Pilot Training

The Dragonfly’s enormous compound eyes twitched slightly, and its two legs rubbed together like a fly’s.

It could see right through the true identity of the player standing before it.

Level Seven — exactly matching the description of the [Hunter] from the earlier Bounty Notice.

This was no coincidence. After guarding the shop for so many hours, it was absolutely certain that the other players here were all noobs.

The one before it had left everyone else in the dust. Apart from the [Hunter], it simply couldn’t believe anyone else could pull off such a feat.

Though the right palm the player held was empty, covering up a mark was nothing unusual.

“Oh dear, oh dear…”

The Dragonfly simulated a flattering tone with its thin voice, its soft, floppy body bending over like a kowtowing eunuch.

“Dear customer, to be honest, it’s tough!”

The [Hunter]’s notorious deeds were well-known: with the power of a Level Seven, they had brutally slain at least two Level Fifteen monsters. Such a force could not be underestimated.

If this player’s sword were to be upgraded to Level Fifteen…

The Dragonfly shuddered inwardly.

This [Hunter] might very well turn around and slice it up in an instant!

Though this body was just a projection it had made for fun, the projection was still precious.

Moreover, it had no intention of getting involved in the tangled vendettas between the [Hunter] and other terrifying creatures.

It was just a humble craftsman who loved handiwork and wanted to earn some bone coins!

“Oh dear, oh dear, dear customer!” The Dragonfly humbly wailed at Zhu Yan, crying and pleading, “You really don’t know, this useless creature of mine, the shop’s upgrade materials are quite limited, and I never expected…”

It pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears with its insect legs, cautiously sneaking a glance at Zhu Yan.

Seeing that Zhu Yan only casually sized it up, the Dragonfly, sensing the opportunity, continued to sob convincingly.

“I never imagined that a player in this dungeon would want to upgrade an item to such a high level!”

“Dear customer,” it carefully reported a number that fit perfectly with the level of its projection, “the shop’s materials can only upgrade your item up to Level Thirteen. Here…”

This little leather armor was Level Fourteen.

Level Thirteen was just right!

The Dragonfly rubbed its insect legs together, its large compound eyes looking pitifully at Zhu Yan, reflecting faint rainbow hues under the warm light.

Zhu Yan observed the Dragonfly’s act without a flicker of emotion, quietly calculating.

…Actually, Level Thirteen wasn’t that bad.

His real concern was whether his identity as the [Hunter] had been exposed, and whether this Dragonfly might report him.

The difference between Level Thirteen and Level Fifteen was just that a Level Fifteen sword would be a bit sharper for cutting down this Dragonfly.

But it seemed the Dragonfly had already noticed his hesitation.

When Zhu Yan didn’t respond immediately, it said, “Please wait a moment.”

Zhu Yan watched as it moved its two silver legs with a clattering sound, heading behind the counter cluttered with all sorts of strange little gadgets.

The Dragonfly bent its soft body and carefully pulled open a drawer, drawing out a bronze plaque the size of an A3 sheet of paper.

It carefully placed the bronze plaque in the corner of the glass display case, then extended one of its insect legs, inviting Zhu Yan to read the inscription.

“[Lazy Man’s Craft Shop] Special Notice.”

“No matter if you are a player, a terrifying creature, or a half-human, half-ghost monster, regardless of your organization or identity, this shop treats all customers equally.”

“This shop maintains absolute neutrality and will never involve itself in any faction conflicts or privacy disputes—only business.”

“We strictly refuse to disclose any customer’s privacy. Coercion or bribery will not work.”

Zhu Yan read this and immediately asked, “That ‘refuse’—did you mean to write it that way? Isn’t it a typo?”

The Dragonfly seemed provoked. “Customer, how dare you use such a malicious pun to question me?”

It jumped up, the two silver legs clattering noisily.

“Pressure from a dragonfly?”

Zhu Yan raised an eyebrow, watching the Dragonfly, flustered and annoyed, tap the official seal beneath the text with its insect leg.

“This is certified by the [Supreme Authority Committee of the Wild Joyland]! Take a look!”

Alright then.

Zhu Yan remembered that name.

He had seen it in the [Cannibal House] dungeon; the landlord’s rental contract bore the signature of this organization.

Zhu Yan nodded. “In that case, boss, just stick to normal business.”

Time was tight anyway.

Personal safety came first. If there was no threat, Zhu Yan could set this matter aside for now.

Seeing Zhu Yan relent, the Dragonfly immediately smiled broadly.

It took the military knife from Zhu Yan’s hand, speaking with exaggerated flattery.

“Customer, what level do you want your dormitory windows to be? The knife is level 13, but we have level 14 materials for your dorm windows.”

Zhu Yan asked, “Do you have level 15?”

He was genuinely scared.

The dorm was his fortress. Although he didn’t always hide inside, the higher the level of a fortress, the better.

“We can also upgrade the door to level 15…”

“No problem, no problem.” The Dragonfly cradled the military knife and turned to walk into its workshop.

“Customer, please wait a moment. Once the weapon is ready, I’ll accompany you to your dorm.”

……

Elsewhere.

Shen Zichen dared not relax; every muscle was tense, afraid that something else might happen in the corridor.

But the mirror showed nothing but calm, except for the corpse rapidly decaying in front of it.

Whispers echoed through the dorm.

“Is the game over…? But the broadcast never came.”

“Finally, I just want to sleep!”

“What’s going on now?”

Shen Zichen had no idea either.

He cautiously placed his hand on the door, wanting to step out and see; however, a female voice broadcast crackled through, halting his movement.

“Regrettably,” the female voice maintained the same formal, cheerful tone, “there are no other terrifying creatures available to assign to you.”

That phrase “regrettably” made everyone’s hearts tighten.

But the latter half sounded promising, and Shen Zichen exchanged glances with the few people nearby, their tension easing.

“Congratulations to all players, you have completed the intense [Night Game]—”

The female voice paused for a moment, waiting until the tense sound of swallowing echoed from the dormitory before continuing the second half of her sentence.

“—We got carried by a player from another floor, Zhu Zeyu.”

“You guys just coasted through the game!”

Suddenly, a burst of cheers erupted inside the dormitory, completely drowning out the broadcast behind the female voice.

“Yohoo! We survived!”

“We cleared it! Damn, I thought we were dead for sure!”

“Boss! Where’s my dad?”

At this moment, even Shen Zichen couldn’t hold back the excited crowd.

Someone reached out and twisted open the door.

Despite the foul stench wafting from the hallway, many still chose to rush out—some to scavenge supplies, others to look for Zhu Zeyu’s figure.

Shen Zichen glanced back at the now-empty dormitory, then patted his roommate on the shoulder.

“Let’s go find Zhu Zeyu. If he came to this floor, it’s probably to look for the Lazy Craftsman’s Shop.”

With that, Shen Zichen decisively headed toward the craft shop, his face filled with sorrow as he passed the piles of rotting corpses littering the ground.

“Gotta thank him, bring some gifts, and try to get on his good side.”

“He’s insanely strong.” He recalled the scene from the surveillance footage where the female corpse was beheaded, and clenched his fists tightly.

“I need to get stronger as soon as possible. Ideally…”

Ideally, I want to surpass Zhu Zeyu, who’s currently the top dog!