The male supporting character was actually myself.

Why am I always being invaded by Soul Eaters?

Since it was still early, Jiang Chen had two chairs brought over so he could stay here and think quietly for a while.

"Chengze, if I remember correctly, you're a local from Angu City?"

The sudden question startled Li Chengze slightly, and he nodded, saying, "I guess so. My hometown is in a suburban county of Angu City. If you hadn't chosen me to join the security team, I would probably be settled down and working in a first-tier city by now."

My parents were very happy that I could return to work in Angu City.

Speaking of which, apart from the fact that our security team is a bit special, Angu City is actually a very suitable city for retirement.

The development in the suburban counties is even slower. I used to envy the luxurious life in big cities and dreamed of leaving! Back then, I was a genius…”

Just as he was about to launch into a long talk about his heroic deeds back then and, incidentally, complain about his love that died young after joining the security team, in order to shake off the sleepiness of the middle of the night, Li Chengze took a deep breath and suddenly remembered a question, so he stopped and asked in return: "You grew up in Angu City?"

Surprisingly, Jiang Chen shook his head and denied it, saying, "No, my memories start from when I was eight years old. At that time... I was in a remote small city in the Northwest, which was a hundred and eight thousand miles away from here."

"Huh? Then why did you end up here? Logically speaking, people should all flock to big cities, especially someone as rare as you!"

Jiang Chen hesitated slightly. "I'm wondering, Angu City is constantly attacked by Soul Eaters, and seventy percent of all recorded major battles have taken place here. Is it because I'm here, or is it because of the special circumstances that attracted me here?"

"Uh..." Li Chengze was stunned for a few seconds before laughing, "Who knows? Maybe this is the path of trials for the chosen one! Aren't all the protagonists in stories like this? All sorts of twists and turns will eventually fall on their heads, and that's how they get opportunities. It's also possible that you and An Gushi chose each other, it's destiny!"

Mutual selection?

If the real world is also a pre-arranged script, is my unique life predetermined, or is it in my own hands, gradually causing the "script team" to lose control of this world?

"If only Xiaobai were here, maybe it could get me a script and spoil the plot in advance." He smiled helplessly, then continued to stare blankly at the mirror.

For three consecutive days, Jiang Chen did not leave the monitoring room.

When they were hungry, they could order food directly, including two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup, which would be delivered to the monitoring room by staff. When they were sleepy, they could take a nap on the folding bed and take turns resting with Li Chengze.

They didn't say anything to anyone, and their expressions didn't even change during simple conversations.

But the more this happened, the more nervous the top executives at the security headquarters became. Soon, all the big shots gathered at headquarters, waiting for news from the monitoring room. Everyone felt a sense of impending doom.

Chapter Two: The Storm is Brewing

"My idea was based on the rule settings of the entire main system."

Jiang Chen gently rubbed his temples with his fingers and slowly explained his guess, "Think about how I entered the main system, the detailed introduction when Xiaobai first met me, and the setting of the script and mission world."

Regardless of the reason, my soul must have left my body for it to be captured.

When I entered the virtual world and was forcibly trapped to buy time, an unknown entity appeared and performed some kind of examination on my body. I don't know exactly what it was, but the result was that after the unknown entity appeared, I, like other people who had the same experience, came back to life!

The main system offered a seemingly logical explanation for this, but its true purpose was to give the soul that had inadvertently left the body enough time to return to its place.

Based on my experiences in the virtual world, is it possible that our lives are predetermined from the very beginning? Like a script already set in a virtual mission world, we just don't know it.

Our souls are already infused with the tasks we are meant to accomplish in this life, and the entire world is orchestrating all the encounters, big and small.

It's like a huge program, where everyone in the world is a small set of data created in time to follow instructions and live their lives obediently, together building a complex and prosperous world.

But even the most sophisticated machines can malfunction.

As a result, some minor bugs can cause small fluctuations, leading to the unexpected death of some people whose lifespan has not yet ended, and their souls leaving their bodies.

In this situation, a corresponding maintenance mechanism will definitely be activated.

Therefore, the repairman appeared. The main system captured the soul that should not have left the body and used the excuse of doing a task to delay the time. The unknown entity came to repair the body with problems and then let the soul return, so that this data could continue to work and live according to the set plan and form a link in the complete world.

In any case, once you return to the real world, the memories in the virtual world will be gone.

Aside from me being special and having a Horcrux that can record information, don't other people even know they've 'died'?

