Chapter 39

Translated by boilpoil Edited by boilpoil

Bright and Hopkin have reached a mutual understanding. That is, to ensure their cordiality in future meetings, they will not pursue each other’s motivation.

Neither side are pure in their intentions, and know about this as well.

Speaking relatively, Bright is more materialistic. He is always trying to gather information through Hopkin’s identity without concern over whether he’s from Outer City or Inner City, letting him gain an edge in the show. And of course, he might also find out the identity of the Shithead, or even secure an opportunity to enter Inner City and execute his plans.

Bright tries to work out the objective Hopkin approaches him for in the most benign and most malicious possibilities respectively, though it’s probably to find something interesting and find something more interesting in any case. He is alert but he is not disappointed or angry. He understands the thought patterns of the people in the City now. They do not care if they might hurt someone in the process of finding entertainment. If they can still breathe then they will not stop pursuing their desire. This is as natural as eating and drinking for them, so he does not get hung over that.

As for the treatment and dislike of physical interaction, it is just an excuse for the two people to have a commonality and interact, and a link that maintains the relationship between the two. It might be somewhat effective as one but it is not the main one.

Hopkin knows all of these. He is too intelligent.

And it is also because of his intelligence that he is not deterred at all.

As long as Bright has something he wants from him, he can get close to that man, understand his thoughts, use his weaknesses to make him wholly belong to him.

As night is turning to early morning, when Bright prepares to sleep, Hopkin suddenly moves next to his ear and says in a quiet voice, “your body is very strong, beyond that of a normal human. I didn’t tell anyone.”

Bright’s eyes widen a bit, speechlessly shocked.

Hopkin perks his lips up silently. It’s their little secret, and secrets are an effective method for making two people closer together.

“Your secret is safe with me.” The warmth of Hopkin’s breath lands on Bright’s ear, and as if travelling through his ear canals, drill into his brain and heart. Bright can feel waves of warmness traversing his body from where he and Hopkin’s body are touching one another. They are currently lying on the same bed, with one touching the other, and the other touching back. Any slight movement can be felt by the other person, through the touch, through the creaking of the bed, as intimate as a couple.

Bright’s heart softens. Every time he obtains assistance in this world is a time he treasures, whoever it is from, no matter their objective. It is probably because he is alone in this overly cruel and dangerous world, so every small act of kindness shines like the candlelight in complete darkness, especially warm and valuable.

At the same time, Bright profoundly realises that this is an offer of friendliness from the Inner City resident. This guy is really good at manipulating people’s minds. After he has shown such sincerity how could he ever reject whatever is coming up next?

He is certainly loved by God, who gave him his unparalleled beauty and his extraordinary brilliance.

Hopkin continues to explain, “I was invited by the Director to look over the scene. The site of the fight has been severely damaged. Yet I discovered that from the traces of the battle and the angles of the attack, that it was not caused by two werewolves, but one man and one werewolf. Your cleanup job was shoddy. Of course, there’s certainly the problem of insufficient time.”

He pauses, giving a bit of space for Bright to think, “tell me what deal you have struck with the werewolves is the first step in us treating each other with honesty.” He not only is interrogating Bright, but he has done so in an affectionate way. He is also strengthening the ‘Detective’ identity he has set up, implying he’s invited by the Director to investigate the case.

Bright does not question it. His attention is focused on both how to answer Hopkin’s question but not revealing too much information.

“I don’t know what the werewolves did in secret using the ruse of killing me. They made that reason up and made the excuse that Wolfie betrayed their pack because of me, and asked me to protect him well. I suspect they’re up to something so dangerous that if they were discovered they could be done in for good. That’s why they left Wolfie out to protect their last bit of hope.”

Hopkin hmphs as if he has nothing but disdain for the ambitious, deceptive creatures.

“So you don’t know either.” He furrows his brows.

“Do you have other clues?” Bright has become too awake to sleep, and he has missed the timeframe for entering the game world, so he might just as well discuss it with Hopkin.

“Their route when advancing was weird. They’ve taken detours here and there. This is what made me suspect at first. If they’re hunting for you, they should go via a straight line as much as possible to reduce the amount of time. I thought they were searching for something so I had the show retain the original scenes as they were, and walked the same path as them in the same time of day, yet I couldn’t find anything.”

Bright starts to form a hazy idea in his mind, but he keeps it to himself and does not tell Hopkin.

After maintaining the same posture for too long, Bright turns over, going from lying on his back to his side. He faces the gorgeous man and asks curiously, “how did you get the nickname ‘Detective’?”

“Some nicknames are inherited, some are chosen by the person themselves. They mainly represent their standing, ability or certain quality. My nickname is inherited.” What Hopkin has said is not classified, and are obtainable by any free man.

Yet to Bright, this information is valuable. He asks, seemingly innocuously, “besides ‘Detective,’ what residents are there?”

Hopkin does not want to delve deep into this topic to expose any possible flaws to this quick-witted man, and says, “when you advance through episode six, the show will arrange for you to live in the Outer City. You can obtain certain freedoms such as using your own smart chip to obtain information, going out alone, interacting with people and such. What you want to know, you will know.”

“I just wanted to hear your thoughts,” Bright licks his lips before asking, slightly nervous, “do you know about ‘Gentleman’?”

Hopkin’s heart skips a bit. As he was already alert, and he is controlling himself well that he does not expose any flaws in either his physical reaction or his voice. He lies with a poker face, “yes. I don’t know him well, however.” Every Inner City resident is emotionally distant. Even those that have frequent interactions due to everyday affairs are not likely to be close with one another.

