Death Game: Starting as a Trickster, Pretending to Be a God

Chapter 887: Legacy of the Misty Islands

Having reviewed the Professor's files, Lin Yu knew that this "Diving Merchant" was far from ordinary.

First of all, as an NPC who had interacted with many players and at least appeared to be friendly, he had never formed any "deep connections" with any player.

He never revealed his true name, never showed his true face, which meant that no player had him listed in their Social module at all.

So...

The reason Lin Yu wanted him to take off his helmet was naturally to add this mysterious and powerful "Diving Merchant" to his own Social contacts.

Although the man seemed to have his own agenda, harbored some hostility toward players, and was extremely at odds with Old Zheng...

Lin Yu didn't care about any of that - after all, this guy looked like he could be useful.

However, the moment he witnessed the other's true appearance, Lin Yu was still somewhat taken aback.

Despite knowing the man must be hiding secrets, Lin Yu never expected...

This guy was a puppet.

An iron-gray head, a neck made of telescoping tubular structures...

This was the most common type of "puppet" found among the clusters of "buildings" on the Misty Islands not occupied by various islander monsters - those mindless puppets that could only repeat simple commands.

Therefore, this metal diving suit wasn't exactly "worn" by the Diving Merchant; it was closer to a state of being "assembled."

Lin Yu could see buckle-like mechanical structures at the man's shoulder area holding the components of the diving suit together.

But the man was clearly not an ordinary automated guardian or alchemical puppet, because his behavior was far too "complex."

He was entirely a being with advanced intelligence and complete cognitive function.

Even if he looked like an ordinary puppet... this level of intelligence should mean his value in the ancient civilization was no less than that "teleportation gun" he'd placed on the ground.

But as Lin Yu looked at him, he realized there was actually a more reasonable explanation for all of this.

"You're more cautious than I imagined, friend - but since you only sent a puppet you're controlling to this place... why would you still be afraid of my threats?"

"Isn't it a bit too much effort just to maintain your character's persona?"

Lin Yu looked at him and asked with great interest.

Rather than saying this "Diving Merchant" was a highly intelligent super-puppet...

It would be more accurate to say he was someone using some kind of method to control this puppet.

Hearing Lin Yu's question, the Diving Merchant began to explain.

"You've got it wrong, friend... I'm not remotely controlling some unimportant puppet to come here - I mean, yes, I am controlling it, and this indeed isn't my original body, but I'm not controlling it 'remotely.'"

"Ever since the civilization fell and the Cataclysm descended, no one has had the ability to control puppets anymore," the Diving Merchant sighed. "The Cataclysm killed most people and turned most of the survivors into cursed monsters - but it wasn't just 'souls' that underwent 'mutation,' but 'technology' as well."

"Ancient technology became incomprehensible to people due to the world-level changes. These puppets that were already complex to begin with... their cores could no longer be driven by anyone."

The Diving Merchant paused, then pointed at himself. "So... my soul resides within this puppet."

"What happened to your original body?"

Lin Yu realized the key to the matter and asked in return.

The Diving Merchant laughed. "I didn't want to use a mutated body... not everyone is as fortunate as the Lord of the Sixth Island... or rather, counting her, there probably aren't more than five lucky ones in the entire world."

Lin Yu nodded, a hint of respect creeping into his tone. "Then you're truly impressive... Though our stances differ, I'm willing to call you a friend."

"What's your name?"

"You extorted me, forced my secrets out of me, and now you're asking for my name?" the Diving Merchant said helplessly. "Fine, since you have that one backing you up, how would I dare defy you?"

"My past name no longer matters... Just call me 'Morse.'"

Lin Yu gave a slight nod. "Very well, Morse - you may address me as 'Schreiber.'"

With that, Lin Yu made a gesture of invitation toward Morse.

The Diving Merchant Morse stepped into the teleporter that had yet to dissipate, his figure vanishing completely.

Lin Yu picked up the teleportation gun from the ground, then checked Schreiber's Social Panel.

Just as he had predicted...

In Schreiber's Social list, aside from the few players and Night Valley NPCs added from the previous dungeon, there was now a new entry - the Diving Merchant "Morse" from the Misty Islands.

And after the man's figure had vanished...

The crow on Lin Yu's wrist spoke up again.

"Caw caw, how gratifying, 'Director' - you managed to establish a connection with that guy in just a few sentences."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Is that guy really that difficult to deal with?"

The crow laughed. "Of course - why don't you just ask that 'Freud' in your hand about it?"

"Caw caw, long time no see, friend - feel free to speak up. With me covering for you, the Lord of the Sixth Island won't be able to detect anything here."

With the crow's assurance, Old Zheng resumed his normal flashing frequency and spoke. "Esteemed God of Change, it has indeed been a long time."

Lin Yu wasn't particularly curious about how the two seemed to have had brief dealings before - after all, given the ruckus Old Zheng had caused on the Misty Islands previously, it would be impossible for the crow not to know about it.

In fact, there was even a clone the crow had left behind in the asylum Old Zheng had been running.

However, the two didn't seem especially familiar with each other - which made sense. Although Old Zheng excelled at hypnosis and mental manipulation, and his setup on the Thirty-Seventh Island was quite clever... this kind of deception relying entirely on "external forces" left Lin Yu with a vague feeling that it wouldn't really pique the crow's interest.

"Alright, I'll leave you two master and servant to your time. If I stay manifest within the Misty Islands for too long, it'll invite trouble," the crow said, its mark gradually fading again. "Director - you really do become more surprising by the day."

Lin Yu looked at the crow's mark and said, "Not sending me a question this time?"

"Caw caw, well, that's not out of the question - but I can't guarantee whether I'll answer with truth or falsehood."

As the crow spoke, Lin Yu looked at the mark on his wrist and gave a slight shake of his head.

"No matter. Just answer - I'll judge the truth for myself."

"Tell me, friend, what kind of deal did my sister once make with you?"

As Lin Yu's question left his mouth, the crow burst into laughter.

"Caw! What a terrible question. You're just as insufferable as she is!"

"As for the deal she made with me... let me think - it was probably about 'inheritance'!"

"She made a deal with me, asking me to ensure that you would obtain one of the 'things' she was most skilled at using back in her day."