In Virtual Reality 100 ☆ The Hydrangea Park (24/33)

[TN: Yay, My first 100 chapter in single title Translation!! This is a bit unreal feeling ^^ heh. Also, soon this novels Volume 1 will end.]

Excelsior's expression was eerily placid, causing Wang Jin Long's previous excitement to curdle into a murky pool of self-doubt. He couldn't discern the Black-Robed Woman's true character, for their sole encounter left a lasting impression of slipperiness. Suppose it weren't for the timely intervention of a passerby who thwarted the Black Robed Woman's Judge attack. In that case, Wang Jin Long might have met an untimely end.

Who could have predicted that the person who had been a silent spectator since entering the Spirit Shenanigans was the possessor of Judge Card? Wang Jin Long's intuition, still agile, saved him from certain doom.

If one were to ask Wang Jin Long how he felt about the Black-Robed Woman, his response would be unequivocal: he harboured a seething hatred for her. In that Spirit Shenanigans, the Black-Robed Woman's obstruction cost Wang Jin Long the opportunity to send Cao Du - the only one who held the key to the truth - to hell.

There were no more knowledgeable parties in the world.

Once Wang Jin Long had managed to escape from the Spirit Shenanigans, he never tried to find the mysterious Black-Robed Woman again. It was as if she had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of her existence. Unlike Ye Cheng Jing, whose disappearance had been documented by the authorities, the Black-Robed Woman's existence was like a figment of the imagination - a phantasmagoria that never existed in the first place.

Time marched on, slowly eroding Wang Jin Long's memories of the enigmatic figure.

Following the "Eternal Bus Incident," he ventured to the bus station in search of leads, his eyes peeled for lurking shadows. Yet, save for Zhang Rou Rou, who eventually came to him, he found no one.

Did Zhang Rou Rou pose as the enigmatic woman in black? His gut said otherwise.

Putting aside Zhang Rou Rou's courage and observing her poise, unless she were a natural-born actress, it was inconceivable for her to be the woman in the black cloak.

Ah...

But there was something else he felt back then, aside from hatred.

Wang Jin Long raised his gaze to Excelsior, who stood mere inches away, yet wore a smile that seemed light years away. Unexpectedly, he asked, "Aren't you afraid?"

The face was identical, yet the words were worlds apart.

"Why must I be afraid?" Excelsior's voice was gentle, imbued with the youthful vigour only the young possessed. It was easy to see why those who'd met them praised Excelsior for the comfort he brought. But it was precisely this attribute that blinded Wang Jin Long's judgment.

"Can you kill me?"

"Do you have that much faith in yourself?"

"Wouldn't you doubt... that you'll make a mistake someday?"

A barrage of queries rained down on Wang Jin Long, leaving him dumbfounded.

"I must say, although not my preferred phrase, it holds some truth," Excelsior chuckled, their words slithering like venom from a snake, "As you sow, so shall you reap. And what have you sown? What punishment awaits you?"

Wang Jin Long regained his senses and scoffed. He even found it in himself to laugh. "Oh, is that right? But have you heard this one? Good people die young, and wickedness lasts for ages."

The two exchanged a smile while the new fans in the live broadcast room remained oblivious to the story of "Murphy's Amusement Park". Meanwhile, the old fans were already screaming and giving Wang Jin Long the thumbs down.

【It seems like Wang Jin Long has a crystal-clear understanding of his place...】

【Crystal-clear, but that won't change】

【Why hasn't Excelsior made a move yet? They're so close, just raise a hand and give him a knife!】

【Cut his throat!】

【Snack on some melon seeds and peanuts, and sip mineral water. Don't throw the shells at Wang Jin Long, be a law-abiding citizen.】

The young man was momentarily taken aback before laughing, "You too have a clear understanding of your own position."

Wang Jin Long forced a smile, "Indeed, mutual understanding."

Both of them dismissed Excelsior's cryptic response at the outset.

Wang Jin Long struck up a conversation as though they were old companions. "What's the reason behind naming yourself 'Silence' all of a sudden? I already know your real name from others," he crowed, his smile conceited. "Excelsior, am I right?"

Leaving aside his questionable character, Wang Jin Long articulated the name with a peculiarly enthralling voice. They sounded like friends who had been separated for years, not long-standing foes.

Xu Jin Yi shuddered unexpectedly. Was this bloke playing the emotional card again?

"You're not saying anything?" Wang Jin Long spoke to himself when Xu Jin Yi remained silent. "Let me guess. Although you're not Cao Du, you spent some time with Ye Cheng Jing," he quipped. "Do you fancy that cop?"

Xu Jin Yi: "......"

