Chapter 31

Chapter 31: The Puppet Master – 7

With a work of art like yours, do you really have no idea whether it would amaze anyone?

The only people who could possibly be impressed by something like this would have to be psychopaths, right?

Storm really wanted to express his honest thoughts with complete sincerity. However…

Under the relentless pressure of his survival instincts, Storm made a tremendous effort to convince himself that yes, that was right. He was a psychopath!

“Perfect.”

Sincere words of praise came out of Storm’s mouth. There wasn’t the slightest trace of reluctance in his voice.

“Your taste is beyond compare. Even this vulgar place has become so uniquely charming and full of spirit simply because of your presence!”

Hmm?

“Tu Jin,” who had been preparing to send Storm off to his death, paused: … Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

He looked at Storm, who appeared utterly delighted, practically wishing he could press both eyeballs against Tu Jin just to get a closer look.

Wait—

Did this player have some kind of psychological disorder?

Had he actually encountered a psychopath?

Or perhaps his own level of insanity wasn’t quite sufficient?

“Tu Jin” pondered for a second.

Then, with an elegant movement, he slowly turned his head back to its normal position.

But before Storm could assume that his crisis had finally passed— Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

His hand suddenly rose against his will.

His fingernails weren’t particularly sharp, yet at that moment, they pierced into his chest with astonishing ease.

The slippery sensation of flesh and blood flowed across his skin. His sense of touch, amplified to an extraordinary degree, eventually focused on the steady, powerful beating of his heart.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

There was no lingering.

“Thump!”

“Rip—!”

That hand forcibly tore Storm’s heart out of his chest. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

“Thump! Thump-thump! Thump! Thump-thump…”

His palm opened.

The heart that had just been ripped out was still beating vigorously.

Blood burst from Storm’s chest, but he couldn’t feel any pain.

At that moment, Storm felt as though he had become a third-party observer. His soul seemed to have drifted out of his body, allowing him to quietly watch his completely controlled physical form as its life force grew weaker and weaker.

He was going to die.

Storm thought about it with astonishing calmness.

He had still been too arrogant. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

So arrogant that he had underestimated an S-rank NPC.

S-rank…

He wanted to laugh, but Storm could no longer manage it.

And just as Storm had predicted, the outcome was exactly what he expected.

Unlike NPCs, who had already died and could continuously recover as long as their cores remained undamaged, players couldn’t survive having their hearts ripped out.

And that was precisely the kind of death “Tu Jin” wanted for him.

Smiling cheerfully, he watched the light fade from Storm’s eyes. He continued controlling Storm’s body, presenting the freshly removed heart before him as though offering up a tribute.

“His heart is actually much more beautiful than I imagined.” Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

As he spoke, pointing and commenting on it, “Tu Jin” slowly shifted his gaze toward the only person present who could still stand there naturally: the little puppet.

“No—Pfft!”

Tu Jin struggled desperately to stop him, but “Tu Jin” crushed his throat with a single stomp.

He then looked at the little puppet, who had immediately crouched down on the floor, clutching her tiny head and trembling all over. He tilted his head slightly.

“Ah la la, little one, don’t be afraid. Big brother is here to rescue you and take you home~”

He smiled warmly. His self-righteous expression was so convincing that even a champion of justice would probably have to call him sir.

“Don’t worry. The bad man who snatched you away from Jiujui has already been defeated by me. Come with big brother. I’ll take you home~”

Do you think I’m an idiot?! Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

Looking at “Tu Jin’s” gentle smile, the little puppet didn’t feel even the slightest bit of security. Instead, cold sweat broke out all over her body. She was practically the only sane person left in the room.

Did he really think she didn’t know why she had been staying with Tu Jin?

Did he think she had no idea what he was trying to do?

He was probably just looking for an excuse to take her away!

If she actually went with this thing, wouldn’t she end up being made into a puppet specimen?!

She would definitely be turned into a puppet specimen!

Help! Someone help me! Save me! Save me!

The little puppet immediately burst into tears. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

At that moment, faced with the ultimate choice between life and death, she finally unleashed her last resort—

Summoning Technique!

“Wuwuwu! Master, help me! There’s a psychopath here! Aaaaaah!”