It's true that Spades' weapon is expensive to maintain." Charles, oblivious to Bai Liu's subtle shift in expression, continued, "But he's also a first-class fighter, and his weapons are well worth the cost. If it were me, I'd have no hesitation spending that many points on him."
Bai Liu glanced at Charles and replied nonchalantly, "Oh? Is that so."
Charles, failing to notice Bai Liu's cool gaze, went on, "Bai Liu, I can make minor modifications to your skills and weapons myself. But your whip, and your team's weapons—"
His eyes traced a slow circle around the whips, guns, monkey claws, and daggers. "—these heavy weapon types require a professional reformer. You'll also need a face-to-face meeting with them to discuss your combat habits and attack styles. They'll modify the weapons based on your input."
Liu Jiayi raised an eyebrow. "Weapon modifiers are rare in the game. The good ones are all hoarded by the big guilds. Where exactly are you planning to find one willing to work with us one-on-one?"
Charles leaned back in his chair and smiled at Liu Jiayi. "It's common knowledge that the best weapon modifiers and appraisers belong to the King's Guild. But, little witch, you and I both know that's just a gimmick Hearts cooked up. The appraisers in the King's Guild are indeed top-notch, but their weapon modifiers? Not so much."
Liu Jiayi fell silent.
Charles smirked. "But you're right—good weapon modifiers are usually controlled by major guilds. That's why the best ones in this game are actually with the Deer Hunter's Guild."
Liu Jiayi's eyes flicked up. "Guild rules forbid their weapon modifiers from working on external players' weapons."
Charles shrugged, absently twisting the ring on his finger. "Rules can change."
"As long as someone enters this game driven by desire, they'll always be willing to trade something for it. And I," Charles tapped his temple, "am very good at figuring out what they want."
Then, glancing at his watch, he said, "But I suggest you all get a good night's rest before meeting the weapon modifier. If you're not in the right mindset, it'll be difficult to get the best results. This is a rare opportunity—cherish it."
He waved a hand in dismissal. "That's it for today. Rest up, and come see me tomorrow before training. I'll introduce you then."
Bai Liu dipped his head slightly in farewell. "Thank you, Mr. Charles, for going through all this trouble for us."
Outside Charles' Office
As they left, Bai Liu glanced down at a tense Liu Jiayi. "What's wrong with the weapon modifier Charles found for us?"
Liu Jiayi hesitated, shaking her head. "Nothing, really. He's right—the best weapon modifiers aren't in the King's Guild. And for players like us, whose skills are already exposed, getting our weapons modified before the tournament is a good idea. It's just that..."
Bai Liu remained calm. "Just what?"
Liu Jiayi bit her lip. "I just don't know how he did it." Her unease was obvious. "Maybe I'm overthinking, but every guild guards their weapon modifiers fiercely. These people know every detail about their battle teams' skills."
She took a breath before continuing. "The Deer Hunter is a massive guild. Usually, only the president has the authority to lend out a weapon modifier. If Charles managed to pull this off, it can only mean one thing—"
Bai Liu picked up where she left off. "—the president of the Deer Hunter's Guild volunteered to let Charles use their weapon modifier on us."
Liu Jiayi nodded gravely. "But why? Lending out a weapon modifier is a huge risk. I have no idea what Charles offered the Deer Hunter's president in return..."
She trailed off, then added, "But that man always has ways to get what he wants. Just like how I still don't know when he started working with Hearts..."
Bai Liu pondered aloud, "So, while this weapon modification is beneficial to us, it also comes with potential risks. Is there a way to mitigate those risks?"
Liu Jiayi tilted her head. "The better the appraiser, the more likely they are to detect any issues in a modified weapon."
Bai Liu recalled something. "Charles mentioned earlier that the best appraisers are in the King's Guild."
"Yes." Liu Jiayi raked a hand through her hair in frustration. "Back when I was in the King's Guild, I had full access to them. Not anymore."
Muke hesitated before asking, "Isn't there a difference between a weapon modifier and an appraiser? Appraisers only identify modifications; they don't understand the internal structure of a weapon. Since the guilds aren't as strict with appraisers, aren't they allowed to take external commissions?"
Liu Jiayi stilled.
Bai Liu's eyes glinted knowingly. "—But only if Hearts is willing to let an appraiser take our request, even after we stole her right-hand woman."
Liu Jiayi rubbed her temples with a sigh.
After Logging Out of the Game
Bai Liu instructed the others to rest up before tomorrow's modifications. Risks aside, this was still an opportunity worth taking.
Later, Charles suggested he customize some team accessories based on the badge logo Bai Liu had designed—hairpins, brooches, headpieces—something flashy enough to make the audience remember them.
Based on Charles' logic, Bai Liu should have gone for gold-plated hairpieces or diamond-encrusted brooches. But those were far too expensive. Instead, lying on his bed, Bai Liu casually opened Poundland on his phone, filtering search results from lowest to highest price.
Thirteen minutes later—
A new group chat popped up. Bai Liu had pulled in Tang Erda, Mu Sicheng, and Muke.
[Music (Mu Sicheng)]: ?
[Music] changed the group name to [Stupid Bai Liu What's Going On Again?].
[Muke] changed the name to [Wandering Circus Without Monkeys].
[Music]: Shit??? Muke, you can't be serious!
[Tang Erda, leader of the third detachment] tapped [Music].
[Tang Erda]: Don't swear in the group.
[Muke]: @Bai Liu, what do you need?
[Bai Liu]: [Shared link to Poundland – Stainless Steel Dog Tag – Help me chop the price!]
[Music]: Bai Liu, why are you buying dog tags?? For a dollar and a quarter, are you getting a dog??
[Bai Liu]: No. They're for you guys to wear.
[Tang Erda]: ?
[Muke]: ?
[Music]: ???????? Say that again.
[Bai Liu]: This one can be laser-engraved. I'll wear it too.
[Tang Erda]: … This doesn't seem appropriate.
[Muke]: Yeah… I think we should reconsider…
[Music]: Bai Liu, please, have some basic human decency. Who the hell wears dog tags?! At least pick something a little classier!
[Bai Liu]: [Shared link – High-Grade Aluminum Dog Tag – 2.1 per piece]
[Bai Liu]: What about this one?
[Music]: THAT'S STILL A DOG TAG!!!
[Bai Liu]: It's 70 cents more expensive. Much classier.
-------
The Next Day in the Game
Mu Sicheng stood in line, wearing his dog tag, staring blankly at the others. "…Why am I the only one wearing this?"
Bai Liu blinked innocently. "I was just joking last night to lighten the mood. You actually took it seriously?"
Mu Sicheng turned to Muke and Tang Erda, who both averted their gazes, barely holding back laughter.
Tang Erda coughed into his fist, his other hand quietly gripping the dog tag in his pocket.
He had genuinely thought they were going to wear them… so he'd planned to put his on later.
In the end, Mu Sicheng was the only one left in utter humiliation.
With a roar of frustration, he ripped the dog tag from his neck.
"YOU BASTARDS!!!"