"Strength standards?"

As a "newbie player" who had only experienced one game session, Lin Yu was naturally confused.

But he tentatively made a guess based on his limited experience.

"Uh... profession strength?"

"That's part of it... but for most people, profession strength is only a small factor—after all, a profession's effectiveness varies depending on the scenario."

The middle-aged man wagged his finger.

Lin Yu thought for a moment before making another guess.

"Is it perhaps 'number of completed game scenarios'?"

Lin Yu carefully speculated.

"That's not wrong, but... it's not a 'hard requirement'. Many who've gone through seven or eight scenarios might still lose to an exceptionally strong newbie who's only done two."

The middle-aged man stroked his chin, the diamond-encrusted gold watch on his wrist glinting dazzlingly.

"For newcomers like you, there's really only one measurement that matters—item quantity."

The man looked directly at Lin Yu.

"That 'gun' in your hand must be an item... getting such a powerful reward in your first scenario is quite lucky—though I suspect your abilities are equally impressive."

Lin Yu nodded slightly without denying it.

He was beginning to understand.

"So these 'items' can be traded between players?"

"Is this gathering a place for such exchanges?"

The middle-aged man paused, then burst into laughter.

"Newbie, you're sharp—figured it out immediately!"

"Correct... this is Jiangcheng's largest and most reliable 'offline gathering spot', where all local Death Game players trade exchangeable items."

Lin Yu pondered this before asking: "Is the currency... real money?"

"That's flexible... some use real money, especially those who excel in the Death Game but struggle in real life... naturally they'd want to improve their circumstances."

"But more often, people prefer trading with 'forum points'!"

Lin Yu frowned at this.

"Forum points? So that forum... it's not just a discussion site for strategies?"

The middle-aged man chuckled.

"You really are clueless... here, add my WeChat and I'll send you the forum."

He pulled out an outdated senior-friendly smartphone from his pocket—a budget model from Huawei.

Opening WeChat, Lin Yu scanned his QR code.

The man's WeChat name was "Harmony Brings Wealth", with a profile picture of a golden toad statue—bearing uncanny resemblance to himself.

"Alright kid, I've sent the installer. Enter my WeChat ID as referrer when you register. Study the forum yourself later!"

"The gathering's day after tomorrow—don't linger here too long. Being seen with me might cause trouble."

Lin Yu looked surprised.

"Brother Harmony Brings Wealth... do you have many enemies?"

The man laughed.

"Complete a few more scenarios and you'll have enemies too... what, didn't make any rivals in your newbie scenario?"

"Even brothers turn on each other at gambling tables—when lives are at stake, grudges form easily."

Lin Yu nodded silently.

He mentally recalled the faces of Yu Longguo, Yao Zhengye, Bao Liu, Xu Xiumei... and Xia Yue.

Undoubtedly, any survivor would likely hold an undying grudge against him.

Especially those two—Yu Longguo and Xia Yue...

Just thinking about them gave him a headache.

Deciding to probe further, Lin Yu asked:

"Brother Harmony, those who die in the game... can't possibly come back, right?"

"Of course, the Death Game is the final chance... so cherish it—I believe in 'fate'. Our meeting today is no coincidence."

The man patted Lin Yu's shoulder.

"Hope to see you at this gathering and next week's too!"

"I hope so too!"

With that, Lin Yu bid farewell and left.

At the intersection, he mounted his bicycle and hurried home.

Night had fallen deeply, enveloping everything in silence.

But upon opening his door, a shadowy figure suddenly lunged at him from the darkness.

"What the—?"

Was it that mysterious junior girl?

No—wrong height. An accomplice perhaps?!

Or one of the middle-aged man's enemies?

Maybe just another player!

Startled, Lin Yu instantly summoned his pistol, pressing it against the attacker's abdomen!

Then a familiar shampoo scent reached his nose.

Followed by excruciating ear pain.

"OW—that hurts!"

Lin Yu yelped in pain.

"SMACK!"

The girl twisting his ear turned on the lights, her expression thunderous.

"Little Yu, how impressive... coming home past eleven two nights straight!"

The round-faced girl wore loose homewear, her short hair framing an angry scowl.

Lin Yu raised his hands in surrender: "Sis, have mercy! Yesterday was rehearsal, today was dinner..."

This was Lin Zhao—Lin Yu's only weakness, his elder sister.

Though only five years older, she'd essentially raised him after their parents disappeared during their childhood.

From working student jobs to eventually dropping out to open a shop supporting Lin Yu's education, she'd been more mother than sister.

While Lin Yu cared little for others, his sister was the exception.

"Bullshit! I ran into your club president today—she said there was no dinner," Lin Zhao's voice rose sharply, "Since when did you start lying?"

She snatched the revolver from Lin Yu's hand.

"And waving a gun around—planning to shoot me?!"

"Club prop! Brought it home to practice handling," Lin Yu said carefully, "You scared me jumping out like that—just wanted some courage."

Lin Zhao sighed.

"Fine... then where were you really?"

Facing his sister, Lin Yu hesitated.

He hated lying to her, but as the middle-aged man said...

The Death Game was impossible to explain.

As if some unseen force gagged him.

Finally, Lin Yu forced a smile.

"The role I'm playing barely survives... got too immersed. Went biking by the river to clear my head..."

"Didn't want you worrying, so I lied."