Enforcer of Goodwill
Greed's decapitated head cackled ominously, filling the air with fear and horror. The guards drew their pistols, but Mr. Sankey yelled in panic, warning them not to attack or risk triggering the blood pact.
The guards lowered their guns in disbelief, watching his corpse lift on its own and his laughing head reattached itself, seemingly reversing time. Despite the reversal of his body, the blood remained, soaking Sankey, the teen, and the stage.
It was a nightmare scene that left the audience too shocked to speak.
Grey turned to the shuttering audience with a grin. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch a person die and return to life [in real time]!"
The audience was too shocked to say anything. However, one audience member had a strange smile, appraising the teen with a predatory gaze behind her sunglasses.
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─┈━═[World Announcement!]═━┈─
Player Greed has become the first millionaire player (Rykerian Zecta). The finance leaderboard is now open.
Their achievement has made history and will get recorded in the Myriad Record for all eternity.
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─┈━═[Financial Leaderboard]═━┈─
Welcome to the financial leaderboard!
Full Information? [Yes/No]
—Full Financial Leaderboard Information—
The wealthiest players are ranked by their currency's exchange value.
A player can disclose their name and amount, only name, amount, or both. Hidden information is marked with a [???].
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1. Greed | 3,000,000 zecta
2. CrimsonSkull | 710,000 zecta
3. Rayne | 493,000 zecta
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100. ZomZom | 17,283 zecta
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"There you have it, 3,000,000 zecta," Grey announced, flashing a charming smile for his streamers. "The current time is 4:47 pm, meaning I became a multi-millionaire within five hours of the launch. That is how you abuse Myriad Online's game mechanics like a boss."
The teen's smile then became serious. "As a reminder, this was a one-time opportunity, do not attempt this, especially in Ridgemont Heights. The guards will shoot on sight, you will not revive, and if you enter a blood pact, it could ban you for life.
With that, I must go. Remember to subscribe to taste the finest hate the internet has to offer and learn the techniques you can use to become egregiously rich. Stay greedy, my friends."
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Would you like to end the live stream? [Yes/No]
Ending the stream now…
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Title: Using Your Penalty-Free Death Window Like a Boss
Live viewers: 3,283,173
Likes: 583,281
Dislikes: 82,382
Comments: 1,082,173
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─┈━═[World Announcement!]═━┈─
Player Greed has become the first player to get over 1 million live viewers during a single stream.
Their achievement has made history and will get recorded in the Myriad Record for all eternity.
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Greed grinned wickedly, "I can't wait for the top players to try hunting me down for views and end up in the Twisted District. There are worse things than getting shamed by a noobie on launch day."
However, the thought of becoming a top streamer made him pause. It would transform his actions from a shocking story for the interested few into a headline for the masses.
"This is a defining moment for Ryker Corps' identity protection claims," he remarked. "If they expose my identity, the Lycans will learn I made them millions on day one, Maxwell will get skull fucked if he looks at me wrong, and Casper won't benefit from my dual identity. Heh, it might even be ideal."
He looked at the elites, who were chatting during his break. "But first, I must ensure this blood pact doesn't get me banned."
***
"Although I've taken pleasure in entertaining you, my true purpose here is to warn you about my people, the Earthians, out of sheer goodwill." Greed shamelessly claimed before revealing that Earthians were virtually immortal unless a blood pact was broken. "Entering into contracts without this knowledge can be perilous, wouldn't you agree?"
While his opening remark initially vexed the audience, their eyes were wide and grateful for the disclaimer. After all, they just saw proof!
"This is why employing the Adjudicator of Intent is crucial, as it enforces contracts based on their purpose, effectively closing immortality loopholes," Greed explained. "Without it, a transmigrator would revive tomorrow, and you would die for failing to compensate them."
A tide of shock washed over the affluent elites upon hearing the news, making them shudder.
"I share this information in good faith," Greed assured them. "By using the Myriad Record as the Enforcer of Goodwill, I've proven my transparency and lack of intent to exploit technical loopholes. I hope you will accept this warning as a gesture from a potential ally, partner, laison, or immortal mercenary."
A tense silence ensued until a man with a neatly trimmed white beard broke it. "You neglected to mention that we can't seek retribution," he pointed out. "While I appreciate your transparency and the value of this information, I must admit, I'd be tempted to strangle you if not for that mechanism."
The man conveyed his gratitude with a sly grin, and the room erupted into laughter. Everyone was thankful; their losses were mere pocket change, but the knowledge Greed shared could save their lives and fortunes.
