seeping from his palms. His parched throat moved as he forced a stiff smile.
The eyes fixed on him gradually shifted away, and Player 2 let out a sigh of relief—it seemed they had no intention of attacking him.
"Who are you looking for?" The employee nearest to him, noticing the Kunlun employee badge hanging on his chest, spoke with a stern expression. "The customer service department is busy right now. We can’t accommodate visitors."
"Thanks for letting me know." Player 2 studied the bespectacled employee, whose hair was slightly greasy. "But it’s lunch break now..."
"The customer service department doesn’t take breaks." The employee’s eyes gleamed with that strange light again. "If you’re looking for someone, go in and find them yourself."
Player 2 wanted to ask more, but the other man had already turned away, staring blankly at the glowing computer screen.
A sense of foreboding crept over Player 2, and he retracted the foot he had just stepped forward.
"You’re not coming in?" The dazed colleague looked up again. "After 2 p.m., we’ll be even busier."
Come on, come inside.
Under the employee’s eerie stare, Player 2 had no choice but to step forward again, despite his instincts screaming otherwise.
The moment he entered, the employees who had been fixated on their screens all lifted their gazes, waiting for him to venture further in.
Damn it, it’s a trap!
Player 2 quickly realized the abnormality in their stares—they seemed to be anticipating something happening to him.
He turned to look at the entrance, only to find the door had already shut automatically. The rows of glowing monitors resembled soul-devouring monsters, casting light on one expressionless face after another.
"Mr. Chao, this was just a prank among the employees. I’ll make sure to discipline them properly and prevent any more disruptions during work hours."
The manager’s office door swung open, and a plump man stepped out. Instead of leaving, he stood by the door, bowing slightly with an ingratiating smile. "Xiaojuan has always been an outstanding worker. Among the ten interns assigned to the customer service department, her attitude and skills are top-notch."
"Ze... also works very hard."
"Thank you, Manager Zhu. Xiaojuan and Ze often tell me how much you’ve looked after them." Watching the manager bend at nearly a right angle, Chao Musheng instinctively glanced at Su Chenzhu.
Mr. Su, look how much you’ve scared poor Manager Zhu.
"Everyone in the customer service department has been working hard, even through lunch breaks." Su Chenzhu stepped out of the manager’s office, and the employees immediately rose to their feet again. "Please don’t mind me. Focus on your work."
Player 2 watched as the previously expressionless employees all forced polite smiles, while he took several large steps back.
Seizing the moment when their attention wasn’t on him, he retreated toward the door and tried to pull it open.
But the door, which had opened easily before, now refused to budge no matter how hard he tugged.
He was trapped.
"Manager Zhu, given the recent heatwave and the short breaks in the customer service department, I’ll arrange for finance to issue an additional high-temperature subsidy." Su Chenzhu glanced at the young man and woman standing behind Chao Musheng. "The interns will receive the same."
"Thank you, boss!" Manager Zhu hadn’t expected that after the employee altercation, the boss wouldn’t reprimand him but instead grant an extra bonus. Overjoyed, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
Hearing about the extra pay, the employees’ polite smiles instantly turned genuine. What else did they wake up early and squeeze onto crowded subways for, if not their salaries?
If they had known the boss’s visit would bring such benefits, they’d have wished for him to come every day.
"Is he also from the customer service department?"
The moment the man in silver-rimmed glasses looked over, Player 2 felt like a mouse pinned under a tiger’s gaze. His entire body trembled, and even his blood seemed to freeze.
The smiling employees and the bowing, plump manager all turned their heads in unison, staring at him like puppets controlled by the man.
No—there was one exception.
Player 2’s stiff eyes twitched toward the person standing beside Su Chenzhu: Chao Musheng.
Head lowered, Chao Musheng tapped away on his phone, the only one besides Player 2 who wasn’t looking at him.
Sensing a gaze on him, Chao Musheng lifted his head and locked eyes with Player 2, who was now pressed tightly against the door.
"Hello, Brother Chao." Under the weight of countless stares, Player 2’s voice came out hoarse. "I’m here to see Xiaojuan."
His instincts told him Chao Musheng was the only one who could break this deadlock.
Chao Musheng’s brow lifted slightly. Assuming the man had come after hearing about Xiaojuan’s conflict with a colleague, he gave a slight nod.
Sure enough, the moment Chao Musheng acknowledged him, not only did Manager Zhu look away, but even the mysterious man in silver glasses shifted his attention back to Chao Musheng.
"Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, I won’t disturb your work any longer." Chao Musheng thanked Manager Zhu again. "I appreciate your help."
"Mr. Chao, you’re too kind. I’m just hoping Xiaojuan can become a full-time employee soon—she’d be a great asset." Manager Zhu deliberately avoided mentioning Ze. While he wanted to curry favor with higher-ups, he valued his life more.
Keeping Ze in the company would give him an early grave.
Su Chenzhu spoke sparingly: "Appreciate your hard work."
Manager Zhu beamed as if he’d been given honey. "It’s my duty, my duty!"
Chao Musheng walked to the door, and Player 2 hastily moved aside.
To his shock, the door that had been immovable under his strength now opened effortlessly in Chao Musheng’s hands, as light as paper.
"Mr. Su." Chao Musheng held the door open, smiling at Su Chenzhu.
"Take care, boss! Take care, Mr. Chao!" Noticing this, Manager Zhu hurried forward to hold the door.
How could they let Mr. Chao do something as trivial as opening a door?
Boss?
Player 2 was practically glued to the wall now, cautiously observing the man approaching the exit. How many people in Kunlun could a department manager refer to as "boss"?
The big boss of Kunlun?
No way. His rational mind rejected the idea—a figure of that stature would never travel without an entourage. Su Chenzhu only had Chao Musheng with him.
He pulled out an A-grade Peeping Mirror, but before he could activate it, the lens shattered into pieces with a crisp crack.
"Whose mirror broke?"
Chao Musheng glanced back but only saw Manager Zhu’s round, plump face.
"The big boss is here, and you dare use a mirror?" An employee beside him grabbed his wrist, whispering sharply, "Which department are you from? Do you have no sense of propriety?"
This NPC could see his items?!
Big boss?!
Was that man really the owner of the entire Kunlun enterprise?
No. 2 had no time to mourn the loss of his A-grade item. He glanced at the employee who had reprimanded him, then at Chao Musheng, who had left with the mysterious man, and for the first time, a pang of regret struck him.
If he had known this dungeon would turn out so bizarre, he never should have signed up for it.
"Bro, he was here for me," Xiaojuan walked over and smiled at the employee. "He was just assigned to the film department as an assistant right after joining the company. They’re pretty strict about personal image over there."
"An intern assistant in the film department?" The employee nodded in understanding—that explained it.
The film department was like a whole other world compared to the other departments. Nothing they did was surprising.
“Let’s go talk outside.” Xiaojuan ignored No. 2, who was still staring blankly at his broken prop, and turned to the manager. “Manager, may I take a ten-minute break?”
"Of course, no problem. Don’t push yourself too hard," Manager Zhu replied with an overly amiable smile. "Take longer if you need."
The other colleagues all wore expressions of understanding, and some even volunteered to handle Xiaojuan’s client calls for her.
If it weren’t for Xiaojuan, where would this month’s extra bonuses have come from?
More importantly, Xiaojuan’s connections were rock-solid—so solid that their otherwise overlooked customer service department finally had the confidence of having "someone powerful" backing them.
From superiors to colleagues, the sheer friendliness these people showed Xiaojuan was almost unbearable for No. 2.
They were both interns, so why did he have to exhaust himself dealing with the pretentious Agent Wang and the erratic Lin Hui?
"Mr. Su, thank you for today’s matter." Inside the elevator, Chao Musheng pressed the buttons for the 51st and 52nd floors.
Su Chenzhu watched the illuminated indicator for the 52nd floor. "When does your semester start?"
"Early September."
"If you don’t have other plans next month, would you consider staying at Kunlun for another month?" As the elevator ascended steadily, Su Chenzhu kept his eyes on the rising floor numbers on the display. "All the departments are reluctant to see you go."
Chao Musheng teased, "Will I get paid if I stay?"
"Yes. A high salary." Su Chenzhu answered seriously. "Musheng, the software development department needs you."
Chao Musheng hadn’t expected Su Chenzhu to respond so earnestly. He rubbed his nose. "Well, I wouldn’t mind earning another month’s salary from Kunlun."
Su Chenzhu’s expression softened. "You’re more than welcome. Kunlun would be honored to have you stay."
Neither of them mentioned that the summer internship agreement was only for 30 days—because while some people begged Kunlun for a chance to intern, others were talents Kunlun wanted to keep.
With no one else in the elevator, Chao Musheng caught the familiar scent of grass and wood again. He took two steps closer to where Su Chenzhu stood. "Mr. Su, what cologne do you use?"
