Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

Liu Zheng did not refuse the old woman's request.

He was just deliberately using a rougher approach to quickly break the ice; he didn't really want to provoke the locals.

Once everyone had moved away from the gate, it quietly opened.

An old but strong arm reached out, quickly put down a black jar, picked up the jerky, pulled it back, and then closed the door.

Liu Zheng walked over, picked up the jar, and pulled out the stopper. It was filled with a slightly yellow liquid, and a faint stench filled his nostrils.

"Kerosene, ah, it's been so long since I've seen it."

He had only seen this when he was three or four years old; after that, the orphanage used candles when the power went out.

Liu Zheng carried the jar to the dog-man's corpse. An Ke was about to move another corpse over, but Liu Zheng stopped him.

"Let me do it."

He put down the jar and moved the corpse of the beast-like resident onto the corpse of the dog-man.

The fur and blood of these beasts seem strange; it's best not to let Anko take any risks.

After all, the tavern owner is a very suitable guide.

As for Liu Zheng himself, if such scum can corrupt him, then that evil god who even destroyed Mr. Li's corpse should voluntarily withdraw from the circle.

That's a disgrace to the evil god.

Anco lifted the canister and poured the fuel inside onto the corpse.

Then, he took out matches from his pocket.

"Crack!"

The match head ignited, producing an orange-yellow flame.

The flames spread rapidly in Anke's eyes, turning into a raging fire that engulfed the entire city.

Countless figures howled in the flames—residents, wild beasts, and hunters.

"No!"

Anco abruptly threw the match away, sending sparks flying across the stone slab before it went out.

But soon, light reappeared in the darkness.

Liu Zheng swung his butcher's knife, sending sparks flying across the ground and onto the corpse.

Flames and black smoke rose rapidly and continued unabated.

Chapter 254 Liu Zheng, how did you figure out I was from out of town?

The wheels rolled under the blazing firelight as the group continued on their way.

Anke pushed the cart silently, his body trembling slightly.

His wife, Marianne, held one of his arms, supporting him with her own strength.

"Uncle Anke, is that you?"

As we passed a house with iron bars on its windows, we heard a little girl's voice coming from inside.

"You are... Ah, you are Fura."

Anko was jolted awake from his reverie.

"Yes. Uncle Anke, have you seen my father?"

"The little girl asked."

“Father John? No, I didn’t see him. He must have gone to join the church hunters’ patrol.”

Anke replied.

"I don't know. Dad wasn't feeling well today and was supposed to stay home. But after Mom and I finished making dinner, he disappeared. Mom went out to look for him too, and now I'm all alone at home. Waaah."

The little girl let out a soft sob.

"Don't worry, your father is an excellent hunter, he will bring your mother back safely."

Anke didn't know what to say, so he could only offer gentle words of comfort.

Even though he knew that what he was saying was closer to a lie.

On this pale night, no one is safe.

Especially for hunters, getting close to them is sometimes more dangerous than getting close to wild animals.

"Uncle Anko, can you help me find my mom and dad? Tell them that Fura is scared being home alone and ask them to come home soon."

The little girl pleaded.

“I’m sorry, Fura, I still have to take my family to the Church of Pain. But if I run into your parents on the way, I will tell them.”

Anko said apologetically.

"dad."

Nina opened her mouth to say something, but her mother covered her mouth.

The little girl fell silent.

"Is there any food or water left at home?"

Anke scratched his head and asked.

"Yes, Uncle Anke."

The little girl replied softly.

"Then stay home and wait for your parents to come back. But no matter who knocks on the door, make sure you verify their identity and status, understand?"

Anke gave his instructions.

"Okay, thank you, Uncle Anke."

The little girl said very politely.

"Oh, no need to thank me, there's nothing I can do."

Anko sighed.

If he were alone, he might choose to help.

But now his family has to rely on others for protection, so what can he do?

"Uncle from out of town, can you help me?"

The little girl spoke again.

"you said I?"

Liu Zheng raised one of his tentacles and pointed to himself.

"Yes."

How did you know I'm from out of town?

he asked curiously.

"."

Everyone was silent.

They glanced at Liu Zheng's white chef's hat, then at his yellow vest and bare feet.

No, brother, with your unconventional outfit, only a fool wouldn't be able to tell you're from out of town, right?

"Never mind, it doesn't matter. Sorry, I still have work to do. I'll come find you after I finish my work. If you're still alive, I might be able to help you."

Liu Zheng said casually.

“Well, Mr. Liu Zheng, we Atlanteans are actually quite tactful in our speech. After all, Fura is still a child.”

An Ke boldly offered his advice.

To say such things to a child whose parents are nowhere to be found shows that this outsider has a truly appalling character.

If An Ke hadn't felt that Liu Zheng was inherently kind, he would have doubted whether he had made a wrong decision.

"People with parents are children, while people without parents are born as adults."

Liu Zheng said calmly.

"Mr. Liu Zheng, you..."

Anko understood his hidden meaning.

"That's right, I'm an orphan."

He frankly admitted it.

"I'm sorry to hear this news."

Anco felt ashamed of his earlier thoughts.

"It's okay, this is actually a good thing for me."

Liu Zheng shook his head.

If it weren't for the resilience and perceptiveness he developed as an orphan, he probably wouldn't have survived to his first delivery.

"Uh, okay."

Anko scratched his head awkwardly.

"Sir, if I pay you a fee, can you help me find my parents?"

It's unclear which words touched Fura, but the little girl suddenly spoke again.

"Oh? What kind of reward?"

Liu Zheng asked.

As soon as he finished speaking, a crack opened in the window protected by the iron fence.

A pale little hand reached out, holding a pendant inlaid with rubies in its palm.

"Sorry, I don't really need this."

Liu Zheng shook his head.

Although the pendant looked very valuable, it was of no use to him.

By the time he gets back, Nightingale should have received the final payment, and he'll be quite wealthy again. There's no need to delay his journey for something whose value is unknown.

"This is the Blood Gem."

Anko suddenly said in shock.

"Ok?"

Liu Zheng examined the gemstone carefully and indeed discovered something unusual.

The interior of a ruby ​​is not a semi-transparent stone, but rather contains many flocculent impurities that resemble blood streaks.

He took out the city hall's diary and, sure enough, found the relevant information in it.

Quest Item: Blood Gem

Demand: Unlimited

Unlimited demand means the more the better.

“Alright, I accept your request. However, I am only responsible for finding your parents and relaying your message; I cannot guarantee that I can bring them back alive.”

Liu Zheng said.

Similarly, relaying a message doesn't necessarily mean relaying it to the living; it can also be relayed to the dead.

“I understand. Please take the pendant, sir.”

The little girl's voice was choked with emotion.

"No need, I'll come and collect it after I finish the commission."

He shook his head.