It's so painful! So hard! So difficult!

The moment she pushed open the door, a sense of utter danger washed over her once again. She dodged with a single, desperate step, and a bullet whizzed past her, passing the poet and blasting out of the room. The bullet, in turn, caused another violent explosion.

Compared to the previous shooting, the power is no less, but the waves after the explosion seem to be slightly smaller, and it can be clearly felt that the speed is not as penetrating.

"you……!"

A slightly anxious and angry voice sounded from in front of Bai Lin.

Chapter 800: A Warning

Following the sound of the blast, which also coincided with the sound of flying bullets, Bai Lin was surprised to find a young girl standing before him. In her hand, she held an old-fashioned, one-handed pistol that looked exquisitely crafted, like a royal ceremonial rifle, dating back to the 16th century.

The gun body bears some traces of time, rust, scratches, dried blood, and peeling paint. It can be clearly felt that this is a gun that has experienced many wars. Taking a deep breath, you can smell the smell of gunpowder soaked on the wooden handle.

Just like the girl holding the gun herself.

The girl's hair was also white with a hint of gray, and her eyes were brown. It looked similar to the leather coat and skirt she wore, which complemented her white hair and the white shirt underneath. The leather clothing was slightly frizzy, and the shirt hadn't been ironed, showing signs of being worn for a long time.

This slightly mottled outfit didn't affect her innocent and lovely, slightly childish appearance at all. No matter from which angle you looked at her, the girl was very cute. Even when she was showing anger and hatred, holding the big gun that had just fired at Bai Lin and was still smoking, she still looked cute.

Bai Lin was a little surprised by the girl's gnashing teeth, but it seemed like she had almost accepted the fact that many of the powerful people in the other world were beautiful girls. However, no matter what the other party said, they had shot her and wanted to kill her. Even if she was a beautiful girl, Bai Lin would not tolerate it like that.

So Bai Lin immediately raised his weapon, ready to strike. The girl over there also slightly raised the muzzle of her gun, aiming at Bai Lin. At this critical moment, another person appeared.

A girl with similar attire, but dressed in dark, more mature clothes, stood behind the white-haired girl and stretched out her hand. She controlled one of the white-haired girl's hands with one hand, pinned her down, and said,

"Okay, stop it. The purpose of us waiting here is not to kill others."

The girl who spoke up had a completely different appearance and speaking style than the previous one. She had long brown hair and her eyes were slightly dim, like the woods stained a deep red at dusk.

The aura she exuded was completely different from that of a cute girl. Although she looked only four or five years older than the white-haired girl, she spoke as if she were forty or fifty years older.

This gentle and charming persuasion truly embodied the mature charm of the brown-haired girl. As she narrated and guided her step by step, the white-haired girl gradually lowered the gun in her hand.

She gasped for breath, wiping the cold sweat that had formed on her forehead with her arm. Her face was gloomy and her eyes were erratic. She no longer stared at Bai Lin, wondering what she was thinking. She pulled down a metal chair behind her and sat down weakly and casually.

The brown-haired girl saw that this matter was completed, and it was time to deal with the next problem. She cast her sharp eyes at Bai Lin, making Bai Lin feel a little nervous.

"Hello, hero. We've been waiting for you for a long time, a truly long time. I'm sure you must have a lot of questions right now, so please be patient. We'll be able to answer them for you within this time."

Her words sounded very polite, but without much respect, rather very bland. However, Bai Lin did not care about the other party's attitude. She just nodded and replied,

"So, those bullets that greeted me at the door just now were already a test?"

"If you insist on understanding it that way, it's actually not impossible. At least, we've witnessed with our own eyes that you are indeed a very capable person. This will make our subsequent communication much smoother."

The brown-haired girl looked at Bai Lin and said this. She seemed very reserved in her words, almost like an office conversation. Although they were face-to-face, there was a certain distance, not like a private conversation. She didn't convey any sense of joy, excitement, or surprise.

