Game

As Zhang Yin led them through the hole the NPC had created, he sweated bullets.
At first, he approached the sound of chimes because, from his experience, it could only mean one of four things:
One, it was another monster and whether he approached it or not wouldn't matter. He would die anyways and it'll just add a little more embarrassment in an already embarrassing situation.
Two, it was a boss monster and normal monsters would be reluctant to enter into its territory. He can take advantage of the boss monster's territory to kite the monsters and level up, which was something only possible with hyper-realistic style games. Even though it would not immediately solve all his problems, especially since he would still be losing 1 HP a second, it was better than nothing. His problem would then be temporarily solved when his HP returns to full health upon leveling up.
Three, it was another player and they could work together to defeat the monsters. Even though the experience would be shared between them, it was better than dying. They could also team up until they leave this place, which is a benefit that no other option has.
Four, it was an NPC.
Of these four possibilities, the fourth option is actually the most likely because of one thing: this area is a starting zone.
If you think about it, you're suddenly dropped off into a game without any preparation, forced to fight monsters multiple levels above you, and made to survive with minimum information except for the information you deduce yourself. How would you even expect a normal person to be able to play?
The ultimate goal of a game is to entice players to play it and keep playing it. It completely goes against the goal of a game if it is so hard that even a famous professional gamer dies within 2 minutes of starting.
The developers have to leave the players a way to survive somehow, and in this case, Zhang Yin is willing to bet that a NPC will spawn once the player's health reaches a certain threshold.
The game developers purposefully made it so that the player is not actually able to clear this stage. Once they've made the player run around enough, an NPC will save them and the players would be forced to watch a 'cutscene' where the NPC slaughters the monsters. The NPC will then bring them to the safe zone where you can buy and sell things, upgrade weapons, buy potions, etc.
This sort of tactic has been used many times and Zhang Yin is already used to it.
Anyways, with a three in four chance of turning the situation in his favor, he decided to go for it.
'However, what the actual hell is this?!'
Zhang Yin remembered the exact moment he brought up the Character Information of the NPC who saved him.
[Name: Yue Jingxui
Level: 1
Title: ???, ???, ???, ???, ???
Race: Ghoul (Former: Human)
Skills: Divination (Mythic)
Racial Skills: Reincarnation Chains, Intangibility
Passive Skills: Heavenly Constitution, Spirit Constitution, ???
Description: No information is known about this character. However, through deduction, it can be inferred that this is a fallen expert that has risen again. Perhaps because he started over, he is currently in a weakened state. You may be able to obtain many benefits if you gain this character's favor.]
Seeing Yue Jingxui's Character Information, Zhang Yin almost doubted his eyes.
He was so distracted that he nearly missed the perfect timing to last-hit the monsters and restore his health.
However, this character was really just too absurd.
First of all, what the hell is with all those question marks?
Second of all, isn't this NPC too overpowered?!
It has to be known that both Zhang Yin and Yue Jingxui are Level 1 characters. However, while Zhang Yin could only barely hold on to his little life, Yue Jingxui directly stomped a monster to death!
Recalling the sound of Yue Jingxui tearing a monster apart, Zhang Yin shivered.
'And, the same person who tore a monster's head off with his bare hands is right behind me!'
Gulping, Zhang Yin almost let out a squeak when he could feel Yue Jingxui staring at him.
Yue Jingxui was currently covered from head to toe in blood. The blood dripped onto the ground with a pitter-patter and sizzled from the heat a second later, but Yue Jingxui didn't seem bothered as he continued to stare at Zhang Yin.
Yue Jingxui's ominous silence coupled with his complete lack of concern towards his own bloody figure caused goosebumps to form on Zhang Yin's skin.
Zhang Yin ran faster.
Zhang Yin: H-he couldn't be planning on killing me, right?
Yue 'gave-up-on-being-clean' Jingxui: I can't run away from reality anymore. The situation has changed now that I know, for sure, that this is [Black Abyss Prison]. I need to be cautious. Everyone here is a dangerous criminal, so I can't trust them no matter what. This woman is probably already leading me to a trap! …This is somewhat exciting.
However, even if Yue Jingxui wanted to leave, he still had to get some information before he left. Otherwise, all of his work would have been in vain.
After a while of more silence and running, Yue Jingxui came to a halt and forced Zhang Yin to stop as well.
This time, it was Yue Jingxui that spoke first.
Clearing his throat that he hasn't used in many years, Yue Jingxui showed a gentle smile and fell back into habits that he didn't know he still had. He respectfully greeted Zhang Yin in an extremely hoarse voice.
"Hello… Miss, it's… a… plea-s-sure to… meet your… acquaintance." After he finished speaking, Yue Jingxui internally died.
'Oh my god. My voice! It sounds so bad!'
Zhang Yin shivered.
Hearing that extremely raspy and hoarse voice, it scraped uncomfortably by his ears. Additionally, the strangely slow way Yue Jingxui spoke caused discomfort to well up in his heart.
It sounded so scary and creepy!
He could almost see the illusionary gate of heaven opening to welcome him.
