Chapter 386- Infinite Online Game (06)
In this world, Qiong Qi led Mu Jin through constant evasion and hiding. Due to the game’s fixed rules, Mu Jin couldn’t even disguise himself as a vampire.
His light-based attributes were impossible to conceal, and the same went for Qiong Qi. As a vampire, his dark attributes, along with his conspicuous fangs and red eyes, made it impossible for him to blend in with humans.
Thus, they had no choice but to stay on the move, ensuring their peculiar pairing wasn’t discovered. After all, a strange duo like them—just two individuals, with one being a priest who wasn’t strong in combat—would undoubtedly attract the attention of other teams and likely provoke attacks.
Qiong Qi’s powers were currently suppressed, and in this world, they were up against too many enemies. Being with Mu Jin meant they had to face adversaries from both factions.
Even so, neither of them ever considered parting ways. Qiong Qi couldn’t entrust his beloved’s safety to anyone else. He knew how fake this small world was and suspected that anyone in it could have been specifically created by Qian Sha to endanger them. A single moment of carelessness could cost them their lives.
Thus, even with former teammates, Qiong Qi suppressed his emotions and acted as though nothing was amiss. Yet deep down, he remained constantly on guard and wary.
Despite the man’s utmost caution, the two of them still suffered numerous injuries along the way. Compared to the strength of their previous larger team, their combined combat power was now far too limited.
However, what comforted Qiong Qi was that most of the injuries had been borne by him. Mu Jin only suffered superficial wounds, which he could even heal on his own using his light magic.
However, Mu Jin felt incredibly guilty and distressed about this. Although injuries in the game world didn’t cause real bleeding, the sensation of pain was exactly the same. To enhance realism, the pain level could reach 100% of what one would feel in the real world. Additionally, the weakness caused by excessive injuries, as indicated by the system, felt incredibly genuine.
It was all his fault. If it weren’t for protecting him, Brother Qi wouldn’t have ended up in this situation. What made Mu Jin even more frustrated was the fact that, as a human priest with light-based attributes, he couldn’t even provide Brother Qi with support or healing.
The only thing he could do was stay vigilant at all times, paying close attention to the resources they could gather and ensuring that he replenished Brother Qi’s medicine and weapons as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, the resources they were able to collect were still far too limited. During this time, the man dressed in black with red hair appeared several times, each time delivering medicine and weapons to them before leaving without a word.
Reflecting on past scenarios in various worlds, Mu Jin realized that every time they were running out of supplies or in a dire crisis, that man always seemed to appear. This stirred a strong sense of curiosity within him.
Initially, he thought that person might be helping everyone, like a savior. However, during his interactions with other teams in previous worlds, he learned that none of them had ever heard of such a person.
Now, in this world, with only him and Brother Qi, that person had appeared once again. Mu Jin began to wonder if the man’s actions were specifically for one of them.
Clearly, he didn’t know the man, so he speculated it might have something to do with Brother Qi. Unable to suppress his curiosity, Mu Jin turned to Qiong Qi and asked, “Brother Qi, do you know that man in black who keeps helping us? He always drops off supplies and leaves without saying a word. We haven’t even had the chance to properly thank him.”
The man pressed his lips together and hesitated before finally replying to Mu Jin, “That guy is my brother.”
Hearing this, Mu Jin nodded, not feeling particularly surprised. It made sense that there was a connection; otherwise, the man wouldn’t have consistently helped them. So it was all for Brother Qi’s sake. However, Mu Jin hadn’t expected Brother Qi to have a brother. Thinking about it, Mu Jin couldn’t help but feel that he owed Brother Qi even more.
One thing puzzled Mu Jin, though. Clearly, Brother Qi’s brother was incredibly powerful. So why was it that every time they reached the final battle with the BOSS, among the first hundred players teleported to the BOSS’s side, that man’s figure was never present?
Still, Mu Jin didn’t dwell on it for too long. After all, just surviving was already an overwhelming challenge, leaving little time to ponder such things.
As the game progressed in this small world, their level of danger steadily increased. The monsters they faced grew stronger, and the hostility from opposing factions became even more perilous.
