Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Although KP Snow Wind didn’t explicitly state it, Liu Xing knew that if he accepted the solo Side Quest, it meant that only he would be eligible for the rewards for killing Gu Master Chaxi, while Zhang Jingxu and the others, even if they contributed, would receive nothing.

Therefore, Liu Xing considered this solo Side Quest to be a trap. As the ancient ancestors said, "People do not worry about scarcity, but about inequality." Even if the Mission rewards were slightly reduced, if everyone had a share, no one would complain. But if, under the circumstances where everyone put in effort, one person took all the rewards, that person would likely become a target of resentment.

Thinking of this, Liu Xing decisively chose to decline the solo Side Quest. He didn’t want to be isolated by Ling Ishikawa and others because of selfishness, and possibly even face retaliation.

After expressing his thoughts to KP Snow Wind, the latter persisted, saying, "What? Liu Xing, you don’t want to accept this solo Side Quest? Have you really thought it through? I can reveal some information about the rewards for this solo Side Quest. There are a whole 50 ’truth’ points alone, and combined with the ’truth’ points you already have, as long as you complete this solo Side Quest and then casually complete another Side Quest, you should be able to successfully pass the module."

Faced with KP Snow Wind’s temptation, Liu Xing replied without hesitation, "Forget it, KP, stop trying to deceive me. You know that if I choose to accept this solo Side Quest, I’ll practically be on my own, and Zhang Jingxu and the others will definitely hold it against me. After all, who wants to do the hard work for someone else, especially when it’s a matter of life and death?"

KP Snow Wind chuckled and continued, "Well then, I promise not to reveal the specific details of this solo Side Quest to other players. So, Liu Xing, are you willing to accept this solo Side Quest?"

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, not expecting KP Snow Wind to be so persistent. However, he was not easily fooled. Even if KP Snow Wind didn’t disclose the details of the solo Side Quest, Ling Ishikawa and the others, if they didn’t receive any rewards after killing Gu Master Chaxi, would likely figure out the truth through analysis. Keeping this information to himself could lead to serious consequences.

So, Liu Xing made a firm decision to decline.

Seeing Liu Xing’s determination, KP Snow Wind also chose to give up.

After ending the conversation with KP Snow Wind, Liu Xing couldn’t help but take another look at the troll’s body, or more precisely, at the troll’s sharp claws. Its ten fingers resembled surgical scalpels, and it was evident that these claws could easily disembowel a person or pierce through a skull.

This made Liu Xing recall a wuxia Cthulhu module he had heard about in the real world, where all martial arts techniques were transformed into Cthulhu-like forms. Therefore, if the troll were in that module, it would likely serve as the prototype for the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.

However, this also made Liu Xing feel a bit uneasy. If it weren’t for Wan Chongshan’s stroke of luck, throwing the bird spear with the highest 12 points of damage, directly killing the troll, and if Hu Li hadn’t arrived in time after the troll broke free, then his group would probably have suffered significant losses.

After all, the corridor in Panlong Town Clinic was quite narrow. If they had entered combat, there would have been no room for evasion, especially considering the troll’s formidable claw damage, which was likely at least 2d6.

So, Liu Xing turned around and said, "I didn’t expect both of you, Zhang Jingxu and Wan Chongshan, to have such good marksmanship, directly blowing the troll’s head off."

Zhang Jingxu chuckled and replied, "Of course, I aimed directly at the troll’s head. I didn’t expect my shot to blow its head off."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, not expecting Zhang Jingxu to be so shameless. If Liu Xing didn’t know that Zhang Jingxu’s shot only dealt 4 points of damage, he might have believed Zhang Jingxu’s exaggeration.

Wan Chongshan, who had been robbed of credit, remained composed and didn’t say much. He just smiled and nodded.

After all, there was no need to argue, and there was no way to do so because Wan Chongshan couldn’t say that his shot had just dealt 12 points of damage while Zhang Jingxu’s had only done 4 points.

Just then, Hu Li finally arrived at the scene.

As expected, Hu Li was not very reliable. Liu Xing estimated that it had been almost two minutes since Hu Li arrived. So, if the troll hadn’t been killed instantly, they would have gone through at least two or three rounds of combat...

At that moment, Liu Xing couldn’t help but recall the saying, "You can’t trust women, especially the prettier they are, the more they lie."

Looking at the troll’s body, Hu Li expressed surprise, saying, "Oh, I didn’t expect you all to be so capable. You actually killed the troll directly. It seems I should take a closer look at you now."

Liu Xing chuckled and replied, "It’s all thanks to Zhang Jingxu and Wan Chongshan. If they hadn’t remained calm under pressure and blown the troll’s head off, we might all be dead here if the troll had broken free from that fishing net."

Hu Li knew that Liu Xing was indirectly questioning why she had arrived so late, so she quickly changed the subject, saying, "Well, now that we’ve killed the troll, we should go get our rewards from Zhong Rensan. But wait for me a moment. I’ll remove the troll’s claws first. As you can see, these troll claws are extremely sharp, and with the right materials, they can be used to craft some decent daggers."

While speaking, Hu Li took out a dagger from her pocket without hesitation and cut the troll’s claws off, then wrapped them in a piece of cloth.

Liu Xing knew that this was a good opportunity to ask for a favor from Hu Li.

So, with a smile, Liu Xing walked over to Hu Li and said, "Miss Hu Li, these claws of yours should be able to make about ten daggers, right? So, do you have any interest in giving us a few? I admit that your information and the poison you provided were crucial in killing the troll. But we’ve also put in effort, even if we didn’t directly contribute. So, Miss Hu Li, you understand, right?"

Hu Li furrowed her brow, responding somewhat grumpily, "Do you think this is a game where you can just gather materials and create weapons by putting them together?"

