Chapter 1 : Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Are You kidding With Me!
The seventh-floor labyrinth of the dungeon was the territory of Cyclopes. Because of that, the entire area was perpetually shrouded in a nauseating stench.
Chenxi, dressed in black, pressed tightly against the wall, his whole body tucked into the narrow shadow cast by a massive stone pillar.
Not far away, heavy footsteps rumbled like muffled thunder, causing the ground to tremble slightly as small stones rattled down.
That Cyclops was his target.
Thick-skinned, immensely strong, and stupid.
Those were the labels commonly attached to Cyclopes.
Seven years.
It had been seven years since he arrived on the continent of Casadel, and during those years he had completely adapted to the rules of this world.
Survival came first. Efficiency above all.
His combat style had long since abandoned anything flashy, pursuing only maximum damage and a single fatal strike.
If a fight could be resolved with one blow, there would never be a second.
The giant’s enormous body clumsily turned around a corner. Its single murky eye scanned the dim corridor in confusion.
Its thick neck was completely exposed in Chenxi’s line of sight.
The creature seemed puzzled.
Where had that little rat gone?
Now.
The opportunity would vanish in an instant.
Chenxi’s body shot out of the shadows without a sound, moving so fast that it nearly left an afterimage, yet strangely without stirring even the faintest breeze.
In his left hand, he held a dagger in a reverse grip.
【Silence】
【Sharpen】
Two enhancement skills instantly took effect on his body.
The dagger pierced precisely into the relatively soft patch of skin beneath the giant eye.
With a wet sound, blood splattered.
His right hand followed immediately. A shorter dagger coated with poison flashed like lightning, plunging deep into the wound created by the first blade and burying itself to the hilt.
【Paralysis】
At his current level, the Paralysis spell could not last even a single second against a Cyclops like this.
But that was enough.
【Silence】
Chenxi vanished into the darkness once more, leaving behind only the Cyclops’ frenzied roar.
It was the final sound of its life.
Finally…
The giant’s massive body suddenly stiffened, a heavy gurgling sound rising from its throat.
Its lone eye burned with rage as it tried to locate its enemy, but its enormous body had already lost the strength to support itself. With a thunderous crash, it collapsed forward, sending dust billowing into the air.
Cyclops. Subjugation complete.
Area confirmed safe.
Chenxi stepped out of the shadows. His movements were quick and efficient as he avoided the giant’s still-warm blood.
His objective was clear: the giant’s cloudy eye.
It was the proof required by the Adventurers’ Guild.
Chenxi used a specially made tool to pry it loose, producing a faint creaking sound.
Blood and strange fluids continued to seep out, releasing a peculiar odor.
Extraction complete.
He wrapped the eyeball in oilcloth and tucked it into the inner pocket of his backpack.
The entire process took less than three minutes. Then he turned and left swiftly. The scent of a dead Cyclops would soon attract others of its kind.
He did not spare the massive corpse on the ground another glance. Turning away, he disappeared into the labyrinth’s tangled corridors, his footsteps gradually fading into silence.
…
The Adventurers’ Guild, “The Oak Cup,” was as noisy as ever.
The smell of sweat, cheap ale, and stewed meat mixed with crude laughter and rough voices, forming a scent that belonged exclusively to low-ranking adventurers.
He did not like it.
Compared to staying with these people, he preferred being alone.
Chenxi walked through the crowd, sidestepping several drunken men who attempted to strike up a conversation, and headed straight for the processing counter in the far corner.
He had other matters to deal with. He did not have time to waste on drunkards.
Old John was one of the guild’s veteran clerks. His hair had already turned gray, and his eyes looked dull, but his fingers moved quickly across the ledger.
He looked at the oilcloth bundle Chenxi handed over. Opening it, he glanced at the cloudy eyeball inside. His expression did not change; he merely nodded.
“Seventh floor. Cyclops.”
“The item has been confirmed.”
Old John’s voice was hoarse from years of tobacco smoke. He picked up a quill pen.
“The quest reward, plus the converted value of the giant’s materials… seventy-five silver coins, and fifteen copper coins in total.”
He counted out the coins with practiced ease and pushed them across the counter.
“You kid seem pretty familiar with the seventh floor.”
“The Cyclops commission has been posted for nearly half a year. No one managed to complete it.”
