"What happened?" Zhenzhen questioned as she followed Liu Ye's gaze. "Oh, did someone get doxxed?"
Liu Ye widened his eyes at her. "And how do you know such terms?"
If Liu Ye could, he would keep her away from any dangers in the world but it was impossible to keep her innocence forever.
"Well, my friend had an online stalker who she met in games. It was pretty scary when he found out her identity but thankfully the man left her alone when she blocked him," Zhenzhen explained as she scanned his expression. "Don't worry, if anything like that happens to me, my Big Bro would be the first to know."
She already heard so many reminders from him that she knew what he was going to say.
"Anyway, who is this Grind God?" Zhenzhen continued, switching the topic. "He couldn't have picked a more cring—"
She cut her own words as her gaze fell on the open profile and then back at him. "Oh! What a clever nickname! This person must be a godlike player!"
Liu Ye poked her side with his finger as punishment but Zhenzhen only laughed and sat down on his lap to see the screen clearly.
"It seems like someone recognized me from TV after playing with me on the same server," Liu Ye guessed as he opened the post. "I shouldn't have used the same appearance in the game."
He already expected to be recognized but didn't think it would happen so fast. The post on the forum only had a single link as the text, leading to the popular social media platform. When he saw the original post, Liu Ye couldn't help but roll his eyes after seeing its author.
It was no other than Black Rose.
[Black Rose: I have no evidence but doesn't the man from the recent shooting look like Grind God? I played with him on the server and I swear, they both look similar! Did anyone else meet Grind God in the game? Correct me if I'm wrong!]
Below the post, she added a screenshot from the TV broadcast which showed Liu Ye's face. Even though the post was just an hour old, it already gathered a surprising engagement.
[You are not in the wrong sis! I also found them similar! No wonder he was such a badass.]
[They do look familiar but I wouldn't jump to conclusions so fast. Doesn't Avatar Online allow you to change your appearance? This could be anyone.]
[Why are you reporting on the news without any evidence? Do you really expect us to believe you?]
Contrary to what Liu Ye thought, she received more hate than respect. Black Rose tried to get back at him but not many people believed her.
"Do you know her?" Zhenzhen asked casually.
"I met her in the game and let's say we don't have a good relationship," Liu Ye replied with a shrug. "Don't worry, I don't mind if my identity is exposed. I wouldn't be surprised if the gamers on the forum already connected all the dots."
Liu Ye switched back to the post on the forum and sure enough, a top comment already came up with a theory.
[Craft God: Even though I wasn't on the same server as him, I think that man is really Grind God. We know for a fact that the woman accompanying him is Xu Yue, the Heiress of the Red Dragon Triad. Didn't Grind God mention he has his own guild called Red Dragon? I'm guessing that Xu Yue is also playing the game and Grind God works for her family. If my guess is correct, Grind God should continue to surprise us in the days to come. His skills in real life only confirmed his results were not a fluke.]
"Big Bro! Can I also play this game?" Zhenzhen asked just as he finished reading. "If I can't return to Uni, how about I work with you?"
"Actually, Xu Yue already sent someone to get you your own console. You will be able to join us tonight," Liu Ye revealed. "We won't meet soon since I am far ahead of you but you will eventually catch up."
"Great! I can't wait!" Zhenzhen called out excitedly and rushed towards the bedroom. "Let me text my best friends. I will tell them to buy one too so we can meet in-game!"
A smile on Zhenzhen's face always made him happy but when she disappeared, he looked back at the screen with complicated thoughts.
What if Master Yang found out about it and decided to hunt him down inside the game?
———
Liu Ye's worry was justified but at the same time, almost impossible to prevent.
"Master Yang, you called for me?"
In a fancy dining room decorated in a medieval style sat a mature man with tens of dishes in front of him. Despite having white hair, the man aged gracefully with his skin looking firm and youthful. His clean black suit only added to his classy and rich look.
He was eating his dinner alone when a young man entered the room. He was also dressed in a suit but he lacked that rich aura around him.
"Tian, I have a mission for you," Master Yang spoke casually as he began cutting a chicken with a sharp dagger. "I want you to withdraw 10 Million from the safe, grab a jet and fly over to meet with Leader Xu from the Red Dragon Triad."
"Right now?" Tian asked back as he raised his eyebrows. "I was about to head over to supervise our new recruits."
"The plans have changed. You have to be there by tomorrow morning," Master Yang replied sternly while pointing at the picture laying on the table. "You will exchange the money for Liu Ye and bring him to me. If they don't agree, you will try to kill him on the spot and escape."
Tian frowned but when he picked up the picture, his eyes widened. "Isn't that…"
"Yes, it's him," Master Yang confirmed as he took a bite from his chicken. "We have to either kill him or pull him into our side. Either works for me."
"I understand," Tian acknowledged, no longer treating the matter casually. "I can depart right away."
"Good," Master Yang nodded while eyeing one of the dishes far away from him. He reached out with his palm and the metal tray magically flew over to him.
Tian didn't look surprised at all and bowed, "I will take my leave then."
"Wait, tell me about the recruits." Master Yang stopped him as Tian retreated. "Have any of them awakened yet?"
"Not yet. I was going to help them awaken tonight," Tian reported.
"Don't do anything then. Order them to awaken by playing Avatar Online and train them as spies instead. That old geezer will notice if any of us enter the game but he won't be able to tell if we use fresh blood as spies," Master Yang ordered. "Once they awaken, we can use them to mess up his plans."
"That's a great plan, Master Yang. If I remember correctly, they already joined the game as a form of practice," Tian informed.
"Liu Ye is also playing the game. Just as we predicted, he is one of the top candidates and he is already proving himself with his skills," Master Yang explained. "His nickname is Grind God. Tell the recruits he will be their main target."
Tian couldn't help but widen his eyes. "Master Yang, aren't I already settling the issue? Liu Ye won't be an issue by tomorrow."
Master Yang smirked for the first time since Tian entered the room. "I've already assumed that you will fail."
"Master!" Tian raised his voice, clearly offended. "I will succeed in this mission. Even if he runs away, I will hunt him down!"
"Heh, I like how confident you are but it's better to be safe than sorry," Master Yang replied with a snicker. "How about this? If you succeed, I will let you do anything you want with that Katherine you keep talking about. Once that Old geezer drops dead, you can take her for yourself."
Tian's eyes brightened and he bowed excitedly, "Thank you, Master Yang! I will not disappoint you."
Just as Tian left, Master Yang turned to the empty place by the table and saw a person sitting there in silence. Her pretty red nails and long black hair were the only distinctive features with everything else hidden under a blood-red cloak.
"Why are you still sending him there when I told you he will fail?" the lady questioned coldly. "What if Katherine figures out his potential sooner and they protect him? Let me go and handle it silently. That Liu Ye will not know what struck him before he dies."
"No, I need you here," Master Yang shook his head right away. "What if our two prisoners suddenly escape from the dungeon? You better go down and reinforce the barrier."
"Tch…" the lady sneered in disinterest. "Is this all I am for you? A mere prison guard?"
She vanished on the spot without waiting for a reply before appearing tens of meters below ground. In front of her stood a thick, white barrier with two people behind it that looked surprisingly similar to Liu Ye and Zhenzhen.
They sat down cross-legged and opened their eyes at the visitor.
"Missed me?"
