Back in the real world, Jiang Huaying was still a little dazed.
She didn’t dare think about how Butcher and Sinclair would react after seeing her disappear.
But what puzzled her even more was that she hadn’t done anything, yet suddenly cleared the instance early?!
Before she had time to process it, a semi-transparent interface popped up in front of her.
[Instance “Rainbow Escape Kill,” difficulty rating: SSS.]
[Player clear rating: S.]
[Obtained items: Butcher’s Protection, Sinclair’s Tears. (Cannot be used in real world)]
[Abilities obtained: Activated.]
[Game assets: 0 (Settling in progress…)]
Seeing the item names, Jiang Huaying silently rubbed her fingers, not feeling joy at the high rating, quietly closing the interface.
She sat in the chair, lost in thought as she digested her feelings, slowly realizing something was too quiet here.
Looking around, she glanced at the coffee shop’s interior decoration and recalled what had happened before she was pulled into the game.
It was a pleasant Saturday.
She was accustomed to coming to this coffee shop near campus to order a cup of roasted nut latte and sit for a while.
Whether by coincidence or fate, she had run into the cold and aloof Professor Nolan from the neighboring department several times.
He obviously didn’t like coffee, maybe even hated it.
Professor Nolan was dark-haired, tall, of noble birth, with mixed heritage from three countries; though young, he had won numerous international awards.
Their dean had pulled strings, negotiated with other prestigious schools, and finally brought him to A University, where he had taught for a year.
As the most popular figure at A University, Professor Nolan was also known for his coldness.
He ruthlessly rejected every confession; Jiang Huaying had even heard rumors of someone crying bitterly after leaving his office.
He was truly a high mountain flower on an icy river.
Jiang Huaying was about to graduate senior year; her contact with him was limited.
That day, after a nod of acknowledgment with the professor, she found an empty seat, but before her coffee arrived, she was pulled into the game.
After recalling all this, Jiang Huaying looked around once more.
The coffee shop was empty; on the professor’s table sat a full glass of sparkling water, tiny bubbles overflowing as if it had just been poured.
The food on the other tables was the same.
Checking the date on her phone, Jiang Huaying confirmed seven days had passed, but the drinks and food remained unchanged from before the game started.
This had to be related to the Domain; but what about the others?
With this question in mind, Jiang Huaying stepped outside the coffee shop.
Outside, yellow caution tape cordoned off the area, completely sealed.
She had seen this before; wherever a “Domain” appeared, the area would be locked down until the Domain dissolved and the place reopened.
But beyond that, she was unclear.
Those who hadn’t entered the game couldn’t know anything about it.
Anything related to the game, whether heard or seen, would be automatically erased by an unknown force.
Jiang Huaying saw several people standing outside the transparent glass door, frequently glancing at their phones and looking anxiously inside.
“Today is the seventh day, right? This level 55 Domain is finally over.”
“Only two survived; not bad for a level 35 Domain, damn brutal!”
“Quiet! Luck is unpredictable. When two Domains appear simultaneously, energy fluctuations are abnormal; one will inevitably upgrade to a high-level Domain. The east Domain’s range has expanded; originally the coffee shop folks shouldn’t have suffered.”
“But the other Domain’s players were luckier—ended four days ago, and most came back alive.”
Jiang Huaying realized she could hear their conversation clearly; before, these words had been muffled static in her ears.
This meant she officially became a player of the Eternal Domain Guild’s “Eternal Domain Contract.”
Outside, the conversation continued.
“What about those two survivors? Did they join an organization? Don’t let them steal our thunder.”
“Pfft! You think I’ve been waiting here for nothing?”
“I heard there’s a new player in this Domain…”
“New player? Who’s still new these days? Rare!”
“Probably dead already. A new player facing a level 35 Domain—must have ancestors praying for them.”
“Don’t even think about it; new players don’t survive.”
“If new players did survive, I’d call them Dad on the spot!”
With the constant appearance of Domains, humans developed matching technology.
These people had special devices to detect the number of survivors within a Domain.
Beyond that, they had no idea.
That’s why these people guarded here—to get firsthand information and recruit survivors if possible.
Jiang Huaying raised an eyebrow at their words.
Was she the “new player” they were talking about?
She didn’t hesitate and pushed open the door.
The moment her fingertips touched the glass, an invisible force rippled out, immediately silencing the once relaxed group.
“She’s out.”
Once a Domain opens, the enclosed area is completely sealed; others cannot enter or spy in. Only players who clear the Domain can reconnect with the outside world.
As Jiang Huaying stepped out of the coffee shop, she was scanned by a device.
The sensation was too familiar.
