Chapter 36: Stelle - So it's about ganging up, huh?

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Su Jinyan chose an inconspicuous, hooded "fortunate" spectator seated in a corner of the inn.

Approaching this lucky individual, he activated Mind Control.

["Oh, I can't bear to watch anymore! You demon, actually bewitching an innocent bystander."]

Innocent? What normal person would be found in this kind of inn?

["This is my other friend, Auntie Cold Legs. She also wants to have a fight with you," Su Jinyan declared.]

["If you win, I get a Curio from you. If you lose, her fate is yours to decide," you announced loudly.]

["Fine, let's start by killing your friend 'Auntie Cold Legs' first," the Yaviran man sneered menacingly.]

[Under your enchantment, the unfortunate spectator stumbled unsteadily onto the stage.]

[Only when intense cheers erupted below did she regain her senses.]

["How did I end up on this arena stage?" She looked bewilderedly at the spectators below, then turned to gaze at you.]

["Big fraudster who deceived me of my Cosmic Fragment!" she silently tightened her grip on the baseball bat.]

Su Jinyan couldn't help but chuckle; it seemed her resentment towards me ran deep.

[Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy the three-way brawl between "Franz's Security Group," "Yavira Strongman," and "Hot Leg Uncle."]

[Announced Bracci, the bartender, with her sweet voice.]

["I'm not some 'Hot Leg Uncle' or 'Auntie Cold Legs.' Call me - 'Galaxy Bat Crusader!'"]

The woman lifted her hood, revealing gray hair and placid golden eyes, pointing her bat directly at you.

["After dealing with them, I'll come for you," Galaxy Bat Crusader said mildly.]

Wait, Galaxy Bat Crusader?

Is my stick just a simple firewood club now?

It's you, Akivili!

Su Jinyan's spirits lifted, surprised that the Pioneer Aeon Akivili was actually female.

No wait, Aeon gods don't have genders...

If they so choose, they can embody any gender, or even be a Walmart shopping bag.

["Turns out it's a feisty little chick, how thrilling."] ["She looks quite nice, that restrained expression is tantalizing."] ["Oh ho, hurry up and fight, girl. Once done, give us men some pleasure."]

As you took on multiple roles, uttering classic villain lines, you aimed to stir the atmosphere beneath the arena, hoping to provoke embarrassment and anger in the young woman Akivili onstage.

[However, no one below responded to your words; instead, they looked at you as if viewing an idiot.]

[Upon closer inspection, you identify their species: security robots from the Interastral Peace Corporation, Tian Ge Star's snake-people, Voidrangers of the Antimatter Legion, Stompers from the Uncharted Galaxy, slime creatures... ]

Overwhelming! Who the f*ck would be interested in a human girl amidst this crowd?

[They glance at you briefly before turning their attention back to the arena.]

[Uncle Han Tui chuckles uncontrollably and pats your shoulder, asking, "Who do you think will win?"]

[You shrug, "What's your take?" ]

["Mr. Franks' security group has always been formidable, while the brawny man Yavira is slightly weaker," Uncle Han Tui replies. "But even so, it's far beyond what an ordinary human could handle."]

["Excellent, I'm betting on that girl up there. You're doomed; get ready to pay up." ]

[Without giving Uncle Han Tui a chance to react, you swiftly finalize the bet.]

["Hmm? That confident she'll win?" Uncle Han Tui queries, puzzled.]

If a Pioneer Aeon can't defeat two insignificant opponents, they might as well commit suicide.

Wait, no—Pioneer Aeon Akivili's fate seems to have already ended prematurely due to unforeseen circumstances; all that remains here is just a fragment of data.

["Absolutely, I have complete confidence in her," you assert with unwavering conviction.]

[In the arena, the gray-haired girl gazes evenly at the opposing forces and questions them aloud:]

["You're ganging up on her, is that fair?"]

["Referee, I demand a reduction in the opponent's team size."]

[Wine Server Bracci fell silent for a moment before managing a strained smile, "My dear, I'm afraid that won't be possible."]

[The gray-haired girl questioned, puzzled, "Why not? This is unfair; it suggests foul play behind the scenes."]

["Speak up, why aren't you saying anything?"]

[Bracci's silence was deafening.]

["For f*ck's sake, have some decency! We only have two people here."]

["And how about explaining those three who suddenly appeared behind you?" countered the brawny man Aweila, pointing at the trio behind the gray-haired girl.]

Upon entering the arena, the gray-haired girl had initially been alone. However, when Wine Server Bracci announced the start of the match, she unexpectedly summoned three teammates.

One was a lively and charming pink-haired girl wielding a bow and arrows.

Another was a composed, blue-robed man holding a long spear.

Lastly, there was a steady middle-aged man wearing glasses, a scarf, and carrying a walking stick.

Su Jinyan couldn't hold back his reaction either, feeling his lips twitch uncontrollably as he read the description.

Where the hell did they come from? Isn't the referee supposed to intervene?

[Yet, filled with righteous indignation, you cannot simply stand by as the girl clearly violates the competition rules.]

I truly am a person of strong moral principles; even if it means losing money, I cannot stand idly by.

Hmm, seems like I overthought it.

["Let me take control for a moment."]

["Taking advantage while everyone's attention is diverted, you use Mind Control on Wine Server Bracci."]

Oh sh*t, I underestimated this!

["With a serious expression, Bracci approaches the arena and declares, 'The match is over!'"]

Huh? The match is already over?

