Chapter 24

"Pennywise."

Randy also put away his lightning magic and quietly watched the clown before him.

It was like a comical performer.

Only, its physique was much larger than that of a human, dressed in bizarre theatrical costumes. Its limbs were unusually long, resembling a living puppet. In America, where people generally suffer from claustrophobia, it could definitely be considered a childhood trauma.

Randy had long wanted to have a chat with this local of Derry.

However, when he proactively sought it out in the afternoon, it refused to appear.

Of course, it's also possible that it couldn't sense fear and thus didn't realize what was happening.

"Why aren't you afraid of me?"

Pennywise spoke in a strange, frenzied tone, sometimes emitting quacking sounds like a duck, and at other times, squeaking like a mouse.

"I only fear death. You can't make me die."

To Randy, physical death was merely the end of the body; the real destruction was the annihilation of the soul. Based on his past experiences and training, Randy's soul power, though diminished, was not something Pennywise could handle.

"Heh heh heh."

Pennywise emitted an eerie laugh, as if trying to act calm, wanting to say something threatening but unable to.

Unable to feel fear, its body began to shrink continuously, eventually becoming the same size as Randy, shifting from a view from above to a level view.

Randy continued, "The carefully prepared bait of mine, just like that, was eaten by you. You should give me an explanation."

Pennywise moved on all fours like an animal, then crawled up the wall beside the tunnel, circled to the top of the tunnel, and finally hung its body as if it were dried meat.

Its ferocious, ghostly face stared directly at Randy:

"Actually, he didn't eat it. It's just that I was too hungry. I've been sleeping in the dark underground for 27 years!"

Randy mocked, "Cherish this time. You might not even have the chance to sleep again in the future."

Pennywise's smile stopped abruptly, as if its brain had crashed, with only drool continuously flowing from the corners of its mouth.

"The bunch of useless people who defeated you 27 years ago, they will definitely come to end you."

Randy pointed at its bald forehead, "This is your irreversible fate!"

"Bang."

Pennywise fell to the ground like a comical clown, then started performing exaggerated, bizarre actions.

"I will defeat them. I will take them down one by one. I know what they fear!"

"They also know what you fear. They know your weaknesses."

Randy pierced through its strong facade: "And they have defeated you once before. Where there was a first time, there will definitely be a second, and this time it will be even more thorough."

Pennywise reacted strongly, its body starting to shrink continuously.

"Impossible, impossible! I will become stronger. I will definitely defeat them. Derry has always been my hunting ground. You, an outsider, don't know my terror."

"What do you mean, your hunting ground? You're just a sewer rat. When I didn't pull in my fishing rod in time, you stole the fish I caught."

"Sewer rat? Do you also want to float?"

Pennywise gasped heavily, its anger becoming tangible. Balloons began to pop out from behind it, quickly filling the entire tunnel entrance.

Each balloon marked a different way to die.

"Choking on a chopstick while eating, dying from severe criticism and shame from parents, dying from excessive bleeding after cutting nails, dying from puncturing the brain while cleaning ears, coughing out organs while coughing…"

They were like threats, full of various stereotypes.

But these balloons, when approaching Randy, immediately stopped, not coming any closer.

Without fear to nourish it, all its methods are illusory. The only somewhat useful method is close combat, but that's only effective against children.

Randy didn't want to waste time arguing: "You've been in Derry for so many years; you must have accumulated something. I know you feed on fear. Those corpses are probably in your lair, right? Since you can't use them, why not lend them to me?"

Pennywise immediately raised its head, its beast-like eyes staring intently at Randy.

It seemed shocked that its secret and the state of its lair were known by someone else.

"Don't be so wary. You can consider this a trade. When the Losers' Club comes, I can help you delay their progress."

Growing true lotuses is still possible; they only need fertilizer to provide nutrients to grow. But growing colored lotuses might not be that easy.

Randy didn't want a massacre, as it would attract social attention. Pennywise's current stock would be enough.

Moreover, Pennywise's abilities are overwhelming against ordinary people, making it a very suitable tool.

Seeing Pennywise not responding, Randy continued: "Of course, you can refuse my suggestion. In that case, I'll personally lead them."

Pennywise's expression immediately became dangerous.

"You're threatening me, human. You really don't know how terrifying I am."

"Monster, we'll see. I remember there's a black police officer in town. He was one of the Losers' Club members back then. I'll talk to him about my strange encounter in the forest."

Randy didn't want to waste more time and turned to leave. As he approached, the red balloons automatically parted to form a path.

Without fear to sustain it, it was useless.

But similarly, Randy couldn't deal with the clown now. This guy's escape skills were top-notch, but chasing it to its stronghold to deal with it wasn't something Randy had the energy for.

"Wait."

Randy ignored it and continued walking.

"Wait!"

This time, Pennywise ran to block his path.

Its body had shrunk even more, like a dwarf, which also indicated its nervousness and fear.

"I can give it to you, but only after you deal with those useless people!"

"Heh."

Pennywise immediately waved its hand urgently: "How about this? I can give you some collectibles as a gesture of goodwill. I have several thousand items in my collection, including bicycles, Ouija boards, a full set of Dungeons and Dragons cards…"

Randy sneered, "Speak up, say it all. After all, these are just dying words."

"I still have about twenty-something children's corpses."

At this, Pennywise had to become serious: "Help me get rid of one person, and I'll give you… um, twenty-one corpses divided into seven parts… um, how many was it again."

"Thirty."

Pennywise quickly clapped its hands: "Yes, that's right. How do you find this deal?"

Randy continued to sneer.

There were only seven people in the Losers' Club. Killing two or three of them would basically incapacitate them. Pennywise was truly calculating.

But Randy chose to temporarily accept it. He hadn't planned on making any trades.

"Fine. Additionally, I need you to provide help at any time."

Such as stepping in at the right moment to take the blame.