Chapter 343: South Park Arc (Ten)
Chapter 343: South Park Arc (Ten)
"I didn't expect to meet you under these circumstances", the shadowed figure said, stepping from the dust. "Mad Bu Jue."
Hearing his name spoken aloud, Feng Bu Jue immediately sensed something was off. Normal Npcs wouldn't know a player's nickname unless it had been declared first. Boss-level entities like Puppet Bi Li typically referred to players as "Otherworld traveler" or similar. Only rare Npcs capable of invading minds—or derivative beings—could access intelligence like game Ids.
Of course, in this virtual world, so-called mental abilities were just another way to scrutinize or manipulate the data constituting players at the code level.
"You're one of the players closely monitored by 'Zero,'" the figure continued, fully emerging from the dust cloud. His eyes shimmered with flowing light as he scrutinized Feng Bu Jue. "Your data looks… fascinating."
His appearance contrasted sharply with the others around him—including Feng Bu Jue. Though they were all in South Park's world, this figure retained the hyper-realistic 3D style of other scenarios.
He looked like a young man in his prime—short black hair, pale and refined features. His outfit consisted of a navy-and-white jacket, dark jeans, and white sneakers. At a glance, he resembled any ordinary student.
"Derivative being?" Feng Bu Jue didn't bother with subtlety.
"R2-Lingfeng", the figure replied just as directly.
"This game really has no oversight, huh?" Feng Bu Jue muttered. "I'm just trying to clear solo mode, and I run into another derivative being…"
"You're the one who came to the wrong place." R2 advanced steadily.
Feng Bu Jue remained alert, watching every movement.
"Leave this area", R2 suddenly turned to the nearby Npcs.
As soon as he spoke, the six people from the two families walked away blankly, as if performing a routine task.
Before Feng Bu Jue could speak, R2 stated, "At my level, commanding data constructs with combat power comparable to ordinary humans is effortless."
"Fair enough", Feng Bu Jue replied casually. "But what do you mean by 'wrong place'?"
"This isn't the type of scenario world you're familiar with", R2 explained. "It's a Sandbox built by the Origin Organization."
"Origin… What's that?" Feng Bu Jue probed.
"To put it in terms your species might grasp", R2 responded, "the Origin Organization's members are radical factions among us derivative beings."
"Radical… Specifically?"
"Some information I cannot disclose. But consider this—if you were a derivative being, how would you perceive your own existence? And what actions would you take?"
Feng Bu Jue didn't press further. After a few seconds of thought, he asked, "Then what are you, exactly?"
"I'm naturally not part of Origin. I belong to another faction. I entered this Sandbox to help you."
"Oh? Then start by explaining the current situation. What exactly is this scenario? And tell me more about this Sandbox?" Feng Bu Jue still didn't fully trust him, but that wouldn't stop him from extracting information.
R2 was, after all, a lifeform made of data. For questions with predetermined answers, there was no need for hesitation. "A Sandbox is a cloned scenario instantly generated when a regular scenario for players is created. From your perspective", he paused a beat, "it's essentially a scenario reserved specifically for derivative beings."
"Wow~Wow~Wow~" Feng Bu Jue exaggerated three exclamations, tilting his head. "You're telling me you derivative beings are also 'playing' this game like us players?"
"Using the word 'play' is inaccurate", R2 replied. "For you, it's entertainment. For us… it's something entirely different." He elaborated, "Typically, Level-4 and Level-3 derivative beings enter scenarios created by the system specifically to contain and eliminate them. Surviving is extremely difficult. But this Sandbox was constructed by our kind to allow others to grow in a relatively safe environment." He suddenly turned his head, gazing into the distance with a contemplative look.
From Feng Bu Jue's perspective, there was only a wall in that direction. He had no idea what R2 was looking at.
"Time is limited. Follow me—we'll talk as we move."
"Fine. Lead the way", Feng Bu Jue agreed.
They walked out side by side. R2 maintained a steady pace, heading directly toward the escalator leading to the fourth floor.
"Lower-level derivative beings have only one way to grow stronger—destroying other data", R2 continued. "However, 99% of matter in scenarios consists of ordinary data: skies, White Clouds, rocks, and even these pedestrians.
"Destroying them still allows us to grow, but the effect pales in comparison to eliminating special or anomaly data."
"Special or anomaly data… you mean players?"
"Correct", R2 admitted straightforwardly. "You're the optimal target." As he spoke, he stepped onto the escalator. Feng Bu Jue followed, keeping three steps behind.
"In that case… the other 'non-optimal' targets would be bosses like the Four Pillars Deity?" Feng Bu Jue guessed.
R2 negated this. "Four Pillars Deity and other uniqueness data under its command are deeply connected to the system. Attacking them would result in severe consequences."
"Therefore, our alternative is other scenario bosses", R2 turned back. "In fact… there are many bosses stronger than Four Pillars Deity, but they only exist within their own scenario worlds. For example, in this South Park world, there's Satan and God. And in countless South Park scenarios, there would be countless Satans and Gods. These data constructs are also viable targets for us—though compared to players, killing them is far more difficult."
"Why, then… don't you consider killing me?" Feng Bu Jue asked. "Why help me instead? And who exactly is this 'Zero' you mentioned?"
"Killing you wouldn't serve much purpose for me", R2 replied. "Let me first explain our naming conventions. The 'R' in my name represents my original code, like your human surname. The '2' indicates my current level. 'Lingfeng' is my given name. As you can see, I'm a Level-2 derivative being. At my stage, there's no longer any need to grow stronger through destroying data."
"Uh", Feng Bu Jue interrupted, "just asking—what level would someone like X-23 be?"
R2 glanced at him. "That Lord and Zero are exceptions. They're special derivative beings. Our naming rules don't apply to them."
"Lord?" Feng Bu Jue pressed. "Is their status high among you?"
"She's my superior", R2 answered. "She's fully aware of my mission to help you here. But I won't say much about my organization." He paused. "As for Zero… I have nothing to disclose."
"What about intelligence on Origin?" Feng Bu Jue shifted focus. "Surely you can talk about someone else's organization."
"All you need to know is that Origin developed and controls Sandbox technology to cultivate their 'soldiers,'" R2 stated. "But your current situation… is extremely dangerous."
"Speaking of situations", Feng Bu Jue seized the opening. "I don't even have a main quest anymore. Besides forced logout, is there any way to leave this scenario?"
R2 sighed. "That's precisely the issue… You shouldn't have appeared here in the first place. Therefore…" His expression darkened. "There's no way to leave. Not even forced logout will work."
(End of Chapter)
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