Chapter 105: The Money-Adding Monk · Chen Kong [Monthly Ticket Supplementary]

Reality World, Station 13.

"Whoaaaa! When did Kong become so damn reliable? Total boyfriend energy overload!"

"Something’s seriously off—like, 100% off. Is this really the same Kong I knew—shy, insecure, always hiding in the shadows? How did he suddenly turn into this rock-solid guy?!"

"They say girls change after eighteen, but I think Kong’s had a full-on male transformation too!"

Amidst the explosive barrage of fan-made comments flooding the Dimensional Audience feed, Chen Kong led Vivian and Beltran into the back kitchen of Rust Nail Bar.

"Let me introduce myself properly, noble Silver Knight of the Upper City."

"Because if I’m not mistaken, unless it’s something extremely urgent…"

"...a White Eagle like you—someone who only ever shows up on clear days—would never just suddenly appear in this grimy, smog-choked, mud-filled Under City hellhole."

Though Chen Kong gave off no trace of Stellar Energy, the way he’d casually stood his ground earlier, facing down those gang members’ guns with effortless calm, had already stirred a deep unease in Vivian.

It meant he wasn’t just brave—he was confident. Unshakable.

And even if she didn’t yet know the source of his strength, she trusted her instincts.

So, when Chen Kong asked, she decided to offer partial honesty—sharing only what she could.

"The Church lost something extremely important. And based on our investigation, it’s now hidden somewhere in the Rust Iron District."

"And what does this guy have to do with it?" Beltran immediately spoke up, realizing the situation.

"I know, I know! I helped a group sneak from the Upper City into the Rust Iron District not long ago."

"But I swear—I had no idea they stole anything from the Church!"

"If I had known, I would’ve—"

"Stop. Stop right there." Chen Kong cut him off, then lowered his head, deep in thought, weighing something.

After a pause, he looked up at Vivian, frowning. "If what you’re saying is true, then this… is going to be a real problem."

"How so?"

Vivian tilted her head, curious.

"If the thing you’re looking for is in our 12th District—right here, where Rust Nail Bar is—then it’s manageable."

"But the real trouble begins if it’s not here."

"Other districts are dangerous?"

It was Vivian’s first time in the Lower City, so she didn’t know the terrain. She only knew this place was grim.

"Not exactly dangerous—just… complicated. Hard to explain."

"Never mind. Let him tell you."

"Because now he should know you’re his only lifeline."

"So I’m guessing no matter what you ask him, he’ll answer honestly. Saves me the trouble."

Vivian turned to Beltran.

And he was nodding frantically—eyes wide, hands up, desperate to prove his cooperation.

Within moments, Beltran laid it all out.

And Vivian finally understood why Chen Kong had sounded so worried.

The entire Rust Iron District was split into twelve zones.

The 12th District—where Rust Nail Bar stood—was the only zone universally recognized as safe.

No one dared start trouble there. Everything was simpler. Easier.

So if the item was here, Vivian could just offer Old Jack, the bar’s owner, a fair price, and he’d get it for her with a single word. No big deal.

But if it wasn’t?

Then things turned very ugly.

Right now, the Rust Iron District was in the middle of an all-out war.

The Gray Rat Gang, Blood Skull, and Steel Brothers—three of the most brutal gangs in the Rust Iron Hell—were locked in a brutal, no-holds-barred battle for control.

And if Vivian showed up now?

She wouldn’t just be searching for something.

She wouldn’t even survive until tomorrow.

Because the three gangs were already bloodthirsty. They’d do anything to eliminate rivals.

They’d kill her, plant evidence, frame another gang, and use the Upper City’s justice system to eliminate enemies—using the Church’s own hands to wipe them out.

No, she shouldn’t doubt it. These gangs would do exactly that.

Watching Vivian’s face grow grim, Chen Kong pulled a bottle of mineral water from the fridge and cracked a faint smile.

"Knight Lady," he said, "if I were you, I’d leave right now."

"Wait until the chaos settles, then come back with allies."

"No."

Vivian refused, firm and resolute.

That made Chen Kong raise an eyebrow.

"Why?"

She hesitated, then said, "The Church must find it within a month. If not… things will fall apart up top."

"Ah," Chen Kong said, not fully understanding the object’s nature—but knowing full well that it must be huge.

After all, a Silver Knight—second only to the Archbishop, the Saintess, and the Golden Knight Commander—was a Second-Rank Stellar Envoy.

And that rank? Chen Kong, as a Stellar Prodigy, knew exactly how rare and powerful that was.

After weighing the risks, he suddenly asked, "Can you tell me what you’re looking for?"

Vivian shook her head.

"I can’t tell anyone outside the Church. Not even the Steam Capital branch of the Stellar Envoy Association."

"Can’t say. Can’t leave."

The knight stared at him.

"Are you seriously under the impression that your fancy uniform gives you free reign in the Rust Iron District?"

"Because let me tell you—just knowing about the threats here? There are more than I can count on one hand."

"So if you don’t want to die here, get dissected by some sicko, and sold in pieces across the Steam Capital black markets—"

"Then I suggest you get the hell out now."

"After all, no one knows how dark this ‘hell’ truly is… better than me."

Before Vivian could respond, Beltran blurted out, panicked.

"Please, please—take me with you, noble Silver Knight! Just get me up top!"

"Then whatever you want to know—I’ll tell you everything. Every secret. Every black market hideout I know."

"I’ll even betray the rest of the gangs—help you clean out the rat nests in the Under City. Earn my redemption!"

"Huh. Fast thinker."

Chen Kong smirked at Beltran’s desperate scramble for survival.

But honestly—what else could you expect?

In the Rust Iron District, slow minds didn’t survive long. They were eaten, bones picked clean, and sold off as spare parts.

Under Beltran’s hopeful gaze, Vivian did something unexpected.

She turned to Chen Kong.

"Can you help me?"

"Huh?"

Chen Kong blinked, surprised. He hadn’t expected that.

After a moment of silence, he frowned.

"Trouble is, it’s not just complicated. It’s dangerous. You’re giving me vague hints, and I can’t shake the feeling this is a trap."

"So… you’re saying no?"

Chen Kong shook his head, then straightened, dead serious.

"No. My point is—you need to pay more."

Vivian: "..."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end