Is There a Hidden Truth

Yang Zhanbai poured the remaining two bottles of [Universal Potion] he had on him entirely over Zhu Yan.

"After we get back, let's get our stories straight. We'll just say that, well, I used my identity as the [Hunter] to get the yogurt bowl."

Yang Zhanbai spoke with a righteous air.

Just a moment ago, the [Hunter] mark on his hand had disappeared.

He leaned over to look at Zhu Zeyu's right palm, where the bow and arrow symbol was clear and startling.

"Just don't reveal the fact that you are temporarily the [Hunter] for now."

Are you kidding me?

A player like Zhu Zeyu was simply the light of humanity.

If he were targeted by others because of this [Hunter] business, it would be too unfair!

Under the effects of the [Universal Potion] and the [Bone-Setting Water], Zhu Yan's wounds quickly healed completely.

He moved his fingers, picked up the dining knife, and motioned for Yang Zhanbai to follow him with the yogurt bowl.

Not to mention, Yang Zhanbai was truly quite loyal.

"Someone has to chop off their right hand eventually." Zhu Yan said casually, "It's hilarious. Trading one hand for at least a dozen people's lives is still quite a bargain, right?"

That was an absolute steal!

Because Zhu Yan would never sacrifice his own right hand.

The area where the [Comfort Matrix] had stayed was barren. As the two walked back in the direction they came from, they felt a bit dazed, as if they had just woken up from a dream.

Now, as long as they could gather a right hand with the "[Hunter] mark," Zhu Yan would have everything he needed.

He wondered how those people in the real [David's Kitchen] were doing...

That Li Huisheng better stir up some more trouble.

"...Zhu Zeyu, you're not thinking of chopping off your own right hand, are you?"

Yang Zhanbai asked, then fell into a pessimistic silence.

Who would want to chop off Zhu Zeyu's right hand?

Zhu Zeyu was reassuringly strong, smart, and incredibly loyal.

But, currently...

The mark on Yang Zhanbai's right hand had disappeared, so even if he chopped it off, it wouldn't be of any use.

Zhu Zeyu was the new [Hunter], and although it had been proven that the [Hunter] mark could transfer, no one knew if it would transfer a third time.

What if it didn't?

Yang Zhanbai looked at Zhu Yan's back, swallowing nervously with worry.

Whatever.

Anyway, they already had the [Berry Flavored Yogurt Bowl].

It was only the first day, and their progress was quite phenomenal.

There was no rush to chop off this right hand immediately.

Wouldn't it be perfectly reasonable for him to help Zhu Zeyu stall for a few days while they looked for other clues?

"Hey, Zhu Zeyu." Thinking of this, Yang Zhanbai took large strides to catch up and repeated himself.

"When you go back, just keep it a secret for now and say you're not the [Hunter], okay?"

Zhu Yan did not give a clear answer right away.

Qi Yinming had said earlier that he would contact the police.

They had been in here for so long, Qi Yinming's player group and the police should have established contact long ago.

Qi Yinming must have already provided his and Yang Zhanbai's information, right?

Zhu Yan had previously changed his Xuexitong avatar to send a message to that account [Guan En].

In the message, he had explicitly stated that the [Hunter] mark would transfer, which was a huge smokescreen he created for the police and other players.

Could the police station already suspect that Zhu Zeyu was the [Hunter]?

At this time, if Zhu Yan openly claimed the [Hunter] role once using the identity of "Zhu Zeyu," and then took the opportunity to reveal his [Player Account].

Could he completely clear his name?

"Depends on the situation."

Zhu Yan said, acting openly and aboveboard.

"The Alpha Wolf is too cunning, who knows what new tricks they'll pull."

"If it doesn't work out, I'll just admit I'm the [Hunter]. A right hand might not be completely incapable of growing back, right?"

Yang Zhanbai fell silent again, his heart moved for a moment.

Damn, such a strong sense of the big picture.

Even with potions, [Carnival Paradise] wouldn't just give them out casually.

How did this Zhu Zeyu manage to not think of himself at all?

Ahead.

From an angle Yang Zhanbai couldn't see, Zhu Yan pulled out the half-empty tube of [Copying Ointment].

He quickly smeared the remaining ointment on his right palm, barely able to suppress the corners of his mouth.

Who cares.

He now had an alt account and the ability to "transfer and duplicate" the right hand mark.

If they dared to suspect him, he would just admit it directly!

...

Inside the restaurant.

Qi Yinming calmly looked at the stagnant private message box and sent two more messages to Yang Zhanbai.

"Still alive? The police station is asking how to write that student Zhu's name."

"They're also asking for your player forum account."

It had been hours, and many people had already slept fully clothed on their chairs, including Li Huisheng, who looked terrible but hadn't lashed out.

Yang Zhanbai and Zhu Zeyu hadn't returned yet.

What if...

Both of them were so strong, it probably wouldn't happen.

Even if they didn't get the [Yogurt Bowl], they shouldn't have encountered an accident, right?

Qi Yinming suppressed his inner worries.

"Are you guys hurt?"

However, unexpectedly, Yang Zhanbai replied instantly.

"We just got out, damn, we almost died!"

"We got hurt, but it's not too serious, we healed it with items."

Qi Yinming's tight heart finally relaxed heavily.

Although he didn't know the deeper meaning behind Guan En's question, he dutifully reiterated the previous questions.

On the other side.

Yang Zhanbai shoved the phone into Zhu Yan's hand, volunteering to take the lead.

"Type your name. My player forum account is [BreakUpWithGays], help me reply to that too while you're at it."

Damn.

It was actually [BreakUpWithGays].

How did Zhu Yan not guess that?!

Yang Zhanbai showed Zhu Yan the yogurt bowl in his hands: "Remember to reply, my hands are full!"

Both of them were stained with the heavy, foul stench of the [Comfort Matrix], and they hadn't encountered any terrifying creatures along the way.

Zhu Yan was quite relaxed, but Yang Zhanbai didn't dare to let his guard down, insisting on looking left and right at the front.

Zhu Yan looked at the message and sent both names over.

After thinking about it, he mimicked Yang Zhanbai's typing habits and asked an extra question.

"Bro, why are you asking this? The police are investigating the information of surviving players, right?"

Qi Yinming indeed did not sell out Guan En.

"Oh, someone specifically wanted to ask about you two, so I came to ask."

"Maybe it's because your actions were too bold."

Zhu Yan's inner vigilance instantly shot up a notch.

Someone specifically wanting to ask about them was definitely not because they were bold.

Most likely, the police had tracked things down to Yang Zhanbai, right?

...

On the other side, Qi Yinming copied the two names Zhu Yan provided and sent them to Guan En.

Behind the desk.

The blue light of the phone screen glowed softly, intertwining with the red text of the [Player Forum] in his field of vision.

The moment Guan En saw that [Player Forum] nickname, his heart skipped a beat.

The person sending him messages was not Yang Zhanbai!

However, the only person who had been by Yang Zhanbai's side and could know the ins and outs of the situation in such detail was Zhu Zeyu.

Why did Zhu Zeyu want to disguise himself as Yang Zhanbai?

Guan En pressed his lips tightly together.

Was there a hidden truth to this whole affair?

He wanted to ask more, but the [Player Forum] suddenly popped up with a new message notification.

Guan En clicked on the notification, feeling his breath catch in his throat.

The player who sent him the message was named Zhu Zeyu.

This chat box was completely separate from the one with HatersAreGay.

They were two entirely different people!

"Is this Officer Guan? We have encountered a special situation and would like to ask for your help!"