"Frost Silence" Squad, 4+1 · Chat

Sunlight filtered through the virtual sky of the hall's dome, casting dappled light and shadows onto the black stone tiles. This was the territory of Evernight Pavilion, a place other players dared not approach, leaving only four people on the vast platform. Ji Jinyu lay on the stone railing at the edge of the platform, one long leg dangling in midair. With candy hanging from his mouth, he toyed with a dagger transformed from the Haoyue Sword. He was enthusiastically calling out to the players passing by below: <message>“Yo, Old Zhang! Still alive today? Lucky you!”</message> <message>“Hey, miss! Is that green-tier gear you picked up in the C-rank dungeon yesterday for sale? I'll pay double—not selling? Alright then, keep it. It'll be mine in a couple of days anyway.”</message> Yu Huanran sat by the stone table on the other side of the platform, a stack of documents spread out before him. His gaze behind his silver-rimmed glasses was focused and cold. Turning a page without looking up, he said, <message>“Ji Jinxu, if you make another noise, I'll freeze your points for this month.”</message> <message>“Yu Huanran, how could you? I'm the captain, you know! Don't I get any respect?”</message> <message>“Your respect isn't worth points.”</message> Ying Lan crouched on the steps beside the stone table, disassembling the barrel of Instant-Kill while dangling a cigarette he had swiped from who knows where between his lips. He glanced up at Ji Jinyu, then at Yu Huanran, suddenly chuckling: <message>“Captain, have you noticed? Yu Huanran pushed up his glasses three more times than usual today.”</message> Yu Huanran's hand paused for a moment. Tang Suiji leaned against the shadows on the innermost side of the platform, white hair hanging down as his fingertips twirled the ends. He added faintly, <message>“Because he dealt with three Red Flame spies last night. His technique was too messy—it stained the stone tiles in the East District.”</message> <message>“Tang Suiji.”</message> Yu Huanran looked up. <message>“I didn't say anything.”</message> Tang Suiji immediately lowered his head, his white hair veiling half his face. Ji Jinyu laughed: <message>“Look at you three, each bigger-mouthed than the last. Being your captain is really—”</message> Before he could finish his sentence, the leaderboard in the center of the hall suddenly flickered. All four of them froze at the same time. The third eye in Ying Lan's palm emerged silently; its crimson vertical pupil contracted for a split second before slowly closing. He put down the gun, slowly stood up, and the smile faded from his face. <message>“Captain.”</message> His voice was very soft. Ji Jinyu had already sat up straight. Tossing aside the candy stick in his mouth, he looked toward the name slowly emerging at the bottom of the leaderboard. “???” Points: 0 Dungeons Cleared: 0 The leaderboard displayed only these two lines. No talent rating, no history log, no affiliated guild. A complete blank slate of a newcomer. Yu Huanran closed his files, pressing a hand against Wuyan at his waist. Tang Suiji stepped out from the shadows, the Wenjie Sword humming softly beneath his sleeve. Ji Jinyu remained silent for three seconds, then smiled. <message>“Interesting.”</message> He jumped down from the stone railing, returned the dagger to his waist, and turned to head toward the main hall. His voice floated back lazily: <message>“Investigate. This person... I want them.”</message> Ying Lan caught up, walking shoulder to shoulder with him: "Captain, don't think you're having all the fun by yourself this time." Yu Huanran pushed up his glasses and stood up. Tang Suiji twirled the ends of his hair and followed. Four people, from four directions, headed toward the hall at the same time.