Apocalypse: I Have One More Keyword Than Others

Wang San was taken by Feng Zhong to change clothes, with Zhang Han accompanying and supervising him.

Duge and the Feng family's uncle and nephew went to dine in the private room.

During the meal.

Feng Yunjie, whose ideology had been greatly shaken, hesitated to speak but finally couldn't help saying, "Mr. Seven, are you really going to keep Wang San?"

"What's wrong?" Duge was still reminiscing about Wang San's sickly cute behavior, which, although a bit jarring coming from someone with the identity of a waiter, couldn't be denied that he adapted to the perversion very quickly.

If all the contenders in the simulation were like him, he doubted for the first time whether he could build up the Peacekeeping Vanguard Group.

However, on second thought.

Humans are complex beings, and if a person's character is defined by just one keyword, especially one linked to growth, it's hard for that person not to be aberrant.

Even he, so upright, imbued with such a positive keyword, was thinking about playing big, his thoughts gradually warping—let alone others who were professionally trained.

So, he had to accept those he should accept, the more people he interacted with, the more information he could collect about reality.

After all, he still had to get through the barrier of reality, where failing in the simulation would only lead to elimination, but being discovered by someone in the real world? Who knew what would happen?

If he found out he couldn't control them, he might as well take them out prematurely. Being first in the simulation should give him that confidence…

…

"I... I always feel there is something nefarious about his keyword." Feng Yunjie stammered for a while before continuing, "Whenever he talks to me, an involuntary chill arises in my heart, prompting an impulse to flee..."

Flee?

That must be the awakening of an advanced skill!

Should ask him what his advanced skill is later.

Duge chuckled, "Third Young Master, this is where you are mistaken. In the future, we will encounter all kinds of Heavenly Demons, each of a different breed. If you're as picky as you are now, how could the Feng family rise to power? Just like a family, we need to attract all kinds of talents, like disciples such as Zhang Han, sparring partners like me, handymen, and businessmen like Feng Zhong. Only then can a family truly operate..."

"That's true," Feng Yunjie replied hesitantly, "but I think letting him join might cause trouble with the way he speaks. Aren't we supposed to maintain peace in the Martial Worlds? His keyword doesn't seem to be that of a gentleman. It could affect how people see us..." Perhaps the skill truly affected Feng Yunjie, who quickly sought another excuse to push Wang San out.

"Third Young Master, you don't understand the sickly cute." Duge said, "Most of the time, a sickly cute individual appears normal and only shows that side, like earlier, during an episode. Logically, such a trait should develop gradually. His earlier display was meant to show his value, to fight for a chance to live..."

"But..." Feng Yunjie tried to say something more but was interrupted by Duge before he could start.

"Third Young Master, a sickly cute isn't as terrible as you imagine. Wang San might be a bit abnormal during an episode, but he also possesses a protective attribute. Once he recognizes you, he will go to great lengths to protect you," Duge explained. "Third Young Master, you need to learn to adapt and be strong. Besides, I'm still here, aren't I? My keyword is protection. How could I stand by and watch you get into danger?"

"Protect?" Feng Yunjie was taken aback.

"But the protection from a sickly cute is different from mine, for he only protects those he recognizes," Duge added.

"Alright then!" Feng Yunjie picked up his glass and took a sip to steady his unsettled emotions. Having already tasted the benefits of protection, and since a sickly cute also had a protective trait, he temporarily abandoned the idea of driving Wang San away.

One Duge, one Wang San—if Wang San meant him harm, Duge would protect him; if Duge meant him harm, Wang San would protect him. Dual protection should be safer, right? Feng Yunjie tried to convince himself.

I introduced a Sickly Cute to Feng Yunjie.

Having defended Wang San and then backstabbed Feng Yunjie, Duge relished in the doubled attribute bonus. In that instant, he regained his confidence. The Sickly Cute trait was hard to execute, too revealing, too obvious. His protect-and-backstab strategy was invincible, covert, and he could do no wrong no matter his actions.

"Mr. Seven, with the addition of more Heavenly Demons to the team, can you suppress them all by yourself?" Wang San posed the question regarding Feng Yunjie, while Feng Shiyi, other than being appalled, sensed no special threat. He had other worries.

