Among this group of players, there was an uncle who was almost two meters tall and took the initiative to introduce Xia Jing to the others.
"My name is Cheng Hua, and the twins over there are called Gu Chen and Gu Xing."
The twin brother and sister among the players nodded to Xia Jing. They both looked young, probably in their early twenties, and seemed to have very quiet personalities.
Next to the brother and sister stood a middle-aged woman who looked to be in her forties, with her arms folded and looking around suspiciously with a defensive attitude.
Cheng Hua introduced: "This is Zhou Yaqing."
Not far behind the woman was a fat man.
"His name is Cao Jun."
Then Cheng Hua's eyes turned to a lecherous man wearing a black tights and tight pants, a pair of high heels, a shaved head, and heavy makeup...
He frowned, a trace of disgust clearly flashed across his face. Just as he was about to ignore this person, the demon man noticed his intention and said to Xia Jing in a pinched voice: "Hey, why are you ignoring me again? My name is Lu Xiang, baby, just call me Xiao Xiangxiang."
As he spoke, he cast a coquettish glance at Xia Jing.
After throwing a coquettish glance, his eyes looked at Song Yang like a wolf, as if he couldn't wait to lie on Song Yang.
The gaze was quite fiery, but Song Yang seemed to be completely oblivious to it and just kept staring at Xia Jing.
Cheng Hua was about to introduce Song Yang when Song Yang spoke up himself.
He said in a lazy tone, "My name is Song Yang—speaking of which, this friend hasn't introduced himself yet, right?"
Xia Jing raised her lips, as if she didn't know him at all, and said in a very gentle tone: "My name is Xia Jing, hello everyone."
Song Yang's eyes suddenly became as dark as night.
Beside Song Yang, Lu Chenfei became more and more suspicious about the relationship between the two.
These two obviously know each other, but they pretend not to know each other in front of everyone. What are they doing?
He said with an inquiring mind: "My name is Lu Chenfei."
Next to Lu Chenfei and Song Yang was a beautiful woman who obviously had a good relationship with them and had been chatting with them.
The beautiful woman was very tall. She looked at Xia Jing meaningfully, then raised her red lips and said, "My name is You Ye, hello."
After the ten players had gotten to know each other, Cheng Hua said, "We'll talk about the forest later. We'll definitely be staying in a hotel for this dungeon anyway, so why don't we go in and take a look?"
Everyone had no objection, and Song Yang didn't seem to plan to have an "in-depth exchange" with Xia Jing here, so the group walked into the hotel.
As a warm "Welcome to Smile City Forest Hotel" rang out, the hotel's luxurious lobby came into everyone's sight.
This hotel has a very European style of decoration, with a huge crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the hall, a spiral staircase made entirely of ivory marble, and towering columns.
There were quite a few NPCs in the lobby, not to mention the hotel waiters, and there were also a few guests sitting by the window, having their meals. The environment was very elegant and quiet.
After entering the door, the group looked around quietly. Xia Jing and Song Yang were always at the end.
Xia Jing's gaze slowly swept over the NPCs. He was secretly thinking about the theme of this copy. At the same time, he could also feel Song Yang's gaze following behind him.
He raised his lips silently.
The players participating in this copy didn't seem to be particularly familiar with Song Yang and Lu Chenfei. Led by Uncle Cheng Hua, the group stopped at the hotel front desk.
Without them having to ask, the front desk staff started to help them check in. This was obviously the correct way to do it.
Not long after, a mustachioed man who looked like the hotel manager came out, opened his arms enthusiastically and said to them, "Welcome! You are the ones who called this morning, right? How are you all? I hope everything is fine!"
Everyone was stunned when these words came out. Cheng Hua was the first to ask, "Phone? What phone?"
The hotel manager was surprised and said, "Didn't you call and say you encountered a crazy, strange-looking man on the way to our hotel? At that time, I asked if you needed help, but then you said the man ran away and hung up. I was waiting for you the whole time, worried that something might happen."
Several people's expressions tightened.
This was obviously the background of the dungeon. The ten players were already in front of the hotel as soon as they logged into the dungeon, and had no idea what the crazy man was.
Hearing this, Song Yang temporarily shifted his gaze from Xia Jing's head and said, "Everyone, check the call logs on your phones."
In this dungeon, the holographic screen still cannot be brought in, but every player has a mobile phone in his trouser pocket, but it is turned off before the dungeon officially begins.
At this time, ten people quickly took out their mobile phones, and sure enough, they were able to use them. They quickly looked through the call records.
The hotel manager kindly reminded us, "Our hotel's contact number is 05xxxxxxx89."
Middle-aged woman Zhou Yaqing was the first to nervously say, "I was the one who called!"
Everyone gathered together and confirmed that her latest call record was indeed the hotel contact number, and it occurred an hour ago, which was completely beyond the time when the first player logged into the copy.
