Chapter 3: Evacuation, Songbirds, and the Misty Forest

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. Su Bai stretched lazily before sitting up on the bed. After a simple wash, she decided to head out once more to stock up on some essential supplies.

As she dressed and stepped out of her apartment, opening the building’s front door, the scene before her caught her off guard. Groups of neighbors had gathered throughout the community, whispering among themselves in hushed tones, seemingly discussing something of great importance.

Curious, Su Bai moved closer to overhear their conversation. Suddenly, a voice called out from within the crowd: “Su Bai, over here!”

Following the voice, she saw it was her landlady, an elderly woman with silver hair but a lively spirit. Su Bai quickly stopped her steps and hurried toward her.

“Mrs. Cheng, what’s going on? Why is everyone gathered here?” Su Bai asked as she approached.

Mrs. Cheng sighed heavily before handing Su Bai a poster. Lowering her voice, she explained, “This is an order from above—we need to evacuate Linghai City as soon as possible. There are rumors that the city might be digitized soon, and new game zones could appear here. To avoid danger, everyone must leave.”

Su Bai’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Then... what should we do next?”

Seeing Su Bai’s unease, Mrs. Cheng gently patted her hand to calm her, then led her to a quieter corner to explain further.

“Su Bai, don’t tell anyone else this, but my son was involved in rescue operations in the digitized area of Wuhe City. He told me that area is called the ‘Mist Forest,’ and the mist is spreading outward fast—it’s almost reaching Linghai. Monsters appear within the mist, and even the military will soon withdraw. So, Su Bai, if you can leave Linghai City, you must leave immediately.”

Before Su Bai could respond, Mrs. Cheng was pulled away by a friend, clearly repeating the same warning to others.

Feeling overwhelmed, Su Bai did not abandon the idea of gathering supplies, hoping to find something useful nearby. The evacuation order had clearly been issued; many residents had already begun packing their vehicles and departing.

After all, nothing was more important than one’s own safety.

Walking along the roadside, Su Bai watched families leaving Linghai City, her heart heavy with sadness. Others could escape, but what about her?

Since starting university, her family had abandoned her.

Of course, she didn’t want to go back to that kind of family—an unfaithful father, a remarried mother, no home, and a shattered self.

“At least I still have Pearl.”

Thinking of Pearl, Su Bai hurried back home.

“I’m now a Beast Tamer. As long as I level up, I won’t have to worry about my safety.”

She had recently tested the skill [Energy Strike] at an abandoned factory—its power was formidable, able to easily snap a tree trunk thick enough for a man.

Her other skill, [Spirit Beast Summon], called forth a glowing ethereal wolf. Without an opponent, its attack power was unknown, but the wolf’s fierce stance suggested great strength.

With these two skills, Su Bai felt confident she could protect herself.

After buying more food, Su Bai returned home to find many neighbors had already moved out.

Back in her rented apartment, her phone suddenly rang. It was a school notification announcing a suspension of classes.

With a wave of her hand, she summoned Pearl from her Beast Space.

But Su Bai immediately noticed something unusual about Pearl.

“Pearl, what’s happening to you...?”

Surrounded by a radiant glow, Pearl’s body began to grow, increasing to three or four times her previous size—from the palm of a hand to the size of a basketball.

“Has she evolved or mutated?”

Since Pearl was now her spirit beast, Su Bai could freely check her stats:

[Spirit Beast: Songbird] (Pearl)
Level: 1
Talent: Enchanting Voice — emits a mesmerizing sound that relaxes the listener’s mind.
Skill: Singing — produces a soothing, beautiful melody that has a chance to put enemies to sleep!

Su Bai was astonished. Although she knew her Beast Space could sometimes trigger pet evolutions, Pearl’s transformation still amazed her.

“From a mere songbird to a singing bird—she’s gained both a talent and a skill.”

“Enchanting Voice and Singing!”

Judging by their effects, Pearl’s abilities weren’t particularly combat-oriented. Their practical value in battle remained to be tested.

However, Su Bai recalled she had another talent gained after switching to the Beast Tamer profession:

[Talent Accepted]: Allows the user to inherit the talents of their pets.

In other words, Su Bai could make use of Pearl’s talents herself.

“That means I have even more ways to protect myself.”

After finishing these checks, Su Bai turned on the news.

“Reports say Linghai City is evacuating 400,000 residents daily…”

“Frontline reporters stationed in Wuhe City say the digitized zone there is called the ‘Mist Forest.’ What creatures lurk in the depths of the mist remains unknown.”

Su Bai prepared a bowl of noodles for herself and offered Pearl her favorite nuts, listening anxiously to the news.

“What will life be like from now on?”

Her brow furrowed tightly, worry gnawing at her heart.

This sudden, catastrophic digitization had thrown the entire world into chaos and uncertainty. Worse still, everything around her was gradually being consumed by data.

Pearl seemed to sense her owner’s anxiety, blinking her bright eyes and letting out a crisp, melodious chirp.

The sound was as enchanting as a heavenly melody, possessing an almost magical power.

As a pet with the Enchanting Voice talent, just two chirps from Pearl eased Su Bai’s tense nerves.

Gently stroking Pearl’s soft feathers, Su Bai whispered, “With you by my side, no matter what the future holds, I will fight to stay strong. Even if the end truly comes, we will build our own home in this desolate, broken world.”

Pearl: Chirp chirp! (Exactly!)

Having obtained the Beast Tamer profession early was a blessing in disguise.

While Su Bai tested Pearl’s skills at home, far away in Linghai City, at a university campus, Li Weiwei stood in a quiet corner, her gaze firm and resolute.

After careful consideration, she had made an important decision: she must quickly level up and obtain a profession.

Fortunately, having some prior knowledge of the unfolding events, Li Weiwei was already mentally prepared for the impending digitization crisis and whether Linghai City would be affected.

Without hesitation, Li Weiwei set her sights directly on the Mist Forest.