The data that was erased was perhaps because it wasn't crucial to the overall operation of the world, or because there were substitutes available. If it could be modified, it was modified; if not, it was erased to avoid wasting the main system's energy.

"So, the main system's offer of accumulating medals to exchange for a chance to be reborn is just an excuse for the unexpectedly 'escaped' souls to obey orders and complete tasks properly, thus delaying the inevitable?"

Li Chengze looked at him in surprise and asked in a low voice, "Then, since you were born with a soul weapon and can grow in the virtual world, does that mean... you are the chosen one! The guardian of our world?!"

Jiang Chen felt a little embarrassed by the other party's sudden dramatic tone. "Maybe the savior of the chosen one is a Horcrux, and I'm just a host that's temporarily residing in it."

"That's still amazing!" Li Chengze slapped him on the shoulder excitedly. "Anyway, you're the most powerful person we know right now. If we're really going to take on the responsibility of saving the world, it has to be you. So, you're the real male lead in this world, hehehe~ Can I snag a supporting role?"

Jiang Chen looked at him sincerely, "Based on my experience of being in the virtual world for so long, the best supporting actor usually gets the worst script. You'd better pray that you're not the second male lead."

Li Chengze: ε=('ο｀*))) Sigh

While waiting at a traffic light, he took out a cigarette, lit it, exhaled a faint smoke ring, and chuckled, "If our lives are really already predetermined, then why would I quit smoking? Anyway, if we're going to die according to the script, we'll definitely die; if we're not going to die, it's okay to smoke ten packs a day, right?"

“The script in the virtual world can be changed.” Jiang Chen remembered something and a relieved smile appeared on his face. “Anyway, the script team’s actions to modify the script are not as fast as my actions. I think I was even rated as the most unpopular host of the year or something.”

It's inherently difficult to distinguish between the virtual and the real.

Who knows if the world we live in is real or a slightly higher-level virtual world? Humans, no matter what, must always find a way to take control of their own destiny, instead of giving up and surrendering it to the unknown.

Hearing this, Li Chengze, who was puffing on his cigarette, thought about it seriously and then stubbed out his cigarette. "It's fine if others say so, but you are still the chosen one. Maybe following you will really turn the tide. I can't be reckless."

The city was unusually quiet late at night.

Li Chengze drove leisurely, thoroughly enjoying the empty streets and the feeling of speeding along;

Jiang Chen, however, had a vague feeling that something was seriously wrong.

Something felt off. It was an ordinary night, neon lights were flashing; cats, lurking in the night, leaped and meowed shrilly from the bushes on either side of the street; a few diners sat drinking and chatting at a barbecue restaurant on the street corner; trendy young people gathered outside bars and nightclubs; occasionally, a taxi would busily pass by; and it seemed like someone was arguing in an internet cafe on the second floor of the street…

The city exuded a strong sense of life under the cover of night; it was clearly no different from any other night.

What exactly is wrong?

After passing through three rigorous checkpoints, the car finally stopped in front of the Angu City Security Group headquarters building.

"drop!"

Li Chengze pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and casually took out an ID card from the inside pocket of his suit and placed it on the time clock.

This action left Jiang Chen completely bewildered. "Why are they clocking in in the middle of the night? Is the security team so lax these days?"

"Why didn't I clock in? I'm working overtime!" he replied matter-of-factly. "Staying up in the middle of the night to check the surveillance footage and worry about world safety—such a dedicated employee deserves overtime pay from headquarters!"

Jiang Chen: ...

"Don't worry, I'll email them in a bit. You've had a tough time, they need to compensate you." Li Chengze patted his shoulder to comfort him, then headed straight for the elevator, swiped his card to open it, and gestured for him to enter.

After getting into the elevator, he thought for a moment and added, "The more you do, the more money you get. If you don't ask for overtime pay when you work overtime, the higher-ups will be happy to pay you later. If you don't want it, you can transfer it to me. I don't mind having too much money!"

“If we can successfully withstand this disaster, I won’t mind having more money.” Jiang Chen thought for a moment and replied, “Perfect timing. When you send the email, tell them that I’m raising prices. From now on, overtime and appearance fees will be increased by 50%.”

Lee Seung-taek: !!(o'?'o)?o????

How come this kid suddenly got it?!

Sure enough, that virtual world can subtly change a person's temperament and character!

The change is quite drastic, and I'm having trouble adjusting at first...

