Thrilling Live Broadcast 09

"Would he chop me up too?" The eerie mother took two steps back, staring at the unsettling smile on Fang Zhiyi's face.

Fang Zhiyi turned to look at her, their positions now completely reversed.

"What's wrong with you?"

The eerie mother shook her head, then dashed back to her room. Moments later, she emerged wearing a change of clothes, a face mask, and sunglasses—apparently ready to go out. The eerie younger brother also slung his backpack over his shoulders.

"Going out? Then what about this..." Fang Zhiyi glanced down at the half-processed meat on the counter.

"Since you're so well-behaved, finish this for me. I need to go find your father," the eerie mother said. "Remember, don’t open the door for anyone. If you run into trouble, ask the neighbor next door for help. Don’t go outside—your father and I both have keys."

With that, she left with the eerie younger brother.

"Hey, what about breakfast?" Fang Zhiyi grumbled in frustration. Had he gone too far? It couldn’t be—this was the same meat that was a bestseller at his shop. Sometimes the idiot employees couldn’t even handle it properly, forcing him to step in. Wasn’t this just...

Cheng Xiang stared blankly at the cleaver in Fang Zhiyi’s hand, then at the thigh on the cutting board.

Fang Zhiyi shrugged. "Can you cook?"

The livestream chat exploded with comments: "Someone investigate this man!"

"That technique—he’s definitely a serial killer!"

"I think Fang’s approach was spot-on. Did you see how fast that eerie bolted?"

"He’s handling human meat like it’s nothing!"

"The contestant from K Country screamed when he saw the mother chopping meat—then got killed!"

"So that’s why Fang chose to act like this!"

"If it were me, I’d probably act even crazier."

"Is the direct hunting rule for these creatures fear?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

Sometimes, even if you don’t explain yourself, people will rationalize your motives for you.

Fang Zhiyi washed his hands and ate the plain noodles Cheng Xiang had boiled while watching TV—a black-and-white cartoon playing on loop.

"Uh, idol," Cheng Xiang called cautiously.

"Huh? Me? Idol?" Fang Zhiyi was stunned.

"Yeah." Cheng Xiang seemed to have already forgotten how his idol had just been deboning a human leg. If Fang did it, there had to be a reason. "Idol, after this, I’ll get to stay with you. Can you take me as your disciple?"

Fang Zhiyi shook his head like a fan. "No, no, no." The last time he took on disciples in the other world, it nearly cost him his life.

"Besides, you might not even get to stay with me."

Cheng Xiang froze. Survivors of the game were usually housed together under official protection.

"Because I can’t go back," Fang Zhiyi said casually, picking his nose.

The livestream erupted.

"What does he mean, ‘can’t go back’?"

"He can’t return?"

"I remember now—last time, the footage ended with Fang charging into the mist!"

"Has he been stuck there this whole time?"

"That explains why his spawn point was different from the others!"

"Holy crap, holy crap!"

"So is Fang Zhiyi an eerie now?"

"Shut up! Fang’s clearly representing us!"

"But think about it—the creatures seem terrified of him."

The livestream descended into chaos.

Fang Zhiyi, however, brushed it off. "No choice, really. Pissed off that director last time, and now I’m stuck here. You have no idea how rough this month’s been—unbelievable!" He’d even gone back to that hospital, but it was as if nothing had happened. The red office building still stood, and the security chief didn’t recognize him—almost started another fight.

Little Hei theorized that places chosen as game zones became "contaminated." It sounded bizarre, but the evidence was there. Even the eerie world could be tainted, and NPCs involved in the games couldn’t leave.

Looked like both humans and creatures were victims.

"Banned from returning just because he offended the director?"

"Cheating! Xia Country People are cheating!"

"Shut your mouth!"

"Fang’s got a point—the eerie world’s full of unknowns."

"How’s Fang even surviving there? My heart aches."

"That world’s crawling with dangers."

The doorbell rang.

Cheng Xiang remembered the new rule the eerie mother had mentioned—don’t open the door.

But Fang Zhiyi ignored it, striding over and swinging the door wide.

"Idol, don’t—"

Fang Zhiyi turned. "Don’t what?"

Cheng Xiang watched as the red-clad, disheveled-haired eerie with a jaw full of spikes crept closer to his idol. Mustering his courage, he prepared to charge forward.

Fang Zhiyi turned back and saw the face.

"What the—?!" He slapped a hand over his own mouth. Cheng Xiang, mid-lunge, skidded to a halt.

Everyone expected Fang to pull off another miracle.

"How many times have I told you? Wear a mask when delivering food! A mask!"

The livestream went dead silent.

The eerie looked miserable. "B-boss... what are you doing here?"

"You dare ask where I am? Is that an excuse to skip the mask? And where’s your ID badge? Huh? The badge?" Fang Zhiyi started patting the creature down.

"Guys, I think that eerie’s about to cry."

"Ugh, reminds me of when I’m late for work."

"Did Fang open a business here this past month?"

"Sounds insane, but at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised!"

"Absolute legend."

"Another half-month’s pay docked!" After the scolding, the eerie slunk away, dejected.

Cheng Xiang stood dumbfounded. Fang Zhiyi clasped his hands behind his back and paced. "Bunch of idiots. I need to head out. You coming?"

Cheng Xiang recalled the rule about not leaving—but with his idol involved, rules didn’t matter.

The two descended the building. Inside the elevator, they encountered three more red-clad eeries. The creatures lit up at the sight of Cheng Xiang—until they noticed Fang Zhiyi behind him. Terror replaced their glee.

"B-boss! Good day!"

Fang Zhiyi scrutinized them before nodding in approval. "You three aren’t bad. Early promotions for you."

The eeries brightened. "Really? Thank you, boss!"

"Want to be even happier?"

Seeing Fang Zhiyi’s narrowed eyes, the eeries weren’t foolish enough to respond.

"Useless. Fine, here’s a task. Do it well, and you’ll be rewarded. Screw up..." The threat in his voice sent shivers down their spines.

By the time he finished explaining the mission, the livestream comments had flooded the screen.

"Cheaters!" "Shameless!" "Long live Fang!" "Fang’s a legend!" "Sneaky Xia Country People!" "We don’t need this!" "Hahahaha!"