The Core Crystal Conundrum and Unexpected Alliances

The distribution of core crystals was the team’s foremost priority.

“Dreameater… Miss, would you consider letting me handle the distribution of these core crystals?”

He refrained from outright seizing the crystals, partly because it was Lin Ran’s Dreameater, and he wished to avoid offending Lin Ran. Furthermore, he remained perplexed as to why the crystals were being allocated to the Dreameater in the first place, fearing that a forceful snatch might transgress some unspoken rule or forbidden zone.

But…

“No! You’ll get no money from me! You can take my life, but not my crystals!”

“My apologies for my Dreameater’s disgraceful behavior…”

Anmeng Yue, however, proved herself a thoroughgoing miser, already guarding her spoils fiercely.

At that moment, Lin Ran wished he could simply vanish into the earth.

All of them were Dreameaters, all merchants, yet how was it that Wang Pangzi’s Dreameater was so dependable, stepping forward to defend her young one when she saw them wronged? His own, on the other hand, behaved like a child clinging to a toy in a supermarket, refusing to leave.

He had no intention of stopping Anmeng Yue, however—

This distribution was bound to spark conflict, particularly with those two women who had done absolutely nothing.

If the core crystals were divided equally, these two women, having contributed nothing, would receive an undeserved share.

Conversely, if distribution followed the principle of ‘to each according to their labor,’ they wouldn’t acquire a single crystal.

Moreover, drawing from his extensive experience dealing with peculiar individuals, Lin Ran could readily predict that these two women would likely demand a larger portion, perhaps under the guise of ‘ladies first.’ He wouldn’t even be surprised if they attempted to claim half each, or even all the core crystals for themselves.

By clutching the core crystals firmly in her grasp, Anmeng Yue inadvertently diffused much of the tension, postponing an imminent confrontation.

“Lin Ran, shouldn’t you try to reason with her? Haven’t you been a little too gentle, spoiling your Dreameater like this? Oh, just because she’s pretty doesn’t mean you should indulge her so much…”

“No, that’s simply the inherent nature of a shrewd merchant.”

“…”

Ultimately, it was Wang Pangzi’s Dreameater who stepped forward, offering Anmeng Yue a ‘kind’ smile (TL Note: A pun in Chinese, ‘heshen,’ which sounds like ‘kind’ but is written with characters meaning ‘nuclear’ and ‘kind,’ implying a menacing or forced kindness).

Though also a female Dreameater, her booming voice sounded remarkably like a man’s.

While Anmeng Yue could, at a stretch, be considered a mature woman in Lin Ran’s presence, when confronted by Wang Pangzi’s Dreameater, she became as frail as a bullied girl.

“…Ten… ten core crystals.”

“Are you keeping ten for yourself? That’s fine, but it will have to be deducted from Lin Ran’s share.”

“I… I mean, I’ll give *you* ten…”

With the conversation having reached this point, Lin Ran found himself compelled to intervene.

It seemed this inevitable conflict would ultimately fall to him to resolve.

Before Anmeng Yue could finish her sentence, Lin Ran’s five fingers once again seized her, lifting her clear off the ground.

“Miss Anmeng Yue, I trust you wouldn’t want me to start charging rent for my wooden house, would you?”

Wang Pangzi might not dare to take money from her, but he certainly did.

“Distribution will be based on kills. Wang Pangzi and I will take the lion’s share, while those who didn’t fight will receive nothing. In this team, we operate on the strict principle of ‘no effort, no reward.'”

Lin Ran’s declaration was an absolute decree, brooks no dissent.

With that, Lin Ran took the core crystals from Anmeng Yue’s hand, counted out fifty portions, and gave them to Wang Pangzi.

Based on their kills, the remaining fifty portions were his.

However, considering Qi Xiaoyu’s contributions, and acknowledging that his efforts would be needed for the subsequent second and third waves, Lin Ran set aside ten of his own core crystals and handed them over.

“Tha… thank you…”

Qi Xiaoyu’s face flushed, seemingly with a touch of embarrassment.

Though aware he hadn’t been particularly useful, he had still received a reward, and he thanked Lin Ran from the bottom of his heart.

