“My time to shine? Heheh.” Yu Zhiye chuckled and wagged a finger at them. “Fame, authority, power… I never care much about those. I only care about one thing.”

  “Oh?” Four-eyes Kwan observed him with interest. “What might that be?”

  “We’re all adults here. Shouldn’t we understand how the world works?”

  Yu Zhiye smiled, rubbing his thumb and index finger together.

  That universal money grubber gesture was easily recognizable by everyone present.

  Even the stupidest lackeys shot him that “oh, so you’re this type of person” look, but the smarty pants still chose to play dumb.

  “As far as I know, everybody has their own opinions on how the world works, but…”

  The smiling Four-eyes Kwan’s arms spread out like some gospel preaching his grand ideal.

  “I believe the world thrives on unity! We should unite as one! Everybody should contribute and do their part for the greater good!”

  “Only then can we preserve the fire of mankind and make our mark in this new world.”

  Lackey A: “Yes, yes! Well said! CEO Kwan is right!”

  Lackey B: “Boss Kwan, brilliant!”

  Those two background actors rushed to cry out their support, but…

  To anybody with half a brain, those words were not very convincing.

  Just look at the rest of the group. None cheered in support.

  The baldie didn’t hold back his scowl, the scruffy uncle’s face didn’t look good, and even the lady in red didn’t give the four-eyes a second glance.

  Interestingly, the pot-bellied Kim Sungho actually jumped out to support the proposal.

  “Ohoho, Mister Kwan is reasonable. It’s only right that the capable should contribute for the survival of the group. I’m sure everybody finds this reasonable. Don’t you agree, little brother Steve?”

  Obviously, the four-eyes and the pot-bellied were singing the same tune, just trying to moral kidnap him into working for free.

  But will he be swayed by this level of peer pressure? Naw.

  Against these type of people, giving in will only make them exploit him more!

  To avoid harsher exploitation, he must stand up for himself! They want to talk reason? He’ll talk reason!

  “Reasonable? That’s easy for you to say.”

  Yu Zhiye still kept his easygoing smile, but his tone grew distant.

  “Even a beggar won’t work for free. If you’re all going to be like this, I think it’s only reasonable to not count me in. Good luck finding another toolman.”

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  After that, Yu Zhiye was ready to leave.

  But Lackeys A and B quickly blocked his way out.

  “Oi, oi! What do you mean by that?! We’re just asking you to contribute a little! Is that so hard?”

  “Right? It’s not like we’re asking you to do anything dangerous!”

  “Not dangerous?” Yu Zhiye crossed his arms and swept his eyes over the duo. “Then why didn’t you two go jump in to save others?”

  “What utter nonsense! That’s different!”

  “Yeah! That’s risking a life! How can you say such an outrageous thing?!”

  “Oh?” Yu Zhiye smirked. “From what I’m getting, it seems you two are not willing to contribute yourselves for the group? Then why should I?”

  “What?! I—!”

  Seeing his lackeys at a loss, Four-eyes Kwan finally couldn’t stand it anymore and took over again.

  “My friend, Steve. Things cannot be said like that. Human lives are precious and nobody here should put another human life at risk.”

  “Why are you so vehement in pushing others into the fire over an issue that can be solved by a simple prop with absolutely no risks?”

  His words immediately earned a chorus of support.

  “Yes, yes! CEO Kwan is right!”

  “Boss Kwan, brilliantly said!”

  “Che, Four-eyes, you said something right for once.”

  “Ouhoho, even I must agree with Mister Kwan. We should prioritize the living over the lifeless. This take no risk approach is the best way. Mister Steve, there’s no risk for you. Why not agree?”

  The pressure on Yu Zhiye was rising, but he wasn’t scared at all.

  “No risk for me? Heh.” Yu Zhiye didn’t give the instigator a good face. “The prop is a lifeline the system gifted to me, just like it did to you all.”

  “I don’t know how your gifts work, but the prop that came as my gift also came with a durability bar. Every use has a heavy cost, and once it’s gone, it’s gone!”

  “What will happen once it’s gone? It means my only lifeline is gone! So asking me to use it is basically asking me for my life!”

  “You say human lives are precious. Then why are you asking me to die? And you’re even asking me to trade my life for nothing? Think I’m stupid?”

  “Stupid? No, no…” Four-eyes adjusted his glasses that glinted dangerously. “If you keep this up, I’m afraid everybody will only see you as… selfish.”

  “Oh. Whatever.” Yu Zhiye shrugged like he didn’t care. “Call me what you want. I’ve said enough.”

  He then tried to detour around the two lackeys, only to get walled off again.

  “Oi! We’re not done talking here!”

  “Yeah! Where do you think you’re going?!”

  Yu Zhiye’s face fell. “If you two keep blocking my way, believe it or not, I’ll watch you two drown out there next time.”

  That threat froze them in place.

  Both lackeys didn’t know whether to take his threat seriously or keeping acting tough according to their boss’s will.

  Lucky for them, Four-eyes was smart enough to give them a step down.

  “Okay, Minho, Baewoo. Don’t be rude. Let our friend go. I’m sure he’ll make the better decision once he thinks things over.”

  Lackeys A and B didn’t look happy, but they both stepped out of the way.

  Yu Zhiye kept a straight face and walked right past them, leaving behind his last words, “Think it over yourselves. I hope you all have a fair offer ready next time or don’t bother looking for me…”

  Except for the few who stayed silent and kept a wait-and-see attitude, the others did not have a good face.

  They didn’t come to blows, but this was as good as tearing their faces.

  This was kinda bad news for Yu Zhiye. But why go so far?

  Remember. This is a survival game.

  What unity? What contribution? What use are those?

  Once danger rears its ugly head and push comes to shove, even a saint will get abandoned!

  In survival, it was every man for themselves!

  Never give in an inch or others will treat you like a doormat!

  Of course, this coldhearted behavior of his was rather risky and might even turn him into an outcast...

  But was Yu Zhiye afraid? Naw.

  What is there to be afraid of? Everybody ganging up on him?

  Hah! Worst case scenario, he’ll go hole up in his hideout and play assassin’s creed! This was the true power of owning such a pocket dimension!

  Speaking of his hideout…

  Time for a base run. Gotta free up some of those inventory slots...

  Passing by what appears to be sparsely-stocked instant ramen aisle, Yu Zhiye casually grabbed a bag of ramyun and a beef-flavor cup noodles.

  Heheh. Not taking too much doesn’t mean he won’t take whenever he can!

  Carrying those in hand, Yu Zhiye set his destination: the lovely toilet at the back.