Chapter 13: The Growing Number of Footprints in the Misty Forest.

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Su Bai once again stepped onto the edge of the Misty Forest, her brow furrowing at the sight before her. The mist surrounding the forest was even denser than before, like a heavy gray-white curtain, slowly spreading outward. Though its expansion was slow, Su Bai could clearly feel the mist silently encroaching upon the surrounding land.

“If this keeps up, it won’t be long before Linghai City is swallowed—not by the data apocalypse, but by the mist of this forest,” she murmured under her breath, a rising sense of urgency swelling in her heart.

She glanced back toward the faint outline of Linghai City in the distance, worry tightening her chest. If the mist continued to spread, her neighborhood would no longer be safe; it might even become the next target to be consumed.

“So during this time, I must work even harder to strengthen myself,” Su Bai said quietly, clenching her fist. She understood that only by growing stronger could she survive in this increasingly perilous world.

Raising her hand gently, she softly called out, “Pearl, come out.”

As her voice faded, a gentle glow blossomed from her palm, and Pearl’s figure gradually appeared. The creature chirped happily twice and flew a circle around Su Bai, visibly excited.

In Pearl’s practice room live broadcast, it had lulled many viewers to sleep with its singing skill. Now, it was eager to test its abilities.

Flapping its wings, Pearl’s eyes sparkled with confidence, as if to say, “Master, I’m ready!”

Watching Pearl’s eager demeanor, Su Bai couldn’t help but smile, though she quickly returned to a serious expression. She whispered a reminder: “I know you want to show your strength quickly, but we must stay alert. There could be even more dangerous beings in this Misty Forest, so stay sharp and vigilant at all times.”

Pearl nodded in response, its previous excitement fading as it became serious. It flew to Su Bai’s shoulder and surveyed the surroundings cautiously, as if offering silent support to its master.

“Let’s go.” Su Bai took a deep breath and stepped deeper into the Misty Forest.

This time, she had a clear goal: to tame a monster as her beast companion, thereby enhancing her power. Though she still thought fondly of the thief cat she encountered that morning, she knew such a powerful creature was rare and not something she could count on by chance.

Instead of relying on luck, it was better to find a partner suited to her through steady effort.

Of course, Su Bai was not giving up on taming that strong thief cat. After all, with dual talents and powerful skills, such a pet would be considered god-tier in any game.

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“Hmm, when I get back, I’ll roast MaiMai-brand sausage at home. I bet the aroma will lure it in. Then I’ll find a way to tame that little black cat,” Su Bai mused, rubbing her stomach at the thought of the sausage.

“Food must be secured quickly, and supplies need to be stockpiled,” she planned as she walked, imagining the scene of enticing the thief cat with roasted sausage, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

But reality soon pulled her back. The mist in the forest hung heavy with an unsettling silence, as if every leaf and wisp of fog was secretly watching her.

Su Bai gripped her weapon tightly, her eyes scanning the area cautiously.

“Pearl, keep an eye out,” she whispered.

Pearl nodded and flew ahead, using its keen senses to scout a path for Su Bai.

As they ventured deeper, the mist thickened, and visibility grew worse.

Her heartbeat quickened involuntarily, but Su Bai remained calm. She knew that only a clear mind in such an environment could meet the dangers lurking at any moment.

“Crunch—” The sound of stepping on dry leaves was sharp in the silent forest, making her pulse quicken further.

She stopped and looked down, frowning slightly.

Among the leaf-strewn ground, besides her own footprints, there were many other scattered tracks of varying sizes—clearly not all from the same person.

After a careful look, she realized these prints were recent.

“Looks like more people have entered the data-contaminated zone,” Su Bai said with a hint of complexity in her voice. She stood up and glanced around, feeling a wave of emotions.

Since the data apocalypse struck, the world had changed dramatically.

Though the internet was unstable, people still posted their experiences on social media.

Some lucky ones like Su Bai who had obtained a “Profession Card” became the first batch of “players with professions” and began sharing their journeys online.

She recalled seeing a foreign livestream a few days ago.

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A girl wielding a longsword was battling a giant spider in a data-ravaged ruin.

The chat was frenzied with messages cheering her on, asking how to get Profession Cards, and marveling at the madness of this world.

“The data apocalypse keeps spreading. If we don’t grow stronger, the final outcome will be terrifying,” Su Bai murmured.

Though social order had not yet collapsed worldwide, it was only temporary. Once communication networks failed, who knew what might happen?

With the disaster system’s arrival, survival of the fittest would be amplified without limit.

Only by continuously strengthening oneself could one survive in this perilous environment.

Su Bai only wished to protect herself steadily in an increasingly chaotic world.

“Pearl, we must be even more careful,” she said softly, her gaze flickering warily over the footprints.

Not all others were allies; some could be enemies.

Su Bai did not want to suspect ill of others without cause, nor would she harm anyone needlessly. But if threatened, she would fight back.

Pearl flew to her shoulder and let out a soft chirp, as if responding to her concern.

Taking a deep breath, Su Bai gripped her baseball bat tightly and pressed onward into the forest’s depths.

Her steps were more cautious than before, her eyes constantly sweeping the surroundings for any sign of danger.

She knew this forest harbored not only monsters but also “players” who had ventured in to grow stronger.

“No matter what, I will become stronger,” Su Bai silently vowed.

Soon, they arrived at the location of the silkworm-like creature they had encountered before.

She first let Pearl eat her fill before continuing the fight.

The food at home could no longer satisfy Pearl’s appetite, so Su Bai decided to start a self-service buffet right there.

Letting Pearl eat to her heart’s content.

Silkworm Creature: “Isn’t there anyone who will spend some peanuts on me?”