He continuously tries to recall if someone has mentioned his nickname to the man. Is it a staff member of the show? The Director? Other contestants? Or is it something Bright has obtained from some obscure clues and hints?

Hopkin then makes a slightly surprised impression, “where have you learned about him?”

“I don’t remember.” Bright brushes his question off; he knows from the novel that ‘Gentleman’ is the psychopathic antagonist who modified his body and made it into a tool. Yet since he has entered this world he has not heard of this nickname at all. He has an intuition that the Shithead could be him, but he does not have proof.

“Instead of worrying about that, you should focus on the competition ahead of you,” Hopkin advises him.

Bright thinks that that is reasonable. He has certainly obtained quite a lot of information today. He’ll have to digest it gradually. He can’t only be focusing on the stars to no end, and ignoring what’s beneath him, or he’ll fall into potholes. Haste makes waste.

“Mm.” The man listens and shows a short but real smile towards the handsome young adult. The latter is currently in glee from all his achievements up to now. Look, the big tiger is already dazed senseless by him. His mood lightens up so he does not withhold information to himself.

“The sixth episode will see more conflicts between you and Grizzlybear, making your standoff clearer and more vivid to the audience. The previous marketing has managed to shape Grizzlybear into an arch-nemesis of the animal protection group. You’re filling the role of the protector of the animals. They’ll make Grizzlybear into a punching bag for the audience. By allowing you to suppress him to appease the vexation of the members of the animal protection groups. Therefore, you’ll be made safe the next episode.”

“Is there anything I need to do specifically?” Bright asks.

“You only need to read the atmosphere and react accordingly, and nothing else. The show will present the opportunity to you,” Hopkin says indifferently, “the theme for the next episode is ocean world. Grizzlybear is no good with water.”

Though he has received hints from Hopkin, when Bright sees the grand ocean without horizons, blending the sky and it into one in front of him, he is still astonished by how much of a whale the show is.

“This body of water is not without boundary. The three sides are only dynamically simulated three-dimensionally. It’s just a trick on the eyes.” Piers moves next to Bright, saying in a half-explanatory half-sarcastic tone.

Having been through the first two points race and fights with heavyweight, strong contestants such as the Wolves and Grizzlybear, Bright has proven his own prowess. The contestants have stopped giving him their cold shoulders; they usually employ a respectful and fearful attitude towards the strong.

“Even if it’s fake, if we consider the area and depth of the body of water, it is still shocking nonetheless.” A few others come by. The one speaking is Old Veteran, followed by the Dwarf and the Giant, the Ginger and Beauty. They do not appear embarrassed when facing Bright, as if there has never been such a thing as him being isolated before.

Bright is slightly surprised by such a group, but does not ask out loud.

As Old Veteran said, the water is deep. It is because ocean water absorbs other spectrums of light when it reaches different depths within it, and only blue and violet are reflected in the end. Also, human eyes are not as sensitive to violet.

When Bright looks at the deep azure colour from afar, it is clear that there is danger beneath the water surface.

The contestants are chased into the water by the show. There’s a variety of transportation including water motorbikes, yachts, wooden rowboats and rafts, and even planks. People will have to fight over them. Wolfie is already running towards the closest yacht as Bright is reminiscing with former members of his group. He scares away other contestants by threatening them with his physical prowess and team members not far behind. He hurries Bright to get onto the ship.

“Stop dithering around! There’s an island there. We need to get on quickly or we’ll be spending the night in the water!”

Ignoring Wolfie’s resentful gaze, Piers brings the group of people onto the yacht.

Bright and Piers sit at the front of the deck. The former asks, “your idea?”

Number 56 with his yellowish-brown hair rolls his eyes at him, “who else could it be? I’ve brought almost everyone who have rumours with you. Feel free to take any of them for the night.”

“…” Well fuck you! I’m not even going to say anything about Old Veteran. What about the Dwarf and the Giant? When did bad rumours start circulating between me and them?

“State your business.” Bright gives a look of warning to Piers.

Piers is trying his best to hold his bangs from flying about chaotically in the incessant wind. It is too strong though, his hair is dancing wildly, ending up a mess. He looks jealously at the short dark hair of Bright. The wind has revealed his tall forehead and perfect hairline. Compared to his haggard situation, the man is looking more dashing instead.

“I remember you swimming faster than alligators in the second episode. You can hold your own in the water too. If I consider the current situation it is the safest bet to follow you around. They think the same.” Piers points at the others. He understands this episode is made to reconcile with the animal protection groups and shape Bright into a bright figure. There won’t be too much danger around him.

“I did not agree to team up.”

“Of course, of course,” Piers laughs frivolously, “we’re ingratiating ourselves with you. We’re entreating you for your forgiveness and protection. If there’s anything you want, just a word from you and we’ll get to it immediately. Can you believe it? I just mentioned your name and they all came at once.”

After saying that he starts laughing out loud. Wolfie, who is steering, suddenly changes direction. The yacht cutting quickly through the waters splashes up waves and drenches Piers half in water. Perhaps he choked on saltwater or the wind, he starts coughing loudly.

Bright gives a look of approval to Wolfie. The cute little werewolf grins revealing a pointy pair of canines.

Author’s notes: These few chapters were all stand-offs with the scummy Bottom. So satisfied o(*￣▽￣*)o

The competitions part will hasten as it goes on.

Read only at Travis Translations