Zheng Zha closed his eyes and poured out all the doubts in his heart. After a moment, the voice finally responded,"She is someone you created. Her memories are derived from your memories of her, her personality is based on your recollections, and her body and appearance also come from your memory. She is the person you remember."
Zheng Zha paused for a moment and continued,"I don't understand what you mean,'Lord God.' I don't care if she's someone from my memories; I just want to know—is she truly a real person?"
"The things she says, her actions, her expressions, her tears—are all of these real? Are they not programmed or controlled by some instructions? I just want to know if she is a real human being!"
The voice answered,"Yes. Once a created life form is formed, unless the creator dies or the life form is destroyed, she is a living, independent being."
Zheng Zha started to understand. The "Lord God" had completely replicated the Luo Li from his memory. So, in essence, she was Luo Li—but a recreated version. As for the real Luo Li, she had died at the age of sixteen. The recreated Luo Li was only fifteen, approaching sixteen, because that was how she looked in his memories—at her most beautiful.
"One last question,'Lord God.' If I save up 50,000 reward points and return, will she be able to come back with me?"
The voice replied,"A person who exchanges for 'Return to Origin' may retain the following: 1. All exchanged items, 2. Attribute enhancement points, 3. Created life forms, 4. Summoned life forms, 5. Physical enhancements or mutations. These five attributes will permanently belong to the exchanger, even upon 'Return to Origin.'"
Zheng Zha's heart gradually calmed down. He had already lost her once, forced to watch helplessly as she died. But now, he had the power to change everything. As long as he could survive, survive the countless horror movies, and earn enough reward points, he could bring her back to the real world. Then, he would never lose her again.
Zhang Jie and the others stood at the door to his room, looking at him with puzzled expressions. Zheng Zha gave them an apologetic smile, then invited them into the room. According to Zhang Jie, as long as he willed it, they could enter. Otherwise, it was impossible for them to step into his personal space.
Once inside the living room, Zheng Zha thought for a moment before saying,"You guys sit down for a bit. I'll be back shortly." With that, he walked straight into his bedroom and shut the door tightly behind him.
Inside, Luo Li cautiously peeked her head out from under the blanket and asked nervously,"How did it go? How did it go? Did your uncle and aunt say anything?"
Zheng Zha walked to the bed, lovingly stroking her hair. Then he spoke seriously,"Luo Li, there's something important I need to tell you. Before I say it, promise me you'll stay calm no matter what, okay?"
Luo Li's large, watery eyes grew wider, and tears began to form. Lowering her head, she said,"Are you going to tell me it's over between us? I knew it... Everyone says men become heartless after they get what they want. I thought you would always stay with me and love me. If that's what you're going to say, then don't. I don't want to hear those words from your mouth."
Zheng Zha suddenly pulled Luo Li into a tight embrace and said loudly,"It's not like that! What I want to tell you is something important. And I have always loved you, always… Even though you've been gone for ten years! I've always loved you!"
He then recounted the story of how she had died ten years ago, leading up to his strange journey in this new world. Of course, he omitted the part about his years of self-destructive behavior, focusing only on the "Lord God" and its explanations.
"Luo Li, you are Luo Li! Yes, ten years ago, I could only watch helplessly as death took you away. But now, I can protect you with my own hands! Believe me, I will earn enough reward points and take us back to the real world!"
Zheng Zha kept talking, but he noticed that Luo Li remained silent in his arms. This filled him with a growing sense of dread. Quickly, he looked down at her and saw that the girl was staring blankly while pinching her own arm repeatedly.
Grabbing her small hands, he said anxiously,"What are you doing? Luo Li, if something is bothering you, just tell me. I know it's hard to accept that your original self is gone and that you're a recreated version. But no matter how difficult it is, don't hurt yourself. If you're upset, talk to me, okay?"
To his surprise, Luo Li burst out laughing. She sat up in his lap and playfully tugged at Zheng Zha's face, saying,"No wonder! I was wondering why you seem so much more mature now, and you've even grown all this fuzz... Uh, good girls shouldn't say indecent things! Anyway, this is amazing. Getting to live again is such a blessing! Why would I struggle to accept it? You scared me to death just now, you big meanie! I thought you were going to break up with me. It hurt so much... If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Zheng Zha was stunned for a long time before finally breaking into a relieved smile. Yes, this reaction was exactly how he remembered her—his strong, scatterbrained Luo Li, the woman he had always loved.
What followed was simple. As Zhang Jie had explained, everything in the room could be changed according to the user's will. And as Zheng Zha's creation, Luo Li also had the ability to alter the room's size, environment, décor, and more. Once she learned this, she cheered with excitement and dove into the wardrobe, pulling out all sorts of vibrant, beautiful dresses. Then she promptly shoved Zheng Zha out of the bedroom so she could try them on.
Out in the living room, Zhang Jie and the others were sitting stiffly, but the corners of their mouths kept twitching. Zheng Zha scratched his head awkwardly and said,"If you want to laugh, just laugh. Don't hold it in and make your faces look like you got punched."
The three of them burst into laughter, with only Zhan Lan managing to keep hers somewhat restrained.
