Ch. 19 - I Want to Be a Parasite

For that moment, the driver couldn't help but suspect that the problem might lie with himself. Though their reasons differed, Yusheng ultimately gave the driver the answer he wanted to hear."Why did you come here?"

"With your abilities, you shouldn't need my protection."

The driver asked somewhat helplessly.

Yusheng shook his head. "If I can comfortably lie on a bed, why should I stay cautious outside?"

Saying that, Yusheng lay down.

However, he quickly sat up, gazing at the surveillance. "Could you make a copy of this footage for me later?"

Monitor Members A and B hesitated for a moment before subconsciously nodding.

"As an apprentice."

"During an assessment, if you're unaware of the answers and mistakenly believe you're in real danger, saving your teammate could also earn you a reward."

"Campus New Policy, Article 16."

"Yes!"

"Three thousand per person!"

In the dimly lit room, Yusheng's eyes seemed exceptionally bright.

"Twelve people, thirty six thousand."

"And if I'm injured, there's additional assistance."

"Twenty thousand..."

Saying that Yusheng suddenly got up and pushed the door open to leave.

The driver hadn't fully comprehended Yusheng's perplexing actions yet. After a two-second pause, he shouted after Yusheng's departing figure, "This is cheating!"

"Extorting funds from Mo Ge in broad daylight!"

"Bold as brass!"

"Is this fair to the other students?"

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"I will definitely report this truthfully to Mo Ge and firmly combat this kind of misconduct, eradicating parasites like you."

The driver's words were uttered with utmost seriousness.

Even a sense of righteousness seemed to permeate the room.

Monitor Members A and B, their expressions wary, exchanged glances. It seemed that the driver's deeds were indeed impressive.

A pillar of humanity!

Deservedly so!

"Split it with you."

Yusheng's figure had already vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a resonating statement in the room.

The initially stern driver suddenly broke into a smile. "Sure, let's cooperate. I'll take care of this side!"

With that, the driver casually closed the door.

In the perplexed expressions of Monitor Members A and B, the driver's smile turned into a grin. He glanced at them with a dangerous edge in his eyes and said, "As exemplary clerks, when you return to Mo Ge, you should know how to report this matter to the higher-ups."

He rubbed his fist, producing a crisp sound.

He appeared like a cunning wolf eyeing a helpless rabbit.

"Aren't you supposed to crack down on this kind of misconduct by eradicating parasites?"

Monitor Member A swallowed nervously and cautiously voiced his question.

"Heh..."

"I also want to be a parasite, is that okay?"

The driver grinned, retorting with a question.

Monitor Members A and B looked at the driver, their expressions growing more ominous. They nodded frantically.

The driver patted both of them on the shoulders, visibly satisfied. He lay back on the bed, no longer interested in watching the surveillance.

Since Yusheng had left, there was no need to continue watching the footage.

"Can I ask one more question?"

Monitor Member A seemed to be struggling internally. Even though he was just a logistical clerk at Mo Ge, he still held onto his sense of justice. Despite the possibility of getting beaten up, he stubbornly voiced his question.

"After all, you've earned merit."

"Even if it's just the lowest-ranking Cloud Pattern, it still represents your contributions to humanity."

"But today's incident involved Mo Ge's property."

"And it harmed human interests."

"You..."

Monitor Member A was thoroughly perplexed.

This had clearly exceeded his understanding over the years.

A hero should be righteous, shouldn't he?

The driver sneered, "How should merit be defined in your eyes?"

"Fighting valiantly, charging forward regardless of personal gain?"

"Without money, how do I cultivate?"

"Without cultivation, how do I advance?"

"Without advancement, how do I slay demons?"

"What if my weapon breaks?"

"If my vehicle is wrecked, should I buy a new one?"

"Do I have to carry you two and go demon-slaying?"

"A human-shaped ax?"

"I take turns with you then you bite the demon."

Adjusting into a more comfortable position, the driver lit another cigarette. Amidst the swirling smoke, his gaze grew somewhat unfocused. "Sometimes, I'm not belittling you desk jockeys."

"Some things are too idealistic."

"There's a saying that comes to mind, let me think..."

"Oh, right!"

"Idealism."

Flicking the ash off his cigarette, the driver continued, "You always think that the world should be as you perceive it."

"Heroes should fight to the death."

"Let me tell you, that's just being naive, utterly foolish. If your death can buy time for a plan in the rear, then it's justified!"

"But if it can't, then you better run as fast as you can. Don't end up as a pile of feces in a demon's belly, not even knowing which one you are."

The driver's tone carried a hint of sarcasm, as if he were recalling something. A trace of sadness flickered in his eyes and even his voice lowered.

"Human resources are far too limited and far from enough."

"Resources that can enhance our strength lie within demons, but are demons so easy to kill?"

"Everyone wants to grow stronger, to become a hero. But what if resources are scarce?"

"We compete, we fight with our lives."

"Do you know how many people have perished in the wilderness for a single demon crystal?"

"Just like you said, this is embezzlement."

"But if I become stronger and go to the Demon Sealing Pass, I can kill more demons and save more people."

"After all, we won't live to see our old age, so why not enjoy an exciting life?"

"You can't even outcompete others for resources. If they go to the Demon Sealing Pass, can they contribute more than you?"

"Some rules are accepted baselessly by Mo Ge." 

Finishing his cigarette, the driver's enthusiasm gradually disappeared. He casually tossed the cigarette butt on the ground, leaving behind one final remark: "Heroes aren't as clean as you imagine, nor as despicable as you think."

Closing his eyes, he hummed a tune softly. The driver seemed quite content.

'He was already calculating what kind of resources he could buy to enhance his strength with the more than one hundred thousand credits coming his way. He had heard that a batch of tiger demon blood had returned from the provincial city recently, which could strengthen one's physical body. Level-four demon crystals were also valuable, who knew they might allow him to make further progress?'

But...

'He couldn't afford them.'

'How about getting the kid's contact information?'

He had a feeling that with that kid's brain, he could make a fortune. Perhaps, while his strength was still lacking and lacked strong backing, he could collaborate and maybe even benefit from it. Otherwise, when the kid became powerful,

He would probably ignore him.

He seemed like the type to amass wealth quietly.

For a moment, the driver's mind grew more active. He was even subtly considering asking Yusheng for his contact information.