When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 240: What a Woeful Life!

Chapter 240: What a Woeful Life!

Under the pressure of Shen Nianzu’s oppressive aura, the two big children quickly turned well-behaved and stopped bickering with each other.

After that, they continued to sift through their rewards. The City of Atlantis truly lived up to its rumors as a treasure trove. Aside from the abundant amount of points and Shen Nianzu’s divine prop, they also received quite a few unexpected props.

First came the shard of the mirror where the black-eyed Jin Jiuchi had resided. Unexpectedly, it had come with them and transformed into a Valuable prop with the ability to trap one nightmare creature inside which they had defeated. Later, this creature would undergo ’brainwashing’ inside the mirror and become a helpful ally.

Secondly, and perhaps the most astonishing of all, were the souvenirs given by the bus officer! Who could have guessed that they would turn out to be a prop? And it was a unique-level prop at that!

Prop: Atlantis’ Rejuvenation Set

Prop Level: Unique

Prop Usage: Upon activation, its potent aura will mend physical injuries and rejuvenates the spirit, instilling a sense of tranquility and vitality in its recipients. This is a limited edition prop that can only be obtained in the Lost City of Atlantis.

Number of usage per Cycle: 3/3

Gu Luoxin had lost count of the number of times his jaws had dropped out of shock today. "T–This... this is a healing prop! Oh my God, it’s actually a healing prop! I heard that this kind of ability is very rare in the Nightmare Cycle, is it true?"

Shen Nianzu nodded in confirmation, his purple eyes aglow in delight and appreciation. Gone was the bad mood he had been nursing since he woke up this morning. "You’re right. Healing abilities, whether in skill cards or props, are incredibly scarce. I know only one player in the entire country with a healing-type skill card, and he is the leader of the first ranked organization, Imhotep. As for the prop, this is the first time I have ever seen one."

What made the prop even more special was its origin from the bus officer. Moreover, it had to be mentioned that the prop could only work once the three accessories – the wreath, necklace and bracelet – were worn together. If any one of them was missing, the prop would be no different than a normal shell accessory.

Shen Nianzu lowered his lashes, lost in thought. He recalled that it was Jin Jiuchi who had encouraged him to wear them at the same time in order to cheer him up. He had not wanted to refuse the man’s goodwill, and thus he had kept them on his body until they needed to confront the cocoon. With everything now concluded, he couldn’t help but wonder. Back then, if... if Jin Jiuchi had not placed these accessories on his body, or if he had returned them back to Jin Jiuchi and Gu Luoxin, would this prop exist today?

Almost as if echoing his musings, Gu Luoxin let out an astonished whistle, "Holy shit, Da Shen. Our prediction was right; anything you touch really becomes a prop!"

"Hehe," Jin Jiuchi rubbed his nose with a smug look on his face. "Ain’t I very cool and awesome?"

Shen Nianzu’s gaze involuntarily drifted to Jin Jiuchi who was soaking up the praise like a sunflower basking in sunlight. He had not taken Gu Luoxin’s words to heart before, but now that he thought about it again...

He gave Jin Jiuchi’s shoulder a firm pat and told him solemnly, "Next time, I will let you touch everything inside the Cycle. Bring back as many props as possible, the more the better."

Jin Jiuchi: !!

Happiness came so sudden that he was caught off guard. T–This was the first time Shen Nianzu had entrusted him to do something. He must perform well to impress the jade doll! Giddy with joy and excitement, he thumped his chest and reassured the jade doll in a firm tone, "Nian’er, leave it to me!" In the next Cycle, he would definitely hoard a lot of things and bring them back to this world!

Subsequently, under Shen Nianzu’s guidance, Jin Jiuchi and Gu Luoxin learned to upgrade their skill card for the very first time.

Jin Jiuchi’s skill card stood at level 8, and to upgrade to level 9, he needed to spend six thousand experience points. Then, progressing from level 9 to level 10 demanded a slightly steeper cost— eight thousand points. He did not lack these fourteen thousand, so he directly upgraded twice and went from level 8 to level 10. The same went for Gu Luoxin, boosting his skill card from level 7 to level 9.

Jin Jiuchi held his breath as he waited for something – anything – to change within him, only to be disappointed when he sensed nothing beyond heart palpitations fueled by the anticipation. He couldn’t help but be dejected, "Aww, how come there’s no difference at all? I don’t feel like I have grown stronger at all."

Shen Nianzu was rendered speechless when he heard that. "Of course, you don’t. Wait until you activate the skill card later, you will definitely feel the change."

Alas, Jin Jiuchi could not try it out now because his skill card had not reached the Queen level— the minimum threshold for activation in the real world. "Still need two more levels..." he grumbled under his breath. "Damn, I need ten thousand experience points to upgrade to level Jack? I don’t even have ten thousand now! When will I ever get to Queen?!"

Jin Jiuchi sprawled on the ground and stared at the ceiling with vacant eyes as if he had nothing left to live for. Just less than an hour ago, he was still reveling in the joy of newfound riches, but now he was back to being dirt poor again. What a woeful life he had!

"Ignore him," Shen Nianzu told the concerned Gu Luoxin with a nonchalant tone, having gotten used to the foolish husky’s dramatic antics.

As the time limit of their stay in the internet cafe approached, the trio walked out under the curious gazes of onlookers. One was tall, muscular and strikingly handsome; another resembled a snow elf with his silver hair and stylish outfit; the third exuded a cute and youthful aura. Walking together, they commanded the attention of everyone they passed, causing heads to turn at a hundred percent rate. Alas, apart from Gu Luoxin who was a bit nervous and self-conscious, the other two did not seem to care at all.

Shen Nianzu pressed the button on his key to unlock his car and tilted his head at Gu Luoxin, "Get in. Where do you want to go? I will drop you off."

"No, no, there’s no need!" Gu Luoxin tugged on his bangs and grinned sheepishly. "My college is just a few minutes’ walk from here. I think I could use some exercise."

Shen Nianzu did not push further, and they parted ways soon after.

Gu Luoxin waved energetically at them and waited until the sports car zoomed into the distance before he turned away and skipped along the sidewalk, humming, "I’m a top player now. I am Goddess Xinxin, a top player~" The more he repeated it, the more euphoric he felt. He couldn’t help but cup his flushed cheeks and squealed internally. "Holy shit, it still feels unreal!"

He pinched his arm and let out a yelp when a jolt of pain struck his nerves. Inhaling sharply, he winced, "Hiss... okay, so it’s really not a dream. I have really become a top player ahhh!!"

His happiness did not subside even until his college gate came into view. He cheerfully greeted the security guard uncle before making his way to his dormitory building, intending to catch up on some more sleep, when a gentle mewl reached his ears.

"Meow~"

Gu Luoxin came to an abrupt halt, stunned. W–Was he imagining things somehow? Because this voice, so silky and melodious yet also disdainful and aloof at the same time, could only belong to—

"Meow~" another cry sounded, this time followed by the ticklish sensation of something furry brushing against his calf. Gu Luoxin looked down, and his eyes widened in astonishment upon seeing a familiar black car with emerald eyes akin to precious gemstones staring back at him.

"L–L–Little ancestor?!"