HP - Chapter 27

Kingdom of Gods 05

The fireworks faded, and the night sky returned to calm.

The evening breeze swept through strands of dark hair, and Zhong Xu's gaze was as serene as the night.

"In any case..."

Ji Zhou felt the silence had gone on a bit too long. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, Zhong Xu also spoke.

"Ji Zhou, do you usually watch anime?"

A little confused, Ji Zhou nodded. "Yeah, I do."

She gave him an "I see" expression. "Very chuunibyou."

"..."

He felt aggrieved. "It took everything I had just to say these things to you!"

Shattered. His courage had been crushed by Zhong Xu's heart—harder than stone.

"Didn't look like it at all." His skin was even thicker than rock.

"Let's go, it's late," Zhong Xu said. "Young people should sleep and wake early."

"..."

He caught up to her, undeterred. "What about you? Where are you staying now? Why not stay at my place... Don’t get the wrong idea, there’s an empty room."

Zhong Xu ignored him. Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Were the twin-tailed girl and the others teammates you brought in?"

"Xiao Huan and them?" Ji Zhou shook his head and grinned. "Nope, I'm very loyal. Why would I just team up with random people? Since I’ve decided it’s the three of us—you, me, and He Ming—then if we ever add more teammates, it has to be agreed on by everyone. Especially by the boss; they need to approve it."

"They’re my friends. Reserves for the 'Judgement Eye.'"

"The Judgement Eye?"

"The leader of the 'Judgement Eye' holds the 'Judgment' card and has gathered a team of powerful members. Their goal is to find the 'Sinners' hidden among the gods and complete the game’s missions."

Zhong Xu stroked her chin, her eyes glinting. "Mission-oriented."

"Mm." Ji Zhou added, "And rumor has it they’ve taken on maintaining order and security across the city, to stop the 'Sinners' from spreading evil."

"If their true goal is to complete the missions and escape the game, then I’d consider joining." His goal was simple—leave this damned game. "Of course, it won’t be a quick decision. I need to be sure they’re not harboring any 'Sinners.'"

"Ah Xu, think it over again about teaming up. I’m in no rush. In the meantime, I’ll investigate the Judgement Eye too. If they really are a solid organization, we can consider joining together."

Xiao Huan stood with hands on her hips, face full of disdain. "Ji Zhou, you're so noisy!"

Ji Zhou ignored her and continued walking beside Zhong Xu. "Ah Xu, the place I’m staying at isn’t far from here..."

"No need. I can take care of myself." Zhong Xu paused, then added, "Just do whatever you want. Don’t worry about me."

Anyone else, after so many cold rejections, would’ve backed off long ago.

But Ji Zhou was different—his skin really was thick.

He let the rejection float past like a breeze. "Okay, okay. Go have your fun out there. Once you’ve had enough, come back home."

"......"

"Ah Xu, give me your hand."

Under Ji Zhou’s sparkling gaze, Zhong Xu reluctantly and slowly extended her hand.

A small flame flickered to life at Ji Zhou’s fingertip. He gently pressed it to Zhong Xu’s index finger, a wave of warmth spreading upward.

"Hey, Ah Xu, you're so brave. I thought you'd freak out and pull your hand back."

Zhong Xu finally snapped, "The reason you haven't been beaten to death yet is because of your thick skin, right?"

"Hey, how’d you know?" Ji Zhou said proudly. "Last time I went one against twenty, I survived entirely thanks to being thick-skinned and tough."

Just as Zhong Xu was about to pull her hand away, Ji Zhou quickly pressed her fingertip again and rushed to explain before she could explode:

 "I infused some of my spiritual energy here. From now on, we’ll be able to sense each other."

"..." Zhong Xu’s face darkened. "Who the hell wants to sense you?"

Ji Zhou beamed. "If I’m ever in danger, I’ll be counting on you to come save me, Ah Xu."

"You can control fire. If you're about to die, remember to set yourself ablaze," Zhong Xu said flatly. "It’ll save on cremation costs."

Ji Zhou pretended not to hear. He turned around and waved Xiao Huan and the others over to head back.

"Catch you later." He waved cheerfully at Zhong Xu, then pushed open the tavern door and walked out.

As they walked down the street, Xiao Huan clicked her tongue. "I never realized you were like a piece of chewing gum—can’t be shaken off. Be honest, do you like her?"

"Why is your mind always full of impure thoughts?" Ji Zhou said with disdain. "Our boss and I have been through life-and-death situations together. Besides, I have great instincts—we get along really well."

Get along... really?

The group fell silent, lost in thought.

"But..." Xiao Huan’s tone shifted. She muttered, "I really don’t sense any divine power from her at all."

Ji Zhou looked unbothered. "Rein in your nose, will you? Nobody asked you to sniff around."

"Nice. Throwing your friends aside for a pretty face."

"Senior, where are you heading after this?" Ran Ran asked.

"You don’t need to worry about me." Zhong Xu lifted her chin and pointed at Ran Ran’s hand. "Go get that taken care of."

"I plan to find my sister. I just got a message—she passed the 'Pantheon' guard assessment. I’ll be safe with her," Ran Ran said sincerely. "Senior, would you come with me? With your skills, you could definitely join the Pantheon too."

"No, I’ve got other plans. It’s already late—you should get going." Zhong Xu repeated herself, "It really was you who activated your card’s power earlier. After you find your sister, keep practicing."

Ran Ran nodded solemnly, thanked her over and over again, and even ordered a drink for Zhong Xu before finally leaving the tavern.

Zhong Xu sat at the table, slowly sipping her drink.

