Chapter 2: Prop Pearl! Nidoran the Sprite! (1/5, Requesting Data)

In a slightly dilapidated shop.

"Boss, how much can you give me for this?"

Luo Ge placed the 【Pearl】 on the counter, prompting the shopkeeper behind to snap to attention.

The shopkeeper wore small round glasses and had thick, flabby cheeks, with a potbelly.

His already small eyes appeared even more comical due to the excess fat on his face.

He pulled out a magnifying glass from his pocket and carefully examined the shiny 【Pearl】.

The more he assessed it, the more he felt the pearl was extremely valuable.

Though small in size, it was plump and nearly free of depressions or flaws—this was exceedingly rare.

Among all the jewels he had seen, this pearl's quality ranked among the very best.

On the surface he was evaluating its worth, but inwardly he had already devised a sinister plan.

Seeing Luo Ge produce another valuable item, he could no longer contain his greed.

After a moment, the shopkeeper pushed up his round glasses and held up five fingers, speaking with solemn gravity:

"I can only offer you this much. Your pearl looks decent enough, but it's just too small."

Luo Ge was not surprised by this outcome; previous transactions had already revealed the boss's nature.

Greed and stinginess.

Such a man could still run a profitable shop mainly because there were few other vendors nearby.

People wanting to buy or sell anything generally came here.

Finding alternative channels was difficult, which gave the boss the confidence to arbitrarily lowball prices.

Offering so little for a pearl in such pristine condition was no different from robbery.

But this was exactly what Luo Ge had anticipated.

Luo Ge let out a light chuckle, showing no sign of dissatisfaction, and immediately agreed to the deal.

The more he swallowed, the more he would force this boss to vomit back later.

Watching Luo Ge leave, the shopkeeper's gaze darted nervously, as if uncertain.

Then, as if struck by a thought, his eyes hardened, filled with intense greed.

Without delay, the boss turned and shouted toward the warehouse: "It's time. Bring back that boy."

"Remember—I want him alive!"

Luo Ge had repeatedly produced items of considerable value, stirring the short-sighted boss's malicious intent.

Perhaps he had been a "local tyrant" too long, believing commoners couldn't resist him, or perhaps his connections gave him confidence.

In the end, he chose to resolve matters with underhanded methods.

…

Luo Ge, just outside the shop, did not hurry away but walked at a leisurely pace toward the exit.

His pace was unhurried.

As if waiting for something.

Moments later, Luo Ge's handsome face broke into a sly smile, then immediately vanished.

Without a word, he walked into a side alley.

The two men trailing Luo Ge immediately chased after him.

The alley was dim, littered on both sides with discarded trash, and the ground was slick with muddy wastewater.

It was a dead end, blocked at the far end by a wall—with no exit but the entrance.

Tap-tap…

Two burly men in casual tank tops rushed into the alley.

In their haste, they stepped through puddles, splashing mud onto their pant legs, leaving dark splotches.

They paid no mind to this, instead fixing their eyes ahead, puzzled.

Luo Ge stood calmly before them, arms crossed, watching them with composed, steady eyes.

As if he had been waiting for them right there.

The thought had barely formed when it was crushed.

How could this be?!

A boy of thirteen or fourteen, knowing he was being followed, didn't run—but stood his ground and faced them head-on?

The lead thug, experienced and sharp, instantly turned to look behind him, then behind Luo Ge,

then upward.

Perhaps someone would jump down from the rooftops on either side to ambush.

But after scanning all around, the lead thug saw no sign of danger.

Seeing his companion stare at him strangely, the thug finally lowered his guard.

He thought he'd overreacted—in such a place, what threat could a mere teenager pose?

A nameless rage flared in his chest. The lead thug clenched his fists and sneered at Luo Ge:

"Kid! You ready?"

"I suggest you put up a little fight—it'll make snapping your arm more satisfying."

The other thug chimed in: "Then I'll take care of breaking his legs."

The pawnshop boss only wanted him alive—he never said anything about leaving him unharmed~

Two towering thugs versus a boy—anyone would say the former had this locked up.

So both felt this was a "freebie."

Luo Ge's expression did not change; only upon hearing the burly man's "boastful" words did he show a slight reaction.

Yet he did not display the fear the two wanted, but rather a smile that seemed to mock them.

"Of course I am ready."

"Right! Nidoran!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a purple figure leaped down from the sky, landing with a swish.

That powerful heel struck the other burly man's temple with perfect accuracy.

His agile figure moved with extreme swiftness, hitting him in the blink of an eye.

Crack!

A crisp sound of bone breaking rang out; Nidoran's weight combined with the impact crushed the other burly man's skull instantly!

He died on the spot!

Before the burly man at the head could react, a white light suddenly appeared on Luo Ge's body, and his figure flashed.

In a flash of lightning, he appeared before him.

Leaving only a trail of afterimages on the man's retina.

Normal-type move—Quick Attack!

Luo Ge suddenly raised his hand, carrying considerable force, and with a slight effort snapped the burly man's arm.

Another crisp sound of bone breaking followed.

Taking advantage of the opponent's cry of pain, Luo Ge swept his leg, causing the burly man to lose his balance.

With a forceful twist of both hands, the burly man's head was twisted askew.

The entire process flowed like water; in three moves and five steps, he had killed the two tall and mighty burly men.

A new book sets sail; I seek all data. My previous million-word novel, "Fullmetal Hunter: Pokémon Master, World's Strongest," is already available.

Quality guaranteed; I will never abandon the work. Enjoy with confidence.