Zhang Jie laughed as he said,"It's so strange. I didn't expect you to like a girl with that kind of personality. She seems pretty fiery."
Zheng Zha sat on the sofa and gave a bitter smile as he explained Luo Li's origins. After recounting the story, he said with a wry smile,"I didn't foresee this outcome either. I originally just wanted to create a woman who looked like her and had a similar personality. Who would've thought that she herself would be replicated?"
The three others were astonished. Zhang Jie said,"This is incredible. So the 'Lord God' can actually replicate someone from your memories. I've survived four horror movies, and even I didn't know something like this was possible. Who knows how many other secrets this place holds? It seems like we've only scratched the surface."
Zheng Zha nodded."Exactly. A place like this—there's nothing like it that anyone's ever heard of before. We're thrown into horror movies, able to interact with the characters and even change the storyline, but also face the real risk of dying in them. On top of that, the things we can exchange for here are simply mind-blowing. The guns are one thing, but then there are all sorts of enhancements. Do you think anything like this could exist in the real world?"
The group fell silent. Zheng Zha exhaled deeply and said,"I don't care if this is some divine realm or a devil's game. All I want is to survive—survive long enough to earn the reward points to take her back to the real world. I imagine none of you want to die in these horror movies either. That's why I think the four of us should team up. None of us know what the next movie will be, and one person's strength is limited. We should form a team and help each other overcome the challenges. What do you think?"
The three others fell into thought. Zhan Lan smiled in surprise and said,"Wow, you've changed so much in just one night. Even Li Xiaoyi, who just lost his virginity, can't compare to you. That girl must be really important to you, huh?"
Li Xiaoyi immediately blushed, squirming uncomfortably. Zhang Jie burst into laughter."What's there to be shy about? Becoming a real man is something to be proud of! And you, kid, you really went for it—creating a golden-haired Persian cat right out of the gate. Haha, be careful, or she'll drain you dry!"
Li Xiaoyi's face turned a deep shade of red, almost like a liver. Zhang Jie then turned to Zheng Zha and said,"I think you're right. One person's strength is indeed limited. Until we're strengthened to the level of superheroes, we don't have the power to face most horror movies alone. Having been through three movies myself, I know how crucial internal unity is. Besides the monsters in the movies, your own teammates can be just as much of a threat. So from now on, let's share information and help each other during the movies. If any new arrivals try to sabotage the group's unity, I suggest we kill them."
Zhan Lan was startled."Didn't you say killing newcomers results in a deduction of 1,000 reward points?"
Zhang Jie smirked cruelly."Yes, it does deduct 1,000 points—if I kill them personally. But what if I only break their limbs or push them toward the monsters? As long as I'm not the one who directly kills them, my reward points won't be deducted. Any other questions?"
Zhan Lan and Li Xiaoyi both shivered. Zheng Zha, however, nodded."Exactly. I won't go out of my way to harm newcomers, but if they endanger us to the point of putting all our lives at risk, I won't hesitate to remove the threat. I need to survive—survive to return to the real world. Now, I have some information I'd like to share with everyone."
"I think I've figured out how the side plots in these horror movies work and how to trigger and complete them."
Zheng Zha spoke seriously."It seems to involve reversing certain events within the movie. For example, saving supporting characters who are destined to die, killing remaining monsters, or completely altering the movie's plot. I believe completing these side plots is how we unlock them."
He then shared his own experience. When the others heard how he saved the Black mercenary captain and earned a B-grade side plot and 5,000 reward points as a result, their mouths hung open in shock. They didn't even know how to respond.
Zhan Lan cautiously asked,"So… how many reward points do you have now?"
Zheng Zha replied,"6,502 points, plus one B-grade side plot opportunity."
The three of them instantly looked at him with a mix of envy and jealousy. Zhang Jie sighed bitterly."I fought tooth and nail and barely managed to scrape together 4,000 points after almost dying multiple times. But you—you earn 6,502 points and a B-grade side plot on your very first movie. Damn it. Comparing ourselves to you is just infuriating. Looks like I'll just have to stick close to you from now on, brother."
Zheng Zha laughed."Stick close to me? If it weren't for you staying with us in the Red Queen's control room last time, I wouldn't have survived to earn these points. I'd probably be long dead, either eaten by zombies or clawed apart by a Licker. I should be the one thanking you."
Zhan Lan chuckled."Well, this is great. Now we all know how to complete side plots. Sure, it won't be easy, but at least it's better than being in the dark. Plus, completing these plots seems to earn extra points. I knew it—earning 50,000 points to return to the real world one movie at a time is practically impossible. But now, we at least have a clear goal, right?"
Zhang Jie put aside his jealousy, knowing Zheng Zha had been generous in sharing this information. He smiled and said,"Alright then, let me introduce everyone to the concept of attribute enhancements and item exchanges. We've got nine days and nights of rest time, so let's carefully choose how to strengthen ourselves and what to exchange for. All for the next horror movie!"
"No, for survival," Zheng Zha said to himself. His eyes softened as he glanced at the closed bedroom door, his expression filled with infinite tenderness.