"…" Master Mo Shu stared tiredly, rubbing his nose bridge.
"Know, when I wanted you using environment, I meant brain for tactics, not dumbly wrecking everything waiting for attack chance," He shifted weary gaze to the Demon Tigress corpse I'd brought.
"Worked though. And I met condition – only physical body," I refused admitting wrong.
"How'd you escape ruined cave sans magic? Suffocate faster," Old man pinned me with heavy stare.
"Trial was kill Demon Tigress sans magic; done. No surrender clause. Word tasks better next time," I smirked corner-mouth. Admit, bit dumb/reckless, but rules unbroken.
"Oh, this sophistry? You got what I meant. Fine, slippery eel, you wriggled out. Count it this time. But no life-risking stupidity next! Teaching survival on empty reserve, not old-man tricks," Sighing, he shook head.
"Got it," I nodded seriously; jokes aside, empty-reserve survival key – artifacts not always charged post-battle.
"Fine, go. Set reflexes for new Thunder Tyrant Body of Calamity level, sparred 'em in, final check done. Not holding you," Nodded pleased I'd heeded, Master Mo Shu.
"Until next, Master," Small bow, hands proper, vanished via world-jump.
Back in my world, first restored phone network; saw heap of missed calls from Tang Yue. Awkward, oh well – call back now, she won't stay mad... too much. Hit "callback," to ear.
"Mu Bai, you damn beast! What alley did devils drag you through?! Don't know what to do! What if Black Church nabbed you for intel leak? I'm worried! Couldn't explain before shutting off?!" Muffled sounds... sobs?
"... Sorry, Tang Yue. Didn't think. Warn properly next time," Apologized; truly owed one.
"Next time?! Who you think you are, hyena-rhino spawn?! No next time! Intel on Black Church? Send it, stay out!" She lectured. Why hyena-rhino?
"All-all, enough. Own fault. Repent, sinner. Business talk better. Meet kids' cafe near Mingzhu, two hours," Hung quick as she inhaled. Man, pissed her good.
Walking around the campus and admiring the beautiful summer vegetation around, I headed to the children's cafe. Why this particular place? Simple—in the presence of little human larvae, Tang Yue would simply be too embarrassed to express herself too loudly and coolly. And in that case, it would be possible to build a dialogue with her.
Approaching the children's cafe I had spotted a while back, I couldn't help but notice that its design had changed... drastically. Specifically, the sign featured an image of Pikachu, and the entire building was done in yellow and black colors. What kind of Totem event was this?
Stepping inside, I realized it wasn't a hallucination. Pikachu toys were scattered all over the floor, a costumed mascot with an animator inside was luring kids in near the entrance, and the whole hall was in yellow tones. Okay, I needed to figure out what the hell this was, pronto. And how? Right, Google it!
Five minutes later, I understood it all stemmed from that agreement I'd made long ago with a Japanese company, sending them the Pokemon franchise idea as well. And here was the result.
In Japan, the cartoon "Pokemon Defenders" had been airing for a couple of months and gained massive popularity thanks to its fresh concept and worldview. In the land of the rising sun, both adults and kids were obsessed, and an official merch line had launched.
Damn, so the Pokemon craze had reached all the way to China, spawning a themed cafe. And judging by the crowd, kids loved the design and would happily watch the cartoon with their favorite character.
By the way, according to the info I found, the Japanese planned to promote Pokemon in China using my persona as the prototype for the main character. They must realize that in China, people would prefer domestic characters. My fairly popular account with Pikachu photos was perfect backing and proof of their claims.
Now the main thing—how much did they pay me for this, and did they shortchange me? Checking my bank account, I was f...cking amazed. It wasn't enough for a Galactic vein yet, but at this rate, in a week or two, that oversight would be fixed.
Damn, so what did this mean? Even without my parallel worlds travel method, I could've broken through to High Tier just from a kids' cartoon? Where's this world heading...
While I was lost in a daze, Tang Yue entered the cafe, glanced around, and headed my way. Correction: very angry Tang Yue. She wore a white blouse and black business pants that accentuated her long legs. On her feet were shoes with low heels.
"My dear Tang Yue, you look absolutely stunning tod... " I didn't finish the routine compliment meant to lift her mood before she slammed the table, gearing up for a tirade, but the moms with kids nearby hissed at her like snakes. She blushed, quickly apologized to them. Heh, the plan was working.
"Tang Yue, no need for extra drama. Let's just talk like civilized people." I raised my hands in a conciliatory gesture and flashed a disarming smile.
"YOU! You little dirty swindler." Glancing at the kids around us, she hissed, but sat down anyway and glared at me, her whole demeanor screaming she needed my info on the Black Church. From her expression, it was clear: if she didn't get it, a personal genocide would happen right here in this kids' cafe. And she'd give zero fucks about fragile young psyches, even from the Three-Step Tower.
"Fine, don't get so mad. I'll explain everything. Basically, tomorrow at Mingzhu University, there's an exam for promotion to the Main Campus..." I started detailing the events, but a loud notification on her phone interrupted me.
Tang Yue didn't even check who it was from; she just pulled the device from her pocket and crushed it in her hand with a stone face. Then a sigh heavy with exhaustion escaped her, followed by a weak whisper: "Third one this week."
Uh, hope she's not this nervous because of me. Nah, definitely another reason—I hadn't pissed her off that much to smash a phone without seeing who sent it. Work must be grinding her gears.