บท 7: Flying Sand and Running Stones
A strikingly handsome man strode past me and accepted my inquiry. "If you are willing, please sign this contract." I opened the Book of Demons and, as expected, discovered a straightforward contract under the demon's agreement section, already signed by Shangguan Qing. "Temporary Bodyguard Agreement: Party A shall provide unlimited bodyguard services, and Party B shall share half of all gains acquired during the contract period with Party A. Signed, Party A Shangguan Qing, Party B—"
I pondered the implications of this bodyguard contract. Having an additional protector and mentor meant that half of whatever I gained would be forfeited to this person named Shangguan Qing. Was that fair? After all, if I lost my life, nothing would matter. Just as I was about to sign my name, a thought struck me. "What happens if you fail to protect me in a dangerous situation?" Shangguan Qing shrugged and replied with a smile, "Then you would die. But trust in my abilities; there is no predicament on Demon Island that I cannot handle. With me by your side, you will soon wield tremendous power."
"Hmph, you charlatan, trying to deceive the newcomers again." A voice I recognized echoed from behind me. Turning, I saw the cold, blade-wielding beauty. She had changed into casual attire—tennis shoes, stretchy jeans, and a white shirt—perfectly accentuating her graceful form. A youthful aura radiated from her.
Though still maintaining her frosty demeanor, this ice queen's presence felt far more trustworthy than the warm smile of Shangguan Qing. "Oh, Miss Tianhong, are you here to steal my business again? Protecting newcomers is my noble calling, a mission I was born to fulfill. How can you accuse me of deception?" The girl with the blade retorted coldly, "You abandon people to their fate whenever danger arises. Is this twisted sense of mission truly justified?"
Handsome Shangguan Qing immediately complained, "I do this to allow those I protect ample room for growth. Otherwise, they remain nothing more than chicks under the wings of an old hen, unable to soar like eagles!"
"This man is despicable! How can he say such things without a hint of shame?" My understanding of Demon Island rose another level. I thought anxiously, "If everyone here is like this, how long can I survive? The human heart truly harbors malice." Yet, I felt an inexplicable trust towards the ice queen who once saved my life. I blurted out, "Miss Tianhong, could you accompany me for a while? As a newcomer, I am unsure what I can offer in return, but I desperately wish to survive and return home!" The ice queen responded coldly, "I have no obligation to mentor newcomers. If you wish to live, go to the auction house on Demon Island, bid on a martial arts card, and practice diligently!"
Shangguan Qing shrugged and, undeterred, asked, "I happen to have several intermediate martial arts cards and even a magic card on hand. If you sign this contract, I can give them to you free of charge! How does that sound?" I reread the contract in the Book of Demons and suddenly said, "If this contract is valid for only three months, I am willing to sign. I cannot accept something indefinite." Upon seeing me decisively close the Book of Demons, Shangguan Qing's gaze turned fierce. "Three months! That's hardly enough for me to recoup my costs. You might as well stay on this island and die peacefully!"
"Omiga!" Shangguan Qing slammed his Book of Demons shut, storming away in a huff. My Book of Demons immediately displayed a blank contract section. Miss Tianhong snorted disdainfully and turned to me, saying, "Your mind isn't as dull as I thought. Considering you managed to drive Shangguan Qing away, I'll give you this. I have no use for it anyway." With a flick of her wrist, a thin card flew into my hand.
"Sandstorm Level 3 Martial Arts Card (×1). One of the unique martial arts techniques of the Desert Sect, the second form of the Sandstorm Blade Technique. A one-time consumable requiring 150 points of robust inner strength and 25 points of basic swordsmanship to learn."
As I watched Tianhong's long black hair cascading down to her waist disappear at the end of the hotel, I muttered in frustration, "Though you mean well, where am I supposed to find 150 points of robust inner strength? And what about the 25 points of basic swordsmanship?" Suddenly, I noticed Juliere, clad in uniform, had appeared behind me, exclaiming, "You truly are a prime example of a pervert, arriving at Demon Island and already trying to charm the ladies before even completing your initiation! I'm pleased to congratulate you on accomplishing your first task as a newcomer: reporting to the Demon Island Grand Hotel! So, do you wish to book a room first or exchange for the common currency of Demon Island?"
"Book a room! Exchange for common currency?"
"The standard room at Demon Island Grand Hotel is 500 per day! The presidential suite is 28,000 per day. Where would you like to stay?" My mind became a whirlwind as I inadvertently imagined rolling around in a hotel suite with Juliere's smooth, fair body.
I quickly wiped my nose, grateful that I wasn't prone to nosebleeds. "You're so indecent! How could you think like that?" Juliere protested, playfully tapping my head.
I then realized, "I don't have a single cent to my name. How can I book a room or exchange for currency? Are there any free rooms?" This was ridiculous; I didn't even have 50 coins, let alone afford a luxurious room costing 500 a day! Juliere smiled brightly and replied cheerfully, "A credit card would work too!" I was about to explain that I was just a freshman in high school and had no such thing, when Juliere suddenly reached into my pocket and pulled out a wallet.
It was the possession of that middle-aged man. With casual ease, she turned the wallet inside out, producing eleven colorful credit cards in a single sweep. "These credit cards aren't mine!" I complained, but Juliere simply shook her head and sighed, "If you don't secure a room by midnight, you'll be sleeping on Demon Island with those man-eating monsters!"
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