Chapter 288: The Newcomer's One Day (Part 2)
Looking at the distant sign marked “5 Gold Coins” — a steep price — Lonely Like Snow frowned once more.
“Are you sure you can afford this?”
“We don’t even have half a Gold Coin between us,” Lucky Emperor said, still leaning casually with arms crossed, grinning. “You really think the Official wouldn’t see through us? They’ve already prepared the perfect system.”
“Hah, everything’s right on schedule.”
Lonely Like Snow turned his head. Just beside the shop stood the Kingdom Bank, its entrance adorned with a prominent sign listing a variety of packages. A Serpent Folk receptionist stood by, smiling warmly, her voice soft and inviting as she pitched to the two newcomers.
“Warriors, are you yearning for King Kai Xiusu’s Bestowal, yet lacking sufficient Gold Coins?”
“The Kingdom Bank will help you make your dream come true.”
“For aspiring Newcomers like yourselves, we proudly present the [Newcomer Dream Fund] — no conditions required. You may borrow five Gold Coins to purchase a Secret Treasure, with Twelve-Month Installment Repayment and a mere Five Percent Monthly Interest Rate!”
Lucky Emperor strode confidently into the bank, already preparing to speak — when Lonely Like Snow suddenly grabbed his arm.
He turned, puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
“You’re out of your mind! Opening boxes on a loan right from the start? You actually want to become a Black Slave?” Lonely Like Snow hissed under his breath.
Lucky Emperor chuckled. “You’re missing the point. In this game, the earlier you get good gear, the more you profit — the more resources you control. By the time we’re done, Gold Coins will be worth less than dirt. Then we’ll just pay it back later. Your strength is the best currency there is.”
“Besides,” he added, “if I can’t pay it back, I’ll just die and respawn. The Kingdom of Ashen doesn’t reach into other nations’ homes.”
Lonely Like Snow paused, thinking. To his surprise, he couldn’t find a single flaw in his logic.
Lucky Emperor waved his hand dramatically at the Serpent Folk receptionist. “I’ll take ten Dream Fund packages!”
Her expression instantly brightened — but she still gently reminded, “Sir, the limit is four per person.”
“Then four it is!”
“Of course, right away.”
A moment later, Lucky Emperor’s name was inscribed on a large Magic Scroll, and twenty Gleaming Gold Coins appeared in his hands.
As he walked out, the receptionist bowed with a radiant smile — though no one could guess what thoughts stirred behind her serene eyes.
“Welcome back next time!”
Lucky Emperor felt an immense sense of satisfaction. He turned to the nervous Lonely Like Snow waiting outside.
“You don’t want to try it?”
Lonely Like Snow hesitated, then bit his lip. “Fine… I’ll take one.”
Lucky Emperor clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on, young man! You’ve got to go all-in if you’re gonna play! If you get less loot because you didn’t take enough risk, then what’s the point of borrowing at all? That uncertainty is too dangerous!”
Lonely Like Snow shook his head. “At least I’ll be able to pay it back.”
“Alright, fine.”
Soon, the two stepped out of the bank, clutching their Gold Coins. Lucky Emperor swaggered with confidence, while Lonely Like Snow walked stiffly, his shoulders tense — like a thief caught in the act.
The shop’s entrance was already packed with a long line. They had no choice but to wait their turn.
Suddenly, a low, raspy voice cut through the air.
“You’re Newcomers, aren’t you?”
Both turned. A man in a long robe stood before them — young-looking, perhaps in his twenties, yet his face bore the deep lines of someone worn down by endless labor, like a programmer who’d burned out after years of coding. And most strangely, they couldn’t see his Kill Credit, nickname, or level.
“Are you an Internal Test Veteran?”
“Or a high-level Mage?”
The man gave a slight nod, then chuckled.
“Hah… you Newcomers already planning to open boxes relying on luck? You’ll regret it one day. Old man’s warning — that crate’s water runs deep. You won’t survive it.”
This was Charlotte, the legendary leader of the elite Mage guild [Magic Coin], a Level 5 Mage Player. He had returned to this nightmare realm not to open boxes all-in, but to witness life in all its chaos — to purge the Mind Demon that had plagued him for months. In short, he was here for entertainment, to watch others suffer — the ultimate Schadenfreude.
Lucky Emperor sneered. “So what if you’re an Internal Test Player? My best friend’s one too.”
“You’re just trying to scare Newcomers into missing good gear.”
“Let’s go. Someone’s about to cut in line.”
Lonely Like Snow whispered, but his voice carried a strange weight — as if he were already reflecting.
Charlotte watched them walk away, a faint smirk curling at the corner of his lips.
“Hehehe… pitiful Newcomers. You have no idea — the despair has only just begun. Now you’ll face the same hell as I do, staring down an African Player.”
Inside the line, Lonely Like Snow glanced around.
“That guy… was he a madman?”
“Don’t know. Maybe he’s just cursed — black luck, you know? Rumor says even the old Mage Guild leaders fainted when they got nothing. But it’s none of our business.”
Lucky Emperor stood on tiptoe, peering inside.
“The line’s showing real life,” he muttered.
Indeed, the scene was a microcosm of human emotion:
Joy for those who Dropped Loot, despair for those who didn’t. But the majority? They opened boxes and got nothing but Trash.
Lonely Like Snow muttered, “Damn… is that drop rate even reliable? Feels too low.”
Lucky Emperor forced calm. “Relax. The ones who didn’t get anything were probably veterans. Our Newcomer Protection Period hasn’t even ended yet.”
But his trembling fingers clutching the Gold Coins, and the beads of sweat on his brow — betrayed his tense state.
“…Maybe it’s not quite like they said…”
“No, stay calm. I will get loot. I’ve borrowed four crates! I have to!”
With gritted teeth, Lucky Emperor finally convinced himself. He locked his gaze forward — unwavering, resolute.
This was the confidence of Lucky Emperor.
After a few ahead of him — some elated, others dejected — it was finally his turn.
He took a deep breath.
Then, in a low, powerful voice:
“Long ago, a Player known as Flying Witch once achieved the miracle of a Single Pull Double Yellow Egg.”
He raised one finger to the sky, stance bold and commanding.
“And today… I will shatter that record. I will make history. I will show you all the Miracle of Great Four Lucky.”
The crowd turned to him.
“Damn, that nickname’s impressive!”
“Wait… is this guy actually Lucky Emperor?”
“If he pulls off Great Four Lucky, I’m recording it — gonna post it on the Forum and flex hard!”
“I don’t even know what he’s talking about… but he’s got confidence.”
“How does a Newcomer even have that kind of money? Did he take a loan?”
Some even saw opportunity.
“Betting is open! Betting is open! Place your bets now — who thinks he’ll get loot?”
(End of Chapter)
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