From the Abyss of Stars

083. Psychological Shock

 

"Hmm. The video comes from the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization. It’s a police profile and AI restoration—Humanitarian Relief? From the name, it should be a gentle and kind medical rescue organization, yet this Li Aozi targeted such a place... truly detestable."

 

"I don't think they're good people... Any organization associated with Frost-Plated Republic is usually not very friendly. Let's watch this Li Aozi's crime video."

 

Luo Le muttered and clicked on the video projection.

 

The next moment, faced with the bloody scene, the system urgently popped up a window:

 

【Warning! The content you are watching will cause severe mental damage!】

 

【Human Perception Filter has been activated, related scenes have been processed】

 

【You have witnessed severely damaging scenes, receiving a negative effect—Horror】

 

"Ugh!"

 

Lu Run vomited on the spot, his pupils contracting sharply in fear.

 

Even though most of the video's content had been filtered out, both Xue Nian and Luo Le, who had served in the military and were imprisoned for impulsive manslaughter, couldn't handle it.

 

"Damn, is this hell?"

 

"I'm done—why do I have to watch such scenes? This is pure torture. I want to complain. I'm just a convict for manslaughter, how can they make me watch this stuff?!"

 

The projection continuously emitted the screams of women, the sound of bones being crushed and flesh being smashed, fire engulfing people without immediately killing them, but slowly causing their skin to blister and dry up.

 

"This is disgusting... Are you kidding me, how can the AI make the scenes so realistic?" Luo Le said with disgust.

 

The heart-wrenching cries deeply triggered the latent fears within them—the kind of fear of despair and torture brought a profound psychological shock to the three.

 

Xue Nian was particularly furious: "I can't forgive that guy. He's too evil. Even if he's just a virtual NPC, I want to beat him to death working overtime..."

 

However, just when they thought Li Aozi was nothing but a mass murderer, a calm voice came from the video:

 

"Now, do you feel the pain? Compared to the crimes you created, this is nothing."

 

"Since history won't remember your sins, I will remember them!"

 

【Ding! You have triggered a hidden mission—《Tracing the Abyss》】

 

【Type】: Investigation

 

【Time Limit】: 90 hours

 

【Difficulty】: Brave

 

(Note: Brave! This difficulty will be lower than a B-level task but will test your determination and courage. You need to have a just heart, or at least pretend to have one, to maximize the mission's benefits.)

 

【Description】:

 

The GTB cyborg receptionist gave you the unmuted original crime record.

 

This record has sparked your curiosity—Li Aozi, this mysterious and dangerous man, is he really just a pure killer?

 

Is his killing for fun, or is there another reason?

 

Regardless, for the sake of money and your sense of justice (if you really have any), you must uncover this mystery. Reveal the truth.

 

【Completion Conditions】:

 

A. 《Lawful Good》—Wrong is wrong, capture/hunt Li Aozi (Warning: The target is extremely dangerous, you do not have the prerequisites)

 

Reward: 1,000,000 XP, +15 main attribute points.

 

B. 《Lawful Neutral》—Right or wrong, justice is in the heart, investigate the truth of the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization and Li Aozi (You can complete it at your level and avoid fighting the target)

 

Reward: 150,000 XP, +1 main attribute point, +30 Li Aozi favorability.

 

C. 《Lawful Evil》—Although you are wrong, I am not a good person either, join forces with Li Aozi to eliminate all bounty hunters and Frost-Plated Republic mercenaries, and achieve 10% output (You can easily complete it and avoid fighting the target)

 

Reward: 80,000 XP, +50 Li Aozi favorability, if you haven't obtained a main profession, you can unlock the【Mutator】profession heritage.

 

"It's a hidden mission!" Xue Nian exclaimed. "According to the description, there are other reasons behind the killing."

 

"Wow, the rewards are huge, equivalent to a week's farming." Luo Le marveled.

 

"What's going on?"

 

Lu Run was confused.

 

"Is this Li Aozi a bad person? No matter what, he killed so many people."

 

Just moments ago, both men were outraged and indignant at Li Aozi. Now they were marveling at the mission panel.

 

"Killing many? Killing bad people is still killing, but I respect the latter—need I say more? Li Aozi must have been wronged. Otherwise, why so many rewards!"

 

Luo Le patted him on the shoulder, urging:

 

"Hurry up, buddy, register as a bounty hunter and handle the exit procedures. We're heading to the outer regions to do the task, no—film Li Aozi!"

 

"Hey, why are you suddenly so motivated to work?"

 

"Nonsense, the company requires testers to reach max level before they can inspect high-difficulty dangerous areas for system bugs."

 

Luo Le couldn't wait:

 

"The current version cap is level 30, and this one mission can raise our main profession by 5 levels! After finishing this, no more overtime!"

 

"So, are we still hunting him?" Lu Run scratched his head.

 

"Hunt my ass, you don't even know his level."

 

Usually calm Xue Nian couldn't hold back:

 

"Let's go! Let's move! The data says Li Aozi appeared in the warlord settlement—Triangle Town. What are you waiting for!"

 

The two quickly registered as bounty hunters, started preparing, buying weapons, food, and equipment, and within two hours, they were on their way to the outer regions in a GTB field vehicle.

 

While the two big guys excitedly discussed and searched for mission information, occasionally moved by the thought of where to drink after no more overtime, Lu Run felt something was off.

 

Although he had never played a game, Li Aozi's words "compared to the crimes you created, this is nothing" kept echoing in his ears.

 

This incredibly realistic world always had elements that touched one's heartstrings, making him involuntarily get immersed in it.

 

Those nervous newbie bounty hunters, the scheming GTB agents, the silent old hunters, the various accents and grammar mistakes but understandable dialogues, the dirty and stinky people, and the chairs that not only could be sat on but felt uncomfortable because of oversized screws... all this felt exceptionally vivid.

 

'Is this really just a game?'

 

He reopened the terminal and started watching Li Aozi's crime record from the beginning.