Chapter 26: The Charming Friend (Please Vote and Keep Reading)

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【Regular - Bel Ami (Required Battle Prep: 10,000 Yuan)】
【Pre-battle preparation time. This game duration is one month. You must evacuate from the designated location within this timeframe, starting from the moment you enter the instance.】
【Your game items: None】
【Bank balance: 40,000 Yuan】

During the preparation phase, Chen Lai hesitated for a moment and clicked on the game items to make a purchase, but a casual voice suddenly drifted from behind him.
"So this is what you meant when you said our world is a game."
Toji Fushiguro was dressed in his usual attire, floating above Chen Lai’s head like a spirit, curiously scrutinizing the various items appearing in [Bel Ami].
"The combat strength of this world isn't even worth a flick of my finger."
He sneered as he looked at items such as [Retired African Veteran ID Card], [Newspaper Reporter ID Card], [Destitute Aristocrat ID Card], and [Musket].

Chen Lai nodded. The [Bel Ami] instance world truly seemed that way—low combat power, with most of the items on sale being nothing more than identity cards, lacking any semblance of a supernatural world.
But why was Toji Fushiguro here?
"Where did you pop out from?" Chen Lai felt a bit overwhelmed. With so many Deep Sea players, why did he have the most chaotic situation?
"There was nothing in that underwater warehouse of yours. I don't get hungry, but I do get bored. When you entered just now, a gap appeared in front of me, so I crawled in."
"I'll possess you. I’m quite interested in this different world… let’s just call it a vacation. Let’s go!"
After saying this, Toji Fushiguro dove into Chen Lai’s body like a fish, though this time he had completely lost control and could only serve as a spectator.
Chen Lai moved his body, felt no side effects, and decided to let it be.
His attention returned to the game items. Looking at the multitude of identity cards, he hesitated over what to choose.
"The Fencing Master. Choose that one; I can teach you how to fight," Toji Fushiguro reminded him.
Chen Lai ignored him and checked the Deep Sea forum for information. He hadn't heard of this instance and could only follow the experience of other players.
However, since this great whirlpool had just emerged, the forum only contained beautiful scenery posted by new players, with no strategy guides yet.

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Chen Lai took a few more looks at the scenery. It felt like nineteenth-century Europe; the men wore top hats and carried canes, while the women wore corsets, veils on their heads, and what looked like a layer of powder on their faces.
There was foul-smelling sewage and black water on the streets. Cafes and taverns were everywhere, and from the basement kitchens, people poked their heads out, seemingly calling out orders.
This was truly a novelty, Chen Lai thought. It really was a trip to a different world.
Since there were no guides, Chen Lai stopped fretting. Zhang Long had already told him that not every instance featured a grand event, and for most players, the first step upon entering was to understand the local customs and traditions.
"I’ll take your advice then. [Fencing Master ID Card], plus a musket. That’s 20,000 Yuan for battle prep."
Chen Lai made his decision and quickly completed the exchange.
【Game Item: Fencing Master ID Card (15,000 Yuan): Upon entering the game, you will become a Parisian fencing master from a foreign land.】
【Game Item: Musket (5,000 Yuan): An unreliable musket that seems to be a defective product salvaged from an African arms smuggling market.】
【Requirements met. Do you wish to enter?】
"Of course."
Chen Lai nodded. The scene before him blurred; his short sleeves changed into a tight-fitting suit worth sixty francs, a top hat appeared on his head, a walking stick in his hand, and a cylindrical rapier symbolizing his profession was tucked at his waist. He was now standing on a street in Paris.
"Ah, Paris! My beautiful homeland!"
Beside him appeared a fellow who looked like a wandering poet. Don't be mistaken—he had [The Deadly Tiger of the Auditorium] tagged above his head. It seemed he had bought the Artist ID card.
Judging by his attire, however, he looked more like a street performer.
The Deadly Tiger’s exclamation drew the attention of the gentlemen and ladies on the street. He didn't mind at all; instead, he bowed to them with a look of honor.
He was rewarded with a few sous tossed from a passing carriage.
He was being treated like a beggar.
"Go to a tavern, have a beer, wash your face, and find a job... God, these provincials wandering in Paris."
The voice from the carriage was intermittent; it was clearly a respectable gentleman with a sense of pity.
A sou was worth one hundred centimes. Honestly, those few sous were enough to buy a meal at a street-side beer hall, followed by a large mug of ginger beer.

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"Is your friend always like this?"
Zhang Long turned the corner and saw The Deadly Tiger fiddling with some banknotes, looking speechless.
"He’s a streamer. No content means he gets eliminated... occupational hazard." Chen Lai looked at Zhang Long’s attire; he must have bought the [Newspaper Reporter ID Card].
He wore a monocle perched on his nose, carried a walking stick, had a fountain pen in his breast pocket, and tucked a copy of *La Vie Française* under his arm.
"What now?" Chen Lai asked Zhang Long.
"First, get familiar with the profession and find the character's relationships. This is what players have summarized: if there's a grand event, tackle it; if not, start with the identity provided."
"Every world has a few 'protagonists' or children of destiny. Find them, and you can grasp the thread of the entire instance... the only thing to worry about is time."
Zhang Long took out the newspaper from under his arm, read it for a few seconds, then lost interest. He turned on his heel and waved goodbye to Chen Lai. "Let’s meet here in a week. If you have information, share it."
With that, he walked away, avoiding the foul black water on the ground, likely heading to report to the newspaper office listed on his ID card.
"What about you? What are your plans?" Chen Lai looked at The Deadly Tiger.
"Me? Are you familiar with this world?" The Deadly Tiger was acting a bit lackadaisical. He had enabled Peace Mode and was just here for streaming content. If Chen Lai’s side wasn't interesting, he would leave.
"No, I’m planning to start with my identity card."
"Then see you in a week. If you find any supernatural power or if you’re ready to make a move, remember to let me know! Still a seventy-thirty split!"
Seeing that Chen Lai didn't have a major task like in the last instance, The Deadly Tiger decided to go explore on his own for a few days.
Chen Lai watched them walk away, then pulled a business card from his pocket.
It read: 17 Baslow Street, Sherlot Fencing Club.
It seemed this was his identity: an instructor at a fencing club. Chen Lai tucked the card away thoughtfully and followed the route in his memory toward Baslow Street.