With the Stellaron sealed and the world saved, as the entire city celebrated, one person stood pitifully in front of a TV in the Underworld.
"Man, I was hoping to play the role of a masked clown, but now I've ended up being their XP farm? Were you behind those shenanigans?"
"What? You weren't? Whatever, whatever... That's not my concern anymore. Wait, something fun happened while I was gone for just one night?"
"Ugh, typical... Of course it was him. When everyone clicked on the link, thinking it was all lies, he hit them with the truth. When they thought it was the truth, it turned out to be lies. Lies within lies are the real truth? Forget it, these are the musings of big shots. I'm just a small fry."
"What? What do you mean, 'there's more coming'?"
"Hmm?"
For the first time, Sampo turned around. Behind him was nothing but a trash can. He stared at it for a long time, finding nothing strange about the ordinary trash can.
When he turned around a second time, the trash can had moved right next to him.
At that moment, Sampo realized what was going on. But hey, life needs some fun. If the "player" had marked him as an elite enemy and he could really provide resources for them, why not go along with it?
He only hoped Pei Guang would find something on him that would bring joy to everyone. As for being defeated? Sampo was more than happy to endure a little humiliation if it meant entertaining those watching the story unfold.
No one in this world could interfere with the player's choices, but as a "regular guy" in this world, Sampo could at least offer a bit of fun. Helping the player's team bring some amusement to this otherwise dull world—that, Sampo could do.
Players… such fascinating beings. Life and death are just fleeting thoughts to them. The brilliance and baseness of humanity are fully displayed in players. Will they become saintly paragons of virtue? World-ending disasters? Ordinary people? Or maybe, saints determined to destroy the world? Who knows what a player will turn into?
Is there anything more fun than becoming part of the player's world in every possible way? No! And just imagine... if a certain Aeon really did get stabbed in the butt by that player someday, and it was one of Sampo's effects that made it possible—then Sampo's name would echo throughout the galaxy of Elation! The whole universe would want to "loot" Sampo's corpse!
For the sake of that joyful future, Sampo decided he would cooperate with the player wholeheartedly. Even if he was just an elite mob, he would be the most unique one.
And what should an elite mob do? Well, of course, provide a bit of a challenge…
As he thought about how to work with the trash can "player" and how to add to the fun for the onlookers, Sampo, grinning, opened the trash can. He was certain Pei Guang and his party were hiding inside. Since he wanted to play along, he might as well give them a good scare.
Sampo smirked. "Now, why would there be a trash can here? Let me guess… could someone be hiding inside?"
Sampo confidently opened the trash can, already suspecting the "player's" usual tricks. It looked like an ordinary trash can, but hidden inside was likely a player and their companions. If he ignored the trash can, they'd probably jump out and ambush him. But what if he caught them opening it instead? Maybe it would lead to a thrilling battle.
With these thoughts racing through his head, Sampo lifted the trash can lid, only to freeze in surprise. There was nothing inside but garbage. How did this trash can mysteriously move right beside him?
As Sampo pondered, a hand suddenly appeared next to him, holding a bottle of coffee. "Here, have a sip while you think."
"Thanks~" Sampo took the bottle, but just as he looked at the coffee inside, he realized something was off. He quickly turned his head, only to see Stelle aiming her war-flaming lance straight at him. The amber glow on the lance's tip sent a shiver down his spine.
If it were an ordinary lance, Sampo wouldn't have been afraid, not even with a glimpse of the Amber Lord's power.
But the familiar energy radiating from Stelle's lance, along with the tiny fragment of Qlipoth on the tip, and Pei Guang's absurdly overpowered wooden sword, made Sampo surrender immediately.
Faced with the choice between survival or destruction, Sampo chose survival.
He obediently took a swig of coffee, savoring it before offering his critique, "I find it a bit bitter, how about adding some sugar next time?"
Pei Guang patted Sampo on the shoulder, impressed by how easily he complied. "You drop good loot, and next time, I'll sweeten the deal."
At that moment, Sampo silently fell into a sleep as peaceful as a baby's.
So, were Pei Guang and the others really inside the trash can? Of course! Pei Guang's plan had been the usual—sneak up slowly, knock Sampo out, and loot his body. But who could've guessed that this blue-haired guy, who seemed to be on a video call, had spotted them?
No problem, though. This was Pei Guang after all. Using his newly gained teleportation ability, Pei Guang swiftly teleported out of the trash can. As Sampo opened it, Pei Guang had seamlessly stuffed it with garbage, so smoothly that Sampo noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
Wasteful teleportation? Maybe. But seeing Sampo confidently open the lid, expecting to find them inside, only to find trash instead—that puzzled expression was priceless for Pei Guang, Stelle and March 7th. It was worth it.
And when Sampo pitifully sipped the coffee, March 7th couldn't hold back her laughter. "I can't help it. Watching him get tricked like this always makes me so happy~"
March 7th was a kind-hearted girl, always willing to help those in need. But with Sampo, it was different. Something about seeing him suffer was immensely satisfying, like it was destined by fate.
Pei Guang nudged her. "Alright, March! It's your turn to loot this time. This elite mob has a high drop rate. I have a feeling that in the future, we'll get lots of great special effects from him."
March 7th cracked her knuckles. "I'm ready. Time to show you all my amazing skills today."
She reached into Sampo's pocket, and this time, Sampo hit the jackpot. She pulled out fifteen of Sampo's special smoke bombs and a small white kitten, no bigger than her fist.
"Huh? A kitten?"
March 7th looked at the tiny cat in her hand, excitedly turning to Pei Guang. "What is this? An attack effect? Or a weapon bonus?"
Pei Guang took the small kitten from her. "It's a type of sound effect enhancement. It changes the sound your weapon makes when it hits an enemy to a cat's meow."