Since Wang Taidi had mentioned that intermediate players could stay in the real world for three days, Xiao Lan thought about it and decided to make a trip back.
He would have disappeared in reality for over a week by now, and hadn’t even asked the convenience store for leave. Hopefully, he hadn’t become a missing person that the police were looking for, otherwise that would be really troublesome.
Thus, early the next morning, Xiao Lan decided to return to the real world.
First, the system notification appeared:
“When players return to the real world, they cannot act in any way that will expose the Advent World or endanger reality. Violators will be punished.”
“All player items and abilities will be temporarily locked, and will be unlocked when the player returns to the Advent World.”
The Advent World was like a sovereign who didn’t tolerate disobedience. It cruelly caught and tossed players into rounds and rounds of dangerous games, and even strictly regulated their actions in the real world. Any disobedience was severely punished.
The world before Xiao Lan’s eyes instantly changed and he reappeared in the alley where he had disappeared before, though in a slightly different spot from when the Advent World took him. There was no one nearby; perhaps the Advent World automatically adjusted for players to appear where there was no one around in order to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Luo observed this world curiously for a couple of minutes. This place was filled with exotic vitality; even the sounds of insects and birds in the air were novel to him.
Seeing how Luo was acting, Xiao Lan said to him, “Do you want to stroll around here first? I’ll go handle some things first and come find you after.”
Luo shook his head. “I would rather follow you, sir.”
Xiao Lan didn’t insist either, and brought Luo with him to the convenience store.
His old bike and backpack had disappeared; who knew whether they had been swallowed up by the Advent World or picked up as scrap in reality.
This place was a few streets away from the convenience store; it was neither too close nor too far.
Xiao Lan simply quietly introduced Luo to everything here as they walked. Luo listened attentively to Xiao Lan’s narration and didn’t care if it was information which he already had in his memory.
When Xiao Lan introduced him to the residences on the side, Luo suddenly asked a question that went straight through his soul. “Sir, do you live here?”
Xiao-penniless-homeless-Lan: “…”
This question was too wicked.
Currently, he really didn’t have a place to stay. Not only didn’t he have a house, he had no money either, nor did he have a phone… He couldn’t even stay in a hotel. The park or under a pedestrian bridge might be a pretty good option; if he got there early, he might get a place out of the wind.
Xiao Lan shook his head without much confidence. “Maybe… we’ll just go back after we finish up.”
At that moment, he deeply felt the beauty and humanity of the Advent World; a world which only gambled in life and where money wasn’t required really suited a broke person like him.
Seeing Xiao Lan’s reaction, Luo looked pensive.
When Xiao Lan was about to enter the convenience store, Luo suddenly said, “Sir, I wish to look around by myself.”
Xiao Lan looked at him in surprise. You didn’t say that just now.
Luo continued, “After you’re done, you just need to call me once, and I’ll appear by sir’s side.”
Like summoning a beast.
“Alright.” Xiao Lan nodded. “I’ll go find the store manager first to resign, then I’ll go sweep my mother’s grave at the cemetery in the outskirts. It might take a few hours.”
After saying that, he verified again, out of concern for the non-human, “Luo… you’ll be fine on your own, right?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Luo said with a light smile, “It’s fine, sir. I’ll study everyone else’s behaviour before I do anything. You don’t have to worry that I’ll do anything shocking.”
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The store manager was a plump, middle-aged man whose round stomach stretched out the convenience store uniform and whose movements looked a little clumsy. The store manager had a rough idea of Xiao Lan’s situation, and was usually very considerate towards him.
Hearing footsteps at the entrance, the store manager turned his head and unexpectedly saw Xiao Lan.
The expression on his face turned from shock to joy. He put down what he was holding and hurried over to Xiao Lan. “Xiao Lan! It’s great that you’re alright.”
He took stock of Xiao Lan, who wasn’t missing any limbs. “You suddenly disappeared and couldn’t be contacted. I was even worried that those riff-raff loan sharks pressured you so much that you went into hiding, so I didn’t dare report it to the police either, in case your whereabouts were leaked.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t tell anyone you disappeared; I only told the rest of the staff that you had something to do and asked for leave.”
