Chapter 128: The Gravekeeper

Lei Hu of the Iron Armor Squad—Wu Chang didn't understand, but the expressions of other players in the scene changed noticeably.

As a notorious PVP plague in the Wasteland Realm, the Iron Armor Squad maintained its deterrence over mid- and low-tier organizations and freelancers by establishing nine elite combat teams, each dedicated to hunting down players who had offended the Iron Armor Squad but lacked powerful backing.

Each leader of an elite combat team possessed a powerful transmigration class; the leaders of Teams One through Three even held hidden transmigration classes.

Lei Hu was the leader of the Ninth Elite Combat Team, level 25, possessing a golden-rank transmigration class—Raijishi—second only to hidden transmigration classes.

Lei Hu and his Ninth Elite Combat Team operated actively in B-rank dungeons; every player between levels 15 and 25 who heard Lei Hu's name showed at least some measure of respect.

Of course, if you came from one of the Four Major Powers, ignore that statement.

Lei Hu stood at the center of the square, scanning the crowd; when his gaze passed over Wu Chang, he blinked, then casually moved past him as if he weren't there.

"You six—if you have any complaints, voice them before the dungeon starts. We can still negotiate. If you make trouble after it begins, don't blame me, Lei, for being uncivil."

The player named Fire Cannon stepped back first, his voice cold and mechanical, like a simulated robot: "I'm used to operating alone. I won't join your group."

Lei Hu tilted his head slightly. "Where are you from?"

Fire Cannon said: "Fire Truth."

Lei Hu nodded in understanding. "Oh~"

The next instant, a bolt of lightning erupted across the square, blinding everyone; Fire Cannon, wearing his tactical helmet, was unaffected by the glare. He moved his foot, retreating swiftly, while a high-tech rifle materialized in his hand.

But before he could raise the rifle's muzzle, his entire body froze midair.

Lei Hu had appeared behind Fire Cannon without warning. His massive hand gripped Fire Cannon's helmet, electricity flickering in his palm; with a burst of finger strength, he crushed the C-rank tactical helmet outright.

After the helmet shattered, what he held in his hand was Fire Cannon's head—if he wished, even with 50% damage reduction between players, Fire Cannon's skull wouldn't be harder than the helmet.

Lei Hu gripped Fire Cannon's head, lifting him into the air with one hand, his tone dismissive:

"I thought you were someone important. Turns out you're just a nobody. Your organization's boss bows his head when speaking to me. Who gave you the nerve to bargain with me?"

Lei Hu held Fire Cannon in his right hand, and with his left, tapped each person in turn; when his fingertip passed Wu Chang, it traced a wave, skipping straight over the duo to land on Monk Guangzhi.

"You five—anyone else have an issue?"

The square fell utterly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Good." Lei Hu nodded, turning his face to the captive Fire Cannon. "What about you?"

Fire Cannon's skull cracked under pressure, his facial muscles twisted and deformed by Lei Hu's fingers. He could only mumble: "No… no objections."

Lei Hu released his grip, letting Fire Cannon drop to the ground.

"See? Address problems promptly, resolve them immediately—that's how a good team operates. I'm easygoing. If you have an issue, bring it up anytime. We'll discuss it."

Everyone glanced at Fire Cannon, sitting on the ground dazed, forcing out a stiff smile.

Having watched enough, Wu Chang raised his hand deliberately, trying to catch Lei Hu's attention—but Lei Hu treated him like air, not even glancing his way.

At that moment, the transparent barrier surrounding the square dissolved—the dungeon officially began.

Lei Hu waved his hand, signaling the group to follow him. Wu Chang, seeing he wasn't invited, was about to follow anyway, when the Ronin stepped in front of him, drew his blade, and slashed a line across the ground.

The meaning was clear: stop here. Do not cross.

Watching the group walk away, Wu Chang scratched his head. Had he been isolated? Whatever. Going solo would save him plenty of trouble.

There were four exits around the square. Since Lei Hu and the others didn't want him, he'd take another path.

After all, everyone had to stay in the Royal Mausoleum for these days—there might be another chance to meet.

Though when they met again, whether it'd be the real person or a vengeful spirit was uncertain.

