Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Bloody Restaurant (Request for Full Subscription)
"The Sequence is usable, considering the strength of these guys I’ve encountered so far.
If I use the Summoner without any reservations, White Snake Thunderscale could probably level this place.
In that case, wouldn’t this impossible game be too simple?
So the question is, does summoning Exotic Species count as cheating here?"
"[Still mulling it over? You’ve been racking your brain so hard it’s about to explode, and still nothing! It’s your own ability, so how could it be cheating? They’re almost here! If you don’t summon now, you’re done for!]"
"You’re right! Why bother thinking about this when I’m about to be done for.
But I still want to ask, can Thunderscale’s size be reduced a bit?
If it’s summoned at its normal size, I bet the house will collapse!"
"[As your contracted Exotic Species, the embodiment of summoning power and mental strength, of course, it can be controlled at will. And isn’t a contract beast just like a part of the body? Since it’s a part of the body, naturally it can be as large or as small as you wish.]"
A part of the body? As big or as small as I want? Really? To be honest, it’s pretty hard to control size at will; I haven’t managed it in thirty years of practice. Forget it, I’ll just summon!
Lu Luo imagined himself dramatically clapping his hands together, then slapping the ground while shouting some theatrical, nonsensical incantation. And then White Snake would appear with a "BANG!" in that scene.
I wonder when I’ll ever get to be that over-the-top.
Okay, using Sequence S-07 Summoner didn’t involve so many steps; actually, a mere thought was all that was needed to summon.
Lu Luo closed his eyes and felt the presence of White Snake Thunderscale.
This range, around nine meters, should be enough!
"Nine meters! Nine meters! Nine meters!"
"[Sequence S-07, summoning in progress: White Snake Thunderscale. This summoning is at no cost.]"
There was no "BANG."
White Snake formed gradually as certain particles released from his body combined to create its form.
The size was just as he had imagined.
Awesome!
After completing the summon, Lu Luo had White Snake burrow under the dining table. Then, he glanced at the items in the dining room, his gaze finally settling on the small box next to the candlestick on the table.
He walked over to the dining table and placed his hand on it.
Seed of Virulent Poison.
The wooden box immediately began to change color but quickly returned to its original hue.
After doing all this, Lu Luo, the decaying skeleton monster, lay stiffly on the table.
Playing dead!
From another angle, as long as the eerie fire in his eye sockets was covered, he looked just like a half-rotten corpse. Blending in with the decrepit dining room, he wasn’t out of place at all.
「」
The Hunter and the Assassin arrived one after another at the dining room door.
"This is the place. Where’s the key?"
"Here’s the key."
"Open the door."
"You open it."
From this brief exchange, Lu Luo could already tell that the two were not particularly close partners. There was distance and suspicion between them, which was troublesome for him!
Yes, if the two of them distrusted each other, it would be disadvantageous for Lu Luo. Because they would be wary of each other, their vigilance would greatly increase. As a result, Lu Luo’s idea of a silent assassination would become very difficult to achieve.
The rustling sound of the key in the lock ceased.
The door was opened. CREAK! The grating sound came from the edge of the wooden door.
The Hunter and the Assassin, two players, entered the dining room, one after the other.
Seeing the two players again, Lu Luo noted that his attributes hadn’t recovered from 1% to 10%. His attempt to exploit a bug had failed again; how frustrating!
As Lu Luo had suspected, there was friction between the two; their cooperation wasn’t very close.
"Look, it’s that candlestick!"
The Assassin pointed to the center of the dining table, where a candlestick emitting a faint glow was placed. The light from this single candlestick seemed capable of illuminating the entire dining room; it was clearly a treasure of considerable value.
After confirming the candlestick was still there, the Assassin spoke up.
"Like we agreed, the candlestick’s mine, the next treasure is yours. Deal?"
"Sure, this one’s yours, the next is mine."
The Hunter agreed readily, hoisting his hunting rifle and starting to keep watch for the Assassin.
The Assassin also acted decisively, charging straight for the dining table and reaching for the central candlestick.
"Wait."
The Hunter suddenly called out to the Assassin.
"What’s wrong? Having second thoughts?"
The Assassin, somewhat displeased by the interruption, still wanted to maintain their hard-earned Alliance.
"Could there be traps here? We already dealt with two Exotic Species downstairs."
As he spoke, the Hunter used his hunting rifle to prod Lu Luo, who lay sprawled on the table.
"Judging by this rotting corpse, this place clearly isn’t straightforward. And going by the rule that treasure is always guarded by danger, I think we should be more careful."
"[Just talk, why do you have to poke the Host with your gun? Seriously, you nearly made the Host jump up and retaliate!]"
Lu Luo was also feeling some uncertainty; his actions were somewhat bold, but the risk was within his calculations.
Lu Luo had also noticed that the candlestick was an exceptional treasure, likely one of the manor’s valuable items. But he was the butler; obtaining the candlestick himself was meaningless. He had to wait for a player to take it, then kill the player. That was the only way it made sense.
The Assassin, heeding the Hunter’s warning, nodded and pulled out his dagger, becoming alert.
"Then keep an eye out for me!"
"Got it. Go on."
