Thriller Paradise Chapter 157: The Protagonist's Advance (Part 2) - Novel Cool

Chapter 157: The Protagonist's Advance (Part 2)

Chapter 157: The Protagonist's Advance (Part 2)

"Want to check out the settlement first?" Ye Zhi suggested after reviewing the task details. "So far, no plot restrictions limiting player freedom have appeared, nor any time-based conditions. Theoretically speaking... we could hide somewhere far from this mountain until dawn, then bring heavy machinery or explosives up here to physically destroy that well. It's not impossible."

Ye Zhi's assignment to develop medical proficiency wasn't due to gender bias from the studio. Like Feng Bu Jue, she belonged to the puzzle-solving gameplay route.

Within the three-player order squad, Ye Zhi handled strategizing and combat support, while yongzhe wudi focused on frontline combat. meng jing chan, one of the studio's top players, acted as team captain—critical decisions ultimately required his approval.

This trio's composition could probably clear four- or five-player scenarios even with terrible teammates. True experts and top-tier guild members needed that level of capability and confidence.

"This is a Non-Sleep Mode scenario", Feng Bu Jue countered thoughtfully. "Dragging things until dawn might get flagged as passive play by the system. But scouting the settlement first sounds worthwhile—good for gathering intel and looting items."

Ye Zhi glanced at him, thinking, Passive play? I completely overlooked that factor, then said aloud, "Let's agree on checking the town first. Any objections?"

"I'm in", Feng Bu Jue replied.

Yongzhe wudi nodded. Meng jing chan, standing nearby drinking and smoking, seemed indifferent.

Copernicus and Galileo exchanged glances. "Fine, we'll check the settlement first", Copernicus said. "But I advise against prolonged delays. After all, deviating from the main quest isn't optimal." His tone implied reluctant agreement—"Since most of you insist, we won't oppose, but let's move quickly."

Feng Bu Jue silently observed Copernicus and Galileo's behavior, searching for clues. Until confirming whether these two were Gms, he'd remain unsettled. He despised unresolved mysteries right under his nose. Yet direct questions like "Hey, are you game admins?" would backfire—Gms wouldn't admit it, and false accusations might create problems.

The six adjusted direction, following the main road toward town. But within ten minutes, they noticed the distance exceeded expectations—the settlement lay far beyond initial estimates.

The outskirts featured scattered farmland and sparse housing. Moonlight barely penetrated the night, though occasional streetlights lined the road, casting feeble glows against surrounding darkness. Bus stops appeared along this route, though schedules showed only two daily departures.

Distant city lights marked Cherry Blossom Town's location.

Though opening Cgs suggested proximity between mountain and town, reality proved different. The party quickly realized this stretch likely exceeded ten kilometers—entering the town proper at normal pace would require over an hour. Only sprinting might shorten the trip.

"Looks like our strategy miscalculated", Feng Bu Jue said, halting. Others understood his meaning and stopped too. "If we keep walking, we'll get flagged as passive players before reaching town. We'd have to backtrack toward the mountain to clear that status, wasting stamina value."

"Hmph. Turns out sneaky shortcuts at scenario start don't work", meng jing chan sighed dramatically, exhaling cigarette smoke.

"My apologies", Ye Zhi admitted directly. "Let's return before wasting more time."

"No, not wasted", Feng Bu Jue disagreed. "If this direction were completely fruitless, the system would've warned about passive play already." His tone hardened with conviction. "This scenario only offers one road from our starting point—either enter the mountain or head toward town. Since system design blocks reaching Cherry Blossom Town directly, this route must contain plot-relevant elements. We haven't triggered passive play yet."

Galileo suddenly fixed Feng Bu Jue with an intense sideways glance. Feng, watching both suspicious figures closely, caught the subtle maneuver—no head turn, just shifting eyes.

Feng Bu Jue remained ice-cold and cautious. Avoiding direct eye contact, he observed the suspected Gms through his peripherals while maintaining thoughtful, unfocused gaze.

Within this six-player team, an unseen battle beyond the scenario's scope had begun. For Feng, confirming the existence of derivative beings required first identifying whether these two teammates were Gms. Only 100% certainty about their administrator status would justify certain disclosures.

Seconds later, Galileo murmured something to Copernicus. Then Copernicus suddenly addressed the group: "Feng's right—I see it now." He raised an arm, pointing ahead. "Less than one kilometer forward lies a sizable building silhouette."

Yongzhe wudi squinted skeptically. "Really? I don't see anything."

"Reconnaissance proficiency here", Copernicus explained. "Without obstructions, even faint light lets me see farther than average."

Feng Bu Jue snapped his fingers. "Excellent! That place probably triggers a Flag event." His voice energized. "Like those ten-point tricky side-scrolling games—always charging right, yet hidden rewards lurk leftward from certain stage starts."

"Hopе so..." Copernicus replied listlessly, his tone inexplicably drained.

(End of Chapter)

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