"What do you need so much money for?" After holding back for ten seconds, Li Chengze finally couldn't help but ask, "Weren't you very indifferent to fame and fortune before? You were a true hero who worked diligently for the country and its people without seeking anything in return. Now you're even raising your appearance fee. How did you suddenly become a money-grubber?"

“You’re right, the more you work, the more you get.” Jiang Chen shrugged and smiled. “I didn’t understand this principle before, but after experiencing so many missions and living in this world for thousands of years, I’ve figured it out.”

The rules really need to be changed from now on; the true heroes work nine to five!

"Rushing things won't make a profit. Since the biggest crisis is over and the world isn't going to be destroyed anytime soon, those fattened-up guys in the security team really should shoulder some of the corresponding responsibilities and obligations."

A sly smile appeared on his face. "This time I'm back, I'm going to personally oversee the reform of the security team!"

Lee Seung-taek: !!(o'?'o)?o????

"Rectification? Does that mean a large number of old guys who are just sitting on their laurels will be laid off?" His almond-shaped eyes behind his black-rimmed glasses suddenly lit up. "Is it too late for me to curry favor with you? How about you consider putting me in the top position and making me the boss? Even if I have to be your puppet, that's fine!"

Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh and pointed at the camera, "Guess if there are any staff members on duty watching?"

"Heh, just kidding." Li Chengze grinned and lowered his voice, "I'll delete this video later, it won't be leaked. If you really want to get involved in the rectification, you can consider my suggestion."

"So you're really that greedy for power? It's not impossible for you to climb the ladder. You'd better burn some incense so I can smoothly resolve this crisis, or the world will end."

"No problem! What kind of fragrance do you like? Sandalwood? Agarwood? I think I still have some pear scent in my office, I'll light some for you later!"

Jiang Chen rolled her eyes in disdain and quickly walked to the top floor monitoring room as the elevator doors slowly opened.

This surveillance is no ordinary surveillance; it belongs to one of the top secrets of the security team headquarters—the monitoring room responsible for monitoring global security. Whenever a Soul Eater intrudes, the monitoring room is always the first to know and can quickly pinpoint the exact location. This advanced technology is naturally made possible by Jiang Chen's strong cooperation in using the essence of various unknown entities.

One of a kind in the world.

Even those on the other side of the ocean have to obey the information, instructions, and commands from here regarding the Soul Eater invasion.

Good evening, Mr. Jiang!

"***Good evening!"

After several strict checks, they finally entered the hall, where the staff on duty hurriedly greeted them.

Jiang Chen nodded in acknowledgment; Li Chengzhe stepped forward and explained the situation, "Mr. Jiang needs to view the highest level of surveillance at headquarters. Which control tower is currently under surveillance?"

"Tonight's opening is number four. Please follow me." The person in charge knew very well that these two were people he couldn't afford to offend. Although *** wasn't high-ranking, he was very well-connected in the security headquarters and had the best relationship with Jiang Chen. No one wanted to mess with him.

Jiang Chen goes without saying. Although he is not a member of the security team, he is the soul of the security team. In case of any situation, even the bigwigs at headquarters have to give him some leeway. He is basically a person who can do whatever he wants.

They both showed up together demanding to see the surveillance footage. Even if their security clearance wasn't high enough, they should still be given the chance. Anyway, if anything really happened, Jiang Chen would take responsibility...

The real-time monitoring tower is like a giant reflector.

Jiang Chen fiddled with the mirror, carefully examining the sky through its reflection. He couldn't help but sigh, "It's a mirror again!"

Is it a coincidence or some kind of underlying connection?

In the virtual world, it seems that many bugs have used mirror props...

"So far, everything seems stable and normal." Li Chengze adjusted his glasses and carefully examined the mirror image before letting out a sigh of relief. "Now that you've seen it with your own eyes, you can rest assured, right?"

The monitoring tower is made of the essence of various unknown entities. The image it displays is clear to ordinary people. It has nothing to do with whether one can see the unknown entities or not. So there is no situation where some people can see it and some people can't.

"It's only safe for now." Jiang Chen tried hard to recall the scene that appeared after the image was distorted in the large bronze mirror.

Judging from the faintly observable celestial phenomena, the location where the breach in the world barrier appears is roughly in the sky above Angu City.

What makes Angoku City so special?

Why am I always being invaded by Soul Eaters?

Since it was still early, Jiang Chen had two chairs brought over so he could stay here and think quietly for a while.

"Chengze, if I remember correctly, you're a local from Angu City?"