Chapter Five: The New Day Game Mutual Aid Group

Have I died? I take back what I said about her being gentle...

Chen Qi's hand paused midair, uncertain how to respond. In a typical online conversation, this would surely be considered profanity. Yet, given the recent circumstances, this seemingly polite and amiable greeting carried a genuine note of concern.

After all, he had nearly lost his life at midnight, in a manner both abrupt and inexplicable. Perhaps the other party truly cared whether he was dead or alive? Chen Qi tapped the virtual keyboard on his phone.

[Night Wanderer: Not dead, I'm still alive. (sweating)]

His username was "Night Wanderer," a name he'd chosen as a child simply because it sounded cool.

Luo Qing: "Congratulations on surviving, newcomer.

Our mutual aid group will soon hold a simple initiation ceremony for newcomers. Please gather in two minutes; it begins precisely at midnight. Please make sure to be present."

Night Wanderer: "Alright."

Chen Qi drifted into memory. His entry into this text-based game had been pure coincidence. Now, with no possibility of a job that paid even tolerably well, he could only hope to live like an ordinary child from a regular family.

A sudden thought struck him as he glanced at the Morning Star bracelet on his wrist. Chen Qi opened the information panel and reviewed earlier messages; indeed, his hidden talent, "Master of Morning Star," was inseparable from the Morning Star necklace he held.

So much had happened in such a short time that his mind was shrouded in confusion. Contact was impossible now; he lowered his head in contemplation. For the moment, he needed to concentrate on the game. The most urgent matter was to grow stronger in this calamity-ridden text game.

After a brief brainstorming, he entered the chat interface for the "New Sun Game Mutual Aid Group."

[New Sun Game Mutual Aid Group]

Chen Qi entered the group chat. The other three newcomers had already greeted one another and were being teased by the group members. The vice group leader, Luo Qing, was typing.

From Chen Qi's impression, the group’s overall atmosphere was harmonious. Most spoke freely and treated the vice group leader with particular respect. As Luo Qing typed slowly, the other members would always wait for him to finish before speaking.

[Luo Qing (Group Fire, Dragon King): Welcome to all four newcomers. As the group name suggests, this is a mutual aid group for the New Sun Game.

I imagine you’ve already begun to sense the mysterious power of the New Sun Game, and are eager to use it in reality.]

The vice leader struck right at his thoughts. Chen Qi pressed his finger to his lips; it was the first time he’d ever paid such careful attention to these “over-the-top posts.” On reflection, if those statements were true, the implications were terrifying.

[Luo Qing: Still, I hope everyone can remain rational, learn to conceal your power, and learn to control your desires.

In the New Sun Game, alluring power is often accompanied by danger.

Especially in the early stages, your strength is far weaker than you imagine. At present, you cannot overcome professionally trained humans, let alone calamities.]

[Luo Qing: In the game, many people lose a precious life within the first week due to recklessness. Though rare, it does happen.

And after becoming a 'World Traveler,' you are more likely than ordinary people to attract disaster in reality.

Surviving and growing stronger in New City is far more difficult than you imagine.]

Losing a life at the start? Encountering disaster at the outset... Wasn’t he the perfect example of that? Chen Qi touched his left shoulder, a bead of cold sweat trickling down. The hideous visage of the shadow beast flashed before his eyes; had he not obtained the Shadow Stabbing Dagger at the start, he would have already died once.

He couldn’t let such danger happen again. He had to find a way to use the group’s information to grow stronger.

[Luo Qing: By the way, newcomers to the group may want to change their names.]

[Luo Qing: Please, each newcomer, introduce your profession and talent, and change your name accordingly, so it’s easier for group members to communicate in the future.

@Who Pulled My Red Thread, @I Want To Be Miss MQM’s Dog, @Sunny Doll Yearning for Storms, @Night Wanderer]

Night Wanderer didn’t need to change his name, Chen Qi thought. It matched well with his profession as a Night Watcher.

After Luo Qing finished speaking, many members began typing, teasing the newcomers.

Like the group name, the New Sun Game Mutual Aid Group had a relaxed atmosphere. But in essence, it was a resource-exchange group; members used each other’s abilities and professions to solve problems in the game.

Aside from daily banter and madness, most posts were requests for help with issues encountered in the New Sun Game.