Simply put, there is no feeling that "she has waited for the hero she has been waiting for."

"Oath, you come and explain it to her."

"There's not much to explain. We're not the type to trick people into committing suicide. And a path like this obviously doesn't guarantee success just because we've reached this point and deemed it feasible. So, let her go."

A woman with short silver-gray hair, holding a cigarette, walked out from the shadows. She pulled open the seat in front of her and sat down without even looking at Bai Lin. The brown-haired girl's eyebrows twitched slightly, but in the end she just sighed and said nothing. She stretched out her hand and said to Bai Lin,

"Please take a seat."

Inside the room, there was a round table and some seating. Beyond that, there wasn't much furniture. It looked simple, as if it were used solely for meetings. Such a cold, lifeless room, and these three strange-looking people, didn't cause Bai Lin to dwell on them. She sat down calmly.

"First, I can give you an accurate answer. Your guess is correct. The snowstorm above the dwarven dungeon was caused by me. And we can indeed be said to be on their side."

The brown-haired girl quickly explained to Bai Lin in her own unique business-like tone, and then she continued,

"What we're going to do here is, as you guessed, that old-fashioned routine you mentioned. We do want to entrust you with some things in order to achieve our goals, or rather... the goals entrusted to us by others."

When she was discussing something in private, she actually got it right, and someone else said it to her face. Even Bai Lin would feel a little embarrassed. However, the atmosphere itself was not right, so Bai Lin did not show too much expression. She scratched her head slightly, put her hand on the table, leaned forward, and asked,

"Just tell me what you want me to do and what you want to provide. As long as the conditions are reasonable, my business scope is very wide."

Chapter 801 I Want to Test You

"However, I'm guessing it's more than just a commission. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone to such lengths to undergo such a test. Furthermore, the three of you are so powerful, yet you didn't even take the initiative to do this. It's definitely more than just sheer strength alone."

Bai Lin answered like this. When it comes to business matters, her brain is always very useful. Before the brown-haired girl could speak, the white-haired girl slammed the table, stood up, pointed at Bai Lin and said,

"You're right. It's not something you can accomplish simply by having enough strength! I want to see if you have the spirit to match it!"

Bai Lin's eyebrows twitched, and she glanced at the shouting white-haired girl as if she was looking at an idiot. She replied indifferently,

"If you really don't want me to do this, why don't you talk to the person sitting next to you and try to make things difficult for me? Anyway, I can tell from the attitudes of the three of you that you don't have high expectations of me."

"To be honest, it would be very easy for me to just walk away. The only reason I'm still sitting here is because I told the dwarves outside that I would do my best to achieve my goal inside. So before you speak, think carefully. However... if you only have malice towards me personally, such as if I accidentally killed your family and I accidentally forgot, then you can shoot and curse as much as you want, I won't complain."

"But if I kill you after doing that, I hope you won't complain."

Bai Lin has never been one to compromise. If her knees had bent, she would hardly be here today. She didn't know what the three people in front of her would say, she only knew that such communication was absolutely ineffective.

The white-haired girl naturally looked very unconvinced. She pointed at Bai Lin and looked at the brown-haired girl next to her and said,

"See? With such frivolous thoughts, how could it be possible..."

"Hey, Dawn, you better save your breath. If we have to sacrifice, who wouldn't be the one to sacrifice? The problem isn't whether she's qualified, but that no one else is qualified at this moment. The end result for everyone is just a stepping stone. And, moreover, it's a stepping stone into an abyss with no bottom in sight."

The silver-haired girl interrupted the other person's speech, while the brown-haired girl raised her hands. She looked at Bai Lin and said to the two of them,

"I haven't reprimanded you two for all these years, and that's really my fault. But are you two so stupid that you don't understand that if the other person can't listen to what we say, then conversation is impossible? Stop expressing your personal opinions. It's not like she doesn't have a brain and needs you to judge her."