After killing yet another wave of high-level monsters, Qiong Qi and Mu Jin hid in a cave. Leaning against the rocky wall of the cave, Qiong Qi took the potion Mu Jin handed him and drank it all in one go. Fighting off the lingering weakness in his body, the man smiled at Mu Jin and said, “We did pretty well earlier. That wave of monsters earned us a good chunk of points.”
But seeing the smile on the man’s face only made Mu Jin feel even more heartache. No matter the situation, Brother Qi was always like this—always smiling warmly at him. Even just now, when he had been injured while protecting Mu Jin, he never blamed him or got angry.
Lowering his gaze, Mu Jin struggled to suppress the sadness in his heart and finally made up his mind. He couldn’t continue being a burden to Brother Qi.
Mu Jin knew that Brother Qi was truly a great person—loyal and selfless. Even if Mu Jin expressed his desire to leave so as not to burden him, Brother Qi would never abandon him.
After all, as a priest, Mu Jin’s role might sound useful, but in reality, his contributions were limited. Even if he joined another team, he would most likely end up as cannon fodder. That’s why Brother Qi was unwilling to entrust him to anyone else. Now, it seemed the only solution was for Mu Jin to voluntarily leave the game.
Only if he left this world and Brother Qi was alone would he be able to team up with other vampires without worry.
With this thought, Mu Jin bit his lip, turned to the man, and deliberately said, “Brother Qi, I’m tired. Honestly, I’m not that into competitive gaming. I came here mainly because the competition rewards were appealing, and I wanted to try my luck.”
“Making it this far is already good enough for me. How about this, Brother Qi—you bite me and let my character die so I can leave the game. I’d like to go back and rest. Anyway, my life is going to be wasted on someone, so why not give it to you? At least you can earn some points from it. Don’t look down on it, even if it’s just a little, it’s still something, right?”
As he said this, Mu Jin forced himself to suppress his sadness and tried to smile at the man as if he didn’t care. But in truth, his heart was filled with reluctance—he really didn’t want to part with the man in front of him.
He didn’t know if he would ever have the chance to see this man again after leaving the game. He wanted to ask Brother Qi for his true identity, wanted to stay in touch with him. But considering his own circumstances, Mu Jin didn’t know if he should open his mouth and ask.
Though Mu Jin was feeling lost and conflicted, after living together through so many lives, how could the man not understand what Mu Jin was thinking? This silly boy just didn’t want to be a burden to him.
With a soft sigh in his heart, the man reached out and ruffled the young man’s hair. He said warmly, “What nonsense are you saying? Don’t worry, stay here. I’ll protect you. The two of us will definitely make it to the end!”
The warmth in the man’s eyes was utterly genuine. Seeing it, Mu Jin thought once again how wonderful Brother Qi was, comforting him like this. But he also knew he couldn’t be too selfish, dragging him down again and again.
With this thought, a flicker of resolve crossed Mu Jin’s gaze. He had made up his mind. If Brother Qi couldn’t bring himself to act, then he would take matters into his own hands.
Mu Jin touched the dagger hidden in his chest and lifted his head to look deeply at the man before him—the man he admired and loved.
He knew he wasn’t worthy of someone like Brother Qi, and most likely, their paths would never cross again after this. In the end, Mu Jin decided not to ask the man for his real name. Yet selfishly, he wanted to hold onto one final, beautiful memory. He believed that once he left, this would be their eternal goodbye.
So Mu Jin raised his head, his gaze burning, and said to the man, “Brother Qi, thank you for taking care of me all this time. You’re the best and most perfect person I’ve ever met in my life!”
Hearing Mu Jin’s words, the man smiled. Across countless worlds, his lover had always confessed to him in this straightforward way. He loved how candid Mu Jin was with his emotions.
He felt the same way. To him, Mu Jin was the most adorable and perfect lover in the world. Yet he couldn’t help but wonder if his beloved—without his memories—would still fall for him as quickly as before.
But before he could ponder further, the young man before him suddenly blushed and, in a loud voice, said, “Brother Qi, what I mean is, I like you!”
As if afraid the man wouldn’t understand, Mu Jin quickly added, “When I say I like you, I mean the kind of like where I want you as a lover and partner.”
Mu Jin’s voice was so loud it was almost a shout. It seemed as though he had used up all his courage to get those words out. After finishing, he still worried that the man might not understand his meaning, so he emphasized it again.