Apocalypse: Everyone Levels Up, I Return to the Time Before the Server Opened - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: We’re All in the Same Circle!

“Who’s bullying Young Master Cheng?!”

Just as the influencer and his crew were about to make another move, a man’s voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone turned to look.

They saw a thin, even sickly-looking man walking over with a group of people.

Though he appeared frail, his stride exuded confidence and presence.

Beside him walked a seductive and enchanting young woman who instantly drew everyone’s attention.

“It’s… it’s the Zhao siblings!”

“That skinny guy leading the group, is that Zhao Mingyuan?”

“His sister Zhao Hanyan is so pretty!”

“Tsk tsk, the Zhao family seems to have a good relationship with the Chengs from the nature faction. Things are about to get interesting!”

“Those Zhao siblings are no saints. One’s a debauched gambler with a body full of diseases, and the other is a notorious flirt who’s supposedly had multiple abortions at a young age!”

“They really do have a bad reputation, but is it really that bad?”

“The truth is probably even worse!”

As the group approached, everyone’s attention focused especially on the leading pair. Clearly, many people recognized them.

“Brother Mingyuan! Sister Hanyan!”

The nature-type player surnamed Cheng immediately changed his expression when he saw the Zhao siblings and waved at them excitedly.

The newcomers were none other than the infamous Zhao siblings.

The frail-looking man was Zhao Mingyuan, known in-game as Empire Overlord, and the seductive girl was Zhao Hanyan, known as Smoky Clouds Fade.

As soon as they arrived…

Whoosh!

Zhao Mingyuan acted instantly.

He was a swordsman, now at level 13.

He unleashed a swordsman skill: Blood Moon Slash!

Splurt!

[-1720!]

One of the players who had been yelling earlier was instantly killed!

A terrifying number floated over his head.

“Instant kill?!”

“He must’ve hit a vital spot and triggered an insta-death effect!”

“Damn… Zhao Mingyuan might be wearing epic-tier gear!”

Everyone was stunned.

Looking closely at Zhao Mingyuan, they could see a faint orange glow from his wristguard, an unmistakable sign of epic equipment!

Normally, gear with light effects can be hidden, but Zhao Mingyuan didn’t bother to conceal it.

He wanted everyone to see!

“You… you people…”

The influencer and his gym buddies were now all visibly shaken.

Especially the gym members. They had just joined in for the fun.

Now, seeing what had happened, they all scrambled backward.

“Relax, I’m not gonna kill you,” Zhao Mingyuan sneered at the influencer. “I don’t want to go full red-name.”

A faint red name had already appeared above his head.

To cleanse a red name, you have to do quests or grind monsters. If it gets too severe, you won’t be allowed into cities and might even be hunted by NPCs or other players.

Also, if a red-named player kills someone, the victim doesn’t drop gear, but if the red-named player dies, they lose double the equipment.

So generally, it’s best not to strike unless necessary.

If you must fight, it’s best to let the other side attack first, then the system grants a “counterattack window” where you can fight back without turning red.

“My big bro is here now!” The nature-type player glared at the influencer and shouted, “Get on your knees and apologize to me!”

“I… I…” the influencer stammered, but couldn’t bring himself to kneel.

After all, a man’s knees were golden. He still had his pride!

Especially with cameras rolling. If he, a major influencer, actually knelt and it was posted online, it would be social suicide.

It would be like digging his own grave. He’d be mocked forever.

Smack!

The nature player slapped the influencer across the face with a twisted grin. “What? Not so cocky now? You were acting all tough just a moment ago. Why so quiet now?!”

The influencer held his face and said nothing, barely holding back his anger.

Just as the nature-type player was about to strike again, suddenly…

“Cheng Bankun, that’s enough,” a voice rang out from nearby.

“Who the hell just called me by name?!” Cheng Bankun’s face twisted with anger.

He turned around. His real name was indeed Cheng Bankun.

It was a decent name originally, but ever since a certain boy band star with a similar name went viral, people in his circle often made jokes at his expense.

It pissed him off, but he couldn’t do anything about it.

After all, everyone in his circle had status. No one was ordinary.

But when he saw who it was, Cheng Bankun immediately shut up.

Because the two figures approaching now were people he also recognized and had to call brother and sister!

“Brother Qianjun… Sister Qingyue…”

Cheng Bankun quickly put on a smile.

Other players also recognized the new arrivals — a young man and woman who looked somewhat alike.

Just like Zhao Mingyuan and Zhao Hanyan, they were also siblings.

“The Ning siblings are here too!”

“I heard the Ning family is about to form a marriage alliance with the Zhao family!”

“Ha! The inner circle really has no taboos!”

“Who says otherwise?!”

“I doubt the Ning family doesn’t know about Zhao Mingyuan’s reputation, and yet they’re marrying their daughter to him! I don’t get it!”

“You’re not supposed to get it. That’s why they’re from noble families and we’re just here for the gossip!”

The crowd buzzed with noise and curiosity as everyone stared at the approaching pair.

They were none other than Ning Qianjun and Ning Qingyue, the famous Ning siblings.