Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 20: Unveiling the Hidden Truth

Every person who chooses to become a player in the White Tower contemplates the issue of life and death from the day they register. Even a player with a gentle nature like Alexander Bennett is prepared for the consequences. "Don't worry," Alex Johnson reassured, "All four of us are here, ready to face whatever comes."

"Alright," Ethan Walker nodded. "I'll call out names randomly, and you'll follow me in that order. When we encounter the boss, you don't have to do anything; just stick with me."

The first to accompany Ethan into the instance was Alexander Bennett. With limited experience and a fear of speaking out of turn and distracting Ethan, she followed him anxiously, barely daring to breathe. She almost screamed in the storeroom but managed to stifle it in time.

After completing the round and emerging from the instance, Alexander collapsed on the ground, legs giving out from relief. She had survived. Ethan spared no extra glance for her, moving straight to the next person.

Second up was Emily Johnson. Although Emily was forthright, she knew better than to cause trouble. Ethan had instructed not to engage, and Emily strictly adhered to it. After they completed the round, Ethan eyed her intently. "What are you looking at?" Emily asked, irritable.

"Nothing, just thought you were possessed or something," Ethan said, relieved.

"You mean, you're not comfortable unless you pick on me a bit?"

"Sort of," Ethan admitted.

Emily was left speechless.

The third was Alex Johnson. This time, Ethan slowed down, sharing a few quiet words with Alex before entering the instance. The others couldn't hear what was said.

Viewers speculated online:

"What are Ethan and Alex discussing?"

"Probably strategizing."

"Alex has skills. He used to solo A-level instances a few years back."

"After becoming vice president, he had less freedom. The club president is useless; it's all on the vice."

"Who is the Avalon Guild president, anyway? Never seen them."

"Lucas Anderson, Emma Anderson's brother. Formerly, the leader of the Mingque Society was their elder brother, William Anderson. Upon his sacrifice, the mantle of leadership passed to the second Anderson sibling." "The enigmatic Lucas Anderson remains shrouded in mystery; no photographs exist, nor has anyone seen her in person."

"Look, they are starting another round!"

However, unlike the previous rounds, as soon as they entered the school building, Alex Johnson disappeared.

Ethan Walker reached the rooftop, where Alex Johnson soon joined him.

"Any replaceings?" Ethan inquired.

"Yes," Alex confirmed confidently.

"Alright then," Ethan replied, and without a second thought, both of them leaped off the rooftop, descending to the first floor of the White Tower.

This time, Ethan didn't rush to initiate the next round. Instead, he waited for Alex to access his wristband, which had a camera feature. Alex enlarged the photos he had taken.

"This is the class roster of class 5B. Olivia Parker's name is listed, but there's no girl with 'Jane' in her name," Alex explained, sliding to the next image. "However, I found their class photo. This girl looks exactly like 'Jane'." Alex clicked through to the third photo.

"On the back of the photo are their names. 'Jane's' real name is Grace Johnson."

Everyone was stunned.

"Grace Johnson?" Emily Johnson raised an eyebrow. "The security guard is named Michael Johnson. Siblings?"

Alex nodded in agreement. "Very likely."

Ethan, silently observing the evidence, seemed to have already deduced part of the truth.

"As I thought," he finally spoke, "I looked for the class roster and photos too, but what I saw was different from what Alex photographed. I never saw Grace Johnson's face."

"You mean," Alexander Bennett slowly comprehended, "that NPC was interfering with you?"

"Exactly," Ethan Walker affirmed, having clarified one matter, then he broached another, "What's the situation with Mr. Davis?"

"He was wronged," Alex revealed. "I found a torn declaration in his office. Olivia Parker fancied him, but he, maintaining professional boundaries, rejected her. In resentment, she falsely accused him. Unable to bear the slander, he took his own life."

"Ah..." Alexander gasped, "That's so tragic. Poor teacher."

Frank, the security guard, and Johnson, another guard, were the topics of their next discussion. David, standing by, inquired, "What's the story with Frank and Johnson?"

Ethan Walker spoke with an emotionless expression, "Frank, the guard, is indeed guilty. He truly committed evil acts, but the real victim here was Jane. Olivia Parker was distorting the truth." Alex Johnson affirmed Ethan Walker's statement, "Exactly, I found a report issued by the school. The actual victim was Michael Johnson."

Emily Johnson added gravely, "The presence of Johnson, then, isn't hard to explain. He came for his sister. Perhaps Frank's death has something to do with him."

As they pieced together all the clues, a tragic tale unfolded before them. Grace Johnson, outstanding and thus envied, became the target of bullying led by Olivia Parker. This poor girl suffered at the hands of a devilish wrongdoer and met a tragic end. Michael Johnson, seeking vengeance for his sister, retaliated against both Frank and Olivia Parker. As for Mr. Davis, his involvement added another layer of tragedy to the story. The truth finally emerged, clear as day. A long silence followed, like statues frozen in thought, except for Ethan Walker, who was prepared for his final venture into the realm.

Before setting off, he turned to David, "Do you still wish to accompany me? It's not really necessary. I already know whom I need to replace." Without hesitation, David responded, "Please, let me join you."

Agreeing, their figures blurred and vanished from the first level of the White Tower. Ethan Walker, with a clear objective and undiminished pace, seemed monstrously tireless to outsiders, despite repeated ventures into the realm.

Upon their next encounter with Michael Johnson, the mood was different, especially for David. At parting, David earnestly said to Johnson, the security guard, "Mr. Johnson, you shouldn't feel guilty anymore." The NPC, Johnson, didn't respond, simply wearing a simple smile.

Once outside the security room, Ethan Walker asked David why he said that. David, slightly embarrassed, shared, "It was just a guess. Failing to protect his sister must be his greatest pain, and revenge can't heal that."

Ethan Walker, who had slowed down momentarily, continued moving, "They're NPCs, devoid of feelings. All these truths are just part of the script." David, snapping back to reality, hurriedly explained his overthinking.

"It's okay," Ethan Walker replied, conjuring his hammer to confront the boss in the school building, "Immersive gameplay can't be faulted."

Jane first appeared at the entrance of the school building, but this time Ethan Walker didn't send Little Red Riding Hood after her. David was somewhat puzzled, "Brother, shouldn't we pursue her?"

"Not yet," Ethan Walker replied, focusing on his original plan to defeat the first two bosses and head to the rooftop.

Before opening the rooftop door, Ethan Walker suddenly said, "David, your real name isn't this, right?" David paused, taken aback. "I might need to reveal your identity to save her. I'm asking your opinion first, to avoid offense." Ethan Walker's hand rested on the rooftop door handle, ready to push it open at any moment. He waited. After a half-minute of silence, a voice broke the stillness, "Okay, I'm fine with it. Thank you."