“Thanks, manager, I’ve troubled you. I left back then because I had some things to do. I also lost my phone by accident, which is why I couldn’t let you know. I’m really sorry.” Xiao Lan apologised to the store manager, then said, “Actually, I came to resign.”
The store manager’s heart picked up again. “Why, is it a serious problem you’re facing?”
Xiao Lan shook his head. “No. I have something new to do recently, and it can be considered a steady thing, so I don’t have to work as much in the future.”
The store manager let out a sigh of relief and no longer pried into Xiao Lan’s affairs. “That’s good. I’ve always been very optimistic about you, kid. You’re diligent and smart, and things wouldn’t have been so hard for you if it wasn’t for the burden of your matters at home.
“Do your best. Everything will get better.”
After that, the store manager helped Xiao Lan process his resignation, and even cheerfully gave him his pay from before his disappearance.
Xiao Lan said farewell to the colleagues he was familiar with in passing. They all expressed reluctance at parting since it was very hard to find a good colleague like Xiao Lan who volunteered for the night shift, didn’t cause trouble, and was very agreeable when it came to changing shifts.
After leaving the convenience store, Xiao Lan finally had money on him.
He had previously wondered whether increasing his debt in reality would increase his poverty value. In the end, after trying it out and borrowing money from people, the poverty value didn’t change at all; receiving the settlement pay from the manager also didn’t change anything.
Xiao Lan wondered if the condition for activating his skill was that he couldn’t use real debt to increase his poverty value; otherwise, he would just need to go wild and borrow a huge sum of high-interest loans in order to become invincible.
The Advent World clearly didn’t allow players to exploit such a loophole.
Getting rich was impossible; he would never become rich in this lifetime. Borrowing money wasn’t permitted either, and it was only through something like demolition that he would be able to preserve his life.
Xiao Lan sighed. Poverty wasn’t easy.
He took a bus to the cemetery in the outskirts.
After buying a bouquet of white chrysanthemums at the cemetery entrance, Xiao Lan found his mother’s grave with practised ease.
It had been a while since he came, and dust had already gathered on the tombstone. Xiao Lan took out the tissues he had already prepared and gently wiped clean the tombstone.
Looking at his mother’s familiar gentle smile on the tombstone, Xiao Lan told her, “Mom, I’ve found a new place. I’m living better than before, and I even made a few friends. They’re all very nice people.”
His mother continued smiling gently, as if she was listening attentively.
Xiao Lan continued, “I now have a new goal. Even though it’s a little strange, there’s always hope.”
Xiao Lan stayed in front of his mother’s tombstone for the entire afternoon as he quietly told her about his recent experiences, from big things like the strange events in the instances to small things like the dishes in the player hub. He slowly described it to his mother as if he was chatting about everyday trivia, and even hid some dangerous details.
Meanwhile, he also helped get rid of the weeds around her and placed the fresh white chrysanthemums on top of the grave.
Seeing the sun setting on the horizon, Xiao Lan stood up and told the tombstone, “Mom, let me introduce you to a friend of mine.”
With that, Xiao Lan quietly called, “Luo.”
Suddenly, there was a faint breeze in the tranquil cemetery. After the wind stopped, a figure slowly walked out from behind a tree near Xiao Lan.
Luo approached unhurriedly. “Sir.”
Xiao Lan said to the tombstone, “Mom, this is Luo. He helps me a lot and is very reliable.”
Luo’s gaze turned to the tombstone and he gave a small, serious bow. “Hello, madam.”
“No need to be so solemn ah.” Xiao Lan smiled as he patted Luo’s shoulder, then turned to the tombstone. “Mom, we’re leaving first. I’ll come visit again when I’m free.”
Luo also nodded at the tombstone. “I will ensure sir’s safety.”
The two left side by side, the setting sun enveloping their figures in a warm colour.
As they walked, they discussed theories for increasing Xiao Lan’s poverty value.
After they left the cemetery, Xiao Lan was about to head to the bus stop.
Luo, however, stopped him. “Sir, please wait a moment. I’ll drive the car over.”