The Assassin cautiously moved toward the candlestick. As he looked at it, he also noticed a wooden box beside it.
Glancing at the Hunter, who was still on guard, the Assassin first snatched the wooden box and tucked it into his clothes before reaching for the candlestick on the table.
He got it! Lu Luo was inwardly ecstatic.
"Got it!" The Assassin also exclaimed, his face lit with surprise.
But after the Assassin grabbed the candlestick, the Hunter sensed something was off.
It wasn’t just him; even Lu Luo, lying on the table, sensed something was amiss. So much so that the poison explosion he was about to trigger and the waiting White Snake both held back.
Once the candlestick was lifted, the dining room noticeably dimmed.
The Hunter, doubtful, scanned his surroundings. His ability was an active one called Hunting Prey, which allowed him to sense the presence of Exotic Species within a certain range. However, when he activated his ability, he detected three Exotic Species in the room!
"Get back, quickly! There are three Exotic Species in this room!"
Just as the Hunter cried out in alarm, the chunks of meat on the dining table began to writhe and combine.
Soon, these pieces of meat formed into a monstrous creature with a gaping maw.
Lu Luo, lying on the table, looked at the enormous mouth before him and couldn’t help but gripe internally.
Well, well, turns out I wasn’t the only one hiding on the table.
[Glutton-Chef, an elite Third Tier Exotic Species. Strength: 75, Agility: 20, Constitution: 40. Guardian of the candlestick. Ability: Endless Stomach.]
The information about this Glutton was quite detailed and wasn’t obscured. Its appearance was almost like a small version of Ganmu, though it felt considerably weaker—the significant gap between Third Tier and Fifth Tier.
Lu Luo guessed that since he could see information about the Glutton through the Observer, other players should also be able to check through items or abilities.
The appearance of the Glutton made Lu Luo abandon his intention to attack at that moment. The Assassin had already grabbed the box, and White Snake was right beside the Hunter. If Lu Luo attacked now, he could instantly kill both players. However, he preferred to wait and see if the two could defeat the Glutton, perhaps yielding more treasure and allowing him to reap greater benefits.
The Assassin had also activated his identity ability, Assassin’s Instinct! His combat reflexes and speed had significantly increased, and he began to engage the Glutton.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Hunter raised his rifle, aimed for a moment, and then suddenly fired.
BANG! The bullet grazed past the Assassin, directly bursting the Glutton’s eyeball.
With fluid cooperation, the Assassin sliced off one of the Glutton’s arms with a single stroke. Together, they were actually able to fight a Third Tier elite and even gain the upper hand. It seemed their roles endowed them not only with special abilities but also with a substantial increase in their attributes.
The strength of the two was somewhat beyond Lu Luo’s expectations; it was fortunate he hadn’t acted rashly, as that could have genuinely risked disaster.
Dark Energy converged at the tips of the Assassin’s toes. He leaped high, kicking the Glutton squarely in the forehead.
BOOM!
As the Glutton screamed and fell backward, its massive body sank into the floor, demonstrating the incredible power of the Assassin’s kick.
Seizing the chance created by the Assassin, the Hunter rolled toward the Glutton, shoving his rifle barrel straight into its mouth!
BANG! BANG!
Two charged bullets in succession directly blew the Glutton’s brains out.
Looking at the Glutton, killed by their combined might, a smile appeared on the Hunter’s face. But the next second, his expression froze as a blood-red light started to emerge from the Glutton’s body, growing brighter and brighter!
"Not good, get back!"
The Assassin’s face contorted in panic. He quickly turned and leaped towards the chandelier.
The Hunter also wanted to run, but just as he took a step, the Glutton behind him exploded completely.
BOOM!
The Hunter was blasted away, crashing heavily onto the ground and coughing up blood.
The Assassin was luckier; he had avoided the catastrophe.
The two exchanged looks but remained silent. The injured Hunter quietly picked up his hunting rifle, preparing to reload—a form of self-protection. The Assassin, wanting to maintain their cooperation, silently consented to the Hunter’s actions. He jumped down from the chandelier, ready to deal with the aftermath.
Just as the Assassin hadn’t yet landed and the Hunter was reloading, Lu Luo made his move.
HISS!
Thunderscale suddenly shot out from under the dining table, sinking its fangs into the Hunter’s ankle. Although Lu Luo had greatly reduced its size, it was still massive—a nine-meter-long python. Thunderscale dragged the Hunter under the dining table, its electrified bite causing the Hunter’s body to grow increasingly stiff.
The Assassin wanted to help, but as soon as he landed, a sharp pain lanced through his heart.
"Cough, cough!"
The Assassin violently coughed up blood, but this blood was no longer its natural color; it was orange-yellow.
I’m poisoned? When?
The Assassin knew he’d been hit, but unlike the Hunter, he didn’t have the ability to detect Exotic Species. Thus, he was unaware that the culprit who had poisoned him was the decaying skeleton currently lying on the table before him. Moreover, the box in his clothes was continuously releasing toxins. Once enough had accumulated, Lu Luo triggered the poison explosion.
The Assassin’s face stiffened.
PFFT!
