Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Strolling along the streets of the affluent area in Reflection City, high-end restaurants are everywhere, but occasionally, you can also see some ordinary small eateries.

It’s not because the rich want to balance their lavish diets that these establishments are allowed to exist.

This is the affluent area, but it isn’t completely isolated from the regular civilian district; occasionally, people come here to trade with the wealthy, ensuring various high-end products flow to this side.

To maintain the prosperity here, some labor is indispensable.

In pursuit of a high-paying job, some talented young people try to squeeze into the affluent area to work, attempting to let themselves and their families settle in this safe and comfortable affluent area, no longer having to live a busy life that starts at the crack of dawn.

These talented young individuals mostly cannot afford the high-end restaurants, but their talents are needed here, so some ordinary small eateries are kept.

The places where these young people live are not upscale villas, but the civilian district surrounded by the affluent area.

The civilian district surrounded by the affluent area isn’t much different from the ordinary civilian district in the other half of Reflection City—worth boasting about only because it’s slightly safer.

But this little bit of safety is enough to multiply the housing prices in this area by several times.

After walking and stopping on the winding, refined streets, Lang Yi led Yang Yu to some specialty stores for underwater tools before entering the civilian district.

There, the bubble mobility tools purchased by Lang Yi are neatly arranged on the shelves. They come in different models and specifications, allowing customers to choose according to their specific needs.

Leading Yang Yu in browsing the shelves, Lang Yi introduced several useful underwater tools to Yang Yu.

Such as the [Underwater Breathing Pill], taking this pill prevents oxygen deficiency reactions, allowing activities underwater for about four hours.

Or the [Water Flow Propeller], simply strap it on the back and continuously inject Magic Power to keep spraying water flow, moving rapidly in the ocean with speed comparable to some Sea-dwelling Species.

Then there’s the [Rapidly Ascending Balloon]; when forced underwater, open this tool to burst upwards, emerging above the sea surface and hovering in mid-air.

If you pay extra, this balloon can come equipped with a navigation system, allowing the user to find new islands for resupply.

Incidentally, this device doesn’t use Magic but electromagnetic waves, practically functioning as a small radar.

Similar devices are applied in submarines of this world, allowing safe passage through ocean currents to different sea areas.

The prices of these items aren’t cheap, starting at least several thousand, while the [Rapidly Ascending Balloon] with a navigation system costs as much as tens of thousands.

Adhering to the principle of being prepared, Yang Yu stocked up nearly several million worth of goods, even securing ten of the Rapidly Ascending Balloons.

After all, it’s easy to get money from Chilom; if funds ever fall short, just find Chilom to sponsor some more.

Seeing several sets of shelves almost emptied, the shop owner was dumbstruck; noticing Lang Yi from [Island Drifting] beside Yang Yu, the shop owner suspected Yang Yu to be some trader, eagerly engaging in some chit-chat, hoping Yang Yu could establish a long-term partnership for mutual prosperity.

Yang Yu casually agreed, remarking he’d first check the market demand and if it sells well, he’d return for more purchases, then began negotiating with the owner for a ten percent discount.

After leaving the shop, Lang Yi told Yang Yu that the goods sold here would be twenty to thirty percent cheaper than similar ones sold on land.

The reason Lang Yi brought Yang Yu here instead of having him prepare in advance was to help save a little money, bolstering Yang Yu’s confidence and composure when meeting a certain woman later.

Yet Lang Yi never expected Yang Yu to spend so much money without batting an eye, purchasing all those items.

Lang Yi started to doubt life; in his early years as an adventurer, he often struggled financially, only after being recognized by [Island Drifting] and becoming a true member did his economic situation slightly improve.

Still, he couldn’t imagine, like Yang Yu, taking out so much money with such a blank expression.

Could it be that Yang Yu’s money is just blown here by the wind?

Without delving deeper into the issue, Lang Yi led Yang Yu into the civilian district that clashes with the affluent area’s prosperity, surrounded by ocean-themed buildings enclosing dilapidated flat-roof houses.

Upon entering the civilian district, Yang Yu immediately spotted some women of the night flaunting themselves on the street in broad daylight.

Living expenses in the affluent area are high; if someone loses their job or their family faces unexpected incidents, it becomes difficult to maintain their lifestyle in the affluent zone, often resulting in them being sent back to the ordinary civilian district.

Yet some are reluctant to give up the affluent life, concocting ways to cling to this lifestyle, creating a barely sustainable poor area within the civilian district.

People in the poor area either strive to eke out a living or try to make a living in ordinary civilian districts.

The city’s high officials silently permit their existence.

Ignoring the flailing limbs of various fallen Sea-dwelling Species girls, Yang Yu followed Lang Yi up an old building, arriving at the door numbered 5038 on the fifth floor.

Taking a deep breath, Lang Yi knocked on the door, immediately met by a female voice full of streetwise impatience,

”I know, stop hounding me! The fees will be paid in a few days, once my funds circulate back.

We’ve rented that place for decades, there’s no need to make things difficult for us now.

I’ll tell you, if you forcibly reclaim it, see how many people will disapprove...”

Lang Yi calmly replied: ”It’s me... Lang Yi...”

Upon hearing Lang Yi’s voice, the woman within fell silent.

After a long while, a slightly awkward voice came from behind the door: ”Come in. I’ve unlocked it.”

Lang Yi opened the door, greeted by a strange scent resembling tobacco, but much fainter.

Yang Yu glanced inside to see a roughly 1.2-meter tall lady in white, casually sitting atop a large shell; she held a cigarette in one hand, taking a puff and exhaling a cloud of white smoke.

”Is it the matter Jiao Xi asked me to handle?”

Lang Yi nodded, showing unprecedented respect, ”I’ve brought the person, now it’s up to you to discuss the price with him.”

Yang Yu slowly stepped out from behind the door.

Lang Yi introduced to Yang Yu, ”This is the reliable person I’ve mentioned.

Her name is Enkod Abasena Lolos.

Though there’s no blood relation, she’s practically like an aunt to me.

You can be completely assured; there’s no nepotism involved.

She indeed possesses such abilities, having been a member of an S-Class adventure group.

And considering you’re all land people, accustomed to land-based combat with physical footholds, her abilities might support your battles.”