Sitting quietly in the cell, the corner of my mouth twitched slightly.
This death sentence came too suddenly, catching me completely off guard.
In-game, killing players grants PK points, maxing at 200. Exceed 100 PK points, and your name turns red. Death then triggers a 100% equipment drop rate. The killer’s loot rate also increases.
I opened my profile. My gear was mostly intact—only a bracelet dropped. Two-thirds of my inventory was gone, including my newly bought Divine Art Long Spear. But thankfully, the Revenge Ring remained. I opened the auction house to cancel its listing. Just then…
『System Alert: Your item “Revenge Ring” has been sold.』
「…」
My finger froze mid-air. I couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.
I opened the chat window. The world channel was chaotic. Alicia had also sent multiple messages.
『Where are you? I got ganked by a group! Died twice already! Damn it.』
『In jail. Probably out tomorrow.』
Jail reduces PK points by one every three minutes. Only when it drops below 100 can you leave.
『No way! I’ll fight them head-on!』
『…Stop messing around. Stay safe in town. I’ll handle revenge when I’m out.』
This wasn’t the time for recklessness. Staying calm was crucial.
『Ugh! No! I can’t accept this! Two pieces of gear dropped—including my favorite ring!』
『Trust me. Once I’m out, we’ll wipe them out completely.』
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. What’s taken from me, I’ll reclaim double. Those who kill me, I’ll slaughter tenfold.
After calming Alicia, I scrolled the world channel. Members of one guild were bragging nonstop.
『Look what I looted! “Eternal Time Ring”! Struck gold!』
『Yours is trash. Check my “Princess Kaguya’s Demon-Slaying Spear”.』
『Is flaunting really wise? That guy holds grudges.』
『Pfft. We’re Wind Mercenary Corps. Took this contract? We fear no revenge. That trash guild “Ael”? See me? Come kill me! I’ll wait. If you don’t wipe me 20-30 times, I’ll despise you.』
I silently pulled up his profile.
ID: B Shang Liang Shan
Class: Berserker Level: 25
Guild: Vice Guild Leader of Wind Mercenary Corps
Heh… A faint, mocking smile curled my lips. Trash like this dared to boast?
『Little bro, sorry ‘bout last time borrowing 100k gold. Now you’re footing the bill again. But hey, our guild specializes in assassinations. Hire us anytime—if you’ve got the cash.』
This message came from Violet, the wind mage who’d scammed me for 100k gold before.
『Seizing the moment for an ad: Wind Mercenary Corps handles revenge, retaliation, assassinations. Pay us, and no target’s off-limits. You set the times, the schedule. Fail? Full refund.』
『Wind Mercenary Corps… This grudge? I’m carving it in.』
I typed the reply and posted it to the world channel.
『Hahaha! If it isn’t Ael’s trash! Hiding, coward? Come on! We’re waiting outside the city.』
『Man up if you’re a man.』
『Seven days. Our contract’s to hunt your guild for seven days. Scared? Stay hidden in town. Keeps the hate manageable.』
The Wind Mercenary Corps Guild Leader suddenly spoke up.
『Whoa, Guild Leader! Seriously? Why reveal the timeframe?』
『Respect to the Guild Leader. It’s just a game. We’re here for pay—no need for bad blood.』
Heh. I watched their chat like a comedy show.
I closed the chat window. My lost gear didn’t matter. But Alicia… She’d joined the guild barely three days ago. This trauma? Unforgivable.
I pulled up the Wind Mercenary Corps guild info.
Wind Mercenary Corps Level 4 Guild Members: 121
Territory: None
Description: Love PK? Love raids? Love killing? Join us. We take revenge, retaliation, assassination contracts. Pay enough, and no one in this world is beyond our blade.
I checked the auction house. No Revenge Rings left. Essential for payback.
Hesitating, I messaged a familiar contact.
『Selling Revenge Ring? 6 million gold.』
A quick reply came.
『…Dude. You won’t buy it just to rob me back, right?』
『Selling? Relax. Target’s not you—it’s that Wind Mercenary Corps on world chat.』
『Selling. I hate them too. But 6 million? Too scary. 3 million’s fine—I’ll take a small profit.』
『Deal. Mail the ring. I’ll transfer 300k crystals.』
『Done! I trust you.』
I received the ring mailed by BixueRanChangqiang and sent 300k crystals.
『Huh. Surprisingly smooth. Thought you’d refuse.』
『No way, big bro. If I didn’t sell? Who knows when you’d hunt me next. Scary.』
『Am I that terrifying?』
『You take games too seriously. Most things? Let them slide. But you demand payment in blood.』
Reading BixueRanChangqiang’s message, I fell silent.
When did I start treating this mere pastime so seriously?
Whatever. Can’t play today anyway. Time to unwind. I opened my friends list. Alicia was offline. The Guild Leader hadn’t logged on.
Just after logging off, my phone rang incessantly.
「Hello?」
「Why’d it take forever to answer?! Hmph! Am I really that unlikable?!」
「Sorry. Was gaming.」
This young lady’s endless energy was… refreshing.
「Was it “Emperor”? Hey, wanna play together? I’m super strong in-game!」
「No.」
Reality is reality. Games are games. I keep them separate—no mixing chats or worlds.
「Tch. Stingy! I wouldn’t carry you anyway. Hmph.」
「What do you need? I’m hanging up if nothing.」
Outside, darkness had swallowed the city. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the glittering skyline.
「…Can’t I call just to talk? Aren’t we bros?」
Her voice dropped, laced with a hint of disappointment.
「Of course we are. I never said otherwise.」
Nothing urgent anyway. Might as well keep her company.
「I’m in a bad mood today! Wanna grab drinks? Please?」
「Where? Exact location.」
Strange. Oriental September, the ultimate tomboy, actually feeling down? I’d always thought her heart was unbreakable.
