novelraw Chapter 9 : The Lamb and the Wolf
Chapter 9 : The Lamb and the Wolf
Chapter 9: The Lamb and the Wolf
Jiang City University, Building Seven, Dorm 404.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, filling the air with the scent of shampoo and snacks.
“Wow! Look at this! The ultra-HD remastered version of Flame Empress and Sky-Man just dropped!”
A girl in pink pajamas waved her phone excitedly. The other two roommates immediately crowded around.
On the phone screen was that “Battle of Flame and Wind” video that had been spreading online for two days.
Thanks to a tech wizard’s restoration, the once blurry footage had become much clearer. The manic expression on Sun Na’s face and Zhang Jie’s upright figure standing atop the streetlamp were vividly visible.
“These effects are insane! The flame particle effects, the shockwave from the explosion—it’s basically Hollywood level!”
“What effects? I’m telling you, this is real!”
Another girl wearing glasses retorted, “Haven’t you read the analysis posts online? There are zero signs of CG compositing!”
“Oh, please, Li Meng. Don’t you know people weren’t allowed to turn into spirits after the founding of the nation?”
The pink-pajama girl pursed her lips. “If you ask me, it’s the latest holographic projection tech. Didn’t the authorities issue a statement refuting it? Said it’s just viral marketing from some game company.”
“You actually believe official statements? They also said housing prices wouldn’t drop!”
Li Meng snorted. “I don’t care. I’m siding with superpowers! So cool! If I had that kind of ability, would I even worry about final exams?”
The three girls in the dorm kept chattering and arguing, and soon their topic drifted from whether superpowers were real to what they would do if they had them.
None of them noticed that on the upper bunk, behind the drawn curtain, Chen Jingjing silently clenched her phone in the dark.
The dim glow of the screen illuminated her delicate yet pale face—filled with an anxiety and unease far beyond her age.
On the screen was her chat history with an online friend named “Ferryman.”
And in her mind, that cold “Game of Gods” interface made the heated discussion below about “real or fake” seem utterly laughable.
They were talking about movie effects, while she was truly trapped inside a deadly game of slaughter.
She closed her eyes and reviewed the messages in her mind once more.
【Welcome to ‘Game of Gods’】
【Matching player identity and faction】
【Identity match complete】
【Faction match complete】
【Player: Chen Jingjing】
【Identity: Guardian】
【Faction: Radiance】
【The strongest shield exists to protect the most precious one】
……
She still couldn’t believe the messages appearing in her mind. Every night before she slept, she wished it were all an illusion—that everything would return to normal when she woke up.
This so-called “divine blessing,” a gift of transcendence to others, felt to her—timid and cautious as she was—more like a terrifying curse.
A few days ago, when she saw Sun Na’s livestream, she realized that another “player” like her had appeared.
As a history major, she was used to digging through old texts for answers.
So, she anonymously posted on a niche forum called “Anomalies in History and Mythology,” trying to analyze the symbolic meaning of Sun Na’s flames from the perspective of ancient mythology and alchemical semiotics.
Her intent had been to see if any others could understand her cryptic hints.
Unexpectedly, someone with the username “Ferryman” soon messaged her privately.
That “Ferryman” was Chen Xiang.
Chen Xiang not only matched her information about the Game of Gods but also discussed with her the projection of the “Kabbalistic Tree of Life” and “Tarot Major Arcana” within the game’s identities.
He cited references eloquently, speaking with the air of one who had “already seen through everything.”
Chen Jingjing, a naïve college girl with little life experience, was no match for a smooth-tongued veteran like Chen Xiang.
After several exchanges, she had almost completely come to believe that this “Ferryman” was indeed a senior player of the same 【Radiance】 faction—an experienced mentor.
He told Chen Jingjing that although the 【Radiance】 faction had many members, they were like scattered sparks in the night and must quickly unite to stand against the wolves lurking in the shadows.
He even hinted that Sun Na and that “Sky-Man” were likely the teammates they needed to rally.
Chen Xiang’s gentle words were like a soft web, firmly ensnaring the frightened and anxious Chen Jingjing.
【Ferryman】: “Jingjing, you’re still too naïve. This game is far crueler than you imagine.”
“Those players of the 【Shadow】 faction are villains who’ll stop at nothing to win.”
“You’re a girl—you must learn to protect yourself.”
【Still Waters Run Deep】 (Chen Jingjing’s ID): “Mm, I understand. Thank you, Brother Ferryman.”
【Ferryman】: “No need for thanks.”
“We’re teammates—we should help each other.”
“To better plan our next steps, I need to understand every teammate’s ability.”
“Can you tell me your identity and power?”
“Don’t worry—it’s just for me to coordinate and protect everyone.”
Seeing that message, Chen Jingjing hesitated.
Her innate caution told her not to reveal her cards so easily to someone she’d only spoken with online for a few days.
But the “reliable senior” image Chen Xiang had built—and her deep loneliness and fear—made her yearn for trust and protection.
