Lin Yu checked the messages Fu Luo had sent him.
All hundred-plus messages had been sent after midnight. Since Lin Yu always kept his phone on silent mode, he hadn't noticed them.
After reading them, Lin Yu could only sigh.
"Over a hundred messages just saying 'Are you there?' and 'Urgent!' Couldn't you just tell me what's going on first?"
Lin Yu expressed great dissatisfaction with Fu Luo's behavior.
But he still called Fu Luo back.
The call connected after two rings.
"Hello? May? Is that you?"
Fu Luo's voice came through.
"Yes, what is it?"Lin Yu got straight to the point.
"Bro, I'm about to attempt Promotion. Can you help me out?"
"I've already bought the Party Items... We can discuss compensation."
The second Promotion Trial usually occurred on even-numbered dungeons.
Because it mirrored the timing of the first-tier dungeons.
For example, if you completed your "First-Tier" Promotion in the seventh dungeon, your "Second-Tier" Promotion would be in the fourteenth dungeon.
Of course, if you failed the first trial,
It would be based on when you eventually passed.
For instance, if the first Promotion Trial appeared in the seventh dungeon but wasn't completed,
Then the second "First-Tier" Promotion Trial would appear in the seventeenth dungeon - if completed then, the "Second-Tier" Promotion Trial would come at 17+7, meaning the twenty-fourth dungeon.
But why was Fu Luo attempting "Second-Tier" in his nineteenth dungeon?
That didn't make sense!
Thinking this, Lin Yu asked directly:
"Why are you attempting Second-Tier in an odd-numbered dungeon?"
Hearing this, Fu Luo gave an embarrassed chuckle on the other end.
"May, buddy... actually this is still First-Tier... my second attempt at First-Tier."
As Fu Luo spoke, Lin Yu was rendered speechless.
He had always assumed this 'Detective' was already First-Tier.
Despite being somewhat cowardly, Fu Luo had quite a reputation, extensive connections, and was always active on the forum posting guides.
Plus, his performance in the Frostpeak Mountains dungeon and during the real-world investigation of Heavenly Artisan had been decent. Lin Yu had thought he was already First-Tier!
"So you failed your first First-Tier Promotion Trial, and now this is your second attempt?"
Lin Yu asked, and Fu Luo answered seriously:
"Exactly, my friend. That's why, to be safe, I'd like you to team up with me."
Lin Yu sighed.
"How can you be this cowardly? With nineteen dungeons under your belt... even if you can't complete the Promotion Trial, surviving shouldn't be a problem, right?"
It seemed there were levels to cowardice. Almond from the Marauders, while also the type to flee rather than fight, had at least passed her First-Tier trial!
At this thought, Lin Yu suddenly realized something.
"Wait... don't tell me you didn't even look at your first trial and just teamed up to skip it?"
In Promotion dungeons, teaming up automatically means the Promotion Trial won't complete.
Faced with Lin Yu's question, Fu Luo's awkward laughter came through the phone.
"Ahahaha..."
"You really did," Lin Yu sighed, feeling disappointed. "Failing the first time is one thing, but after nineteen dungeons... you should at least try, right?"
"If you don't gain experience, even with better items next time, you'll still be clueless facing the Promotion Trial and might waste another chance."
"Besides, what if you succeed this time?"
In response to Lin Yu's reasoning, Fu Luo offered an unexpected perspective:
"Here's the thing, May... what if I never attempt Promotion?"
"Just buy Party Items every ten dungeons to avoid any risk - isn't that more cost-effective?"
Fu Luo said earnestly.
Lin Yu was stunned by Fu Luo's logic.
"You... you're truly one of a kind!"
Having been in the Death Game for a while now, Lin Yu had met all sorts of players.
Beautiful women who seemed fragile but were terrifying, medical students deeply in love yet ultimately killing their boyfriends, otakus who seemed useless yet somehow survived...
He'd even glimpsed the true faces of many high-level players in the last dungeon.
But no player had ever left Lin Yu speechless with just two sentences.
After a long silence, Lin Yu sighed.
"I could help you, but I don't think it's good for you."
"As a friend... I won't do this."
Lin Yu spoke sincerely.
"Though unconfirmed, I hope you'll improve your own strength. Otherwise, one day... you'll face a dungeon that can't be handled with those ordinary items of yours."
"Besides, players need to worry about more than just dungeons... but other players too."
Hearing this, Fu Luo seemed genuinely moved.
"Maybe you're right. It's just that I... I'm really scared."
"Everyone's scared," Lin Yu said firmly. "When I faced my Promotion dungeon, I was terrified too... but we don't have a choice, my friend."
"Death never shows mercy just because you're afraid."
Lin Yu's words seemed to convince Fu Luo.
"I understand, May... this time, I'll really try my best!"
Lin Yu said approvingly: "That's more like it!"
Just as Lin Yu was about to hang up, Fu Luo spoke again.
"Oh right, May, one more small thing!"
"What is it?"
Lin Yu asked curiously.
"Brother Shan just messaged me, asking you to add him as a friend. Order has something they want to discuss with you."
"You remember Brother Shan, right?"
As Fu Luo spoke, Lin Yu recalled after a brief moment.
"Oh, Officer High Mountain... of course I remember!"
Lin Yu took out his wallet and found the "business card" he'd received during his last trip to Zheng City.
"What exactly is it about?"
Examining the card, Lin Yu asked casually.
Fu Luo didn't hold back, sharing everything he knew:
"Seems something's about to happen in Jiangcheng, and Order is mobilizing people."
"I don't know many details yet... but Brother Shan said he might ask me to help solve a puzzle later. If I learn anything, I'll definitely tell you!"