Chapter 37: Purchasing

Well, it was not that "A Novice" wanted Bai Ming to die. After all, he was counting on Bai Ming to earn money for him. It was just that he truly could not fathom how Bai Ming had managed to survive. Even for a player with an S-rank rating, being a mere level 3 mid-stage wild ghost, it stood to reason that it was impossible to clear a challenge that required the strength of a malicious spirit.

The other players in the workshop were also dumbfounded. How did he pass? Was there some unknown loophole? Or did he simply not perform the challenge at all?

"You're out." Bai Xiaozhi had no doubts and threw herself at him directly.

Bai Ming helplessly pulled her into his embrace. "It was a simple challenge, no need to worry so much."

This was not a lie. As long as it involved dodging, the A-rank specialty "Cowardly Mouse" was enough to crush all mechanisms at this stage. As long as Bai Ming perceived the attack, he could dodge it with ease. Therefore, no matter how fast the soul-snatching chain was, it could do nothing to him as long as it did not form a saturated attack.

However, the players were clearly stung by Bai Ming's words. What "simple challenge"? If it were truly simple, they would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?

Even the paper doll wearing a judge's hat could not help but interject: "Lucky brat, everything in the world has its counter. You were able to get an advantage from me, but others might not be so fortunate."

Bai Ming smiled: "But at least I have already earned 1000 underworld coins, haven't I?"

Hearing their exchange, the players no longer doubted him. Although they still could not understand how Bai Ming had managed to clear the stage, the person was standing right there; they could only conclude that Bai Ming was exceptionally powerful.

"As expected of a big shot, I knew you were invincible."
"Big shot is awesome, please take me with you."
"Big shot is amazing..."

"A Novice" also realized this. What was the point of worrying about whether Bai Xiaozhi was a ghost or if ghosts harmed people? Was it not natural for such a powerful ghost to be subdued by someone even stronger? Even the weak scholar Ning Caichen could do it, so why couldn't "Wutian" be even more impressive?

"A Novice" fawned, "Big shot, I'll go to the village chief right now to get an introduction letter for you and your girlfriend. Don't worry, it's free of charge!"

Yes, how could "A Novice" charge him again? Clinging to the thigh of "Wutian" meant living the high life; a mere 100 underworld coins were not worth it! Seeing this, the other players followed suit, fawning even more blatantly.

"Big shot, do you need a runner? I'll do chores for free!"
"Big shot, accommodation costs money, but my place is huge! You can stay there however you like, I'll sleep on the street!"
"Big shot, here is a 10 underworld coin friend fee, please accept it!"

Watching the increasingly shameless faces of these players, "A Novice" grew anxious again. He knew exactly why this was happening. A mere S-rank player would certainly not be worth the other players lowering their pride for. But what about a level 3 player who possessed the strength of a malicious spirit? The workshop owner mentioned "countering each other," but he hadn't seen any other players go and try to counter anything. Without strength, you couldn't counter a damn thing!

Even if Bai Ming's strength was not that of a true malicious spirit, it certainly crushed an S-rank player. SS-rank? SSS-rank? "A Novice" did not know what rank that was, but he wanted to rise in power, he had to fawn his way up; this might be his only chance to turn his life around in the Twilight Game. As for the theory that "everyone is equal in the future," he had long since thrown it to the back of his mind. Nothing was more important than the present, than something more practical.

He gritted his teeth and went all in: "Big shot, please take these 50 underworld coins! Consider it my treat for your village entry fee!"

"Also, also... right! I can sign a contract with you, and you can take twenty percent of my future earnings!"
"I only ask that you take me with you when you return to the human world."

The players in the workshop were shocked. Had "A Novice" lost his mind? Giving money was one thing, but signing a contract to hand over twenty percent of his earnings as a tax? What if Bai Ming's character was bad? Wouldn't he lose everything? But regardless, they lacked the courage "A Novice" possessed.

Bai Ming waved his hand: "Forget it, skip all that. I'm going back to wait for the bus. We'll meet again if fate permits."

Once these words were spoken, the players felt a complex mix of emotions. They had struggled, faced death, and were forced to stay in Mist-Hidden Village, becoming its residents. Although there were benefits, to earn 1000 underworld coins, they would have to work for a full 100 days. And Bai Ming? In less than half an hour, he had easily earned 1000 underworld coins, and not only did he not have to stay, he could return to complete his mission and go back to the human world.

Even worse, with his strength, he would likely get an S-rank clearance rating again. Or perhaps an SS-rank? The reason he wasn't staying in Mist-Hidden Village was likely because he didn't care for the measly rewards it offered.

"A Novice" felt the worst of all. He had witnessed everything from the start to the finish and was the only unlucky soul to have lost both money and items in the process. Yet, he had no choice; he couldn't exactly blame Bai Ming. If he were beaten to death, where would he go to seek justice? The Underworld?

But this *was* the Underworld, where was the afterlife? He had never even heard of it.

Bai Ming turned to the paper doll: "Do you have any harder challenges here?"

The paper doll smiled eerily: "There are some, do you intend to participate?"

Bai Ming smiled: "Forget it, I don't plan to."

The paper doll snorted: "Then I have nothing to say."

"Or you could go try challenges at other shops. If you complete all of them, there is a mysterious grand prize that will surely satisfy you."

Bai Ming did not care. He would not go and do challenges at other shops. With his current strength, those challenges were impossible to complete. He just wanted to finish exchanging for skills and specialties as quickly as possible and then leave Mist-Hidden Village. Before leaving, he looked at the crestfallen "A Novice": "Could you trouble yourself to take me to the pawn shop?"

"A Novice" jumped: "It would be my absolute pleasure!"

...

The pawn shop owner hunched behind the counter, his withered face resembling dried tree bark, with two murky glass beads embedded in deep eye sockets. The counter and the shelves behind it displayed various glass jars, in which twitching organs floated in murky liquid. The stench of rot and iron solidified in the air, mixed with an indescribable, fishy sweetness.

"Welcome, are you here to pawn for a limited time... or for good?"

"A Novice": "Boss, he is here to exchange for skills and specialties."

The owner slowly raised his murky glass beads, and a raspy laugh squeezed from his throat: "A newcomer? What underworld coins could a newcomer possibly have..." His branch-like fingers slid across the table, his nails black and sharp: "Or perhaps... you intend to pay with the parts on your body?"

Without waiting for an answer, a yellowed piece of paper unfolded with a "swish," the dark red handwriting resembling dried bloodstains.

[Head: 30 underworld coins]
[Eyes: 10 underworld coins]
[Heart: 20 underworld coins]
[Hands: 10 underworld coins]
[Legs: 10 underworld coins]

*Slap—!*

A thousand-underworld-coin note was slammed heavily onto the white paper, causing the organs and liquid in the jars to shake violently.

Bai Ming said coldly: "Enough nonsense. I'm in a hurry, bring out the goods worth 1000 underworld coins."