"I don’t wear cologne." Su Chenzhu’s ears tinged pink as Chao Musheng closed the distance between them to less than half a shoulder’s width. "Do I smell strange?"
"Not strange. It’s nice." Chao Musheng tilted his head slightly toward Su Chenzhu, now certain the faint fragrance was coming from him.
"Is that so?" Su Chenzhu stiffened, pressing his lips together. "Good."
As long as it wasn’t unpleasant.
"Boss, you’re back?" Secretary Liu was sorting through documents when he saw his boss walk past, looking unusually pleased. He grabbed a stack of files and hurried after him.
Su Chenzhu stopped, took the files, and began signing them. Midway, he suddenly asked, "Secretary Liu, do I smell like anything?"
"No." Secretary Liu shook his head. "Boss, you don’t wear cologne, and you haven’t been around anyone who does. How could you possibly have any lingering scent?"
He’d stake his life on his boss’s innocence.
"Hm." Su Chenzhu finished signing and handed the files back. After taking two steps, he turned around. "This weekend, go to Kunlun’s affiliated hospital for a full-body checkup—especially for your sense of smell. Company will cover it."
Secretary Liu: ?
What did the boss mean by that?
His nose was sharper than a dog’s. Why would he need a checkup?
"You came looking for me in the customer service department for a reason, didn’t you?"
On the third-floor balcony of Kunlun Tower, a few sparrows pecked at crumbs.
Xiaojuan held a talisman between her fingers, making no effort to hide her distrust of No. 2.
"We’re not enemies." No. 2 glanced at the talisman. "In fact, we could be great partners."
"Partners?" Xiaojuan remained unmoved. "I don’t see anything worth collaborating on."
"You don’t actually think clinging to Chao Musheng’s coattails will get you through this dungeon, do you?" No. 2 wasn’t surprised by her attitude. "You’re a high-level player in the infinite world too. Surely you know players and dungeon natives are always on opposing sides?"
"Players are players, natives are natives. Soft-heartedness will only get you killed." No. 2’s tone turned suspicious. "Did you have something to do with No. 3 and No. 17’s mission failures?"
With No. 3’s skills, failure shouldn’t have come so easily.
"Nothing to do with me." Xiaojuan countered. "Ever consider the possibility that his prop malfunctioned, just like yours did earlier?"
No. 2 knew his A-grade prop hadn’t malfunctioned—it had shattered because of Kunlun’s boss.
What he didn’t understand was why the invisibility effect he’d spent points on had failed in the eyes of the natives.
"Can’t figure it out?" Xiaojuan scoffed. "Well, take your time. This dungeon’s full of weirdness. If you act recklessly, you’ll only end up dead."
"Are you warning me out of kindness, or are you afraid I’ll go after that native, Chao Musheng?" No. 2 stared hard at Xiaojuan, searching for any tells. "No. 1, do you even realize Chao Musheng is the key to clearing this dungeon?"
"What key?" Xiaojuan frowned. "Sounds like you’ve been bullied in the film department for too long. Your brain’s fried."
"Chao Musheng is currently on the 52nd floor—Kunlun’s core department, the so-called software R&D team." No. 2 pressed on, undeterred. "If we want to uncover Kunlun’s secrets, we have to start with him."
"He came all the way to customer service for you, which means he trusts you." No. 2 spoke with feigned sincerity. "The lives of the remaining eleven players rest in your hands. If you can get Chao Musheng to tell you how to access the 52nd floor, we can work together to infiltrate the software team and complete the mission."
No. 2 rambled on, trying to manipulate Xiaojuan’s emotions, but her mind drifted to Wan You’s warning.
Never make the wrong choice.
No—choices weren’t about right or wrong.
Only regret.
"Enough." Xiaojuan cut off No. 2’s monologue. "I won’t work with you. For the next two weeks, we’ll each rely on our own skills."
"Fine. Hope you don’t regret it." No. 2 turned to leave, but as he stepped off the balcony, he suddenly flung a dagger straight at Xiaojuan’s face.
Xiaojuan had been prepared. With a flick of her talisman, the dagger disintegrated into ash. "Knew you were a snake."
Another talisman flew onto Player 2's arm, burrowing into his flesh. The pain turned his face deathly pale. Fearing Xiaojuan might activate the talisman to kill him, he immediately cried out, "Wait! Players can’t kill each other—if the system finds out, you’ll die too!"