The brown-haired girl's words were somewhat effective, after all, she looked the oldest. She continued to speak to Bai Lin,

"You're right. This isn't just a commission; it's more like you're inheriting the legacy of someone from the past. Aren't you confused about why the dwarves' way of life has taken a sudden turn for the worse, and why a large part of history has vanished, as if blank?"

"The answer to this question isn't that difficult to guess. It's about a hero who once made contact with the dwarves but ultimately departed. That lost history is also related to this. But we can't tell you the specifics until you formally agree to it and pass the test. Otherwise, it will be just like the oath says, a fraudulent sacrifice."

It sounds like she is thinking about herself. Bai Lin thought so in her heart about what the brown-haired girl said. She nodded without thinking too much and asked,

"So, now, what other tests await me?"

Seeing Bai Lin being so understanding, the brown-haired girl glanced at Dawn next to her, then shifted her gaze back to Bai Lin, raised her hand slightly, and replied.

"We are all very familiar with the description of you given by your poet when she first came to the dwarven tribe. And we have also witnessed the qualities you have demonstrated since your contact with the dwarves. We are aware of your character, but it is clear that some people have doubts about it."

"Ordinary people can also display heroic qualities simply by performing certain actions under normal circumstances. Therefore, we still need to test you further. Only through close contact can we more directly demonstrate your will."

"At the same time, being a hero doesn't just require strength. Without the inherent luck, one will also face certain death. Therefore, we must examine your true luck and see if it is strong enough to bear the weight of this world."

After saying these two sentences, the brown-haired girl's eyes became much sharper than before. She leaned forward slightly, saying,

"I know this may not sound convincing. Luck, after all, is such a big deal? And how can one possibly discern willpower from such a brief encounter? You must be skeptical, but..."

"No, I have no doubts."

Bai Lin interrupted the other party's speech and instantly took the initiative in her own hands. She replied very simply and casually,

"For something like becoming a hero, luck is obviously essential. It's something that can't be accomplished by common sense, so it's understandable that it requires extraordinary assistance. People often cite examples of hard-working mediocre people and carefree geniuses to compare them, but even a hard-working genius can't be said to be completely successful in this matter."

"All heroes throughout history arrived at the right time, blessed with great fortune. From this point of view, I think I'm no different. After all, I arrived at a time when the world is rife with crises."

That's nonsense, isn't it? Ah Jun arranged the time for the journey and sent it to her, so it should be the most appropriate time. So even though Bai Lin's luck wasn't good at all, she didn't think she would be weak in this aspect. Even if there was a gap, she would handle it.

"As for your will, since you've made such a request of mine, I believe you do have a corresponding method. Whatever it is, I will accept it."

Chapter 802 Hasn’t it started yet?

"After all, this world is full of irrational things. If you can't even overcome the slightest bit of the unexpected and irrational, how can you truly be called a hero?"

I have to admit, Bai Lin's conversational skills have been getting better and better recently. Looking back at her appearance when she first crossed over, she has truly changed dramatically. The tempering of this other world has gradually made her resemble a so-called hero. Her eyes are not the slightest bit vague, and they subtly convey her heroic and steady demeanor.

This could not help but make the brown-haired girl's originally calm eyes brighten a little. She raised one of her hands and waved it forward.

"Okay, let's not waste any more time talking and get started."

As she moved, the surrounding space seemed to be squeezed and distorted in her sight, rapidly retreating behind Bai Lin. Immediately, the scene here changed into something else entirely.

The originally large round table suddenly became a small square iron table. Sitting across from Bai Lin was the only person left, the white-haired girl, looking furious and extremely anxious. Next to them were a pair of revolvers.

"Snow Country's gambling interrogation, this is the test we're going to put you through next. The rules are simple: Dawn will ask the questions, and you're responsible for answering them. If you encounter a question you can't answer, or you don't want to answer, you can choose not to answer or lie."

"However, there is one situation where you cannot make that choice. When she picks up the revolver with three bullets and shoots herself, you must also shoot yourself and answer the question directly.

