Chapter Two: What Does Losing Something Have to Do with Me?

A mechanical voice echoed in her mind. Gu Xi suddenly sat up, her eyes filled with confusion. What was this?

[Reconstructing main interface.]

[Welcome, player, to the Card Collection System.]

[Please enjoy the pleasures of the card-collecting game.]

“Card collection? A game?” The few words left Gu Xi stunned.

[This system aims to transform Spirit City into a large-scale card collection game. As one of the first trial players, please carefully read the instructions.]

[The system has tailored simple and clear rules and a main interface for you.]

[Rules: Players can unlock card compendiums by collecting crystals from beings in Spirit City, excluding humans. Each unlock earns points.]

[Cards of the same category can be collected repeatedly; the higher the crystal grade, the more points awarded.]

[Points earned can be used for lottery draws, with prizes including essential survival supplies and weapons.]

“First trial batch? How many people?” Gu Xi’s keen mind grasped the crucial information and asked with curiosity.

[There are 42 players in the first batch, including you.]

Considering she had been reincarnated, could the system be linked to her rebirth?

“Are they all reincarnated too? Can I get specific information about them?”

[Due to confidentiality rules, player information cannot be disclosed.]

From confusion to excitement, then calming down, Gu Xi sat on the sofa to ponder. This time, her physical condition had not improved; she still could not awaken any special abilities. But with the system’s help, as long as she diligently collected crystals, survival should not be too difficult.

As for the other 41 players, she did not know if they were friends or foes.

If possible, she would rather avoid them and not seek to save the world—only to survive peacefully after the floating island descended into chaos.

Having clarified her goal, Gu Xi regained confidence. Leaning against the sofa, she carefully examined the virtual panel provided by the system.

The panel was divided into two parts. One was labeled “Card Collection,” displaying an array of dim, locked virtual cards, with only a single Level 1 Primordial Ape illuminated.

The other section was “Lottery,” dominated by a large spinning wheel occupying the screen. Most segments offered supplies, while weapon options accounted for less than one-tenth.

Her gaze landed on the number of lottery draws: “1.” Instinctively, she patted her pockets, which were indeed empty.

[To better serve players, the system will automatically collect crystals the player possesses or encounters.]

[Collected crystals become system property and will not be returned.]

The cold system prompt answered the unspoken question. Gu Xi shrugged and smiled, “That’s pretty convenient. Let’s draw.”

She clicked the lottery button, and the pointer spun rapidly.

[Congratulations, player, you have won ten packs of instant noodles.]

Ten packs appeared out of thin air, heaped on the sofa.

Curious, she tore open a packet and bit a small piece; the crisp noodle cake released a fragrant sweetness, a familiar starchy aroma that brought nostalgia.

The taste was no different from ordinary instant noodles, and tears welled in her eyes. Finally, she wouldn’t have to rely on energy bars made from rotten food.

Tears streaming down her face, she devoured the noodles with abandon, overwhelmed by emotion.

After a day of running around, Gu Xi’s body was exhausted, and sleepiness crept in. She used the sofa to block the door, preventing Primordial Apes from barging in, then leaned over the table and fell into a deep sleep.

When she awoke, moonlight bathed the ground outside the window; inside, all was quiet and peaceful.

She poured a cup of hot water and, passing the door, suddenly heard the faint rustling of footsteps in the hallway.

She knew the sound all too well—three Primordial Apes were prowling outside.

Her heart tightened. Fearing that too much noise would attract the upstairs Primordial Apes, she hastily grabbed a windbreaker from the wardrobe, put on climbing gloves, and took the iron rod by the door, then slipped out quietly.

The hallway was silent; the Primordial Apes had not noticed her approach.

With fluid and precise strikes, she knocked and stabbed with the rod. In no time, the three creatures lay motionless, the stench of their black blood filling the air. After collecting the crystals, she quickly returned inside.

Back indoors, Gu Xi suddenly felt dizzy and sank to the floor.

She recalled how, in her previous life, she went three days without proper meals just to maintain her figure for a Valentine’s Day date with a scumbag.

“What a nightmare!” she muttered, crawling to the coffee table, finding the box of handmade chocolates she had prepared. She tore open the packaging and popped one into her mouth. The bittersweet chocolate melted, easing her dizziness.

Gu Xi murmured, “If I want to survive, I have to eat properly.”

After confirming there were no Primordial Apes in the hallway, she prepared another bowl of instant noodles.

[The system has automatically recycled three Level 1 Primordial Ape crystals and converted them into lottery draws. Please check your count.]

The mechanical voice sounded again.

Slurping her noodles, Gu Xi opened the panel and saw her lottery draws had increased by three.

Wiping her mouth quickly, she settled on the sofa, closed her eyes, pressed her palms together, and prayed softly, “I, a humble believer, offer my half-paralyzed body in exchange for drawing a weapon once.”

Having said this, she pressed the lottery button three times in quick succession. The pointer spun furiously.

Before it stopped, a knock came at her door.

“Hello, I’m your neighbor.”

Gu Xi had no time to see the lottery result. She hurriedly closed the panel and opened the surveillance feed.

There was only her household on this floor—no neighbors at all.

The person outside sensed the camera and looked up with a slight smile. A purple gemstone glittered under the hallway light.

The man had located her through the immersive system device and hoped he had not been matched with unknown creatures.

He knocked and could sense a human life inside.

Gu Xi heard the knock but dared not open.

“I don’t care if you’re human or ghost. Just tell me what you want.”

She clenched the spiked club she kept by the door firmly in her palm.

She was quite skilled at self-defense.

“Hello, I mean no harm. I lost something, and I’m sure you saw it.”

The man spoke gently, wishing to avoid conflict. He only wanted to retrieve the immersive device.

“What did you lose? Just because you say it’s yours, how do I know? Prove it.”

Having been through a previous life, Gu Xi no longer trusted people so easily.

“Listen, I’m not here for nothing. I’m sure you’ve already seen my face through your method. I’m unarmed. Also, there are large numbers of unknown creatures outside; the corridors are littered with corpses, very dangerous. Third, I’m human. You’ve met me once before. I’m not a threat—otherwise, I would have acted outdoors, not wait till now. Finally, I can offer you something in exchange for what you want.”

The man spoke sincerely.

Gu Xi saw his earnestness on the monitor, and the fact he was willing to trade seemed genuine.

So, she decided to negotiate terms.

Slowly, she cracked open her door just a sliver, revealing bright, clear eyes studying the frail man before her.

“Hello, I’m Su Chen, a mentor at the Floating Island Academy Research Institute. Here’s my electronic business card. Pleased to meet you.”

Su Chen extended his hand in goodwill.

Gu Xi did not shake it—the electronic business card on the screen instantly obscured everything else.

Forcing one’s identity directly into someone’s mind was quite something.

Gu Xi opened the door fully and let the man named Su Chen inside.