Chengcheng, the young man with a black cat perched on his shoulder opened the door to his apartment.

The room was pitch black, the only light source being the city nightscape reflected through the floor-to-ceiling window directly opposite the entrance.

"I'm home."

Twenty spoke to the empty, dark room.

He had always lived alone.

And today, Twenty greeting the empty room wasn't based on reasons like loving life, nor was it a habit formed from repetition.

Rather...

"Come on out, friend, no need to hide anymore."

There really was someone in the room.

And as Twenty's words fell, the lights in the room turned on with a *click*.

A young woman with hair dyed in a gradient of cyan, purple, and white walked out from the kitchen, a popsicle stick dangling from her mouth.

"Darn it, how did you know I was here?"

Twenty shrugged. "The left side of the doormat was slightly lower than when I left, so someone must have stepped on it."

"You really are worthy of being a 'Detective'," the girl sighed, sitting down on the sofa. "That memory and observational skill are insane."

"Just kidding, the cat told me," Twenty pointed to the yawning cat on his shoulder. "By the way... nice new hair color, Sis Fish."

Hearing the compliment, Fish shook her head proudly, the hair clips on her head clattering together with a rustling sound.

"Hehe, it took me four hours to dye it, cost me over three thousand bucks," Fish said, leaning back slightly. "Totally worth it."

"So, you probably didn't come here just to show off your new hair color," Twenty walked into the kitchen, took two cans of soda from the fridge, and tossed the Coca-Cola to Fish on the sofa. "Is there something worth your personal visit?"

"Just checking on the progress of that thing the boss assigned."

Fish opened the Coke, took a gulp, and said while crossing her legs.

Twenty raised an eyebrow. "Oh, seems he takes it quite seriously... Actually, the unexpected gain from this trip to Haicheng is that I've already investigated it clearly."

"Regarding his identity and his special traits... But then again, I thought he would come personally."

Fish let out a sigh.

"He wanted to, but he can't."

"Pretty normal, managing such a large organization after all," Twenty also opened his imported canned soda and took a sip, then looked at Fish's expression. "Oh... seems it's not entirely because he's busy, is it?"

Fish sighed again. "You're way too damn smart—he can't come indeed not because of busy work, but because the guy got beaten up and hasn't recovered yet."

"He got beaten up too? By who, a Player or an NPC?"

Twenty said, surprised.

"'Grandmaster'."

Fish succinctly reported the name.

Twenty stroked his chin. "That shouldn't be, the national number two can't beat the national number three?"

"Who knows, that ranking is based on comprehensive strength," Fish sighed. "Anyway, this time it showed that in a one-on-one frontal fight, he really can't beat her."

"Maybe 'Grandmaster' got hurt worse."

Twenty said with a smile.

Fish shook her head. "I doubt it... And this matter is also related to that kid you're investigating."

"He encountered that 'May May' in the last dungeon—'Grandmaster' most likely came for that kid."

Twenty drained the soda in his can, crushed it, and threw it into the trash.

"Wow, what a huge deal. A 'First-Tier' rookie, not only caught the attention of your boss, but even has 'Grandmaster' willing to protect him?"

Watching Twenty's reaction, Fish also realized something. "You don't seem very shocked. Can his real identity explain everything?"

"In reality, he's just an ordinary 'acting major college student', but he definitely has something special."

Twenty pulled out a file folder from his pocket.

"First, he should be rated as S-rank potential by the 'Psychological Society'."

"Second, his 'Promotion' probably only took six dungeons."

Twenty tossed the file folder over, and Fish reached out to catch it.

"An acting major college student? Then how is he a 'Doctor'?"

Twenty laughed.

"Ha, that's the question... He should be like you, his real Class is a 'Unique Class'."

"Because in the previous 'Psychological Society' assessment, he displayed the 'Soldier' Class Abilities—in other words, this guy is not only a 'Unique Class', but like you, a 'Unique Class' that can use other Classes' abilities!"

Fish was surprised. "Wow, no wonder then... 'Unique Class' plus S-rank potential definitely deserves attention."

"Not just that."

Twenty said calmly.

"Not just that?"

Fish was somewhat surprised.

"He probably doesn't just have 'Order' as his organization," Twenty stroked his chin. "What's noteworthy is his interpersonal relationships. Currently in Jiangcheng, many top experts are gathering around him."

"So, I suspect he might have also joined some deep, hidden Player organization... and he's just the one stepping into the spotlight." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Fish rubbed her chin. "A hidden organization... Does that kind of thing really exist?"

"Various signs already indicate that although the most senior Players can only be traced back three years, I don't think three years ago is when this game started," Twenty said thoughtfully. "Dealing with those NPCs and gods always gives me a vague feeling... they aren't new to the existence of Players."

"And according to those lunatics at the 'Psychological Society', this 'Death Game' will have 'major events'... just like a real game."

Fish frowned. "You think he has guidance from Players from the last version?"

"Otherwise, as a rookie, his information-gathering ability is a bit too terrifying. If you observe his action patterns and social circle, you'll find this guy seems to simultaneously know the operational patterns of many organizations," Twenty said, stroking his chin. "That's impossible for a rookie Player..."

"Of course, it might not necessarily be Players from the last version. It could also be god-level NPCs, a 'Spokesperson' jointly chosen by several top-ranked Players, 'Order's' deification campaign—in short, he's interesting."

"This might also be why 'Grandmaster' values him."

Fish exhaled.

"I got it. I'll report what you've investigated to the boss."

Then, she reached out and pulled out a box.

"Anyway—this is your payment."

"If there are related commissions later, I'll still come to you... Pleasure doing business, Teacher Twenty."

Twenty nodded.

"If it's related to this guy, I'll definitely take it."

"Honestly, even after investigating to this extent, I still feel... he has secrets I haven't uncovered yet!"