All Gifts Are Accepted with a Smile

Meanwhile.

A few minutes ago, Guan En hid behind the window and witnessed everything.

From the moment he saw that imposter swagger through the door with the landlord cowering behind it, Guan En knew something was wrong.

...Where exactly did things go wrong?

At the exact moment the landlord opened the door, Guan En clearly saw it make an attacking motion.

However, just a few seconds later, that mysterious player managed to bring the situation back under control.

Guan En pondered in silence for a moment, then moved close to the door, straining to listen to the commotion downstairs.

He didn't hear any conversation, only what could be described as hurried footsteps coming up the stairs.

These chaotic footsteps passed by his room, mixed with a few murmurs that Guan En couldn't quite make out.

Guan En gritted his teeth, retreated to the window, and took a cautious look outside.

The yard was bare. The light spilling from the living room was dim, illuminating a small patch of grass into a murky yellow-green.

Guan En evaluated the footholds and opened the window.

He didn't know how that player did it, and there was no point in analyzing the reasons now.

Everything had already happened. The instance was going to start in about ten minutes; time was running out.

If the other party timed it perfectly and succeeded right after the instance began...

Then, not only would the other party escape, but he himself would die!

Guan En climbed out the window, nimbly stepping onto the first foothold.

The foul stench of the dirt stung his nose.

He didn't want to die.

Building on that, if conditions permitted, he hoped to bring that mysterious player back alive.

That phrase, You owe your life to me...

Guan En gritted his teeth and slowly shifted his body.

It was time to gamble!

As long as he settled all of this before the instance started, his goal could be achieved!

Inside the attic.

The Plague Ghost landlord looked at Zhu Yan's conflicted expression, its face darkening as its claws nervously gripped the hem of its shirt.

Y-Yes... it said clumsily. I-It's also money... b-but...

This was a state of nervousness and disappointment—

Zhu Yan stared at it, forcing out a stiff smile.

The smell in the attic was terrible, absolutely nauseating.

He really wanted to finish this quickly, but at this moment, he had to show utmost patience.

What do you want to say, Walter?

Hearing its own name, the landlord gave another slight shiver.

I... I mean. The landlord tugged at its sagging facial skin, displaying a pitiful smile.

My Lord, could you perhaps make an exception...?

These words were spoken very humbly, and the landlord's tall figure seemed to shrink all at once.

It hunched its back, like a student who had made a mistake.

This house is a good house... You see, it's never noisy. And, and...

The landlord panted heavily. And there's also a low-level player in the house.

My Lord, I'll leave the player in the house to you as well. Do you think you could... could...

Zhu Yan watched the landlord. Under the dim yellow light, he felt as if tears were about to fall from those dull eyes.

Could it offset those 3 bone coins?

What a joke, that was 300 bucks.

Was that miserable Guan En worth 300 bucks?

Zhu Yan deliberately furrowed his brows, pretending to be in a difficult position.

A player? What do I need a player's meat for?

He pointed to the two human legs he had casually tossed on the ground.

This is the most common thing you can find in my warehouse.

A player who isn't even level 5 isn't enough, Walter.

Seeing the Plague Ghost's face turn ashen, Zhu Yan intentionally paused for two seconds before changing the subject.

It was about time.

Sigh, I can certainly take over your house, but it will be your entire house—including these—

Zhu Yan curled his lips in disgust and looked around.

Shabby furniture, and everything else.

The Plague Ghost's expression changed.

Can I not take a single thing with me, sir?

Zhu Yan glanced at it.

I can give you one of the human legs I brought. You can't hide it from me; both you and this house are starving. This isn't mistreating you.

Seeing that the Plague Ghost still wanted to struggle, his tone became harsher.

Don't forget your situation, Walter!

You have no way out.

The Plague Ghost didn't speak, panting heavily for a few seconds.

Alright. It finally yielded, pulling out the two Sublease Contracts.

This imposter knew its name; it couldn't put up much resistance.

This greedy imposter!

Taking advantage of its perilous state to seize its treasure just like that.

Bastard! Bastard!

But it wasn't willing to give up—

The name Walter echoed terrifyingly in the landlord's mind.