However, he belatedly registered what Yue Jingxui said and was surprised at how polite he was being.
Not knowing exactly how to act around Yue Jingxui to raise his chances of survival, Zhang Yin decided to throw his face into the wind. Choosing the safe option, he replied a beat late and bowed. "Great one, meeting you is an honor. Thank you for rescuing this lowly one when this lowly one was in need. I will remember this favor for the rest of my small life."
In Zhang Yin's livestream, the chat was in a frenzy.
[Old Hand: Hahaha! This arrogant son of mine finally has a day where he has to bow down his head!]
[Fire's #1 Fan: Son, what are you doing! Don't you know, 'I can bow to my ancestors, I can bow to my parents, I can bow to my master, but I will never bow to anyone else?!' Where's your pride as the number one player of [Mystery Continent]?!?]
Facing Zhang Yin's fawning attitude, Yue Jingxui was stunned.
'What the hell? I was just saying a regular, if overly polite, greeting. So what set off this kind of response? Are you sure that this is one of the world's worst criminals? And this way of speaking… could she be from the [Eastern Continent]?'
Suddenly, Yue Jingxui thought of a possibility.
'Could it be that she recognized me? Or at least my current body?'
'No, if she recognized me, it would be unlikely that she would use such a vague term like 'great one'. Instead, she would just say my identity instead, or my moniker if I had one. However, since she doesn't know who I am, perhaps something about me gave the impression that I was a hotshot?'
Either way, without knowing anything about the body he possessed, Yue Jingxui decided to wear this mask that Zhang Yin handed to him. If the woman believed he was a bigshot, then it would mean that she would be less likely to attack him.
"Please don't stand on such ceremony." Continuing without a pause, Yue Jingxui pulled Zhang Yin back up. He spoke much more smoothly than before. "I dislike such stuffy mannerisms. Moreover, you are the first intelligent being that I've met since my awakening. It would be regretful if the first person I've talked to in many years treats me so distantly."
After saying this, Yue Jingxui desperately wanted to cover his face.
Hearing what Yue Jingxui said, Zhang Yin became ecstatic.
'Could it be that this NPC isn't actually as dangerous as I thought?'
Suddenly, another thought flashed through his mind. 'Wait, this character is Level 1 and, even if he was a big boss in the past, he still needs to be raised. This is a common template for a Companion-type NPC, and looking at his skills, isn't this character the legendary God-Tier Companion-type NPC that can completely carry your entire party?!'
'Fuck! If that's true, then I need to scam- I mean, convince him to join my party before other players discover him!'
As he reached this thought, Zhang Yin became extraordinarily determined.
This character is an absolute treasure!
He must hold onto this thigh at any cost!
Of course, if Zhang Yin can think of this much, the people in his stream can also think of it.
At that moment, the chat was going absolutely crazy.
[Fire's #1 Fan: OMG, Son, I feel like you shouldn't leave your house for a while. You might have used up all your luck and be met with an unfortunate accident.]
[Old Hand: Son, hurry, grab onto this golden thigh!!!]
[Smoke It Up: Hold up! Isn't this a God-Tier Companion-type NPC???]
Using his ability, Yue Jingxui looked at the colorful expressions that flashed across the woman's face.
It can't be that his request shocked her to this extent, right? Perhaps he needs to act more distant and cold? Or he could also play the role of an eccentric old grandpa?
Before Yue Jingxui could form any more weird rules for the mask he decided to wear, a shiver abruptly ran down his spine. Zhang Yin stared at him with hungry eyes, like he was a succulent piece of meat that everyone is fighting for.
Resolving to raise his favorability as fast as possible, Zhang Yin acted right away. With a complete 180 turn in attitude from his previous 'cold and cautious', he asked with puppy energy and subconsciously also spoke in an overly polite way. "May I ask for your name?"
Facing the woman's hungry eyes and sudden interrogation, Yue Jingxui faltered for a second.
Quickly gathering his bearings, he spoke out his preset answer.
"I... I am Yue Jingxiu."
After saying this, because of his slight guilty conscience, he hurriedly moved on and asked in return, "Then, since I've introduced myself, may I ask who you are?"
Without hesitation, the woman opened her mouth and said, "My name is Smoke Without Fire."
Yue Jingxiu paused.
What?
'What kind of name is "Smoke Without Fire"? Instead of a name, it sounds more like a username of a player...'
When Yue Jingxui finished this thought, his expression couldn't help but change.
'Wait, could it be?'
Quickly, Yue Jingxui asked in an almost rushed tone. "You look so young, how did you get into this kind of place?"
If this was an NPC, Yue Jingxui would never dare to ask them this question. Everyone in [Black Abyss Prison] is a heinous criminal, and asking them this question is akin to asking a Ghoul how they died. You'd just be asking for death at best.
However, if this was a player, they would answer with one specific response.
Without knowing anything about the setting of [Black Abyss Prison] or the role he's supposed to be playing, Zhang Yin did not feel anything strange and, as Yue Jingxui predicted, answered in a player's go-to response.
