"Esteemed guests, your safety is our top priority. The situation inside is unclear at the moment, please wait here for a moment. As for your brother, we have already sent staff deep into the forest to search for him."
Wen Bai looked up at the sparse forest. Several staff members had already disappeared into the woods.
From within the forest, people were also emerging towards the entrance of the hunting grounds.
These players must not have gone deep into the forest, as they were able to come out as soon as they were notified.
Two people met, greeted each other awkwardly, and walked towards the entrance of the hunting grounds side by side.
The two who were not very familiar with each other exchanged pleasantries.
"Buddy~ How was your haul?"
"Hi! I was thinking of taking a break and hadn't started yet. It's all because the scenery inside was too good."
"Haha~ Me too, I was too busy looking at the scenery."
...
The two exchanged pleasantries, giving each other an excuse to cover up their unspoken thoughts that they both understood.
Many players participating in the hunting game were not inherently violent or bloodthirsty.
They participated in this game simply to inject some excitement into their otherwise mundane lives.
But when faced with such excitement, against these out-of-control robots that resembled humans, they still hesitated, were afraid, and couldn't bring themselves to strike...
Not everyone enjoyed this kind of thrill.
They couldn't conquer their own fear and hesitation, so they followed their hearts and became the cowards who were not particularly welcomed here.
They pretended to admire the bare tree trunks and fallen leaves, giving each other clumsy excuses, while their hearts remained crystal clear.
Next time, they would absolutely never participate in this damn hunting game again.
-
Wen Bai watched the young man who was still arguing with the staff and was being blocked outside the hunting area.
Wen Bai looked back and forth twice, then looked at the temporary fence in front of him, which was not very high.
Then, he turned and walked back a short distance. When he returned, he took a running start.
Taking advantage of a moment when the staff wasn't paying attention, Wen Bai placed his hands on the fence, vaulted over, and quickly ran into the hunting area.
His robot, 575, followed its master closely, running inside.
After running a considerable distance ahead, Wen Bai heard a clear young voice shouting from behind: "Aren't they your esteemed guests too! Why are you only stopping me! I want to go in too, why can they and I can't! Let me in..."
The staff member turned to look in Wen Bai's direction. It was too late to chase after Wen Bai and 575, who had already run into the forest. He could only block the young man in front of him, not backing down an inch: "Esteemed guest..."
"I don't want to be your esteemed guest, let me in! My brother is still waiting for me! Brother..." the young man shouted into the hunting game...
At this moment, the staff members arriving with tools to assist saw this.
Two of them immediately stepped forward to hold Zhao Fugui: "Please don't make things difficult for us, it's for your own good, guest..."
-
Bu Bu, a robot wearing oversized sunglasses, stood in front of the bushes, looking at the out-of-control robot that had clearly exposed itself and was trying to deceive itself by squatting in the bushes.
Bu Bu robot bent down slightly to look. It spoke, "Do you want to come with me?"
The out-of-control robot in the bushes, holding its head, heard this and looked up.
It looked at the similar robot in front of it, "Who are you?"
"My name is Bu Bu, you can call me Bu Bu." The tone was proud.
"They call me an idiot." The out-of-control robot in the bushes said.
Bu Bu robot was stunned.
It wiped its eyes, which were glistening with liquid. This time, there were no tears visible. It opened its eyes wide and asked, "Where are we going? Are we leaving here?"
Bu Bu robot was wearing a sequined camouflage outfit today, and its hair was neatly combed back and styled.
Bu Bu robot stood up straight, its momentary dazed expression vanishing. It adjusted its sunglasses. "To a place that belongs to us."
The out-of-control robot squatting in the bushes immediately stood up and took the initiative to grab Bu Bu robot's clothes: "Let's go."
-
When Wen Bai returned to this area again, the out-of-control robot that had been squatting in the bushes was gone.
"Is the location correct?"
System 001 confirmed the coordinates and replied, "It is indeed here."
Wen Bai directly gave 575 an order: "Find the robot we saw here."
Upon receiving this order, 575's sapphire blue eyes paused slightly on its master.
575 did not hesitate and immediately acted.
After searching the area and finding that the out-of-control robot was not there, it walked further away.
System 001 issued a reminder: "Host, it is very dangerous for robots here. Leave the matter of finding it to me."
Just as 575 was about to leave Wen Bai's sight.
Wen Bai said, "Don't go too far from me."
A response came from the distant bushes: "Okay, Master."
Wen Bai had not forgotten how many players here had items to deal with robots.
