Chapter 86: Words from the Heart

But from beginning to end, no one voiced any objections. Lu Kuan’s earlier performance had left some people feeling unwilling, yet too ashamed to speak against him. This is what true strength means. It isn’t just something said to intimidate others; it is something tangible, like a mountain standing firm before you, impossible to ignore, always looming wherever you go, inescapable.

The three girls standing nearby watched the scene, each with her own thoughts.

“Why do I get the feeling you had all of this planned from the very start, and you were certain you’d kill the boss today?” A’Kui strolled over to Lu Kuan, eyeing him intently. “Could it be, as the leader said, that you’re actually some online gaming legend in disguise?”

“Heh, thank you for thinking so highly of me,” Lu Kuan replied with a cheerful smile, smoothly changing the subject. “They'll definitely keep pushing forward soon. The third boss isn’t going to be so easy. What about you three—any plans?”

“You’re not joining them?” Bai Keke asked, curiosity in her voice.

Lu Kuan shook his head. “No, I won’t be going. The third boss will take a long time, and they might not even succeed. I have other things to do.”

Qing Yi, who had been silent until now, walked over. Her eyes were calm as still water as she looked at Lu Kuan and spoke quietly, “We promised him we’d help with the next boss attempt, but if you need our help, we…”

“It’s fine, you go do what you need to. I’m just going to practice some life skills,” Lu Kuan said with a smile, waving away her concern.

Lu Kuan was absolutely certain the third boss wouldn't fall tonight. But letting the three girls try would be a good experience for them—a kind of trial.

...

Meanwhile, Paradise Eternal Night was busy managing the aftermath.

“Alright, those who’ve learned skinning, start on the serpent’s hide. Those with high gathering skills, collect the other boss materials. Be careful! Don’t waste anything!” Paradise Eternal Night issued orders to the team, and immediately several members rushed over to “loot the corpse.” With a boss of this caliber, every part was a rare treasure.

Lu Kuan watched it all with a smile. After the three-headed serpent had fallen, word had surely already reached the forums. While everyone was busy gathering loot, the prepared news articles would be released at once. For Dark Paradise, this was the true core benefit of killing the boss.

Hearing that Lu Kuan was leaving, Paradise Eternal Night knew there was no use trying to persuade him to stay, so he simply smiled and wished him a safe journey. “Give me your bank account info. I’ll wire your bonus later. You contributed the most this time and deserve double the reward.”

Lu Kuan didn’t hesitate. Every team member would get their share, so why decline a free reward?

“You flatter me, leader. But honestly, the main credit for tonight’s victory should go to that ‘Unstable Goblin Bomb,’ don’t you think?” Lu Kuan said meaningfully.

Paradise Eternal Night raised an eyebrow, giving Lu Kuan a long, meaningful look. “You even know about that?”

The Unstable Goblin Bomb was the game’s first single-use purple item. Its effect was to deal fire damage over a wide area, but it didn’t distinguish friend from foe—throw one and the boss might only be mildly irritated, while the players could get wiped out.

In the last life, these bombs were mainly used by rich players to farm monsters efficiently. Lu Kuan hadn’t expected Paradise Eternal Night to use one here.

The bomb’s ingredients weren’t expensive; what was rare was the blueprint, which dropped randomly and very rarely across the world. Lu Kuan recalled seeing one at auction recently for 700 gold, sold instantly at the buyout price to someone.

“Using game items wisely is nothing special. Any guild with such a tool would risk using it,” Lu Kuan said, clapping Paradise Eternal Night on the shoulder.

Paradise Eternal Night’s expression relaxed a little. “It’s one of my trump cards. I may use it again, so could you keep this between us?”

“Of course. Do I look like a blabbermouth?” Lu Kuan replied with an easy smile.

“Thank you,” Paradise Eternal Night said, shaking his hand in gratitude.

After bidding farewell to the others, Lu Kuan activated his recall scroll and returned to the bank in Molten Fortress.

Everything had gone smoothly. Now, it was time to prepare for tomorrow’s Golden Trial.

The rest of the night, Lu Kuan spent in the alchemy hall, working until midnight.

Logging out of the game, he was greeted by the familiar sights and smells of his own room. He couldn’t help but smile. Perhaps it was his mature state of mind, but gaming at home just felt so much more comfortable than in an internet café.

Lu Kuan got up to wash, but from the living room came the familiar sound of his mother’s nagging.

“Look at you! How old are you now, still drinking so much? Don’t you know your own health?”

Lu Kuan paused, opened the door, and saw both parents in the living room. His father’s face was red, smiling as he listened to his wife’s complaints.

“Dad got drunk?” Lu Kuan asked in surprise.

In his memory, his father hadn’t been drunk in years, usually just sipping quietly at home with some peanuts. But tonight, it was clear he’d had too much.

Seeing Lu Kuan, his father grinned. “Don’t listen to your mother. I just had a few drinks with some friends and colleagues. My son scored high marks, so they insisted I treat them. How could I refuse? Ha!”

His father was in a great mood, and seeing his mother’s mix of anger and worry, Lu Kuan smiled. “Don’t be upset, Mom. It’s rare for Dad to drink like this. Why don’t you get that honey I bought last time? I’ll boil some water.”

He went to the kitchen and made a cup of honey water for his father, who, even more delighted, sipped the sweet drink while humming a little tune.

“Alright, enough with the drunken antics. Off to bed,” his mother said, exasperated, trying to help her husband up.

Lu Kuan quickly came over to help, supporting his father, who really had had too much. As he helped him up, his father patted Lu Kuan’s hand and muttered under his breath.

“Good boy… You’ve made your father proud… But don’t slack off in college. Even if you’re making money… *hic*… you still need to learn how to be a good person… Don’t get arrogant… and bring home my daughter-in-law from university…”

Lu Kuan nodded, agreeing with everything, grinning all the while. Seeing her husband becoming more incoherent, Lu Kuan’s mother hurriedly got him into bed and told Lu Kuan to get to sleep as well.

Once his mother closed the door, Lu Kuan’s eyes revealed a depth of maturity and understanding rare for someone his age.