65: Chapter 65 Five Million for My Life? The Queen's Vicious Deal!

The afterglow of the setting sun sank completely beneath the surface of Black Water Lake, swallowing that eerie blood-red hue.

Qin Ji casually tossed that [city establishment token (Fragment)], which was enough to trigger a server-wide bloodbath, into the most inconspicuous corner of his backpack, as if it were a soda tab picked up from the roadside. He leapt down from the massive obsidian rock, landing without even stirring a speck of dust; his Agility attribute of several thousand points gave him micron-level control over his body.

"Is that all?"

He looked around at the charred corpses scattered across the ground that had yet to respawn, shaking his head with quite some regret.

"The people from the Dream Chasing Guild are too easy to kill. This doesn't even count as a warm-up."

Qin Ji stretched, his bones letting out a series of crisp, popping sounds. Since these 'wealth-delivering boys' were all dead, it was time for him to get down to business.

Farming attributes.

No matter how much the outside world was turned upside down because of the massacre he just committed, for Qin Ji, nothing was more reassuring than watching the numbers on his panel jump.

...

Meanwhile, at the intersection of the real world and the game: the Futou Club.

In the sci-fi-themed holographic conference room, the atmosphere was depressingly suffocating. A layer of Frost seemed to have condensed in the air, making even the sound of breathing cautious.

"Snow Emperor single-handedly wiped out 108 elites of the Dream Chasing Guild, including Dream Chaser in the Mist herself."

Divine Wolf lowered his head, reporting the newly received intelligence in a dry voice. "According to the analysis of the video sent back from the scene, Snow Emperor's defense, attack power, and movement speed have all far exceeded the understanding of players at this stage. Especially his final lightning skill, which instantly killed six Lava Giants with 20,000 HP each."

"The conclusion?"

Sitting in the main seat of the conference table was not the guild leader, Futou Shield Mountain, but a woman dressed in a wine-red haute couture suit.

She held a slender lady's cigarette between her fingertips; amidst the swirling smoke, her cold and charming face was faintly visible.

Futou Hongwen.

The true helm of the Futou Consortium and Futou Shield Mountain's elder sister. In this vast commercial Empire, her word was law.

"The conclusion is..." Divine Wolf paused and said with difficulty, "The probability of us killing Snow Emperor at this stage is extremely low. Even if we mobilize the entire guild for a pincer attack, the price paid would likely far outweigh the gains. The Dream Chasing Guild is a cautionary tale; they didn't just lose levels this time, more importantly, their reputation was swept through the mud."

"Reputation?"

Futou Hongwen gave a contemptuous laugh and flicked her cigarette ash. "In this world, only the interests in your hand are real. The first-kill reward for Devil King Grelorlinssen is a unique, world-class glory. It must not fall into the hands of that NPC named Leona, and we certainly can't let a solo player like Snow Emperor take the lion's share."

She turned her head, her gaze piercing like a blade toward the burly man sitting silently to the side.

"Brother, I remember you met that Snow Emperor once?"

Futou Shield Mountain's brow furrowed as he said sullenly, "We only met in the Newbie Village. I wouldn't call it a friendship."

"That's enough."

Futou Hongwen stubbed out her cigarette in the crystal ashtray, her tone brook no argument. "Go find him and cut a deal. We can pay five million credits just to have him stand still and let our people kill him once."

"What?!"

Futou Shield Mountain looked up abruptly, staring at his sister in disbelief. "Sister, are you crazy? That's Snow Emperor! You want him to stand still and let us kill him? And you want to give him five million?"

"What? You think it's too little?"

Futou Hongwen raised an eyebrow. "Then ten million. As long as he's willing to die once to wash off his red name status and drop his equipment in the process, we'll definitely profit from this deal. He's Rank 20 now with such a high red name value; dying once will surely send him back to Rank 1. But since he had the ability to level up, re-leveling won't be difficult for him."

"This isn't a matter of money at all!"

Futou Shield Mountain stood up suddenly, his face flushing red. "Sister, you don't understand that maniac! He's not short on money at all! Why was the Dream Chasing Guild destroyed? It's because Dream Chaser in the Mist thought she could control the situation! A person like Snow Emperor takes the carrot but never the stick, and he holds extreme grudges. You are gambling with the entire future of the Futou Guild!"

"Sit down."

Futou Hongwen's voice suddenly turned cold. "In this family, it's not your place to teach me how to do things. ragnarok is not just a game; it is the new world order. To obtain the loot rights for Devil King Grelorlinssen, any price is worth it."

"I'm not going."

