Chapter 177: Holy Shit, The Box
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Given your power level as a Four-Tails, I'm guessing you can't open that box, can you?"
On the other side of the screen, Su Ning was pulling two cans of grape juice from the refrigerator. Her fingertips, wrapped around the cool metal, paused as the message lit up her phone.
Yu Xuexue leaned over, peering at her friend's face. "What's wrong? You look like you want to kill someone."
"It's nothing." Su Ning expressionlessly tossed her a can. "Just an annoying little fly."
Although her power had been suppressed to that of a Three-Tails upon entering the Death Game, she had briefly unleashed her true Four-Tails strength during a sparring match with Ye Tian. Since this 'Realm Demon' was familiar with Ye Tian, it wasn't a complete shock that he could deduce her actual power.
Still... a box that even she couldn't open? Her curiosity was undeniably piqued.
Su Ning: "What's inside? And how do I open it?"
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Is that the tone you use when asking for a favor?"
Her Highness the Princess of Eientei: "Exactly, exactly! Shouldn't a proper request involve a full prostrate Dogeza?"
Invincible in the World: "Awesome."
Su Ning: "All of you, get lost!"
Her expression darkened. Su Ning instantly regretted even asking. She stalked back to her bedroom, retrieved the small wooden box, and handed it to Yu Xuexue.
"Aren't you usually good with seals and mechanical things? Help me take a look at this. Best case, you can open it."
Yu Xuexue's eyes widened at the sight of the exquisite wooden box. "...Is this a token of his love?" she blurted out.
Her question was met with a murderous glare from Su Ning. Yu Xuexue immediately backpedaled, patting her chest reassuringly. "Leave it to me! There's no seal I can't break."
Su Ning felt a sliver of relief. She had always trusted her best friend's expertise in this field.
However—
Ten minutes later, Yu Xuexue silently set the wooden box back down on the table.
"You can't open it?" Su Ning frowned.
"There's a seal on it, one from a Miko's lineage," Yu Xuexue replied in a hushed tone. "For one, I've never had much contact with their arts. For another... the one who cast this is far too strong. Even if I reached the level of a Five-Tails, I probably couldn't break it. The person who gave you this box is likely an incredible powerhouse; we'd be better off not provoking them."
Though she suspected the box might be connected to the important figure who had recently been searching for her best friend, Yu Xuexue was under strict orders not to reveal anything. This was the most direct warning she could give.
Hearing this, Su Ning's frown deepened. She picked up her phone, only to see that the group chat had moved on without her, with Haruto and Ye Tian already deep in conversation.
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Hm? You have a ghost hand card over there?"
Invincible in the World: "Not me personally. Remember that organization, 'Seventeen,' my secretary mentioned during the last instance? They have one. Anyway, I don't have anyone in the real world who needs to enter the game, so once I wipe them out, I'll just give the card to you."
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Then I'd feel bad just taking it."
Invincible in the World: "Hahaha, Brother Haruto, no need to be so polite! If you really feel bad, you and Kaguya can just join my Ascending God guild. I'll give you both vice-commander positions right off the bat."
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "I choose to freeload."
Her Highness the Princess of Eientei: "+1"
Invincible in the World: "Eh? What's not to like about joining Ascending God? With you and me working together, we could dominate the world."
Watching them chat so cheerfully, the veins on the back of the hand Su Ning used to grip her phone began to bulge.
Su Ning: "@The Most Handsome Realm Demon, where did you get this box?"
Invincible in the World: "You really can't open it?"
Su Ning: "I can't."
In another world, Ye Tian's eyes widened in slight surprise. He knew Su Ning's true strength. For there to be a sealed object that left even her completely helpless—knowing her proud personality, she wouldn't have even mentioned it in the group if there was the slightest chance she could solve it herself.
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "It's only natural you can't. It has a sealing technique on it applied by my Miko. If you want to open it, you have to say the right password."
Su Ning: "Are you a god?"
Su Ning couldn't help but frown. From his username, she had assumed Haruto was a youkai like her. But his next reply made the veins on her hand pulse again.