In less than two days, the Feng Family had encountered three Heavenly Demons. The number was increasing too quickly, and moreover, these Heavenly Demons were quite peculiar.

It was hard to imagine what would become of the Feng Family after recruiting such a group of Heavenly Demons. Could they end up being overwhelmed by a revolt?

"Second Householder, you've seen for yourself how difficult it is for other Heavenly Demons to align with their attributes. My growth is the fastest, and I can definitely suppress them," Duge said.

"The Peacekeeping Vanguard Group won't be entirely composed of Heavenly Demons, will it?" Feng Shiyi asked again.

"How is that possible? There are only a few Heavenly Demons. We still need to recruit normal swordsman from the Martial Worlds to balance out the Heavenly Demons," Duge saw through Feng Shiyi's thoughts, smiled, and said, "Is the Second Householder afraid the Feng Family won't be able to control us in the future, losing the initiative?"

"Exactly, I do have that concern." Since he was seen through, Feng Shiyi didn't beat around the bush, "Mr. Seven, I'm not only worried about the Heavenly Demons but also about the other swordsmen you recruit. Your martial arts are not even as good as mine; if a true master were to join the Peacekeeping Vanguard Team, could you really hold on to the leadership?"

Feng Yunjie, who had been distracted due to Wang San's matter, preoccupying himself with his meal, finally looked up hearing Feng Shiyi's words and turned his gaze to Duge.

"Second Householder, you worry too much. Our team deals with issues of little significance that great heroes would not bother with, just as the Second Householder wouldn't stoop to joining street thugs to collect protection money. A master wouldn't degrade himself," Duge said with a smile, shaking his head, "When we cause a big stir, that's when we will attract masters, and by then, my strength will naturally rise with the tide, and I'll have nothing to fear."

"Of course, Mr. Seven need not fear, but what about the Feng Family? The Feng Family has no champions..." Feng Shiyi said.

Duge was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "It turns out the Second Householder has never really seen me as one of their own from the beginning!"

Feng Shiyi said, "Mr. Seven, that's not what I meant."

"Second Householder, no need to explain. It's normal not to trust me since I haven't made any substantial contributions. However, the long road tests a horse's strength and time reveals a person's heart. I will prove myself with actions and earn the true recognition of the Feng Family," Duge spoke earnestly, "As for the concerns of the Second Householder, there is actually a solution I mentioned before, which you might have forgotten."

"You mentioned it?" Feng Shiyi asked.

"Rob secret techniques, rob magical elixirs." Duge smiled, "The Second Householder isn't going to tell me that there are no elixirs in the Martial Worlds that can enhance one's strength, right? The same old saying, protect for a day, protect for a lifetime. Only if the Feng Family is strong, can I be strong. I will not abandon the interests of the Feng Family."

He still hadn't given up the idea of stealing other people's secret techniques?

Feng Yunjie couldn't help but say, "Mr. Seven, doesn't stealing secret techniques conflict with maintaining peace and justice? If people were to know that the Peacekeeping Vanguard Team is doing such things behind the scenes..."

"Young Master, maintaining peace in the Martial Worlds doesn't conflict with protecting the interests of the Feng Family," Duge glanced at him and smiled, "Who says the evil forces don't possess treasures of heaven and earth? Don't rush, Rome wasn't built in a day. Let's take it step by step, and eventually, we'll have everything."

"Still going after the Iron Palm Gang, then?" Feng Shiyi asked.

"Of course, we'll go, but let's wait and see if there are any other gains to be had in Luyang City first," Duge said, "We also need time to coordinate with Wang San."

Upon the mention of Wang San, Feng Yunjie reflexively shuddered, causing his wine cup to sway and spill wine all over the table.

Feng Shiyi looked at his own fierce but immature tiger, furrowing his brow and expressing dissatisfaction, "Yunjie, it's just Wang San spouting some bizarre words. He can't even beat Feng Zhong; what are you afraid of? How will you lead the Peacekeeping Vanguard Team in the future, behaving like this?"

Feng Yunjie was aware that his behavior wasn't right. Looking at Feng Shiyi, he wanted to explain but didn't know where to start. Ultimately, he could only feign strength, "Uncle, it won't happen again."