Chapter Thirteen: The Trump Card

After proving one's own abilities, the clever individuals nearby become much easier to handle. Because they are intelligent, they instinctively gather and seek out various kinds of evidence, clues, and reasons. To deal with them, one can use ambiguous, vague words and actions laden with multiple meanings, letting their imaginations run wild—the so-called "make reality out of illusion." They will soon find themselves confused, lost, and anxious... Honestly, such situations never fail to make me laugh.

—Wang Luo
August 15, 1993, 9:52 PM
8652 meters southwest of the rendezvous point, Old Duerte Hotel on Sars Street

Zhu Cunjian stood at the window on the second floor of the hotel, watching the three people alight from the sedan below.

The first to get out was Yang Wentian. He looked around nervously, clearly worried about being followed. The second was Zhou Yingxiong, who was smiling and seemed relaxed, as though he were quite satisfied with himself—probably because he had achieved some small success. The last to exit was Wang Luo, the opponent who required careful handling.

From above, Wang Luo appeared slightly taller than average, thin, his steps uncertain, swaying as he walked. In the lamplight, his skin was sallow, hinting at malnutrition. His hair, parted in the middle, was neither long nor short; his nose was high, his lips thin, his eyes bright and innocent—almost childlike. Nothing in his face resembled that of a formidable person, yet his actions revealed a sense of swallowing heaven and earth.

How could such a person exist?

Once those rumors spread, Umbrella would become the enemy of the entire city. The company would face attacks, protests, marches, and riots. Their underground defenses would weaken, and completing the mission would become correspondingly easier. The truth would eventually come to light, but by then, we would have already left.

Is this why the space assigns high-difficulty tasks with meager rewards? Is it because of him? Just what kind of person is he?

What is going on? What should I do? “Who is he, really...” And how am I supposed to deal with him?

“They’ve arrived,” Tang Xiaoxiao reminded him from behind.

Together, they went downstairs to welcome the returning trio, warm and friendly.

Dinner was fairly sumptuous: apple pie, creamy corn soup, pickled beef, butter cake... a table laden with dishes, each offering its own enticing aroma. After a hard day, the team members ate heartily. A few glasses of wine later, the atmosphere grew amicable. Yang Wentian praised Zhou Yingxiong’s performance and shared some shooting tips; Zhou Yingxiong nodded, brow furrowed, contemplating how to improve. Zhu Cunjian recounted the madness of citizens scrambling for dollar bills dropped from the sky, laughing heartily. Tang Xiaoxiao occasionally glanced at Wang Luo, then lowered her head, cheeks flushed.

Wang Luo ate throughout, occasionally murmuring in response when others spoke, but otherwise remained silent.

What was this fellow planning next? After dinner, Zhu Cunjian returned to his room, still full of questions.

If Wang Luo intended to act in unison, he should have brought it up earlier. Zhu had already expressed agreement with the previous actions—had not opposed him—so perhaps Wang Luo was planning... or maybe his scheme would succeed without Zhu’s involvement.

He took out cards from the space, drawing the one with a devil baring bloody teeth in a sinister grin, weighing two hearts on a scale.

Attack Card: Exchange (Devil Card, Level 6 Authority)

If the target possesses Level 6 defensive equipment, there is a high chance of failure. Upon failure, the user loses 90% of current health and the target receives an alert.

Function: Exchange universal point rewards, skill rewards, talent rewards, and achievement rewards acquired from the scenario with the target. Attribute points, mission completion, and scenario development remain unchanged.

Additionally, the Exchange Card causes unpredictable effects on relationships between characters.

The Exchange Card must be used within twenty-four hours of entering the world; it requires a prerequisite authority card; no combat must have occurred with the target; after use, any direct attack from the target before the scenario ends will nullify the card; activation requires three hours of channeling and 130% of current health; it permanently reduces maximum health by 35% or 100 points (whichever is higher).

There are many constraints and conditions, and the effects are difficult to predict.

If used on Wang Luo, and he is a newcomer without combat ability—only scheming in secret and trying to keep all the rewards for himself—then Zhu could gain maximum benefit. But if he isn’t...

If he is experienced, and possesses Level 6 equipment, then Zhu would almost certainly die.

“Are you planning to kill him?” Zhu wavered in hesitation, when suddenly Tang Xiaoxiao’s voice sounded behind him.

He turned to look at her, now beautifully made up. “His plan was successful. Completing the mission benefits everyone.”

“What worries me is what he intends to do next. If he is also experienced... then we’re all in danger. We have to figure this out, or we won’t survive.”

“Should I go talk to him?” She smiled flirtatiously, wrapping her arms around Zhu’s neck. “He might tell me quite a bit.”