Chapter 131: Haggling

Cheng Shuili didn't know what this totem was, but it should be a good thing.

She didn't rashly ask the price; the stall owners on this black market were all sly, just like those on the antique street in her previous life.

If she asked the price, the stall owner would lion‑mouth her, not selling anything unless he peeled off a layer of her skin.

Cheng Shuili recalled how she asked in her previous life, casually pointed at an item on the stall and asked: "How many Game Coins for this?"

It was a badge with rust stains.

The guide behind Cheng Shuili paused in expression; he didn't expect this human to actually intend to buy something here.

He had already made it clear: most here are swindlers, and there are hardly any who can really pick up a bargain.

But unfortunately, the few humans he had served all held the mindset of snagging a huge bargain here, only to be cheated.

The guide originally thought this human lady was different, but didn't expect her to be no different.

"You fancy this medal?" the stall owner's voice was somewhat hoarse, yet carried a hint of obvious delight.

"This item I brought out at the risk of my life—it's the special item you players talk about! As long as you wear it, the wearer gains endless courage and will never be timid again! I'm not like those sky‑high‑pricing swindlers; I only charge 300 Game Coins, taking a risk fee from you!"

The stall owner's voice was somewhat excited, but he tried hard to suppress it.

This stall owner is somewhat clever; he didn't mention visible attributes like strength, agility, stamina, but spoke of "courage," something invisible and intangible—even if you wore it on the spot, you wouldn't feel any change.

No wonder he can cheat players.

Nowadays survivors aren't purely kind, nor are they surely sly and deceitful; moreover, most people, like Cheng Shuili, have a natural trust in these beastmen.

After all, in the games she played in her previous life, there were rarely cases of NPCs deceiving players.

Cheng Shuili, after experiencing being "abducted and sold," has become thoroughly vigilant.

These beastmen claim to be NPCs, but they actually fulfill none of an NPC's duties; to some extent, they are more like competitors to the players!

She had been silent for quite a while.

So long that the guide thought she was about to take out Game Coins to buy it, when Cheng Shuili suddenly let out a light scoff.

"Is your junk worth 300 Game Coins?"

Cheng Shuili's voice wasn't loud, but it carried obvious mockery.

A flicker of panic crossed the stall owner's eyes, the lines at the corners deepening: "Sir, what do you mean by that? This is a genuine special item; I risked my life bringing it out of the ruins…… Even if you want to haggle, you can't attack me like this, can you?"

"Really?"

Cheng Shuili interrupted him; her tone had always been gentle, yet her words made the stall owner's fingers tremble with anger.

"Why don't you try wearing it? If it can grant endless courage, you must surely need it now, right?"

Her gaze, with intention, swept over the stall owner's slightly trembling fingers.

The surrounding air seemed to solidify for a moment, and the stall owner's face turned ugly.

The guide stood behind her, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

He originally thought this human would fall for the scam like everyone else, but didn't expect her to see through the ruse at a glance.

"I—I…" the stall owner stammered, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.

Cheng Shuili said casually: "I just like the style of this medal; speaking plainly, give me a reasonable price."

The stall owner knew this human wasn't easy to fool; now he had lost his earlier confidence, hesitating: "One hundred, one hundred Game Coins…"

"One hundred?" Cheng Shuili raised an eyebrow, "A broken badge and you dare ask that much?"

Cheng Shuili laughed again, her face showing obvious disdain; she had no intention of doing anything, and the beastmen lurking in the dark naturally wouldn't open fire.

The stall owner only felt mocked, the skin around his eyes swelling red.

But he hadn't opened for several days; it was rare to have a human interested in his goods, so he certainly wouldn't let it go easily: "Customer, what price are you willing to offer?"

Cheng Shuili slightly raised her eyebrows, directly cutting off a zero: "10 Game Coins."

The stall owner paused, the fingers beneath his clothing clenching tightly into fists; although he could still earn ten Game Coins, making only that little from a single deal, he was truly unwilling!

"Customer, if you really want it, just give me a little more."

Cheng Shuili nodded, appearing easy to talk to: "Sure, I'll give you twenty Game Coins, but besides this medal, you have to give me an extra gift."

Just adding ten Game Coins and still wanting a gift?

The stall owner shook his head: "How about we each take a step back? You give me fifty Game Coins, one medal, and you can freely choose any other item from this stall as a bonus. How about that?"

Cheng Shuili's aim was exactly that.

But fifty Game Coins was still too expensive.

Moreover, the fact that the stall owner could make such a request shows that nothing on his stall exceeds forty Game Coins!

Cheng Shuili glanced at the price list nearby; the medal was the cheapest at three hundred Game Coins, while the rest started at three zeros.

That's the real swindler!

Cheng Shuili silently shook her head in her heart; earning just that little hardship fee—what kind of swindler is that?

Next time I do contract work, I'll definitely make a killing!

"If it's thirty Game Coins, I can accept that."

Cheng Shuili stood in place, her gaze fixed on the medal, looking as if she would reluctantly give it up if the price were too high.

The stall owner only thought for a moment, then agreed to the proposal.

Earning a little is still earning, right?

Who would refuse Game Coins?

Cheng Shuili chose the medal and that totem; the two quickly completed the transaction.

The stall owner's gaze fell on the totem in Cheng Shuili's hand; he suddenly felt a doubt—this human hadn't looked at the totem from start to finish, so why did she end up choosing it?

Cheng Shuili put the medal and totem into the Abyssal Ring, turned and left the stall, the corner of her mouth curling into an almost imperceptible arc.

The guide followed behind her, his eyes complex as he sized up this seemingly frail yet extraordinarily shrewd human woman.

"You still have some discernment."

The guide couldn't help but lower his voice, his tail flicking uneasily, "But why buy this junk? That medal isn't even a low‑grade item."

Cheng Shuili did not answer immediately, but continued walking forward until she turned a corner, made sure the stall owner couldn't hear their conversation, and then stopped.

"I know the medal is fake." She said softly, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the totem pattern on her backpack, "But sometimes buying a fake is to get what you really want."

"That stone?"

The guide immediately understood.

Cheng Shuili had no intention of continuing; they were merely in an employer‑employee relationship, one that was about to end, so there was no need to say more.