Cheng Hua immediately asked the hotel manager, "Excuse me, do you remember what she said on the phone?"
The hotel manager seemed puzzled as to how these people couldn't remember the content of their own phone call, but he remained polite and said, "It's pretty much what I just said. Otherwise, I only remember hearing everyone say that the man got in a car and ran away. I guess he must have had mental problems or was drunk in broad daylight."
A group of players looked at each other.
Zhou Yaqing lowered his voice and asked, "Could that crazy person be a monster? Should we track him down?"
The beautiful You Ye pondered and said, "No, that mysterious man is indeed an obvious clue, but the identity of the main monster in the copy can't be that simple."
The charming man Lu Xiang spoke even more delicately than the two women: "But the hotel manager said that man ran away. If we don't chase him, won't the clue disappear? If he ran away in a car, he would have disappeared by now!"
"Yes, he ran away by car..." Zhou Yaqing frowned.
Song Yang said calmly, "This is just the hotel manager's one-sided statement."
Everyone was stunned.
"The clue about the mysterious man wasn't revealed to us by the copy itself. Once information is obtained through external channels, there's a possibility of error."
"You mean the hotel manager might give wrong information..." Cheng Hua subconsciously glanced at the hotel manager and immediately felt something was wrong.
He lowered his voice and said, "The information this NPC gave us was very limited, but very clear. If even this little bit of information is wrong, then it can only be intentional, right? But even though we didn't make the call ourselves, to the hotel manager, it was us who made the call. There's no reason for him to lie to me in person."
Song Yang glanced at him and offered a possibility: "What if he has already seen that we don't remember?"
Everyone was secretly shocked and turned to look at the mustache hotel manager again.
The man with a bow tie tied around his chest stood behind the front desk, his eyebrows curved into a slit, and he just smiled at them motionlessly, as if wearing a mask.
Looking at this smile again at this moment, a group of people swallowed secretly.
They once again clearly realized that the copy had begun, the clues might confuse them, and murder was lurking everywhere.
What exactly happened to this crazy man? Let's look for clues later.
At this moment, the front desk clerk handed over five room cards and politely said, "The rooms have been booked according to your reservations. Please keep the room cards."
There are ten people and five rooms, so two players have to live in one room.
Twin brother and sister Gu Chen and Gu Xing said without hesitation: "We live together."
Zhou Yaqing and You Ye naturally came together, and among the remaining players, they were the only two women.
The charming man Lu Xiang cupped his hands and looked at Song Yang expectantly: "This handsome guy is not as good as us..."
Song Yang stopped Xia Jing, who was about to wander around looking for clues, and said, "We'll share a room."
Xia Jing was pulled back a step by Song Yang and looked down at the man's hand.
This posture.
Xia Jing smiled but did not express any objection.
The evil man Lu Xiang showed an expression of disappointment, and there was a hint of subtlety mixed in his disappointment.
From his love-minded perspective, these two people were just getting to know each other, but now there are undercurrents. It must be love at first sight. But how could the handsome guy fall in love with a hexagonal warrior at first sight!
Lu Xiang stamped his feet, secretly complaining that the handsome guy had a problem with his eyesight, and then immediately shifted his target to another handsome boy, Lu Chenfei.
Unlike Song Yang's handsomeness, Lu Chenfei looks more youthful. If he just stands there without saying anything, he would look like an idol.
Lu Chenfei noticed Lu Xiang's fiery gaze and thought to himself that something was wrong. Just as he was about to refuse, he heard Cheng Hua say to the fat boy Cao Jun, "Then the two of us should live together."
Cao Jun said in confusion: "Oh, okay."
Lu Xiang: "Great, then Xiao Feifei, let's live together!"
Lu Chenfei: "Fuck!"
Lu Xiang: "Oh, oh, oh, little Feifei, you're more handsome when you're silent!"
It was already five o'clock in the afternoon and it would soon be evening, so the ten people hurried upstairs.
The five rooms are connected together and are all located in the middle of the left half of the hotel.
Everyone was free to take a room card. Cheng Hua and Cao Jun moved into the room closest to the elevator. Next to them were You Ye and Zhou Yaqing, and then Xia Jing and Song Yang, the twin brother and sister, and Lu Xiang and Lu Chenfei.
Cheng Hua, who looked the oldest person present, said, "Then let's all meet up in half an hour."
After he finished speaking, ten players pushed the door open and walked in.
*
As soon as Xia Jing entered the room, he heard the door closing behind him.
The room wasn't big, only about 30 square meters. The crisp sound of the door closing resonated in the air of this small space.
Song Yang spoke from behind him, and asked in a deep voice:
"—Is he not dead at all, or has he been resurrected?"
