By Wang Fan's standards, someone this beautiful would definitely be an Observation Group player. But to be so stunning that you couldn't even tell the gender, that was a bit unusual.

This was the first time Mo Bai had seen another Observation Group player besides herself, and she was very curious about players like her. She wondered if the Player from Room 515 had faced similar challenges in their own beginner stage.

Wang Fan looked at the Player from 515, but even after being hit in the face, he didn't get angry. He just calmly said, "Gu Tiandong, if you don't want to make things easier for yourself, fine, but don't stop others from finding their own way out, alright? You know how high the death rate is for Observation Group players after the three newbie levels. Even you don't know if you'll make it past the next mandatory instance. Do you even have the time to meddle in other people's business? Save yourself first before trying to save others!"

The Player called Gu Tiandong's face darkened and replied coldly, "What you do is none of my business. Just don't pull this crap at my door. It's disgusting."

"Fine, I'll go somewhere else," Wang Fan said.

Gu Tiandong snorted and slammed the door shut, ignoring whatever happened outside.

Wang Fan turned to Mo Bai, still speaking gently: "I'll take you to the supermarket."

Mo Bai maneuvered her wheelchair to avoid him, glanced at Gu Tiandong's door, and softly said, "My head's a bit of a mess right now... Too much to figure out. Can we get in touch another time?"

Wang Fan sighed regretfully. "Alright then. Once you've completed your beginner instances, you can reconsider what I said. No rush."

He turned and walked into another room. 507, Mo Bai noted down the number.

Everyone else in the hallway kept watching Mo Bai, but unlike Wang Fan, they all kept a normal social distance, as you'd expect from strangers. That was the natural way to act.

Xiao Qi whispered in Mo Bai's ear, "I thought he was a friendly, good guy. Who knew he was such a jerk? Hmph! Humans are the worst!"

But Mo Bai was calm. "It didn't really surprise me. The minute he approached me, I figured he had his own agenda."

Xiao Qi was puzzled. "Aren't there any genuinely good people?"

Mo Bai replied, "There are, but no one's nice or nasty for no reason. Suppose this were the real world, and I'd just moved into a new place and met someone this eager. In that case, I'd suspect he was a salesperson, an insurance agent, or maybe just a nosy, lonely neighbor.

We're all strangers with no emotional foundation at all. If someone goes out of their way to be nice, it's likely because they have an ulterior motive. In real life, things are more peaceful, so people's friendliness is usually just work or curiosity. And curiosity is a kind of desire, too.

But the Infinite World is different. It's full of challenges and constant risk of death. Since dungeons can also contain valuable items, people here tend to categorize newcomers in three ways: useful, useless, or harmful.

They quietly observe new players' personalities and skills. If the newcomer is steady, intelligent, low-profile, doesn't cause trouble, and has practical though not overpowering abilities, most people will try to recruit them to their team, allowing them to travel together and provide support.

If the new Player seems ordinary, then they're useless. People will ignore them and move on.

However, if the newcomer is volatile, loud, and possesses a special or dangerous ability, they're considered a potential threat or enemy. In that case, people either keep away from these newcomers or look for a chance to get rid of them in the dungeons, so that they won't harm others."

Xiao Qi was stunned. "Humans are so complicated! When did the Player even think of this?"

Mo Bai answered, "When I realized that there were other players, and that there'd be ten of us in the next dungeon, I started predicting how everyone would react. Turns out, I wasn't far off."

Xiao Qi said, "How did you do so much during your beginner instance? My CPU is state-of-the-art, but I can't match your processing speed at all."

Mo Bai smiled. "I'm just the type who doesn't go out much, so I spend a lot of time overthinking."

Xiao Qi asked, "So, how do you think other people see you?"

Mo Bai replied, "It's not about how they see me, but how I want them to see me.

I want most players to think that I'm a useless and harmless pretty face. That way, they won't attack me, and I can observe them quietly.

Honestly, the appearance this Observation Group gave me isn't something I wanted. I actually prefer Wang Fan's looks. He's so average that you would lose him in a crowd. That would be much better."

Mentioning Wang Fan, Xiao Qi gritted its teeth. "Big bad guy!"

Mo Bai soothed it gently. "Wang Fan's not really a bad person. He's just an ordinary guy trying to survive in a tough world.

