Chapter 605: A Reason to Keep Living

Life is always unpredictable. What appears to be happy, enduring stability can be completely shattered by just a little bit of change.

During that one [dungeon], almost the entire leadership of the 『Player Mutual Aid Association』 and Radish's like-minded friends were completely wiped out.

At that time, they were all already 『Second Tier』 or 『Third Tier』. They originally thought it was just an ordinary [dungeon]. Although it might have been a bit difficult, and many of the players had mentally prepared themselves for the possibility of sacrifice...

But no one expected...

The cruelty of the 『Death Game』 still exceeded their imagination.

In that game, only Radish survived alone—and the biggest reason he could live was simply because he was lucky.

And besides luck, there was also Radish's own retreat.

He remembered very clearly that they entered that [dungeon] to find a certain [item] that was rumored to be at the "Divine Artifact" level and could be used to mass-produce consumables and materials.

With this one [item], the 『Player Mutual Aid Association』 could become a major organization on par with 『Order』, the 『Night Watchmen』, the 『Marauders』, and the 『Psychological Society』. At that time, they would be able to better serve players and players.

However, after all his teammates died, leaving only Radish, he retreated.

He chose to complete the bare minimum of the [dungeon]'s clearance task and returned to reality.

The reason was just like why he entered the 『Death Game』 in the first place—Radish Grandpa wanted to survive.

It's just that, back then, Radish wasn't too clear about the biggest reason for his own survival, what it was truly for.

And after that return, Radish found out.

His wife suddenly passed away.

After straining every nerve, almost betraying the expectations of those comrades to return to reality, he woke up the next day, went out to check on the greenhouse, and found his wife collapsed in front of the house.

This time, after he rushed her to the hospital, the doctor did not say he had brought her in time.

From that day on, Radish suddenly understood why he had such an intense obsession with surviving.

To be honest, he and his wife didn't really have some earth-shattering, passionate love... Radish didn't even remember whether it was his third aunt or his fourth aunt-in-law who introduced them in the beginning.

It was just a plain and simple marriage, having children, living a life that couldn't even be called affluent... It was at that moment Radish Grandpa realized that perhaps his wife truly was the most important meaning for his life's survival.

Even though after his wife left, his children were still there, the tomatoes in the greenhouse were still there, and his responsibilities and the 『Player Mutual Aid Association』 were still there.

Radish also didn't develop any thoughts of ending his own life, it's just... he indeed didn't have that same intense, almost obsessive desire to survive as he did before.

"It's not that the 『Player Mutual Aid Association』 isn't important enough, it's that the weight of my own life in my heart has become lighter," Radish Grandpa said, looking at those tomatoes with deep reluctance. "Actually, if I really think about it, there are still many beautiful things in life, and I still have many concerns... but feelings can't deceive a person."

As he spoke, Lin Yu gave a slight nod.

"I understand, Grandpa... I'm sorry for disturbing you."

"I will tell Comrade Li Hua that there is no deep, underlying reason for your motivation, that we overthought it... If you are unwilling, I will only tell him this one sentence, I won't elaborate."

As Lin Yu spoke, Radish smiled again.

"It's fine to tell him, let Li Hua feel more at ease... Li Hua is a very good person. He and those high-level members of 『Order』 are all people with great vision, much harder and more useful than a nice old man like me with only a good reputation..."

"He worries too much. Telling him about my little matter will just help alleviate some of his doubts."

As Radish spoke, Lin Yu nodded.

"You are very considerate."

Radish said with a smile, "I told you, I don't have that much vision... So, these matters are limited to Li Hua. Just remind him not to speak of it further."

Lin Yu nodded again.

Radish walked towards the entrance of the vegetable area, and Lin Yu followed.

"However, young man, since you've come all this way, I won't let you leave empty-handed—I guess you are 『First-Tier』 or 『Second Tier』, right?"

Radish said, and Lin Yu nodded.

"Yes, I am 『Second Tier』."

Radish nodded slowly. "While alive, we are restricted by the 『Death Game』—we can't just talk about those high-tier matters everywhere, otherwise we'll face 'Game' sanctions, and the following [dungeons] will become difficult. But..."

"Since I am already dead, it doesn't matter anymore—I'll tell you about 『Third Tier』 and 『Fourth Tier』 matters."

"The 『Promotion Trial』 for 『Third Tier』 is divided into two parts, just like 『Second Tier』. The first half is just an ordinary [dungeon] with an added 『Promotion Task』, but the second half is no longer a [Personal Dungeon]—after completing the 『Promotion Task』, it will give you a hint."

"The form could be a list, blueprints, a map, or all of them. In short, it varies from person to person and by 『Class』. Based on my exchanges with other 『Third Tier』 members within the organization, everyone's is a bit different."

"You need to personally create your own [Exclusive Item] based on those 'hints' to complete the 『Promotion』."

"So, this 『Promotion』 might even be completed in reality, and the completion time isn't fixed either—it might require spanning several [dungeons]!"

When Radish reached this point, Lin Yu hurriedly took notes.

"I see..."

Radish Grandpa then continued, "As for 『Fourth Tier』... since I never succeeded, and this is even more special than 『Third Tier』, my words might not be entirely accurate, you can't fully believe them."

"The promotion to 『Fourth Tier』 is not about obtaining a certain [item], but about obtaining a power called 『Heart Domain』—this kind of power, once you reach 『Third Tier』, you will slowly be able to sense it."

"It's like a path that starts from and extends from your [Exclusive Item], a path that belongs to you alone, combining all your past experiences."

"When your comprehension is sufficient, you will know you can obtain a 『Heart Domain』—as long as you are inside a [dungeon], you can grant yourself a 『Heart Domain』 at any time."

"And therefore, the fourth 『Promotion Trial』 is also not fixed—the moment you obtain your 『Heart Domain』, it will appear—still in the form of a 『Promotion Task』 attached to your current [dungeon]."

"However, because it appears suddenly, it often causes drastic changes to the entire [dungeon]."

"That's why many people, even though they can already activate their 『Heart Domain』, still choose not to activate it fully—because the 『Heart Domain』 is easy to get, but this fourth 『Promotion Trial』 is absolutely not easy to pass."

At this point, Radish Grandpa paused.

"Alright, that's all I have to say... I hope this can help you."

"And also... cherish that reason that makes you want to survive. Don't put the cart before the horse and forget why you entered the 『Death Game』 in the first place."

Listening to Radish Grandpa's advice, Lin Yu's expression turned solemn. "I will."

And Radish Grandpa just smiled, walked out of the vegetable greenhouse, and with his hands behind his back, walked towards the direction of the courtyard.

Vaguely, Lin Yu seemed to see an old lady walk out of the house, waving towards Radish Grandpa.

Then, a white light flashed, and Lin Yu woke up again.

"What a good person..."

Lin Yu said with emotion.

But the sentiment only lasted for a moment before Lin Yu heard some unusual sounds.

"Huff..."

He looked at Fu Luo—that guy who said he would keep an eye on him—was currently sprawled on the table, fast asleep and snoring!

Lin Yu's expression instantly turned grave.

"Something's wrong!"