GRMFBS CH8

The next pinned post provided an explanation.

346L, another reply from the Administrator Lingyu.

The anomaly hadn’t actually touched the forum; it had surrounded itself outside of the forum and wasn’t within the surveillance range of the network ghost. The implementation of “Teen Mode” was essentially like adding another checkpoint outside the forum. If a user wasn’t verified, it would directly cut off the data connection from the outside, creating the illusion of being forcibly logged out of the forum.

Since it never touched the forum itself, the spell of the Network Ghost had no effect.

It was indeed a clever trick.

After the administrator confirmed that the information from “Approaching Science” was accurate, the post quickly went viral.

347L:

I can’t believe it! What the OP said is actually true!

352L:

The anomaly is real, and the level checks out. Does this mean the other information the OP shared is also true?

353L:

@Administrator, can you give us a reply?

357L:

Don’t rush the replies, everyone. The anomaly was just caught, and the investigation will take some time.

359L:

XS, weren’t we told that the forum’s behind-the-scenes are all big shots? Yet the users are faster to react than anyone.

360L:

Stop stirring things up. The administrator responded quickly. It only took half an hour from discovering the anomaly to capturing it.

363L:

Enough with the noise. Doesn’t anyone wonder who the OP really is?

364L:

With this speed and accuracy, they definitely don’t seem like a newcomer.

366L:

Which big shot is hiding behind a new account this time?

368L:

They were faster than the administrators. They must be a superpowered individual with network abilities, right?

369L:

Manually tagging.

@Hacker @All-Knowing-One @Play Games with Me @Another Bug?

372L “All-Knowing-One”:

I’m just watching, not me.

373L “All-Knowing-One”:

Let me give you all a new perspective. Neither I nor Play Games with Me looked into this matter because we didn’t know the specifics. For network-type superhumans like us, we have to personally investigate. On one hand, anyone who can break into the forum definitely isn’t a rookie. On the other hand, we don’t have forum permissions, so if we’re not careful and run into the Network Ghost King’s spell, it’s a double-edged sword.

Investigator-type superhumans might be able to avoid these.

While browsing the forum, All-Knowing-One sent a message to Gu Jiancheng:

[The forum is up.]

[It was caused by an anomaly.]

[Unfortunately, it’s already been caught.]

Gu Jiancheng scoffed. All-Knowing-One was just joking with him. He wanted to beat the anomaly, but network-type anomalies were outside his abilities. Unless a similar superhuman assisted him, he and these anomalies could only stare at each other.

[No need. What’s the point of catching the anomaly? Better to spend time with my boyfriend.]

Well, the boss immediately started showing off his relationship as soon as his boyfriend paid attention to him.

All-Knowing-One ignored his comment:

[This time, the first to notice was a new account, faster than the administrators.]

[Called ‘Approaching Science.’]

Gu Jiancheng: [Not interested.]

[Busy playing games with my boyfriend.]

What was the point of a newcomer? He was now completely excited by the games with Zhan Yan.

This reminded him of the time in the Infinite World.

The rare clues, terrifying targets, the danger-filled illusions, and the adrenaline rush.

Those who couldn’t adapt were cruelly eliminated, while those who did couldn’t forget the thrill after leaving, just like veterans returning from the battlefield—hating the turbulent battlefield, yet unable to adjust to a life that was too peaceful, which felt fake and foolish.

So, in the middle of the night, he would wake up from dreams of shells, fire, screams, monsters, blood, and pain, only to realize in the cold silence of the night that it had all been a dream. He couldn’t tell whether he was afraid of the nightmare or longing to go back.

Gu Jiancheng longed for stability but couldn’t escape the craving for excitement. He liked Zhan Yan’s little games. And this time, what awaited him at the end of the level wasn’t a monster, but his cunning lover.

“This job really lacks people.”

A clue that seemed too vague. But for Gu Jiancheng, it was enough to deduce many things.

A job that lacks people either has high requirements and can’t find anyone, or it offers low rewards and no one wants it, or it’s a combination of both: the rewards and risks are mismatched.

Zhan Yan hadn’t graduated yet, so his job options were limited. He wasn’t lacking money, so he wouldn’t take a boring job with low rewards. He liked strange, interesting things.

Since this job lacked people, it should still be hiring.

Gu Jiancheng browsed the recruitment webpage.

No rush, this was just the first clue.

All-Knowing-One, who had just been forced to show off his relationship, snorted and ignored Gu Jiancheng, returning to continue browsing posts. After his reply, many more followed.

376L:

So, which information big shot is this? @Pure White Puzzle @Secretary Ao @Happy Guess Guess Guess

377L:

Who has such abnormal reaction speed? Maybe the OP is just acting.

378L:

Lol, people like that deserve no help when something happens.

390L “Fang Pai”:

@Approaching Science, do you have network abilities? Private message me. I have a task that needs network-type superhuman assistance.

392L:

Whoa, did the big shot Fang Pai just show up?

394L:

Bow down to the big shot.

395L:

Bow down to the big shot.

403L:

Doesn’t Fang Pai have a network-type superhuman collaborator?

404L:

Could it be that Hacker’s abilities aren’t enough?

405L:

Still, you can’t just pull anyone in. Approaching Science is a new account. Who knows their background.

408L:

Stop joking, Hacker’s abilities are top-tier in the network. There’s no way his abilities are insufficient. We don’t even know if Approaching Science is a network-type superhuman.

413L:

Could it be that Fang Pai had a falling out with Hacker?

As the speculations grew more off-track, Fang Pai reappeared with a reply.

421L “Fang Pai”:

Hacker is busy.

This post remained at the top of the page until dawn, but the “Approaching Science” that was the center of everyone’s attention hadn’t appeared again.

A few hours ago, at the Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau.

Ji Yueming was on the phone: “Hello? Yan Yan, Mom has to work overtime, so I won’t be home tonight. Go to bed early, don’t stay up late.”

The storm on the forum couldn’t reach the good child who didn’t stay up late, and Zhan Yan had already fallen asleep in his bed.

But countless people were stirred by the ripples caused by the stone he had thrown.

Another growing anomaly had appeared, and as soon as it did, it targeted the Choafan Forum. What did this mean? Was it a deliberate test or an accidental act?

Who was the mysterious “Approaching Science”? Was it a big shot’s new account? A suddenly rising rookie? Did they post this to test the waters? Or were they just being kind? Were they acting with goodwill or malice?

“We can’t find anything. The data collection when they entered the forum was blocked. They should have information-shielding abilities or carry similar artifacts.” Nie Yu, with a single ponytail and monocle, browsed through countless pieces of information on the lens, her fingers dancing on the virtual screen like a spider.

“Did they not open the private messaging function?” Nie Ling, also wearing a monocle, stood by an experimental table. On it floated a cobalt-blue octahedron, slowly rotating under the thread of his fingers. Inside it was trapped the anomaly “Youth’s Grudge” captured from outside the forum.

Nie Ling and Nie Yu were both information-type superhumans.