Chapter 36

"It's not completely hopeless—I acquired a Lock Heart Pill years ago through fortune. It can rapidly restore Qi and Blood in the short term, keeping him alive, but after that, it's up to him. However, this pill is highly toxic; taking it could kill him instantly. Is your friend willing to take the risk?"

Fang Yue noticed that Xin Jue's gaze secretly flickered toward the heart in Niu Niu's hand as he spoke.

What's so interesting about a heart?

Strange.

For some reason, Fang Yue felt Xin Jue's attitude seemed eager for Niu Niu to swallow the pill.

Could the pill… be problematic?

Fang Yue looked at Niu Niu, who looked pale, as if he too sensed a hint of malice from this man.

Then Fang Yue received a private message from Niu Niu.

"Ye Ge, after I swallow the pill, grab my hands—I'm afraid I'll jump up and kill this brain-dead NPC right away!"

…Alright, he didn't realize the pill was dangerous—he just plain hated Xin Jue.

But given your current state, do you really need me to hold you? Even if you're free to move, you can't beat Xin Jue.

After all, Niu Niu is only a Reserve Member of the Patrol Team—he's no match for Xin Jue, who's a squad leader.

Fang Yue didn't tell Niu Niu about his suspicions toward Xin Jue; after all, it was just a gut feeling, with no evidence.

After briefly messaging Niu Niu to confirm his opinion, Fang Yue said: "Brother Xin Jue, he's willing to take the pill."

"Really?"

Fang Yue nodded, but Xin Jue remained uneasy: "I need him to say it himself—he must voice his willingness to take the pill. Otherwise, I can't bear the responsibility of killing a Patrol Team member."

So troublesome?

Fang Yue turned to Niu Niu, who gritted his teeth and painfully spat out two words.

"I'll take it!"

The moment he spoke, a -1 prompt instantly appeared above his head.

That nearly scared Niu Niu out of his wits—he only had 1 HP left!

Instantly, Niu Niu's gaze toward Xin Jue turned even more vicious; it wasn't the look of someone grateful for salvation—it was the look of someone facing his father's murderer.

Fang Yue quickly sent him another message—〈Hidden Endurance! 〉

Phew!

The world is so beautiful, yet I'm so angry—this isn't good, not good at all.

Niu Niu's expression gradually calmed, even feigning a hint of gratitude.

A promising student.

Fang Yue nodded.

Right—why argue with an NPC? Getting benefits is what matters.

"Good. Since you asked for it yourself, I'll give you this pill. But if you survive, you'll owe me a favor in the future—no objections, right?"

As he spoke, Xin Jue looked at Fang Yue, clearly realizing the man on the ground had no strength left to speak.

Fang Yue nodded: "I'll accept on his behalf."

It was just a verbal agreement—whether Niu Niu honored it or not was none of Fang Yue's concern.

Having received the answer, Xin Jue pulled a small silk box from his pocket, opened it, and took out a crimson pill, preparing to place it into Niu Niu's mouth.

Fang Yue stared curiously at the crimson pill—and suddenly, a line of text popped up.

Fang Yue froze, then realized his Analysis Pupil had activated.

"Name: Devour Heart Pill."

"Rank: Mortal Grade Low."

"Effect: Restores Qi and Blood,??? 【Unknown】."

"Description: Crafted from grotesque insects and filth, combined with medicinal herbs. After ingestion, the insects within the pill are reactivated and parasitize the body."

"Initially, they supplement the flesh, restoring Qi and Blood, while devouring the consumer's heart—eventually turning the user into a Pill-Bound."

"Depending on the pill's composition, the Pill-Bound's physique varies."

"Due to its similarity in effect and appearance to the Lock Heart Pill, it is often 'accidentally' consumed, leading to unnatural death."

"Note: Devour Heart Pill—crunchy. You take a bite, I take a bite, we both kick the bucket."

Devour Heart Pill?!

Not a Lock Heart Pill!

"Wait—"

Fang Yue's face changed—he rushed to snatch the Devour Heart Pill—but Niu Niu panicked, fearing Fang Yue would take it away, and hurriedly leaned forward, swallowing the pill straight from Xin Jue's palm.

This…

Fang Yue was stunned.

Is this even a thing?

If someone wants to die this badly, there's nothing he can do.

Helplessly, Fang Yue stepped forward and grabbed Niu Niu.

"Spit it out!"

But the moment his hand touched Niu Niu, he felt sudden resistance.

Already has strength?

Fang Yue froze, then looked closer—Niu Niu's complexion was visibly improving, his eyes closed, face relaxed and blissful, as if savoring something wonderful.

As Fang Yue puzzled over this, Niu Niu suddenly shuddered violently and opened his eyes.

"I'm fine!"

Fang Yue:???

I suspect you're up to something shady!

"Ye Ge, you just don't get it—how amazing I feel right now! Have you ever experienced your health bar spiking wildly? That sensation... *tsk tsk*, I'd even wish for a few weird creatures to go wild and beat me senseless, just so I could sit back and watch my health bar rise and fall, savoring the ultimate healing!"

…Actually, to be honest, ever since I entered the game, I've been enjoying this state.

But Fang Yue still asked curiously: "What kind of pill causes such extreme healing?"

Extreme?

Niu Niu looked as if he'd heard the biggest joke in the world.

He shook off Fang Yue's hand, holding the severed hand and heart, straightened his posture, leaned back in a tactical stance, tilted his chin upward, and his head reclined thirty degrees as he boomed:

"Ye Ge! It's not about whether it's powerful—it's about how uniquely special it is…"

Niu Niu closed his eyes, savoring the sensation.

"It's like hundreds of insects massaging your insides—that deep, bone-deep comfort, wow, words can't describe it. Let me put it this way: I'll never need a massage again! Just die in the game, swallow a pill, and that's it!"

"That's how amazing?"

Fang Yue was stunned, then sent a private message: "But I've got bad news for you—your feeling wasn't an illusion. There really are hundreds of insects inside you."

Niu Niu, still relishing the sensation, froze upon reading the message.

"…Ye Ge, what do you mean by that?"

"Literal meaning. The pill you took isn't called Lock Heart Pill—it's called Devour Heart Pill. It was meant to devour your heart. But since your heart was already ripped out by the weird, I have no idea what effect it would produce."

"Not Lock Heart Pill?! That bastard tricked me!"

Niu Niu's eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Xin Jue, while frantically sending Fang Yue a message.

"Ye Ge, save me! My life is so miserable! I'm cursed with 【Weird Curse】, and now I've been betrayed again—I'm in so much trouble!"

"Ye Ge, if you save my life, I'll split half the money I earn tonight selling my lifespan with you!"

Fang Yue had originally thought nothing of it.

But hearing Niu Niu's words, he instantly perked up.

If you're talking money with me, then I'm all in!

Niu Niu had earned at least a hundred thousand selling his lifespan—half of that is fifty to sixty thousand!

That's a huge sum!

Motivation arrived!

"Leave it to me!"

As soon as Fang Yue sent the message to Niu Niu, he looked up and saw Xin Jue's team members, who had quietly crept back, weapons raised, subtly surrounding the two of them.

"Who dares come closer!"

Minor details adjusted

(End of Chapter)