Looking at the distant sign marked with the exorbitant price of "5 Gold Coins," Lonely as Snow frowned once again.
"Are you sure we can afford that?"
"We don't even have half a gold coin right now."
European Emperor struck an exaggerated pose with his arms crossed and laughed. "Did you really think the devs wouldn't anticipate that we'd be broke? They already set up a foolproof system for this long ago."
"Heh, everything is within my calculations."
Lonely as Snow turned his head, only to see that right next to the shop stood the Kingdom Bank.
Outside its doors hung signs advertising various loan packages. A yuan-ti receptionist inside wore a gentle smile, making her sales pitch in a soft, melodious voice.
"Brave warriors, do you long to receive His Majesty Cassius's bounty, yet find yourselves held back by a lack of gold?"
"The Kingdom Bank will help your dreams come true!"
"For newcomers harboring lofty ambitions, our bank proudly introduces the Novice Dream Fund. With no prerequisites whatsoever, you may borrow five gold coins from the bank to purchase secret troves, repayable in twelve monthly installments at an interest rate of just five percent per month!"
European Emperor strode boldly toward the bank. Just as he was about to speak, Lonely as Snow pulled him back.
He turned around, looking confused. "What's wrong?"
"Have you lost your mind?!" Lonely as Snow whispered urgently. "Taking out loans to open loot boxes right at the start—do you actually want to become a debt slave?!"
European Emperor chuckled. "See, that's where you're not seeing the big picture. In a game like this, the earlier you get top-tier gear, the more profit you make and the more resources you can seize. By the late game, gold coins will probably have depreciated anyway, so paying it back then will be a breeze. High combat power is the best tool for making money!"
"Besides, even if I really can't pay it back, worst-case scenario I'll just kill myself and pick a new respawn point. The Kingdom of Cinders can't reach into other nations anyway."
Lonely as Snow thought it over carefully and realized he couldn't find a single flaw in that logic.
With a grand sweep of his hand, European Emperor declared proudly to the yuan-ti receptionist, "I want ten Dream Funds!"
The receptionist's smile instantly grew far warmer, though she still offered a polite reminder: "Honored customer, the Novice Dream Fund is limited to four per person."
"Then give me four!"
"Right away, recording it for you now."
Before long, European Emperor's name was inscribed on a large magic scroll, and twenty gleaming, golden coins materialized in his hands.
As he walked out, the yuan-ti woman bowed with great delight, leaving one to wonder what she was really thinking.
"We look forward to your next visit!"
Basking in immense satisfaction, European Emperor grinned at Lonely as Snow, who was waiting outside. "Aren't you going to try?"
Lonely as Snow hesitated for a moment before finally gritting his teeth. "Then... I'll take one."
European Emperor clapped him on the shoulder. "Why are you young people so afraid of taking risks? If you're going to go all-in, go big! What if buying so few means you don't pull anything good? Wouldn't you have borrowed money for nothing? That's way too much uncertainty!"
Lonely as Snow shook his head. "At least this way, I can actually afford to pay it back."
"Suit yourself."
Soon, the two emerged from the bank clutching their gold coins. European Emperor was brimming with swagger, while Lonely as Snow appeared nervous and fidgety, looking like a thief.
A long line had already formed outside the shop, so they had no choice but to wait obediently.
Suddenly, a low, raspy voice sounded beside them.
"You two are novices, aren't you...?"
Both turned their heads at the same time. The speaker wore a long robe and had a youthful face, appearing only in his twenties, yet he looked utterly weathered and exhausted, much like an overworked programmer.
What was more, they couldn't see any nickname or level floating above his head.
"Are you... a closed-beta veteran?"
"A high-level wizard?"
The mysterious figure nodded slightly and gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Heh, mere novices trying your luck on loot boxes... You'll regret it one day. Take some advice from an experienced veteran: the waters of these boxes run too deep; you can't handle them."
This man was none other than Charlotte, the guild master of the renowned caster powerhouse Magic Coin and a player who had already reached level 5 as a wizard.
His return to this nightmarish place wasn't to gamble on loot boxes, but to observe the human drama and purge the inner demon that had haunted him for months—commonly known as spectating the circus, or reveling in the misfortune of others.
European Emperor scoffed dismissively. "What's so great about being a closed-beta player? My buddy is one too. If you ask me, you old geezer just want to mislead newbies so we don't get our hands on good gear."
"Time to move," Lonely as Snow whispered, nudging him. "If we don't, someone's going to cut in line."
Yet he seemed to be pondering the stranger's words as well.
Charlotte watched their retreating backs, the corners of his mouth curving into a meaningful smirk.
*Jie jie jie... Pitiful novices. It seems you have no idea that your despair has only just begun. Welcome to the hell of terrible luck, just like me.*
...
Up in the queue, Lonely as Snow glanced around before whispering, "Was that guy crazy?"
"Who knows? Probably lost his mind from terribly bad luck," European Emperor said, craning his neck on tiptoes to peer inside the shop. "I heard the guild master of some big caster guild almost passed out because he didn't pull anything good. Doesn't have anything to do with us anyway."
The queue ahead truly offered a window into the human condition.
Those who pulled good items were overjoyed, while those who came up empty were downcast and despondent. Every conceivable emotion was on display, but the vast majority ended up opening their boxes only to receive a pile of junk.
Lonely as Snow couldn't help saying, "Damn, is this drop rate legit? It seems kind of low."
European Emperor forced himself to maintain his composure. "Don't worry, the ones failing are probably all veterans. Our novice protection period hasn't worn off yet."
Yet his slightly trembling hands clutching the gold, along with the beads of sweat forming on his brow, betrayed his nervousness.
*It really doesn't seem quite like what people said...*
*No, stay calm. Something good will definitely drop. I took out a loan for four boxes!*
European Emperor gritted his teeth and ultimately convinced himself, keeping up with the queue with determined eyes.
That was his confidence as a true luck god!
After several players ahead of them either left cheering in triumph or slunk away in dejection, it was finally his turn.
European Emperor took a deep breath and spoke in a low, resonant, and forceful tone: "Once, a player named Feitian Nüwu created the miracle of pulling two golden treasures in a single try."
He pointed a single finger toward the sky, striking an imposing pose.
"And today—I shall shatter that record and show you all the legendary Grand Four Happiness!"
The surrounding onlookers turned their gazes toward him one after another.
"Damn, this bro's username is something else!"
"Holy crap, could this guy actually be a true luck god?"
"If he really hits a Grand Four, I've got to record it to flex and post on the forums later."
"I have no idea what he's talking about, but he sure looks confident."
"Where does a newbie get that kind of cash? Did this bro take out a loan?"
Some players even caught the scent of a business opportunity.
"Bets are open! Place your bets! Anyone who thinks he's going to get a drop..."
Chapter 284