It couldn't stop trembling. Driven by desire, it mustered the courage to look straight into the imposter's abyss-like eyes.

I don't want anything. However, you must pay me an extra two bone coins.

S-Sir... this house isn't completely worthless.

Zhu Yan smiled.

Two bone coins?

He only had a digital account; he didn't have physical bone coins.

Was he supposed to rush to the Hall of Mourning—which was already surrounded by the police—with this Plague Ghost, only to be discovered as a player and dismembered?

No way.

Zhu Yan watched as the Plague Ghost took a broken quill from its pocket and signed its name on the two Sublease Contracts, feeling a bit excited in his heart.

Two bone coins. He slowly chewed on the words, his mind racing.

The landlord extended its right claw and pressed the first seal in the corresponding spot.

Zhu Yan noticed this detail.

The seals of horror creatures were on the right.

Players' seals were on the left.

He had to think of a way!

Only after the landlord finished pressing the second seal did Zhu Yan finally squeeze a smile onto his stiff face.

After the instance ends, if there is no damage to the house, I can certainly pay you.

Very fair, right, Walter!

The Plague Ghost was still somewhat fearful.

It shivered and said, What if you renege on the debt? I want to stay here and watch you!

Zhu Yan finally understood why Coexisting with Taboo Objects stated that Plague Ghosts were stupid and greedy.

They were truly greedy—even scared out of their wits, they still made demands.

They were truly stupid too, risking their lives just to satisfy their greed.

If a high-level imposter who wanted to seize the house was truly standing in front of it, faced with such behavior, it would probably just chop off the Plague Ghost's head first.

However, Zhu Yan was just a pitiful level-two player.

No problem, Walter.

He agreed coldly and stiffly. Taking advantage of the Plague Ghost shivering in fear, he snatched the Sublease Contracts and the quill from its hands.

He lowered his head, hurriedly signing his name in the New Lessee section while continuing to speak at a leisurely pace.

Walter, you also know there is an instance here.

The second signature was complete. Zhu Yan made sure he was far enough from the Plague Ghost so it couldn't see the branding process.

I think...

He pressed his left palm onto the human skin parchment, feeling the spot with the player's mark become scalding hot, as if his flesh were burning.

It hurt, but he endured it, staring expressionlessly at the Plague Ghost so it wouldn't have the energy to notice whether he was using his left or right hand.

Waiting until the burning sensation faded, he quickly put away the first contract and began to form the second brand.

"You should know better. Hide yourself well and don't get in the way of the dungeon's progress."

The burning sensation erupted again, but this time, Zhu Yan felt something different.

Information about the Man-Eating House flooded his mind, making his brain throb with pain.

Level 4, very dilapidated, extremely hungry, and lacking strength.

Its weakness was in the attic—that worn-out armchair.

The pain was so intense that Zhu Yan almost couldn't maintain his facial expression.

The pain did not ease with time.

On the contrary, after the burning sensation disappeared, an even greater force tried to surge into his body, squeezing him and making him even more uncomfortable.

Perhaps getting rid of this house made the landlord feel relieved. It straightened its hunched back as if letting out a sigh of relief, ignored Zhu Yan on the side, and lunged at the severed thigh on the ground, beginning to gorge itself.

It was too hungry.

Absolutely starving!

"Walter, the house is mine. I need the keys."

The Plague Ghoul made grunting and slurping noises as it ate.

It had no time to care about Zhu Yan's bizarre action of stripping off its clothes; it even cooperatively slipped its arms out of the sleeves.

Enduring the nausea and pain, Zhu Yan rummaged through the pockets of the red bathrobe.

Aside from a bunch of keys, there was a pile of baffling, unidentifiable junk.

He glanced at the original landlord, who was now completely stark naked except for the pair of slippers on its feet.

This concluded the body search. There was no longer any need to worry that the Plague Ghoul might take away some valuable treasure hidden in its pockets.

Zhu Yan casually tossed the red bathrobe onto a chair and lightly kicked the Plague Ghoul's body.

"Take it downstairs to eat, Walter!"

"Go to the room where the Man-Eating House's mouth is. Don't foul my sight!"