Chapter 43 – Reality Mission (I)

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Since Wang Taidi had mentioned that intermediate players could stay in the real world for three days, Xiao Lan thought about it and decided to go back once.

 

It's been over a week since he disappeared in reality, and he hasn't even taken any time off at all from the convenience store, so hopefully he won't turn out to be the missing person the police are looking for, which would be a problem then.

 

So, the next morning, Xiao Lan chose to return to the real world.

 

The first thing that appears is the system prompt.

 

“Returning to the real world, players must not do anything that exposes the Advent world or endangers reality, violators will be punished”

 

“All of the player's props and skills will be temporarily locked and unlocked upon return to the Advent world”

 

The world of Advent is like a king who does not tolerate any disobedience.
It roughly captures players and throws them into a dangerous game, dictating what they can do and say in reality, and punishing them severely if they disobey.

 

The world in front of him switches instantly, and Xiao Lan is once again in the same alleyway he was in before he disappeared, in a slightly different location than when he was taken by the Advent World.
There is no one nearby, perhaps the Advent World automatically adjusts to locations where there is no one when it places players to avoid bringing unwanted attention.

 

Luo observes the world with some curiosity, it is full of a strange life, even the chirping of insects and birds in the air is new to him.

 

Xiao Lan saw Luo's movement and said to him, “Do you want to hang out here for a while? I'll come back to you after I've taken care of a bit of business first.”

 

Luo shook his head: “I'd rather follow you.”

 

Xiao Lan did not insist and led Luo in the direction of the convenience store.

 

His old bike and backpack have disappeared, I don't know if they were swallowed up by the Advent world then or if they were picked up as scrap in reality.

 

It is a few blocks away from the convenience store, not too close and not too far.

 

Xiao Lan simply walks along, whispering to Luo about the place.
Luo listens carefully to Xiao Lan's story, not caring if any of the information he remembers still exists.

 

When Xiao Lan was introduced to the residence next door, Luo suddenly asked a question that went straight to his soul: “Sir, where do you live?”

 

Shaw-Poor-Homeless-Arashi: “……”

 

This is an overly tricky question.

 

At the moment, he doesn't really have anywhere to live, not only does he have no house but also no money and no mobile phone ……
to even stay in a hotel.
Maybe the park or under the flyover is a good choice, go early and maybe have a sheltered spot.

 

Xiao Lan scratched his head, with little confidence, “Maybe ……
we can go back after we finish our business.”

 

It was then that he felt deeply the beauty and humanity of the Advent world, how a world where you don't need money but only play with your life suits a poor man like him.

 

Luo was thoughtful when he saw Xiao Lan's reaction.

 

As Xiao Lan was about to enter the convenience store, Luo suddenly said, “Sir, I want to look around alone.”

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Xiao Lan looked at him in amazement, that's not what you said just now.

 

Luo continued, “When your business is done, just call out to me and I will appear at your side.”

 

Sounds like a summoner to me.

 

“Okay.” Xiao Lan nodded, “I'll ask the shop manager to resign first, then I'll go to the cemetery in the countryside to visit my mother's grave, which might take up a few hours.”

 

Having said that, out of concern for the non-humans, he confirmed again, ” Luo, are you okay with ……
being alone?”

 

Luo smiled and said, “No problem, sir.
I will study the behaviour of the others before I make my move, you don't have to worry about me doing anything shocking.”

 

Xiao Lan also put his mind at ease when he thought of Luo's always reliable behaviour and nodded to say goodbye.

 

—

 

Inside the convenience store, which was just opening at this time, there was very little traffic.

 

At the moment the shop manager is sorting out the merchandise near the till.

 

The shop manager is a chubby, middle-aged man with a round stomach that holds up the convenience store uniform and makes him look a bit awkward.
The shop manager knows Xiao Lan's general situation and usually takes good care of him.

 

Hearing footsteps at the door, the shopkeeper turned his head and was surprised to see Xiao Lan.

 

The look on his face turned from surprise to joy as he put down his things and walked quickly over to Xiao Lan: ” Xiao Lan! I'm so glad you're okay.”

 

He looked at Xiao Lan, who was not missing an arm or a leg: “You suddenly disappeared earlier, and I couldn't contact you.
I was worried that you had been forced into hiding by those cheap loan sharks, and I didn't dare to call the police, in case your whereabouts were revealed.”

