Chapter 34 – Together or Apart

First, there was Meteor Blitz’s clean and decisive 6-0 victory, followed by the Ghost Server Legion’s absolutely shameless 6-0 win. The audience’s expectations had been raised to unprecedented heights—if the next team couldn’t deliver a match that surpassed human limits, they’d be letting the spectators down. Thus, the third group to take the stage—the final round of PK matches that day—was doomed from the start.

Despite being evenly matched and delivering a full 7-3 battle, they still failed to win the audience’s approval. By the time the fourteen players in the final Team Battle were duking it out on the screen, the audience was already discussing whether they should create alts to visit the legendary land of Mirage Server—perhaps the game company had some bizarre preferential policies there, which explained the proliferation of weirdos. Meanwhile, the teams in the contestant seats were privately strategizing: What would they do if they faced the Ghost Server Legion? Most concluded with… Damn, surely we won’t be that unlucky?

By the time the first day of the Cross-server PvP Tournament came to a close, the clock in the bottom right corner of most players’ screens showed 10 PM Beijing time—though a few overseas stragglers might have seen different.

The Cross-server Arena closed, forcibly returning spectators and contestants to their home servers. Everyone went their separate ways, back to their own mothers.

The seven-member squad stood at the entrance of Mirage Server’s Arena, discussing their next move.

Mad Lad: “What now? Log off and sleep?”

2B: “Can you even sleep?”

Your Uncle: “I’m kinda pumped, heh…”

Blood Bull: “My roommate moved out with her husband, so I can game as late as I want.”

438: “I booked an all-nighter at the net cafe, no pressure.”

Fang Zheng: “Uh, guys, I think we made it to the trending forum posts…”

Polly: “Break for now. Alt-tab and check the posts.”

Mad & 2B & 438 & Blood Bull & Uncle & Fang Zheng: “Do you have to sound so serious when talking about gossip?!”

Five minutes later…

Your Uncle: “I’m not sleazy! This is straight-up slander!”

Mad Lad: “Fuck, Laozi is rich and loves decking out my gear—what’s it to you?!”

438: “Wah, they’re saying 748 is a pay-to-win pet. So unfair…”

2B: “Some girl said I’m handsome! Haha! But don’t worry, Sister Blood Bull, now that I’ve set my sights on you, I won’t flirt with anyone else!”

Fang Zheng: “Have you ever succeeded…?”

Blood Bull: “Birdy, you and Xuanyuan had a thing? Were you two…?”

Polly: “Are you in the main discussion forum?”

Blood Bull: “Ah, sorry, accidentally wandered into the fanfic section.”

Silence fell over the YY channel.

Earth was a dangerous place T_T

And yet, foolish Earthlings still frolicked on this dangerous land.

《Sorry, I Love You — Remembering Those Days in Mirage Server》

Fang Zheng instinctively set his YY to push-to-talk (F2) before diving into the post with the noble spirit of “youth wasted on gossip is youth well spent.”

The poster wrote from Polly’s perspective, narrating in first person the tumultuous love-hate saga between him and Xuanyuan—a tale dramatic enough to put Chiung Yao and Xi Juan¹Two popular Taiwanese romance novelists. to shame. If this were adapted into a drama, it would sweep the Golden Horse Awards and shake the Golden Globes. Polly would be doing the plot a disservice if he didn’t bring home an Oscar.

The replies below were a uniform chorus—”Get together already.”

Fang Zheng’s face twisted in horror as he tried to imagine the expressionless zombie tugging at Xuanyuan’s sleeve, pleading, “Don’t leave me,” while Xuanyuan sorrowfully pulled away, saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t give you what you want…” Suddenly, on a May night, he shuddered in disgust TAT

Then, Polly’s voice came through the headset: “Healer, come back to the game for a sec.”

Caught mid-fantasy, Fang Zheng jumped, feeling like he’d been caught red-handed. He quickly said, “Okay,” only to realize his mic was off. He turned it on and repeated himself.

As soon as he switched back to the game, Polly, as if timing it perfectly, said, “Expand the Legion Warehouse. I’m putting some materials in.”

“Got it.”

Fang Zheng piloted Milk is Mom back to the Guild Hall, where Polly was already waiting. Only the Legion Commander could expand the warehouse. With just seven members, the Ghost Server Legion’s warehouse was pitifully small—barely bigger than a personal inventory. And since they didn’t meet the member threshold, they could only expand it once, so even after upgrading, it remained tiny.

“These are just materials. No one’s buying them on the market anyway, so if you need them for crafting gear or accessories, take what you want.” Polly stuffed items into the warehouse as he spoke.

Watching the empty warehouse gradually fill gave Fang Zheng an inexplicable sense of accomplishment—the second time he’d felt that tonight. The first was after their 6-0 victory, and now this.

“Can I use these for refining pets?” 438 chimed in, clearly eavesdropping.

“Sure.” Polly didn’t hesitate.

438 cheered: “Polly, I love you!”

Polly accepted gracefully: “Naturally.”

Fang Zheng mentally slaughtered the narcissist a hundred times over!

[Whisper] Mad Lad: Done expanding the warehouse?

The sudden whisper caught Fang Zheng off guard. His first thought: Why not just say it on YY? His second thought:

This feels ominous =_=

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Yep, all done.

[Whisper] Mad Lad: Good. Now send me that photo.

He knew it!

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: When did I ever agree to send you a photo?!

[Whisper] Mad Lad: I sent you one~~

[Whisper] Mad Lad: You can’t betray my pure feelings like this~~

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Actually, I didn’t open the image you sent.

