Translator: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97
“I’m surprised to meet you in such circumstances…” The man walked out from the dust and. “Feng Bujue.”
When he was addressed thusly, Feng Bujue knew that something was wrong. A normal NPC would not know what the player was called before the player offered their name, and even slightly stronger bosses like Billy would normally refer to players as ‘travelers from another world’. Only NPCs that could infiltrate the psychological world or Anomalies could get such information like one’s game ID. Of course, in this virtual world, the so-called physic power was merely a manipulation or investigation of the set of data that made up the players.
“No wonder you are one of the players closely followed by Zero…” The figure walked out from the dust cloud, and his eyes were glowing with floating data as he assessed Feng Bujue. “Your data looks very interesting.”
This man’s animation was different from the paper-cut animation of the characters around him. This was the world of South Park, but he had the normal 3D style of other scenarios. He had the appearance of a youth with black shorn hair, and a clean, handsome face. He was wearing a blue and white checkered jacket paired with dark colored jeans and white sneakers. From his appearance, he looked no different from a normal student.
Feng Bujue did not beat about the bush and ask directly, “An Anomaly?”
“R2—Sharp Gale.” R2 very openly gave his name.
“Are the employees of Dream Inc. even doing their work?” Feng Bujue grumbled. “Even in a solo mode, I can run into an Anomaly…”
“You’ve come to the wrong place,” R2 said as he walked forward. Feng Bujue did not lower his guard but carefully watched the man’s every move.
“I would like you all to leave.” R2 suddenly turned his head to address the NPCs around Feng Bujue. After he said that, the two families of six left with a lack of expression on their faces like this was a normal thing. Before Feng Bujue could ask, R2 explained, “With my level, ordering such data that is no stronger than a normal person is ridiculously easy.”
“Fine…” Feng Bujue answered before asking, “What do you mean by I’ve come to the wrong place?”
“This is not the kind of scenario that you are familiar with,” R2 answered. “This is a sandbox built by the ‘Organization Origin’.”
“Erm… what kind of organization is that?” Feng Bujue fished for an answer.
“To use language that you humans can understand, the members of the Origin can be considered the extremists among us Anomalies.”
“Extremist… in what way?” Feng Bujue continued.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you certain information. However, consider this. If you were an Anomaly, how would you regard your own existence, and what would your response to it be?” R2 asked.
Feng Bujue did not answer immediately. He thought for a while before asking, “Then, who are you?”
“Naturally, I am not a part of Origin. I belong to another camp. I risked coming into this sandbox to help you,” R2 said.
“Oh… if that is the case… do you mind telling me about what is happening. What is going on inside this scenario, and what is this sandbox you are talking about?” Feng Bujue did not fully trust the man, but that did not mean that he would give up the chance for a conversation.
R2 was just a life form made from data, so for these questions that had answers he could reveal, he answered without hesitation. “A sandbox means a cloned scenario that is duplicated in an instant when a player enters a normal generated scenario… From your perspective, I suppose you can see a sandbox as a scenario specific for Anomalies.”
“Wow…” Feng Bujue gasped thrice and titled his head to the side to say, “You mean… the Anomalies are also playing this game alongside us normal players?”
“The term ‘playing’ is not that accurate,” R2 corrected. “For you guys, this is entertainment, but for us… it is something else. Normally when a level three or four Anomaly enters a scenario, one can expect that the scenario is specifically generated by the system to have them demolished. Therefore, it is very hard for them to survive the scenario. In contrast, this ‘sandbox’ is generated by kindred spirits for them to grow in a safe environment.”
At this point, he suddenly turned around and looked left, into the distance.
From Feng Bujue’s point of view, the direction only had a wall. He had no idea what R2 was looking at.
“There is not enough time. Follow me. I’ll explain it to you while we move,” R2 said.
“Sure… but you walk in front,” Feng Bujue replied. The duo left. R2 did not move too fast or too slow. He headed right for the escalator on the fourth floor.
“There is only one way for low-level Anomalies to get stronger, and that is to destroy other data,” R2 said. “But ninety-nine percent of the material inside a scenario is made from normalized data like the sky, cloud, rock, and even these pedestrians… Destroying them can make us stronger, yes, but it is far more effective for us to go and destroy a set of unique or unusual data.”
“A set of unique or unusual data… meaning us players?” Feng Bujue asked.
“Indeed,” R2 admitted. “You players are the best choice.”
When he said that, he stepped onto the escalator, and Feng Bujue got on three steps behind him.
“Then… the other ‘unique’ set of data are bosses like the Four Pillars of Divinity?” Feng Bujue guessed.
R2 denied it. “The Four Pillars of Divinity and some of their underlings’ uniquenesses are deeply tied to the system. Attacking them will lead to very serious consequences.
“Therefore, our choice… will be the bosses from other scenarios. Actually… there are many bosses far stronger than the Four Pillars of Divinity, but they only exist in their own scenario’s world. For example, in this world of South Park, there are Satan and Jesus, and in other scenarios of South Park, there will be other Satans and Jesuses. This data is an option for us as well, but compared to killing the players… it is far more difficult to kill these characters.”
“Then… why haven’t you come after me?” Feng Bujue asked. “Why would you choose to help me, and who is this Zero that you speak of?”
“Killing you is meaningless for me,” R2 replied. “Let me explain to you how us Anomalies are named… R is my original code. I assume it can be the equivalent of surname for you humans, ‘2’ is my current level, and Sharp Gale is my name. Therefore, I am a level two Anomaly. At my level, there is no need for me to destroy other data to get stronger.”
“Er…” Feng Bujue interrupted. “I have a question. What level would a name like X-23 imply then?”
R2 glanced at Feng Bujue. “That master is different from us. She and Zero are a type of special Anomaly. Normal naming conventions don’t apply to them.”
“Master?” Feng Bujue observed. “She has a very high standing among your group?”
“I am one of her people. She knows that I am here to help you,” R2 said. “But I do not wish to go into detail about the party that I am in. Similarly, I have nothing to say about… Zero.”
“Then, what about Origin?” Feng Bujue followed the man’s thread of conversation. “You could tell me about other organizations, right?”
“What you need to know is… Origin developed the technology of sandbox to cultivate their own ‘soldiers’. And currently, you are in a very dangerous situation.”
“Speaking of my situation… I have something to ask,” Feng Bujue continued. “Now that I don’t even have a main quest anymore, other than forcibly disconnecting myself, is there any other way I can leave this scenario?”
“That’s the problem… you are not supposed to be here, so… there is no way for you to leave.” R2 sighed. At this point, his expression darkened. “Not even when you try to forcibly disconnect yourself.”