Chapter 869: Asymmetric Information

Lin Yu was quite certain that the other party definitely knew the relationship between the Thirty-Seventh Island and the Sixth Island.

The Thirty-Seventh Island was Old Zheng's testing ground and burial site, while the Sixth Island was where Old Zheng's "inheritance" was stored.

Yet when Lin Yu mentioned "Thirty-Seventh Island," the other party showed no reaction whatsoever.

This deliberate omission actually proved that it had something to hide.

After all, it was a monster from the Misty Islands. If it were completely forthright in conversation, that would be the truly abnormal thing.

"In any case, my purpose here is also for the 'inheritance'... but I don't intend to take anything specific. Just being able to get my hands on one or two pieces would be enough for me," the monster spoke up. "After all, this is the legacy left by that otherworldly being who once led the 'Misty Islands Master' to his downfall. For me, getting even one or two pieces would be immensely beneficial."

As the monster spoke, Lin Yu nodded slightly.

"I see."

Outwardly, he appeared undisturbed, but inwardly, he was somewhat startled and delighted.

There was actually an unexpected bonus!

Old Zheng had never mentioned that he was the one who orchestrated the Misty Islands Master's downfall. In his account, he had merely killed the Misty Islands Master's subordinates in the asylum.

Old Zheng had even deliberately said things like how he couldn't possibly contend with the Misty Islands Master.

And according to Robin's words, the Misty Islands Master and Old Zheng had originally been cooperative partners.

No wonder his status in the Misty Islands was so exalted, so much so that he could cooperate with the Sixth Island's master, and even an "inheritance" could attract monsters to fight over it.

So he had actually pulled off such a famous feat in the Misty Islands.

Based on previously gathered information, while the Misty Islands Master's standing wasn't that of a god, he was at least a very powerful Chosen One.

The "life soul" he left behind was even highly useful to experts of the Diviner's caliber.

But setting aside the matters Old Zheng had concealed, Lin Yu turned his gaze back to the monster.

"So it seems neither of us intends to monopolize the inheritance. Looks like we really can cooperate after all."

"Then how do you plan to cooperate with me?" the monster said. "Honestly speaking... this solo meeting with you has made me not so 'hidden' anymore. They're bound to actively investigate what's so special about me."

"Then just give them a special trait they can find out about, but one that isn't the truth, to cover up the fact that you're a monster," Lin Yu said casually. "You've already seen the panic and fear that the original owner of this body displayed just now, so... you can simply pretend that I scared you out of your wits, and that you're an ordinary player completely obeying this 'monster'—me."

"This way, your true identity stays hidden, and you can continue parasitizing other otherworldly beings. By the way, what are the conditions for your parasitism?"

"Contact time. My 'true body' needs to physically touch them at the material level for a sufficient amount of time, and then I can use their body as a medium to begin eroding their soul," the monster said in a low voice. "However... it's still quite difficult to avoid detection."

"The main reason I successfully eroded this guy is that during his last visit, I had already planted a 'seed' inside his body..."

"Then I'll cooperate with you," Lin Yu said softly upon hearing this. "But... I have requirements regarding the targets you parasitize."

"First is that one called 'Nineteen.' He should be the strongest of all the otherworldly beings here. As long as we deal with him, it's equivalent to dealing with all the other players."

Lin Yu said in a low voice.

He could tell that this Nineteen was definitely not someone the Marauders had casually dispatched, not like himself or Fu Luo, who primarily served the role of "releasing coordinates" and were only considered experts among the lower-tier players.

Lin Yu didn't have any means of probing others' strength, nor did he know Nineteen's identity.

But he could tell that Nineteen's attitude toward others was off.

He had the same unusual composure when looking at lower-tier players as some of the high-tier Players Lin Yu had encountered at the Land of Certain Death.

In other words...

The "confidence" and excessive calm on Nineteen's body gave him away.

Unless he was an arrogant fool, he must genuinely have the strength to back up the belief that he was stronger than everyone present.

This Nineteen had the confidence to "flip the table." Moreover, his confidence suggested he believed he could take out everyone present without needing any particularly impressive or precious trump cards.

Even with the renowned Furbollo, the Night Watchmen's King Vulture... and even two individuals of unknown identity and strength, Nineteen wasn't particularly worried.

Since that was the case...

Lin Yu definitely needed to find an opportunity to probe him. After all, he was originally a member of the Marauders, naturally at odds with Lin Yu's position.

And since there happened to be a "monster" available to command, he might as well use this monster to test exactly what Nineteen was made of.

Moreover, giving this monster this order was itself a test of the monster.

Sure enough, after hearing Lin Yu's words, the monster couldn't help but hesitate.

"That guy is indeed the most troublesome to deal with among these players... If I recklessly approach him..."

Lin Yu interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "What, you can't do it?"

"If you can truly support me, I'm willing to give it a try."

After pondering for a moment, the monster gave its answer.

Lin Yu nodded. "Of course I'll support you. Alright, remember the persona you're supposed to perform. You may go out now."

"Also... if you can't suppress his consciousness and need to let him wake up, come find me anytime."

As Lin Yu spoke, the monster sneered. "I wouldn't go so far as to fail at suppressing his consciousness when his emotions are already out of control."

Lin Yu nodded and dispelled the water vapor that had shrouded the two of them.

Seeing Lin Yu and the monster reappear before everyone, Fu Luo spoke up.

"What did you two talk about?"

"None of your business."

The monster, controlling the military otaku's body, replied with irritation.

Lin Yu, however, said calmly, "Just a transaction."

With that, he stood up, walked to a corner of the airship, and sat down against the wall.

Among the players, no one chose to approach Lin Yu, after all, the ability he had just displayed was far too bizarre and unpredictable.

After distancing himself from the crowd, Lin Yu quietly retrieved Old Zheng from the item space.

Concealing Old Zheng, Lin Yu began communicating with him through psychic energy.

"There's a monster from the Misty Islands here. It claims to be from the Twenty-Sixth Island. Its abilities should be parasitism and soul-draining. It's already replaced one player. So, what exactly is this thing?"

Lin Yu quickly asked Old Zheng.

This was the real foundation of his willingness to cooperate with that monster.

Although the monster might have been lying to him and concealing many important pieces of information,

with Old Zheng around...

The information gap between Lin Yu and that monster was inherently asymmetric!