As Eliana approached me again, her eyes were curious, with a tinge of suspicion. "So… is it true?" she asked, her voice low, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably. "Are you really a half-demon? And how on earth do you have all that gold?"
I glanced at her briefly, sensing the weight behind her questions. My mind raced, calculating the best response without giving away too much. There was no way I'd tell anyone about my Ultimate Tycoon System—it was too valuable, too dangerous to be known.
I shrugged, keeping my tone casual. "Why does it matter if I'm half-demon or not?"
Eliana's lips pressed into a thin line. "It matters because half-blood demons are rare. And the fact that you're walking around with Nether Gold like it's nothing? People talk, Lu."
Before I could respond, she launched into an explanation. "You see, in the Underworld, the currency system is broken down like this: copper, silver, gold, and then tokens. It takes 10 copper to make 1 silver, 15 silver to make 1 gold, and 100 gold to get 1 token. Not everyone can reach that level, even those with power."
I raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you know the system well."
"Of course I do. My family… we deal with these currencies more than most. But what puzzles me is how *you*, someone I've never heard of, walks around with enough Nether Gold to own a small kingdom."
Before I could respond, the host of the restaurant appeared beside me, stiff and formal. "Lu Shian," he said, bowing slightly, "the manager wishes to see you."
I exchanged a glance with Eliana, but said nothing. I simply followed the host, leaving her behind. But as I walked away, I could feel her gaze burning into my back, her curiosity and doubt growing stronger by the second.
As I stepped through the door, the undercurrent of tension between Eliana and me hung in the air like a storm cloud, waiting to break.
**Ding!**
[Another task arrived!]
**Spend over 320,000 Nether Tokens in one go.**
*Reward: 10 unique creature contracts and 1 lifetime system pen.*
*Time limit: 48 hours.*
The notification flashed in front of me, bright and insistent. My heart raced at the thought of such a significant expenditure, but the rewards were undeniably enticing.
The chance to secure unique creature contracts could drastically shift the balance of power in this dungeon—and a lifetime system pen? That was an opportunity I couldn't ignore.
As I stepped into the manager's office, I was greeted by a large, imposing figure sitting behind an ornate desk piled high with scrolls and documents. His eyes narrowed as he studied me, and I felt a palpable wave of scrutiny.
"Welcome, Lu Shian," the manager said, his voice low and gravelly. "I've been expecting you. But tell me, who exactly are you? You've stirred quite a buzz among my staff."
"Just a player," I replied, keeping my tone light,
though I could feel the tension building. "And perhaps to make a few acquisitions along the way."
The manager chuckled darkly, leaning back in his chair. "Acquisitions, you say? You seem to think you're in a position of power here. But make no mistake, you're just a player in a much larger game. We don't take kindly to arrogance."
I raised an eyebrow, feeling the familiar rush of indignation. "Arrogance? Or confidence? You're the one seated behind a desk, while I'm the one out there facing those creatures day after day. Maybe you're the one who should be cautious."
His expression hardened, and the atmosphere in the room crackled with tension. "You think you can throw around words and intimidate me? This isn't a game, Lu Shian. This is the Underworld, where only the strongest survive."
I stepped closer, the challenge igniting my competitive spirit. "Then I'll tell you what I'm willing to do. I'll buy this entire dungeon for 320,000 tokens."
The manager burst into laughter, shaking his head as if I had told the most absurd joke. "You think you can just waltz in here and buy the dungeon? What do you take me for? A fool?"
"Not a fool, but a businessman. I'm simply saying, I'm willing to make offers. If I can't buy the dungeon itself, I'll just purchase your staff," I countered, a smirk creeping onto my face. "I've seen how they work. I know their value."
His laughter faded, replaced by a contemplative frown. "You may be able to buy some of my staff, but there are layers to this place that you don't understand. Buying loyalty is one thing, but maintaining it is another entirely. You can't purchase respect or authority with tokens alone."
"True," I conceded, crossing my arms. "But let's not pretend you don't have your price. I'm offering an opportunity. If you really think you can outmaneuver me, I'd suggest you consider this wisely."
The manager studied me for a moment, his gaze piercing as if trying to gauge my resolve.
Finally, he leaned back, his demeanor shifting from aggressive to calculating. "Let's say you do have a point. I can respect someone who knows what they want. But I also don't deal with threats lightly."
"Not threats, just business," I replied smoothly, trying to keep the conversation from spiraling.