[Yavira, the brawny man, exclaims in shock, "Hey, did the match end before it even began?"]

["I get it, the referee must be about to declare the opponent cheated, right?"]

[Wine Server Bracci grasps Galaxy Bat Hero's delicate, ivory-like hand and raises it high.]

[The brawny man Yavira swallows nervously.]

[Wine Server Bracci announces loudly, "I hereby declare the winner of this match: Galaxy Bat Hero!"]

[Yavira, the brawny man, looks bewildered.]

[The gray-haired girl displays a self-assured smile, proclaiming, "I am the champion!"]

Wait, she accepts victory so nonchalantly?

Su Jinyan was utterly shocked.

[It's truly astonishing—despite facing seemingly overwhelming odds, Galaxy Bat Hero emerged victorious against all expectations!]

[Yavira, the brawny man, stammers incredulously, "Fix, there must be some fix involved."]

["Why did she win without even starting the match?!"]

["Hey, security over there, let's protest together."]

[Mr. Franks' security group expressed no objections.]

[Brawny man Aweila: "??"]

[Uncle Han Tui: "??"]

[You nod with satisfaction: "Outsmarting the odds, I indeed didn't misjudge her."]

[Enthusiastic cheers erupted in the inn: "Bat Hero, Bat Hero, Bat Hero—"]

Damn, are all Masked Fools so impulsive and spontaneous?

Su Jinyan suddenly realized that for the Masked Fools, it doesn't matter who wins or loses.

Seeking pleasure is what truly counts.

No wonder they showed no reaction; it seems they were all eager to find amusement at brawny man Aweila's expense.

[Just then, Uncle Han Tui stealthily attempts to make his escape.]

[Quickly, you grab Uncle Han Tui by the collar: "Hmph, trying to flee?" ]

["You lost. As agreed, owe me one million Cosmic Fragments, hand them over promptly."]

[Uncle Han Tui flashes an awkward yet courteous smile: "Actually, I don't have any Cosmic Fragments."]

Are you f*cking kidding me? Trying to welch on your debt?

Su Jinyan seethes with anger, unable to tolerate this, absolutely not bearing it.

[Just as you prepare to pummel Uncle Han Tui, a sudden gust of wind assaults from behind.]

[Fool, what will you do?]

[Option 1: Dodge (10% chance of failure; upon failure, lose 50% Cosmic Fragments).]

[Option 2: Defend (each defense costs 5% Cosmic Fragments).]

[Option 3: Beg for Mercy on Your Knees (surrender all Cosmic Fragments).]

[Option 4: Counterattack (upon failure, lose all Cosmic Fragments and Curios).]

[Drawing upon years of experience evading danger, you hastily choose to dodge.]

[Bang!]

The baseball bat swings forcefully, striking Uncle Han Tui behind you instead.

[Home Run—!]

[Oooooohhhhhh—]

The crowd erupts with excitement!

Uncle Han Tui flies out like a kite cut loose, landing perfectly onto a small cart.]

As he rides downhill on the cart, its wheels screech against the floor, sparks flying wildly.

[Boom, Crash, Clatter.]

After a loud impact!

The unfortunate Uncle Han Tui collides with a storage basket at the wall corner.

Vases and mantel clocks topple down, leaving him dazed and disoriented.

"Are you alright?" You approach, smiling, and inquire.

["Cuckoo!" The clock's cuckoo bird sprung out from his mouth.]

[The Masked Fool at the inn laughed uncontrollably.]

[Uncle Han Tui remained speechless.]

[Behind him, the Galaxy Bat Hero launched another attack. Facing the aggressive Galaxy Bat Hero, you decide to use Mind Control once more.]

["Dear friend, your enemy should not be me but rather that Uncle Han Tui, don't you agree?"]

["You're right..." The gray-haired girl, looking dazed, picked up her bat and menacingly approached Uncle Han Tui.]

See, this is the consequence of neglecting mental resistance.

Su Jinyan swirled his drink, then walked towards the defeated brawny man Aweila on the arena stage.

[You approach the Yavira brawler and whisper softly.]

["Aha once said: 'Debts must be repaid, it's only natural.' My friend, now it's time for you to settle your debt."]

[The Yavira brawler murmurs, "Aha never said such a thing."]

[With a menacing gaze, you retort, "Dare you question Aha's devoted follower—Master Brother DD?"]

["Then I'll have no choice but to let 'Little Junior Sister Dididai' deal with you."]

["Spare me! I lied earlier; I don't have any Curios, only these two books..."]

[Having witnessed your methods, the brawny man Aweila starts pleading for mercy.]

[He admits to not possessing any Curios but reveals that he has two rare-grade books on him. As compensation, you can choose one of them.]

[Option 1: Select the rare-grade medical book "Ancestral Remedies Cure All Ills".]

[Option 2: Choose the rare-grade literary novel "Mad Rants" written by a renowned success guru.]

[Fool, how will you decide—hmm??]

[You swiftly snatch both books from him, clenching your fists firmly and declaring, "I want them all!"]

[The shameless Fool disregards convention, seizing both books instantly.]

[You obtained the rare-grade medical book "Ancestral Remedies Cure All Ills" and the rare-grade literary novel "Mad Rants".]

[Before anyone else reacts, especially before the Trailblazer does, you hastily flee the inn.]

[Fool, ahead lies a fork in the road. Which path will you take?]

[Option 1: Proceed to Fang Huo City District (Encounter)]

[Option 2: Head towards Fang Huo Suburbs (Combat)]