Chapter 17: The Dragnet Tightens

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The purpose of free attribute points was not merely to raise an attribute’s current value; they also increased the human limit of that attribute.

Take Bai Ming, for example. If his Constitution limit was eighteen points, then training a Constitution of fifteen would originally have been more difficult than training one of fourteen.

But if he raised his Constitution through free attribute points, its limit would expand to nineteen at the same time.

At that point, developing fifteen points of Constitution would be no more difficult than developing fourteen points had been before.

Attributes were the water in a barrel, while the human limit was the barrel’s capacity.

Free attribute points could both add water and enlarge the barrel.

Therefore, using free attribute points at any time would never result in a hidden loss.

Nor would raising an attribute make it more difficult to break through during training.

That left the question:

Which attributes should I prioritize?

Bai Ming walked out of the residential complex. The night breeze was faintly cool.

Strength?

The +4 damage bonus from [Bloodstained: Weapon Specialization—Clubs] was equivalent to eight points of Strength.

One point of Strength would merely be gilding the lily.

Constitution was much the same. One point of Fortitude Save was equal to two points of Constitution.

The resistance to nonlethal damage provided by [Bloodstained: Tenacity] was equivalent to the effect of sixteen points of Constitution. Adding one more point would hardly make a difference.

Agility, however, was worth considering.

[Spineless Rat] was his core ability, the foundation of most of his strength.

But [Spineless Rat] had one flaw: it could only activate once danger had been detected.

If someone shot Bai Ming in the back, or simply fired at him from the front, the bullet would travel faster than sound.

If Bai Ming was hit before he realized that a shot had been fired, he would be unable to rely on [Spineless Rat] to evade it.

Increasing Agility meant faster reflexes. Perhaps he could catch that fleeting movement before the gunshot rang out.

So should he choose Agility?

Bai Ming hesitated. Intelligence and Charisma were definitely out. At present, he had no talents or skills that required either Intelligence or Charisma.

But Perception was equally tempting.

A sixth sense could allow him to sense danger in advance or even anticipate an attack, and it would also provide a considerable boost to [Spineless Rat].

Yet high Perception came with a price as well. In a dungeon, it made it easier to see things that should never be seen.

“Boss, I’ll have a pound of lean meat. Mince it finely, and don’t leave a trace of fat on it.”

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When the butcher heard Bai Ming’s request, he called back, “You got it!”

Bai Ming stressed, “Leave out the bit that comes out of the grinder first.”

The butcher replied, “No problem!”

Bai Ming added, “And two pounds of spare ribs.”

The butcher looked at him curiously. “Celebrating something today? You hardly ever come out.”

“Nothing to celebrate,” Bai Ming replied. “Just an ordinary day.”

Even Bai Ming found it strange.

According to discussions on the [Player Forum], many players no longer dared touch meat after completing their first few missions.

But him?

During his very first mission, he had witnessed blood and flesh flying, bones shattering, and rotten meat mingling with filthy blood. Yet now he could still eat meat without changing expression.

Could it be that he secretly had the makings of a doctor?

But after thinking it over, he dismissed the idea.

If he really became a doctor and spent every day using [Inability] to evade the standards of medical practice, would he not be doing immeasurable harm?

The butcher sighed. “An ordinary day is a good thing. Nothing like Phase Three…”

He stopped himself.

Bai Ming smiled. “I studied medicine. I’m not bothered by that sort of thing.”

The moment he heard this, the butcher began complaining. “That fellow from Phase Three died horribly. Then those pictures started circulating in the neighborhood group chats nearby. A lot of people lost their appetite for meat, and business has been much slower today because of it.”

“Damn it, where did a wild beast even come from in the city? I’d say someone probably dumped a body in Phase Three.”

Bai Ming pointed at a rack of ribs. “That one. Chop it up. What kind of murderer would be stupid enough to dump a body in a residential complex instead of the wilderness? Did he think there weren’t any cameras?”

The butcher picked up the ribs, weighed them, and brought down his cleaver. “Who knows? Could have been some lunatic. Haven’t there been a lot of news reports lately about mentally ill people attacking others?”

Bai Ming thought carefully and realized it was true. Over the past two years, there had been an unusually large number of reports about mentally ill people attacking others, along with experts calling for greater attention to the mental health of young people.

Now that he thought about it, this was probably a way for the relevant authorities to conceal the abnormalities in society.

“Either way, there are cameras. The case will be solved sooner or later. And with a murder this vicious, the authorities will certainly devote more resources to it. Just like with that photograph—I expect its circulation has already been banned.”

The butcher packed Bai Ming’s ribs and lean meat and handed them over. “True enough. Sixty-eight yuan.”

Bai Ming shook his phone. “Already paid.”

The butcher’s phone chimed: “WeChat payment received: sixty-eight yuan.”

…

“Team One, this is Command Center. Respond if you copy.”

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“Command Center, Team One is in position. Awaiting instructions.”

“Latest intelligence update: Player ID [Ink-Stained Dust]. Last month’s records listed the player as Level Six, possessing the skill [Invisibility]. Note: the skill can block only optical vision; thermal imaging remains effective. The target has now been confirmed to be directly connected to the beast murder case in Happiness Residential Complex, Phase Three. Threat level upgraded to red. Team One, proceed immediately to Peace Street and establish an ambush. Team Two will cover Xindu Gardens. Team Three… Repeat, the target is a high-risk player. Engagement is strictly prohibited without absolute confidence.”

“Team One copies.”

Qian Qifeng adjusted his miniature earpiece and swept his gaze over the agents around him. “You all heard that. Our mission is covert surveillance while we wait for the Special Operations Unit to provide support. Players aren’t ordinary criminals. One mistake could cost you your life.”

Shi Yuanjie grinned. “Relax, Captain. We’ll be careful.”

The other agents voiced their agreement as well.

Qian Qifeng said nothing.

He knew these men too well, especially Shi Yuanjie, who was always grinning and joking around.

If civilians were ever in danger, that boy would be the first to charge forward.

Last month’s hostage incident at the department store was proof enough.

Qian Qifeng was no different. The reason was simple: once they put on these uniforms, they acquired a sense of responsibility and duty, and could not help striving to fulfill them.

Qian Qifeng hardened his tone. “Stay alert. I want you all at your sharpest. Whatever happens, proceed with caution.”

Shi Yuanjie’s smile faded, and he answered solemnly, “Understood, Captain.”

After a moment of silence, Shi Yuanjie suddenly lowered his voice. “Captain, why do you think these players are so insane?”

Qian Qifeng replied calmly, “You didn’t listen during training? Once players realize they can’t make it through the Twilight Missions, they possess supernatural abilities as well. Indulging themselves before death is the norm.”

“It’s better when they have family ties. They aren’t as unrestrained before they die, and they may even join an organization to receive funeral compensation. But those atomized free players are extremely dangerous.”

Shi Yuanjie leaned half a step closer. “Yes. Extremely dangerous.”

Bang!

The instant the gunshot exploded, Shi Yuanjie clutched his arm and rolled into the roadside bushes.

The other agents instinctively moved to pursue.

The remaining agents were about to give chase when Qian Qifeng raised his gun and fired several more shots. He shouted, “Stop! He has [Invisibility] and [Disguise]. We can’t pursue him through complicated terrain!”

After hearing Qian Qifeng’s warning, the agents calmed down as well.

At the same time, sorrow spread through them.

The player was here—so what had happened to Shi Yuanjie?

Could it be that he had already—

“Command Center, this is Team One. We have confirmed contact with the target…”

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