Xiao Lan was astonished. This clearly wasn’t something they could own as part of the poverty-stricken class. “You – where did you get a car from?”
Luo smiled faintly. “I used a slightly special method. Don’t worry, it’s aboveboard.”
That made Xiao Lan even more worried ah…
Big brother, you have a driver’s license?
A few minutes later, the bad feeling in Xiao Lan’s heart grew as he watched a Ferrari slowly approach him. Luo, this guy, what on earth did he do in a single, short day? What unique money-making methods do you non-humans have?!!
Immediately, countless pixelated and muted scenes appeared in Xiao Lan’s mind.
They hadn’t been scammed, right?!
Ai, that wasn’t right; Xiao Lan didn’t even have a house, so how could he have a water meter?
Luo stopped the car in front of Xiao Lan, then got out to open the backseat door for him. “Please get in, sir.”
Xiao Lan was feeling stupefied when he got into the car.
“Sir, I did a preliminary investigation of your debt situation.” As Luo drove, he said to Xiao Lan, “Apart from the debt accumulated in order to treat your mother’s illness, one portion also originated from your father.
“This debt portion is very strange; quite a number of the debts are with some powers and organisations that cannot see the light. Half a year after your father’s disappearance, they were all transferred to your mother’s name. After your mother’s death, they suddenly transferred to your name. The procedure is completely untraceable; do you still remember what the situation was like?”
Xiao Lan searched his memories. “I remember that I never signed any documents, but those creditors appeared sure that it was me, and the documents they took out really did have my name on them.”
Luo: “Perhaps it was someone playing tricks; can you think of any suspects?”
Xiao Lan shook his head; he couldn’t think of anyone who would target him like this. Could it be his missing father? But before his father went missing, their relationship, while not too intimate, wasn’t hostile either.
“I’ll continue to keep an eye on it; if there are any leads, I’ll let you know.” Luo nodded. “I’ll also deal with that portion of debt from your mother’s treatment for you.”
“Thank you, Luo.” Xiao Lan was a little moved. Why was it that his life conversely had hope after he entered the Advent World? To be more precise, after he met Luo.
Luo said, “My original plan was to completely disregard these debts. After all, given your current strength, they cannot do anything to you. Moreover, the debt in reality no longer affects your poverty value. However, you’re probably not willing to default on the debt from the treatment.”
Xiao Lan nodded. After all, it was because of that money that his mother had gotten a little more time.
Luo continued, “As for that portion which originally belonged to your father, I propose that we don’t do anything for the time being before the situation is clear.”
Xiao Lan laughed. “This sounds like I’m going to be dragged out to have cement poured over me.”
Luo met Xiao Lan’s eyes through the rearview mirror. “I will ensure your safety.”
At that moment, Xiao Lan suddenly realised that the car had driven to a district he was completely unfamiliar with. He asked doubtfully, “Where are we going now?”
Luo calmly replied, “I have prepared a residence for you. It’s a detached building with good security facilities and very peaceful surroundings; no one will bother you here.”
This description… sounded very expensive ah.
Sure enough, a detached villa with a garden soon appeared in front of Xiao Lan. The villa was in a modern style and had a designer feel about it; it even had a pool.
After consecutive blows, Xiao Lan had actually grown a little used to them. “Where did this house come from…”
“There were once rumours that this villa is haunted, so when I expressed my wish to buy it, the original owner very happily agreed. He even helped speed up the procedure.” Luo pondered for a moment. “Many apologies. Given the limited time I had, I could only prepare this sort of house for you. I’ve already tidied up inside, so no unnecessary things will appear again.”
Luo considerately added, “Please do not worry. In order to safeguard your poverty, all the assets are not under your name.”
Xiao Lan: “…”
He was currently the most broke owner in all of history. A broke owner who rode a Ferrari and lived in a detached villa, but had nothing but debt.
The two of them were about to get out of the car.