【Wait... How did he deduce that?】

【Because to Wang Jin Long, Excelsior is a woman! No, wait, Excelsior is a woman in the first place... Oh no, the more I talk, the more perplexed I get!】

【Hold a minute and pause the CPU; let me explain something. Wang Jin Long believed that Excelsior was a woman, but after leaving "Spirit Shenanigans," Excelsior underwent a metamorphosis, shedding identities and personalities. Nonetheless, Excelsior remains psychologically woman, so Wang Jin Long believes that Excelsior is fond of Officer Ye.】

【The more he speaks, the more outrageous it becomes... Murphy's official must step up and clarify the matter! @Murphy Playland】

【@Murphy Playland】

【@Murphy Playland】

The following comments targeted Murphy's official, and few delved into the conversation. It was difficult to read.

Xu Jin Yi shrugged, her lips twisting in amusement, "Officer Ye is a saint compared to you. Who wouldn't be smitten with him?"

For once, Wang Jin Long nodded in agreement, "Yes, Ye Cheng Jing is quite charming. It's a shame he wasn't on my team and ended up on the opposite side."

"You'd still stab him if he were on your team, wouldn't you?" Xu Jin Yi didn't believe a word of it and emphasized the point with a sharp retort.

"If he were a saint, he wouldn't belong in this world," Wang Jin Long shook his head, "This is a world for humans, after all. And if you wander through 'Shenanigans' long enough, you'll see the intricacies of human nature. I'm simply one of the few good guys among millions of villains."

"Oh?" Xu Jin Yi quirked an eyebrow, "What about the old man you pushed off the roller coaster, the man you lynched from a tree, or the child you framed? Would they share your perspective?"

As recollections flooded back, the smile on Wang Jin Long's face faded into an icy expression.

"Survival of the fittest, isn't it?" He said nonchalantly, "Weaklings don't have a place in 'Spirit Shenanigans.' I'm just following my survival instinct. How long have you been secretly observing me?" His tone shifted suddenly, a sly grin crossing his face. "And yet, you did nothing to stop me. Don't try to play the moral card now, we're cut from the same cloth."

Xu Jin Yi held his gaze for a long moment before shaking her head. "No, we're not. I have a brain. You don't."

Wang Jin Long started to retort but was interrupted by a sudden gust of wind. His instincts kicked in, and he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding an attack.

"Who?!" he exclaimed, scanning his surroundings.

A female ghost appeared before him, clad in ragged red garments. Her jet-black hair, save for her sharp, glistening nails, obscured her face.

Wang Jin Long felt his body tremble with fear.

Who was she? The other participants had been eliminated already. He turned to Excelsior accusingly. "Did you summon her?!"

Excelsior stood nearby, unperturbed. "Why assume it was me? Perhaps it was you who provoked her," they suggested with a smirk. "What goes around comes around."

Wang Jin Long laughed, but there was no mirth in it. "...... Haha, hahahaha!"

The man rolled over, his body entangled in blades of grass, and burst into a fit of laughter before quieting down just as abruptly. Wang Jin Long hoisted himself from the ground, smoothing out his rumpled clothing, and faced the unresponsive Excelsior. "People do things and heaven watches," he repeated curiously, "then let them watch."

Excelsior shrugged, taking a few steps towards Wang Jin Long's prior position and retrieving the fallen dagger. "What's the harm in watching?" they mused, twirling the weapon between their fingers. "Like this?"

The dagger did not fly back to Wang Jin Long's hand this time but remained still on Excelsior's fingertips. The sudden change of events caused a dark cloud to descend upon Wang Jin Long's countenance.

The eager Red Ghost loomed menacingly closer to his right, its approach sluggish yet deliberate. It was only a few seconds away from coming face to face with Wang Jin Long. In contrast, with their Civilian Card, Excelsior stood back and watched the unfolding spectacle with detachment. Wang Jin Long may have been sneering at Excelsior, but he was coiled and ready for combat.

Although Excelsior couldn't slay him with their bare hands, Wang Jin Long couldn't afford to underestimate them. He had no clue how Excelsior had grasped the wolf's dagger. But Wang Jin Long had an ace up his sleeve, and he couldn't resist a smirk as he withdrew a thick notebook from his breast pocket. He didn't hesitate to bite his finger and smear the blood onto the blank pages.

After Fox Snap's demise, Wang Jin Long salvaged this object from his werewolf comrade.

At the moment, there was no better way to deal with Excelsior.

The ninth target, Excelsior.

His finger came down on the paper, and with the slightest motion--

"Meow~!"

A sleek black shape darted out from the side. Wang Jin Long reacted swiftly, dodging the cat's claws that came perilously close to slashing his face.

He widened his eyes.

He'd seen this black cat before! It was the same creature that had lured the man with the gold-rimmed spectacles.

Wang Jin Long regained his senses, but it was too late!

In just one or two seconds, a cold, white-skinned hand with bright, glossy nails plunged into his chest. Blood gushed forth, staining the blank paper in front of his chest.

I...lost...?

The agony was unbearable, and Wang Jin Long's mind began to warp.

Not far away, his visage was gradually subsumed by a black, impenetrable robe.

Beyond hatred, there was another sensation toward the Lady in Black.

--It was an indescribable fear.

It was the fear of being completely transparent, of them knowing the outcome of every event, and of him utterly powerless to avert it.

——— Translator's Notes ———

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