10: Chapter 10 You just wait!

The next evening, Chen Ergou logged on.

He logged into the game cautiously, terrified that he would see Shen Ruoxi standing in front of him the moment he appeared. Fortunately, everything in the Novice Village square was as usual; there was no Platinum-armored female demon waiting for him.

"Phew..." Chen Ergou let out a long breath. "She probably hasn't logged on yet."

He hurriedly set up his stall, preparing to continue doing business. The news of Shen Ruoxi buying the shrinking cookie yesterday had spread across the entire server, and the fame of "Ergous Stall" had grown even larger. Although his reputation wasn't great — "everything he sells has side effects" had become his label — people couldn't resist because his items were genuinely useful.

Today, he planned to clear out his remaining stock and see if he could earn some more money to unlock the rebound wristguard.

As soon as the stall was set up, a few customers arrived.

"Ergous Stall! Give me a bottle of regret potion!"

"Do you have a substitute scarecrow? I'll pay 15 gold coins!"

"Are there any shrinking cookies left? I'm going to fight the Shadow Lord too!"

Chen Ergou gave a wry smile. "None left, they're all sold out. I'll notify you all when I restock."

"Ah? Out of stock again? When exactly will you restock?"

"Well... that depends on the Stall System's mood." Chen Ergou bluffed.

He really didn't have any stock left. All 5 bottles of regret potion were sold, the 1 substitute scarecrow was sold, and all 3 shrinking cookies were bought out by Shen Ruoxi. The quantity of items the system gave him was limited; once sold out, he had to wait for the system to refresh.

The customers left in disappointment. Chen Ergou sat behind the stall, bored, gnawing on a candied hawthorn he had bought from an NPC.

Just then, he saw a private message —

[Xiguang: You're online?]

The candied hawthorn in Chen Ergou's hand dropped to the ground.

He stared at the four characters on the screen, his brain racing.

Online? She's asking if I'm online?

Is this... trouble coming?

Or is she here to buy more goods?

Chen Ergou hesitated for ten seconds and decided to pretend he didn't see it.

But the next second, another message popped up —

[Xiguang: I see your stall.]

Chen Ergou jerked his head up and looked toward the entrance of the square.

Sure enough, a figure wearing Platinum armor was walking in from the square entrance.

Shen Ruoxi.

She had come.

And this time, her expression was even colder than before. When she came to buy things last time, she at least carried a hint of curiosity. This time, there were only two words on her face —

Killing intent.

Chen Ergou's legs began to go weak.

He subconsciously took a step back, then another.

Shen Ruoxi walked closer and closer, her Platinum armor gleaming coldly under the moonlight. The surrounding players recognized her, hurriedly making way while pulling out their screenshot keys.

"Holy crap, Xiguang is here again!"

"She's here for Ergous Stall! It must be about the shrinking cookie!"

"Quick, take a screenshot! We're about to see a good show!"

"Ergous Stall is done for, the Iceberg Empress is here to settle the score!"

Watching Shen Ruoxi getting closer, Chen Ergou made a decision —

Run!

He packed up his stall and turned to run.

Shen Ruoxi paused, then increased her speed to chase after him.

"Stop." Her voice wasn't loud, but it had great penetrating power, as if it poured directly into Chen Ergou's ears.

Chen Ergou didn't dare to stop and ran even faster.

The streets of the Novice Village were not spacious, lined with low residential houses and NPC shops. Chen Ergou turned left and right, trying to shake off Shen Ruoxi. But Shen Ruoxi's speed was much faster than his — she was third on the combat power leaderboard; he didn't know how much higher her agility attribute was than his.

The two of them, one in front and one behind, sprinted through the streets of the Novice Village.

More and more onlookers followed behind; some even mounted their pets to follow and watch the excitement.

"Hahahaha, Ergous Stall is being chased by Xiguang!"

"Why are you running! If you're a man, stop!"

