[Mission Complete: The Beauty Salon Owner’s Secret]
[Rewards: Eerie Power +100, Points +1000]
In a certain alley of the backstreets, Li Ran stepped out from the shadows.
“Come on out, Chitong.”
With a thought, Li Ran opened a floating portal to another world in front of him. Through the dazzling halo, one could see the landscape of a vast plain.
“Squeak… squeak squeak.”
“It’s fun in there? You want to play a bit longer?”
Li Ran wasn’t sure how he could understand fox-speak, but Chitong’s thoughts automatically translated in his head along with its sounds.
It was rather magical.
“Must be the effect of the Summoner’s Crest,” Li Ran thought to himself.
“There’s food and drink, and you can even cultivate?”
Chitong sent another report, shocking Li Ran.
He was even tempted to enter that grassy plain within the otherworldly space himself.
“Alright, you go ahead and play. I’ll call you if anything comes up.”
“Squeak.”
After escaping from the beauty salon, not only had Li Ran learned the secret of the salon owner Yang Baobao, he had also “extorted” three pieces of equipment.
These three pieces were, in fact, the hidden rewards mentioned in the mission.
Without the golden finger’s prompt, who would’ve known about such hidden rewards?
Yang Baobao’s strength was still terrifying—800 Eerie Power at Grade A. Li Ran estimated that he’d need at least 800 Eerie Power himself and a full set of top-tier gear to stand a chance against him.
As for monsters with the same Eerie Power at Grade S, he’d probably need a full set of purple (rare) equipment to possibly defeat them.
Still, with his current strength, he was ready to take on the mission [Eliminate the Murderer].
For safety’s sake, he needed to get a bit stronger first.
He took out a white box and slowly opened it. A beam of violet light reflected on his face.
“Wow, a epic—okay fine, rare—item.”
Though it wasn’t a epic-grade item, Li Ran was already more than satisfied.
After all, even with the golden finger, he only managed to get two rare pieces. Those without a golden finger probably didn’t even have one decent piece of common gear, and they likely treated even common gear like treasures.
[Ranged Weapon: Sunset Godbow (Rare)]
[Requirement: 500 Eerie Power, 100 Strength]
[Stats: Eerie Power +100, Strength +100, Agility +100, Constitution +100]
[Active Skill: Explosive Arrows – Arrows are imbued with fire, dealing heavy damage and triggering explosions upon impact. Can fire three consecutively. Cooldown: 5 minutes]
[Passive Skill: Lookout – When the player attacks, the field of vision expands tenfold.]
“Damn, a top-tier rare weapon!”
After reading the stats, Li Ran was utterly stunned.
Though both were rare-grade, the Sunset Godbow was clearly a tier above the Shadow Fang.
Not only were the stats doubled, it even had an active skill.
Based on Li Ran’s past experience in online games, top-tier gear plus skills meant this was the best possible among same-tier equipment.
No wonder Yang Baobao was so reluctant to give it up and tried to snatch it back the moment he retrieved the USB drive.
If it weren’t for Li Ran’s multiple escape skills, the equipment would’ve been taken back.
Li Ran immediately equipped the Sunset Godbow.
Along with the rewards from just completing a mission, his stats had surged dramatically.
[Li Ran]
[Eerie Power: 780]
[Agility: 220]
[Strength: 220]
[Constitution: 200]
[Points: 1150]
[Active Skills: (Shadowstep) (Shadow Assault) (Blood Scythe Blade) (Explosive Arrows) (Summon Space)]
[Passive Skills: (Shadowstep) (Thunder Mark) (Focus Mind) (Immunity) (Lookout)]
In terms of weapons, Li Ran already had the Thunder Dagger. Equipping the Sunset Godbow didn’t conflict with it.
Weapon slots are divided into Main Hand and Off-hand.
There’s no distinction between two-handed or one-handed. You can wield a greatsword and a bow, or a dagger and a wand—it’s up to the player to decide. Two weapons total can be equipped.
“Not bad. Feels like my body is brimming with explosive power.”
Li Ran could clearly feel the difference in his body, especially his physique.
Now, with his strength, he could casually throw a thousand-pound punch. If he used Shadowfang Bite, he could crush steel!
He really wanted to find somewhere to test the power of the Sunset Godbow.
“Looks like you gained quite a haul this time.”
At that moment, a gray cat on the rooftop above looked at Li Ran and spoke in human language.
Li Ran smiled, then transferred 250 points from the points store.
“Thanks,” said the gray cat, narrowing her eyes.
The gray cat was actually Song Linjia in her transformed state. She had a passive skill called [Stealth], which was perfect for scouting and hiding. It was also a key reason she had survived till now.
Song Linjia was smart. She faced the unknown with caution and only took on tasks she was confident in completing.
If she encountered obstacles, she’d either put them on hold or evaluate them before asking Li Ran for help.
Before heading to the salon, Li Ran had approached Song Linjia and asked for her assistance. She was quite surprised—someone as strong as Li Ran needed help?
Moreover, she was the one who asked for 250 points. Li Ran had actually wanted to give her 500.
She probably hadn’t expected Li Ran’s mission to reward a full 1000 points.
Li Ran didn’t bother explaining. His current gear was simply far more luxurious than hers.
If he showed everything, it might scare the poor girl.
“It’s getting late. Time to head back and rest. Tomorrow’s a new day,” Song Linjia said.
“Wait.”
Li Ran quickly stopped her and told her about the upcoming Night of Madness ten days from now.
After hearing it, Song Linjia’s face turned completely pale.
“You mean… this dungeon was never meant to let players return to the real world alive?”
“There has to be a way out!”
Li Ran looked at her with a determined gaze.
“We will get out alive.”
…
After Song Linjia left, Li Ran didn’t immediately head back.
“It’s not even five yet and it’s already dark. Is the sky getting darker faster, or is the night beginning to swallow the day?”
Li Ran looked up at the pitch-black sky, his expression growing serious.
Tonight, he didn’t plan on heading home so early.
In the past, he was too weak. Now, he couldn’t say he was strong, but at least he could protect himself. As long as he stayed cautious and returned before midnight, there shouldn’t be a problem.
If there was danger, he would immediately escape and flee back home.
For this reason, he specifically sent Su Bingyao a message, telling her he’d be home a bit late.
Su Bingyao replied simply: “Come home early.”
Just four simple words, but they warmed Li Ran’s heart.
As darkness fell, Li Ran moved across the rooftops of the backstreets like a child of the night.
He merged with the shadows, overlooking the area below.
With the fifteenth day approaching, Li Ran had to start making proactive moves for his own survival.
Especially after nightfall—what exactly was this world really like?
He had no clue.
“Hey there, wanna come play?”
At that moment, a coquettish voice came from an alley below.
Li Ran looked down and saw a line of scantily clad women standing in a narrow alley.
One of them, heavily made-up, clung to a burly man and called out coyly.
The man was tall and imposing, his muscular arms covered in demonic tattoos.
He gave the woman a glance and asked in a deep voice, “Got anyone younger?”
(End of Chapter)