The Labyrinth of the Beasts City

The Secondly Note

The city was bisected by a river known as "Eastern River" and "Western River" by the locals.

The East side was the old city district, home to pedestrian streets, prestigious schools, a sports stadium, a museum, major shopping malls, and the financial center. The West side, a newer development area focused on tourist attractions, had seen rapid growth in recent years, with real estate prices catching up to those in the East.

The city was divided into nine districts. Gao Yang and Qing Ling lived in the fifth district of the East side, known as Shanqing District.

"Qingyang Bridge" was the city's first modern bridge, primarily connecting Shanqing District in the East with Feiyang District in the West.

This bridge, decades old, was like an elderly man in his twilight years compared to the newer bridges built later. Its structure was worn and long overdue for repairs, and it saw little traffic. However, after midnight, the number of heavy trucks on the bridge increased significantly. Using this bridge allowed drivers to bypass a toll booth, making it a preferred route for long-haul freight.

Late at night, Gao Yang and Qing Ling arrived at the bridge's eastern end, beneath the bridge itself. The overhead rumble of heavy trucks rolling across the uneven bridge surface was thunderous and deafening.

Gao Yang genuinely worried that the bridge might collapse.

Qing Ling sat cross-legged on the riverbank, focusing intently on searching for something.

The content of the first note was: —— At the east end of Qingyang Bridge, use your "Metal" ability to find something.

Soon, Qing Ling opened her eyes. "Found it. It should be that thing."

Gao Yang was curious about what and where it was, but not wanting to seem ignorant, he simply stood by without saying anything.

Qing Ling walked down to the riverbank, stretching out her hands towards the water below. After a while, she frowned.

"What's wrong?" Gao Yang asked.

"The distance is a bit far. Come and hold me."

"How should I hold you?"

"Ever seen 'Titanic'? Like that poster."

"I get it!"

Gao Yang quickly wrapped his arms around Qing Ling's slender waist. The river breeze carried the scent of her hair, reminiscent of flowers swaying in a breeze.

The girl in his arms leaned forward, extending her hands towards the river, reducing the distance by about a meter. Gao Yang, without overthinking, tightened his grip around Qing Ling.

Ripples started to appear on the water's surface, growing more intense by the moment.

"Whoosh—"

A rectangular iron box emerged from the water, hovering in mid-air.

Qing Ling bit her lip, pulling back with effort. The heavy iron box flew towards them.

Gao Yang braced himself, pulling as if in a tug-of-war. When Qing Ling's weight suddenly vanished, he couldn't stop in time, falling backward with her in his arms.

Qing Ling didn't rush to get off Gao Yang; she lay on his chest, taking deep breaths.

Gao Yang didn't mind either. After all, the feeling of a beautiful girl lying on him wasn't bad.

"Isn't the Metal talent supposed to be powerful? Why does it seem like your use of it is..." Gao Yang carefully chose his words, "somewhat ordinary?"

"I've only recently acquired it. It's a low level."

Qing Ling got up and stood. "Right now, my limit for sensing metal is 60ft, controlling metal is 30ft, and the maximum weight is 25lb. That thing just now was beyond my limit."

Gao Yang noted to himself: No matter how strong a talent is, it relies on level. A strong talent with a low level might be less effective than a weak talent with a high level.

Qing Ling approached the iron box, took out a dagger, and carefully sliced through the thick waterproof tape sealing it. She opened the box cautiously.

Gao Yang peered over and was surprised.

Inside the box was a black sniper rifle in disassembled form, neatly embedded in the inner lining. Under the moonlight, the cold black painted metal components had a dangerous yet seductive sheen.

At that moment, the system voice in his head chimed in.

【Do you want to observe the unfamiliar item for 1 fortunate point?】​

— Observe.

​【M82A1 semi-automatic anti-material rifle, 0.5 inches ammunition, magazine capacity of 10 rounds, effective range of 5900 ft, gun body weight 30lb】​

Gao Yang's heart sank: It looked like someone was going to be killed.

Even for Officer Huang, getting this type of sniper rifle quickly would be impossible, indicating that he had been preparing for a long time, hiding it here, waiting for the opportunity.

Qing Ling looked at the sniper rifle, lost in thought for a moment. She then took a backpack bag from the iron box, covered the box with it, and glanced at Gao Yang. "Carry it."

Gao Yang hurried over, lifted the heavy black backpack, and hoisted it onto his shoulder.

Qing Ling opened the second note and remained silent for a while.