Futou Shield Mountain gritted his teeth, the veins on his neck bulging. "Anyone who wants to go on this suicide mission and offend him can go!"

After speaking, he kicked back his chair, turned, and strode out of the conference room, slamming the door behind him.

"Bang!"

The loud noise echoed through the conference room.

Futou Hongwen's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water. She took a deep breath to calm her emotions and turned to look at Divine Wolf.

"Divine Wolf, send someone to contact Snow Emperor."

"President Hongwen, this..." Divine Wolf looked troubled.

"Tell him that as long as he's willing to cooperate, he can name his price. I refuse to believe there's anyone in this world who doesn't love money," Futou Hongwen said coldly. "If he refuses the easy way, then don't blame me for using real-world methods."

Divine Wolf's heart trembled, and he sighed inwardly.

"Yes."

He lowered his head to hide the helplessness in his eyes.

This Young Miss was used to throwing money at people in the business world, but she didn't understand at all that in this world where power is paramount, some monsters absolutely cannot be measured by common logic.

Five million for Snow Emperor's life?

Heh, I'm afraid that when the time comes, what we'll be giving away are the lives of thousands of brothers in the Futou Guild!

...

By the shore of Black Water Lake, deep in the jungle.

*Puchi!*

A muffled sound rang out.

The dagger in Qin Ji's hand accurately pierced the eye socket of a massive [Blood-Eyed Mystic Turtle].

This Rank 25 elite monster, with a defense as high as 3,000 points, didn't even let out a wail before its massive body collapsed, turning into a pile of shattered light.

[Ding! You have killed a 'Blood-Eyed Mystic Turtle'. Plundered attribute: Physique +5.]

[Ding! Triggered Greedy Grasp passive. Extra plunder: Physical Defense +10.]

"Comfortable."

Qin Ji looked at the defense value jumping again on his panel and nodded with satisfaction.

This area was simply a leveling Holy Land. Although the Blood-Eyed Mystic Turtle's attack power wasn't high, it was thick-skinned and durable, perfect for testing damage and stacking defense while he was at it.

Just as he was preparing to find his next victim, an extremely cold chill suddenly rose from his spine.

This chill didn't come from the environment but from a certain intuition of being watched.

"Who's there?"

Qin Ji spun around, instantly switching his dagger to a defensive stance, his purple-gold pupils dead-locked on a withered tree behind him.

There, a figure had appeared at some unknown time.

It was a hunched old woman wearing a tattered grey cloak and leaning on a withered wooden staff. Her face was covered in dry wrinkles like tree bark, and a pair of turbid eyeballs emitted a faint green light from the shadows of her hood.

Qin Ji subconsciously cast [Scouting Art] over.

[Klinfiss Bird (???)]

Rank: ???

HP: ???

Attack Power: ???

Skills: ???

[Note: Extremely dangerous! She emits a nauseating smell of blood; it is suggested you stay away immediately!]

All question marks?

Qin Ji's pupils shrank.

With his current Rank and perception attributes, he could see most things even for a Rank 30 Lord BOSS. For this old woman to be all question marks, it meant her Rank was at least 50 or even higher!

"Young man, your reactions are quite fast."

The old woman let out a piercing laugh like a Night Owl, revealing a row of uneven, blackened teeth. "As expected of the adventurer who could kill Devil King Grelorlinssen."

Qin Ji's heart tightened, his muscles instantly tensing.

This old woman knows he killed the Devil King?

One must know that the System announcement stated it was Princess Leona's achievement. Aside from those involved, no one should know the truth.

"Senior overpraises me."

Qin Ji moved back half a step imperceptibly, his face wearing that trademark harmless smile. "I'm just a passing ordinary player. Have you perhaps mistaken me for someone else?"

"Hehehe..."

Klinfiss Bird laughed even more happily, the sound making one's scalp tingle. "Snow Emperor, there's no need to pretend. That aura of slaughter on your body is something I can smell from ten miles away. That is a scent only possessed by someone who has truly bathed in the blood of a Devil King."

As she spoke, she walked toward Qin Ji with tottering steps.

"You are very strong, truly very strong. A powerhouse like you shouldn't be wasting away in this wilderness. You should become a noble, an Earl, or even a Duke!"

Flattery?

Qin Ji raised an eyebrow.

When things are abnormal, there's bound to be a catch. A mysterious, unfathomable NPC suddenly running out to praise you—this plot looked like a trap no matter how you sliced it.

"Senior, please speak plainly," Qin Ji said, putting away his smile. "I don't like beating around the bush. You didn't come all this way just to give me a few compliments, did you?"

"Straightforward."