"Once all three bullets are fired, this torture will end. If you survive, it proves that you are indeed blessed with sufficient luck. As for your willpower, it will gradually be revealed through this torture."

The brown-haired girl's somewhat cold voice came from outside the space. Bai Lin listened to her words, nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the revolver, stretched out his hand, picked it up, and then looked at it while stroking it lovingly and said,

"It's a really interesting test. It's simple and easy to understand, and it's also really rough. I actually like it."

This form of torture was designed to use the pressure of the Russian gambling table to force the person's consciousness to the brink of life and death, making it impossible to calmly complete the torture. This dim, small, and cold room was undoubtedly intended to create this same effect.

But it was just a death threat, what did it really mean to Bai Lin? So she laughed, and she laughed because it was nothing to her. What she needed to consider next...

The question is how to prevent the bullet from hitting himself and how to convince this girl in front of him.

Seeing Bai Lin's slightly smiling eyes move to her, Poxiao couldn't help but feel a little chilly. She also picked up the gun in her hand and replied,

"Are you crazy? Let me tell you, this gun isn't equipped with ordinary bullets. No matter what method you use or what kind of recovery ability you have, it will be useless. So before you shoot, you'd better be mentally prepared."

"Yes, yes, thank you for your concern."

There seemed to be quite a few people who thought they could completely kill Bai Lin. Every time, they would use strange things to deal with Bai Lin. But by now, Bai Lin no longer cared about this. Besides, she would never let the bullet hit her. So she just replied like this.

After receiving Bai Lin's slightly ambivalent words of thanks, Poxiao's anger could not help but intensify. She slammed the table.

"You can still say such things with a smile in this situation. Are you crazy? Don't you have any fear of death at all?"

"...You could say that. Hero and madman are just different names. They are both titles given to others by the world. Hero is only relative to a certain group of people, and the same goes for madman. Although I have done many heroic things, many things that people regard as heroic, I have also had many things that people regard as madman."

"The actions of both are quite similar. Both did what is considered irrational by common sense, and both carried out their own wills that were different from those of ordinary people. Would a normal person claim to be guided by God, lead their country's troops to save the country, and then accept being burned at the stake? They would abandon fame and fortune, give up their stability, and even sacrifice their own lives, just to achieve their goals. Clearly, these actions are not much different from those of a madman. It can be said that what heroes do is what madmen do."

"Afraid of death? How many people in this world aren't afraid of death? Of course I am. But compared to death, maybe I'm afraid of something else. For example, I'm afraid that I won't be able to pass this place, and I won't be able to face the dwarves when I go out."

Bai Lin first calmly expressed the above two paragraphs, reflecting on her own understanding. After all, she had a clear understanding of her situation. Strictly speaking, Bai Lin probably acted more like a madman than a hero. Her fighting style was inherently bloody, and this was also her specialty.

Then, he smiled again and casually mentioned his attitude towards death. Looking at the other person's somewhat surprised expression, Bai Lin continued,

"Oh, it hasn't started yet? Am I too impatient?"

Sitting opposite, Poxiao was instantly brought back to her senses by Bai Lin's words. She also had a gloomy expression and replied,

"That's easy to say, but the biggest difference between a hero and a madman is that a madman might have a new thought every day, but a hero absolutely must know his own path. From what I understand, you still don't understand much about this world, perhaps even who your true enemy is? How can someone like you achieve such a thorough understanding?"

"...That's a sharp question, but I don't agree. Admittedly, I have no idea what the future holds, but no matter what the world holds, my determination to be a hero will never waver. I want to save the world, that's undeniable. As for how to do the rest, I'll need to continue exploring. I also have the help of my companions, so this process won't be as long as I imagine."

At this point, Bai Lin glanced behind her. The poet was not there, and she was not referring only to the poet. All those who supported Bai Lin were also the driving force for her to continue her actions.

