The Goods for Sale

Zhou You watched this scene, which could easily pass for a B-grade horror movie, without a single ripple of emotion on his face.

Part of it was that he had grown accustomed to such grotesque sights, and the other part was his newly acquired talent: "Basic Acting activated."

Thus, he maintained a calm expression, even managing to smile as he replied.

"Apologies, this is my first time here. Could you explain the way transactions work in your shop in more detail?"

"That's certainly no problem," the old woman replied cheerfully. If not for the scene before, she would truly seem like nothing more than a kind shopkeeper.

"I mainly deal in... rather rare items. The types are quite varied. For instance, a Woven Shawl made from the hair of several people who died unjustly; the curse attached to it can finish off your enemies without anyone ever knowing. Or perhaps a Human Skin Thangka made from the skin of a young girl; carrying this can bring you great wealth. The value of each item varies, and the required payment isn't always the same. As I said, you might pay with money, goods, your own internal organs, or even... your own life."

Zhou You laughed upon hearing this: "Boss, if I've already paid with my life, what use would those things be to me?"

However, the old woman made an incredibly comical expression, then extended a finger and shook it gently.

"That's not necessarily true. There are always things in this world more important than life. Take that head I brought out, for example. His wife was caught in a robbery and stabbed to death. Because the perpetrator was a minor, he only spent a few years in prison before being released. Due to privacy laws, the man didn't even know where to find the killer to seek revenge. So, in his despair, this client found me and stated he would give up everything just to make that killer die in the most miserable way possible—you see, when things reach that point, how could an old woman like me refuse?"

At this point, the boss paused, then continued.

"Many people in this world come to me for transactions when they are at their wit's end. The lovesick, the furious, the desperate, the hateful—in short, we provide all services here, as long as you can pay the price."

Hearing this, Zhou You suddenly remembered something and asked abruptly.

"Then, can you use money here to resurrect the dead?"

The other party, as if she had heard this question countless times, waved her hand, which resembled a chicken claw.

"Customer, the vast majority of people who come to me ask that. But unfortunately, if you want resurrection, you must beg for help from higher-level existences. We don't have that ability, so we cannot make that trade with you."

Zhou You wanted to ask what those so-called "higher-level existences" were, but the other party seemed to have anticipated his thoughts, casting a glance that appeared kind but was actually extremely cruel.

Don't ask, or I'll kill you right now.

"...Alright." Zhou You shrugged, forced to abandon the idea. "Then, do you have a product list? I'd like to see what I can buy."

This time, the boss didn't say anything else and simply tossed over a book.

Zhou You gently pinched the cover. Judging by the tactile sensation from his fingertips, it wasn't as coarse as cowhide, nor as thick as sheepskin.

"...This thing wouldn't happen to be human skin, would it?"

Zhou You raised his eyes to glance at the boss, and seeing no particular reaction from her, he carefully flipped open the pages.

However, in the next second, a system notification suddenly arrived.

Player has triggered a supernatural event: Gui Po's Shop.

Shop inventory loading...

System shop opening...

Player can now purchase items from this shop via the system, but please note that some items may require favorability or special materials to purchase.

Please note: The entity "Gui Po" cannot have her state reset by the player loading a save.

The next moment, a list unfolded before Zhou You's eyes.

"Woven Shawl"

"Quality: Green."

"Effect: The wearer's health regeneration speed is increased, and they will not be troubled by minor illnesses."

"Curse: The person wearing this item will be haunted by terrifying nightmares, and as the duration of wear increases, their body will gradually weaken until death."

<Occasionally, you can hear whispering coming from the shawl.>

"Soul Stone cost: 150"

"Human Skin Thangka."

"Quality: Blue."

"Effect: The holder's luck will be greatly increased."

"Curse: Every time the holder benefits from the increased luck, a part of their body will uncontrollably rot. This rotting effect cannot be removed by returning to the hub and can only be cured within a scenario through certain special methods."

"Soul Stone cost: 800"

<Once inscribed with a blood curse by a high-ranking monk of a secret sect, all who held it met a miserable death, without exception.>

"Blood-Stained Knife."

"Quality: Green."

"Effect: This item can deal minor damage to supernatural entities. The player can also use this knife to harm themselves to gain a movement speed boost (the duration and intensity of the boost are proportional to the severity of the injury)."

"Curse: Every half month, the blade must be coated in blood, or it will lose all supernatural properties."

<He used this to kill five people: one was his mother, one was his father, one was his beloved wife, one was his beloved son, and the last was himself.>

"Soul Stone cost: 200"

"Yungu Ointment."

"Consumable."

"Quality: White."

"Effect: Accelerates the healing of your wounds upon use, but is ineffective for severed limbs or critical injuries."

<The effect is great, but whatever you do, don't look too closely at the ingredients used to make this.>

Soul Stone cost per purchase: 30

Most of the remaining items were marked in red and could not be viewed, likely due to the lack of the "friendliness" rating the system mentioned, but when he reached the final page, Zhou You's gaze suddenly sharpened.

There were three items listed there.

"A prosthetic eye that can pass for the real thing."

"Consumable."

"Effect: Use this item while out of combat to temporarily block the Eyeball Ghost's perception of you."

Purchase requirement: One-third of your liver.

(This item cannot be used by evil entities. If an item with the same effect has already been purchased, this requirement is doubled.)

"Human skin peeled from someone's face."

"Consumable."

"Effect: Use this item while out of combat to temporarily block the Faceless Ghost's perception of you."

Purchase requirement: A section of your intestine.

(This item cannot be used by evil entities. If an item with the same effect has already been purchased, this requirement is doubled.)

"Incense sticks stamped with a curse seal."

"Consumable."

"Effect: Use this item while out of combat to temporarily block the Pious Ghost's perception of you."

Purchase requirement: One of your kidneys.

(This item cannot be used by evil entities. If an item with the same effect has already been purchased, this requirement is doubled.)

Tell me, are you sure you and that person in Building Four aren't from the same family?