"If it were me, I'd run too. Who can withstand the Iceberg Empress's fury?"

"Why does this scene look so much like a cat chasing a mouse?"

Chen Ergou ran for ten whole streets.

From the east end of the Novice Village to the west, from the south to the north, he had run through the entire Novice Village. His stamina was bottoming out, and his legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

And Shen Ruoxi hadn't even caught her breath.

She followed behind Chen Ergou, maintaining a distance neither too far nor too close, just like a cat toying with a mouse.

"Stop running." Shen Ruoxi's voice came from behind. "You can't escape."

Chen Ergou looked back and almost cried.

There wasn't even a scratch on Shen Ruoxi's Platinum armor. Her breathing was steady, her pace composed, as if she were just taking a stroll.

And Chen Ergou was almost exhausted to the point of collapse.

Just when he thought he was about to be caught, a 'ding' sounded in his mind —

[System Notification: Host's turnover has reached 50 gold coins! Unlocked new item — rebound wristguard × 1!]

[rebound wristguard: After equipping, rebound all damage received within 10 seconds. Note: The rebound effect includes buffs — buffs from teammates will be converted into rebound damage.]

Chen Ergou's eyes lit up.

rebound wristguard!

Unlocked!

He hurriedly opened his backpack and sure enough, saw a silver-white wristguard. He equipped it without hesitation —

The next second, a shimmering wristguard appeared on his wrist.

Chen Ergou stopped and turned around.

Shen Ruoxi also stopped and looked at him.

"Had enough running?" Her tone was flat, but the killing intent in her eyes hadn't diminished at all.

Chen Ergou gasped for air and forced a smile. "Um... Guild Leader Shen... let's talk this over..."

"You lied to me." Shen Ruoxi was straightforward. "The shrinking cookie has side effects, and you didn't tell me."

"I... I wanted to say it at the time, but you were too scary..."

"So you chose to conceal it."

"It wasn't concealment, it was just... I didn't have time to say it..."

Shen Ruoxi sneered.

Then she drew her longsword.

The blade flashed with cold light, looking particularly piercing under the moonlight.

"I won't beat you up." Shen Ruoxi said. "I'll just slash you once. One slash to settle the score, and we're even."

Chen Ergou looked at the cold, flashing longsword and swallowed hard.

One slash?

If she landed that slash, wouldn't he be sent straight back to the city to respawn?

But before he could speak, Shen Ruoxi had already made her move.

Her speed was too fast; Chen Ergou couldn't react in time. The Platinum longsword, carrying a silver arc of light, slashed straight toward Chen Ergou's shoulder —

"Pfft —!"

A muffled sound.

But the one who was sent flying wasn't Chen Ergou.

It was Shen Ruoxi.

The light of the rebound wristguard flashed violently on Chen Ergou's wrist, and a transparent force field spread out from his body. Shen Ruoxi's longsword struck the force field, and all the damage was 100% rebounded.

Shen Ruoxi was sent flying by her own sword energy.

Her body traced a graceful arc in the air, and then —

"Bang!"

Her back slammed into the stone wall beside the street.

The sound of the Platinum armor colliding with the stone wall was crisp and loud, traveling far into the quiet night.

Shen Ruoxi slid down the wall and sat on the ground.

The whole scene went silent.

Dead silent.

Everyone was stunned.

The hundreds of onlookers looked at each other, no one daring to speak.

Chen Ergou was also stunned.

He looked down at the rebound wristguard on his wrist, then at Shen Ruoxi sitting on the ground, his mind blank.

This... rebounded?

Shen Ruoxi was sent flying?

The Iceberg Empress was bounced against a wall?

And then landed on her butt?

Chen Ergou opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found he couldn't make a sound.

Not because he was scared, but because he didn't know what to say.

Just then, someone laughed first.

"Pfft..."

Then the laughter spread rapidly like a contagious disease.

