Good Review Convenience Store (2)

Urgent knocking echoed through the cramped space. The already precarious glass door might as well not have been there.

Before anyone else could react, the door burst open under the impact from outside.

Three slender black figures as tall as the doorframe entered. Their faces were shaped like gourds, their curved mouths taking up more than half their faces. Sesame-sized eyes sat jarringly on their deathly pale skin, the strange proportions unsettling beyond description.

Du Xiaomei stumbled backward in fright, both hands clamped tightly over her mouth, her eyes reddening with terror.

Suddenly-

An exceedingly thin voice shattered the deathly silence.

"Who's in charge here?"

For a moment, no one dared speak.

Strangely enough, at such an eerie, perilous moment, Shen Ru found himself thoroughly intrigued, unable to muster any fear.

He even had the leisure to observe everyone's reactions, until his gaze swept over that irritating man.

Mo Yu's unreadable gaze had remained fixed on the young man, the darkness in his eyes deepening. He leisurely tapped the scratch at the corner of his eye and revealed an inscrutable smile.

"This gentleman is our manager."

Having said that, Mo Yu waited as though watching a show, eager to see what unexpected surprises this glass doll might offer him.

Shen Ru showed no trace of alarm. He even ignored the man's unblinking stare.

The dim light fell across his evocative face. The young man naturally curved his lips into a beautiful smile, nodded gently, and greeted the three monsters.

"Hello. I'm Shen Ru, the manager of this Good Review Convenience Store."

The man quietly watched the young man's effortless response, an interest he had not felt in a long time showing in his eyes.

The shrill voice followed immediately. "Before we make repairs, we need to discuss the price."

"Ding! Player Shen Ru has triggered a side quest."

"You are the manager of the Good Review Convenience Store. The store has suffered damage before even opening for business. You must keep repair costs as low as possible to maximize profits."

After hearing the quest details, Shen Ru discreetly observed the others' reactions.

Clearly, only he could hear the quest details.

Apparently, a side quest would only trigger once a character's role in the instance had been established.

Thanks to that nuisance, he had become the first to acquire a legitimate role in this game.

Although the young man's expression remained unruffled, inwardly he was utterly sick of that smiling tiger.

He'd better not give me an opening, or I'll make him pay dearly.

In the livestream chat:

[Guys... this instance has something as down-to-earth as negotiating prices?]

[I'm confused too!! I remember these three days of repairs being the beginner adjustment period-the easiest days to survive! Why does this feel different?]

[Are we sure we can leave the negotiating to this pretty boy???]

[I'm a sucker for looks... if he survives this, I'm following him!]

The quest details had been delivered swiftly. To the others, Shen Ru merely seemed to consider things for a few seconds before nodding slightly. His smile broadened, fully conveying his friendly attitude; he could even be called a perfect gentleman.

"Of course! What would you like as payment?"

The black figure abruptly raised a hand and pointed at the three holes punched into the wall. Then its body twisted, its entire frame growing even more elongated. The creature suddenly thrust its neck forward and sniffed everyone present with its nonexistent nose.

"Three holes. Just pay me three heads."

The creature arrogantly drew its head back, as though three heads were already the greatest discount it could offer.

Seeing Shen Ru's conflicted expression, Qi Liang felt his heart sink.

No one would be stupid enough to haggle with a monster. Agreeing was the most direct way to stay alive.

Besides, the young man's thoughtful expression made it obvious that he was already weighing the pros and cons.

And Qi Liang was guaranteed to be among the three sacrificed. After all, he had just been eyeing the big shot's ass...

Although Shen Ru had never haggled before, he had at least seen how it was done.

So he put on a troubled expression and said, "Three is too expensive. How about one and a half? Agree, and I'll hire you. Otherwise, I'll find someone else!"

Shen Ru regretted it the moment he spoke. Everyone said to start by cutting the price in half, so he had blurted it out without thinking...

"Deal."

As though afraid he might change his mind, the creature hurriedly agreed the instant he finished speaking.

...Still offered too much, Shen Ru thought. Should've said one.

