Online Game: Crazy Skeleton-Chapter 1660 - 1457: The Annoying Task (Two in One)

"Ten thousand gold coins?"

Banana’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the tall, slim elf NPC, blurting out, "Have you gone crazy thinking about money?"

"Banana, apologize to the senior immediately!"

Su Ran heard the remark and thought to himself that trouble was brewing. If they offended this NPC, who would unseal the Cold Ice Orb for him?

Besides, this was just a verbal demand—they could still salvage the situation. They absolutely could not sour relations with this NPC!

"Heh heh, ’gone crazy thinking about money’? Now that’s a colorful statement."

At that moment, Luta clapped his hands, sneering as he spoke. "I, Luta, have always been upright, treating gold as mere dirt. Since such a misunderstanding exists, I will rescind my previous offer. Perhaps you should find someone else more capable."

"Huh?"

Banana was dumbfounded, not expecting that his offhand complaint would displease the NPC and implicate Overturning Water in the process. Quickly, he said, "Senior, my words were just offhand nonsense. You, with your magnanimity, surely wouldn’t take offense, right? Just treat that nonsense like hot air and let it go!"

"Exactly! This is Overturning Water’s task and has nothing to do with Banana. You can’t refuse Overturning Water’s task based on what Banana said. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, Senior. I believe you’re not that kind of elf."

Xue Wuqing also grew anxious and was about to add more, only to be interrupted by Su Ran.

"Senior, calm down. Don’t stoop to his level."

Su Ran pulled out a handful of gold coins—no fewer than fifty gleaming coins. Their golden brilliance was exceptionally eye-catching.

"Alright, alright."

Luta chuckled, his scowl melting away like snow under a blazing sun. Ignoring everyone else’s gaze, he shamelessly pocketed all the coins and cheerily remarked, "You’re the only one who knows how to deal with things. Those elves over there are far inferior to you, a mere human."

This... Is this what ’upright’ means?

Is this what it means to treat gold as ’mere dirt’?

Banana, Xue Wuqing, and Ling Wei were all left standing in stunned silence, their expressions awkward as they stared at Luta, unsure what to say. They chose to remain quiet, lest they anger this guardian elf any further.

"Senior, may I have a word in private?"

Su Ran gave his three teammates a secretive glance, signaling them not to interfere with his task negotiations.

"Human warrior, whatever you wish to say can be said here. I have lived my life openly, never resorting to sneaky, underhanded behavior." freewёbnoνel.com

Luta furrowed his brow, clearly displeased with Su Ran’s approach.

"Overturning Water, the scenery at Lifeblood Peak is lovely. We should go enjoy it and unwind a bit."

Xue Wuqing, ever perceptive, stepped in to spare Su Ran from embarrassment. She led Banana and Ling Wei into the woods, vanishing from sight in no time.

"Human warrior, now you may speak. As for the ten thousand gold coins, don’t even think about bargaining. That will only irritate me."

Luta firmly denied Su Ran any leeway, preemptively blocking him before he could even make his request.

"Senior, listen to yourself. Do I seem like someone who doesn’t understand the situation? Besides, a virtuous being like you—upright and honorable—surely wouldn’t tarnish your years-long reputation for the sake of a mere human. I understand this completely."

Su Ran went for a tactic of retreating to advance, skillfully slipping in a flattering remark without explicitly mentioning the task.

"You humans really know how to talk. This pleases me."

Luta grinned at Su Ran but added, "Don’t think this will make me relent. If you want the Cold Ice Orb unsealed, it’s ten thousand gold coins—not a coin less! The orb is worth every bit of that price!"

"Senior, it’s not that I’m trying to haggle. I accept the ten thousand gold coins. It’s just..."

Su Ran deliberately paused to build tension, then continued, "Ten thousand gold coins is no small sum, and I can’t gather that much all at once. Could we perhaps go with installment payments?"

"Installment payments? What does that mean?"

Su Ran’s new term left Luta somewhat puzzled, unsure what trick Su Ran was up to.

"It’s simple. It means I’ll owe you the debt of ten thousand gold coins and repay it to you across ten installments. Between the Elf Palace and this Lifeblood route, the teleportation array opens once a month. So, I’d repay you a thousand coins each month. You needn’t worry—I can swear an oath upon the Supreme Rule."

Su Ran explained the installment payment arrangement to Luta, tactfully leaving out the subject of interest—he didn’t know the local customs regarding that kind of thing.

"I don’t have the patience to wait that long!"

Much to Su Ran’s surprise, Luta flatly rejected the idea. "Don’t throw that nonsense my way. I want ten thousand gold coins in full. Without them, unsealing the orb is impossible!"

"What a pity."

Su Ran sighed. "This could have been a massive deal. I’m the only one with the Cold Ice Orb. Without me, you won’t find anyone else to unseal it. In other words, once I’m gone, there’s no store left in this village! A ten thousand gold coin deal, missed just like that—what a shame!"

"Hmm, that does make sense."

For someone like Luta, who’d effectively lost himself to greed, this argument hit precisely the right nerve. These ten ancient orbs were uniquely rare. Across the entire God-Demon Continent, there wasn’t a second player holding the Cold Ice Orb—unless Su Ran met his end and the orb changed ownership. But could that really happen?

"Human warrior, if you lack the money, then you’d best leave. I cannot go against the Supreme Rule. Come find me when you’ve raised the gold. There’s no room for negotiation on this task."