Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

Liu Zheng asked.

“Our family has many businesses, including fur, alcohol, minerals, meat, and so on. We do everything.”

Mike looked smug.

"Does your family engage in the slave trade?"

"I think we do that. Why are you asking?"

Mike thought for a moment and then said.

“Oh, I’m afraid that after I’m redeemed, I’ll be sold back into slavery by your family. Do you think that’s possible, Master Mike?”

He said with a half-smile.

"no!"

Mike replied immediately.

“Don’t say it to me, say it to that lady in gold.”

"without"

Mike opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't say anything.

"Not bad, it seems you are quite devout in your faith in the Golden Lady."

Liu Zheng praised.

"Humph."

Mike turned his face away and refused to look at him anymore.

"Ignoring me? Then I'll start yelling!"

He opened his mouth as if to shout.

“Go ahead and shout. I’ll make a condition: let those pirates kill you in front of me, and I’ll increase the ransom by 10%.”

Mike said viciously.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were so cruel at such a young age."

Liu Zheng asked in surprise.

"Hmph, my father often told me that you can't stand firm in the business world if you're not ruthless."

"Your father did a good job educating his son, but did he ever tell you that the Ross people never fall for threats? Even if the pirates really want to kill me, I'll watch them cut off your ears before I die."

He grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, which looked even more sinister and terrifying in the dim light.

"Are you out of your mind? I've already told you my name, why do you still have to bully a kid like me?"

If he hadn't been tied up with ropes, Mike would have jumped up in anger.

"I'm tied up and can't move, so I'm just sitting around doing nothing anyway. Alright, alright, stop being angry, let's talk about something serious."

Liu Zheng reassured her.

"What do you want to say again?"

Mike was getting so fed up with him that he lost all his temper.

"We're all prisoners on the same ship, so we should help each other. Here's the deal: I'll help you persuade the pirates not to harm you and will release you after we get the ransom. In return, you help us persuade your family to pay the ransom so we can get out too, how about that?"

he suggested.

Why should I help you?

Mike grimaced.

"Seriously, young master? You really believe these pirates will let you go after they take the money? Please, even you merchants sometimes take money and don't deliver the goods. What makes you think pirates will keep their promise? Are you planning to sign a business contract with them or something?"

Liu Zheng mocked.

"Then what makes you so confident that you can persuade them for me?"

"I can't guarantee it, but at least you'll have four more helpers. Five people have a better chance of escaping than one. You're the young master of a wealthy merchant family; you should be able to do the math, right?"

He said calmly.

Mike didn't speak, but fell into thought.

Liu Zheng didn't urge him, and closed his eyes to rest.

“You must swear an oath to the gods.”

After a moment, Mike finally spoke.

“Yes. I swear to the Goddess of the North Wind, I will help you be safely redeemed.”

He said immediately.

"I swear to the Lord of the Yellow Sands."

"I swear to the God of Knights."

"I swear to the god of medicine."

The other three players also took the oath.

“Alright, then I swear to the Golden Goddess that as long as you keep your promise, I will also persuade my family to redeem you.”

Mike said.

"And they won't retaliate against us afterwards."

Liu Zheng reminded him.

"And I won't retaliate against you afterwards, especially you, okay?"

Mike said irritably.

"Okay."

He said with satisfaction.

"Wait, didn't you just tell that pirate you weren't familiar with him?"

Mike discovered the blind spot.

"We're not that close, but since we're in similar situations, it won't stop us from helping each other. I can even cooperate with you, let alone us, who are both adventurers."

Liu Zheng said matter-of-factly.

"Hmm, that makes sense."

Mike accepted his explanation.

Just as Liu Zheng was about to say something more, the pirate came down again.

"Captain, it's so nice to see you again. Even the air in the cabin doesn't smell so bad anymore."

He said in a fawning tone.

"Alright, stop flattering me. I didn't come here to see you."

The pirate waved his hand and said, otherwise his tone was relatively mild.

"It's alright, you go ahead with your work, I'll be waiting for your good news anytime."

Liu Zheng said.

"Don't worry, Boss Flamingo is busy right now. I'll talk to him when I find a chance."

The pirate reassured him.

"Alright. Speaking of which, I just remembered something about that story. Would you like to hear it first?"

He tempted her.

"Let's save this for later and listen to it later. I'll take this kid up first."

The pirate said reluctantly.

"Don't cut off my ear!"

Mike screamed.

"Who said I was going to cut off your ear? Is this kid crazy?"

The pirates were acting inexplicably.

"Don't be angry, Captain. The child is young and probably just frightened. Why did you take him up there?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Let him write home asking for the ransom. Oh, and you guys..."

The pirate glanced at the four of them and curled his lip.

"Forget it, they're obviously a bunch of poor bastards. You guys should just stay put. Let's go, kid."

Hearing that he wouldn't have his ear cut off, Mike obediently followed the pirates away.

So which path should we take?

Player #3 asked, somewhat speechless.

He was truly impressed; it had only been a short time since the beginning, and this guy had already managed to create two branches.

This guy must be a complete achievement maniac in real life.

"I think the pirate route is better."

"That's what Player #4 said."

After all, the name of this mod is "The Mysterious Sea Ship," and the story should all take place at sea, so joining the pirate side would definitely be more advantageous.

"I think it's better to go for the redemption route."

Player 1 has a different opinion.

There should be relatively few combat scenes in the redemption route, and the possibility of triggering the hidden ending is also relatively high.

"Furthermore, don't forget that this is a series of modules, and our next module will most likely take us to land. Building good relationships with the big merchants of the Free Federation in advance will be more beneficial for our next module."

Player #1 added.

???

A string of question marks appeared above Liu Zheng's head.

No, the female diver didn't tell him it was a series module.

Never mind, let's play first.

If the Red Witch still won't let him leave after he finishes this run, then just have the deliveryman come and pick him up.

"I also suggest going for the pirate route, since it's obviously more compatible with the mod."

"That's what Player #3 said."

Then, all three of them turned their gazes to Liu Zheng.

If he supports players 3 and 4, then there's nothing more to say; we'll go straight for the pirate route.

If he supports Player 1 or the escape route, then we can continue the discussion.

"Do you think what Mike just said is true?"

Liu Zheng did not answer immediately, but changed the subject.

"You suspect that the child is a spy sent by the pirates?"

As expected of a pro player, player number 3 figured it out in no time.

"I have my doubts. As a child captured by pirates, his logic is a bit too clear-headed."

He nodded.

Although Mike appeared frightened, his overall response was so smooth and natural that it seemed somewhat fake to Mike.

Even if children in this world mature earlier, they wouldn't be this precocious.

"Is it possible that the module design wasn't rigorous enough?"

"That's what Player #1 said."