Chapter 29: Dinner

Li Gang was not a master of analysis, yet he could grasp the things that anyone with common sense would realize.

In the days to come, the number of people eliminated worldwide each day would reach a new peak, surpassing every previous daily record since the start of the game.

Even he was deeply tempted by the prospect of obtaining the complete Basic Guidance Technique.

After all, one quick step leads to many more—fall behind at the start, and you’ll always be behind.

The difference between a complete Basic Guidance Technique and a broken, incomplete one was clear as daylight.

Those who succeeded in their first hunt, in order to obtain the complete technique, would most likely take the initiative to hunt others.

Never think that killing is such a difficult thing; everything is hard only the first time. Once you’ve crossed that threshold, the second, third, and countless next times become ever easier.

To reach a goal, to arrive at a certain place, to achieve something, the hardest part is always the first step. True strength of will is shown in resisting that first forbidden thought, that first forbidden taste.

“Damn these gods, always scheming to intensify the survivors’ motives to hunt each other,” Li Gang cursed inwardly, though there was nothing he could do.

The gods would always create circumstances, and if you didn’t want to be eliminated from the game, you were forced to actively hunt others. Relying solely on strengthening yourself through enhancement was not enough to match those who had obtained the Basic Guidance Technique. The gap would only widen. Even if you could hide for a while, in the end you would become prey for the strong. When the disparity in strength became too great, the outcome was already determined.

Thinking of this, Li Gang’s heart grew heavy. The tangled feelings from his first kill faded a bit, and even his joy and excitement at seeing Lin Yan were gradually replaced by worry for the future.

WF County.

Li Gang and Lin Yan had agreed to meet at the gym where he usually trained alone.

It was about 7 p.m., and dusk was already deepening, soon to give way to night.

After doubling back to search Jia Tianming’s car, Li Gang had also had to climb over several hills to retrieve his motorcycle.

By the time he arrived, Lin Yan was already waiting for him. Unlike Li Gang, she hadn’t been delayed much along the way.

Returning to the gym, Li Gang suppressed his eagerness to see Lin Yan and instead hurried off in another direction.

Thanks to the tracking system, he knew exactly where Lin Yan was.

At the moment, Li Gang was a mess—his clothes torn, his body filthy. The thought of meeting his beloved in such a state seemed abrupt and improper. He decided to take a shower and change into clean clothes before seeing her.

In the bathroom, Li Gang stared at his reflection, a little stunned and somewhat unfamiliar with himself.

His body was well-proportioned and strong, yet his skin was now pale, smooth, and radiant.

His face was spotless; the faint traces of teenage acne were gone altogether, and his features seemed subtly improved—perhaps it was just his imagination, but he looked a little more handsome than before.

He opened his mouth; his teeth were dazzlingly white and perfectly aligned. Even his molars, which used to be yellow and hard to clean, were now as white as jade.

He tried biting down a few times, finding his bite perfectly seamless. The wisdom teeth that had once crowded his mouth seemed to have never existed, and the gaps and misalignments were as if they’d never been there.

The changes went far beyond his teeth. Compared to the day before, every part of him was different. He knew these effects were entirely the result of the comprehensive restorative treatment he’d undergone, which recreated the human body’s theoretical perfect state.

The gunshot wounds he’d suffered in battle earlier that day had already healed completely, leaving only faint scars.

This extraordinary healing rate, far exceeding that of normal people, both delighted and frightened him. With a physical stat over 300, the effects were already this remarkable. What would happen if he surpassed 1,000, or even reached several thousand? Would he, like Wolverine in the movies, possess terrifying regenerative abilities?

Li Gang wondered if, at this rate, he was even still human—or perhaps “humanoid monster” would be more accurate. Still, these changes were a boon for surviving the game.

After showering, Li Gang changed into a set of clean casual clothes. Checking Lin Yan’s location, he left his room, his heart filled with excitement and joy.

Lin Yan wasn’t in the gym’s main hall but in the dining area.

As Li Gang entered, the aroma of food hit him, making his mouth water and his appetite surge.

On the table were a variety of dishes—roast meats, bread, fruits, drinks, even beer.

Lin Yan had prepared a lavish dinner, enough for three or four people at a glance. Many of the ingredients were ones Li Gang had collected previously, now freshly prepared.

She emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of vegetable salad. She was still dressed in her combat suit, though the metal case she usually carried was nowhere to be seen.

“Sit down, let’s eat and talk. Come, try my cooking,” she said with a smile, cutting off whatever Li Gang was about to say when she saw him enter.

Hearing her familiar voice, the countless words and questions in Li Gang’s heart vanished. His nervousness melted away, replaced by sweetness and contentment.

After all, in their four years together, they had never said much to each other. Yet today, they had spoken more than ever before—and she had even taken the initiative.

“I really am hungry. All right, I’ll try it.”

Li Gang sat up straight, took a piece of fragrant, perfectly cooked roast meat, and tasted it. His eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, “Delicious! No wonder you’re so skilled—your dexterity must’ve been enhanced.” The moment he finished, he regretted it, feeling awkward. He glanced at Lin Yan, but seeing no change in her expression, he relaxed.

There was a reason Li Gang had remained single: his reclusive nature, his laid-back attitude, and his utter lack of charm with women. To put it bluntly, his flirting skills were in the negative—if they existed at all.

After twenty-two days in the game, Li Gang had figured out the four basic stats. The higher your speed, the more dexterous and skillful your hands became.

Lin Yan ate quietly, occasionally sipping her drink, unmoved by her surroundings, with the graceful composure of someone who neither speaks at meals nor talks in bed. To Li Gang, she was a feast for the eyes.

He wanted to say something, but felt it would be a shame to interrupt her quiet enjoyment. So he kept silent, feeling a bit frustrated—she’d said they’d eat and talk, but now she wasn’t talking at all.

Burying himself in his food, Li Gang ate furiously. With his stats constantly rising, his appetite had grown as well. Of course, he also stayed full longer after each meal.

A few minutes later, Lin Yan dabbed her lips with a napkin and looked at the still-eating Li Gang. “I’ve been to your house,” she said.

“What!?” Li Gang swallowed his food, stunned.

“I even stayed there for a few days.” Lin Yan’s dark eyes sparkled, and she smiled faintly.

She took out a delicate ornament—a small, purple cartoon squirrel keychain. It was the little gift Li Gang had bought for his mother when he returned home after graduating from WH City.

“So it was you,” Li Gang recognized it instantly, his face full of shock. He quickly recalled the person who had headed straight for YD County at the start, and suddenly realized.

“You’re quick on the uptake. Yes, it was me. I just happened to pass by your house. What surprised me was that, when I went inside, I saw clear signs of recent living. After a thorough check, I knew you’d survived as well. If I’m right, you must have been the one I startled away.

I also visited the gym where you’d stayed for a while. When I saw you’d stopped in WF County and hadn’t left, I could guess your plans after the game started.

So I didn’t chase after you immediately, because you’d probably just keep avoiding me. Instead, I stayed at your house for a while.”

Lin Yan quietly put away the ornament, then briefly shared her discoveries and deductions after arriving at YD County. As she mentioned staying in Li Gang’s house, a faint blush flashed across her cheeks.