There Must Be Something Wrong With This Game!

The executive didn’t have to say a word. Duan Fei could read his thoughts right on his face.

He was afraid.

Duan Fei watched him, watching the executive go from brimming with confidence to a complete nervous wreck. The sudden plunge was as dramatic as a waterfall, a classic transformation he could never get tired of seeing.

He even started recording a video, and had the Bartender make a backup, for any future opportunities to threaten the man or manufacture a scandal.

The executive was still useful for now, but who knew what the future held.

Seeing what Duan Fei was doing, the Lone Ranger whispered, "I know I’ve probably said this before, but sometimes, you’re even more of a scumbag than Little Fatty."

"Don’t worry, I have videos of you, too."

"Duan Fei, you son of a bitch!"

Before long, the executive finally snapped out of it and stopped his scan of Hyena.

Staring at Hyena, he asked in disbelief, "What is this? What in the world is going on?"

Duan Fei shrugged. "The inside story is a bit complicated. If I told you, you’d probably be silenced. But as they say, ’to learn the truth in the morning and die by evening is a life fulfilled.’ I can tell you right now, and then we can all enjoy the funeral feast."

"No! Stay away from me!"

The executive covered his ears and backed away, but Duan Fei pressed on relentlessly. "Fine, then. I’ll just broadcast the details publicly. I’m sure the Level 9 Citizen will send his most capable agents to silence you! Each one is a master of unique and superb skills, and they’ll have some mysterious surprises for you, too. I guarantee you’ll find it... thrilling!"

"Are you a Demon?"

"Demons are my fans. Okay, I’ve said my piece. Are you interested in having a little chat with me as equals now?"

The executive stared at Duan Fei in terror, cold sweat pouring down his face. After a long moment, he said stiffly, "Wait. I need to consult the others."

"Don’t take too long, and don’t say anything you shouldn’t. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your safety."

After the executive left, Duan Fei cracked his knuckles and said to the others, "Done. From now on, he’ll consider any suggestion we make. Now then, how should we torture Nemo next? ...What are you all looking at me for?"

Duan Fei looked at the others, confused, and saw that every single one of them was staring at him in horror.

Lear swallowed hard. "Lone Ranger, has Duan Fei always been like this?"

"More or less," the Lone Ranger nodded. "When it comes to being a bastard, he’s a professional."

"You hyped me up so much. What happens when he realizes the truth?" Hyena asked, confused.

"Was I lying?"

Hyena thought for a moment, then cried out, "You were lying the entire time! What if this blows up in our faces?"

"We just bail. It’s not like he can crawl through the net and punch me."

Seeing the completely nonchalant look on Duan Fei’s face, everyone agreed that he was, indeed, a bit of a scoundrel.

Seeing the others were still shaken, Duan Fei sighed in resignation. "Alright, I’ll stop messing with you. We can’t fail."

"Why?" Hyena asked.

"Haven’t you figured it out yet? The Level 9 Citizen is your greatest protector. You’re his backup. He will never let anything happen to you before you meet him. So no matter how much trouble we stir up, he’ll be there to clean up our mess."

"Then can’t we just go see him directly?" Hyena asked.

"There are two possibilities to consider. First, this could be a trap. That’s why we need to prepare as much as possible and increase our strength before we meet him. Second, the Level 9 Citizen might already be overwhelmed. The corruption he’s suffering from could be so severe that he’s unable to contact us."

After a pause, Duan Fei continued, "Let’s use an analogy. The Level 9 Citizen is an old, ailing King, and you, Hyena, are his only heir. The old King needs you to return to his side. So, the question is, what kinds of things might you run into on your way to see him?"

The group was intrigued by the analogy; it seemed to fit the current situation quite well.

Lear thought for a moment before speaking first. "The illness could have driven him mad, making him want to kill the prince uncontrollably."

"Exactly. The corruption could be affecting the Level 9 Citizen’s mind, causing him to try and eliminate his own backup."

The Bartender spoke up as well. "Or powerful ministers might plot to kill the heir to seize power for themselves."

"Right. The Sinful Corporation and others like it could be issuing false orders in the Level 9 Citizen’s name. I suspect that’s how Nemo got his power."

"The old King might need the heir’s blood for a cure." Anna squeezed Hyena’s hand tightly, making his face turn pale. He didn’t dare pull away.

"Exactly. The Level 9 Citizen might need Hyena to take on his corruption."

The Lone Ranger chimed in, "The whole thing could be a conspiracy. Maybe the Level 9 Citizen is fine, and he just wants to eliminate his backup."

"It’s a long shot, but the possibility isn’t zero."

He let everyone discuss the issue. All sorts of possibilities were raised, bringing more clarity to the whole situation.

After sorting through the current situation, the group realized there was a myriad of possibilities revolving around Hyena.

There was insufficient evidence for any single theory. Until they met the Level 9 Citizen, Zero, anything was possible.

Once everyone had mulled over the situation, Duan Fei spoke. "See? The situation is overwhelmingly stacked against us. If the Level 9 Citizen bears us no ill will, we might be fine. But if he does, we’re nothing but lambs to the slaughter."

Duan Fei’s words seemed to drop the temperature in the room. Everyone contemplated the potential malice of a Level 9 Citizen, and the more they thought about it, the more terrified they became.

The Lone Ranger, however, shot Duan Fei an annoyed look. "Stop being dramatic. You’ve already figured out what to do, haven’t you?"

"I have, but it’s too much of a hassle to explain. So just follow my lead."

The Lone Ranger narrowed his eyes at Duan Fei, seeing the confidence and determination on his face.

He sighed. "Fine. Let’s go turn the world upside down together."

"Good. I’m looking forward to the moment you take down a Level 9 Citizen," the Bartender said, pleased.

"Once a rival, now an enemy. Such is the unpredictable nature of life. To that!" Lear raised his glass with a flourish.

Anna just glanced at Hyena, her eyes practically dripping with affection.

As for Hyena, he just scratched his head. After a long pause, he said, "I’m still totally lost, but I know I can’t bet my life on someone else’s mercy. Captain, please help me."

"Excellent. Well then, everyone, let’s start planning how to take down the Four Giants."

Duan Fei’s tone was as casual as if he were telling them what was for dinner, but it made the bar go cold again.

Anna looked at Duan Fei, exasperated, and rubbed her temples. "Do you even know who the Four Giants are?"

"Of course. The top four corporations in the world. Don’t worry. To me, they’re nothing but paper tigers. Not a single one of them can put up a fight."

Duan Fei’s smile grew even more pleasant.

But the worry in everyone else’s hearts only deepened.

’That guy Duan Fei... he hasn’t gone cyber-psycho, has he?’