"What is it?" Gao Yang asked.

"Where is the hotel?" Qing Ling inquired.

...

Gao Yang and Qing Ling, burdened with their load, could only walk to the Pink Hotel, taking about an hour to reach it. This was a love hotel, bathed in the glow of pink neon lights. Erotic cards were scattered all over the ground.

"Are you sure?" Gao Yang swallowed nervously. "This is the place?"

"See for yourself." Qing Ling handed the second note to Gao Yang:

— Go to the Pink Hotel, room facing south on the fifth floor, open the third note at 6 p.m.

They entered the hotel, where the reception was manned by a chubby man in his late twenties, wearing a T-shirt with a JoJo character on it. His hair was thinning, and his face glistened with oil. He was engrossed in a mobile game: "Anyone needs a scope? Hey, hey, help me! So close, that guy's almost dead..."

Gao Yang looked around, puzzled. Usually, love hotels had pretty young women at the reception, didn't they?

"Ahem," Gao Yang cleared his throat. "We'd like a room."

"One person?" the receptionist glanced up at Gao Yang.

"Two."

The receptionist put down his phone, his gaze shifting to Qing Ling standing behind Gao Yang. His eyes widened in shock. "Wow, brother... you're in for a treat tonight!"

Gao Yang was embarrassed. "Do you have a south-facing room on the fifth floor?"

The receptionist's lewd smile turned envious. "Let me check... Ah, lucky! The last one left — 'Mirrored Moon'!"

"What?" Gao Yang didn't catch on immediately.

"It's the room name." The receptionist chuckled. "Automatic water bed, love chair, couple's bathtub, ceiling mirror — the ultimate experience..."

"Okay, that one." Gao Yang, red-faced, pulled out his phone to scan for payment.

"Sure, just need to see an ID."

Gao Yang froze. He had forgotten to bring it.

He turned to look at Qing Ling, who shook her head.

"Bro, then I can't help you." The receptionist looked genuinely sorry. "If it's not possible, can I recommend an outdoor spot? Guaranteed thrill..."

Qing Ling, expressionless, turned and walked away.

Thinking she was angry, Gao Yang quickly followed her outside. As soon as he stepped out, he was surprised to see Qing Ling had grabbed someone.

Gao Yang was startled. "…Wang Zikai?"

Wang Zikai, just out of an internet café after a series of game losses, was heading to get his car when he was abruptly stopped. He turned around to see his classmate Qing Ling, and then Gao Yang approached as well.

Wang Zikai was puzzled: "Gao Yang, what are you two doing here?"

"Do you have your ID?" Qing Ling was straightforward. "I need to borrow it."

Wang Zikai glanced at Qing Ling and Gao Yang, then at the love hotel behind them: "You guys... are opening a room?"

Gao Yang nodded.

Wang Zikai's jaw dropped, and he took a dramatic step back. "Oh man! What the..."

Though Wang Zikai was known for his lewd jokes, he was still single and had never doubted that his good friend Gao Yang was also a lifelong bachelor. He always teased Gao Yang about Li Weiwei, but never thought Gao Yang would actually get a girlfriend.

Now, not only had Gao Yang ended his single life, but it also seemed like he was about to lose his virginity!

Wang Zikai's mindset collapsed.

"Gao Yang! Li Weiwei, your childhood sweetheart, just died a few days ago, and you're already... Is this right? You're worse than an animal!"

Impatient, Qing Ling began searching Wang Zikai for his ID. "Just give me your ID."

Wang Zikai, still in shock from Qing Ling's assertiveness, protested, "Qing Ling, weren't you into girls? Why are you with a guy now?"

"What's so good about Gao Yang? Consider me! I'm rich, handsome, and romantic... What does he have that I don't?"

"You're brainless," retorted Qing Ling, pulling the ID from Wang Zikai's pocket. She dragged Gao Yang back to the hotel, where they successfully registered at the front desk and entered the elevator together.

Wang Zikai stood frozen in place, utterly baffled. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got: Why him and not me? I can be without a girlfriend, but Gao Yang absolutely cannot beat me to it!

He stormed up to the front desk. "Hey, which room did they book?!"

"Sorry, that's confidential..."

Wang Zikai grabbed the receptionist's hair and slammed his head onto the desk. "Say another word, and I'll make certain parts of you disappear! Got it?"

"501! Room 501!"

"Give me a room. 601!"

"Right away, right away!" the receptionist hurriedly complied.