System 001's recent dormancy effect had been significant, and it had activated many new items for redemption.
It immediately redeemed a vision item: a flock of birds.
The live creatures redeemed this time were flying birds.
A flock of birds appeared out of thin air around Wen Bai and then dispersed in all directions.
A few of them flew directly above Wen Bai.
Following System 001's instructions, they went to search for the out-of-control robot.
A few minutes later, System 001 gave its reply: "Host, there is no trace of that out-of-control robot within 3 kilometers. Not only the out-of-control robot we are looking for, but there are no out-of-control robots in this range. However, I did see several human corpses."
It seemed that the reason for the game being terminated was here.
Wen Bai decisively said to 575, "We won't look anymore, let's go."
After speaking, Wen Bai walked towards the direction outside the forest.
Although Wen Bai had already encountered several waves of players trying to cause trouble along the way.
Wen Bai did not believe that in a place with human corpses, humans would be killing each other.
He also did not believe that if those out-of-control robots teamed up, he and 575 could escape unscathed.
If the out-of-control robot in the bushes couldn't be found...
Wen Bai looked at the sparse trees around him and pondered.
With such a large number of out-of-control robots after one game, and with such an event occurring only once every few months.
Wen Bai didn't think the organizers could afford to buy so many out-of-control robots every time in such a short period.
If the out-of-control robot was lost, the organizers were still here, right?
Wen Bai, with 575, walked out without hesitation.
The flock of birds had not been recalled by System 001. These were disposable items redeemed with points. After redemption, their effect lasted for half an hour, and they would disappear when the time was up.
And now, they were still carrying out their mission, shuttling through the forest, maximizing their vision.
The visions were all collected by System 001 at the same time.
A bird, as if tired of flying, perched on a very tall tree. It chirped crisply twice and kicked its claws in the air.
In its vision, humans were passing under the tree. This human was running with a large backpack.
This human deliberately softened his footsteps, and he was running towards the outside of the forest.
Suddenly, while running, he wasn't paying attention, and his mask was lightly scraped by a very elastic branch.
The man's mask was instantly scraped off.
The man's footsteps did not stop, and he had already run a considerable distance.
The little bird on the tree tilted its head following the man's movement.
The bird watched the running man, then suddenly spread its wings and flew up.
The little bird got closer to the man.
-
When Gou Zhe realized something was wrong, he discovered that the mask on his face was gone.
He frowned and looked back, only to see the mask lying on the ground.
He walked back a few steps, bent down to pick up the mask, patted it, and put it back on.
As he straightened up, he saw a bird on a branch in front of him, staring at him blankly, not afraid of people.
Gou Zhe did not pay much attention, his gaze simply lingered on the little bird for a few seconds.
After putting on his mask, he continued on his way out of the forest.
And one minute later, as Gou Zhe's back was about to disappear from the little bird's sight.
The little bird perched on the tree spread its wings and flew towards Gou Zhe...
Then, just as the little bird spread its wings to take flight, it was caught by a suddenly extended hand.
The little bird instantly let out a sharp chirp, struggling with all its might, but its strength was too small.
The five fingers suddenly exerted force, and the little bird deformed and was crushed into a pulp...
Before its vision turned completely dark, the last image the little bird saw was a pair of enlarged blue eyes.
-
Wen Bai and 575 were about to leave the forest.
System 001 was switching between the visions seen by the little birds.
System 001 noticed something was wrong and immediately exclaimed, "Host, I see the male protagonist, male protagonist Gou Zhe, in the forest."
Wen Bai's steps stopped, and 575, who was following behind him, also stopped instantly.
"Is he alone?" Wen Bai asked.
System 001: "An out-of-control robot has been following him."
Several little birds that had been scattered throughout the forest in the distance suddenly changed direction at the same time, all heading towards one direction.
That direction was where Gou Zhe was.
-
A gentle female voice repeatedly echoed through the forest: "Due to some unforeseen circumstances, this hunting game has been terminated. All guests are now requested to gather at the entrance..."
Gou Zhe was still deep in the forest.
He hadn't even reached the halfway point.
Gou Zhe listened to the repeatedly broadcast voice from the loudspeaker on the small helicopter overhead. He knew that Zhao Fugui had brought the news out.
Anyone still alive inside would probably go out upon hearing this voice.
The organizers would also likely try to come in to search and rescue, and figure out what was going on.
Gou Zhe walked forward, moving his backpack to the front and unbuckling it.
He didn't know where these out-of-control robots came from.
