“They used the Holographic Glasses to track every warrior, ranked each killer, and ranked every fight. Based on the viewers’ preferences, they made life harder for higher-ranked players or sent them equipment. The final outcome was decided by the total kills on both sides, and the losing side had to hand over ten percent of the game broadcast profits.”

“So many died, and in the end it was only about whether the two Clown Cities split the profits 60-40 or 40-60.” Watermarks appeared on Xin Hui’s face shield. “It’s absolutely hateful!”

Xu Huo was silent for a moment, then said, “The fungal infection in the cleanup area was eradicated long ago, right?”

“It was completely cured more than ten years ago.” Xin Hui took a deep breath. “But the people high up in government didn’t clean it up. Instead, they poured special potions into the water to promote fungal mutation. Those spots that appeared on people’s bodies and the whitening of faces only showed up afterward.”

“The ironic thing is the toxic potions they introduced could be purified by the fungi living in the underground nests.”

“No wonder the water kept getting re-polluted.” Xu Huo paused. Judging by how often and how many warriors Clown City deployed, the potions they carried would have been enough to turn lakes and such into dead water, yet those places kept self-cleansing. It had to be thanks to the fungi.

“So you’re saying these underground nests actually covered the entire cleanup area?”

Xin Hui hesitated slightly. “I can’t be certain, but fungi do grow in many places.”

“Clown City blocked game news from the lower levels. How did you find out?” Xu Huo asked again. There were parts of Xin Hui’s story that didn’t hold up to interrogation, and her account of the cleanup area incident was only her own limited experience, so its veracity was uncertain.

“I met an incoming high-level player.” Xin Hui said. “Clown City’s government didn’t completely seal this from the upper classes. Almost all government staff and some high-level players knew about the show. He told me all these inside details.”

“If you hate this game so much, why join it?” Xu Huo lit a cigarette. “You keep saying Clown City tramples on human lives, but by coming in and killing people aren’t you doing the same?”

Xin Hui was silent for a few seconds. “Because Clown City is my home. I don’t want to watch it keep sinking. Only if I become stronger can I possibly change the situation.”

She didn’t tell the whole truth, and Xu Huo didn’t press. “Clown City intervenes in the players’ matches. Those previous mutant waves could very well have been interventions. Judging by you, you’ve killed a lot of people. Since killing others raises your rank, that seems to be part of your aim. What’s the benefit? Don’t say Clown City has a support plan for low-grade players.”

“Whether you believe it or not, it’s a fact.” Xin Hui said.

Xu Huo looked at her steadily, said blandly, “So you’re willing to kill to protect this underground nest, all for Clown City’s future?”

Xin Hui sneered. “At least those fungi can save people, whereas some people’s blood is filthy!”

Xu Huo gave her statement provisional acceptance and then said, “You’re only an E-grade player. How long until you become high-level? Don’t talk about changing the situation. From now you’ve killed so many who were equally kept in the dark, even those who fought with hot blood to reclaim their homes. Is it really worth it?”

Xin Hui didn’t answer. Xu Huo didn’t push her further, retracting the piano wire as he said, “You’re not here to clear the stage. After the game ends you can enter Clown City, right? I’ll go with you. With your current injuries, only by traveling with me do you stand a chance of surviving to the end.”

Xin Hui made no pointless struggle and instead said, “To get back in you at least have to cross the entire cleanup area to reach the opposite Sunrise Clown City. Once you go in, it’s hard to come back out, and even so you can’t bring anyone with you.”

Xu Huo seemed to have momentarily forgotten the two kids waiting for him. He nodded. “I’ll wait until I plant the flag on Sunrise Clown City’s walls.”

Xin Hui stayed standing, facing him, and seemed to study him earnestly for a long while. “Are you going back to fetch the other three people?”

“No.” Xu Huo said. “Don’t underestimate any player.”

*

Sunrise Clown City.

Inside the host’s studio, a beautiful woman took off her Holographic Glasses and stepped out of her booth. An assistant immediately handed her some water and, walking alongside her, said, “The mayor and the chief director both just sent invitations. They both want to invite you to dinner.”

The woman took a sip, tapped her watch, and a mechanical voice spoke for her: “I only want to rest today, decline them.”

The assistant looked embarrassed. “But this is the mayor’s third invitation already. If we decline again, wouldn’t he give us trouble?”

The woman’s red lips lifted into a captivating smile. “Next time he calls, you can broadcast it directly to the General Administration Office and have the General Administration Chief refuse him.”

The female assistant flushed. “I wouldn’t dare. Besides, didn’t the General Administration Chief go to another district? He shouldn’t be back so soon.”

“He’ll definitely be back today.” the woman said.

The assistant suddenly understood. “Lang Lang, it’s your birthday today, right? The General Administration Chief treats you so well. He’ll surely come back to celebrate with you!”

The woman didn’t seem very interested in the topic and instead asked, “Has the hot-battle prediction data come out?”

The assistant nodded and displayed a data chart. “The top three haven’t changed much: 227, 145, and 67. However, 227 has temporarily dropped out of monitoring range, so the data hasn’t been updated.”

“There’s a dark horse among the top ten. He’s not a player, but a retired military talent from the General Administration Office, skilled with all kinds of cold and hot weapons. Lang Lang, he’s incredible. He used only materials from abandoned cities to double the lethality of his original firearms. Many viewers are cheering for him.”

“The final champion could emerge from these people.”

“What about support data?”

The assistant pulled up another chart. “The audience still hates players as usual. 227 has had five encounter increases so far, more than anyone else. Also, the mayor really likes contestant 67 and has spent big to push 67 up to squeeze out 227.”

After hearing this, the woman asked again, “What about 254 and 249?”

“These two were not on the killing leaderboard before they removed their glasses, so now they just appear in the most-watched broadcasts. According to the data team, they guessed there was a cleanup area confrontation and spread the word. Over the past night, without large-scale assaults, nearly fifty warriors were eliminated. Those two likely removed their glasses and withdrew from missions themselves.”

The assistant’s finger moved quickly over the transparent tablet. “But the two disappeared near the foggy forest area and haven’t resurfaced yet.”

The woman glanced at the map location. “So what does knowing the truth do for them? Can they even escape Clown City?”

She paused, then said, “Prepare a gorgeous dress for me. After the champion is crowned, I’ll receive them with the General Administration Chief.”