[New features unlocked]
[Rewards - 2 Skill Points, 2 Stat Points, 150 Coins]
[New Features - Game Mode, Store]
[Due to the Host gaining too much stress from doing missions and other stuff, the system has decided to give the host games to play so that he can vent his stress in those games. Every week, Host will get a free game to play. Host can also purchase Games from the store using Coins.]
[Store - All-encompassing Store, it has everything that you can think of. Right now, only Tier-0 items can be seen and bought.]
Lin Xiao was shocked; this was too much to take in at once. He sat down on a nearby bed, acting like he was tired, and started looking at the new features.
He opened the system menu and navigated to the Game Mode section. A list of games appeared, ranging from simple puzzle games to more complex assassins-type games. This week's free game was a Hitman-type game.
The idea of having a way to relieve stress was appealing, given everything he had been through.
Next, he checked out the Store. The Tier-0 items included mundane things like guns, food, and other normal items. Lin Xiao browsed and saw that it even had sniper rifles priced at only 50-60 coins. He was disappointed that it had nothing that could help with his superpowers.
Lin Xiao then asked the system, "How can I earn coins?"
The system replied, stating the obvious, "By leveling up and doing missions. You can also get coins by completing games and achieving high scores."
Focusing on the stat points, he now had 2 Stat Points and 4 Skill Points. For the stat points, he allocated them to Strength and Intelligence. For the skill points, he put all of them into Memory Manipulation.
[Stat Points Allocated: +1 Strength, +1 Intelligence]
[Skill Points Allocated: Memory Manipulation Domain - Layer 2 - You can now view memories of Non-Living objects]
Lin Xiao was shocked. "What is Layer 2 Domain?" he wondered aloud. He had some theories but wasn't sure.
Lin Xiao's curiosity was piqued, so he decided to test his new ability. He glanced around the makeshift underground hospital, looking for something to practice on.
His eyes landed on an old, dusty journal sitting on a nearby shelf. He picked it up, closed his eyes, and focused his mind on the object.
A strange sensation washed over him as fragmented images and faint whispers began to surface in his mind. He saw flashes of a woman writing furiously, her face etched with worry. He heard snippets of conversations, felt the rough texture of the journal's cover as if it were his own skin, and experienced a sense of urgency and secrecy.
"Wow," Lin Xiao whispered, opening his eyes. "This is incredible."
Just then, Li Jing approached, worry evident in her eyes. "Lin Xiao, are you alright?" she asked.
"Yes, Just a little tired" Lin Xiao replied, trying to sound confident.
Li Jing's suspicion was palpable as she continued, "How did you go to this place and find me? I remember I never told you the location of this place."
Lin Xiao's mind raced. He quickly crafted a response. "I don't know, I just had the feeling you were in danger, so I asked Miss Xiaoyu to help me find this place where I found the portal to that place, and through some luck, I was able to find you."
He avoided her gaze, knowing she could sense his hesitation. Li Jing noticed his reluctance but chose not to press further. "We'll talk about it more later. Right now, I just want to say thank you."
Lin Xiao felt a wave of relief wash over him, but Li Jing's next words sent a jolt through him. She whispered, "Lin Xiao... did you happen to come across a library while you were trying to find me?"
His heart skipped a beat. So she had also experienced the library. This meant that what he saw wasn't unique to him. His mind whirled with questions.
Should he tell her about his experience? After a moment of consideration, he decided against it. The implications were too vast, and he needed more time to process everything.
"No," he lied smoothly. "I didn't see any library. Why do you ask?"
Li Jing looked disappointed but didn't press further. "It's nothing. I must have imagined it. Anyway, we need to figure out what to do next."
"Yes, we do," Lin Xiao agreed, grateful for the change in subject. He glanced around, noting the condition of their surroundings. The underground makeshift hospital was eerily quiet, with an unsettling stillness in the air.
Xiao Bai and Lil'blackie sensed the tension and stayed close to Lin Xiao. The cats, though seemingly relaxed, were alert and ready to act if necessary.
Lin Xiao then turned to Li Jing and said, "Let's go outside and contact for backup."
Though worried about leaving 'Wang Lei' with the others, he decided it was necessary.
"Xiaoyu should be outside," he added.
Lin Xiao and Li Jing exited the building, finding Xiaoyu pacing worriedly near her car. Her face lit up with relief as she saw them approaching. She rushed over and asked, "What happened?"
Before Lin Xiao could respond, Li Jing interjected, "I'll tell you later. First, give me your phone. I need to call for backup."
Xiaoyu quickly handed over her phone. Li Jing dialed a number and stepped aside to make the call. Lin Xiao noticed her speaking in low, urgent tones, ensuring their situation was understood on the other end.
Meanwhile, Xiaoyu turned to Lin Xiao, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay? What happened in there?"
Lin Xiao offered a reassuring smile. "We're fine. It was... complicated. But we managed to find Li Jing and my friend."
Xiaoyu's eyes widened. "What actually happened in there?"
Lin Xiao, too tired to recount the entire story, simply said, "Teacher will tell you."
His mind was preoccupied with the dilemma of Wang Lei. How could he explain that the Wang Lei they had with them was an imposter, especially when he had no concrete evidence other than the system's notification? Checking the imposter's memories had revealed nothing suspicious, adding to his confusion and concern.