The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 359 - 328: I Just Spoke Too Loudly_2

Chapter 359: Chapter 328: I Just Spoke Too Loudly_2

"Not bad, it seems your devotion to the Golden Lady is quite devout."

Liu Zheng complimented.

"Hmph."

Mike turned his face away, refusing to look at him.

"Ignoring me? Then I might just shout."

He opened his mouth as if to shout.

"Go ahead and shout! When the time comes, I’ll just make a condition to have those pirates kill you right in front of me, and raise the ransom by ten percent,"

Mike said fiercely.

"Wow, I didn’t expect someone as young as you to be so heartless,"

Liu Zheng said, surprised.

"Hmph, my father often told me that you can’t stand firm in business without a ruthless heart."

"Your father did a fine job educating you, his little son, but did he ever tell you that the people from Luosi never take well to threats? Even if the pirates really want to kill me, I’ll make sure they cut off your ears before I breathe my last breath."

He bared his yellow teeth, looking even more sinister under the dim light.

"Are you sick? I already told you my name, why do you still have to bully a kid like me?"

If not for the ropes binding him, Mike would have jumped up in anger.

"Well, we’re tied up and can’t move anyway; might as well talk since we’re idle. Alright, alright, calm down, let’s talk about something serious."

Liu Zheng said soothingly.

"What else do you want to talk about?"

Mike was almost worn out by him.

"We’re all captives on the same ship, we should help each other. How about this, I help persuade the pirates not to hurt you and to release you once the ransom is paid. You help us convince your family to pay the ransom and bail us out too, how’s that?"

He suggested.

"Why should I help you?"

Mike sneered.

"No way, young master, do you really believe that these pirates will let you go after they get the money? Come on, you businessmen often take money without delivering; what makes you think pirates will keep their word? Are you planning to sign some kind of business contract with them?"

Liu Zheng mocked.

"Then what makes you think you can persuade them?"

"I can’t guarantee it, but at least then you’d have four more helpers. Surely, the odds of five people escaping are better than one, right? As a young master from a big business family, you should be able to calculate that."

He said calmly.

Mike didn’t respond, but fell into thought.

Liu Zheng didn’t rush him and closed his eyes to rest.

"You all have to swear to the gods."

A moment later, Mike finally spoke.

"Sure. I swear to the North Wind Goddess that I will help get you safely ransomed back."

He said immediately.

"I swear to the Lord of Yellow Sand..."

"I swear to the God of Knights..."

"I swear to the God of Healing..."

The other three players also took their oaths one after another.

"Alright, then I swear to the Golden Lady that as long as you fulfill your promises, I will also persuade my family to ransom you out,"

Mike said.

"And you won’t seek revenge on us afterward,"

Liu Zheng reminded.

"And won’t seek revenge afterward, especially against you, is that fine?"

Mike said begrudgingly.

"That’s enough."

He said, satisfied.

"Wait, didn’t you just tell that pirate that you two weren’t close?"

Mike spotted a loophole.

"We aren’t close, but since we’re in similar straits, that doesn’t mean we can’t help each other. I can cooperate with you, let alone with fellow adventurers,"

Liu Zheng stated matter-of-factly.

"Hmm, that does make sense,"

Mike accepted his explanation.

Just as Liu Zheng was about to say something more, the pirate came down again.

"Captain, I’m so happy to see you again, even the air in the cabin doesn’t smell so bad now,"

He said obsequiously.

"Alright, no need for flattery, I’m not here to see you,"

The pirate said, waving his hand, though his tone was relatively mild.

"No worries, take your time, I’m always ready to hear your good news,"

Liu Zheng said.

"Don’t worry, Flamingo is really busy, but I’ll find a chance to talk to him soon,"

The pirate reassured.

"Okay then. Speaking of which, I’ve just remembered a bit more of that story, do you want to hear it first?"

He teased.

"Hmm... save it for later, let’s listen to it later. First, I need to take this young man upstairs,"

The pirate said reluctantly.

"Don’t cut off my ears!"

Mike screamed.

"Who said anything about cutting off your ears? Has this kid gone mad?"

The pirate was baffled.

"Don’t be angry, Captain, the child is young; he must have been scared. What did you bring him up here for?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"I brought him to write a letter home for ransom. By the way, you guys..."

The pirate glanced at the four of them and curled his lip.

"Never mind, I can tell you’re all broke. Just stay put. Come on, kid."

Hearing it wasn’t about cutting off his ears, Mike obediently followed the pirate away.

"So, which path are we actually taking?"

Player 3 asked, somewhat speechlessly.

He really couldn’t handle it; they’d only just started, and this guy had already forced out two branching paths.

This guy must be an achievement freak in real life.

"I think the pirate route seems better."

Player 4 said.

After all, the module’s name was "Deceitful Sea Demon Ship"; the story likely all took place at sea, so joining the pirates would definitely offer an advantage.

"I think the ransom line is better."

Player 1 had a different opinion.

The ransom route should involve less combat, and it also might have a higher chance of triggering a hidden ending.

"Also, don’t forget, this is a series module. Our next module is likely to take us on land. Building a good relationship with the merchants of the Free Federation in advance will be more beneficial for our next module."

Player 1 added.

???

A string of question marks popped up over Liu Zheng’s head.

Nobody told him this was a series module.

Oh well, let’s just play for now.

If the Red Witch still won’t let him go after they finish this campaign, he could just ask the courier to come pick him up.

"I also recommend the pirate route, as it obviously matches the module’s theme better."

Player 3 said.

Afterwards, the three of them turned to look at Liu Zheng simultaneously.

If he supported Players 3 and 4, then there was no question, they would take the pirate route.

If he supported Player 1 or the escape route, then they would continue discussing.

"Do you think what Mike just said was true?"

Liu Zheng didn’t respond right away but started another topic instead.

"You suspect that the kid is an undercover agent sent by the pirates?"

Typical of an expert, Player 3 caught on instantly.

"Somewhat suspicious. For a kid captured by pirates, his logic was a bit too sharp."

He nodded.

Although Mike seemed scared, his overall response was very smooth, almost unnaturally so.

Even if kids in this world mature early, it wouldn’t be to that extent.

"Is it possible that the module was designed without considering it so strictly?"

Player 1 said.

"Unlikely. The modules at the Red Witch Board Game Hall are known for their realistic characters and rigorous logic."

Player 4 shook his head.

"Then, since he’s the son of a major merchant, maybe he was well-trained from a young age?"

Player 1 proposed.

"Speaking of which, Mike’s skin did seem somewhat dark, and a bit rough too."

Player 3 said.

He hadn’t been idle while Liu Zheng was talking with Mike; he had been observing.

"Could you see Mike’s face clearly?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Yes, I have night vision in my skills."

Player 3 replied.

"Right, I forgot to ask Mike how he was captured."

Player 4 realized.

"Indeed."

Such a young child couldn’t possibly go to sea on his own; he must have been with his family.

If Mike’s parents had already been killed by the pirates, it would be difficult to say whether the ransom could be secured.

The recipient of the letter might pay the pirates to simply get rid of Mike, or even pay extra to eliminate all four of them to cover their tracks.

"Let’s ask Mike in detail when he gets back."

Liu Zheng said.

A lie needs a thousand lies to sustain it; the more Mike fabricates, the easier it will be to spot inconsistencies.

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

All three players said in unison.

"By the way, I haven’t asked, what’s the fighting ability of these pirates like?"

Liu Zheng asked.