[Whisper] Mad Lad: Isn’t it a bit late to say that now…

Fang Zheng felt a headache coming on. A really bad one.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Brother, just let it go. Bullying a healer as an assassin isn’t even satisfying.

[Whisper] Mad Lad: It kinda is, though.

Damn it…

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Keep this up, and I’ll out you!

[Whisper] Mad Lad: Go ahead. If you out me, I’ll officially start pursuing you.

This threat… felt oddly backward =_=

Lighting a cigarette absentmindedly, Fang Zheng exhaled smoke, feeling melancholic. It wasn’t hard to figure out why Mad Lad had latched onto him. The ghost server had few players to begin with, and coming across a “fellow traveler” naturally led to some idle teasing—just like 2B harassing female characters.

But heaven knew that while Milk is Mom was shameless in-game, Fang Zheng in real life was the definition of an otaku. What was an otaku? Someone who could fall asleep hugging a body pillow printed with Wu Yanzu’s face, who could ruthlessly roast photoshopped hunks on gay forums, whose hard drive had a hidden folder filled with rare, uncensored gems you couldn’t find even with the most thorough search.

But when he frequented a small restaurant downstairs just to sneak glances at the handsome new waiter, he couldn’t even look the guy in the eye while ordering. This wasn’t charming shyness—it was insecurity. The other’s good looks only highlighted his own awkwardness.

That’s why games were great. They recognized accounts, not people. You could imbue your avatar with soul without being forced to package it with your real-life appearance.

Games should never intersect with reality because reality could never compete with fantasy.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Quit joking around. Let’s think about how to win the day after tomorrow.

[Whisper] Mad Lad: Is there a reward if we win?

[Whisper] Mad Lad: Commander [smirk]

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: The Commander isn’t for sale, but I might promote you to Deputy Commander.

[Whisper] Mad Lad: Nah, the zombie’s doing fine.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Two Deputy Commanders is an option.

[Whisper] Mad Lad: You want to have both?

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: …

[Whisper] Mad Lad: Threesomes are too hardcore, but if you’re into it, I’ll consider it.

Fang Zheng quietly set YY back to push-to-talk (F2) and dialed a number—one he’d grown disturbingly familiar with =_=

The call was answered instantly, the voice cheerful: “What, missed my voice after just a few words?”

Fang Zheng took a deep breath, gathering his resolve, and finally roared what he’d been dying to say: “Go the fuck away—!”

He hung up immediately but not before catching the other’s shameless laughter.

Outside the game, his trash-tier trash-talking skills were no match TAT

[Whisper] Polly: Done chatting?

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: WHERE DID YOU PLANT THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERA?!?!?!

[Whisper] Polly: Your keyboard was too loud.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: …

[Whisper] Polly: But you should’ve set it to press F2 by now.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: …

[Whisper] Polly: If you’re done, let’s PK.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Huh?

[Whisper] Polly: You didn’t get to play today. Aren’t you itching for a fight?

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: So damn itchy!

Polly didn’t respond, instead sending a Friendly PvP request. Fang Zheng accepted eagerly, and the next second, they were sparring in the Guild Hall.

Since meeting Polly, aside from their initial ambush encounter, Fang Zheng had never fought him one-on-one—they’d always teamed up against bosses. Now, facing off again, the feeling was strangely nuanced, especially since Polly wasn’t trying to insta-kill him this time. Instead, he held back just enough to make it fun without being overwhelming. After several rounds, Fang Zheng was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Somehow, Fang Zheng could tell Polly was in a good mood today.

After their sixth bout, they sat on the ground to recover HP and MP. That’s when Fang Zheng noticed something odd. Usually, Mirage Server’s nights were empty, except for the occasional AFK merchant idling in the Marketplace. But today? They were all flocking to the Guild Hall. When Polly was depositing materials, a few had been present. Now, after their fights, the hall was packed with a dozen or more unfamiliar faces—all level 10 alts, no less!

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Did the game company announce something? Why so many new alts?

[Whisper] Polly: Spectators.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Huh?

[Whisper] Polly: Our server is now legendary.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: …

Jokes aside, Fang Zheng inexplicably found the phrase “our server” oddly heartwarming.

[Whisper] Polly: In the end, it’s the players who make a server god-tier, and the players who make it a ghost town.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: All good things must come to an end.

[Whisper] Polly: Yeah, can’t force it.

Fang Zheng detected a hint of melancholy in those words—though he wasn’t sure if he was imagining it. He’d never joined a guild before, so he couldn’t relate to the sadness of disbandment.

But Polly’s next line stunned him—

[Whisper] Polly: But while we’re still together, it’s good.

…

A month ago, Fang Zheng could yell all night without finding a single person to run Heavenly Lake with.

A month later, he wanted to brag to everyone about how their team marched toward the sun.

…

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Do you think our guild will disband?

[Whisper] Polly: It hasn’t even fully come together yet.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Haha, true.

[Whisper] Polly: Whether it disbands or not depends on the Legion Commander.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: …I WAS FORCED INTO BEING COMMANDER!!

[Whisper] Polly: Yeah, and you’re a professional power-leveler.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Why do I feel like our guild is getting more and more doomed =_=

[Whisper] Polly: Do your best, young one.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Birdy, are you sure you’re not reading the wrong script…

Mirage Server had been dead for four months, and Fang Zheng had struggled through all four.

But now, he felt that staying in Mirage Server had been the right choice.

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  Two popular Taiwanese romance novelists.