Chapter 104
Chapter 104
"Feng Bu Jue, perfect timing—we just finished a scenario!" Wang Tan Zhi said as he added Feng Bu Jue to the party.
It was 2 a.m. in real-world time. As soon as Feng Bu Jue logged into the game, he received a party invitation from Xiao Tan.
"You leveled up fast", Feng Bu Jue remarked, checking the group's levels. The last time he'd seen Xiao Tan in-game, he'd been level 12. Now, he and the girls—Si Yu and Bei Ling—were all level 14.
"I bought an experience booster card and cleared a mid-length scenario", Xiao Tan replied.
"Great. You three keep queuing up. I'll scout the kill mode solo first, then join you later", Feng Bu Jue said.
Bei Ling's voice chimed in through the chat: "Don't forget about the guild registration."
"Oh right. It's more cost-efficient to form a guild first—we’ll get the party experience bonus", Feng Bu Jue said. "Alright, I’ll create a conference room and invite you all. We’ll discuss it there."
He tapped his touchscreen, sent out the conference room invitation, then navigated to the guild registration menu. After a few clicks, a system prompt popped up: [Before confirming, ensure you have at least one free slot in your satchel.]
Feng Bu Jue confirmed, and another prompt appeared: [Enter your desired guild name to claim the registration form.]
He paused. "Hmm… Better ask them first. If I randomly pick a name, Xiao Tan might be fine, but Si Yu and Bei Ling might refuse to sign."
Leaving the screen, he pressed the conference room button. As the elevator doors opened, he stepped in. The other three were already waiting inside.
Both Xiao Tan and Bei Ling had changed out of their starter gear.
Bei Ling wore a full set of black anti-terrorist assault gear, completely covered from head to toe. If she equipped her black face mask and helmet, she'd look like a Counter-Terrorist from CS—genderless at a glance. Clearly, she'd committed to a firearms or sniper build.
Xiao Tan had gone for the Assassin's Brotherhood set—deep red coat with a gold-edged cape, a hooded cloak that shadowed his face, leather pouches strapped to his chest, waist, and legs for throwing knives, fingerless gloves, and soft-soled boots. A walking embodiment of an assassin.
Yet their actions clashed starkly with their looks. The armored Bei Ling was happily eating ice cream, while Xiao Tan munched on potato chips from a bag.
"Uh… since when do you two snack mid-quest?" Feng Bu Jue asked.
"From the system shop", Xiao Tan said, crunching loudly. "The flavor simulations are decent for cravings." He offered the bag. "Want some?"
"I know where to buy them. What I’m asking is why you bought them", Feng Bu Jue replied.
"Er… well, today’s launch sale—chips are half-price", Xiao Tan said.
"Half-price? You’re wasting satchel space!"
"Satchels can be upgraded too", Bei Ling added, licking her cone. "Fifteen slots for a million credits."
"Roughly a hundred Rmb per slot at this week’s exchange rate", Feng Bu Jue muttered, quick to calculate. "Guess I should watch my credits. Expenses add up."
He couldn’t afford top-ups right now. His plan was to earn enough from Terrifying Paradise to cover costs. Letting the topic drop, he turned to Si Yu, who stood silently by the door. Naturally, she hadn’t bought snacks. Their eyes met, and she spoke first: "About this afternoon… sorry."
"Eh, it’s fine", he replied. "Didn’t you already send a message?"
"Is that so…" she mused. "You’re that type, huh?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Feng Bu Jue sensed double meanings in her words.
Bei Ling grinned: "My cousin thinks you’re the type who’d break up via text."
"Stop spreading nonsense", Si Yu corrected. "I just mean you’re easygoing."
"Wait, isn’t that the same thing?!" Feng Bu Jue frowned.
Xiao Tan slammed the table, spewing crumbs: "She called you out!"
"I’ll stab you with a fry and make you bleed", Feng Bu Jue shot back.
"Boys, boys", Bei Ling interrupted. "Save the drama. What about the guild registration?"
"Not picked it up yet", Feng Bu Jue said. "What name do you want?"
"Decided to democratize, huh?" Bei Ling teased. "Actually… never thought about it."
Si Yu crossed her arms. "Debate now. Suggest names. I’ll reject the trashy ones."
"Big sis, we haven’t said anything yet!" Xiao Tan protested.
"Since when did you start calling her big sis?" Feng Bu Jue turned to Si Yu.
Si Yu replied flatly: "Want to try too?"
"You’re the one who said I was too old last time", Feng Bu Jue said. "And called me pushy when I tried little sis."
"I’d forgotten—until you brought it up", Si Yu said. "Consider the option revoked."
"Pfft, like I care. History proves brother ends up as a lackey, emperor dies in blood. Not touching that", Feng Bu Jue said. "Si Yu works fine."
"Classic feigned reluctance", Bei Ling smirked. "She wants you to call her Si Yu."
Si Yu glared at her traitorous cousin before sitting beside her. Bei Ling stuck out her tongue and changed the subject: "I propose… Gloomy Rain and Sighing Wind!" She’d clearly improvised the last part on the spot.
"Why are the girls' names first?" Xiao Tan asked.
"Got a problem with it?"
"Well, we might add more members later—maybe Long Ge too. This name’s debatable", he said, dodging direct criticism.
Feng Bu Jue folded his arms, deep in thought. "I’ll suggest… Abnormal Human Research Center."
"Rejected", Si Yu deadpanned instantly.
"Why?!"
"Trashy", Si Yu and Bei Ling declared in unison.
"Fine, you suggest one then!" Feng Bu Jue glared at Wang Tan Zhi. "Mess it up, and I’ll mince you for pig feed."
"Who talks like that?!" Xiao Tan yelled. "Let me think first!"
"Take your time", Si Yu leaned back. "First, decide the guild’s vibe. Names like Order or The Gods are studio-tier. Or over-the-top arrogant names like Invincible Under Heaven—those guilds aim for fame. We’re small, limited funds and members. Skip flashy, aggressive names. Second, avoid cryptic, overly long names—Extreme Eastern Magical Nap Society, for example. That’d attract kids half Xiao Tan’s mental age."
"Hey! You just outed yourself as the poster child for that!" Xiao Tan shouted.
"Lastly, avoid foreign languages, obscure characters, or leet-speak. Too pretentious", Feng Bu Jue continued.
"Even the bleeps didn’t stop you!"
"Alright", Feng Bu Jue concluded. "Suggest away. Mess up, and Xiao Tan becomes pig feed."
"It’s always me!" Xiao Tan hurled chips at him. "Even if I botch it, no mincing! And since when does this game have mincing?!"
Guild names proved tricky. Beyond Feng Bu Jue’s criteria, personal preferences clashed. The name couldn’t please everyone, but at least avoid hatred. Trashy or baffling names were out—bad PR with guild badges. Abnormal Human Research Center suited Feng Bu Jue perfectly, but the girls wearing it might get mistaken for "weird aunts."
(End of Chapter)
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