He was so friendly, partly because it's his job, and partly because he thought I could be useful. So when he got close, I wondered what he wanted from me.

I just took advantage of his motives to get more information. No need to get so mad. I was the one who actually gained the upper hand."

Xiao Qi was soothed by her composure and cheered up. "So we got the upper hand! That's great!"

Mo Bai nodded. "Not just that. The fact that Wang Fan wants something from me means he'll try to gain my trust. Desire always creates weakness. Next time I need his help, as long as my request isn't excessive, he'll agree. Because for him, it's an investment, but for me, it's a free benefit."

"Xiao Qi is recording this for learning purposes!" the little assistant said seriously.

Mo Bai added, "And Wang Fan's usefulness isn't limited to information. Thanks to him, I've also identified another useful person."

With that, Mo Bai picked up her grabber stick and scooped up the soft pillow on the floor.

"Gu Tiandong?" Xiao Qi asked.

Mo Bai nodded. "After Gu Tiandong hit Wang Fan with the pillow, he left it on the floor as a show of contempt for people like Wang Fan. He didn't even bother to pick it up. This type of person is impulsive, hot-blooded, proud, stubborn, but also kind and a bit nosy. (T/N: 他 = he)

The Infinite World has toned down his sharp edges, but if this were the real world, he'd probably have called the police on Wang Fan by now."

Xiao Qi commented, "He's got a bad temper."

Mo Bai said, "That's just their way of protecting themselves. People like them are suckers for the weak and vulnerable."

Holding the pillow, Mo Bai steered her wheelchair to Room 515 and gently pressed the doorbell.

Every room here had a video screen. Ring the bell, and a holographic display would pop up inside, letting the occupant see who was outside.

There was an intercom too. Through it, Mo Bai heard someone say coldly, "What?"

The voice was cold and distant, not exactly friendly.

Mo Bai held up the pillow to the doorbell and said with a soft smile, "You forgot to bring your pillow back."

The door immediately opened. Gu Tiandong snatched the pillow, grumbled, "I can take care of it myself, mind your own business," and shut the door.

Gu Tiandong was like a hedgehog, keeping everyone in the Infinite World at arm's length.

Mo Bai didn't mind his prickliness and said kindly, "Thanks for helping me earlier."

Gu Tiandong's face softened a little, but he still said bluntly, "Don't flatter yourself. I just can't stand Wang Fan, so I wasn't trying to help you. Everyone here has their own agenda, don't go trusting people and end up counting money for whoever sells you out."

Xiao Qi fumed, "Wow! This guy is so annoying!"

But Mo Bai told Xiao Qi, "Even now, he's warning me not to trust people lightly. He's actually a good guy. I bet I can get lots of useful info from him, and it'll all be free."

Xiao Qi said, "Player is so sneaky, too!"

Mo Bai ignored the comment. She saw Gu Tiandong about to close the door, so she quickly grabbed his sleeve and looked up at him with wide, admiring eyes. "You're so brave. I wanted to confront Wang Fan too, but as a newcomer, I'm too weak... I probably wouldn't have managed to turn him down if you hadn't stepped in."

Gu Tiandong was clearly the type who melted when people showed weakness. Seeing her so defenseless, he looked a little troubled. "With your physical condition and personality, it's gonna be hard for you to survive in this world that eats people alive."

Mo Bai blinked innocently, "But my smart assistant told me Peach Blossom Land was a safe, peaceful, friendly place, just like a fairytale!"

Xiao Qi protested weakly, "I never said that! I have the recordings to prove it!"

Gu Tiandong sneered, "Don't trust those AIs brainwashed by the main system. They're just free search engines with limited access. They don't know the real picture here. Peach Blossom Land is just a slum. The real paradise is Neverland."

"Really?" Mo Bai said, rolling her wheelchair forward inch by inch, gradually making her way into Gu Tiandong's room.

Gu Tiandong continued, "Only advanced players are qualified to enter Neverland, and they have to be really powerful. The rent here in Peach Blossom Land is 3,000 points a month, paid daily. While it's 300,000 a month in Neverland, paid monthly. The moment a weak player sets foot in Neverland, they're instantly teleported into a dungeon if they don't have enough points. They either muster 300,000 points in the infinitely refreshing dungeon, or die there."

