IBHJ Chapter 899

The inn descended into chaos.

"This is getting tricky. The strategy to seize the initiative has backfired," Chain said with a wry smile, shaking her head.

The One King frowned. Things weren't going as planned. Their initial move to buy the inn was meant to intimidate everyone and make them forget about the safe zone status. But someone had seen through it.

Even though God's Brain couldn't escape, if the situation got out of hand, it would be a major problem.

Shirou watched the chaotic crowd with a faint smile. And beneath an inconspicuous table leg, a mass of deep black mud slowly seeped into the floor.

The person who had pointed out the safe zone status was, in fact, Shirou. Causing and directing chaos was his specialty.

Shirou decided against individual transactions, instead opting for a lottery system. Each player would pay 1,000 QP for one draw, and the winner would get God's Brain. The crowd didn't object. After all, an endless bidding war would only drive up the price.

But this plan hit an obstacle.

"Why should I participate in this nonsense? That item is already as good as mine," the One King said arrogantly.

Someone as proud as him couldn't stand seeing Shirou control the situation.

There was no need for cooperation. Before other Level 9 players arrived from the Sanctuary, he was the strongest force here. He had the power to flip the table, why should he give up his advantage?

The atmosphere grew tense.

In this world where items and equipment were everything, the allure of a unique item was undeniable. Everyone wanted it. But there was one condition - staying alive. Although players had multiple lives, no one wanted to experience the cost of death. Each time a player died, their intelligence and IQ decreased, making next deaths easier and harder to avoid.

If the One King continued this stubborn, domineering attitude, most adventurers wouldn't dare to participate.

"Newbie, you're short on cash, right? Hand over God's Brain to me, and I'll let you join my familia. Then, you won't have to worry about money or equipment. Just focus on pleasing me." The One King said.

"Wow, the One King actually invited a newbie to join their familia."

"Why haven't I ever gotten an offer like that? Damn."

"The One King's familia is the top familia on the entire continent. Every member is a top player. Once you join, you'll never have to worry about QP or items again. Even when fighting monsters, there are tons of powerful players to protect you."

"So envious."

Many adventurers looked at Shirou with envy.

Shirou glanced at the One King. Familias were an important social feature in Moon Gazing Beauty, different from guilds in that they had an added social aspect and a lower member limit. Large-scale familias were rare; usually, they were formed by couples, parent-child groups, or large families.

Though somewhat surprised by the One King's invitation, Shirou shook his head and said, "Thank you for the offer, but I'll have to decline."

The moment he spoke, the players looked at Shirou in shock.

He refused.

This newbie actually refused!

That was the top player familia on the entire continent!

The adventurers stared in disbelief, like an ordinary person turning down an invitation from a billionaire.

Of course, in novels, it's a dramatic moment when the protagonist refuses the big shot's offer and says, "But I refuse." However, in reality, refusal is rare; acceptance is the norm.

"You actually refused me?" The One King frowned, displeasure clear on his face. "Then, there's no need for negotiation. Hand over God's Brain, newbie. Unless you want to end up a specimen in a pyramid."

"So, you're not going to participate in the lottery?" Shirou asked.

"Why should I participate in this pointless lottery?" The One King crossed his arms, sneering at him.

"Of course it's necessary. If you don't, you and she will end up fighting, right?" Shirou gestured towards Sweet Little Girl.

"Hmph! Obviously." The One King crossed his arms. "Does that poor mongrel think she can stop me?"

In his arrogance, he completely dismissed Sweet Little Girl in her common clothing.

This guy... Sweet Little Girl glared at the One King, anger simmering in her eyes.

She bristled at the blatant insult to her equipment.

"Just a pay-to-win player..." she muttered through clenched teeth.

Shirou looked at the arrogant One King, unfazed, and continued with a smile, "There might be some minor disagreements. But you're both top players in the Emperor's Conquest Guild. For the sake of conquering the Emperor, it's best if you don't have any conflicts."

"Well..."

The One King looked down in thought. As members of the same guild, the difficulty of their conquests increased as they progressed. Conflicts between members would definitely hinder future conquests.

Suddenly, everyone understood. Evil Flower had proposed this idea to prevent conflicts within the Emperor's Conquest Guild. Such a considerate and kind player made their hearts flutter. Despite being hunted by the system and other players, she was still concerned about them and the bigger picture.

"I'm starting to like this player," someone said.

"In this situation, she's still thinking about the Emperor's Conquest Guild. I'm speechless. Compared to her, the One King seems selfish and stubborn."

The players murmured amongst themselves.

The One King frowned, then nodded. "Fine! Considering your intentions, I'll participate. But in the end, God's Brain will still belong to me."

"Don't be so sure, you might jinx it," Sweet Girl taunted.

"Hmph. Do you think I'm like that person next to you? I've always had good luck," the One King said smugly.

Shirou smiled. "Then please wait a moment, I'll go prepare the lottery now."

He turned and left the lobby. No one tried to attack him as he left. Instead, they all celebrated and watched him go. Originally, they had no chance at God's Brain, but thanks to Shirou's negotiation, they now had an opportunity. How could they not be excited? Why risk a sneak attack?

"To control the situation so easily like this, she's an interesting person," Chain said, looking at the excited players around her. She turned to the One King and smiled, "However, I never expected that player to make you agree to something. Whether Evil Flower is a native or South America's God, it's surprising."

"Hmph! I didn't agree. It's just that what that player said wasn't entirely unreasonable," the One King crossed his arms and turned away.

Chain chuckled at this, then asked with a playful smile, "There are few people who can make you take suggestions, even fewer women. Excluding Siduri, of course. So, should I help you propose, Gil?"

"...Chain, you!"

"A man's shyness isn't attractive, Gil." Chain smiled sweetly.

The One King's face darkened. "Get lost!"

...

"I never expected things to turn out like this," Morrigan said, staring at the game screen, unsure of what to do.

She had been prepared for a battle, but Evil Flower had flipped the script with just a few words. Somehow, the tense confrontation had turned into a fun lottery event for everyone.

She didn't know what to say. But this was good, too. If a real fight had broken out, their chances of winning weren't high. The One King's gear was too good, and he had brought too many people. The two of them might have been defeated.

"Even if we don't win the lottery, we can find a chance to kill the winner and get God's Brain. Once we have it, we'll head straight back to the Sanctuary and hand it over to that fox. Then we'll know for sure if Artoria and Altera are really trapped in this game world," Morrigan said with a smile.

"Mm," Artoria nodded, but a frown creased her forehead.

"What's wrong, Shirou?" Morrigan asked, noticing her expression.

"No, it's nothing..." Artoria shook her head hesitantly. She couldn't be sure, but she felt a strange sense of déjà vu about Evil Flower.