Klinfiss Bird stopped her pace, a glint of light flashing in her turbid eyes. "Her Highness, Queen Fiodingyu, is very interested in you."

"The Queen?" Qin Ji narrowed his eyes.

"Indeed." Klinfiss Bird lowered her voice, her tone laced with temptation. "That wench Leona... oh, excuse me, Her Highness the Princess, claimed the credit for killing the Devil King, and the King is preparing to reward her lavishly. But this is not what Her Majesty the Queen wishes to see."

Qin Ji understood instantly.

Is this some palace drama?

"So, you want me to expose her?" Qin Ji asked with a half-smile. "Have me tell the King that I was actually the one who killed the Devil King?"

"More than that."

Klinfiss Bird shook her head, her old face leaning in closer, looking exceptionally hideous. "The Queen hopes you can go to the palace and, in front of all the civil and military officials, prove that Leona not only failed to kill the Devil King but instead colluded with the Demon Race with the intent to rebel! And you are the hero who endured humiliation to kill the Devil King!"

"Holy crap?"

Qin Ji almost couldn't stop himself from swearing.

This isn't just exposing her; this is trying to drive that princess to her death! This Queen is vicious enough!

"Senior, isn't this joke a bit too big?"

Qin Ji pointed to the deep purple name above his head. "Look at my red name value. Forget entering the royal palace, if I even take one step near the main city gates right now, the city guards and Magic Towers will blast me into dust. You want me to go to the palace? Do you think I'm not dying fast enough?"

"Her Majesty the Queen has naturally considered this problem."

Klinfiss Bird pulled an ancient bronze mirror from her bosom.

The mirror was only the size of a palm, its edges carved with complex and eerie skull patterns. The surface wasn't glass but a slowly rotating black vortex, as if it connected to another world.

[mirror of the dead realm (Special Item)]

[Effect: Ignores space locks to directly open a 'Gate of the Dead Realm' to specified coordinates. Anyone passing through this gate will temporarily gain the 'Death Disguise' status, shielding them from all detection methods, including the main city's defensive arrays.]

"Good stuff!"

Qin Ji's eyes lit up instantly.

So this is the legendary teleportation gate? And it can even bypass red name detection?

"As long as you agree, this mirror is yours," Klinfiss Bird tempted. "Furthermore, after the deed is done, Her Majesty the Queen will personally wash away your red name and grant you the privilege to walk freely in the main city. Even..."

She paused, a lewd and suggestive smile appearing on her face.

"That high-and-mighty Princess Leona, after being deposed, will be given to you as a war trophy. At that time, you can play with her however you like. Whether you want her to serve you tea or..."

"Deal!"

Qin Ji didn't even wait for her to finish before grabbing the bronze mirror.

Are you kidding me?

Clearing his red name? Entering the main city? And he gets a princess as a maid for free?

Only a fool wouldn't take this deal!

As for whether that Princess Leona was innocent... what did that have to do with him? In this world where data is king, only the attributes and interests in his hand were real.

"I like dealing with smart people."

Klinfiss Bird nodded with satisfaction. "The mirror's coordinates are already set, leading directly to the secret chamber of the Queen's bedchamber. At midnight tonight, Her Majesty the Queen will grant you an audience in person."

After speaking, her body began to gradually blur, turning into countless black crows that cawed as they soared into the sky, disappearing into the depths of the jungle in an instant.

Qin Ji toyed with the [mirror of the dead realm] in his hand, feeling the icy touch coming from it, the corners of his mouth curling into a playful arc.

"The Futou Guild wants to spend money to buy my life, and the Queen wants to use me for palace intrigue..."

"This game is getting more and more interesting."

He looked up toward the distant City of Origin, which floated above the clouds and emitted a Holy Light.

Beneath that glamorous exterior, who knew how many filthy deals and decayed desires were hidden.

However...

"Who is using whom? It's not decided yet."

With a thought, Qin Ji put away the bronze mirror.

In the next second, his figure turned into an afterimage again, rushing toward the group of Blood-Eyed Mystic Turtles that had just respawned.

Before going to the palace to cause trouble, he had to clear out the monsters nearby first. After all, attribute points were the foundation of his survival in this world and the greatest source of confidence that allowed him to dance on the edge of a blade.

"Come on, little babies! Let daddy see how much defense you can contribute to me!"

Accompanied by a wild laugh, another storm of blood and gore was whipped up on the shore of Black Water Lake.

The sun set completely, and darkness enveloped the land.

And in that endless darkness, a pair of purple-gold pupils were flashing with a light more greedy than a demon's, watching this world that was about to be turned upside down by him.