Chapter 171: Putting on a Show

With the Gloom City Ruins about to open, Naldun—this otherwise unremarkable town—suddenly flooded with players.

It included elite squads and main forces from tons of guilds.

Not all were there for the ruins, though.

Some had their eyes on the hot foot traffic and relocated their stalls from other cities.

That turned the streets prime for vending into an even rowdier, more bustling scene.

Players weaved through, hunting for gear on the various stalls to prep for the ruins’ launch.

The hawking cries, the haggling, and all sorts of other clamor made Mu Ying feel like he was strolling a lively real-world commercial street.

Sure, it was noisy.

But for some reason, it reminded him of that unique holiday outing vibe.

Probably ’cause I got dragged shopping all the time back then.

Mu Ying thought, his tone laced with a hint of helplessness.

“It’s been an hour or two already. Haven’t you finished? Your gear’s way better than anything on these stalls anyway. No real need.”

As Aurora Guild’s vice president, he’d rather be out leveling or bossing with the guild leader.

Not wasting time on pointless window-shopping.

But the pretty girl beside him wasn’t having it.

“What? You can’t even stand to accompany your girlfriend shopping once in a while?”

“I just think efficiency’s better…” Mu Ying coughed.

Before he could finish, though, Qing Yu’s eyes lit up at something.

She hurried over.

Mu Ying sighed and quickened his pace to follow.

He’d figured she’d spotted some gear she liked.

But up close, it was just a young girl’s reaction to something cute.

Pink long hair, delicate features, cute accessories—a cat-eared loli straight out of a fairy tale stood there.

No one could resist being drawn in.

“So cute! Can big sis touch your ears?”

From that tone, Mu Ying knew his headstrong girlfriend had fallen hard.

Even he couldn’t help sneaking a few extra glances.

But spotting the empty stall beside her, he couldn’t help but ask.

“Little miss, you not planning to sell anything?”

Plenty of passing players got pulled in too.

They stopped, shooting curious looks.

Guess lolicon is still the majority in this world after all.

Seeing my stall draw eyes from the crowd right after setting up, I couldn’t help a little internal gripe.

But that was just a flash.

I had business to handle.

“Um, big sis, I’m here to acquire glowstone lanterns.”

I shrank back, dodging the hand reaching for my head.

I shook it off and switched to a pitiful, weak tone.

Paired with my heartbreaking look, the damage was maxed.

Sure enough, the crowd around me melted into aww-struck faces.

I even scored a bunch of favorable promises.

“This cute little miss wants glowstone lanterns?”

“You’re so adorable, kiddo. I can sell mine to you below market price.”

“Don’t listen to him. He’s a shady merchant. Trade with me—I’ll throw in extras.”

Looks like other guilds had sent reps to hoover up spare glowstone lanterns from unaffiliated players.

Using a cute loli to draw crowds? Clever move.

Mu Ying got it.

But he had no plans to sell.

The Gloom City Ruins were opening soon.

These were strategic assets for every guild.

No way they’d trade just ’cause the little miss was cute.

He was about to tug Qing Yu—who was itching to join in—away when a voice made him pause.

“Thanks for the kindness, big brothers and sisters. But big sis over there probably doesn’t need this many.

So… could I maybe rent them instead?”

It was like answering his doubt—or the crowd’s.

The little loli’s soft voice piped up again.

“Like, use a contract to rent big brothers’ and sisters’ glowstone lanterns. Just for about a day.

Of course, I’d pay rent.”

Mu Ying got the gist.

Rental contracts weren’t rare in Epoch.

Mostly for gear or gold, though.

First time hearing about renting materials.

The others seemed to share his thoughts.

The mood cooled a bit, unsure how to handle it.

I got anxious.

If I couldn’t hook their interest, my whole plan was toast.

Luckily, someone spoke up quick.

Though with ulterior motives.

“I’ve got some glowstone lanterns to spare. No need for rent—just let big sis hug you, and they’re yours?”

Qing Yu’s eyes sparkled over.

Damn lolicons.

I grumbled inwardly.

But to keep the act going, I had to sell out my body a bit.

“Th-then… just one hug…”

Good thing she kept it proper.

After satisfying her inner glee, she let go.

I let out a tiny sigh of relief.

Unaware that my earlier reluctant pose and shy cheeks had set off stars in the eyes of nearby female players.

“No rent for big sis. How about a head pat?”

“I just wanna touch the tail.”

Lolicons really are always one step from the crime line. Spot on.

Still, big thanks to these big-sis types with their overflowing maternal vibes for drawing even more eyes.

Qing Yu was about to follow through.

But as she pulled glowstone lanterns from her bag, the guy beside her grabbed her arm.

“What? These are mine, not guild stock.”

She pouted, figuring he’d nag again.

Instead, he handled the rental contract for her.

Sure, only a few were willing to rent.

But that wasn’t my real goal anyway.

I figured I’d hang a bit longer to catch some real interest before bouncing.

Then a flood of glowstone lantern rental requests popped up.

I blinked in surprise but caught on quick.

Finally, a guild took the bait.

I smirked inwardly.

But to avoid seeming too obvious, I had to play it full out.

I put on a shocked face.

“E-eh? Big brother, why so many glowstone lanterns?”

“I’m the guild’s vice president. I can pull some stock.

It’s just a day— no big deal lending them out.

Rare to see a material rental like this.”

Mu Ying smiled.

Seemed casual.

But he’d slipped in key info: he repped a guild, and he’d noticed me.

If my hunch was right, this cute little miss would be extra sensitive to that.

Sure enough, right after he spoke, Mu Ying saw tension flash across her adorable little face.

She didn’t accept the rental contract.

Instead, she whispered—with a slight tremble—

“I… I don’t have that much deposit…”