City of Time: Falling into the kill zone at the start

Chapter 008 No Gambling

When Lu Chen entered the store, his expression was more one of exploration and caution.

As Lu Chen walked out of the store, his face was already solemn.

—To complete the jade's test, Lu Chen needs to earn [1 day, 23 hours, and 50 minutes] through his work today and tomorrow.

Now, Lu Chen has spent [6 hours] purchasing a set of second-hand equipment, which is very likely taken from a dead person.

This unplanned expense increased Lu Chen's target income to [2 days, 5 hours, and 50 minutes].

To reduce expenses, Lu Chen instinctively skipped breakfast today to save [4 minutes].

The mining equipment has now been purchased.

Now that he's already invested, Lu Chen naturally can't go to the factory tomorrow to earn less "time" and take the risk of buying new equipment and incurring new expenses.

Lu Chen will be working at the mine for the next two days, earning a total of [2 days and 4 hours].

"1 hour and 46 minutes remaining..."

"I wonder if I can sell this mining suit and helmet for the price of [two hours] after get off work tomorrow..."

"Or perhaps, what if some additional expenses arise..."

After a brief moment of thought, Lu Chen decided not to waste any more time and put on his mining clothes and helmet on the spot.

Then, following the miners, he walked toward the mine gate with a gloomy expression.

As for whether this set of equipment was overpriced or a rip-off?

Lu Chen had considered this as well.

But the final conclusion left Lu Chen feeling quite helpless.

Even if he was tricked, Lu Chen had no choice but to accept it.

Because this is the only shop outside the mine.

Let alone mining suits and helmets—even black bread can be sold for a higher price than [4 minutes], and there's nothing Lu Chen can do about it.

Lu Chen could only console himself: the black bread in the shop really was just as Yu said, only sold for "4 minutes".

Judging from this, the prices of the equipment in the shop should be quite reasonable.

However, Lu Chen didn't entirely believe the clerk who said the factory's daily wage was only "1 day 30 minutes".

After get off work tonight, Lu Chen decided to go to the factory again to confirm the authenticity of this information.

"Scan pupil information."

Following the crowd, moving forward little by little, Lu Chen gradually heard that extremely familiar, cold, mechanical voice coming from afar.

Only then did they realize that the seemingly large gate was actually divided into countless channels similar to 'security checkpoints'.

The bustling miners no longer pushed and shoved like they did when squeezing into shops.

Instead, they very consciously formed long queues outside each security checkpoint.

Looking around to make sure he was in one of the long lines, Lu Chen stood on tiptoe and peered into the mine.

Dozens of unpainted drones were suspended in mid-air, each corresponding to a security checkpoint.

"Is maintaining order all done with drones?"

"Whether it's the mine or the nighttime curfew?"

Before long, the crowd moved forward slowly, and it was the turn of the miner in front of Lu Chen.

"Scan pupil information."

"Parasite: No. 18-243-6497".

"Miners, approved."

Lu Chen quickly raised his head and pricked up his ears to write down the information he had absorbed.

When it was Lu Chen's turn, the mechanical voice sounded again.

"Scan pupil information."

...

"Recovered: No. 9527"

"Temporary miners."

"Scan for necessary equipment."

"Scan complete, approved."

As the mechanical voice finished broadcasting, hundreds of miners around them all raised their heads and looked at Lu Chen in the direction of the voice.

Those who have recovered?

The revitalized ones who came to the mine?

In an instant, countless gazes converged on Lu Chen.

There was surprise, there was doubt, there was numbness.

Of course, there were also those who coveted it.

"Hey, resurrected one!"

Just as he stepped into the security checkpoint, a rough shout drew Lu Chen's attention.

Then, at the security checkpoint next door, a miner, so dark he was unrecognizable except for his wide grin revealing white teeth, jogged up to Lu Chen.

Extend your left arm, palm facing up.

"How about we take a gamble?"

"If you win, I'll give you [1 day]."

"If I win, all you need to do is give me [4 hours]."

"How about it? Isn't it a great deal?"

As he spoke, the miner grinned again, seemingly trying to appear more amiable.

Standing in front of the miners, Lu Chen remained expressionless, his lips slightly pursed.

"No gambling."

The cold remark caused the miner's expression to freeze, and his smile turned to a stalemate.

He was just about to explain to Lu Chen the "how to gamble" strategy when the words stuck in his throat, unable to come out or swallow them.

After a while, the miner recovered from his petrified state and quickly smiled even more amiably.

"No, listen to me."

"It's simple, we'll break arms."

"Whoever can bend the opponent's arm to a downward position wins."

"—Bet on 4 hours; if you win, you get 1 day!"

"Such a great opportunity, how can you not seize it?"

By the end, the miner had become inexplicably impatient, as if he wanted to have "Please say yes!" written all over his forehead.

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen silently lowered his head and looked at the miner's outstretched, thick left hand.

Then I looked at the time displayed on the miner's arm.

【00:00:15:07:24】

"Can you tell me what time you start work and what time you finish work?"

Lu Chen asked softly, prompting the miner to nod vigorously, "7 o'clock!"

"Work starts at 7 AM and ends at 19 PM!"

Lu Chen nodded slightly.

If you work 12 hours, time will naturally pass [12 hours].

The miners in front of them only have 15 hours.

Tonight, this miner will finish his work with the remaining [3 hours].

After receiving today's wages for 2 hours of work per day, the miner's remaining time will be 5 hours per day.

—Just like the "hanging guests" that Lu Chen saw at the Rope Hotel last night.

I don't gamble.

You can't afford [one day].

Upon hearing this, the miner immediately became agitated.

"No, no!"

"Okay then!"

"You won, I'll give you [12 hours]!"

"I won. All you need to do is give me [2 hours]!"

"Is this alright now?!"

...

"[1 hour]!"

"30, [30 minutes]!"

Before Lu Chen could respond, the miner started haggling over the price on his own.

He spoke with great enthusiasm, spitting as he spoke, and gesticulating wildly with his hands and feet, displaying an extremely rich body language.

No matter how "excited" she was, she still dared not make even the slightest physical contact with Lu Chen in front of her.

What seemed natural, but was actually a slightly deliberate attempt to 'avoid', was naturally noticed by Lu Chen.

Lu Chen remained silent, watching the miners get excited for a while before his eyes narrowed slightly.

"You...don't dare touch me?"

...

"Are you afraid to touch me?"

The seemingly random remark caused the miner to freeze in shock.

Then, a look of regret appeared.

Seeing the miner's reaction, Lu Chen's suspicions grew stronger. He took a step forward with amusement and stared intently at the miner.

"I don't gamble."

"No matter what you say, I just won't gamble."