In this treacherous life-and-death game, a reliable gaming friend was not only crucial for their future development, but could determine their survival.

Thus, whenever a newcomer appeared, the veteran players would pay close attention to the newcomer’s talents, just as they would their own exam results.

Chen Qi recalled: good professions and talents were rare in the mutual aid group.

His talent was indeed quite good, but his profession as "Night Watcher" could only be considered average.

The first newcomer, "Who Pulled My Red Thread," quickly changed their name to [Weaving Apprentice], updating their avatar and profile to match their profession.

[Weaving Apprentice (Newbie): Hello everyone, my profession is Weaving Apprentice; I suppose it’s a tailoring job... In reality, I run a matchmaking agency. My in-game starting location was the Place of Rare Light.

My first talent is the rare talent 'Dexterous Hands,' which makes my finger nerves more sensitive. The second talent is the ordinary talent 'Weaving Bloodline,' which slightly increases the spiritual conductivity throughout my body.

Oh, and I can’t believe it—my fingers just grew three centimeters!]

[Weaving Apprentice: (Two pictures of hands with red manicured nails)]

One rare and one ordinary talent; several veteran players in the group shook their heads.

Though Weaving Apprentice was a decent starting profession, the talents were average.

Most crucially, her starting point was poorly chosen.

Two active veterans copied and pasted habitual words of encouragement.

[Phantom Thief: Nice profession, I’ve met several weaving professionals in the game. Weaving Apprentice, keep up the good work. Maybe I’ll commission you for clothing someday.]

[Mad Assassin: The first talent is okay, not bad. Keep it up, Weaving Sis. Too bad my in-game clothes are already high-end.]

[Old Fisher: Such young and beautiful hands, hiss.]

...

The group members joined in the fun, many requesting to add her as a friend under the pretext of matchmaking and mutual aid. Vice leader Luo Qing, as usual, gave a newcomer tip.

[Luo Qing: Weaving Apprentice is a good profession. Though your talents aren’t highly rare, they fit your profession very well.

But your starting location is problematic. The Place of Rare Light isn’t safe; weavers there dislike using normal fabric for clothing.

If you lack strong nerves and want a stable development, try to leave the Place of Rare Light safely.]

Weaving Apprentice pursed her lips; according to earlier descriptions, leaving the Place of Rare Light would not be easy.

Next was the second newcomer, who promptly changed “I Want To Be Miss MQM’s Dog” to [Watchdog], swapping their Shiba Inu avatar for a fierce Desert Reaper, instantly boosting their account’s aura.

[Watchdog: Hey everyone! I’m here! To be honest, I can’t control my emotions right now—this is just too exciting!

I never thought I’d have this day! Becoming a World Traveler is the fortune of eight lifetimes!

My in-game profession is Watchdog, apparently guarding the gates. In reality, I’m a minor game streamer. Started in New City Zone 10, seems I’m still a juvenile.

First talent is rare: 'Hound Modifier,' which adds five agility points and beastifies the body, increasing scent detection.

Second talent is rare: 'Glutton,' which temporarily boosts overall ability after overeating.

Luo Qing, please advise.]

[Phantom Thief: A profession with keen sense of smell—nice tracking character. Rare double talents, just what my team needs.

If you have time, let’s meet offline.]

[Old Fisher: Haha, you really became a dog in the game.]

[Luo Qing: Juvenile Watchdog in New City Zone 10 is decent. Watch your diet, grow normally, and get promoted. Don’t go to New City Zone 8, it’s too dangerous for newcomers.]

Is New City Zone 8 so unwelcome? Chen Qi felt a subtle jab; he was a Night Watcher born in Black River Prison, New City Zone 8.

...

Watchdog’s talents were good, but the group members quickly moved on with casual banter.

The group collectively shook their heads; still not the newcomer they were hoping for.

Just one left—it was his turn.

Chen Qi scrolled through the chat history. In the New Sun Game, talents were divided into three tiers: ordinary, rare, and exceptional.

Unlike regular games, exceptional talents were genuinely rare. In this group, only two exceptional talents had ever appeared, and hidden talents had never been seen.

Just then, the next-to-last newcomer, "Sunny Doll Yearning for Storms," changed their name to "Calamity Messenger."

The group exploded instantly!