Chapter 27 Part 1

This dungeon was different from the last one. Less than three hours in, participants were already thrown into direct combat. While there was no need for puzzle-solving or investigation, making the pattern relatively simple, the difficulty for non-combat participants was actually higher.

The high resource consumption inside the dungeon forced participants to collect food tickets. However, obtaining those tickets meant facing the pursuit of ghosts at “night.” Starving or fighting—that was the dilemma for most participants.

If this dungeon maintained its high consumption rate and rapid day-night cycle, Miss Legs would inevitably have to make numerous tough choices. She understood this principle well herself.

Miss Legs glanced hesitantly at Zhu Ming. Zhu Ming was very quiet, resting her chin on her hand and watching her.

She knew deep down that if she didn’t prove herself useful, Zhu Ming wouldn’t genuinely consider her a partner. Zhu Ming looked strong, and strong people like her often had a certain pride. The truly weak couldn’t even catch their eye.

But she really wasn’t good at fighting. Sigh. It seemed she could only demonstrate her courage and determination. At the very least, she had to show Zhu Ming she wouldn’t be a burden.

Her resolve set, Miss Legs slammed the table. “I want to trade food tickets with you!”

Zhu Ming watched her curiously.

The three at that table stared at Miss Legs in silence for a long moment without speaking. The atmosphere was so oppressive that the courage Miss Legs had just mustered began to dissipate.

But without trading, she would starve.

Finally, just as the trio seemed to have made a decision and were about to speak, Miss Legs suddenly stood up. “Wait, I’m not trading with you.”

She carefully scanned the carriage, then chose a group consisting of an old woman, a plump girl, and a pregnant woman. Good. This group looked like they couldn’t fight and were definitely slow runners, making them more suitable for her.

Miss Legs sat down opposite them. “I want to trade food tickets with you. State your terms.”

The pregnant woman, twisting a handkerchief and dressed in a traditional Manchu-style gown with flowerpot-heel shoes, glanced at her companions. She covered her mouth and giggled. “Little girl, you’re so amusing. Tell us, what can you offer for the trade?”

After a full cycle of day and night, all participants likely understood the meaning of the food tickets. Anyone coming to trade under these circumstances should have prepared themselves psychologically. The ghosts were too lazy to keep up the act now. The first round was the easiest time to trick participants into giving up their ride permits. Once that window passed, it was gone.

Miss Legs pursed her lips. “I can trade one fingernail.”

The pregnant woman shook her head. “Just a fingernail? You’re dreaming too beautifully. Don’t you know that without food tickets, you’ll starve? It’s summer now. Don’t you understand inflation?”

Miss Legs frowned deeply, glaring at the pregnant woman, unwilling to give in. A single fingernail wasn’t enough? These ghosts were far too greedy.

Zhu Ming simply couldn’t watch any longer. She held her forehead and sighed.

Just as Miss Legs was about to concede, Zhu Ming reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. She said impatiently, “Have we gotten something wrong here?”

The unprofitable deal was interrupted, and Miss Legs felt a wave of relief. “What’s wrong?”

Zhu Ming said, “This is a seller’s market, not a buyer’s market. We’re the ones selling goods. Even if you begged me to take these food tickets, I might not want them.”

Miss Legs froze, then was immediately pulled up by Zhu Ming. Zhu Ming plopped down in the seat she’d just vacated, motioning for Miss Legs to sit elsewhere.

Zhu Ming rapped her knuckles on the small table and pulled three food tickets from her pocket, waving them. “See this? I’m not short on these things. I’m giving you just one chance to trade your food tickets for my life. Miss this village, and there won’t be another shop. When night comes, I’ll switch to a different carriage, and you’ll completely lose your chance at a ride permit. So, do you understand? Food tickets—take it or leave it!”

The old woman, pregnant woman, and plump girl trio hesitated for a moment before each produced their own food tickets. “But you have to give us something in exchange, right?”

Zhu Ming said, “Of course. Here.”

One candy each, and nothing more.

Three food tickets in hand, Zhu Ming turned sideways and raised an eyebrow at Miss Legs. See? You have to control the pace yourself.

Miss Legs had a sudden epiphany, deeply feeling she’d learned a valuable lesson.

Ever since entering the dungeon, she’d been cautiously observing the situation. Only when she was nearly mad with hunger did she finally gather the courage to trade for food tickets. The shrewd ghosts in Car No. 16, who judged people by their appearances, must have seen she was in poor condition and deliberately pretended not to want to trade, forcing her to beg for the exchange.

Despicable. Ghosts have so many tricks up their sleeves.

As the train moved forward, the loudspeaker, which had been silent, suddenly blared to life again:

“Greetings, esteemed passengers! Welcome aboard the Four Seasons Train No. 999! During your journey, please strictly observe the Civilized Train Etiquette Regulations. Failure to do so will result in our esteemed Conductor providing you with re-education in civility and proper conduct. The second Civilized Train Etiquette Regulation is now announced: When conducting exchanges, please adhere to the principle of voluntariness!”

