Hell Game: Starting from the Metropolis

Chapter 100: Unsteady When One Is Not Crazy

"No way!"This time it was the Mermaid who spoke up in refusal.

She looked at Liu Zheng, and the admiration in her eyes had turned into hostility.

"Who sent you?"

She asked coldly.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes it matters — it decides whether I kick you out or throw you into the crucible."

Something under the Mermaid's clothes was rolling rapidly, as if trying to burst out.

"Fine, I was sent by the Fisherman."

Liu Zheng answered honestly.

"I knew it was that old bastard."

The Mermaid snorted.

"What did he promise you? A fish, a bag of bait, or a fishing rod?"

She pressed.

"He promised a father's gratitude."

Liu Zheng considered and replied.

"A father's gratitude? Hahahaha!!!"

The Mermaid burst into a shrill, false laugh when she heard him.

"What does he know about being a father? Which father would send the girl's mother to the Garbage Processing Plant?"

"Which father would let his daughter live alone on the surface since she was little?"

"Even farm animals know to protect their young, but he only knows how to sit in the Sewer with his fish."

"Has he turned into one of them now, fat and stupid?"

she asked.

"No, he looked rather thin, not as fat as you."

Liu Zheng recalled the Middle-aged Man and spoke frankly.

"Pft."

Player 7 couldn't help laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

The Mermaid glared at him.

"Can't help it, this guy is hilarious."

Player 7 shrugged.

"Hmph. Tell him I do what I want;he has no right to interfere."

Her anger faded a little at the interruption.

"Why don't you tell him yourself?"

Liu Zheng said.

"Human, I advise you not to take advantage of me. My goodwill toward you doesn't amount to a free pass for death."

The Mermaid said in a dangerous tone.

"Whether you admit it or not, the Fisherman cares about you. Even without me, he'd send someone to bother you. He has the strength and the time."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Compete with me in a fishing match. If I lose, I'll sort out the Fisherman so he can't trouble you anymore."

Liu Zheng said.

"You? Against him?"

The Mermaid clearly didn't believe it.

"That old bastard may be a piece of work, but he still has some strength. Don't say you're just a deliveryman — even the owner of your restaurant might not be able to handle him."

"Official power counts for less than current influence. I do have connections in the Sewer. Otherwise how did I pull so many fish from your father's pond and get away unscathed?"

he said.

Rust or the Fire Mage, either one could probably suppress the Fisherman.

Of course, using force was a last resort.

To handle something uncanny, one could either confront it head-on or exploit the rules.

But to handle a father, there were many strategies.

"I still don't believe you."

The Mermaid shook her head.

"Then if I break my promise, you can just order takeout to kill me, okay?"

Liu Zheng said helplessly.

"That could work."

The Mermaid curled the corner of her mouth.

If she actively ordered, making Liu Zheng deliver would cost him dearly.

But since he offered, the price would be much smaller.

This world worked that way — logic and causality always ambiguous.

The moment the Mermaid agreed, Liu Zheng felt the Fisherman's finger in his pocket tremble.

"She agreed, but I haven't agreed yet."

Player 7 interjected.

"Besides Regicide Chess, do you have any exclusive board games?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"No. Do you have an idea?"

"Have you heard of Three Kingdoms Kill?"

he said.

"No."

"The rules are simple: four camps — the Lord, Loyalists, Rebels, and the Traitor..."

Liu Zheng briefly explained the rules of Three Kingdoms Kill and mentioned a few typical generals' abilities.

"Why haven't I heard of that country?"

Player 7 asked puzzled.

"Because I made it up. If you don't like the name, change it — Monster Kill, Strange Kill, whatever."

he said.

"You sound like you're insulting me."

"That's your delusion."

Liu Zheng said without changing his expression.

"Alright. Your idea is actually pretty good. Fine, I'll play you."

"If you lose, not only do you have to deal with the Mermaid's problem, but you also give me this board game for free."

"If you win, I'll buy the game, but I want exclusive rights."

Player 7 said.

"Deal."

He nodded.

Anyway, the game company wouldn't come into the Dungeon to collect royalties.

"Wait here, I'll go make the handoff."

The Mermaid said and was about to leave.

"I can't play today — I'm actually here to deliver takeout."

Liu Zheng hurriedly added.

Then he took the takeout from his delivery box.

"Name: Sour Fish Vegetables"

"Type: Item"

"Quality: Excellent"

"Effect: Restores stamina;grants temporary +2 Strength and +2 Constitution for the duration of one Dungeon."

"Notes: Vegetables grown using fermented Sewer fish as fertilizer;acidity enough to make even rock giants wince."

"Can this be taken out of the Dungeon: Yes"

"Was that old bastard the one who ordered this?"

the Mermaid asked.

"Yes."

"I refuse to accept it."

She said without hesitation.

"Sigh."

Liu Zheng sighed as usual, about to say something when Player 7 cut in.

"Take it, Mermaid. Anyway, this will be the last time he bothers you."

"You're not wrong."

Hearing that, the Mermaid bit her lip and took the takeout.

"Leave a phone number — I'll tell you the time and place tomorrow."

Liu Zheng said.

"Leave mine."

He recited a string of numbers.

"Fine. What should I call you?"

"Call me Nightingale."

Player 7 said.

Clearly an improvised name.

Liu Zheng didn't mind — people in this world seldom used real names anyway.

Come to think of it, whether Delago and Napoleon were real names was hard to say.

"Enjoy your meal."

He said, then turned to leave.

"Wait, human."

Nightingale called after him.

Liu Zheng looked back and saw Nightingale remove the mask from his face.

A cascade of golden hair fell over his shoulders, almost blinding Liu Zheng's poor eyes.

But what truly dazzled him was Nightingale's face.

Though the features were somewhat strong and the contours too sharp, he was still undeniably very beautiful.

Especially the slightly upturned eye corners — utterly captivating.

"So that's the Blond Guy."

Liu Zheng blurted.

Now he understood why the Fisherman was so determined to break up Blond Guy and the Mermaid.

"Blond Guy?"

Nightingale looked at him.

"Never mind. Anything else?"

Liu Zheng changed the subject.

"My previous offer still stands — if you want to switch jobs, you can call me."

"OK. Oh, this coffee is on me. See ya."

He put a cup of Unlucky Coffee on the table and left the room.

Nightingale picked up the coffee but didn't drink it, merely looking thoughtful.

"Are you interested in this deliveryman?"

The Mermaid looked toward Nightingale, her tone odd.

"Don't you think he's interesting?"

Nightingale smiled.

"A bit interesting, but ultimately just a human."

"Even if his essence finishes transforming, he'll most likely become a famulus with compromised intellect."

the Mermaid said.

"I guess he won't. But that's not the point. The important thing is I sense the aura of the Chaos Club on him."

Nightingale leaned close to her ear and said.

"Then you still let him come work for you? Aren't you afraid the Municipal Government will come after you?"

"Fortune favors the bold. Whatever drips from the Chaos Club — isn't it pure profit?"

"Regicide Chess is good, but it's still a flawed product that's passed through several hands. To make big money, Regicide Chess alone isn't enough."

Nightingale said.

"You're crazy."

The Mermaid shook her head.

"In this world, if you're not crazy you won't be ruthless;if you're not ruthless you can't hold your ground. I don't want to end up as feed for my brothers."

"Ugh..."

Caught off guard, the Mermaid could only emit a weak little groan.