Chapter Eleven: Three More Years of Patchwork and Repairs
“Row, row, row your boat, patching up for another three years~”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
No one knew where Wang Xiao had found the nails, but he hammered them into the door while humming his tune.
“Huh? Why is there a gap?”
“Get in there!”
Wang Xiao gave the door a hard kick, pushing it closer to the wall.
Hmmph!
“What the heck is this?”
The little boy’s face under the door was so squished his eyes nearly touched, looking almost like a fish. Black liquid trickled down his forehead, and the boy was clearly aggrieved. Just a little longer, just a little longer, and I’ll make you pay!
In the end, he had to bow his head—not to life, but to Wang Xiao.
The boy let out a pitiful wail, as if begging for mercy.
Wang Xiao, looking incredulous, pulled the door away.
“Oh my, little guy, what are you hiding here for?”
The boy wiped the black liquid from his face with a pale hand.
Liar! As if you don’t know! I don’t buy it!
Wang Xiao looked at him with a mocking grin. “So? You lost, and losers get punished~”
But the boy showed no fear, which left Wang Xiao a bit puzzled.
No need for further words. Wang Xiao gave a “gentle” smile and raised his hammer.
Faced with Wang Xiao’s “tenderness,” the boy didn’t try to escape. Instead, his mouth twisted into a wicked grin.
His head felt heavy. Not bad. Wang Xiao’s head rolled off again.
Wang Xiao, dead.
Well, by now he was used to it.
The little boy didn’t leave. Instead, his eyes lit up with a kind of joy.
He picked up Wang Xiao’s head and stood on the corpse, getting ready to play ball.
Excitement contorted his face, but it was terrifying to behold.
He bounced the head. Eh? Why didn’t it bounce back?
And where’s the corpse beneath my feet?
“Looking for me?”
The boy jumped in fright. What’s going on?!
“You like playing ball?”
“Heh, what a coincidence. So do I!”
Wang Xiao snatched the boy up without a care for whether his little arms and legs might tear off, rolling him up into a ball.
Crunch! Crunch! Bones broke, but Wang Xiao paid no mind.
“Like bouncing, do you?”
He tossed the boy upward, and just as he fell, Wang Xiao smashed him down with a powerful strike.
Bang!
Black liquid splattered across the bathroom wall.
[Stage Three: Little Fiend’s Ball Game—Cleared!]
[One casualty! Overall rating: B!]
[Individual ratings: Wang Xiao (A+), Yang Ming and Ji Weijie (C). Note: Final score affects individual rewards!]
[Reward: Tattoo—Little Ball. Your control over ball games has reached perfection!]
“…”
“Huh? Crap, messed up—I forgot about Ji Weijie!”
“Looks like it’s too late…”
Wang Xiao could only sigh as he read the message. How could I have forgotten?
Leaving the bathroom, he retraced his steps, passing the familiar roller coaster. Only Xia Mengsi sat there now.
“Where is everyone?”
“Where is everyone?”
They asked the question at the same time, feeling awkward.
“Dead.”
“No idea.”
Well, two teammates were gone already.
Xia Mengsi began to worry. It seemed like they might be wiped out this time.
Maybe noticing her furrowed brow, Wang Xiao spoke up: “Don’t worry, it’s nothing. We’ll clear it for sure.”
“So, what did you guys run into?” Xia Mengsi asked.
She gave a brief, passionate account of their experience.
“And you?” She was curious.
“Uh… well, the monster was weak. I took it out with a single slide tackle.”
Xia Mengsi eyed him suspiciously.
“Then how did the bald guy die?”
“Ahem…”
“He died… on the toilet…”
“I don’t buy it! Fine, if you don’t want to say, whatever!”
Damn, I can hardly tell her I screwed up and Ji Weijie bit the dust because of it.
“My screen says we’ve cleared the third level. Don’t tell me yours is still on the second?”
“Yep, mine’s still the second.”
…
“So, what do we do now?” Wang Xiao sat on a stone block, bored, looking around.
“We wait,” Xia Mengsi said, exasperated. Wait for what? To die?
“Then where do you think we should go?” Wang Xiao tossed the question back.
She didn’t respond, just found her own stone to sit on, looking haughty.
That’s it? I thought you had a plan. And what’s with that pouty face?
“Guess it’s up to me again!” Wang Xiao stood up.
“You have an idea?”
He raised his left hand, showing a ring on his pinky: the Misfortune Ring.
“What’s that?” Xia Mengsi’s eyes lit up.
The ring’s exquisite design really was eye-catching.
Wang Xiao cleared his throat. “This ring is called the ‘Invincible Luck-Breaking Ring.’ Use it, and you’ll become super lucky!”
Xia Mengsi reached out, wanting to take a closer look.
Wang Xiao pushed her hand away, looking serious. “Hey, hey!”
“I just want to see~”
“Ha, don’t mess around, woman!”
Ignoring her, Wang Xiao secretly activated the ring’s special power.
Misfortune Entwine!
“Get ready.”
“???”
“It’s coming.”
“What’s coming?”
“A monster!”
Xia Mengsi immediately pulled all her life-saving gear from her bag: shields, armor, healing potions—the works.
Watching her, Wang Xiao felt an itch. Not only did she pull out her gear, but she didn’t even bother hiding the gleaming equipment. Was she trying to advertise?
A giant skeleton appeared before them.
“Time to grind bones to dust again?”
“What did you say?” Xia Mengsi was confused.
“Uh, nothing. Be careful!”
“You too—”
Before she could finish, the skeleton’s massive hand sent her flying.
Wang Xiao couldn’t help but cover his eyes. She looked good, but she really was a bit clueless.
Seeing the skeleton chase after Xia Mengsi, Wang Xiao activated his skill: spit!
Ptooey!
Missed!
Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!
Ha, got him this time.
Wait, not only did the skeleton charge over, but now Xia Mengsi was racing after me as well. And could you put down that knife?
“Ahhh, Wang Batan! You dare spit on my face! I’ll kill you!”
Huh?!
So that’s what it was! I see now!
Never mind, an explosion’s an explosion—might as well take you with me, since we can revive anyway.
Wang Xiao charged straight at Xia Mengsi and hugged her tight.
Her face went from furious, to blank, to terrified.
Because her knife had plunged into Wang Xiao’s abdomen.
So soft~
Cut it out! I’m a decent man!
“Art is explosion!”
“Huh??”
The light was blinding, the sound deafening, and their passing was peaceful.