"Hahahaha hahahaha!"

"Xiguang was sent flying! She was sent flying by her own sword energy!"

"Holy crap! Rebound! Is that a rebound wristguard?!"

"Ergous Stall has such good stuff?! Rebound damage?!"

"The Iceberg Empress slashed at him and got bounced into the wall and landed on her butt, hahahaha!"

"This scene is too classic! I'm going to make it into a meme!"

The world channel exploded too —

"Breaking news! Xiguang chased Ergous Stall, slashed at him, and got rebounded! She got bounced into the wall herself!"

"What is a rebound wristguard? New item from Ergous Stall?"

"The stuff from Ergous Stall is truly outrageous! regret potion, substitute scarecrow, shrinking cookie, rebound wristguard... one more abnormal than the last!"

"But did you notice, the moment Xiguang was sent flying, her expression was spectacular — from cold to shock to dumbfounded, three expressions in one second!"

"The dignity of the Iceberg Empress is shattered in front of Ergous Stall, hahahaha!"

Chen Ergou looked at the messages on the world channel, then at Shen Ruoxi, who was still sitting on the ground, and made a wise decision —

Run!

He turned and ran, running even faster than before.

The effect of the rebound wristguard only lasted 10 seconds, and seven or eight seconds had already passed. If Shen Ruoxi recovered and came back with another slash, he wouldn't be so lucky.

"Stop!" Shen Ruoxi's voice came from behind.

This time, there was a hint of... annoyance in her voice?

Chen Ergou didn't look back and bolted.

He ran out of the Novice Village, ran into the nearby wild area, ducked into a forest, and finally hid behind a big tree, not daring to make a sound.

After a long while, confirming that no one was chasing him, he slumped to the ground.

Just then, a 'ding' sounded in his mind —

[Congratulations to the host for triggering a hidden achievement!]

[Achievement Name: empresss nightmare]

[Achievement Description: Survive in front of the guild leader of the number one guild on the server, and successfully rebound her attack.]

[Achievement Reward: Reputation +500, Gold Coins +20, Title "empresss nightmare" (NPC favorability +10 when equipped)]

Chen Ergou looked at this achievement, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

empresss nightmare?

Isn't this title too ostentatious? If he wears this title, wouldn't Shen Ruoxi hate him even more?

But the 500 reputation and 20 gold coins were still very sweet.

He accepted the reward and looked at his total gold coins — 60 gold coins now.

Not bad, not bad. Although he almost got beaten up today, he earned money at least.

Meanwhile, the world channel was still frantically discussing what just happened —

"Ergous Stall ran! He actually ran!"

"A bit cowardly, but he has the rebound wristguard, so he doesn't have to fear a direct confrontation!"

"'empresss nightmare'? Isn't this achievement name too funny?"

"This guy Ergous Stall, the stuff he sells is more outrageous than the last, but it's just useful. And this guy's luck is too good, right? He manages to turn danger into safety every time."

"I think Ergous Stall will be famous in the future. This kind of player who doesn't play by the rules is best suited to be a streamer."

"Who says otherwise. I've already followed his stall, I'll come to buy next time there's new stock."

Chen Ergou hid in the forest, looking at the messages on the world channel, his mood complex.

He was famous.

Thoroughly famous.

But the price of fame was being hunted by the guild leader of the number one guild on the server.

Was this deal worth it?

Worth it.

Absolutely worth it.

60 gold coins, a hidden achievement, server-wide fame. Who wouldn't think this is worth it?

But the problem was — Shen Ruoxi wouldn't just let it go.

Chen Ergou sighed, climbed out of the forest, and snuck back to the Novice Village.

He saw from afar that there was no one in the square. The chase just now was over, and the onlookers had dispersed.

But on the wall of the square, there was still a crack left by Shen Ruoxi when she was sent flying.

Chen Ergou looked at the crack and shivered.

Just as he was about to pack up his stall and go home, he saw a figure standing in the center of the square.