After the loudspeaker finished, Zhu Ming rapped the table again. “I’m collecting food tickets from two more tables, and then I’m done. When handing over your tickets, don’t forget to pay your respects. Candy and small snacks are preferred since they’re easy to carry. Of course, following the principle of voluntariness, I won’t force anyone. Numbers are limited—act fast if you want in!”

The entirety of Car No. 17 was packed with ghosts. They stared at Zhu Ming, their eyes brimming with resentment. The hell kind of person is this? Can’t you do something human for once?

Zhu Ming: No.

But Zhu Ming had accurately pinpointed the ghosts’ desire for ride permits. Even if she collected nine food tickets, she might not necessarily be the one to get a permit. But if they didn’t trade, they’d definitely miss the chance!

For a moment, every ghost in the carriage grew restless.

Miss Legs was a little worried. “Isn’t collecting so many too much pressure?” Last time, she’d only traded two food tickets, buying just a loaf of bread and a bottle of water.

Zhu Ming said, “Don’t worry. I’m a well-known employee of the Anomaly Management Bureau…”

Miss Legs’s face lit up with pleasant surprise. The moment she heard those words, she felt instantly at ease.

“…’s friend,” Zhu Ming finished.

Miss Legs: “Th-that’s good too.”

Since too many ghosts wanted to trade their tickets, Zhu Ming waved her hand grandly, instructing those interested to raise their hands. She then delegated the critical task of collecting the food tickets to Miss Legs.

Miss Legs was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. “You really want me to choose?”

Zhu Ming’s smile was warm. “Of course. After all, you’ll also be in this carriage at night. What if the ghosts I pick end up killing you? I’d feel so guilty.”

Miss Legs: “…” So if the ghosts I pick end up killing me, I just deserve it, right?

But no matter what, she still had to prove herself, right?! Miss Legs patrolled the carriage, surrounded by burning gazes entirely different from last time. She felt a sudden surge of joy, like a salted fish turning over to become the master.

She carefully selected two tables that seemed to have weaker ghosts. When she sat back down beside Zhu Ming, she found her slumped over the small table, fast asleep.

About an hour later, the small cart rattled its way in again. The black-and-white Shopkeeper barked once to announce its arrival. Miss Legs quickly nudged Zhu Ming awake. Since the food tickets weren’t earned by her own merit, she didn’t dare spend them herself.

Zhu Ming bought two boxed meals and water, spending six food tickets. She also got two loaves of bread for future snacking—hunger would return quickly—spending another two tickets. She set aside two tickets for the restroom. Yes, even the restrooms here cost food tickets. Their stinginess was absolutely infuriating!

A quick calculation showed only one spare food ticket left.

Zhu Ming asked the Shopkeeper, “Can I buy things not on the cart?”

Border Collie: “Woof!”

Probably a “yes”? Zhu Ming tested it. “I want a backpack.”

The Border Collie was as dexterous as a human, using its paws to pry open the small cabinet beneath the cart. It actually pulled out a backpack from inside. However, the packaging indicated the backpack cost five food tickets—something Zhu Ming couldn’t afford right now.

Zhu Ming said, “Forget it. I’ll buy it next time.”

She gave the dog’s head a rub. The Border Collie stuffed the backpack back into the cabinet, wagged its tail, and pushed the cart onwards to the next carriage.

Soon, the next “night” arrived again. The train rushed swiftly into the pitch-black tunnel. The lights flickered for an instant: people vanished, ghosts appeared.

Zhu Ming was still sitting at the pregnant woman’s table. She patted the shoulder of the plump girl ghost considerately. “Let me sit on the inside, so other ghosts don’t have to fight you for me.”

The plump girl wasn’t very old, only around thirteen or fourteen. She looked dazed at the request, then numbly switched seats with her. “Sis, you’re so nice!”

Zhu Ming said, “No problem, it’s only right. You block the outside ghosts for now so they can’t sneak attack.”

The plump girl had merely been chubby as a human. As a ghost, her body inflated like a balloon, instantly blocking the entrance to the four-seat booth. “I’ve blocked them! Hurry up!”

The pregnant woman ghost’s mouth twitched. She didn’t know if Zhu Ming was stupid, but it didn’t matter. Her permit—she had to get it!

A fierce glint flashed in the two ghosts’ eyes as they pounced viciously towards Zhu Ming.

With their side firmly guarded by the plump girl, the remaining six ghosts saw they were at a disadvantage and immediately switched targets, all charging towards Miss Legs.

Six ghosts—a full six of them! And the carriage wasn’t large, filled with chairs as obstacles that severely hindered her movement.

Miss Legs had never run so desperately in her life. She felt that after this dungeon, she could compete in an extreme obstacle course. Blood surged through her body as she sprinted, huffing and puffing like a madwoman, arms and legs flailing.