C23 He Started to Raise the Price Seeing Injustice

In Yellow Sand Town, Faang Chen arrived just as the noon sun reached its zenith. The town itself was shrouded in a protective array formation, shielding it from the relentless desert sands. Despite its harsh geographical setting, Yellow Sand Town was a necessary destination for all Two-circle professionals in Gloomrock, and as such, it had grown to a considerable size.

Upon touching down, Faang Chen was immediately greeted by a bustling throng of people and a multitude of vendors. The majority were peddling equipment and skill books, treasures unearthed from the depths of the Iron Armor Ant Nest. A smaller contingent dealt in the sale of Iron Armor Ant corpses.

Curious, Faang Chen checked the local auction house, only to discover not a single Iron Armor Ant corpse was listed. In stark contrast, the streets were awash with them.

"Iron Armor Ant corpses, 100 million Eceosian currency each, fresh off the press!"

"Iron Armor Ant corpses, only 5,000 Eceosian currency! Just three hours left!"

"Iron Armor Ant corpse for a mere 1,000 Eceosian currency, with one hour remaining!"

The cacophony of sales pitches made it clear to Faang Chen. Iron Armor Ant corpses were indispensable for job advancement, but they came with an expiration date. They had to be turned in within a day of acquisition, or they would vanish. It was no wonder the trading houses steered clear; by the time the corpses made it to their shelves, there'd hardly be any time left for resale. They were simply not viable for commerce.

Here, however, a market had emerged, albeit one with questionable practices. Who would have the audacity to sell a corpse with only an hour left? It was futile for the average professional who couldn't make it to Dragon Flower City in under an hour, rendering the purchase pointless.

The three-hour and freshly harvested corpses were somewhat more appealing, but the prices were exorbitant. After all, the Iron Armor Ant Nest dungeon came in four levels of difficulty: Normal, Elite, King, and Nightmare. Completing just the initial job advancement task, one could solo the Normal difficulty with a decent team. The inflated prices here didn't reflect the true value of the items.

Disenchanted with the blatant price gouging, Faang Chen no longer paid any mind to the vendors. He wove through the crowd, making his way determinedly toward the dungeon's entrance.

"Elite Iron Armor Ant Nest run, need one more! Hop in, and we'll split the loot evenly!"

"The Rose Red Mercenaries are tackling the King Iron Armor Ant Nest and will wrap it up within five hours. One spot left, one hundred million yuan for the ticket!"

"Calling all geared-up Magic Master Archers for a Self-strengthening King Iron Armor Ant Nest run. Profits will be shared equally!"

"..."

As Faang Chen listened to the surrounding calls, he couldn't help but feel puzzled. Why was no one taking on the Nightmare Difficulty?

After all, while there was a cap on experience gained in the wild, like how Faang Chen was currently maxed out at level 65, dungeons offered no such limits.

Meaning, if he braved the Nightmare Difficulty, he might just rack up enough experience to hit level 70 after completing his job advancement quest—a two-for-one deal.

And naturally, the Nightmare Difficulty offered the highest experience gains.

But then again, he mused, it made sense. The Nightmare Difficulty was no walk in the park, so most would opt to finish their quests or form a team for the King Difficulty.

Just as Faang Chen was contemplating this, someone grabbed his attention.

"Hey, bro, looking to join a team? We're short one swordsman!"

The person remarked upon seeing Faang Chen's gear.

Faang Chen had a decorative longsword slung over his back.

"No thanks, I prefer to go solo!"

"Solo? You out of your mind?"

The person scoffed and walked away.

Faang Chen rolled his eyes. Since when was soloing considered insane?

He didn't bother with a response and turned to enter the dungeon.

But just then, a familiar voice caught his ear.

"How is this fair? We've been waiting for three hours!"

"You're wasting my time!"

Faang Chen turned to see it was none other than Su Muyu.

"Boss Su, please try to understand our situation!"

"We've got to make a living too, right? We're one short. Whether it's one sheep or a flock, we have to let them graze. Can you hang tight while we find another?"

The redhead pleaded.

Faang Chen glanced at the man, who hadn't bothered to conceal his identity, and quickly took note.

Name: Hongyi

Level: LV.59

Profession: First-tier Swordsman

Team: Red River Mercenaries

Guild: Red River Guild

"This creature is a classic level-capper!" Faang Chen chuckled.

A level-capper? That's someone who has the strength to advance but chooses not to, staying at a specific level to make money.

Take the Iron Armor Ant Nest, for instance. You can't enter if you're above level 59!

So they deliberately stay at this level, avoiding their job advancement quest, to earn cash by guiding others.

"We had a set price. It's not my problem if you suddenly need to find someone else," Su Muyu fumed.

She was wealthy, but that didn't mean she was foolish, especially when dealing with people who didn't honor their agreements, which infuriated her even more.

"Come on, Boss Su, with all your wealth, are you really fussing over a hundred million Eceosian currency?"

"How about you pay for two tickets, and we'll leave right now?"

"We'll wrap up the battle in four hours, tops. I assure you, there's no team out there more efficient than us!"

"The Red River Mercenaries, part of our Red River Guild, are legends of our time!"

"Excluding other areas in Northriver, our guild leader Red River set the only three-day Nightmare record for the Iron Armor Ant Nest in Gloomrock City!"