Xia Jing looked around the small room, his eyes sweeping over the double bed, the four poles around the bed, and the mosquito net tied to the poles, then turned and looked at Song Yang.
Song Yang stood one meter away, looking at him with deep eyes.
Xia Jing smiled.
This question was quite direct, but Xia Jing was not surprised by it.
The unexpected encounter was indeed a pleasant surprise, and when he said his name, he was ready for it.
The game between him and Song Yang has reached this point, and there is no point in hiding some issues from Song Yang.
Xia Jing said in a gentle tone:
"If it can be resurrected, then it's not human, right?"
The words were as light as a feather.
Song Yang's pupils suddenly contracted.
Xia Jing turned around and walked leisurely to the window.
He still had the mood to check the window, as if it was not him who had just asked this shocking question.
After a few seconds of silence.
He heard Song Yang ask in a low voice: "Then, are you human?"
The atmosphere in the hotel room suddenly changed.
Long before, when he realized that Xia Jing could set foot in the ongoing copy, Song Yang felt that the identity of this young man might be a little strange.
However, at this moment, he was very clear that the problem was no longer just one of identity.
After all, Song Yang didn't disbelieve that there would be bugs in Smiley City. He just felt that the bugs in Smiley City would not be so low-level that even the death of the player would be reported incorrectly.
What's more, Xia Jing's points were indeed distributed to the remaining players.
In the "Death Ringing" copy, Xia Jing is definitely dead.
So, why would a player who was clearly dead appear in front of him now?
Song Yang's heart was beating violently in his chest.
He didn't know how to describe his feelings.
He had to admit that he was surprised and happy about Xia Jing's resurrection. When this figure appeared in front of him, his body told him that he was happy before his brain did.
However, his astonishment also clearly told him that the situation surrounding this young man might be even more mysterious than he had originally imagined.
The imprisoned person, who spent all his points after leaving the dungeon, had his clothes corroded by the corrosive fluid, but his body remained unscathed, and he was resurrected from the dead...
What does all this represent?
By the window, Xia Jing was looking for the clips on the hotel's glass windows, but found that both sides of the glass windows were welded shut and could not be opened at all.
In response to Song Yang's question, he just smiled calmly and asked, "If I'm not human, then what do you think I am?"
The young man softened his tone and asked again.
Song Yang was silent.
He stared at the young man's back in silence without answering.
Not getting his answer, Xia Jing turned around.
He chose to lean against the window in a relaxed posture, with his arms folded across his chest, and looked at Song Yang calmly with a false face covered by a mask.
Xia Jing paused for a moment and asked again, "Song Yang, what do you think I am?"
This time, Song Yang was slightly stunned.
"You and I both know that in this place, besides humans, there are only NPCs and monsters," Xia Jing chuckled, "but NPCs and monsters can't be like me."
"It's impossible to possess human cognition and consciousness, impossible to play games with other players, and even more impossible to leave the dungeon and enter the game lobby."
"But humans can't be like me. They can't be immortal, they can't be unable to step into the real world, and they can't even know what they are."
"So, what do you think?"
"——What on earth am I?" The young man uttered these words slowly.
Song Yang's expression gradually became stunned, and his Adam's apple rolled.
In addition to the shocking information revealed by Xia Jing, he was also surprised that Xia Jing was actually... asking him seriously?
During the previous attempts, Song Yang had always thought that the young man's rhetorical questions were all asked despite knowing the answer, and that he was deliberately being mysterious by saying one thing and leaving one thing unsaid.
This guy knows the answers to everything, but he just likes to tease people and watch them get fooled.
However, it was not until now that Song Yang suddenly realized that Xia Jing was serious about this issue.
...He really didn't know what kind of existence he had in this strange world.
This realization shocked Song Yang and caused his thoughts to freeze for a moment.
After this moment of stagnation, the six words "the imprisoned person" once again appeared in Song Yang's mind.
His heart suddenly tightened.
For the first time, he realized what the label might mean.
The small room was bathed in the gradually cooling light of the evening, and was quiet and silent.
Song Yang stared at Xia Jing silently for a long time.
Xia Jingyi waited for him patiently and quietly.
He sincerely waited for the answer to come.
However, after a long time, Song Yang opened his lips and could only utter a hoarse voice: "...Sorry, I don't know the answer."
Xia Jing lowered his eyelashes.
He smiled nonchalantly: "Me too."
The young man leaned lazily against the window frame, looking out the window with an indifferent expression.
The orange sunset light shone on his profile, and a strange emotion rose in Song Yang's chest.
He paused and asked, "...Are you imprisoned in Smiley City?"
Xia Jing smiled: "Is that so?"
"All your existing memories begin in Smiley City?"
"That's right."
"...So you don't have any clue where you came from?"
Xia Jing thought about it seriously and said, "I think I should have been to the human world, but I have no memory, so I can't be sure."
