Yuan Zhao let out a long sigh.
Anyway, SOCIAL SECURITY is far ahead for now. The organization has plenty of 'recruits' to use, so my absence won't be felt immediately. I can make up for this favor later. But if I leave, this White-named face might really end up all alone. The polite way that young man from the Astronomical Society bid farewell just now… I bet he was mocking Huai Shi with that distance. We've been in the competition for so long, and hardly anyone from the Astronomical Society has come to find him. The one who did show up was so nonchalant. Yeah, this White-named face probably isn't very popular, huh? Come to think of it, he really does seem quite annoying! Maybe when they go out to eat, everyone ignores his dietary restrictions. When they go for karaoke, other colleagues 'accidentally' cut his songs. During company outings, he's the only one without shuttle service because he lives too far away or something… He acts all unconcerned on the surface, but he's probably dying inside, really not wanting me to leave.
Yuan Zhao gave him a doubtful look. Seeing Huai Shi's waiting gaze, his expression turned to one of pity. Tiptoeing, he patted Huai Shi's shoulder to comfort him.
"Don't worry, Young Master Yuan will carry you to victory, guaranteed!"
He patted his chest, indicating that Big Bro wasn't leaving; Big Bro would carry him. Huai Shi was stunned for a moment, not expecting him to pass up on finding his teammates…
This look was immediately interpreted by Yuan Zhao as Huai Shi being moved and pleasantly surprised, which made him feel even more resigned. It's not that I don't want to meet up with my teammates; it's just that this fellow is too worrying to leave alone. If I, this veritable pillar supporting the heavens, this purple-gold beam bridging the seas, weren't here, he'd probably get killed off in some corner, all alone, and nobody would even know. Sigh, I guess I'll just have to put in more effort for him.
Although Huai Shi wasn't sure what had happened, watching Yuan Zhao's expression full of a sense of mission made him bite back his words.
Forget it, as long as he's happy. Anyway, one more person doesn't make much difference, and one less won't be a huge loss… I'll just treat it as babysitting!
Thus, Huai Shi put on the kind and affable expression of a kindergarten teacher. Their smiling faces met, and it felt as if the bond between teammates had grown even stronger.
Only Li Jian Amber, passing by the entrance, glanced at them uncomprehendingly, shaking her head with a sigh.
Two morons…
She hailed a taxi and left.
Yes, you could even catch a taxi in this crappy place.
Starting from the second day of the competition, various public facilities had been opened to the incoming contestants, including transportation systems, dining locations, and nighttime accommodations.
Although they were all local rip-offs, without guaranteed quality or quantity, and might even pose a risk to one's life.
But it was better than nothing, right?
And the common currency used was the Golden Coin, dropped when a contestant died.
As for the prices, well, don't even mention them. Without a special title or item, the costs could absolutely skyrocket.
Just one night's accommodation cost ten Golden Coins. This meant that if you wanted to safely get through the night of the Hyakki Yagyō, you had to find a way to kill ten contestants during the day.
The prices of various consumable items were like sharp cleavers, aimed straight at the contestants' necks. Huai Shi had checked: in Little Cat Paradise's own shop, without using his Prince title, a single shotgun shell cost one Golden Coin.
Through various pressures, the competition's organizing committee continually forced contestants into intense eliminations and confrontations.
Turtle? Why turtle? There's no future in turtling! Could you turtle your way through seven days? Did you want items? Did you want Border Relics? Did you want rewards and victory?
Then go all out! You'd be number one only after you've recklessly killed all other contestants. If you just kept turtling, you'd completely miss all the early development opportunities and then become a walking Golden Coin dispenser in the eyes of other contestants.
At night, this city became a nightmarish land of the Hyakki Yagyō. And during the day, everywhere one looked had become the contestants' hunting ground.
The third day had just begun, and the competition was already reaching a fever pitch. A large number of contestants who had only been turtling in the early stages were rapidly eliminated.
After three days, everyone had more or less figured out the Joyful Framework's MO. It was just as Huai Shi had guessed: Want to get stronger? Then spend Golden Coins. How can you get stronger if you don't spend Golden Coins?
After estimating the fifty-odd Golden Coins he currently had, even Huai Shi felt the financial pinch. If he avoided conflict, he would just be eating through his savings.
After some thought, calm analysis, and careful calculation, Huai Shi finally made his decision. He stood under a signpost and waved for a cab.
Soon, a pitch-black Hearse emerged from the void and stopped in front of Huai Shi. Signaling Yuan Zhao to follow, Huai Shi handed the driver some Golden Coins and an extra ticket he had extorted from Little Cat before leaving.
"Ueno Park, thank you," he said, handing over one Golden Coin as he stated his destination.
In that instant, he felt a sudden chill and whipped his head around.
He saw nothing through the car window.
Huai Shi frowned.