This statement left Master of Slacking completely stunned. He stammered in response: "T-team up? But you..."
"What about me? Is my blade still at your throat?"
Cheng Shuili chuckled lightly.
"This is a necessary measure to ensure our mutual honesty; it’s a show of sincerity for our slacking partnership. Just think, what if I let you go and you pull a gun on me? That would ruin the harmony, wouldn't it? It’s better this way—everyone can stay at ease."
Her logic was impeccable, carrying a bizarre sense of persuasion.
"Now, to show your sincerity, first hand over your weapons for me to keep. Don't worry, it's just safekeeping. I'll return them when the dungeon ends, provided we're still alive by then."
Cheng Shuili’s tone was matter-of-fact. "After all, how can you focus on slacking while holding weapons? What if you do something reckless like trying to regroup with your teammates, or your hand slips and you fire accidentally, ruining our grand slacking plan? That would be so unfortunate."
Master of Slacking’s face crumpled into a ball; this was even more painful than being robbed outright.
What kind of logic was this? Do you have to pay protection money while being held hostage?
Where in the world was there such a principle?
The slacking gentleman frowned, intending to resist, but his neck touched the cold blade once more.
Heh... who said there was no such principle in the world?
When a person needs to submit, they must submit.
He stopped talking, raised his hands, and obediently threw his handgun to a spot no one could reach. He then fished a dagger from his waist and tossed that away too, before admitting: "I’m out of weapons, really. Can you let me go now? It hurts a little..."
She wouldn't let go.
Cheng Shuili didn't believe in verbal agreements like this.
She smiled slightly and decided to use the system's weapons: "Since you’re so sincere, shall we sign a trade contract?"
Cheng Shuili’s words were in a tone of negotiation, but the blade pressed against his throat had no intention of negotiating at all.
Sign or die—what other choice was there?
Master of Slacking’s brain raced.
Sign a trade contract?
Once a contract notarized by the system is established, the cost of breach is enormous. He would truly become fish on a chopping block!
No! Absolutely not!
The pride of being sixth on both leaderboards—though mostly relying on camping and luck—still stirred a faint spark of courage to resist within him.
His gaze turned fierce, the muscles in his throat pressing against the blade tensed, and his body tried to slide to the side like an eel!
At the same time, his right hand, which had been raised, reached toward his lower back with lightning speed!
A submachine gun loaded with bullets was hidden there! This was his final trump card and the source of his confidence in exploring alone!
"You wish..."
A low growl squeezed through his teeth.
However, all his struggles felt like they were in slow motion to Cheng Shuili.
Almost at the same moment his gaze shifted, Cheng Shuili had already moved.
Not retreating, but advancing.
The tip of Night Hunt at his throat seemed to have a life of its own; it followed the movement of his muscles, precisely finding a more lethal pressure point. The cold, stinging pain instantly pierced through his adrenaline, causing the power he had just gathered to stall abruptly!
At the same time, Cheng Shuili’s other hand reached out like a phantom, lightly tapping and hooking onto the wrist that was reaching for his back!
The movement was as light as brushing past a fallen leaf, yet it contained immense strength!
"Ugh!"
Master of Slacking only felt a pain in his wrist, and his entire arm instantly went limp. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't apply force to the gun grip he had just touched.
The next second, Cheng Shuili nimbly scooped it up, and the meticulously hidden submachine gun changed owners, landing in her hands.
The entire process was suffocatingly smooth, not even affecting the stability of Night Hunt in her other hand by a fraction.
"Tsk, carrying so many toys while slacking? That's very unprofessional."
Cheng Shuili’s voice remained calm, even carrying a hint of mockery, as if she had just casually brushed dust off his shoulder.
"It seems our slacking philosophies have some discrepancies that need to be properly communicated."
The tip of Night Hunt adjusted its angle slightly, once again locking him firmly in place.
Master of Slacking went completely rigid. Cold sweat from his forehead mixed with the acid rain as it slid down; the lingering thoughts of luck and resistance were crushed entirely.
The gap in strength between the two was despairingly large. Every one of his intentions and hidden moves was transparent in her eyes.
This woman... she’s absurdly strong!
Who exactly is this person?
He’s at least sixth on both leaderboards!
How could he be so easily subdued by an ordinary player? Is this person also on the leaderboards?
Master of Slacking froze, instantly thinking of an ID: Hao Hao!
The ID that was positioned perfectly just above his own!
Does a single rank really make such a huge difference? It’s... truly terrifying!
Cheng Shuili weighed the submachine gun in her hand. It felt heavy; it should be full of bullets.
Regardless of the outcome, this thing was definitely hers now.
Cheng Shuili casually tossed it into the Abyss Ring to keep company with the rifle she had acquired earlier.
"Now, can we focus on talking about our slacking cooperation?"
Her tone was gentle, but every word carried unquestionable power.
"Or do you need me to help you streamline your equipment further?"
Streamlining was fine... but he had to have equipment to begin with!
Master of Slacking watched his final trump card disappear into Cheng Shuili’s hand. The corners of his mouth twitched, and eventually, like a withered flower, he completely wilted.
With a mournful face, his voice filled with the despair of resignation: "Sign... I’ll sign! Whatever you say, I’ll sign..."
"Wouldn't it have been better to cooperate like this earlier?" Cheng Shuili’s tone was light. "Wasting everyone’s precious time."
Cheng Shuili opened the panel, quickly drafted the terms, and slid the panel over to Master of Slacking.
This kind of face-to-face trade didn't require the chat box; the person signing later wouldn't even see the ID of the person who initiated the contract.
It was precisely for this reason that people trading face-to-face were usually extra cautious.
One would read a contract at least two or three times before signing.
But now, with a blade at his throat and having already lost a submachine gun bought at a high price, Master of Slacking had no choice but to sign.
This woman wasn't joking.
If he refused, she would truly take his life.
Master of Slacking sniffled, looking pitiful.
Only after receiving the notification that the trade was complete did Cheng Shuili safely release him.
The moment he was released, Master of Slacking couldn't wait to run toward his weapons that had been tossed into a puddle!
This was acid rain! If he went too late, they would be corroded!
Cheng Shuili didn't stop him, only offering a bland reminder from behind: "If you touch those weapons, you’ll be in breach of contract."
Master of Slacking paused, instantly freezing in place.
What exactly did he just sign?
Rate on N.U.
