Chapter 25: Two Items |
In the hospital room, after ensuring Shen Dinghua was asleep, Guan Shan carefully turned on the backpack interface again.
This time, he focused on the last two items he obtained from the simulation: the [Worker Bee Pendant] and the [Damaged Metal Plate].
The [Worker Bee Pendant] was a head accessory with the following attributes:
[Worker Bee Pendant]
[Effect: Grants the ability [Animal Communication (Bee Swarm)] when worn.]
[Description: A glass pendant containing a strange insect, imbued with special abilities by someone's wish, seemingly allowing communication with "similar beings."]
“What kind of cryptic description is this? What does it mean by 'similar beings'?” Guan Shan muttered, suspecting the simulator was not only an explosion enthusiast but also a master riddler.
However, as long as the abilities were clear and useful, the item's description style didn’t matter much.
With a thought, the details of the pendant's ability appeared before his eyes.
[Effect: Allows communication with bee swarms within a 300-meter range and sensing their location.]
[Description: Communication among animals is often more mysterious, swift, and dangerous.]
Guan Shan was surprised by the effect. “Even outside the simulation, this seems quite useful. Being able to communicate with bee swarms could reveal many things inaccessible from a human perspective. If I can control the bee swarm using this ability, I can definitely gain a significant advantage in gathering intelligence.”
As a journalist, Guan Shan deeply understood the importance of obtaining first-hand information.
He decided to test the ability right away.
Equipping the [Worker Bee Pendant], he felt a cool sensation on his neck. Looking down, he saw a glass pendant on a string had appeared around his neck.
Curious, he picked it up and examined it, finding the strange insect inside was alive.
Its transparent wings slightly vibrated, and its antennae, legs, and head moved occasionally, proving it wasn't dead.
Oddly, the insect, resembling a wasp, had no solid stinger, only a luminous, white needle-like projection.
Simultaneously, Guan Shan felt a new sensation, as if a sixth sense had extended from his existing five.
He instinctively closed his eyes, sensing his perception spreading outward. In the darkness, scattered light points began to appear.
Given it was nighttime, not many bees were out of their hives, only a few stragglers.
Focusing, Guan Shan sensed their thoughts one by one.
“Sleep, sleep, sleep…zzzZZZ.”
This one had found a place to sleep.
“Gather nectar, gather nectar, gather nectar…”
This one was still diligently working, too dedicated.
“Help, help, help…ah!”
This one was unlucky, being eaten by a predatory insect.
“Go home, go home, go home…”
This one was simply lost.
Guan Shan opened his eyes, smirking. Bees could provide information, but their limited intelligence couldn't gather what he needed.
The conveyed thoughts were basic instincts, lacking any useful information.
“Bees have a hive mind. Maybe I need to guide an entire swarm…” Guan Shan pondered, deciding to think from an animal’s perspective. Since his thoughts could influence the bees, repeated attempts might uncover a way to control them.
For now, he set the item aside.
The other item was a completely new type:
[Damaged Metal Plate (Special Scenario Trigger Item)]
[Effect: Using it will forcibly initiate a simulation in the current area, triggering a special scene.]
[Description: An old, worn metal plate, seemingly weathered by time, with one corner missing, but carefully preserved. Only the letters "B" and "K" are discernible, as if marking someone's place.]
Guan Shan thought for a moment and realized, “This is a tool to actively start a simulation…”
He was speechless.
Starting a simulation meant gaining more items and rewards but also facing unknown terrors and dangers.
If not for the simulator's mandatory automatic start, Guan Shan would avoid simulation scenes altogether.
Each simulation meant his life was at risk, having to battle bizarre simulated monsters.
“Who would willingly start a simulation?”
Guan Shan grumbled, “Only an idiot would use this item!”
However, he was reluctant to sell the only scene-triggering item he had to the shop.
“Forget it, I’ll keep it for now. I have plenty of game currency, and there's nothing else worth buying.”
As for the “Nuclear-powered Flashlight” in the shop? It could stay there for now.
Closing his eyes again, the scattered light points reappeared, accompanied by the bees' thoughts.
Focusing, he began guiding a lost bee back home.
---
The next day.
Guan Shan completed his discharge procedures but didn't go to work, planning to head home instead.
As a journalist for Hangzhou Evening News, Guan Shan didn’t need to be in the office daily. Only when he needed to write articles did he spend long hours on the computer.
Otherwise, he would be out looking for stories, known as “fieldwork.” He just had to report his activities.
So, bringing a photographer along was expected.
Boarding a bus, he grabbed a strap, confidently reflecting on his situation.
A small follower trailed behind him.
Shen Dinghua, following closely, imitated him, trying to reach a bus strap.
Xiao Shen, despite being Guan Shan's neighbor, had a much better family background. She rarely took buses, usually having a private car.
For her, this was a novel experience.
“Hmm…”
She stretched up on tiptoes, barely touching the strap. Though she could grip it, it was quite a struggle.
Guan Shan, side-eyeing her, noted her 158 cm height… last night’s cosplaying high schooler was likely taller.
After several attempts, Shen Dinghua, frustrated, noticed Guan Shan’s amused expression, blushing and huffing.
She quietly grabbed his coat hem, leaning close.
Guan Shan remained silent, pretending not to notice the new "attachment."
After about half an hour, they got off near Shen Dinghua’s house.
Before them stood a villa, surrounded by walls.