Chapter 803 I'm Too Selfish

They gave Bai Lin the meaning of progress and made her every step more confident. They made her gradually see each step towards her goal, and gradually, she stepped on the steps, getting closer to the existence called a hero.

"Are you just going to get away with it like this? Becoming a hero isn't something you can just take one step at a time. You said before that even a hardworking genius wouldn't be able to accomplish this. How can someone like you, who only gradually came to terms with your own ideas and then took action spontaneously, trust others with the assurance that you're a qualified hero?"

Dawn questioned her. It seemed her emotions were gradually weakening. Now that she was in working mode, she was able to quickly identify the crux of the problem and address it.

It's quite sharp, but...

Just as Bai Lin was about to use her own will and words of strength and confidence to forcibly refute the other party's point of view, a strange feeling suddenly flashed through her mind. She paused for a moment, then looked at Poxiao and replied,

"The hero you three once pursued wasn't a hero from the start, was she? You should know this better than I do. Her ideas were gradually solidified through repeated trials and tribulations, but in the end, she was still an outstanding hero. Do you want to deny her achievements?"

She was sharp, and Bai Lin was sharper still. No matter what Poxiao said, it was hard to stir Bai Lin's emotions, but the opposite was true. For someone already emotional, and to have such a profound past brought up, the weight of the story was heightened.

Poxiao's pupils shrank slightly, and then he stood up, pressed towards Bai Lin, and asked,

"Who told you this?"

"It doesn't matter who it is. Just assume I just heard it. To be a hero, you don't have to be a genius. As long as you've been polished enough, even if you start a little late, so what? The criterion for judging a hero's worth has never been talent, but their honed will."

Bai Lin still owed him something, and in this situation, even if they were just talking normally, it was already enough. After listening to this, Poxiao's emotions fluctuated significantly, but she just breathed twice on Bai Lin's cheek and sat back down. She put her hand on the gun, picked it up, and pointed it at herself.

"No matter how you got that information, you're still too self-centered! She's undoubtedly an exceptional hero, and you... someone like you who wants to piggyback on the achievements of others, how can you possibly compare to her?"

"The question is simple. What makes you believe you can be a hero? Fire this first shot now. Let us see the extent of your so-called honed will."

Without further ado, the sound of the revolver began to resonate rapidly. And the moment the hammer fell, no bullet was fired from Dawn's gun. With trembling hands, she slowly removed the revolver from her head, cold sweat dripping down her forehead. While the shot had been fired with a crisp, clean finish, it still seemed to linger, leaving her feeling a bit uneasy.

Despite this, she still cast her gaze towards Bai Lin the moment she fired the gun. Bai Lin, on the other hand, calmly pointed at his forehead and pulled the trigger.

Bang, the result of missing was inevitable. With a success rate of about 1/2, Bai Lin's luck wasn't that bad. She easily put the gun down, and then, under the other party's surprised and suspicious eyes, as if nothing had happened, she replied,

"Because some people call me a hero, some people have high expectations of me. And I, too, have my own reasons for wanting to do what they consider heroic. So, I have the will of a hero. After all, being a hero is relative. Not everyone is a hero in their eyes."

"At least, I'm very sure that I'm a hero."

Bai Lin spoke with remarkable composure. After firing the shot, not a single tremor emanated from her body, lending her calm tone an air of credibility. Everything she said and did came from her heart, making her seem even more like the hero she envisioned herself to be.

Looking at Bai Lin who was so calm in front of her, Poxiao, who had questioned Bai Lin, seemed a little embarrassed. No matter how she looked at it, it was the same. She was panting, and her fierce eyes were mixed with a bit of hesitation, but her mouth did not soften at all. She just said,

"You... are truly a lunatic. How can you be so sure that the dwarves' goals align with yours? They want to protect this place and support a hero worthy of their support, someone who can stand at the forefront. Is that all you want?!"

Bai Lin shook her head after hearing this, but her reply was still very calm.