"If you can help facilitate this transaction, I can guarantee both our positions are fortified. And perhaps you'll find yourself with some extra gold in your pockets."
He paused, his brow furrowed, clearly contemplating the proposal. "I'll give you one chance, Lu Shian. But understand this: in the Underworld, nothing is as simple as it seems. Make your move wisely."
"Then we're in agreement," I said, feeling a surge of confidence. "I'll gather the tokens and finalize this deal soon. But mark my words, I'm not just another player; I'm here to make a real impact."
As I turned to leave, I could feel the weight of the manager's gaze on my back. The air between us crackled with unspoken tension,
but I had taken the first step in establishing my presence. Now, it was time to see how far I could push the boundaries of this new world.
As I stepped out of the manager's office, a rush of determination surged through me. I had a task to complete: spending 320,000 Nether Tokens in one go, and it was a challenge I wasn't going to take lightly. The rewards promised to be significant, and I needed every advantage I could get in this place.
The Underworld Food Resto was buzzing with activity, creatures of all shapes and sizes moving about, their conversations a cacophony of growls and murmurs.
As we talked, a loud crash echoed from the far side of the resto, drawing my attention. A group of large, menacing creatures had gathered around a table, their voices rising in an argument. Curiosity piqued, I made my way closer.
At the center of the chaos was Grathok, a hulking creature known for his brute strength and intimidating presence. His deep, rumbling voice filled the air.
"I say we take him out! Who does he think he is, trying to pull a fast one on us?"
The crowd shifted uneasily at his words, clearly unsettled by his aggression.
"He's right!" another creature chimed in.
"He's a half-demon! We need to show him who's in charge!"
I stepped forward, raising my hands to calm them. "Wait! You're misunderstanding me. I'm not here to threaten anyone."
Grathok narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly are you trying to say? You think you can just waltz in and make demands?"
"I'm offering an opportunity for everyone," I said, my voice steadily. "Together, we can create something powerful."
"Powerful?" Grathok scoffed, his skepticism evident. "What do you have that we don't? Gold? Tokens? You think that impresses us?"
I met his gaze, my resolve unwavering. "I have knowledge and ambition. I can help us unite against our enemies and make a place where we can all thrive."
The crowd fell silent, their uncertainty hanging in the air. Grathok's expression shifted slightly as he considered my words.
"Knowledge is one thing, but ambition without strength is useless," he retorted. "Prove you can handle yourself here, and we might listen."
Before the tension escalated, the manager's voice boomed from behind the bar. "Enough! This is a place of business, not a battlefield. Lu Shian has made his intentions clear. Let him prove himself."
The atmosphere shifted as the crowd began to back off, allowing me some space. I took a moment to gather my thoughts. I was walking a fine line, but I had to keep pushing forward.
The manager gestured for me to approach, and I stepped closer, curiosity piqued. "What is it?" I asked, eager for insight.
"You have to understand, Lu. The top patrons work for me because they have unpaid balances. They won't just bow to anyone, especially not a half-demon, unless they see the value in it."
I furrowed my brow, processing his words. "So, I have leverage?"
"Exactly. Use that to your advantage," he advised, his tone serious. "If you can show them you're worth working with, you could change the dynamics in this place."
As I pondered my next move, curiosity got the better of me. I leaned closer to the manager, intrigued. "What would happen if I decided to pay off the unpaid balances for the patrons instead of spending the tokens on myself?"
The manager let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "Oh, Lu Shian, you've got quite the imagination! It's not about the tokens or the amount of Nether Gold you have. The debts these patrons owe me are beyond mere currency. It's about power, loyalty, and influence. Even if you cleared their debts, it wouldn't change the underlying dynamics of this place."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, you're saying that no amount of gold can buy their loyalty?"
"Exactly!" he replied, still chuckling. "These patrons are here because they owe me favors or services. It's all part of the game. Just throwing around tokens won't earn you their respect or allegiance. You have to prove your worth in other ways."
I nodded, starting to understand the nuances of this place. "So, what's the real currency here, then? If not tokens?"
"Relationships," he said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "The relationships you build here, the alliances you forge that's what truly matters. Tokens can buy you temporary favors, but genuine loyalty and trust are earned through actions, not just transactions."
"Interesting," I replied, contemplating my next steps.
"So, I need to think strategically about how to spend these tokens if I want to make a real impact."