Death Game: Starting as a Trickster, Pretending to Be a God

”I don’t quite understand. Even though you’re strong, we still need to guard against people from Order. And even setting Order aside, by offending the Mermaid Royal and drawing so much attention, won’t that bring retaliation? Those merfolk are extremely united!”

”Even if they can’t do anything to you directly, you need to be careful of them playing dirty tricks and underhanded schemes.”

Walking on the road toward the appraisal office, April still asked, puzzled.

In her view, even with strength, keeping a low profile was never a bad thing.

After all, their primary mission was to collect certain materials, and quietly making a fortune was the most suitable approach.

Lin Yu understood April’s thinking well enough, but his choice to act high-profile was truly not just about establishing the Yayu persona.

”No matter who comes from Order’s side, as long as they dare to come knocking, I’ll deal with them,” Lin Yu said confidently, flexing his wrist. ”As for the Mermaid Royal... what we need to collect is the Mermaid’s Tear. Once that goal is exposed, we’ll end up standing against them sooner or later anyway.”

April shook her head. ”What you’ve said are only solutions to the ’disadvantages’ brought by our current fame. You still haven’t told me the advantages of acting high-profile!”

As she spoke, Lin Yu looked at her again. ”So that’s what I’m saying, April. It seems you really haven’t encountered any teammates with extremely strong direct combat abilities.”

”The advantage of choosing to act high-profile is extremely obvious. Since we’re destined to offend the merfolk, why not offend them thoroughly?”

”Don’t merfolk have enemies too... especially the person we’re going to trade the Mermaid’s Tear with this time, that collector called ’Sea Eye Sovereign.’ Since he’s already putting Mermaid’s Tears up for sale, could he possibly be someone on good terms with the merfolk?”

At this point, Lin Yu paused, giving April time to think, then added: ”So, it’s a good thing for us to let everyone know early that we don’t get along with the merfolk. Moreover... an identity like ’mysterious VIP from Central Sea’ should also make it easier for us to get close to that Sea Eye Sovereign. Even if he hasn’t noticed us yet, by the time he learns of us, his first impression will be of two ’distinguished’ individuals.”

”Of course... if we want good results, just intimidating that Mermaid Royal isn’t enough,” Lin Yu took out two wrapped items from his backpack, the ”Tentacle” and the ”Grilled Fish Steak.” ”Next, we’ll need to sell some things too.”

As Lin Yu spoke, April was astonished. ”Did you come up with all these plans on the spot? You’re more... meticulous than I imagined.”

Seeing April’s astonished expression, Lin Yu blinked, revealing a displeased yet not particularly fierce look.

”Because I was introduced by Fish, have strong direct combat ability, just got into a fight over a few words, and look like someone who’s lived in the wild dealing with animals year-round, you’d take me for a reckless, crude, dull-witted, hot-tempered, impulsive fellow, is that it?”

April shook her head. ”I didn’t. I just thought you would be...”

She weighed her words, then tentatively said: ”...more spontaneous and straightforward?”

”Isn’t that exactly what I said, just phrased more nicely?” Lin Yu curled his lip. ”So you see, what a tremendous misunderstanding... Although I do have an impatient temper, I won’t deny that, but... don’t underestimate the wild.”

”With only strength and anger, you can’t survive in the wild. Animals may be stupid, but they have a stupid kind of cunning,” Lin Yu said, looking at April. ”Patience and cunning are also things I excel at.”

”Besides... although I like staying in the wild, I don’t plan to stay there my whole life. I have dreams and ambitions!”

April was surprised. ”Dreams?”

”Haven’t you thought about it? I assumed most Players in this game would have very clear dreams,” Lin Yu said, then continued. ”My dream is a somewhat tacky one... I want to earn a lot of money and become a respected big shot, able to fly around the world, with a professional team adventuring alongside me. When I’m not in the wild, I’ll live in a super-tall large flat in the center of the most prosperous city, every night taking a bottle of ice wine from the wine cabinet, crossing the sunken living room to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city’s neon lights and the distant skyline; everyone who sees me will show only flattery and respect, curious about my life and thoughts, praising and admiring my experiences, and I’ll be able to casually spout some nonsense like ’my success comes from my affinity with nature.’ Maybe I’ll even publish an autobiography titled something like ’Living Like a Lion’... I want power, wealth, status, fame, the feeling of being above others and controlling them, and finally dying surrounded by crowds.”

Although it started as a casual remark, toward the end, Lin Yu’s tone gradually revealed determination, and his eyes seemed to shine.

April was somewhat stunned listening to this.

”It really is... quite specific. But it’s not exactly tacky either. People who can directly state their pursuit of these worldly definitions of success are actually quite rare.”

April murmured.

The two stopped their paddling motions and stood at the entrance of a building.

A tall sign hung in front of this spherical black building: ”Sea Demon Kingdom Royal Capital Academy Appraisal Office.”

This was Lin Yu and April’s destination. Because of the Tide Summoning Festival, the place was packed with creatures from various races.

After all, to sell something valuable at the Tide Summoning Festival, getting it appraised was the first step.

Lin Yu and April had just arrived at the entrance and hadn’t even had time to line up at the back when they saw a Sea Demon wearing the appraisal office’s black work uniform approaching them.

”Two, two... are you two the ladies Yayu and April who just arrived via the teleportation array?”

”We’ve already heard. You two are distinguished guests from Central Sea who have items to appraise and sell at this Tide Summoning Festival, correct?”

The Sea Demon asked kindly, a smile plastered across his face.

Lin Yu nodded. ”Of course.”

”Very good, you two. Please follow me. I will arrange a professional senior appraiser for you.”

The Sea Demon made a gesture of invitation, pointing toward a VIP passage where far fewer people stood.

Lin Yu looked at April and spread his hands.

”You see, this is the benefit of being high-profile, and the benefit of status. You get to enjoy preferential treatment and privileges.”

Lin Yu simultaneously answered April’s two earlier questions.