Qi Liang stared openmouthed at the rather confident young man.

Wait...

You actually dared to haggle!

How are you planning to pay one and a half heads???

The viewers in the livestream chat erupted after hearing that exchange:

[One and a half??? Bro, are you trying to show off your bargaining skills???]

[No exaggeration, my mom would beat me to death if I haggled like that.]

[I'm staying in this stream today. I have to see how this streamer plans to pay one and a half heads!]

[Me too!!!]

With the price settled just like that, the room sank into an even deeper silence.

No one knew whose heads would supply that payment of one and a half, especially that extra half...

Now that the price was agreed upon, the young man's smile grew even brighter. He chatted with the three monsters as casually as if making small talk.

"How long does this usually take?"

The monster barely spared Shen Ru another glance, merely saying flatly, "Not long."

As though he had not noticed the slight at all, the young man continued chatting.

"To be honest, I'd only just taken over this shop when some bastard wrecked it like this. Thank goodness you gentlemen arrived in time to help! How about this: I'll round your payment up to two heads later. Would you mind going to the trouble of leaving our store a good review?"

They'll definitely agree.

Shen Ru did not know what these monsters wanted the players' heads for, but judging by their eagerness during the negotiation, this offer was a tremendous boon to them.

Sure enough, the creature in the lead paused, then quickly answered in its shrill, eerie voice.

"Agreed. Please use our services again in the future."

Shadows completely obscured the young man's beautiful face. His red eyes gleamed eerily, and the upward curve of his lips betrayed his pleasure.

"Of course!"

Mo Yu leaned lightly against the counter, idly smoothing out the creases he had just pressed into his clothes as he seemingly glanced casually at the young man.

His posture was languid, his frame tall and straight. His slightly lowered lashes concealed the savage, murderous impulses in his eyes.

He was ready at any moment. If the young man did anything out of line, he would personally snap the beautiful neck of that lush, blooming rose.

Before long, the wall had been restored to its original condition, and the three monsters had left good reviews for the store as agreed.

Seeing the store's good reviews suddenly increase by thirty, Shen Ru was delighted from the bottom of his heart.

So one monster counts as ten good reviews?

His excitement was almost visible. The beautiful young man's smile deepened, and even the sight of those three strange creatures became pleasing to him.

"Now it's my turn to pay you."

In an instant, everyone's expressions gave way to panic.

Du Xiaomei, in particular, shook her head frantically like a rattle drum. Her teeth chattered, and her facial muscles spasmed with extreme terror. She could only keep backing away, unable to utter a word.

Just as she squeezed her eyes shut and cowered uncontrollably in a corner, several piercing screams suddenly stabbed into her ears.

Through eyes already blurred with tears, she dimly saw the beautiful young man holding three bloody objects...

Several vivid, fiery splashes of color stained his bewitching face, and the upturned corners of his eyes radiated aggression.

He sounded like someone indulging in a long-awaited thrill, so excited that even his words came out a little hurried.

"I thought it over. I'll pay your original price after all. Half a head really would be difficult for me."

Then a mechanical chime sounded by his ear, and a cold, emotionless voice filled his mind.

"Ding-dong!"

"Side quest completed. Player has successfully concluded the transaction."

"Keep up the good work to ensure the Good Review Convenience Store opens smoothly!"

After hearing the system notification, Shen Ru casually tossed the filthy things in his hands out the door. With a look of disgust, he told the others to deal with the bodies inside, then went into the restroom.

As though she had narrowly escaped death, Du Xiaomei sobbed, her face covered in tears.

"He... he planned this from the start?"

Qi Liang had not dared move for a long while. His gaze briefly flicked toward Mo Yu. Seeing him nod, he hurriedly urged the others forward to clean up the bodies.

In the livestream chat:

[????]

[Make the sheep pay with its own wool!!! Lesson learned!!!!]

[Holy shit, a slender young guy took on three monsters head-on! Why am I getting so pumped?!]

[I'm instantly hooked. Thought he was a weakling, turns out he's an angel with off-the-charts combat power!]

[For a moment, I couldn't tell who the real monster was...]