Chapter Fifty-Seven: A Visit from a Beautiful Woman

When he awoke, it was already the next morning. The rain outside had stopped, but the nurse came in to inform him, “Sir, for your health, you may complete your discharge procedures at noon.” She handed him a bottle of medicine before leaving.

Wu Hua had no choice but to take it. The taste was as bitter as insecticide, and after swallowing it, he felt his entire body loosen, though his stamina was rapidly recovering. He glanced at his attribute panel; his current HP was 3950, MP 300. In this state, his body could be considered robust, though his magic value was pitifully low. Not that it mattered, since he had no skills to speak of.

Compared to his physical strength, his defense was abysmal. With two pieces of gear plus the inherent defense of a gunner, he only had 188 points in total. Honestly, such defense was practically useless.

His basic resistance in all elements was 26%; water resistance stood at 56%. He had nothing to fear from Controllers, especially those specializing in water—he was more immune than most.

He had 78 unassigned attribute points and 7 merit points, which could be exchanged for 21 more, totaling 99 unassigned points—a staggering number. But Wu Hua still hesitated to allocate them; now was not the time.

After analyzing himself, he concluded his current traits were “high-level attack, mid-to-high HP,” but aside from these two strengths, everything else was a weakness.

He pondered for a while and felt the biggest issue was his equipment.

“Star Wars” had been live for a month and a half. Wu Hua had sensed that the system’s design for career advancement was scientifically sound. In past games, a player who acquired overpowered gear would practically become invincible, but here, that was impossible. Obtaining powerful equipment or mastering a strong skill came with corresponding drawbacks.

For example, the green-grade AUG in his hands was flawless in performance and attack, but purple-grade core bullets were not only expensive, carrying large quantities burdened his backpack. With the extra weight, his combat boots’ “+20% movement speed” lost their advantage.

This meant he would need to upgrade his backpack or find other equipment that boosted movement. As soon as he patched one flaw, another would likely arise.

Take the battle on the Mulin Plains. If the Marago Frontier’s Heaven and Earth Society showed up with elite gene warriors, all downing a few potions before charging, no matter how clever Wu Hua was, or how skillfully he maneuvered, he’d still end up back at the logistics hall, philosophizing about life.

In “Star Wars,” every profession’s improvement was comprehensive. It was a complete system. Only by achieving a certain level of overall strength could you pursue a specialized path. Snowy Night Fairy was a classic example—attack, defense, sniping, agility, close combat, reflexes, speed… all top-tier.

Games and reality are much the same. Don’t think getting good gear means you can show off. Pride is always the nemesis of progress. The simplest, yet deepest truth.

Wu Hua slammed his fist against the bed edge. “That’s it, I’ll get some new equipment. The question is, how? Boss fights? Monster hunting? Exploration? Or quests?”

He wasn’t sure which path to take. Luckily, just then, his receiver buzzed. Wu Hua glanced at it—a player named “Snow Dance Over Thousand Mountains” requested to add him as a friend.

Bored, Wu Hua immediately accepted.

The first message from Snow Dance Over Thousand Mountains nearly made Wu Hua spit blood: “Explosive Madness?”

“Damn it, if I didn’t call myself Explosive Madness, would you have added me?” Wu Hua shot back, “Are you stupid?”

The other person seemed stunned by Wu Hua’s blunt response, taking several minutes to reply: “Where are you?”

“Not in the game, where else would I be?” Wu Hua suspected it was spam.

He’d had a similar encounter before, someone named “Game Admin 008,” whom Wu Hua had cursed thoroughly.

“Are you a scammer?” Wu Hua sent another message.

The other was struck speechless—the reply was so strong, but mostly because the question had been idiotic.

“Which city are you in? I’ll come find you,” came the reply.

Wu Hua answered, “I don’t know you.”

“We actually do know each other.”

Curious, Wu Hua asked, “Oh?”

The other sent three words: “Sweet Honey.”

Wu Hua puzzled over it for a long time, unable to recall any place in “Star Wars” with such a strange name. He replied, “Sour Grapes.”

Yu Jialing nearly burst from frustration. Now, her admiration for Wu Hua was boundless—he was a true genius.

“Wu Hua, you’re too much. It’s me, Yu Jialing!”

Wu Hua immediately snapped to attention. “Ah, haha, it’s you!”

“I’m in Azure Sky City of the Glorious Federation. Which city are you in? I’ll come find you,” Yu Jialing said.

Wu Hua replied, “Should we follow the matchmaking process? Sure, it’s more efficient than real life—no need to travel back and forth.”

Yu Jialing was utterly speechless. Truly, the thought processes of geniuses were unfathomable.

Azure Sky City was the largest city in the Glorious Federation, over five thousand kilometers away from Dream Star City. Even by advanced sonic aircraft, the journey took more than two hours.

Yu Jialing arrived at the hospital ward at exactly eleven o’clock. Her first words upon seeing Wu Hua were, “So you’re the city doctor here?”

That stunned Wu Hua. “If I were a doctor, why would I play games? Wouldn’t I be working?”

In all major cities, without special Federation permission, PK was forbidden. Entering the city zone, players had to wear system-issued cloth vests. Of course, if you had money, you could buy all sorts of fashion at the mall. So, in big cities, combat players couldn’t easily identify each other’s professions.

Yu Jialing’s attire was chic and modern, though she had made her avatar uglier—clearly to avoid unnecessary harassment. Still, she was strikingly beautiful.

Wu Hua lay half-dead on the bed, glancing at her sideways. “You women, always spending credit points on clothes. What a waste.” His implication was that Yu Jialing was likely a life profession, maybe a clothes designer or something.

“So, what brings you here?” Wu Hua asked bluntly.

Yu Jialing replied, “I happen to have a quest in Dream Star City and need a partner. Didn’t expect you to be here, let alone the city doctor. If only you were a combat medic.”

“Damn!” Wu Hua was furious. “I’m not a doctor.”

“Oh? You’re not a doctor?” Yu Jialing was curious.

“Of course not,” Wu Hua insisted.

Yu Jialing said, “I see, you must be working here, right? That’s odd, you’re not wearing a nurse uniform, and Federation hospitals rarely hire male nurses.”

Now it was Wu Hua’s turn to be speechless. “Come on, sis, I’m not some nurse or whatever. I’m a gunner, got it? A gunner!”

A hint of sympathy appeared in Yu Jialing’s bright eyes. “I understand, you’re hospitalized. Is it a cold? Severe colds usually require hospitalization. Your constitution specialization must be weak. Poor thing…”

Wu Hua’s vision went black, and he tumbled from the bed. “Just forget everything I messaged before. I know you’re getting your revenge. I was wrong…”

(A note from the author: A belated blessing—happy 38th birthday to Dragon of the Sky, my reader of many years. Hehe.)