Qi Xu was stunned.
Dongfang Yuan continued, "This game is pretty good—it gave me the chance to kill that bastard. He kidnapped me from my family as a child and trained me all these years, turning me into his money-making machine. I’ve wanted to kill him for ages, but I could never beat him. That old bastard was seriously strong. But now, I got my wish. No matter how skilled you are, you can’t dodge a machine gun. I emptied a whole clip into him—hahaha, damn, that was satisfying."
Qi Xu couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth...
This was just another level of clarity. The survival game miscalculated—there was no way to understand "Sister Slayer" from a normal perspective.
"Master Chef, what about you?"
Chinese Master Chef replied in confusion, "I don’t know! I just saw you all disappear, and then I was back at the cafeteria where I used to work. It scared the hell out of me. My good life had only just begun, and then it was over. I was so upset I started crying... I thought I couldn’t return to the survival game anymore. I was devastated... and then, the moment I cried, I came back."
Chinese Master Chef patted his chest in relief.
Qi Xu opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words, so she closed it again.
What kind of miserable life had this kid been living before? He’d rather return to a survival game than stay in reality...
"What about Wolf Bro?"
War Wolf 009 answered solemnly, "I also had a strong desire to return. How could I leave without confirming your safety?"
Qi Xu gave him a thumbs-up. "Respect!"
Raw power trumps all tricks! A man with such a strong sense of justice and responsibility deserves good fortune.
The others still showed no signs of waking up, so Qi Xu took out some fruit, and everyone ate while they waited.
It didn’t take long for Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt to wake up, wearing an expression of understanding—he must have figured out the true meaning of this level. But his face also showed reluctance and resignation, his whole mood visibly downcast.
None of them were good at comforting people, so they just handed him some food and drinks.
Next, Old White Dragon in the Waves woke up, his hands still grasping at the air the moment he opened his eyes.
"Damn it! I finally managed to pack all my stash into a bag, thinking I could bring it back, but the game wouldn’t let me take anything! All that good liquor I’d been saving—ugh!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
The only ones left unconscious were Bubbly Girl Guo Degang and the Retired Magical Boy.
These two were lively, sunny, and full of energy—clearly well-loved kids who grew up in happy homes. The temptations of reality must have been stronger for them.
By the time everyone had taken a nap, the two still hadn’t woken up. Only two hours remained of the 24-hour limit.
Tension crept into the group.
If time ran out before they woke up... given the survival game’s nature, there was an 80% chance they’d be eliminated.
But no one dared to disturb them—interfering might just make things worse.
Fortunately, the Retired Magical Boy woke up first. Seeing everyone safe and sound, he immediately burst into loud, wailing sobs, repeatedly apologizing.
Especially when he saw Bubbly Girl Guo Degang still unconscious, he couldn’t stop crying.
Qi Xu hugged the magical boy. "Don’t cry. The survival game did this on purpose. Even if you hadn’t brushed against me with your hair, it would’ve found some other excuse to drag us into the game."
War Wolf 009 nodded. "I think so too. This level was special."
Dongfang Yuan was the most carefree. "Danger and opportunity go hand in hand. We cleared another level."
But as the clock ticked down, the boy’s crying grew louder and louder.
Until the very last second... Bubbly Girl Guo Degang finally woke up.
"So it really was you crying."
"I thought the survival game was over. My parents made me a huge feast, and I was lying in bed under the covers, ready to sleep, when I heard someone crying nonstop. So I figured I’d come back and check..."
Bubbly Girl Guo Degang finished, still looking dazed, and everyone heaved a collective sigh of relief.
No matter what, they’d actually made it through this level!
Only after everyone woke up did they learn from the level’s gate that the entire team had to clear it for the level to count as passed.
Bubbly Girl Guo Degang broke out in a cold sweat. "Oh my god, thank goodness I came back! That would’ve been game over!"
"Passing is all that matters."
"Guess fate’s not done with us yet. Good things must be coming."
Seeing the Retired Magical Boy still drowning in guilt, everyone tried to comfort him softly, but that only made him cry harder.
Dongfang Yuan looked impressed and whispered to Qi Xu, "Can people really cry this much? She hasn’t even had water in an hour—how is she still going?"
Qi Xu poked her. "New mission for you: go cheer her up."
Dongfang Yuan pointed at herself in disbelief. "Me? Do I look like someone who knows how to comfort people?"
"You do!" Qi Xu flashed a sweet smile. "Sister Slayer is all-powerful! Sister Slayer is the best!"
Suddenly filled with confidence, Dongfang Yuan marched over and pulled the sobbing Qi Xinmeng into a hug. "You think you’re weak? Let me teach you!"
The magical girl was so startled she forgot to cry—Sister Slayer’s aura was just too overwhelming.
Dongfang Yuan looked smug. "Huh. It actually worked. Didn’t know I had this talent."
Qi Xu stifled a laugh. At least the crying had stopped.
"Alright, let’s answer the final question and finish this level. We’ve got 10 minutes left—should be enough."
"Let’s go!"
When they reached the gate, there was no question—just a single line of text:
[Congratulations on clearing the level! You are the first team to complete the "Unity is Strength" dungeon in 23 hours and 46 minutes. Would you like to announce this server-wide?]
Qi Xu was inclined to say yes—the rewards were too good to pass up.
She turned to ask the others.
"Do it! When else will we get to flex like this? I wanna feel like a top player for once!" Old White Dragon in the Waves had shaken off his earlier exhaustion and was back to his usual energy.
Bubbly Girl Guo Degang also agreed. "Maybe if I don’t change my name, people won’t mess with me anymore. Being a server-wide celebrity has its perks."
War Wolf 009 added, "The reward supplies are crucial. Remember what Whirlwind Boss said—you can’t afford to play it safe in this game."
In the end, the unanimous decision was: "Announce it!"
Once decided, Qi Xu pressed the button without hesitation. Each of them received a diamond supply crate.
Sister Slayer looked disgusted.
"Why give us a crate? Just hand over the rewards directly! What’s the point of this stupid box?!"
.........