 

“Don't worry, I didn't tell anyone you were missing and to the rest of the staff I just said you had taken some time off and left.”

 

“Thank you, shop manager, for your trouble.
I left before because I had some other things to do and I accidentally lost my phone, that's why I couldn't give you a message, I'm really sorry.” Xiao Lan apologised to the shop manager and then turned to say, “Actually, this time, I'm here to resign.”

 

The shop manager's heart lifted again, “What, are things so serious on your end?”

 

Xiao Lan shook his head, “No, I've got something new to do recently, so I guess I'm stable and I don't need to work so many jobs anymore.”

 

The shop manager was relieved and didn't pry too much into Xiao Lan's affairs, “That's good, I've always thought highly of you as a young man, hardworking and smart, if it weren't for family matters you wouldn't have to work so hard.”

 

“Come on, everything will be fine.”

 

The shop manager later helped Xiao Lan to leave the shop and was happy to pay him the salary he had earned before he disappeared.

 

Xiao Lan stopped by to say goodbye to the colleagues he had met.
The colleagues were sad to see this happen, because it is so rare to find a colleague like Xiao Lan who takes the initiative to work the night shift, doesn't make a fuss, and is so nice to talk to when he asks for a change of shift.

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After leaving the convenience store, Xiao Lan finally had some money on her.

 

He had previously considered whether increasing his debt in reality would still increase his poverty value, but it turned out that after trying to find someone to borrow money from, the poverty value did not change at all, and it remained the same after getting his salary settled by the shopkeeper.

 

Xiao Lan speculates if the skill activation prevents him from increasing his poverty value by way of realistic debt, otherwise he would just need to borrow a crazy amount of loan sharks and he would be invincible.

 

The Advent world clearly does not allow players to exploit such loopholes.

 

Becoming rich is not possible, not in this lifetime.
Borrowing money is not allowed, and the only way to maintain the look of life is something like demolition.

 

Poverty is not easy, Xiao Lan sighs.

 

—

 

Take the car to the cemetery on the outskirts.

 

After buying a handful of white chrysanthemums at the entrance to the cemetery, Xiao Lan skilfully found his mother's grave.

 

It had been a while since we had been here and the headstones had collected some dust, so Xiao Lan took the paper towels she had prepared and gently cleaned them.

 

Looking at his mother's gentle smile on the tombstone, as she always did, Xiao Lan said to her, “Mum, I'm in a new place now.
It's probably better than before, and I have some friends, who are very nice people.”

 

The mother was still smiling gently, as if she was listening.

 

Xiao Lan goes on to say, “Now I have a new goal, which is rather strange I guess, but there is always hope.”

 

Xiao Lan spent the afternoon at her mother's tombstone, whispering to her about her recent experiences.
From the strange happenings in the replicas to the meals in the players' quarters.
He spoke slowly to his mother as if he were gossiping about family matters, and omitted some of the dangerous parts.

 

While doing so, she helped her clear the weeds from the side and placed fresh white chrysanthemums on top.

 

Seeing the evening sun rise in the sky, Xiao Lan stood up and said to the headstone, “Mum, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine.”

 

With that, Xiao Lan whispered, “Luo.”

 

A breeze suddenly gusted through the peaceful cemetery and when it stopped, a figure slowly emerged from behind a tree not far away from Xiao Lan.

 

Luo approached unhurriedly, “Sir.”

 

Xiao Lan said to the headstone, “Mum, his name was Luo, he helped me a lot and was a very reliable person.”

 

Luo's eyes turned to the headstone and he bowed slightly in earnest: “Good day, madam.”

 

“Don't be so serious.” Xiao Lan smiled and patted Luo's shoulder before turning to the tombstone, “Mum, we'll leave now and see you again when we have the chance.”

 

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Luo also nodded at the headstone, “I will ensure the safety of the gentleman.”

 

The two left in company, the setting sun gilding their figures with a warm colour.

 

On the way, the two discussed Xiao Lan's speculation about the growth of poverty.

 

—

 

Outside the cemetery, Xiao Lan was about to head towards the bus stop.

 

Luo stopped him, “Sir, please wait, I'll bring the car over.”

 

Xiao Lan was shocked, this was clearly not something for the destitute class like them to own: “You, where did you get that car?”