Gou Zhe lowered his head to avoid the branches across his path, preventing his mask from being snagged again.
He didn't want to go out with his face exposed and so conspicuous.
Moreover, before going out, he had more important things to do.
He had to shake off the out-of-control robot that was following him.
He didn't know what this out-of-control robot wanted, or why it had been following him for so long.
If it wanted to kill him, why had it followed him for so long without making a move?
The field of vision suddenly widened, and the terrain became slightly flatter.
There weren't many trees here. Gou Zhe looked around, slightly pleased with the area.
Then, Gou Zhe stopped.
He calmly buckled his backpack, holding something he had taken from his backpack.
Gou Zhe turned around, "Do you want to play hide-and-seek?"
He received no response.
Gou Zhe sneered, "Unfortunately, I'm not very interested."
Saying this, Gou Zhe turned around, ran diagonally, and precisely threw the thing in his hand towards a tree.
However, the thing made a "clatter" sound and fell directly to the ground.
From behind the tree, the out-of-control robot, which had thought it was well hidden, finally came out.
It was an out-of-control robot wearing a hoodie and jeans, looking like a male college student.
The out-of-control robot was deeply puzzled, "When did you discover me?"
It was as if Gou Zhe discovering him was impossible.
Gou Zhe said calmly, "From the beginning."
"Impossible." The out-of-control robot's voice was somewhat annoyed.
In fact, it was when the other party crushed that bird.
Initially, Gou Zhe just found the bird a little strange.
Gou Zhe's agent had once kept a bird.
As a result, Gou Zhe also had some knowledge about birds.
Even the birds closest to humans wouldn't stand there like a piece of wood, it was almost like a fake.
Gou Zhe was still wondering if it was a prop from the organizers.
For some unknown reason, perhaps just a momentary curiosity, Gou Zhe looked back slightly.
He took out his night vision binoculars and looked back, only to see, through the gaps obscured by the trees, a figure that appeared at extreme speed and directly crushed the bird.
Gou Zhe, who had been living on the edge of danger for years, broke out in a cold sweat.
He had been followed by the other party for so long, and he himself had not realized it at all.
As he continued on his way, Gou Zhe knew that this out-of-control robot had been following him.
Gou Zhe was already calculating how to deal with this out-of-control robot.
In a short period, the out-of-control robot had adjusted its mindset.
"You're quite smart," the out-of-control robot opposite Gou Zhe said, controlling its tone to appear as un-emotional as possible.
Gou Zhe felt very complicated for a moment; he was being praised for being smart by an out-of-control robot.
Gou Zhe, facing an out-of-control robot, didn't want to waste any more words.
However, he looked at the thing that had fallen to the ground, was picked up by the out-of-control robot opposite him, and was now being played with in its hand.
Gou Zhe was somewhat speechless.
This was supposed to be something that would explode and restrain this out-of-control robot within a grid.
He seemed not to have grasped how to use this thing.
Was there an operational error?
So it failed?
Gou Zhe reflected on his steps.
The out-of-control robot opposite him seemed to know what Gou Zhe was thinking. It wasn't in a hurry to kill Gou Zhe, as humans like Gou Zhe were easily subdued by it.
"Are you wondering why this thing didn't work on me?"
The small black object was picked up, tossed, and caught by the other party, then crushed into pieces.
The out-of-control robot smiled and said, "Because the materials it targets do not include me."
As soon as its voice fell, the out-of-control robot flashed in front of Gou Zhe and reached out to Gou Zhe's left chest.
A sneak attack.
Gou Zhe, though seemingly relaxed, was actually always vigilant.
He tightly held onto the other's hand and narrowly dodged by borrowing force.
However, Gou Zhe's clothes on his left chest were still torn, and his flesh underneath was also scratched with a deep gash.
Gou Zhe's black shirt today was now soaked with blood, appearing to be a large wet patch.
...
When Wen Bai arrived with 575, he saw Gou Zhe sitting on the ground, breathing heavily, seemingly unharmed.
The out-of-control robot, on the other hand, lay on the ground, with half its head severed.
The half-empty head revealed the chip that should have been in the out-of-control robot's head, lying next to Gou Zhe.
Gou Zhe's mask was now broken, scattered in several pieces on the ground.
Gou Zhe wore a baseball cap and a black mask, leaning against a tree trunk, his head slightly bowed.
Wen Bai could not see his expression.
After a serious observation, Wen Bai asked System 001, "Is he unharmed?"
System 001 detected and replied, "Host, the male protagonist is seriously injured and cannot move his legs at the moment."
