Volume One, Chapter 21: Keeping Vigil Over the Corpse

“Yu Ge, it’s nothing, just a game. At worst, I’ll just level up a bit slower later on,” Lin Xin quickly said with a smile, trying to comfort Lin Yu, who was visibly cold and unyielding.

He was well aware of Wang Duojin’s identity—the richest son in Qing City—not someone people like them should provoke. It clearly wasn’t worth making enemies over a mere game.

“How many of them are there?” Lin Yu asked coldly, ignoring Lin Xin’s reassurances.

He didn’t believe Wang Duojin acted alone. Considering Lin Yu’s understanding of Lin Xin’s gaming skills, even if he couldn’t win, running away would have been possible. Being killed while guarding a corpse meant there was more than one opponent.

“Yu Ge, I really’m fine,” Lin Xin wanted to endure it quietly, but Lin Yu interrupted him sternly, “Lin Xin, this matter started because of me, and I will not stand idly by.”

“Besides, with someone like Wang Duojin, the more you accommodate, the more arrogant he becomes. We have no reason to back down. If we keep retreating, even in real life, he’ll surely make things difficult for us everywhere.”

Lin Yu knew Wang Duojin well—he was the type who bullied the weak and feared the strong. The only way was to fight until he submitted.

“But his status…” Lin Xin hesitated, clearly wary of Wang Duojin’s background as a wealthy second-generation heir.

They were commoners, and although Lin Xin’s family was better off than Lin Yu’s, compared to Wang Duojin, they were like ants trying to shake a tree.

“Don’t worry about that. Since I’m willing to act, I have ways to handle it,” Lin Yu said coldly. In his past life, he might have had to endure, but now, with the Xiao family’s backing, he didn’t need to fear Wang Duojin.

He trusted that Xiao Xiao could weigh who mattered more—a reborn survivor aware of the great disaster and gifted with divine talent, or a nouveau riche who hadn’t yet grasped the significance of the game Divine Demon Continent.

“Alright,” Lin Xin sighed, seeing Lin Yu’s serious expression and reluctantly revealed the details.

“There are five of them in total. Besides Wang Duojin, who’s level nine, there are two level-nine knights and two level-eight warriors.”

“I used to be level nine as well, but I dropped one level. If it were one-on-one, I wouldn’t fear Wang Duojin, but he has too many people around him.”

He then shifted tone, “Yu Ge, let’s swallow our pride for today. Once we reach the main city and strengthen ourselves, we can take revenge later.”

Honestly, he didn’t really intend to seek revenge—they were outnumbered and outpowered.

From his perspective, Lin Yu’s gaming skills were probably average, perhaps even worse than his own. So, fighting now wouldn’t change much except for causing more trouble.

Most importantly, he didn’t dare truly cross Wang Duojin. They weren’t protagonists in an action novel, acting recklessly without concern for consequences.

So as long as he held on, maybe Lin Yu’s anger would cool with time and the matter would pass.

“Why wait until we reach the main city? Today, I want to let them know that guarding a corpse isn’t as easy as it seems. After dinner, send me your location; I’ll come find you,” Lin Yu said decisively.

He knew what Lin Xin was thinking, but this matter would not be so easily dismissed.

Lin Yu wasn’t impulsive, but when someone attacked those close to him, he would not let it go.

In his past life, he lacked the strength to protect those around him; this time, he vowed not to repeat that mistake.

He would make Wang Duojin pay for his foolish actions.

Lin Xin wanted to protest but, seeing Lin Yu’s resolute attitude, swallowed his words.

…

At dinner, both of them had little appetite due to the Wang Duojin incident. They ate sparingly, just enough to stave off hunger, then returned to their dorm.

Lin Yu gave a few simple instructions, and they logged into the game together.

Lin Xin had wanted to persuade Lin Yu further, but seeing his determination, he said nothing more.

They might as well go all out this once, even if it meant dropping three levels and being sent back to the spring.

Upon logging back in, Lin Yu headed straight for the teleportation array in the novice village.

After paying ten gold coins, he successfully teleported to Novice Village No. 331.

His first act upon entering was to add Lin Xin as a friend.

After receiving Lin Xin’s location, Lin Yu immediately hurried there, following the map’s guidance.

…

While Lin Yu rushed, Lin Xin was stunned by how quickly Lin Yu added him as a friend—it had been less than five minutes since they logged in.

In Divine Demon Continent, only players within the same region could add each other as friends.

This meant Lin Yu had already used the teleportation array to enter Novice Village 331.

Most importantly, using the teleportation array required paying ten gold coins.

Even after completing some tasks and earning rewards, Lin Xin’s entire wealth was less than three gold coins.

Lin Yu having enough gold to use the teleportation array surprised him.

It was highly unlikely Lin Yu had made any cash purchases, given his personality and the time required to convert currency—at least half an hour.

So Lin Yu must have originally had more than ten gold coins on hand!

For an eighth-level warrior to possess such wealth was almost unbelievable to Lin Xin.

Just as Lin Xin pondered this, two warrior players near his “corpse” grew impatient and spoke up.

“Kid, just resurrect so we can kill you three times already. Don’t waste our time—we’ve got dinner waiting,” said one warrior, whose nickname was “Wukong Without His Golden Staff.”

He glared at Lin Xin in spirit form, clearly displeased.

They were just paid mercenaries who wanted to get the job done quickly.

“Wukong’s right. If you keep this up, you’re just wasting time, which benefits neither of us,” added another warrior, nicknamed “Tang Monk Loves Shampoo.”

Both stared at Lin Xin with hostile eyes.

They only wanted to finish soon; whether Lin Xin lived or died was of no concern.

Lin Xin sneered inwardly at their calculations.

Sacrifice oneself to serve their purpose?

He wasn’t a pushover. He retorted fiercely, “Brats, I’m right here to stall for time. I’m in no rush.”

After all, who didn’t have roots in the toxic chat zone? Who wasn’t a keyboard warrior?

He might not dare challenge Wang Duojin, but these two? He wasn’t afraid.

“You punk, what did you just say?!” The two’s faces darkened instantly as they glared angrily.

“What’s the matter? You’re guarding my corpse; do you expect me to be friendly?” Lin Xin nearly laughed with anger.

So he was supposed to be a puppet?

“We warned you nicely, but you spout nonsense. Don’t blame me for being ruthless,” said “Wukong Without His Golden Staff,” his expression grim. He hadn’t expected this trapped target to be so bold.

“Oh? I’m curious—how exactly do you plan to be ruthless?” Lin Xin challenged.

Just then, a cold voice drifted slowly from the nearby grass behind them.