Still doing his best to look like an innocent and confused puppy, Zhang Yin said, "Unfortunately, I'm also not quite sure how I got here or what happened before this. Something seems to have happened to me and I was knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I had forgotten everything but my name, abilities, and a few other random facts about myself."
Hearing this familiar set of words, Yue Jingxui's hands shook and the chains around his wrists clinked against each other due to the intensity of his tremors.
'Amnesia!'
Before everything had happened and he was confined into his pod, he was an aspiring game developer. To research and gain inspiration, he was deeply immersed in the gaming community and had naturally used the same excuse before.
Countless thoughts flew through his head.
This world is actually a game?
If this is a game, why is everything so similar to his own world? Did someone plagiarize his world somehow?
Is Smoke Without Fire the only player? How long has this game been available on the GameZone?
Since this world is a game and Smoke Without Fire was a player, does that mean he can contact the real world with her help?
When this thought popped into his mind, Yue Jingxui forgot everything else and was filled with excitement.
However, just as he was about to impulsively reveal his identity, he was stopped.
Every time he tried to mention that he knew about the real world, his voice got stuck in his throat and he wasn't even able to let out a whisper.
'What in the hell?'
Facing this mysterious obstruction, Yue Jingxui felt a bucket of cold water pour on his head.
Something was blocking him from mentioning or insinuating that he knew about the real world.
Was there really someone else controlling this world?
How is it possible that they could control him? And if it's possible, what else are they controlling?
If that is true, what is their motivation for bringing him into this world?
Yue Jingxui turned this thought over and over in his head, but he still couldn't guess what exactly that person wanted from him.
Everything about his situation was suspicious. From his new surroundings, his new body, plagiarizing his world, making it into a game, and not allowing him to reveal his awareness of reality...
'Just what is this person thinking?'
Nevertheless, Yue Jingxui wasn't going to give up that easily. Just because he can't tell anyone of his knowledge of the real world doesn't mean that he can't find out what's going on in the real world through Smoke Without Fire.
It's better to take everything slowly for now and carefully pry the information out of Smoke Without Fire.
But to do that, he needs to create a reason to stay with her.
However, he had to maintain his current persona of a mysterious and powerful former bigshot so that he would remain useful in her eyes. Yet, because of this, someone of his stature would never stoop low enough to be the first one to ask the other to accompany him no matter how casual they were.
Just when he was wracking his brain for ideas, almost like God had heard his prayers, Zhang Yin opened her mouth. Still playing the lost and ignorant puppy that needed people to take care of it, he spoke, "Yue Jingxui, it may be presumptuous of me to ask of this, but would it be alright if we temporarily travelled together? Because of my missing memories, I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to last long in this dangerous place alone."
Once he heard these words, at first, Yue Jingxui couldn't help but deadpan.
As a person who had the privilege of watching Smoke Without Fire's fight before he had interfered, he would like to say that she was spewing complete nonsense.
But, afterwards, Yue Jingxui paused and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but quirk up.
How can he not recognize the standard line used to recruit a NPC into a player's party?
However, he was still surprised.
'This person actually wants to recruit me? It seem that something about me impressed them. Moreover, to make her immediately extend an invite even though our favorability might not be enough, it must be pretty special.'
'Actually, now that I know that this is a game, am I a NPC? Do I have a Character Information screen? If yes, their desire to recruit me should most likely be related to my Character Information.'
He pretentiously acted like he was hesitant for a few moments before nodding and relenting. "I suppose, since you're the first person I've met in a while, it wouldn't be so bad."
Taking his mask into mind, he added a few lines to create a more concrete personality. "Hehe. I've grown bored recently, so it'll be good to have someone to converse with~."
Having reached an agreement to temporarily travel together, Zhang Yin and Yue Jingxui were both happy. Unknowingly, these two actors' thoughts were the same and they had great tacit cooperation between themselves.
' 'Scam successful.' '
Now that their deal had been made, Zhang Yin habitually glanced at his status before exclaiming in panic.
Hearing her, Yue Jingxui activated his foresight ability but didn't see any immediate hostiles.
"What's wrong?"
Zhang Yin had been so focused on capturing Yue Jingxui for his party that he had forgotten something very important.
[You are currently within the [Black Abyss Prison]. Due to special environmental effects, your character will lose 5 health points per second for as long as you are in contact with a surface.]
In addition to the time they took to move locations, he had been talking to Yue Jingxui for a long time. Right now, even though he had leveled up a lot from the monsters he killed and increased his total health, he barely had any health left.
Cursing in his mind, Zhang Yin quickly searched for a possible solution before his eyes landed onto Yue Jingxui.
'Yue Jingxui, it's time for you to prove your worth!'
Without wasting any more time, Zhang Yin came up to Yue Jingxui and raised his arms like he was a child who wanted to be picked up.
Ignoring the viewers who were mocking him through the stream, Zhang Yin thickened his skin and asked, "Yue Jingxui, I know that this is sudden, but can you carry me?"
Yue Jingxui: ???
Somehow, this wasn't what he expected their cooperation to be like.