Under the moonlight, the Platinum armor gleamed coldly.

Shen Ruoxi.

She hadn't left.

She stood in the center of the square, her back to Chen Ergou. Her long hair fluttered in the night wind, and the scratches on her Platinum armor had been repaired, but there was still a bit of dust left on the back — that was left when she hit the wall.

Chen Ergou's footsteps stopped.

He wanted to run, but his legs wouldn't listen.

Shen Ruoxi slowly turned around.

Her expression was no longer angry, nor was it cold. Instead, it was a kind of... meaningful smile.

That smile made Chen Ergou's back feel cold.

"Chen Ergou." She called his real name.

Chen Ergou was stunned: "How... how do you know my name?"

"I am Shen Ruoxi." She said flatly. "Checking a player's real ID is not difficult for me."

Chen Ergou swallowed.

Shen Ruoxi walked two steps toward him, stopping five meters away.

She looked at Chen Ergou, the smile in her eyes deepening.

"You are very interesting." She said. "regret potion, substitute scarecrow, shrinking cookie, rebound wristguard... every item you sell is unexpected."

"Um... thanks for the compliment?"

"I'm not complimenting you." Shen Ruoxi's expression suddenly turned cold. "You lied to me and made me lose face in front of the whole server. I've noted this debt."

Chen Ergou shrank his neck.

But the next second, Shen Ruoxi's tone changed —

"But your stuff is indeed useful. I couldn't beat the Shadow Lord after three tries, but after using your shrinking cookie, I passed on the first try."

Chen Ergou blinked: "So... you aren't going to kill me?"

"Kill you?" Shen Ruoxi sneered. "You're not worthy."

This didn't sound like a compliment, but it at least meant she didn't intend to hunt him down.

Chen Ergou breathed a sigh of relief.

But Shen Ruoxi's next words made him nervous again.

"Chen Ergou." She looked directly into his eyes and said word by word, "I have remembered you."

She paused, the corners of her mouth curving into an arc.

"This is a declaration of war from the number one empress of the server."

After speaking, she turned and left.

The Platinum armor walked further and further away in the moonlight, eventually disappearing into the night.

Chen Ergou stood there for a long time, stunned.

A declaration of war from the number one empress of the server?

What the hell does that mean?

Does she want to fight him to the end? Or does she want to...

Chen Ergou shook his head, not daring to think further.

He packed up his stall, returned to the Novice Village inn, lay on the bed, and stared at the ceiling in a daze.

Too much happened today.

Sold goods and earned money, the system upgraded, new items unlocked, chased for ten streets by the Iceberg Empress, rebounded the Empress's sword, obtained a hidden achievement, and was declared war on.

This game is really fucking exciting.

Chen Ergou closed his eyes, his mouth curling up unconsciously.

Although he was declared war on, he had to admit —

Today was the most awesome day of his life, Chen Ergou.

And tomorrow, it will only be more awesome.

Because his myriad worlds stall system has only just begun.

In his mind, the system panel was flickering quietly —

[myriad worlds stall system Lv.2]

[Turnover: 60 gold coins]

[Items sold: regret potion × 5, substitute scarecrow × 1, shrinking cookie × 3]

[Unlocked items: rebound wristguard × 1 (equipped)]

[Items to be unlocked: ??? (requires turnover to reach 100 gold coins)]

100 gold coins?

Chen Ergou's eyes lit up.

Still more new stuff?

What could that thing be?

He drifted off to sleep with anticipation and curiosity.

And at the other end of the Novice Village, Shen Ruoxi stood at the highest point of the guild base, gazing at the moon in the distance.

A faint smile hung on the corner of her mouth.

"Chen Ergou..."

She murmured the name, a complex light flashing in her eyes.

"Interesting."

The night breeze blew, and the Platinum armor made a slight clinking sound.

The story of "world descent" has only just begun.