“What kind of joke is this? Does our encouragement for Wang Pangzi not count as participation? He’s clearly a virgin (TL Note: The original Chinese term ‘*丝’ (diaosi) refers to an ‘incel’ or ‘loser’ type, often implying someone who is unattractive and inexperienced with women), someone who’s never seen a woman in his life! With beauties like us cheering him on, imagine how much more effort he’d put in!”

“Exactly! Lin Ran, do you have some strange fetish? Ignoring two pretty girls like us to curry favor with a man and give him the core crystals instead?”

Of course, it was inevitable that Shen Qing and Liu Yan would jump into the fray at this point.

Lin Ran, however, had no intention of engaging with them.

Appearance, ability, personality.

In every aspect, they were the absolute bottom of the barrel he had ever encountered.

“I will not repeat myself. If you must blame someone, blame yourselves for being such useless cowards, afraid to even lift a finger against these low-level monsters.”

He was equally unsparing in his retort.

“Either take them from my hands, or shut your mouths.”

As he spoke, Wang Pangzi and Qi Xiaoyu gazed at him with starry-eyed admiration, their faces practically screaming, [Big Brother Lin Ran is too cool!].

It was unsurprising, however, that neither of them dared to retort to the two women, one being socially anxious and the other simply not engaging in conversation with females.

Ultimately, Lin Ran found it truly baffling that individuals like them had managed to survive until the third wave.

Even now, the two women lacked the awareness to even look up and assess Lin Ran’s capabilities.

They simply continued their tirade, behaving like two enraged harridans.

“Shen Qing, Liu Yan. I have noted your behavior. I will report this to the Student Council later.”

“The Student Council has long deduced that larger-scale team battles are inevitable. Given your actions… for future team formations… don’t expect the Student Council to assign you good teammates…”

“Furthermore, if you dare to slander Lin Ran again, I personally will not let you off the hook.”

It was at this precise moment that a weak voice emanated from within Lin Ran’s wooden house.

It was Zhou Qingqing.

She was still gasping for breath as she spoke, clearly not yet fully recovered.

Yet, as she uttered those words, a potent killing intent radiated from her entire being.

She had even drawn a bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed it directly at the two women.

[Archer – Zhou Qingqing]

Her abilities might have been ordinary, but her willingness to act on his behalf meant that Lin Ran’s previous investment had already paid off handsomely.

He had initially intended to ask a few questions: who had attacked Zhou Qingqing, and why she had suddenly awakened.

But he quickly realized that Vera would undoubtedly have inquired.

Had she uncovered anything, she would surely have reported it.

The absence of any message now implied… Zhou Qingqing herself didn’t know.

It appeared that perhaps, by entering a different dimension, Zhou Qingqing’s curse had been temporarily lifted?

Discovering the situation outside, and filled with a sense of guilt, she had rushed to the scene immediately to support Lin Ran.

However… this woman was actually part of the Student Council? He truly hadn’t noticed that before! What a pleasant surprise!

In the future, he could entirely rely on her to establish a connection between his faction and the Student Council.

Regardless of whether the Student Council proved friend or foe, an additional ally always meant additional strength, did it not?

The two women clearly harbored some apprehension towards the Student Council, so after a few more spiteful remarks, they fell silent.

As the distribution of the 100 core crystals concluded, the announcement prompt chimed once more:

[First day’s offensive concluded. We hope you enjoyed today’s enemy strength.]

[Team Rating: B-rank]

[Reason for Rating: Financial loss occurred, but all wooden houses were successfully defended.]

[Distribution Rating: A-rank]

[Reason for Rating: Distribution based on labor, highly reasonable.]

[Reward: Each team member receives one Bronze Treasure Chest.]

Following the prompt, five treasure chests, radiating a bronze luster, materialized before each of the five wooden houses.

Upon seeing the treasure chests, the eyes of the other individuals widened in awe.

The rewards from the first two waves had only been core crystals; this time, however, it was a genuine treasure chest!

But Lin Ran…

“Damn it, everyone else gets a treasure chest, but why do I always get a Treasure Chest Monster?”

—[Target: Treasure Chest Monster (Parasitic)]

[Romantic Potential: 35 (Your chances with her are not high)]