"That's brutal!" Mo Bai exclaimed.

"Exactly." Gu Tiandong was getting thirsty. He headed inside for water, and Mo Bai naturally followed him in.

"Guest mode," Gu Tiandong ordered as he entered.

A coffee table rose up out of the floor, along with a single armchair that matched Mo Bai's wheelchair in height. There was even a teapot and freshly poured tea on the table.

Mo Bai casually picked up a cup and took a sip. "So how do we even earn 300,000 points? I just finished the newbie level and barely have enough points to survive the next few days."

Gu Tiandong drained his cup in one gulp. "Whatever you do, don't buy those nutrient meals from the dumb Assistants. Those are for Combat Group players. They are super strong, burn tons of energy, and eat a ridiculous amount. One of them eats as much as ten normal people. That's why they need those high-calorie meals.

We Observation Group players aren't physically strong, so we eat like regular people. A 10-point meal box from the supermarket downstairs is plenty enough to eat."

"Huh? Observation Group players really eat that little?" Mo Bai patted her stomach, which was practically caving in from hunger.

Back in the instance, she had a monstrous appetite. After putting all her attribute points into Constitution, she needed even more energy.

Mo Bai estimated that she was consuming at least five to ten times the amount of food as a normal person.

Seeing her holding her stomach, Gu Tiandong said, "Hungry, huh? After finishing an instance, we usually reach Beginner-2. Leveling up requires energy, which means you'll be hungry. The first game only gives you 1,000 points, minus seven days' rent, so you're left with 300 points. That's tough. Forget it, I'll buy you a meal."

He opened a panel in the wall, revealing a built-in freezer, and took out a meal box. He microwaved it and handed it to Mo Bai.

"Thanks," Mo Bai took the lunch box without hesitation and finished it in two or three bites.

When she put down the empty box, her stomach rumbled loudly.

"Still hungry?" Gu Tiandong stared in shock.

Mo Bai nodded obediently and said considerately, "I'll just go downstairs and buy some buns."

"No need! If I said I'd treat you, I'll treat you until you're full. Two more meal boxes should do it." Gu Tiandong heated up two more and gave them to her.

Mo Bai quickly polished those off too, then looked at Gu Tiandong with shy, hopeful eyes.

Ten minutes later, Mo Bai patted her stomach and sighed contentedly. "I'm about eighty percent full."

Gu Tiandong stared at the ten empty meal boxes on the table, utterly dumbfounded.

"Sorry…" Mo Bai blushed.

Gu Tiandong grabbed her arm, his eyes full of suspicion. "Are you a Combat Group player pretending to be a member of Observation Group? Is your wheelchair fake? Are you faking it?!"

He reached out and patted Mo Bai's leg, intending to expose her lie, but who knew that the touch would make him realize that something was off.

The muscles beneath were severely atrophied. That wasn't something anyone could fake.

Gu Tiandong's face froze. He slapped hard across his cheeks, leaving a bright red mark on his perfect face.

"Sorry. I went out of line," he apologized.

Mo Bai smiled gently and generously, "You don't have to apologize. I should be the one saying sorry for mooching so many meals. And as you observed, my legs are like this. I really want to be healthy, so I put all of my points into Constitution. That's probably why I can eat so much."

"You didn't add any to Appearance? If you did, your abilities and title effects would be stronger. Don't you want to get stronger?" Gu Tiandong asked.

Mo Bai touched her leg with eyes full of longing. "Compared to some kind of flawed strength, I would rather hope to run and jump like everyone else."

Gu Tiandong froze, then shook his head and sighed. "Why didn't I do what you did? If I had known, I wouldn't have added points to my Appearance. Now I'm five centimeters shorter, from 180 down to 175."

"It can make people shorter? Adding points to Appearance should make us prettier, or more handsome and taller, right?" Mo Bai was confused.

Gu Tiandong let out a snort and shook his head. "If only it worked that way. What the Observation Group wants isn't absolute beauty. It's the 'Appeal Value.' Have you ever been to an art exhibit? Seen the Venus de Milo with her missing arms? Those bizarre avant-garde displays? 'Appeal Value' isn't the same as beauty."