He picked a path at random and walked straight ahead for about ten minutes until he reached a small wooden hut.

Light glowed inside—as if the occupant sensed his arrival.

Creak~ As the wooden door groaned open, an emaciated old man with white hair, sunken eyes, and ashen skin stepped out, holding an oil lamp.

The old man was frail; even lifting his foot was difficult, and his steps made a shuffling, dragging sound.

"You're the new Gravekeeper?"

Wu Chang nodded. "I am."

The old man pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, scanning the names on it. "Are you Morgan?"

Wu Chang shook his head. "Bauer?"

Wu Chang shook his head again.

"Then you must be Thomas." The old man spoke with certainty—the paper listed only three names.

Wu Chang shrugged. "I'm Xiao En."

The old man froze, then quickly recovered, tearing the paper into pieces and tossing them into the wind.

"My memory's failing me—yes, someone told me today the new arrival's name is Xiao En."

Wu Chang: "..."

Wait, bro, is the onboarding process this casual?

"Come, come inside. Let's sign the employment agreement first." The old man feared Wu Chang might flee if he turned his back, waving him forward while backing into the hut.

Inside the hut, the old man eagerly produced an employment contract, written on a weathered piece of parchment.

The contract's content was simple—just one line.

"Do you confirm your acceptance as the 44th Gravekeeper of the Royal Mausoleum?"

Wu Chang clicked his tongue inwardly. He was really cursed by the number 4, wasn't he?

Without hesitation, he signed his name.

After signing, the patterns at the top of the parchment rotated, as if an eye opened briefly, then closed again.

Seeing the signature, the old man nearly jumped with excitement. He hurriedly unfastened a waist token from his belt and shoved it into Wu Chang's hand.

"Brother Xiao En, this is the Gravekeeper's token. You must carry it during night patrols—don't forget!"

Wu Chang frowned. Wait—why "brother"? The old man looked close to eighty. Unless he was a lifelong bachelor, his grandkids were probably older than him.

"Grandpa, how old are you?"

"My name is Han Er. I just turned thirty-five last month."

Wu Chang: "Huh?"

Damn, only thirty-five and already this weak—this place must be haunted by a female ghost, the kind that drains essence.

Seeing Wu Chang sign the agreement, Han Er pulled a notebook from the desk drawer and said:

"The duties of a Gravekeeper are generally divided into five tasks: receiving, burying, erecting tombstones, praying, and night patrols. I've written the full procedure in this notebook—you can read through it at your own pace. Now I'll tell you a few critical points you must remember."

"First, if anyone visits the cemetery at night, make them slip the invitation letter under the door. If they don't have an invitation letter, absolutely do not let them in."

Requiring an invitation letter to enter the cemetery? Wu Chang had never heard of such a procedure. Who was the inviter? Was it one of the dead buried below?

Wu Chang asked: "If I encounter such a person, how should I stop them?"

"Just lock the door from inside—they can't get in," Han Er said.

"Second, if the moon isn't full, you must light the night-patrol oil lamp. If the moon turns red, return immediately to the Gravekeeper's cabin."

"Third, if someone stops you during a night patrol and asks you a question, never answer—just run. These three rules—don't ask why. Just know that anyone who doesn't follow them has gone mad or vanished. That's enough."

Wu Chang nodded, indicating he had memorized them all.

Han Er leaned close to Wu Chang's ear and whispered: "One more personal tip: if you see something running out of the cemetery, while it's still weak from just regaining movement, try to kill it. They usually carry valuable items."

"I can introduce you to a scavenger. After you strip the valuables off them, you can sell the remains to the scavenger—he'll pay well and save you a lot of trouble."

Wu Chang caught Han Er's meaning and asked: "What do I have to give in return?"

Han Er's motive exposed, he chuckled awkwardly and said:

"I didn't expect a new successor so soon—I privately took on a commission, and now I'm no longer a Gravekeeper. I can't stand this damned place a second longer. So, can you help me finish this commission?"

"I'll owe you a favor, and the commission reward is all yours. How's that?"

As Han Er finished speaking, Wu Chang's title "Perfectionist" reacted.

Hidden side quest triggered.

(End of Chapter)