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that Hu Li had actually guessed correctly; this was indeed a game.

However, he could also tell from Hu Li’s words that she hadn’t completely ruled out the possibility.

So, Liu Xing smiled again and said, "Well, Miss Hu Li, even so, could you give us one or two daggers? After all, I acknowledge that your information and the poison were vital in killing the troll. But we’ve also put in our share of effort, and you know how it goes, right?"

Hu Li pretended to ponder for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright, since Mr. Ryuusei said so, I can’t be too stingy. However, to make a proper dagger, I still need some suitable materials. So, after we kill Gu Master Chaxi and the Pig Head Butcher, I’ll decide how many daggers to distribute based on the materials we obtain."

As Hu Li finished speaking, KP Snow Wind stepped forward and said, "OK, congratulations to all players for triggering a new Side Quest – Collecting Materials for Crafting Daggers. After killing Gu Master Chaxi and the Pig Head Butcher, Hu Li will gather various materials from these two mythical creatures. Then, she will craft daggers based on the quantity of materials collected and distribute them according to the player’s contribution. Currently, the maximum number of daggers that can be crafted is 10, and the player’s contribution accounts for sixty percent. PS: The way players kill Gu Master Chaxi and the Pig Head Butcher will affect the output of materials, so please choose your method of attack carefully."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow. This Side Quest seemed simple, but in reality, it was quite complicated. First, the number of daggers that could be crafted in the end would be determined by the minimum quantity of materials. To ensure a larger number of daggers for his group, they would need to ensure that Gu Master Chaxi and the Pig Head Butcher’s deaths looked "presentable" so that Hu Li could obtain more materials.

However, making their kills look "presentable" would be challenging with their group’s current capabilities. So, they would need more help from Hu Li. But the more assistance Hu Li provided, the lower their contribution percentage would be, resulting in fewer daggers for them.

Balancing these factors would be a major challenge.

Just then, Ling Ishikawa spoke up, "Hu Li, may I ask you a question? Do you have a specific preference for which materials you want from Gu Master Chaxi and the Pig Head Butcher? This way, we can consciously avoid those areas when killing them."

Well done.

Ling Ishikawa’s question hit the mark.

Hu Li was momentarily surprised but then smiled and replied, "Since Ayako, my dear sister, asked me this way, I’ll tell you the answer. For Gu Master Chaxi, I only need the gu worms under his command because they can be excellent poisons. Most common antidotes won’t work against this unique type of venom. However, it’s best if the gu worms are still alive since live ones can release a more potent toxin."

"As for the Pig Head Butcher, I don’t need any part of his flesh. Only the butcher’s knife he wields, which, after being re-forged, can become valuable materials. This knife has absorbed a large amount of lingering spirits, and the resentment from these spirits can make wounds inflicted by the knife heal slowly and cause various hallucinations."

After hearing Hu Li’s criteria for materials, Liu Xing breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Hu Li’s requirements were not too demanding, and they should be able to obtain these materials quite easily. Their current plan should allow them to collect the required materials effectively.

However, Liu Xing wondered if Ling Ishikawa’s electric net technique voltage was high enough to paralyze the gu worms without killing them.

Under Hu Li’s guidance, Liu Xing and the others returned to Zhong Rensan’s office. Zhong Rensan was sitting at his desk, hands clasped together, chanting something with his eyes closed.

But when he heard Liu Xing and the others approaching, he realized that they had likely dealt with the troll, so he immediately opened his eyes and greeted them with a joyful smile.

Hu Li didn’t beat around the bush and extended her hand, saying, "Alright, we’ve dealt with the troll. However, its corpse is still at the entrance to the basement. So, Zhong Rensan, you’ll need to take care of the troll’s body later. For now, give me the jade pendant."

Zhong Rensan quickly nodded and retrieved a small wooden box from his desk drawer, handing it to Hu Li.

Hu Li opened the wooden box, took out the jade pendant inside, examined it for a moment, and then nodded, saying, "Yes, this is the jade pendant. Now we’re even."

With that, Hu Li turned and left.

Seeing Hu Li leaving, Liu Xing and the others realized that they had no reason to stay any longer and followed her out.

However, as they reached the clinic’s entrance, Liu Xing spotted Hu Cang, holding a dagger, leaning against the door and smoking a cigarette.

Liu Xing furrowed his brow and asked knowingly, "Mr. Hu Cang, why are you here, and why do you have a dagger? Are you here to assist us? We’ve already dealt with the troll, so you can come with us now."

Hu Cang forced a smile and shook his head, saying, "Ryuusei-sama, you should know my purpose for being here. You all go back first. I’ll finish things here and then return."

Hu Li walked past Hu Cang without making any comments and said, "After you’re done, don’t forget to dispose of the troll and Zhong Rensan’s body in the basement. Also, make sure to close all the clinic’s doors and windows when you leave. Post a notice that Zhong Rensan is temporarily out of office. You have one hour to complete these tasks."

Hu Cang sighed and nodded, saying, "Understood. Thank you, Hu Li, for your guidance."

After Hu Cang’s response, he entered the clinic.

Liu Xing and his group found themselves in a dilemma, unsure whether they should intervene to stop Hu Cang.

However, Hu Li didn’t give them a choice. She smiled and said, "Some matters are better left alone. After all, it’s easier to untie a knot than to tighten it. Moreover, Zhong Rensan can still be resurrected at the next checkpoint, so we don’t need to stop Hu Cang from killing him. Now, let’s head back together. We need to discuss how to deal with Gu Master Chaxi."

Liu Xing and his group agreed with Hu Li’s reasoning and gave up their plans to intervene. They followed Hu Li as she left the clinic.

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