Chapter Seven: A Terrifying Stroll Through the Garden

"Is the boss here?"

Wang Xiao saw this message as soon as he woke up in the Bone House.

"I'm here."

He had barely replied with a single word when the other side responded instantly.

"Boss, we're all set here, just waiting on you."

Munching on dragon meat, Wang Xiao replied, "Have you eaten yet?"

"Yeah, pork and beer."

"Oh, I was thinking of bringing you some dragon meat to try."

"…"

"Boss, could you repeat that question?"

"No."

"Alright, I’m done eating. What do I need to do?"

Ding!

A party invitation appeared before Wang Xiao.

[Ji Weijie invites you to join his team. Do you accept? (4/3)]

[Wang Xiao has joined the team.]

The scene spun; a faint wave of dizziness passed, and Wang Xiao found himself standing in an open field.

Three others were already there—two men and one woman.

A bald man rushed over, excitement ringing in his voice.

"Boss, you’re here! I didn’t expect you to be so handsome!"

"You’re Ji Weijie?"

Wang Xiao looked at the man before him, raising a brow at the shiny scalp.

"Heh, that’s me." Ji Weijie grinned, rubbing his head under Wang Xiao's gaze. "Boss, I may have lost my hair but I gained strength."

Wang Xiao noticed the other man and woman watching him, especially the woman. She was strikingly beautiful, her legs gleaming white—almost dazzling. As for her... well, he couldn't quite see from this angle.

The other man had a curtain of long hair covering his eyes—a typical gaming recluse.

The two seemed somewhat displeased at Wang Xiao's late arrival.

"Boss," Ji Weijie said, "those two over there—the guy is Yang Ming, number two on the Slaughter Leaderboard; the lady is Xia Mengsi, number three."

Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Not bad, you managed to gather the top three from the Slaughter Leaderboard."

"Heh, just trying to make good connections."

Wang Xiao and Ji Weijie walked over. Before he could speak, Xia Mengsi addressed him, "You're Wang Xiao?"

Wang Xiao nodded. "What of it? Do I not look the part?"

Yang Ming was also sizing Wang Xiao up.

"It’s not that you don’t look the part," Xia Mengsi said, "but why aren’t you equipped with any flashy gear?"

Wang Xiao was momentarily taken aback, then replied, "A real man doesn’t need those things."

She scoffed.

"I do have equipment." Wang Xiao produced his Mighty Hammer.

It was plain and unadorned.

Xia Mengsi drew her own Storm Blade, fine azure-gold filaments running from tip to hilt, occasionally flashing with blue light—a piece of top-tier gear if ever there was one.

Wang Xiao's eyes lingered on the dagger; he wanted it badly.

"Hey! What’s with that look?" Xia Mengsi seemed uneasy.

"Well, uh, Yang Ming’s weapon is even more impressive. Why not check his out?"

At that, Wang Xiao turned toward Yang Ming.

Yang Ming quietly produced a long spear, its icy blue shaft exuding a chilling aura. It was two meters and thirty centimeters long, designed to be taken apart. With a single hand, Yang Ming swept it in a half circle; a sharp gust of wind howled past.

A lingering cold remained in the air. Even at three or four meters away, Wang Xiao could feel its chill.

He glanced down at his own hammer, feeling a twinge of discontent.

Was he, the top of the Slaughter Leaderboard, really going to put up with this?

Xia Mengsi couldn't hold back a laugh.

"Pff—haha!"

Ji Weijie stepped in. "Alright, everyone, I’m ready to start."

"Wait!" Yang Ming’s voice was hoarse, as though he hadn’t spoken in ages.

Ji Weijie looked at Yang Ming, puzzled as to why he was being stopped.

Wang Xiao was just as baffled—better to start and finish early!

Xia Mengsi couldn't help but smack her own forehead. Were her teammates idiots?

Annoyed, she said, "Aren’t we going to discuss how to split the spoils first?"

Wang Xiao slapped his head. Damn, jealousy had made him stupid—he hadn’t thought of that.

Ji Weijie offered a sheepish smile. "Right, how should we divide things up?"

"By ability," Yang Ming said coolly.

Wang Xiao thought that sounded fine; he had nothing to lose.

"Works for me."

Xia Mengsi clenched her fists. "Fine! May the best win!"

This, of course, put Ji Weijie in a tight spot. He was here to ride coattails.

"Come on, can’t you all spare a thought for me?"

Wang Xiao spoke up for his sake. "Let’s come up with a different way to split things."

Ji Weijie shot him a grateful look.

"Seriously? Are you for real?" Wang Xiao asked.

"Brother, you’re like family!"

Ji Weijie nearly hugged Wang Xiao’s leg, tears and snot threatening to flow—well, not quite that dramatic.

"How about this," Xia Mengsi mused, "the three of us each pick one thing we need, then we split the rest equally."

Wang Xiao thought it a bit unfair to Ji Weijie, but the bald man agreed first. "I’m good with that!"

Since he had consented, Wang Xiao said nothing more.

In truth, Ji Weijie was hiding something: if they cleared this dungeon, he’d earn a profession—what kind depending on their score.

"Alright, let’s divide things that way," Yang Ming’s deep voice intoned.

[Team leader Ji Weijie has used the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons Admission Ticket. Location: The Terrifying Amusement Park. Clear condition: Experience every attraction in the park. Note: Don’t get so scared you wet yourself. Note: As long as one person clears it, the dead can be revived!]

"Got it? You can die here," Xia Mengsi said quietly.

"Eh, no problem. We’ll just be revived anyway," Wang Xiao replied indifferently.

Even Yang Ming glanced at Wang Xiao.

Ji Weijie remained optimistic. "Brother Wang has slain a tier-five dragon—he’ll get us through this!"

Wang Xiao gave an awkward yet polite smile. "Don’t worry, we’ll clear it for sure."

He was certainly confident—after all, he could resurrect infinitely.

Seeing Wang Xiao’s assurance, Xia Mengsi couldn’t argue further.

"Shall I start, then?" Ji Weijie asked.

Xia Mengsi looked at Yang Ming and Wang Xiao, then nodded at Ji Weijie. "Go ahead."

[Welcome to the Terrifying Amusement Park!]

A large door appeared on the open ground before them, strange figures carved into its surface.

Just as Wang Xiao was about to have a closer look, the door slowly swung open.

Dim light spilled out, unsettling in its gloom. Xia Mengsi shuddered involuntarily.

Suddenly, Wang Xiao and the others felt a hardness beneath them.

"Huh? Are we in a car?"

"What’s going on?!"

Before anyone could answer, a piercing scream made Wang Xiao jump.

"Ah!!"

Wang Xiao’s eyes widened. "What are you screaming for?!"

Xia Mengsi was third on the Slaughter Leaderboard—how could she lose her composure like this?

She clamped a hand over her mouth, the other trembling as she pointed around them.

Wang Xiao and the others noticed it too. Outside the windows was a dusky, oppressive twilight.

But the real source of Xia Mengsi’s terror—the person in the driver’s seat.