Xiao Lan abruptly received a system notification:
【Urgent release of real-world mission: An intermediate player is endangering reality. Please handle the situation as per instructions】
【Mission requirements: 1. Stop the player, permission to kill if necessary 2. Must not affect the real world】
【Mission reward: Poverty value 5 million】
【Special description: This is a compulsory mission. After accepting the mission, all skills and items will be temporarily unlocked until the mission is complete】
The author has something to say:
Luo: Sir, you’re so broke you only have me left.
Oh wow…A ferrari ?!?!?! I mean, okay….I hope it’s not stolen or something… BTW, An intermediate player going wild? Wow…They sure have guts. Don’t worry XL, even if you are so broke, you still have Luo!
Thanks for the chapter~
For some reason, I feel that Luo is like SCP-662 in the SCP foundation, Mr. Deeds, a butler who would do anything, even kill….
Only me left, hehe
Thanks for the chappy
That was a very interesting scp! Probably the best of them too, no harm comes to the user and you can have one hell of a butler ready to get you a sandwich. Perfect.
And yeah, Luo does seem very similar but he can transform into a flatheaded cat so he’s got extra cuteness points.
“I’m simply one hell of a butler” sorry I had to XD
😂
Where is the heck , can I get my own Luo ah
Where the fuck did he get the money????? Can someone please make money like that for me?! i’m also very poor!
Same! I’m in Xiao Lan’s shoes right now! No money and have so many debt!
+1 where can we get our own money fairies?!
+2 this poor student is also in need of the godly methods of making money that aren’t illegal!!!! (^～^;)ゞ
But.. where did he take the money to buy everything from?? (゜o゜;
Thank you for the chapter!!! ❤️❤️
My guess: ghosts. Haunted villa. Buried treasure. Lost bank robbery money.
A mission to become poorer, just what he wants.
Thanks for translating! <3
Thanks for the chapter!
На самом деле Ло здесь самая дорогая;>
Вы ведь знаете что ло мужчина?
excuse me, where can i request my own personal luo ?
Mission Objective: Stop potentionally dangerous player during your vacation/break time.
Reward: Crippling Debt
Perfect mission for them lmfao.
Where did Luo get the money to buy all that?! LMAO. Really a capable coughs husband coighs Teehee.
Thank you for the great translation ♥️
I need a Luo in my life T.T
Thanks for the chapter!!
Ikr, I want one right now (┛◉Д◉)┛
reading about Xiao Lan speaking to his mom’s tombstone made me sad. Then Luo bowing and introducing himself and promising to keep Xiao Lan safe made me happy cry.
Just where did Luo get money?! Who is trying to keep Xiao Lan in debt IRL? How nice that he wont default on the treatment debt because it kept his mom alive longer.
I wonder who the player is who they have permission to kill if necessary!
Thanks for the chapter <3
“Everything will be better” I love you store manager 😔 That was sweet.
Thanks for the chapter ❤️
Thanks for the update
What if his mother and father were also players and they died and it transferred to him like some kind of inheritance?
Luo, don’t you want to visit me? :3 Fuuuu~ what a money making cat xD (But why does it feels like that Luo was watching XL when the letter was at his mothers tomb? When he came out from behind the tree with a wooosh~. Stalker-shinobi-san xDDD)
Thx for the ch (ㅅ˘ㅂ˘)
This chapter really had a feeling of sugar daddy Luo supporting Xiao Lan asdfghjkl—
It’s possible that the person who his his father’s inheritance might have done that for his own sake. It’s like they know that he’ll be put in the advent world and get that specific skill.
And there’s also his connection with Luo that makes this theory more plausible.
But, who is this person?
If this skill is for his own sake, why did that person let his mother die?
Where Is his father?
What was his past identity?
Ahhhh there’s too much mysteries!
I really love the story development ❤️❤️❤️
Also, Luo is very capable ah…
Where can I get myself one?
The debt so suspicious. Maybe there is someone targeted to Xiao Lan. Signed debt under his name so the debt collector will search Xiao Lan instead the true culprit.
Oh right, thank you so much for translate this~
If the convenience store owner sees this he’s gonna think Xiao Lan’s “new job” is being a sugar baby 😂
what kind of god is Luo??
i also started crying at the grave, tears where in my eyes! T^T
for a second i thought the notification was about them, dehauting a house