Heart-Locking Pill

"It's not entirely hopeless. Years ago, I obtained a Heart-Locking Pill by chance. It can rapidly restore Qi and Blood in the short term, saving his life. After that, he'll have to rely on himself. However, this medicine is highly toxic. It might cause instant death upon consumption. Is your friend willing to take the gamble?"

Fang Yue noticed that as Xin Jue spoke, his gaze secretly flickered towards the heart Niu Niu was holding.

What was so interesting about the heart?

Strange.

For some reason, Fang Yue felt that Xin Jue's attitude seemed to be eagerly anticipating Niu Niu taking the pill.

Could it be... there was something wrong with the medicine?

Fang Yue looked at Niu Niu, whose expression was grim. He seemed to vaguely sense some malice from Xin Jue.

Then, Fang Yue received a private message from Niu Niu.

"Brother Ye, after I take the medicine, grab my hand. I'm afraid I'll jump up and kill this brain-dead NPC as soon as I finish it!"

...Alright, so Niu Niu didn't see through the medicine; he just genuinely disliked Xin Jue.

However, with your current state, do you really need me to hold you back? If you fought freely, you still wouldn't be able to beat Xin Jue.

Ultimately, Niu Niu was only a reserve member of the Patrol Team. His strength couldn't possibly match Xin Jue, a leader of a small squad.

Fang Yue didn't mention his suspicion about the medicine to Niu Niu. After all, it was just his own one-sided feeling, with no evidence.

After simply messaging Niu Niu to ask for his opinion, Fang Yue said, "Brother Xin Jue, he's willing to take the pill."

"Really?"

Fang Yue nodded, but Xin Jue still wasn't reassured. "I need him to say he's willing to take the pill himself. Otherwise, I can't bear the responsibility of causing the death of a patrol team member."

So troublesome?

Fang Yue looked at Niu Niu, who gritted his teeth and painstakingly uttered two words.

"I'll take it!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, a "-1" notification popped up above his head.

Niu Niu was so scared he almost lost his soul. He only had 1 HP left!

Instantly, Niu Niu's gaze towards Xin Jue became even fiercer. He didn't look like he was looking at a savior; he looked like he was staring at his father's murderer.

Fang Yue quickly sent him another message: Endure!

Sigh!

The world is so beautiful, yet I am so irritable. This is not good, not good.

Niu Niu's expression gradually calmed down. He even put on a look of gratitude.

Teachable.

Fang Yue nodded.

That's right. Why get angry with an NPC? Getting benefits is the real deal.

"Good. Since you asked for it yourself, I'll give you this pill. However, if you survive, you'll owe me a favor in the future. You have no objections, right?"

As he said this, Xin Jue looked at Fang Yue, clearly having noticed that the person lying on the ground no longer had the strength to speak.

Fang Yue nodded. "I'll agree on his behalf."

It was just a verbal agreement. Whether Niu Niu would honor it or not was none of Fang Yue's business.

Having received his answer, Xin Jue took out a small brocade box from his pocket, opened it, and took out a crimson pill, preparing to put it into Niu Niu's mouth.

Fang Yue stared curiously at the crimson pill for a moment, and suddenly a line of information popped up.

Fang Yue froze for a moment before realizing that his Analysis Pupil had activated.

"Name: Heart-Devouring Pill."

"Grade: Mortal Grade Low-tier."

"Effect: Restores Qi and Blood, ???[Unknown]."

"Description: Refined from anomalous worm filth and medicinal herbs. After consumption, the anomalous worms contained within the pill are reawakened and will parasitize the body. Initially, they will supplement the flesh and restore Qi and Blood, then devour the host's heart. In the end, the host will become a Medicine Person. Depending on the specific medicine, the Medicine Person's constitution will vary. Due to its effects and appearance, it is often mistaken for a Heart-Locking Pill, leading to accidental consumption and untimely death."

"Remark: Heart-Devouring Pill, crunchy and delicious. One bite for you, one bite for me, we all die together."

Heart-Devouring Pill?!

Not a Heart-Locking Pill!

"Wait..."

Fang Yue's expression changed. He quickly reached out to snatch the Heart-Devouring Pill, but Niu Niu suddenly panicked. Fearing Fang Yue would snatch it away, he quickly and proactively stretched out his head and swallowed the Heart-Devouring Pill from Xin Jue's palm.

This...

Fang Yue was stunned.

"Is there such a thing?"

This guy was courting death to such an extent, he couldn't do anything about it.

Helpless, Fang Yue could only step forward and reach out to grab Niu Niu.

"Spit it out!"

But as soon as his hand touched Niu Niu, he immediately felt Niu Niu's struggling strength.

He has strength now?

Fang Yue was stunned. Upon closer inspection, he saw Niu Niu's complexion improving at a visible rate. Niu Niu's eyes were closed, and his expression was one of comfortable enjoyment, as if experiencing something good.

While Fang Yue was still confused, Niu Niu suddenly trembled and opened his eyes.

"I'm all better!"

Fang Yue: ???

I suspect you're up to something!

"Brother Ye, you wouldn't understand how good I feel right now! Have you ever experienced Health rapidly regenerating? That feeling... tsk tsk, I wish a few Anomalies would beat me up like crazy, and then I could just quietly watch my health bar fluctuate, enjoying the ultimate regeneration!"

"...Well, to be honest, I've been enjoying this state since I entered the Game."

But Fang Yue still asked curiously, "That Pill, is it that effective at healing?"

Effective?

Niu Niu acted as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

He broke free from Fang Yue's grasp, holding his severed hand and heart, straightened his back, and with a tactical backward lean, his chin raised high, his head tilted back more than thirty degrees, he declared with a booming voice.

"Brother Ye! It's not a matter of whether it's effective or not, it's a very special kind of..."

Niu Niu closed his eyes, savoring that feeling.

"It's like having hundreds of bugs massaging you inside your body, that deep comfort, wow, don't even get me started. Let's just say, I won't need to go for massages anymore! I'll just stay in the Game, pop pills, and that's it!"

"Is it that good?"

Fang Yue was shocked, then sent a private message: "However, I have some bad news for you. Your feeling just now wasn't an illusion. There really were hundreds of bugs inside you."

Niu Niu, who was still savoring the feeling, froze when he saw the message.

"...Brother Ye, what do you mean by that?"

"Literally. The pill you ate wasn't a Heart-Locking Pill, it was a Heart-Devouring Pill. It was supposed to devour your heart, but since your heart was already ripped out by an Anomaly, I don't know what effect it would have."

"It's not a Heart-Locking Pill?! That bastard lied to me!"

Niu Niu's eyes blazed with anger as he glared at Xin Jue, and he quickly sent a message to Fang Yue.

"Brother Ye, save me! My life is so hard! I have a [Curse] on me, and now I've been tricked. I'm having such a tough time!"

"Brother Ye, if you save my life, I'll give you half of the money I earn by selling my Lifespan tonight!"

Fang Yue initially didn't think much of it.

But upon hearing Niu Niu's words, he immediately perked up.

You want to talk money with me? Then I'm all for it!

Niu Niu earned at least a hundred thousand selling his Lifespan, so half of that would be fifty to sixty thousand!

That's a lot of money!

He was motivated now!

"Leave it to me!"

As soon as Fang Yue sent Niu Niu the message, he looked up and saw Xin Jue's teammates, who had quietly approached again with their weapons raised, subtly surrounding the two of them.

"Who dares come any closer!"