 

Luo smiled slightly, “I used a little special method, please don't worry, it's legal.”

 

That sounds very worrying ……

 

Do you have a driving licence, brother?

 

A few minutes later, looking at the Ferrari driving slowly towards him, Xiao Lan's feeling of foreboding escalated again.
What had this Luo guy done in just one day? What unique ways do you non-humans have to make money!

 

Xiao Lan's mind is immediately filled with images that need to be mosaicked and silenced.

 

They won't get their water meters checked!

 

Eh no, Xiao Lan doesn't even have a house, where's the water meter.

 

Luo pulled up in front of Xiao Lan and got up to open the back seat door for him, “Please get in, sir.”

 

Xiao Lan was in a state of confusion for some time while sitting in the car.

 

“Sir, I've done a preliminary check on your debts.” Luo said to Xiao Lan as he drove, “You have debts in your name that originally came from your father, in addition to those you owed for your mother's medical treatment.”

 

“This is a strange part of the debt, a number of them belong to forces and organisations that cannot see the light of day.
They were all transferred to your mother's name six months after your father disappeared, and then suddenly to your name after your mother died.
The formalities involved are completely untraceable, do you remember how it happened?”

 

Xiao Lan recalls, “I don't remember ever signing any documents, but it was like the debtors identified me and it was really my name on the documents they produced.”

 

Luo: “Perhaps someone has tampered with it, do you have a suspect?”

 

Xiao Lan shook his head, he couldn't imagine who could have targeted him like this.
Could it be his missing father? But before his father had disappeared, they hadn't been too close, but they didn't have a grudge either.

 

“I'll keep an eye on it and report back to you if I get any leads.” Luo nodded, “I will also take care of that part of the debt you owe for your mother's treatment.”

 

“Thank you, Luo.” Xiao Lan was a little bit emotional.
It seemed that after entering the Advent world, there was hope in his life.
More precisely, after meeting Luo.

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Luo said, “My original plan was not to deal with the debts at all, after all, they can't do anything to you now that you're able to, and the reality of the debts no longer makes a difference to your poverty value.
But you wouldn't want to keep defaulting on your part of the treatment.”

 

Xiao Lan nodded, after all, her mother was dependent on the money to last a while longer.

 

Luo continued, “As for the part that originally belonged to your father, my advice is to leave it for now until the situation is clear.”

 

Xiao Lan laughed: “Sounds like a rhythm to be hauled off to be filled with cement.”

 

Luo glanced through the rear view mirror and Xiao Lan: “I'll keep you safe.”

 

At this point Xiao Lan suddenly realised that the car had travelled to a section of the road that he was completely unfamiliar with and he asked, puzzled, “Where are we going?”

 

Luo replied calmly, “I have prepared a place for you, a detached house with good security and a quiet environment where no one else will disturb you.”

 

This describes ……
as sounding expensive.

 

Sure enough, Xiao Lan was soon confronted by a detached villa with a garden in a modern, designer style, which even had a swimming pool.

 

With the successive shocks, Xiao Lan surprisingly got a bit used to the idea: “Where did this house come from again ……”

 

“This villa has been rumoured to be haunted before, so when I expressed an interest in buying it, the original owner was very quick to agree, and even went through some connections to speed up the process.” Luo thought for a moment, “I'm very sorry, but due to time constraints, I can only prepare the house like this for you first, I've cleaned the inside and there will be no more extras.”

 

Luo thoughtfully added: “Please be assured that all property is out of your name to ensure your poverty.”

 

Xiao Lan: “……”

 

Now, he is completely the poorest owner ever.
A poor owner who rides in a Ferrari and lives in a detached house, but has nothing but debt.

 

The two men were about to get out of the car.

 

Xiao Lan, however, received an abrupt system alert.

 

[Urgent Reality Mission: A mid-level player is causing harm in reality, please follow the instructions to deal with it]

 

[Mission requirements: 1.
stop the player, kill if necessary 2.
no impact on the real world]

 

[Mission Reward: Poverty Value 500w]

 

[Special Note: This mission is a mandatory mission, all skills and props will be temporarily unlocked after accepting the mission and will last until the mission is completed].

 

The author has something to say.

 

Luo: Sir, you are so poor that I am the only one left.