In the end, under Chen Xiang’s repeated persuasion for “the team” and “victory,” she gave in.
【Still Waters Run Deep】: “My identity is…【Guardian】.”
【Ferryman】: “Guardian? Sounds powerful. What’s your ability?”
【Still Waters Run Deep】: “I can… designate someone, making them immune to all damage for a certain period of time.”
……
Inside a private club.
Chen Xiang set down his phone, a scheming smile spreading across his face.
He projected his chat with Chen Jingjing onto the screen, highlighting the part about the 【Guardian】 ability in a red box.
“Everyone, this is my little accomplishment over the past two days.”
Chen Xiang pushed up his glasses, his tone filled with smugness. “A 【Radiance】 player—a college girl with no real-world experience—has basically been won over by me.”
“The key thing is her ability—【Guardian】—which allows a person to be immune to all damage for a period of time.”
Immune to all damage?
Wang Defa, who had been idly fiddling with his walnuts, suddenly froze, greed flashing in his eyes.
“Immune to all damage?! Damn! That’s invincibility!”
If that 【Guardian】 cast her ability on him, he could dominate the entire game—no one could kill him!
“Calm down.”
Lin Lan’s cold voice poured over him like ice water. “There’s no such thing as absolute invincibility in this game. This ability must have severe limitations.”
“For example—cooldown time, or effective range.”
“Ms. Lin is right.”
Chen Xiang nodded. “From what I’ve probed, her ability’s cooldown is twice its duration. It only works on one person and cannot be ended or changed mid-duration.”
“For specifics, I’ll have to meet her offline.”
“But although she trusts me as a teammate, she’s refused to meet in person.”
“A cowardly but powerful support?”
Lin Lan’s fingertip traced the rim of her wine glass, her eyes assessing its value like she was appraising a commodity.
“This ability… is very interesting.”
Her mind raced.
A support who could provide “absolute defense” held more strategic value than even a strong attacker.
In a crucial battle, granting an ally invulnerability could instantly turn the tide.
Or, when surrounded, that same ability could serve as a lifeline to escape death.
If this 【Guardian】 could be controlled by the 【Shadow】 faction…
“This Chen Jingjing girl—since you’ve already stabilized her—keep up the contact.”
Lin Lan looked at Chen Xiang and issued her order. “Find a way to lure her out and gain control of her. If necessary, use… special means.”
“Special means?” Wang Defa rubbed his hands, a lewd smile creeping across his face.
Lin Lan shot him a look of disgust. Her voice turned frigid. “I mean, if she doesn’t cooperate, break her limbs. Make her lose mobility and turn her into a tool that only exists to ‘protect’ us.”
Wang Defa’s grin froze. A chill ran down his spine.
This woman was ruthless!
“That might not work.”
Chen Xiang shook his head, analyzing calmly. “Her ability can be cast on herself. Don’t be fooled by her trust—she’s still wary.”
“If I use force, she’ll realize I’m deceiving her.”
“And if she casts the ability on herself, we won’t be able to touch her. Worse, she might leak our information to the 【Radiance】 faction, and we’d be exposed.”
“So what, then?” Lin Lan asked impatiently.
“My suggestion is—don’t act for now.”
Schemes flickered in Chen Xiang’s eyes. “Let me continue keeping her under control. We can treat her as our planted pawn within the 【Radiance】 faction—a source of intel.”
“Through her, we can track their movements, even feed false information when needed.”
“She’ll think she’s helping her allies—but in truth, she’ll be leading them straight into our trap.”
“When the time comes, after she’s outlived her usefulness, we’ll…”
He made a slicing motion across his neck, smiling gently yet cruelly.
“…wipe her out—along with the teammates she ‘protected.’”
After hearing his plan, a glint of approval flashed in Lin Lan’s eyes.
This man might lack strength, but his mind was razor-sharp.
Sinister, deceitful, vile.
Exactly the kind of person the 【Shadow】 faction needed.
“Very good.”
Lin Lan nodded, acknowledging his plan. “You’ll be fully in charge of this. I want progress reports at all times.”
“As for you,”
Her gaze shifted to Wang Defa. “Your job is to use your ‘business connections’ to find the whereabouts of that man, Zheng Wei.”
“He’s traveling with a terminally ill daughter—he can’t have gone far.”
“When you find him, don’t alert him. Just send me his location.”
“Y-yes, Ms. Lin,” Wang Defa stammered, suffocated by her aura, bowing repeatedly.
“Well then,”
Lin Lan rose, looking down at the two of them. “First collaboration—let’s hope it’s a pleasant one.”
With that, she turned and disappeared through the door.
Only Chen Xiang and Wang Defa remained in the club.
“Damn, that woman’s presence is terrifying…” Wang Defa muttered, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
Chen Xiang adjusted his glasses, watching the direction Lin Lan had left. A faint gleam flickered in his eyes.
“Yes…”
“She’s truly… a terrifying woman.”
Yet what he was really thinking was—how exquisite it would be to deceive and conquer such a smart, powerful, and cold woman.