The holographic wall clock pointed to 2:00 a.m. The guests had trickled out one by one until she was the only one left.

Her seat gave her a direct view of the bar. As closing time approached, the tavern owner had already left half an hour earlier. The server had begun cleaning; the sound of running water echoed throughout the quiet room.

The server was a man around thirty, with a forgettable, average-looking face. His work, though, was meticulous.

Zhong Xu had been observing him for a long time.

A face that disappears into the crowd. Quiet. Nothing about him stood out—no features you’d remember.

She subtly brushed her fingers over her blank card and slowly rose to her feet.

A perfect target.

"Hello, is there anything I can help you with?" Seeing Zhong Xu approach, the server greeted her with a polite smile.

"Aren’t you about to get off work?"

"Yes. The tavern closes in half an hour. Please remember to take all your belongings before you leave."

"After work... would you like to take a walk?"

Zhong Xu’s first time ever initiating a conversation like this. She tried her best to put on a somewhat friendly expression.

"No."

Rejected. Without hesitation.

Zhong Xu decided to try again. “It’s just a walk. The moonlight’s beautiful tonight, isn’t it?”

The night was pitch black. After the earlier downpour, even the moon was buried behind thick clouds.

"Shh." The server's expression shifted. He leaned in, suddenly nervous. "Please don’t say things like that. Ever since the Land of Gods was buried in yellow sand, there hasn’t been any moonlight to speak of."

What... was he talking about?

Zhong Xu's heart skipped a beat.

No. Something's wrong. Would a normal player say something that bizarre?

"Why do you say that?" she asked cautiously.

But the server didn’t answer. His polite smile returned, as if nothing had happened.

"The tavern will be closing soon. Please remember to take all your belongings."

The unease inside Zhong Xu deepened, but she still had a goal to accomplish.

"Then how about that walk?"

"No."

"Why not?" Zhong Xu tried a more direct approach.

"Today’s schedule doesn’t include a walk."

A clean and precise refusal. She made a mental note—might come in handy someday.

The server had finished cleaning and was now beginning to shut the doors and windows. Time was running out, and Zhong Xu was starting to feel the pressure.

She decided to try one more probe.

"Then let’s be friends. What card do you hold?"

"What is a card?"

Is he playing dumb? Or is he actually an idiot?

"I mean… your divine power."

At those words, his expression shifted. A hint of melancholy appeared on his face.

"I'm just a regular mortal. How could I have divine power?"

At this point, Zhong Xu began to seriously wonder if this server was actually an android.

But his behavior didn’t have that polished, pleasant efficiency typical of androids. His work wasn’t particularly smooth, nor was he adept with the equipment.

Wait—

Something wasn’t right.

She recalled what Ran Ran had said, and what she herself had observed along the way: most of the city’s service jobs had already been replaced by androids.

So why was there a human server here?

Of course, it was still possible that the android coverage wasn’t as widespread as she’d assumed.

But once a doubt appears...

"Are you an android?"

"I am not an android."

"Then what’s your card? Want to trade and take a look?"

"What is a card?"

Of course...

This server felt way too much like an NPC.

But the starting zone was just a wasteland buried in yellow sand—could there even be NPCs here?

So, Zhong Xu switched straight into interrogation mode.

"Where are you from?"

"After I woke up, the boss took me in."

"What kind of person is your boss?"

"What do I care what he’s like? As long as he pays me on time, that’s enough."

"Is your boss a player or a mortal?"

"Guest, you talk funny. Of course the boss is a mortal. Aren’t you one too?"

"Don’t you think this world is strange?"

"The way the world is… isn’t something a mere mortal like me should concern myself with."

The server stopped walking.

"Guest, I need to close up now."

Zhong Xu blinked, a new idea forming.

"Are you still hiring here? I don’t have anywhere to go. I’d like to work here."

"Oh..." He looked like he suddenly understood something.

"So you want to replace me and work here."

"I mean work together."

"There can only be one server here."

He held out his open palm toward her.

"Then I’ll hand the key over to you. Make sure to lock up."

Zhong Xu instinctively took the key.

Her face was filled with confusion, but the man showed no intention of explaining further.

He simply gave a satisfied, relieved expression, took off his uniform—and walked off without looking back.

"That’s enough of this damn job for today."

He disappeared into the dark alley, and it was unclear whether he’d walked far away—or simply melted into the shadows.

"...?"

You can just do that?!

1. 中二 (zhōng'èr) - Chuunibyou, Japanese term for early teen delusions of grandeur.

2. 审判之眼 (Shěnpàn zhī Yǎn) - "Judgement Eye" a player faction hunting "Sinners" among gods.

3. 初始之地 (Chūshǐ zhī Dì) - Starting Area, the game's beginner zone.

Characters / (Players)

• 终栩 (Zhōng Xǔ)

  • Role: Protagonist 

  • Game Role: Blank Card/Sinner

• 游戏制作人 (Game Producer)

  • Role: Creator of the game world; god-like figure

• 小蝴蝶 (Little Butterfly)

  • Role: Mechanical assistant 

~~~

尤少非 (Yóu Shàofēi) or Tomato Head: 寸头 / 番茄头 (Cùntóu / Fānqié Tóu)

Card: “Chariot”

冉冉 (Rǎn Rǎn)

Card: “Star”

光头 (Guāngtóu / Bald Man, nicknamed Dàn Gē)

Card: Unknown

双马尾少女 / 小幻 (Shuāng Mǎwěi Shàonǚ / Xiǎo Huàn)

Card: Unknown

季舟 (Jì Zhōu)

Card: “Sun”

Sevyn here ~~~

Enjoy!