"And yet you didn’t think of that when you ambushed me earlier?" Xiaojuan coldly triggered the talisman slightly, sending Player 2 writhing on the ground in agony. Her expression remained indifferent as she said, "From today onward, stay away from Chao Musheng. I know you have life-saving items, but as long as I’m alive, I have countless ways to end you—unless you plan to never enter another dungeon again."
"You’re going this far, even wasting a rare S-grade talisman on me… all for some NPC from a dungeon?" Player 2 gasped in disbelief. "Have you lost your mind?"
"If that’s how you want to see it, fine." Xiaojuan stomped hard on his chest, pressing down until he could barely breathe, then kicked him toward the wall. "Get lost!"
Old Ding, bruised and hiding in a corner, watched as Player 2 clutched his chest and limped downstairs—clearly, Xiaojuan had beaten him up too.
He shrunk further into the shadows, careful not to be noticed, then scurried back to his workstation.
That madwoman Xiaojuan attacked anyone in sight, crazier than a rabid dog.
With 15 days left until the dungeon ended, how was he supposed to survive this?
"Whoo-hoo!"
Cheers erupted from the software development team.
"Security testing passed!"
"Chao Musheng, you’re our lucky charm!"
The group swarmed around Chao Musheng, laughing and roughhousing, some even ruffling his hair playfully. In front of the digital portrait of the Cyber God of Literature, offerings had piled high.
Chao Musheng had only joined the project team a little over ten days ago, yet the development progress had leaped forward. Who wouldn’t call him a genius?
"Breaking through this bottleneck means the smart robots can now reduce command execution time by nearly 80%," the team lead said, his bloodshot eyes alight with exhilaration. "This technology can be applied across multiple fields!"
After countless sleepless nights of trial and error, the moment of success finally arrived. The lead rubbed his sore nose, relaxing at last. "Everyone, go home early tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll corner the boss for bonuses—if he refuses, I’m camping in the CEO’s office."
"Thanks, Lead!" The colleagues buzzed with excitement. Chao Musheng, swept up in the mood, grinned widely, his messy hair beyond saving.
"Chao Musheng." The lead pushed through the crowd and sat beside him, slinging an arm around his neck while further tousling his hair. "I owe you an apology for my narrow-mindedness twenty days ago. The boss was right—you really are a once-in-a-lifetime genius."
"The boss?" Chao Musheng gave up on fixing his hair. "When did he tell you I was a genius?"
"About two or three months ago," the lead sighed. "Back then, our research was stuck. The boss recommended you. Honestly, when I saw your photo, I thought you were just some pretty-faced connection hire."
"Told you the lead’s eyesight was bad, but no one believed me," Old Mo interjected, handing out his prized yogurt to everyone. "If I hadn’t overheard the game team’s gossip in the cafeteria, the lead would’ve missed out on Chao Musheng."
Two or three months ago… that was around the time Su Chenzhu had been invited to the university anniversary.
Chao Musheng had never realized Su Chenzhu trusted him so much.
"I haven’t been sleeping well lately—kept having nightmares," Old Mo said, chewing on his straw. "These nightmares are about our company. Wanna hear?"
Everyone glanced down at the yogurt Old Mo had given them and reluctantly nodded.
His horror stories were always dull, but since they’d accepted his treats, they had to humor him.
"First night, I dreamed a female employee jumped from the building over family issues. The internet exploded, accusing Kunlun of overworking staff. I spent the whole dream arguing with netizens."
A colleague responded perfunctorily, "Oh. Then what?"
So cliché.
"Second night, I dreamed a rival company’s CEO was murdered, with Kunlun documents at the crime scene. Rumors spread that we’d hired assassins to eliminate competition."
The colleagues: "…"
This was getting absurd. Kunlun was a giant corporation—since when did they need to play criminals over competitors?
Typical Old Mo, spinning nonsense.
"Mhm, go on."
"Then came a bunch of other disasters, all tied to Kunlun." Old Mo paused. "The worst was our software dev team’s data leak. A foreign company released our new tech first, wiping out two years of work."
"What kind of horror story is this?" The team shuddered. Though his storytelling was terrible, the scenarios were unsettling.
"In the dream, we were so furious we nearly jumped off the rooftop." Old Mo tossed his empty yogurt box into the trash and turned to Chao Musheng. "But weirdly, you never showed up in any of my dreams."
"No me?" Chao Musheng widened his eyes. "Old Mo, after all my hard work, I don’t even rate a cameo in your nightmares?"
The colleagues couldn’t take it anymore, standing up to leave. "If Chao Musheng’s not in it, Old Mo, your dreams are just plain boring."