A strong, calm, intelligent man.
But he doesn't even know who he is or where he comes from.
Song Yang didn't know how he would feel if it were him.
But he could only see calmness on Xia Jing's face.
Song Yang asked softly, "Then where do you live in Smiley City?"
Xia Jing turned around and raised his eyebrows and said, "The answer to this question is very simple. You can find the answer yourself."
Song Yang was stunned.
After coming back to his senses, he laughed in surprise: "It's already this time, and you still want to play games with me?"
"Because the question of 'who am I' can't be solved so quickly, I'm not in a hurry," Xia Jing blinked, "but as for the question of who I am in Smiley City, as long as you want, you can get the answer soon."
Xia Jing curled his lips and said, "Don't forget, the copy won't tell you the answer on its own initiative. You have already obtained some clues. As long as you take one more step forward, you will be able to get to know me again."
"Song Yang, you can find me."
Song Yang's heart skipped a beat and he wanted to say something, but before he could say anything, he stopped.
He recalled Xia Jing's silent silhouette just now.
A "confined person", Song Yang didn't know how long he had been imprisoned.
If we count based on the number of days that Smiley City has been in operation, it is 249 days.
However, Xia Jing could not possibly be a 249-day-old baby, so the question naturally arose -
Before these 249 days, what was Smiley City and what was Xia Jing?
How long was he actually imprisoned?
During this long period of time, given Xia Jing's personality, he probably wouldn't feel scared or desperate because of his confinement. The only emotion he would have would probably be... boredom, right?
After all, he is such a playful guy.
In such an environment, he must always be allowed to find some fun of his own.
And playing games with Song Yang might be the kind of fun that belongs to him.
Thinking of this, Song Yang lowered his head, smiled as if compromising, and said, "Okay..."
After a moment of silence, Song Yang raised his head and said, "So, before, you were very serious about inviting me to explore your identity together."
Xia Jing said honestly: "Yes, you are the best player I have ever met."
Song Yang smiled. It felt very special to hear this praise coming from Xia Jing's mouth.
He calmed down his emotions and said with a serious expression: "Since that's the case, I will also formally respond once -"
"I accept your invitation, Xia Jing."
Xia Jing paused, a little surprised, as if he didn't expect Song Yang to make such a solemn promise.
Then, a slight light appeared in his eyes.
That's the glow of excitement a child gets when they get a real playmate.
Song Yang's heart moved slightly.
The human brain is strange, and so are emotions.
Song Yang knew clearly that their meeting and acquaintance were not ordinary, and they did not know each other that well, but at this moment, looking at the summer scenery under the sunset, an idea in his mind became very clear.
Song Yang is a person who has no doubts about his own feelings.
This is the reason why he can get to where he is today and why Song Yang can become the Song Yang of today.
He thought, not only did he have to play this game with Xia Jing, he also had to -
"——I will find the answer with you." Song Yang said slowly.
Xia Jing didn't say anything.
His gaze fell straight on Song Yang's face, his pupils became very deep, and the corners of his lips were slightly raised.
After a long pause, he softly replied, "Yeah."
Xia Jing tilted his head.
He felt that there should be no answers in this world that he and Song Yang could not find together.
This game is finally going to become more interesting.
At this point in the conversation, the two reached a consensus on this topic.
Song Yang believed that the mystery of the "copy" would definitely be solved. Of course, a lot of work had to be done after leaving the copy.
He let the matter go, adjusted his mood, walked towards Xia Jing, and officially put his thoughts into this copy.
At this moment, the atmosphere between the two of them has become much more relaxed from the initial weirdness.
Glancing out the window, Song Yang asked, "Can't this window be opened?"
"Hmm," Xia Jing glanced at the vast forest outside the window with interest, "They seem to be guarding against something."
Those things come from the forest.
Song Yang suddenly thought of something and asked, "By the way, you probably have no points left at all, right? Were you forced into this dungeon this time?"
Xia Jing nodded.
Song Yang's brows knitted immediately: "So you don't even know what this copy is called?"
Before Xia Jing could answer, Song Yang told him seriously, "This is a three-star dungeon called 'Everything Grows'. There are grass and trees on the cover, so besides the hotel, the forest should also be a key location in this dungeon."
After saying that, Song Yang received Xia Jing's silent and meaningful gaze.
"?" Song Yang, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Xia Jing said slowly: "I think it's quite exciting to play games without knowing anything."
"..." Song Yang, "Then did I ruin your excitement?"
Xia Jing glanced at him and told him the answer with his eyes: Que Shi, that's right.
Song Yang raised his eyebrows: "If you love excitement so much, aren't you afraid of flipping over one day?"
Xia Jing said innocently, "You mean like in the last train instance?"
Song Yang: Good fellow, you're showing off your immortality to me.