Chenxi took the coin pouch and weighed it in his hand. The weight was correct.
After so many years, he was not incompetent enough to make a mistake like that.
He nodded slightly. His voice was quiet, and his expression remained indifferent.
“Yes. Just wait in the right place long enough.”
Old John did not pursue the topic. He stamped Chenxi’s adventurer badge, marking the quest as completed.
“All right. Keep it.”
After a moment, he added, “Things in the city have been unstable lately. A few mercenary groups clashed outside the city. Be careful.”
Chenxi nodded and turned to leave.
The moment he turned around, a cold mechanical voice—completely different from the guild’s noisy background—suddenly echoed inside his mind.
【Ding! Long-term mission ‘Novice Challenger’ completed.】
【Condition: Independently defeat a boss-class monster on the seventh floor of the dungeon or above (1/1)】
【Activated: Teammate Function Module】
【Current recruitable teammate slots: 1】
【Please locate a compatible individual for binding.】
Chenxi’s footsteps paused almost imperceptibly.
Half a second later, he returned to normal and continued walking toward the guild entrance. His expression revealed nothing unusual, as though the voice had never appeared.
But inside his mind, silent waves were already surging.
His face was wrapped in a black scarf, so even if his expression had changed, no one could have seen it.
Seven years.
A full seven years.
The cheat ability that came with him when he transmigrated resembled the idle games he used to play before coming here.
A chibi version of himself hacked endlessly at the air, occasionally dropping a few attribute points or a piece of common equipment.
Only recently had the second mission appeared: “Independently defeat a boss monster.”
The attribute points it gave were pitifully small. The equipment was all trash that could be sold for only a few copper coins.
For a long time, he had believed the thing was nothing more than a cheap souvenir.
He was not strong enough to reach the next map, so it gave him trash.
Because it only gave him trash, he was not strong enough…
A perfect deadlock on both ends, damn it!
Now, finally, the teammate slot had been unlocked. No matter how he looked at it, two people would definitely be stronger than one.
He suppressed the turbulent emotions in his heart.
Chenxi walked out of the guild entrance. The afternoon sunlight was somewhat dazzling, causing him to squint slightly.
The streets of Zero Town were as noisy as ever.
He leaned against the weathered stone wall outside the guild, standing in the shadow. While appearing to casually adjust his backpack straps, he quickly opened the crude system interface in his mind.
At the center of the interface, the tiny chibi Chenxi was still swinging a sword at a crude slime model. Above its head floated a number:
“+0.01 Strength.”
Oh?
Not bad. Looks like something actually dropped.
There was also a treasure chest beside it. He opened the chest.
【Idle time: 6 hours 41 minutes 22 seconds
Obtained: Apple ×1
Paper from the State of Lu ×1
Copper coins: 621】
The veins on Chenxi’s forehead bulged.
“You bastard!”
Deep breath. Deep breath. Do not get angry. Do not get angry.
Next to the little figure was a new, faintly glowing square slot.
Below it was written:
【Teammate Slot 1: Vacant】
When he focused his thoughts on it, a line of small text appeared.
【Please locate a compatible individual to establish a Soul Contract.
After binding, resources (attribute points, skill points, equipment, etc.) may be allocated through the system interface for development.
Binding requires the consent of both parties (formal consent is sufficient).】
Looks like it is time to recruit a teammate.
But…
Who should he choose?
That was the problem.
After so many years, he was no longer the foolish young man who trusted people easily.
Those adventurers in the guild who laughed loudly, spoke of brotherhood, yet might stab someone in the back at any moment?
Chenxi rejected the idea immediately.
Too unpredictable.
His secret was far too important to allow even the slightest risk.
One place suddenly appeared clearly in his mind:
The slave market.
Only absolute control could provide the lowest risk.
Even if the other person had mediocre talent, as long as the system truly worked, resources alone could raise them up.
“Good things”… had to be given to someone he could firmly control.
The slave contract was one of the most efficient control methods in this world.
An absurd image suddenly appeared in Chenxi’s mind.
A slave covered in mosaic blur stared blankly at the Paper from the State of Lu he handed over.
“Damn!”
What am I even thinking?
Who would have thought that one day he would voluntarily go to the slave market?
He hated that place.