A large mouthful of blood sprayed onto the dining table. The Assassin, trembling, leaned on the table, wanting to say something but unable to speak. He saw the decaying skeleton in front of him eerily turn its head and even speak to him.
"Then, I’m sorry, Mr. Assassin. I, too, wish to survive!"
The Assassin tried to react, but the lethal poison rendered him immobile.
At this moment, Lu Luo’s Constitution was only 0.55, but that didn’t matter—he had his venom, and he had White Snake.
Sensing something behind him, the Assassin faintly turned around just as Thunderscale lunged to bite him.
Lu Luo silently waited for his attributes to recover, meanwhile gently petting White Snake by his side.
"Can you understand what I’m saying?"
"I can!"
Er! Hearing White Snake speak directly, Lu Luo felt a bit awkward.
"If I don’t summon you, where do you usually live?"
"A world of nothingness."
That sounds a bit grim! Lu Luo thought, then added comfortingly, "Then, when I have time, I’ll summon you out more often to stretch your... scales and relax."
"There’s no need. My Master does not yet possess a Domain or territory, so White Snake lacks a suitable environment. White Snake is My Master’s warrior, not a pet. White Snake will always be ready to fight for its Master. Please do not concern yourself too much with my emotions. Moreover, instead of such pointless things, it would be better for My Master to focus on growth."
"[The Host got lectured by his own contracted Exotic Species. How embarrassing!]"
Lu Luo’s expression was also quite awkward. He had a dog in his previous life, so he subconsciously treated White Snake as a pet.
But reality seemed to be different; the contracted Exotic Species had made it clear it wasn’t a pet. And telling me not to worry about its feelings... isn’t that a bit too considerate?
"I see... Well then, I’ll just have to become a Lord as soon as possible, acquire a Domain, and create a comfortable environment for you."
As Lu Luo spoke, he felt something wasn’t quite right, as if he was being led off track again. Why does everyone keep trying to lump me in with Exotic Species? I’m clearly human, okay? So what if I don’t have a brain or a heart anymore? That doesn’t stop me from being a person! An Exotic Species’ desire is to mate, but my desire is to... well, ’pedal a tricycle.’ Can those be the same? Not only can I change various ’tricycles,’ I can also vary the ’riding positions.’ So, see? Exotic Species and I are fundamentally two different kinds of beings, right?
"Ahem! My body has recovered. Go to the second floor and see if there’s a chance to drag the Butcher’s body to me. I’ll handle these two bodies myself."
"Understood, My Master."
White Snake was very obedient, or rather, compliant; it would not resist any of Lu Luo’s orders. Although he only controlled one Exotic Species, the feeling of domination was, how should one put it, quite mesmerizing.
「」
Lu Luo dragged the two bodies to the smithy. Since the manor villa’s hall was occupied, the furnace here was a better place for incineration. However, when he arrived this time, he found that the smith was missing.
"Where’s the smith?"
[There are huge footprints outside the smithy. It is recommended to observe them closely.]
Lu Luo glanced around and noticed many damp footprints surrounding the smithy, resembling those of some kind of dog. These footprints were large, roughly the size of an adult’s torso. There were bite marks and claw marks on the racks of the smithy.
Could the smith have been eaten by some big dog? Wasn’t he supposed to revive? Why didn’t he this time?
Lu Luo, without a second thought, tossed the Hunter’s and the Assassin’s bodies into the furnace.
[You have completely killed the Assassin. Base Reward: 10 Tokens. Assassin’s Property Earnings: 55 Tokens. Hunting Gain: 3.]
[You have completely killed the Hunter. Base Reward: 10 Tokens. Hunter’s Property Earnings: 6 Tokens. Hunting Gain: 7.]
The Assassin’s Token income was impressive, reaching 55 Tokens, for a total gain of 68 Tokens. The total gain from the Hunter was also 23 Tokens.
From their reward notifications, Lu Luo roughly understood how Token earnings worked. The Base Reward for a player was 10 Tokens, to which their Property Earnings and Hunting Gain were added. They had teamed up to kill the Third Tier elite Exotic Species, the Glutton, so Lu Luo received an additional 10 points of Hunting Gain. That made 91 Tokens from these two—very satisfying!
It was only the first half of the night, and Lu Luo had already killed three people. Though the process had been somewhat dangerous, his numerous advantages were too much to overcome.
By this time, White Snake had crawled down the manor villa’s water pipe, its tail coiling around the Butcher’s body.
"Ah, you’re here!"
The Butcher’s corpse brought Lu Luo another 30 Tokens, increasing his total earnings to 131 Tokens.
At this point, Lu Luo felt that his basic earnings were secure! Next, the goal was to find ways to earn as much as possible.
As Lu Luo leaned on the tool bench contemplating, an unmistakable hostility appeared behind him, accompanied by a very clear low growl.
"GRRR... GRRR... GRRR!"
Lu Luo turned around and saw—oh! A big, wet, bluish-gray wolfhound, its chain connecting it to the manor’s pond. One of the wolfhound’s eyes was blind, while the other emitted an eerie fire similar to Lu Luo’s—evidently not a normal creature.
So this is the one that killed the smith, right?