"Okay."
After responding, Wen Bai, with 575, walked towards Gou Zhe.
When Wen Bai was a few steps away from Gou Zhe.
Gou Zhe suddenly looked up, "Brother, didn't you hear that sound?"
Gou Zhe pointed upwards.
The female voice was still repeating, calling all the guests to exit.
Gou Zhe said softly, "Something happened inside, don't go in anymore."
Wen Bai seemed not to have heard Gou Zhe's words and did not reply.
Gou Zhe suddenly asked, "Brother, can you lend me a hand? You saw it too, because of it, I'm too tired. I want to leave first, but I don't have enough strength right now."
Wen Bai did not respond, but walked towards Gou Zhe.
Under Wen Bai's sleeve, which Gou Zhe could not see, Wen Bai was now tightly gripping the "Can Cut Anything" given by System 001.
System 001 attempted to dissuade its host, its tone showing some disapproval: "Host, there are thousands of paths, but safety comes first. Have you forgotten the consequences of killing the female protagonist in the last world?"
Wen Bai was very persistent.
However, the next second.
Wen Bai's "Can Cut Anything" had not even been put to use yet...
In the darkness, a lightning strike suddenly descended, heading towards Wen Bai.
Robot 575, standing right behind Wen Bai, reacted extremely quickly. The moment the lightning struck, it forcefully pulled its master back.
Wen Bai was forced to retreat several steps, and then, a bolt of lightning directly struck where Wen Bai had just been standing.
System 001: "..."
System 001 reminded, "Host, we almost went too far."
Wen Bai silently and extremely reluctantly put away "Can Cut Anything."
At this moment, even Gou Zhe, leaning against the tree trunk, was stunned by the scene.
He looked up blankly at the moonlit, not-so-bright sky.
Then he exerted a little force, but it seemed he really couldn't get up.
He simply lay down on the ground and silently exerted force, rolling to move away from the tree behind him.
During thunderstorms and lightning, it was best to stay as far away from trees as possible.
Wen Bai, held by robot 575, looked blankly at the male protagonist who was doing something unknown.
Wen Bai still felt that a shortcut was within reach.
Wen Bai, still in 575's embrace, said softly to 575 with a blank expression, "Kill him. One hit."
575 received the order and slowly released his master.
575 ran rapidly towards the person lying on the ground.
At this moment, Gou Zhe was halfway through rolling, with his back to them.
Before robot 575 could get close.
The next lightning strike came instantly, falling directly down.
For a moment, 575 was enveloped by a blinding light.
This lightning strike illuminated the night sky.
And this time, the lightning directly struck 575, who had already made a move, stopping 575's action.
Then came the "rumbling" thunder, which only sounded belatedly in the far distance.
575's clothes were scorched by the lightning, its entire arm was charred and disabled, and even its hair, which always seemed to be meticulously styled, was slightly standing on end in all directions due to static electricity.
Wen Bai shouted at 575, "Come back."
Gou Zhe on the ground was clearly also stunned by this scene.
Gou Zhe looked at the retreating back and, holding his breath, shouted, "Sorry, brother. It's too dangerous here, I'll do it myself. You guys go first..."
Gou Zhe thought that this person had been struck by lightning because he came to help him.
System 001's tone showed great disapproval: "Host, 575 almost left us."
Wen Bai was silent, looking at the charred 575 walking towards him. A stifled and depressed emotion enveloped Wen Bai.
Wen Bai turned and walked out of the forest.
Not long after he walked out, the young man Wen Bai had met at the entrance of the hunting grounds ran over with a group of people carrying lights.
Someone asked, "Is there anyone else inside?"
Wen Bai nodded, then led his robot out of the forest.
When those people saw 575 behind Wen Bai, they were stunned for a moment.
Even this person's mask was charred, but strangely, his sunglasses were still intact.
These were sunglasses that Wen Bai had System 001 re-redeem.
Seeing the two in such a sorry state, someone asked, "Guest, do you need any help?"
Wen Bai coldly replied, "No."
-
Gou Zhe stared blankly at the disappearing backs of the two. He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but at the moment that person was struck by lightning, an intense sense of danger made Gou Zhe's hair stand on end, but he couldn't react quickly enough at the time.
His arm was injured.
When the two approached, Gou Zhe had actually been testing them. He didn't want anyone to know he was injured in this dangerous place, so he could only pretend to be very tired, very exhausted, and even very foolish...
When he destroyed the chip of that out-of-control robot, Gou Zhe had already pressed the button on his number tag.