Chaptet 887. Besieging the General Store

887. Besieging the General Store

"When did you make your move? I didn't even notice."

Through the starfish, Scarlatti couldn't determine what was happening nearby, and thought those people were still following behind.

"I used Starfish Ornaments to set up some rune traps. Those people were all killed by the traps."

Lin Ye had prepared other methods as well, but none of them were needed.

"What about that starfish of yours? Do we need to bring those starfish back? Wouldn't it be better to leave them there mining?"

Scarlatti felt the current efficiency was already sufficient, and there was no need to explore deeper into the mine shaft.

"That starfish is already dead. I don't know how it died, but I discovered three rich mining spots.

I sent the starfish squad back to prevent being discovered by whatever's down there. I don't know if it'll help, but the more time we can buy, the better. If we can't buy time, that's fine too."

Those imprisoned deities would definitely discover the special nature of the Starfish Ornaments. Lin Ye hoped to delay that process, preferably until they could leave this place.

"Then can we send out a few more starfish squads to mine?"

Scarlatti felt she could control two more starfish squads, though they'd be more prone to errors in handling.

"That could easily cause problems. Get familiar with things first. Once we've mined enough Crystals, we'll increase the number of squads."

Lin Ye didn't want to attract the attention of the deities below the mining area, mainly because he didn't know how long he'd have to stay here.

"Alright... Your customers all seem to be looking for the killer of the general store owner. There are also people spreading rumors that killing you can also get them out."

Scarlatti leaned back against the chair, continuously observing the situation nearby.

"Rumors? Those aren't rumors. I have more than one item on me that could let them escape."

Lin Ye had also noticed this situation. Scarlatti was actually part of the rumor as well.

"If you weren't here, I'd have already dealt with those people."

Scarlatti wasn't usually this easygoing.

"No need to bother with them. Once the next general store owner arrives, we can leave this place."

The starfish squad returned to the slums and exchanged spatial items. Lin Ye maintained them, replenished the starfish, and sent them back to the mining area.

This time they would mine at those rich mining spots, and their efficiency would greatly improve.

"These starfish are really something. Much better than the locals."

Scarlatti picked up the spatial item and took a look at this haul.

"We could consider having two squads alternate mining. But only what's actually in hand counts. Otherwise, no matter how many squads we send out, it's useless."

Lin Ye was still crafting Starfish Ornaments. With the starfish clerk's efforts, the general store was steadily expanding toward becoming a large supermarket.

"Your customers are fighting each other now, over the spots to escape. In the end, only a few people might survive."

Scarlatti took a sip of her iced drink. She seemed able to perceive what was happening in the city.

"No, they're organized and killing their enemies. Before long, those 'outsiders' will all be slaughtered."

Lin Ye also took a sip of his iced drink. He needed to juggle many things at once.

"Then are you going to give them a hand?"

Scarlatti felt there was something off about those people.

"I've already given them their chance."

Lin Ye crafted a second starfish mining squad. With these two squads, the customers' importance dropped dramatically.

"What about that clerk? You're not going to help them either?"

Scarlatti thought Lin Ye would lend the other party a hand.

"No need. They're about to arrive."

Lin Ye leaned back against the chair, relaxing his body.

A crowd was forced into the slums. Most of them were paupers, including the Fat Man, the middle-aged man with a limp, and Lola.

Most of the paupers had already paid off their debts, but there were still some who hadn't.

"Boss, we'd like to go inside and buy some Starfish Ornaments."

The Fat Man forced a smile. He just wanted to go inside and hide for a while.

Even though it wouldn't do much good, at least it would let them live a little longer.

"Sure, just don't start anything inside the general store."

Lin Ye said casually.

"Thank you!"

The paupers flooded into the general store, but a few of them were stopped by the starfish clerks.

"You haven't paid off your debts yet. That's not good."

No one could owe Lin Ye something and not repay it... at least, no living person could.

"Boss, can you give us a few more days? Those Black Masks are trying to kill us! We can't even mine at all!"

"That's right, we've been trying our hardest, but we just can't get our hands on any Crystals!"

"Please give us another chance!"

"You never said there was a time limit either!"

...

The paupers' eyes darted around as they made various excuses. Some quietly edged closer to Lin Ye, while others secretly backed away.

Lin Ye didn't waste any words. He directly Alienated those paupers into parasitic starfish.

That way, they wouldn't have to repay their debts anymore.

At the very beginning, no one had stopped these paupers from going out to mine. These people simply never intended to repay their debts. Some of them had been infiltrated by the city folk and became their eyes and ears. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been backed into such a corner so quickly.

A large number of Black Masks surrounded the general store. The city folk stood in the distance, not daring to approach.

"Boss, we just want to go inside and bring our friends out. We don't want to start anything here."

A White Mask walked over, speaking with a smile.

"Whoever gets in the way of my business, I'll kill them."

Lin Ye didn't strike first. After all, these people had helped him collect Crystals and had helped him test the Starfish Ornaments, so he would give them a chance.

"Boss, the slums are our territory. The previous boss was killed by us. Are you sure you want to save those pieces of trash?"

The White Mask drew a Short Knife. He knew what his fate would be after making his move, but he was going to do it anyway.

Because this was their territory. No one could do whatever they pleased here.

"I'm not planning to save anyone, and I'd prefer you not come here seeking death. But many things can't be helped. Go ahead and make your move. I'll give you the first strike."

Lin Ye didn't think there was anything wrong with the White Mask, but he wouldn't show any mercy.

Just then, a starfish squad came running in from outside. Several Black Masks blocked their path.

The starfish squad didn't stop. The Black Masks instinctively launched an attack using Starfish Ornaments.

It was like a signal. Everyone made their move at the same moment.

Except for Lin Ye. He was just a bit faster than everyone else.

All the Starfish Ornaments on those people spontaneously exploded. The blast swept across the entire slums, blasting the area into a sunken pit. Only the general store remained untouched.

Various attacks of different natures mixed together. No matter what trump cards those people had, none of them could withstand this chaotic explosive assault.

"...Didn't you say you weren't a crooked merchant?"

Scarlatti turned to glance at Lin Ye. She hadn't even had time to make a move before the enemies were wiped out.