Chapter 28: The Magician’s Game of Making a Fortune

A true magician? What does that mean?

Chen Qi was momentarily confused; he hadn’t come to the sewers to watch a performance.

[You slide down the pitch-black wall, arriving before the self-proclaimed magician—an elegant figure in formal attire.]

[The magician bows to you and conjures a silver moon coin from his hand, welcoming you as a new guest to his domain.]

[Noticing the doubt in your eyes, he explains that he is a guide for the commercial district here and also a vendor. He assures you he won’t charge a distinguished newcomer for his services.]

[Do you accept the magician’s guidance?]

So, he’s trying to attract customers, Chen Qi thought. Perhaps his unusual entrance made the magician assume he was wealthy.

The magician’s name appeared highlighted—indicating their levels differed by no more than five, and he could be interacted with.

[Known information:
Title: Magician
Level: 7
Occupation: Sewer Vendor
Fate Aspect: Dice (the fate of this aspect is shrouded in chaos)
Strength: 14
Agility: 16
Inspiration: 30
Spirit: 20]

[Reminder: The future of those with the Dice aspect is unpredictable; their actions are impossible to judge, and the talent of predictive dreams becomes even more obscure when observing such individuals.]

Could the Dice aspect serve as a defense against divination? Chen Qi noted this carefully.

He considered his objectives: besides spending money, he needed to investigate that ancient book. Perhaps this guide could be a breakthrough. And, crucially, he wasn’t charging.

[Accept.]

[You accept the magician’s goodwill. He leads you deeper into the merchant’s quarter within the sewers.]

[The magician is a gifted conversationalist. He explains that the sewers are an integral part of the new city. Unlike other professions with high requirements, anyone can become a ‘rat’ here and earn money.]

[He is a vendor who loves to study the history of this land—especially the steam era before the new city.]

[For instance, the sewers themselves.
According to him, when disaster first struck, survival on the surface was impossible. The people of the steam era dug ever deeper underground, establishing dwellings and ultimately creating the embryonic underground world now known as the sewers.]

[It’s said the first residents of these sewers were nobles, and their descendants have never left, still living in the deepest reaches.]

So there are people deep within as well? Chen Qi continued reading.

[He also learned a certain knowledge from these residents, called magic.]

He explained that what he learned wasn’t spellwork or the manipulation of spiritual power, but a unique technique—needing neither spirit nor inspiration.

As he spoke, two silver moon coins appeared in his hand, then vanished before Chen Qi’s eyes.

With the conversation flowing, Chen Qi looked ahead; he had arrived at the trading ground of the sewers.

Exquisite doll lanterns hung from the ceiling. Vendors clustered around massive black roots, and all kinds of people disembarked from boats, creating a lively scene.

Strolling beside the magician, the spirited haggling gradually dispelled the cold aura clinging to Chen Qi.

This was the most fundamental guild of the sewers, Chen Qi mused. He needed to sell his ruby, see if he could repair his Shadowthorn dagger, and then browse other stalls.

At that moment, the magician stopped at a stall, eyeing Chen Qi’s precious rain boots and asking if he’d like to play an interesting game.

[Please make your choice.]
[1. Yes
2. No
3. Ask about the game]

A game? What kind of game?

Chen Qi scratched his head. Clearly, the magician hadn’t guided him for free; it was just a way to encourage spending.

There were plenty of tricks in this New Sun game, Chen Qi thought.

Option three: ask about the game.

[As a person with the Dice aspect, the magician can sense the scent of your money. He explains that this is an ancient game—a simple test of observation and luck.]

[On his stall are five covered stone cups. He will place a coin under one, then shuffle the cups.
If you guess which cup holds the coin, you win the prize beneath.]

[Do you want to play this game?]
[1. Yes
2. No
3. Continue to ask]

Chen Qi’s lips curved into a slight smile.

He knew this game—it was all about attention and sharp eyesight.

Strictly speaking, this game was a giveaway for him. He wasn’t certain about his character’s eyesight, but with the Star of Dawn’s ability to limit spatial range and item shape, he could pinpoint the coin’s location!

Of course, as long as the magician didn’t cheat.

In the world of New Sun, the means of cheating were far more numerous than on Earth.

Option three: continue to ask.

[You understand the game and ask the magician how he ensures he doesn’t use strange abilities to deceive customers.]

[The magician’s gaze lifts to the doll lanterns overhead.
He explains that, to maintain order in the trading ground and prevent theft or fraud, no spellwork or spiritual power may be used to cheat customers.]

[The doll lanterns above are called “Little Greedy Eyes.” Their gaze monitors every action in the trading ground—thievery, attacks, escape, spellwork cannot escape their notice.]

[Furthermore, every vendor with a “Rat’s Certificate” is prohibited from cheating customers or causing trouble outside the designated trading area.
Anyone who breaks these rules will suffer the debt collector’s cruel punishment!]

[Thus, the sewers have maintained order for many years, becoming a vital part of the ecosystem across the new city districts.]

[You look up and see the button eyes of the doll lanterns watching you.]

[The magician, a bit anxious, asks again: Traveler, as long as your luck and observation are sharp, you can win money—or even a lamp-aspect treasure—from him!]

[As a friend, you only need to pay one copper coin, and he will place a silver moon coin beneath a cup.]

[Do you wish to play the game?]
[Yes or No]

A lamp-aspect treasure? Chen Qi licked his lips and chose yes.

And since it cost only one copper coin, Chen Qi elected not to use the Star of Dawn’s seeking ability.

[The magician’s nimble hands moved the cups rapidly, but with the Bloodblade Fruit’s bonus, your dynamic vision far surpassed ordinary people. You chose the leftmost cup.]

[The magician lifted the cup—a shining silver moon coin lay within!]

[You have obtained one silver moon coin.]

So easy, Chen Qi smiled faintly. Clearly, this was bait to lure him into further play.

The first round was deliberately easy to entice continued participation—a common trick.

[The magician sighed, praising your keen eyes. He proposes: if you pay ten silver moon coins, he will place his last white sun coin beneath a cup. Do you accept?]

Ten silver moon coins—that was steep.

Currently, Chen Qi had a total of one white sun coin and a little over sixty silver moon coins.

A white sun coin! Worth using the Star of Dawn’s seeking!

Chen Qi entered keywords to limit spatial range and item attributes, locking onto the white sun coin.

[The Star of Dawn flies from your hand, locking tightly onto the magician’s white sun coin.]

Yes.

[You pay ten silver moon coins.]

[“This time I’ll show some real skill,” the magician says.]

[You see a sly grin flicker on the magician’s seemingly disappointed face, greed glinting in his eyes. He’s determined to take you for everything!
He begins to shuffle the cups at lightning speed!]