Chapter Forty-Six: The Terms

“Which beautiful and kind young lady has summoned me? I shall devote my life to protecting you.”

Standing over two meters tall, Zack leapt down from his wooden steed, causing a slight tremor on the ground. He beamed as he surveyed his surroundings. Yang Fan and the others were also sizing up Zack—towering at two meters, he stood out like a crane among chickens. His bronzed skin had a distinctly Western hue, and his silver helmet was adorned with beautiful engravings. He wore a simple leather cuirass and tight-fitting trousers.

In his hand, he held a long, pitch-black spear, his entire being radiating a formidable aura.

[Summoned—Knight]

Strength: Second-tier, Silver level.

Status: Projection (only 50% of the original’s power)

Note: He descends from the main line of the notorious Gambling Knights, known for his extreme favoritism of women over men. If you wish to command the Gambling Knights, prepare a suitable price.

——

That was all the information the Zombie Eye could reveal—not exhaustive, but enough to outline Zack’s strengths. Yang Fan couldn’t help but feel a headache, remembering how this very Zack had once forced someone in his previous life to abandon the class system altogether.

“Y-you… hello, I am your summoner.” Chen Ming finally spoke up, his whole body trembling with excitement. His first summoned creature appeared to be very powerful, and the feeling was simply wonderful. In his heart, Chen Ming was already fantasizing about leading Zack to sweep away all the dark forces, gathering countless beauties into his arms.

But Zack’s reaction dashed those hopes.

“You? You’re my summoner? Damn it, how could you be a man? The old man said it would be a beauty! Otherwise, why would I have come? I’ve been duped! That old bastard tricked me!”

Zack cursed furiously, the righteous smile he wore a moment ago vanishing, his face now twisted in bitterness. Chen Ming and Zhu Liang stared at Zack in disbelief at how quickly his attitude had changed.

In the crowd, only Yang Fan seemed unsurprised by Zack’s reaction. Once Zack settled down, Yang Fan immediately put on an arrogant expression, yanked Chen Ming’s sleeve, and said sharply, “Kid, I don’t care who did the summoning, I’m here either way. My appearance fee is two hundred Apocalypse Coins per day. But since you’re my first summoner, I’ll give you a deal—a hundred and fifty per day. But don’t expect me to do much grunt work. I’ll only act three times a day, any more will cost extra. Understood?”

Zack’s imposing presence left Chen Ming pale as a sheet, while Zhu Liang wisely stayed silent.

“According to the rules, summoned creatures should appear unconditionally. But since your power surpasses the host’s, you’re entitled to a fee,” Yang Fan suddenly interjected, his calm gaze meeting Zack’s without a hint of fear.

Zack, who was in the midst of intimidating his summoner, turned to Yang Fan, narrowed his eyes, and tried to assess him—only to find he couldn’t see any details of Yang Fan’s attributes. Losing a bit of his arrogance, Zack nodded, “You’re right. Let’s do it your way, then.”

——

A hundred and fifty Apocalypse Coins a day was a great deal, Zack thought, already planning to enjoy himself in the Summoner’s World after a dozen days’ work.

“But the mutated beasts, zombies, and the insectoids that will emerge in this era are all so weak. You won’t even need to fight them. Don’t you think a hundred and fifty coins is too steep?” Yang Fan pressed.

“Too steep? Hmph, then don’t summon me,” Zack retorted, showing no hint of subservience or the attitude of a summoned beast.

“Fine. Here’s my offer: three thousand Apocalypse Coins per month, plus a twenty percent share of whatever we gain each day, and we split any equipment evenly. But if we encounter any formidable mutated beasts or insectoids, you must act and cannot refuse,” Yang Fan replied, equally firm.

Zack was clearly taking advantage of newcomers’ ignorance, exploiting them for extra rewards. But as a summoned creature, he was absolutely forbidden from harming his host or the host’s friends; that was a strict rule, no matter if one was silver, gold, dark gold, or even platinum tier. That was why Yang Fan felt so confident.

“Five thousand,” Zack bargained, stroking the head of his wooden mount. “My mount needs food too. Even though it’s only a second-tier, bronze-level mutated beast, it’s got decent combat power. Three thousand for me, two thousand for it. Deal?”

“No problem. Pleasure doing business.” Yang Fan agreed readily, taking out his dwindling supply of Apocalypse Coins and handing three thousand to Zack. “This is your deposit. The rest will be paid at the end of the month. Let’s draft the contract.”

“Alright.” Zack’s face lit up with delight at Yang Fan’s straightforwardness, and he signed the contract without hesitation.

Once the contract was sealed, Yang Fan allowed himself a sly, triumphant smile—which Zack failed to notice.

“Let’s rest for a while, everyone’s tired,” Yang Fan said after the contract was signed. Zhu Liang and Chen Ming left, leaving only Zack behind.

“Can you show me information on all mutated beasts and insectoids from tiers one to three?” Yang Fan asked, placing some reheated food in front of Zack as he began eating himself.

Zack picked up a knife and fork and expertly sliced into a piece of beef. “Hard to say, but I can buy you a Beginner’s Bestiary from the marketplace.”

“How much?” Yang Fan asked.

“Uh…” Zack frowned, then replied, “Five hundred…”

“Buy it for me,” Yang Fan agreed at once. In truth, the Beginner’s Bestiary cost only fifty coins, and Yang Fan didn’t need it for himself—his Zombie Eye made it unnecessary—but many others didn’t have such an advantage. The supermarket’s printer would come in handy for his plans.

——

In a shadowy corner, agonized screams still echoed, only to be cut short. Then a savage voice roared, “Where are the women? Are there any more women? We need women, we need women!”

The voice was loud and filled with rage.

Soon, a man dressed in white entered—it was Chen Yu. He pinched his nose, looking with disgust at the people behind the iron door. With irritation in his voice, he said, “Wait a while. You’ll get what you want tonight.”

He ignored the howling behind him and left.

Chen Yu made his way to another secret chamber, where Chen Hu and Chen Bao waited.

“Those five are perfect sacrifices. The more depraved and crazed they become, the stronger the dark summoned beast we’ll call forth. Send a few lesser women in first. Tomorrow night, we’ll begin the ritual for the dark summon,” Chen Hu said coldly.

“Understood.” Chen Yu took a deep breath and nodded.

Within the Grand Prosperity Supermarket, there was a place unseen by all, shrouded in darkness…

———

(Thanks to Noble Young Master, Brother Legend of the Skies for your generous rewards! Thanks to Brother Yanlong and Brothers 8-11 for your constant recommendations. Your support is remembered and cherished!)

…

(The setup and introductions are nearly complete—soon the true madness of the apocalypse will begin! I know my updates have been inadequate lately, but I promise: starting next week, there will be at least three chapters a day—beginning tomorrow! So tonight, after midnight, please send a little encouragement and support my way!)