Every time she left or returned home, Butcher used his red electronic eyes to scan her head to toe to check for injuries.
Thinking of Yimon, Jiang Huaying felt a dull ache in her chest; her expression was not very good.
“What are you doing?” the girl’s unhappy voice rang out, stunning those who saw her beauty back to reality.
“Sorry, sorry, it’s out of necessity,” a handsome young man spoke first, smiling awkwardly at Jiang Huaying. “There are so few players who clear level 55 SSS Domains, we must get info first to ensure safety.”
“Don’t worry, it’s legal and proper, and we won’t leak your info. Let me introduce myself—I’m Zhang Yangshuo, a core member of the Tongzhou Guild, the third largest.”
Others thought silently that Zhang Yangshuo was a sycophant, eager to please a pretty girl.
“Hello.” Jiang Huaying responded calmly, maintaining her usual caution.
Her understanding of the game was too limited; it had been three years since it appeared, enough for many developments she didn’t know.
Zhang Yangshuo was about to say more when an excited “Wocao!” from nearby interrupted.
A man wearing sunglasses and holding a phone was too stunned to speak: “She… she… she…”
Others’ expressions were equally lively.
The scan showed the girl before them had cleared one instance.
More impressively, her clear rating was 5!
What did 5 mean?
Even top ten players might not get such a high rating in a level 35 Domain.
To get a level 5 clear rating, the biggest requirement was “no damage.”
This was a harsh standard.
Injuries were common; many cleared with barely any health left. But who cared about losing an arm or a cheek compared to life?
Besides that, one had to complete many personal quests and identity side stories and achieve certain accomplishments.
None of these were easy.
So players now recognized the highest rating as A.
Seeing a 5 rating was incredibly shocking!
The man with sunglasses looked at a red-haired man and said, “You need another mom now.”
The red-haired man glared at Jiang Huaying’s flawless face, his face flushed red: “Get lost! Shut up!”
“Goddess! Goddess, you’re really alive, that’s great!” an excited voice rang out.
Chen Sixi ran out from a nearby bookstore.
That was where Domains first appeared.
As soon as Chen Sixi saw Jiang Huaying, he showed a goofy grin: “Goddess, do you remember me? You saved me in the Black Forest!”
His words just finished when everyone suddenly felt their faces sting.
The harsh truths spoken minutes ago mercilessly slapped them all.
Chen Sixi, happy to see Jiang Huaying’s silly smile, was completely unaware that his kindness caused trouble.
He tried to say more but was pushed aside.
The red-haired man awkwardly stood before Jiang Huaying, his wild, fierce expression now somewhat uneasy: “Hello, I’m from the Prometheus Guild, and on behalf of the fund, sincerely invite you to join us. We offer great benefits, sufficient item collection, and strong members.”
Before he finished, a woman nearby interrupted: “I’m from the Homeward Guild. Hey girl, join us! We have all pretty girls; those stinky men don’t compare!”
Others began complaining.
“That’s discrimination!”
“Our guild is the elite of the Eternal Domain Guild!”
“Don’t listen to them. Xiao Ying, come to the Homeward Guild. We don’t have those shady people; everyone here is respectable, strong, and clean.”
“Pfft! You guys are just a bunch of losers and still have the nerve to talk…”
They viciously tore into each other.
Jiang Huaying couldn’t get a word in, nearly overwhelmed by their benefits.
Just as they were about to seize her, someone hurried over.
He wore all black; his muscular frame stretched the suit as if ready to burst, and a simple pair of black sunglasses completed the look of a suit-wearing thug.
But his first words ruined the image: “What are you doing? Stay away from our lady! Don’t bother her!”
The burly protector shielded Jiang Huaying behind him.
“I just went to the bathroom; you bullied our little lady when I wasn’t looking, didn’t you?”
Seeing the familiar figure, Jiang Huaying immediately smiled. At that moment, the ice and snow of the frozen river melted, and pear blossoms quietly bloomed on the branches. She called out clearly, “Uncle Titan!”
“Hey!” Titan responded like a thunderclap.
True to his name, Titan was Jiang Huaying’s bodyguard.
Several others followed behind him.
When others saw they were from the Eternal Domain Guild, their expressions changed.
It seemed today’s competition to recruit her would be very tough.
The Eternal Domain Guild was the earliest organization, gathering many veteran players. Their wealth and strength were unparalleled.
This time, they even sent a Magician!
It was clear they were determined to get this newcomer.
But they wouldn’t give up easily!
Everyone’s attention was on the Magician, so they didn’t notice Titan’s address to Jiang Huaying.
Jiang Huaying slowly followed Titan’s gaze and immediately brightened: “Mom!”
The crowd braced: “2 1”