"Our guild leader is a Magic Master, a third-tier level 99, and quite the celebrity in Gloomrock City!" Red One boasted with confidence.

Su Muyu retorted angrily, "This has nothing to do with our current contract. I'm not issuing double tickets!"

"You're taking advantage of me!"

"Boss Su, that's just how the world works. If you want to be a delicate flower, go home. Don't stand here crying. The Red River Guild has no sympathy for tears!"

Su Muyu's eyes brimmed with frustration.

Seeing this, Faang Chen couldn't hold back and interjected with a laugh, "The only Nightmare Difficulty Iron Armor Ant Nest? If my memory serves me right, wasn't it the Celestial Wolf Guild's leader, Heaven Howling Wolf, who led that expedition?"

"Red River shelled out 300 million for those tickets. Without that, they could have finished in just two and a half days!"

"Since when did that become something to boast about?"

Upon hearing the comment, Hong One and his companions swiveled to face Faang Chen.

"Who are you? Don't go looking for trouble!"

"Crossing the Hong Jiang Guild is a mistake you'll regret!"

"Exactly, kid. You should ask around. Once we put the word out, no mercenary group here would touch you with a ten-foot pole!"

Faang Chen just smiled.

"Do I look like I need an escort from you?"

"Three hours to claim a king's title, are you joking?"

"You're asking for it!"

Hong One was livid, but they were in a no-fight zone.

He could only glare at Faang Chen, his hands tied.

"Big talk! Don't leave today then. I dare you to step foot outside Yellow Sand Town!"

At that, Faang Chen chuckled.

"Leave? Why would I? I haven't even finished my dungeon run. I'm not going anywhere."

"If you're not in a rush, stick around. I'll be done in about..."

"It's you!"

Su Muyu interrupted Faang Chen, rushing over and latching onto his arm.

"What are you doing here? You're not here to change your job as well, are you?"

"I knew you wouldn't backslide. You've made it to Two-circle? No wonder you're the top heartthrob of Long Hua High School!"

Faang Chen was taken aback by Su Muyu's starry-eyed look.

"Do you know me?"

"Faang Chen, I'd recognize you even if you were reduced to ashes!"

"Cough, cough, no curse intended!"

Su Muyu giggled.

Faang Chen urged her to keep it down, not wanting to blow his cover.

Yet, he was puzzled. How did she see through his disguise?

He was masked and had even used his godhead to obscure his information.

Noticing Faang Chen's confusion, Su Muyu chuckled.

"Never underestimate a woman's intuition. I'd spot you no matter the disguise!"

"I may be a girl now, but I'll be a woman one day too!"

Faang Chen was at a loss for words. A woman's intuition was indeed baffling.

"Cough, cough, let's focus on the current issue!"

Turning to Hong One, Faang Chen raised his voice.

"So the esteemed Red River Mercenaries are now extorting people, demanding the boss pay twice the entry fee?"

"Your behavior is utterly shameless!"

"Do you honestly believe we can't complete the job transition quest without you?"

Faang Chen deliberately raised his voice, drawing the attention of those nearby.

Su Muyu chimed in, playing along.

"Exactly, I refuse to pay double. You people lack any sense of honor. From now on, our auction house will no longer do business with you!"

"Huh?"

Faang Chen was taken aback.

"Your family runs the auction house? The one in Gloomrock City?"

"Yes! Weren't you aware?"

Su Muyu countered.

"Damn! That's highway robbery. You've charged me a fortune in fees!"

Faang Chen was at a loss for words.

Su Muyu just laughed.

"Next time you come to me, not only will I waive the fees, but I'll even throw in a girlfriend for free! Teehee!"

"Get lost!"

Faang Chen retorted, clearly irritated.

The onlookers grew increasingly agitated upon hearing the exchange.

It's tough enough for everyone; how can someone be so audacious as to jack up the prices?

"You've crossed the line. I thought the Red River Mercenaries had a decent reputation, but it turns out they're just as money-hungry!"

"Indeed, why should we agree to one price only to be charged double?"

"Enough already. I was going to pay someone to help, but I might as well look for help with the standard difficulty level!"

"I'm done with the Red River Mercenaries. I've heard good things about the Rose Red Mercenaries; let's go to them instead!"

"Absolutely, taking a bit longer is fine as long as they're trustworthy!"

"Hey! You lot!"

Red One was seething, his face turning a shade of green.

His glare at Faang Chen was murderous.

Faang Chen just smiled, dismissively, and walked away.

Su Muyu hurried after him.

"Faang Chen, are you off to tackle the Job-Changing Mission? Let me join you!"

"No, thanks! I prefer to go it alone!"

Faang Chen insisted, not wanting to reveal his unbeatable prowess because of a girl.

Even though he trusted Su Muyu to keep a secret, he worried about her safety if she accompanied him to a Nightmare Level Difficulty challenge.

Upon hearing this, Su Muyu turned to him and asked incredulously, "Have you lost your mind? You can't tackle this dungeon alone; it's a team effort, requiring at least a duo!"

"How do you expect to solo it?"

"Team up?"

Faang Chen was at a loss for words.

"Is a team necessary? Nobody mentioned that to me!"