Lin Yu had no intention of telling Karen the real information he obtained through the 'Teacher' profession.
The reason was simple.
The information obtained from 'Teacher' wasn't substantial enough to "justify" his behavior of braving the snowstorm with a torch in the middle of the night to deliver warnings.
Especially since the man before him carried himself with the arrogant demeanor of a seasoned social operator, indicating he wasn't stupid.
Moreover, such people were often self-serving and conceited...
So to maintain Karen's "belief," Lin Yu had to provide a "reason" that Karen would accept.
Of course, Lin Yu didn't consider himself to be lying either.
Since even that burly man might not be human, his initial words couldn't be fully trusted!
As expected, upon hearing Lin Yu's words,
"So there were false hints in the initial NPC's prompts..."
Then, Karen looked at Lin Yu.
"This information is crucial—if you encounter difficulties during the game, I'll help you too."
Karen said solemnly.
Lin Yu smiled.
"Thanks, Brother Karen!"
He said, then took a step back.
"Brother Karen—since that's the case, I'll take my leave first."
"It's nighttime now. Staying too long might attract that monster."
After Lin Yu finished speaking, Karen slammed the door shut with a "bang."
Lin Yu turned around, his expression turning cold.
"Phew..."
"Got another 'profession'."
Although this 'Teacher' profession wasn't like the previous 'Soldier' or 'Otaku,' which provided continuous movement assistance,
the information obtained from 'Teacher' was equally critical!
In this mystery-laden "Extreme Winter Mountain," the 'Teacher's' information sent another chill down Lin Yu's spine.
'Chate' wasn't alive.
Being alone only reduced the probability of being discovered by 'Chate.'
These two pieces of information, while enlightening, also made Lin Yu's scalp tingle.
'Chate' wasn't alive?
Once something was inherently "dead," the sense of security Lin Yu derived from the Soldier's physique and his pistol diminished greatly.
Combined with that burly man who might have been a corpse from the start... it was hard to say whether 'Chate' even had a physical form!
The second hint from 'Teacher' troubled Lin Yu even more.
"'Reduces probability' rather than 'prevents'...?"
This meant that even when alone, there was still a chance of being found by 'Chate'!
Lin Yu realized...
He had to hurry now.
What if someone fell victim to 'Chate' tonight?
With this thought, Lin Yu quickened his pace again.
Soon...
Lin Yu arrived in front of the next cabin.
Seeing light through the window,
Lin Yu spat, put on a menacing expression, wiped the snow off his face, and pushed open the cabin door.
Inside, a slightly plump woman eating roasted potatoes by the fireplace stood up.
"W-what do you want?"
Like everyone else before her, the woman spoke nervously.
But this time, Lin Yu didn't choose to appease or reassure her.
Instead, he spat again, adopting a thuggish demeanor.
"Damn luck! Finally found a hideout, and it's already taken!"
He glared at her with undisguised hostility.
"Hey, you! Give me some food!"
The plump woman looked at Lin Yu, then pulled out a brick and raised it.
"I warn you, don't try anything—don't force me to fight you to the death!"
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
Lin Yu watched her with amused cruelty.
"Oh? What's your profession? Think you can fight me to the death?"
"My profession is 'Soldier'..."
The woman stammered.
Lin Yu burst into exaggerated, grating laughter.
"Soldier? Hahahaha! You expect me to believe that?"
The woman bit her lip, both angry and afraid.
"Fine—my profession is 'Otaku,' but this brick is real! Don't push me!"
"And I've already cleared seven dungeons—this isn't my only item... You better watch out!"
Lin Yu nodded slightly.
The 'Otaku' and 'Otaku (female)' professions were essentially the same.
The only difference was that male 'Otaku' recovered stamina and injuries slower but had reduced consumption when stationary.
In other words, while female 'Otaku' recovered faster, they still needed to gather food and water like ordinary people.
The pile of roasted potatoes by the fireplace was proof—this woman had likely spent most of her time scavenging for food!
Lin Yu coldly retorted,
"Fight to the death? You think I'm scared?"
"Ask around the forum—when has 'Sixth Master' ever backed down?"
"You, a mere 'Otaku,' dare challenge me, a 'Ruffian'?"
"I'll bash your head in with this torch—have you ever even fought? Do you even know how to use that brick?"
Lin Yu waved the torch menacingly.
The woman paled and stepped back, her bravado fading.
"You... you..."
She stammered incoherently.
Lin Yu spat on the ground.
"Enough whining. I'm not here to take your cabin or kill you."
"I just want some of those damn potatoes. What's the big deal?"
Hearing Lin Yu relent, the woman was momentarily stunned.
Then, hesitantly, she asked,
"R-really? You're not here to take my cabin or... kill me?"
"Psycho. What good would killing you do?" Lin Yu sighed.
"I'm a 'Ruffian,' not a maniac... Goddamn it!"
After emphasizing his profession again, Lin Yu sensed her belief solidify.
Soon, he felt the 'Ruffian' ability unlock.
The fourth profession—acquired!
Lin Yu exhaled and held out his hand.
"Food. Now."
"Give me some, and I'll leave immediately."
The woman snapped out of her daze and hastily tossed two potatoes at him from a distance.
She asked uncertainly,
"You'll really leave? But it's dark outside... won't you encounter monsters?"
"Two people together attract monsters more easily," Lin Yu snapped.
"And you idiot, I already told you I'm a 'Ruffian'—I straight-up ignored the rule about increased danger at night!"