Chapter Seven: Prop Card – Parasitism

The others echoed the short man’s words: "Brother Long is clever indeed. Using this idiot's name to fish for others—and we don't even have to worry about retaliation. Hahaha!"

"Don't even get me started. This 'Parasite' item card is insane! It actually allows you to hijack an account! If we can grab a few more beta testers, wouldn't we be invincible?"

The short man spat after hearing this: "The kid claimed he got it from a diamond treasure chest. Damn it, why don't I have that kind of luck!"

...

Sitting in the middle, Brother Long played with the makeshift shotgun in his hands and sneered, "If all the beta testers are as dim-witted as this guy, then taking control of this train will be effortless."

The short man immediately fawned, "That’s all thanks to Brother Long’s strategy. If it were up to me, I’d never have thought of fishing like this. Still, it’s so unfair. Why does an idiot like him get a beta qualification, let alone such incredible luck to pull a broken item like 'Parasite'?"

Brother Long waved a hand at the flattery from his lackeys, though he couldn't hide the smile on his face. "Even if it is broken, it’s my gain now. Thanks to you for finding this 'fat sheep.' With supplies and weapons, what’s there to worry about? Stick with me, and I’ll make sure you all keep living the high life!"

These words naturally triggered a chorus of cheering.

Brother Long was originally the leader of a gang of thugs. Before the game started, he and his men had just finished seizing territory and were grabbing a late-night snack. That was why he not only had a stun baton he’d acquired specifically, but also skewers and cold beer he’d instinctively brought along.

With weapons, lackeys, and a menacing appearance, Brother Long established his "authority" in the lowest-tier carriage, which fostered his ambition to form a gang. Before entering the instance, he had instructed his men to hold hands, hoping to land in the same location. It actually worked—though they were still scattered, the furthest coordinate was only seven or eight kilometers away.

It was on the way to rendezvous with Brother Long that the short man spotted the "Silk-Stocking Young Master"—the fat sheep—and lured him to Brother Long.

No one expected this man, who looked like he wasn't playing with a full deck, to not only have a spatial inventory full of supplies but also a makeshift shotgun. If he hadn't been too slow and pinned down by others, he could have walked through the instance unchallenged with that gun alone.

Lying on the ground, the Silk-Stocking Young Master whimpered, "Big Brother, please, let me go... I’ve already given you my items, and you can have all my supplies. Just let me go..."

He regretted his earlier arrogance deeply. He had been so puffed up by the flattery that he spilled his secrets, never imagining that the short man had a gang backing him.

Brother Long didn't speak, but the short man kicked him directly. "Are you telling Brother Long how to do his job? Your inventory is already under Brother Long’s control; do you think you have a say in what you give or don't give?"

Brother Long patted the short man soothingly, then tucked away the shotgun and squatted in front of the man, smiling. "Lin Yang, right? Don't worry, you’re a great contributor to our Green Dragon Gang. Why would I kill you?"

"Since you’re so lucky, you’ll be in charge of digging for chests from now on. As long as you dig up another diamond treasure chest for me, you’ll be my best brother. When I eat meat, you’ll have soup to drink."

Lin Yang cursed Brother Long’s shamelessness internally—everything had been stolen from him, yet he spoke as if he were granting a favor! However, he acted submissive on the surface, not daring to retort, nor daring to tell Brother Long that the item hadn't been dug up by him at all, but bought from someone else. He feared that once he lost his utility, Brother Long would kill him immediately.

At the time, he had just been bragging to the short man to see the envy and jealousy on his face; he never expected to talk himself into this mess. Before the game, Lin Yang was just an ordinary corporate slave. Although he had a beta qualification, he lacked confidence and hadn't invested much money. With only a ten-percent-off discount card, he had only stockpiled basic supplies; his inventory and HP weren't upgraded, and he had only managed to secure the gun at the very last moment.

After the game officially began, Lin Yang, who had thought himself the chosen one, was on the verge of crashing before he had even taken off.

Brother Long was satisfied with Lin Yang’s compliance and gestured to the side. "Take him to dig for chests."

He then began studying the item card, which had turned grey.

[Item: Parasite: Costs 888 HP per use to designate a player to parasitize for seven days (must know the target's real name; the target must die before the next player can be parasitized). During parasitization, the user takes control of the target's inventory slots, space, etc., and can use their identity for chat and transactions.]

The items in diamond chests were truly overpowered. Brother Long couldn't help but sigh. It was just a pity about the time limit and the high cost—if he hadn't "borrowed" 990 HP from Lin Yang, he wouldn't have been able to afford to use this item.

Still, it was worth it. Looking at the various supplies in his inventory, Brother Long smacked his lips in satisfaction. It was a shame he only had five initial inventory slots and couldn't fit all the supplies from that space, or he wouldn't have kept Lin Yang alive.

But he had changed his mind now.

If Lin Yang’s luck was truly good, keeping him to dig for chests was fine, and he could serve as a scapegoat to draw fire. It wouldn't be too late to kill him after finding a new beta tester and squeezing them dry of supplies. It would be even better if he could find a way to seize his inventory space; keeping items on his own person was the only way to feel truly secure...

Just as Brother Long was contemplating how to fully take over Lin Yang's supplies, a notification popped up: "Strong-as-a-Brick" requests to add "Silk-Stocking Young Master" as a friend.

*

Not long after Jiang Ran sent the friend request, the Silk-Stocking Young Master accepted it directly.

Silk-Stocking Young Master: "Are you a beta tester too?"

Jiang Ran adopted an innocent tone: "Yes! And I've stockpiled so much stuff! But I'm a bit scared being alone... Big Sister, you're looking to form a team, right? Can I join? I have so much food!"

Silk-Stocking Young Master replied immediately: "Of course! I just think that we, the distinguished beta testers, should play together. Think about it: we have so many supplies; what if those people in the bottom-tier carriages band together to rob us?"

"Only by uniting can we protect ourselves and survive!"

Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow. This Silk-Stocking Young Master was quite sharp; he had accurately grasped the mindset of some beta testers. Although many beta testers weren't lacking in supplies, being alone always left one feeling insecure. Especially if one’s own combat power was weak, if they encountered highwaymen, they might end up as a prisoner just like Lin Yang, even if they used their supplies to trade for their lives.

Therefore, Jiang Ran played along perfectly. "Big Sister, you are so right! I didn't even dare to tell anyone I was a beta tester, just in case I ran into bad people who would rob me..."

"Send me your coordinates, and I'll come find you right now! I've stored so many cold drinks, and I even have an off-road vehicle—I'm not afraid of the heat at all, hehe~"

Silk-Stocking Young Master replied in a flash: "Great! I'm waiting for you at coordinates 1471, 7401, 8888~"