"Well, if you want to blow off steam, you can always chop off my head," Greed quipped, triggering laughter. While he was playing the hero, he was grinning internally.
Grey used Enforcer of Goodwill to force Robert Sanky to stop anyone from taking revenge for the rest of his life—or he would die. He made the elite his bitch, and the man hadn't realized it yet.
As for giving the warning, he didn't have a choice! His stream was leading countless to Ridgemont Heights; if he didn't disclose a warning, it could kill an elite and get him banned!
In short, everything Grey had done was ridiculously twisted, and he was now selling himself as a hero and potential business partner while using it to make money. Like a boss.
"For only two million, you can chop to your hearts delight," Greed grinned.
"Two million?" the white-beared narrowed his eyes. "I thought it was one?"
"He said he'd double it after each service when I met him, Owen," Sanky interjected, trembling. "And oh, was it worth it! I was buzzing before, but after learning about the pact, I'm trilled! I'll do it again!"
"No, I was discussing it!" Owen snapped, turning to the teen with a malevolent grin. "I'm in."
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┌─┈━═[You're Dead]═━┈─┐
Launch date non-combat death window activated.
Player death penalty reduced to a 60-second revival.
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Revival in 0 seconds….
Revival initiated.
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Grey laughed in amusement when his body returned to life, looking down and finding even more blood on his clothing. "Thank you for your patronage."
Owen chuckled in disbelief, looking at his blood-soaked hands gripping the longsword. "T-That was… amazing!"
"Me next!"
"I'm up!"
"No, let me do it!"
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┌─┈━═[You're Dead]═━┈─┐
Launch date non-combat death window activated.
Player death penalty reduced to a 60-second revival.
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Revival in 0 seconds….
Revival initiated.
Warning: the non-combat death window will expire in: 00:04:21.
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Grey arose from the dead and bowed, looking at the line of people around him. "And with that, I must take my leave as my escorts await. However, there's one last bit of advice I'd like to give you."
***
"Take this," Mr. Sankey smiled, handing the teen a medallion. "You've given us an unforgettable experience and helped us. Therefore, we'd like you to visit again—on normal terms—so this medallion will get you in without trouble."
"Thank you, Mr. Sankey," Grey replied, accepting the medal with a light bow. "It's been a pleasure."
After the man left, he tried to leave, but another person stopped him—the redhead the bet on him alongside a dozen bodyguards.
"You certainly live up to your reputation, [Greed]," Ray smiled, gazing at him through her black sunglasses. The teen glanced at her sensual curves with a smile before making eye contact, making her smirk. "Even now, it seems."
"I felt that not admiring you for a split second would be offensive," Greed replied charmingly. "What can I do for you, Ms. Ray?"
"Ms. Ritzco," she smiled. "You're new here and have a knack for sales; I happen to be in business. Please, allow us to give you a ride."
"I'll gladly take you up on that if my sky cab escorts have left," he replied. "However, if they waited for me, they've showcased loyalty and trust on words alone; that deserves a reward."
"You're interesting," Ray said with a mysterious smile, looking at his blood-soaked clothing. "Well, at least allow us to escort you to your sky cab. Unless you want to show up looking like you murdered ultra-elites."
"I will accept with gratitude," the teen replied, flashing her a bold smile.
***
"It seems you misunderstand, Ms. Ritzco," Greed smiled, riding in a caravan of armored humvees. "I'm saying that I can sell weapons at a 400% markup after you price gouge me for my price ignorance."
"Is that so?" Ray mused, studying his expression with a strange, mocking smile. She looked out the window and saw five mercenaries beside an armored sky cruiser with their hands high, afraid of the Blue Medallion logo on the humvees. "Oh dear, it seems we've arrived."
A guard opened Grey's door, prompting him to step out while the redhead stared at him silently. Undetered, he gave her an taunting smirk, "My real name is Greed, and I'll be in Markov for at least three days but no later than two weeks. I'll see you soon, Ms. Ritzco."
Before Ray could sass him, he shut the door and began walking to the shaking mercenaries, seeing the blood-soaked teen escorted by Blue Medallions. They had never felt so much regret! However—
"Yo!" Grey smiled brightly, waving at the large bald soldier. "Are you ready to go, Mark?"
"W-What?" Mark asked, turning to the vested troops escorting him with laser rifles and getting a nod from them. "I mean, sure.... Let's get out of here."
"Excellent," Grey grinned, casually walking into the hatch of the skycruiser. "Does your sky cab business have landing protection services? There will be a riot when I return; if possible, I'd like to rent a small army to greet them."