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Are you blind? My name literally says 'Boundary Youkai.'Can you not read the word'Youkai'?"
Su Ning: "Then how can you say she's your Miko?"
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Is there a conflict? Who made the rule that a youkai can't have a Miko?"
Su Ning: "???"
Su Ning: "I'll ask you one thing. Can you make this Miko you mentioned clean for you? Can you make her prostrate herself before you? Can you make her serve you tea, pour your water, wash your clothes, and cook for you?"
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "...Can't I?"
Her Highness the Princess of Eientei: "@Su Ning, you forgot warming the bed."
A spiderweb of cracks appeared on the living room wall where Su Ning's fist had just been. She was about to explode. How could any Miko possibly have that kind of relationship with a youkai and agree to do those things?
The sudden outburst made Yu Xuexue jump.
"Xuexue, do you think a Miko would ever serve a youkai like she serves a god?"
"P-Probably not... Mikos and youkai are fundamentally opposed. They're enemies," Yu Xuexue answered in a small voice.
Vindicated, Su Ning's fury subsided slightly. It would be a miracle if a Miko and a youkai didn't try to kill each other on sight. With the arrogant nature of those shrine maidens, how could they ever revere a youkai as a deity?
Su Ning: "Enough nonsense. How do I open the box?"
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Opening the box requires a payment of 1 million."
Seeing that glaringly familiar number, Su Ning gritted her teeth. She took a deep, steadying breath, and still transferred one million via a private message.
Su Ning: "[Screenshot.jpg]. Can you tell me now?"
Invincible in the World: "Awesome."
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Prostrate yourself, then shout 'Haruto is the most handsome, most handsome'."
Su Ning: "Are you messing with me?"
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "Fine, no need to prostrate. Just shout 'Haruto is the most handsome, Haruto is the most handsome.' This time it's for real, I swear on my integrity."
Su Ning: "Get lost!"
How could she possibly believe such a ridiculous method? Su Ning was now more inclined to believe that Haruto had simply stumbled upon or bought the box by chance. Just as she was about to give up and throw the wooden box away, the next message Haruto sent made her entire body freeze.
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: "@Su Ning, original name Su Ning; born in Suli City, Liaozhong Province; currently living at No. 8 Gengzhi Street, Jingdong District; reached Four-Tails ten years ago; age 396 years, seven months, and thirty-nine days; likes Duolulu brand grape juice..."
Invincible in the World: "Holy shit, doxxed!"
In another world—
"Fuck!" Ye Tian couldn't stop the curse from escaping his lips as he shot to his feet, knocking over a water cup perched precariously on the edge of his desk. Beside him, his secretary sighed, already moving to clean up the spill with practiced helplessness.
"Boss, can you please try not to get so excited all the time..."
"Sorry, sorry. I'm just a little shocked," Ye Tian said, forcing himself to calm down.
The female secretary leaned toward the screen, her curiosity piqued. "What happened?"
"Su Ning just got doxxed by Haruto."
Female Secretary: "???"
She hurriedly looked at the group chat. She had a rough idea of who everyone was, and she was keenly aware of Su Ning's power—in a real fight, she was even a few notches stronger than her own boss.
A being of that caliber... was actually doxxed?
If this were in the real world, it would be one thing.
But this was the Death Game.
Staring at the terrifyingly detailed personal information displayed on the screen, the secretary's eyelids began to twitch.
[Inorin's Note:
Enjoying the story? Dropping a quick review, comment, or Power Stone means the world to me!
Want to read ahead on our official home, or unlock 50 advanced chapters (plus an Ad-Free experience) to feed your addiction? Help keep this shameless translator alive here:
(P.S. Replace the [.] with a regular dot . to use the links!)
🌐 Official Website: elysianreads[.]com
✨ Patreon (50 Advanced Chapters & Ad-Free): patreon[.]com/InorinTL
☕ Ko-fi (Support / Sponsor): ko-fi[.]com/InorinTL
Thank you so much for reading and keeping this project alive!]