Scammer

After Jue said she could handle it, Lin Yu naturally didn't ask any more questions.

Since she thinks she can handle it, then let's leave it to her.

So Lin Yu sat there and accepted the makeup application for the fern.

The "makeup" that Fern chose for him was on his neck; she drew a through-and-through wound on the side of Lin Yu's neck.

While this might be fatal to humans, in the Black Marsh World, having an incision in the carotid artery doesn't necessarily mean certain death.

Afterwards, Lin Yu and Jue found a bed with a good view and a central location and sat down.

"Alright... lie down here for now."

"Before anyone comes, I'll go deal with that chattering stove," Fern said, heading straight for it. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Lin Yu had no doubt about this.

Watching the fern whisper as it approached the fireplace, Lin Yu began to mentally summon his Retainer.

"Hannah, can you hear what she's saying?"

Hannah's cheerful voice rang out.

"Quack! Of course, Director!"

At this moment, the Little Octopus was lurking in the shadows near the stove, acting as a listening device for Lin Yu.

Although Lin Yu "trusts" Jue, he trusts Jue's abilities.

Lin Yu completely distrusted Jue.

Hannah quickly relayed the rest of the conversation between the fern and the spirit to Lin Yu.

"... I hope you will remain silent about us staying here and faking our injuries."

"You, a mere Human Race participant, dare to order me around? I would never do anything so disrespectful. Rather, if you're cowards, why did you choose to participate at the very beginning?!"

"Don't pry too much into our affairs, you spirits... Don't act like you're taking this Festival so seriously. I know what kind of people you spirits are—let's make a deal, you idiot."

"You actually called me an idiot?! You're not only a coward, but also an rude jerk!"

"Do you want freedom? Do you want to get out of this furnace?"

"... What are you trying to say? Do you think a mere human like you can do that?"

"The person next to me, you should be able to tell that they're not simple, right... Don't tell me you're such an idiot who's lived so long and still can't see that."

"But how can I be sure...?"

"Cost, you little monster, you need to calculate the 'cost'—haven't you realized that even if you help us with this, it's just a matter of tarnishing your 'vague honor' for you, but the reward might be the 'freedom' you crave most."

"That seems to make some sense, but precisely because of that, what reason do you have to do it?"

"Because you guessed right, my purpose in participating in this Game wasn't for glory, nor do I care about glory... I just wanted to cause a ruckus. Letting you out isn't without its benefits for me."

"... Very well, then it's a deal. I'll turn a blind eye to your behavior, but that's all."

The conversation ended, and Hannah also finished relaying the message.

After the stove responded, the flames inside became much quieter and more peaceful.

Fern turned around and gave Lin Yu a thumbs up.

"All done!"

She said confidently and walked back quickly.

Lin Yu looked at the fern and calmly nodded in acknowledgment.

In his mind, Lin Yu was processing the content that Hannah had just broadcast word for word, and he was quite surprised.

"This guy has indeed seen through my facade, the one I was trying to make him see through, and he already thinks I'm some high-level NPC who knows about the Player's existence."

This was exactly what Lin Yu expected, since his behavior was really unlike that of a "Player".

Especially through the conversation just now, Lin Yu could tell that this fern was not entirely ignorant about the Black Marsh World.

The more she learned about the Black Marsh World, the more she felt that Lin Yu really seemed to be Native of this realm.

"Despite revealing so many flaws, she moved much faster than I expected; she really is quite clever..."

"And now that she thinks I'm not a 'Player,' she's become even bolder... that's an unexpected bonus."

During a pause in Lin Yu's thoughts, Jue came and sat down beside him.

"Phew, we've managed to get it on our side."

Fern spoke casually, and Lin Yu nodded.

Aren't you curious about how I did it?

Fern crossed her legs and looked at Lin Yu.

"Threats, temptations, or a combination of threats and temptations—no wonder," Lin Yu said softly. "With my abilities, I can't think of anything else for the time being."

Fern smiled. "You guessed right, oh dear, Moro, you're really clever."

As he spoke, Fern lay down.

"Alright, let's wait here for a bit."

Lin Yu, of course, had no objection to the proposal.

He pretended to be seriously injured and lay down on the mat to recuperate. Although Lin Yu's physical strength was still able to hold up with the buff, there was no harm in resting and recovering.

Shortly after Lin Yu lay down, Hannah also quietly crawled back.

"Croak! Director, I'm back!"

"I can't believe this 'hunter' actually convinced that spirit. I've heard Uncle Ka say that the spirits of the Black Marsh World are all very strange and difficult to communicate with... They're even quite troublesome to cook."

So it can be cooked...

Lin Yu was slightly shocked by the fact Hannah stated, then Hannah, "It was inevitable that she persuaded the spirit, because this guy chose the most 'efficient' method, the third one besides threats and bribes."

"Quack, so there's a third kind?"

Hannah was shocked.

"Of course, but the third type usually manifests as one of the first two," Lin Yu glanced slightly at the fern lying beside him, activating the [Mind-Reading Mirror]. "After all, whether it's a threat or an inducement, it's all about negotiating with what you can do."

At this moment, Fern was filled with a complex mix of emotions—thought, curiosity, doubt, worry, and relief—emotions that were barely visible on her face.

If Lin Yu hadn't possessed the [Mind-Reading Mirror], he wouldn't have been able to be 100% certain how much of the other person's relaxed demeanor was an act.

This was probably one of the best actors Lin Yu had ever seen, but the other person's acting skills were not "smoothly transitioning" and were slightly inferior to his own in terms of details.

"Negotiations based on what you cannot do, focusing only on what the other party wants and fears, and convincing them that you can do what they want and fear—this kind of negotiation, known as 'Deception,' is almost impossible to fail."

Lin Yu spoke calmly, while Hannah was quite shocked.

"Quack! So this woman is actually Liar?!"

Yes, she's a "Liar."

Lin Yu responded calmly.