Chapter 13: Troublemakers?

Oh, that explains the extra points.

"System, put up a big sign in the breakfast room that says 'No Takeaway'," Charlotte said as she handed the empty plate to Bear, who would take it back to the breakfast room.

There was a half-meter-tall elevator behind the stairs, which was Bear's private lift.

Even though Bear was as tall as Charlotte, it would shrink to an appropriate size when it reached the elevator, including anything it was carrying.

That's why Charlotte often had it run errands to the second floor.

"System, also put up a big sign on the wall in the lobby with the store rules."

Soon, a prominent sign appeared on the blank wall to the left in the lobby.

**"1. Fighting or causing trouble is strictly prohibited. Offenders will receive a warning and a fine on the first offense, be expelled and blacklisted on the second offense, and be executed on serious offenses."**

**"2. Damaging store facilities will result in a fine of 500 points and expulsion. Severe cases will be met with execution."**

**"3. Theft, harassment of other guests, and instigating trouble will lead to one day of zombie-infested tourism."**

**"4. ... Not decided yet, will be added later. Oh, and note that the store reserves all rights to interpretation."**

Each rule appeared on the sign as Charlotte spoke.

After reading through, she was satisfied with the result.

At that moment, Lucas and Tate came downstairs and noticed the new sign on the wall. They read it with curiosity.

Seeing the strict rules, Tate's mood turned from annoyance to anger.

Recalling the confiscated breakfast items from earlier, he was both frustrated and infuriated.

"Boss, why can't we take away breakfast? Everywhere else allows it. I've spent my money, why should you keep my food?"

Oh, just as she finished setting up the rules, someone immediately bumped into them?

Charlotte remained indifferent, replying coldly, "No takeaways is the rule. If you don't like it, leave. Go to a hotel where takeaways are allowed."

There were no other places with such delicious food outside. Tate was just trying to intimidate her with his empty threats.

Seeing her unyielding attitude, and her clear intent not to be conciliatory, Tate's anger flared up even more.

A little girl without any abilities dared to be so arrogant in front of him?!

Tate's face darkened with malice as he took a step forward, his expression fierce. "I'll say this one last time! Give me back my food!"

Lucas watched with interest, curious to see how she would handle the situation.

Ever since he learned she wasn't the influential guest from room 201's woman, he had been eyeing her store's resources.

It would be best if he could just kill her and take over the place!

Charlotte smirked, taking a step forward with equal determination. "I'd say you're dreaming!"

"Damn it! Looking for death!" Tate wasn't even using his ability; he raised his massive fist and swung it down hard, aiming for a decisive blow.

"Erase!"

Charlotte furrowed her brows and shouted.

Tate ignored her, eager to see if her fluffy little bear or his punch would reach first.

He had long noticed that the bear was her only means of protection!

"Die! The inn is mine!" He roared, speeding up even more.

Just as he thought victory was assured and felt a surge of satisfaction, he suddenly felt the space around him harden like cement. He couldn't move an inch!

Lucas watched in shock as Tate's punch was frozen in mid-air. A transparent cube appeared around Tate, compressing rapidly inward, making his face turn red and his eyes bulge...

In just a second or two, without a sound, a living person turned into a blood mist. The cube shrank to the size of a centimeter, floating in a rich red around the shop owner.

What kind of strange ability was this?!

Lucas, paralyzed with fear, took a step back. It wasn't that he didn't want to help; it was too fast! He couldn't react in time!

Seeing the cold gaze from the female owner, he felt a chill down his spine and realized the danger. He turned and ran, not even having time to utter threats.

"Trying to run?"

"Kill!"

Hearing the girl's cold words behind him, Lucas's scalp tingled. He quickly summoned his sniper rifle and fired a few random shots behind him.

Hitting or missing wasn't important; what mattered was buying time!

The speeding bullets, as they neared Charlotte, seemed to get bogged down in the air, unable to advance another step.

Cling-cling, the bullets fell to the floor with a clear sound.

He had bought himself a second!

Lucas thought he might have a chance to survive, a smile of hope on his lips.

The door! The door!

Once he escaped, he would find a way to avenge Tate!

He would make sure to shed blood on the path to the afterlife for his fallen brother!

Lucas gritted his teeth and ran with all his might toward the door.

Suddenly, he felt an odd sensation in the air around him, as if something was forcefully stopping his movements, almost taking control of his body.

As he neared the door, he found himself unable to take the final step. He felt excruciating pain from his feet and head...

Charlotte watched expressionlessly as the two small cubes in front of her.

**[Malicious Ability User: (For Sale) What if you are surrounded by zombies with no way to escape? Use this cube, and just toss it on the ground to create a large pool of fresh blood. Rest assured, zombies won't be interested in you at this moment! Make sure to escape quickly!]**

"I'll make a card based on this description," Charlotte decided, purchasing a half-meter-long display case from the store for 50 points and placing it beneath the sign.

She put the two cubes inside the case and placed the card next to them. After some thought, she set the price at 2 level-2 crystal nuclei each.

Charlotte stood in the lobby, looking down at the still-white floor, and called Bear to disinfect it again.

"System, what about the crystal nuclei on the two men?"

**[Both were erased.]**

Charlotte was skeptical. "Did you keep them for yourself? Give me half."

**[The erasure mechanism is comprehensive. There is no opportunity for retention.]**

"Can you keep the crystal nuclei next time?"

**[No.]**

Although the crystal nuclei were gone, the unspent points from the two men still belonged to the store, adding 72 more points to today's earnings.

Bear polished the lobby floor to a shine, and the air smelled faintly of disinfectant.

On the second floor, Jeremy, still bundled up, descended the stairs and approached the checkout counter, dropping a line. "Extend the stay."

He had noticed the two red cubes in the glass cabinet and, seeing the card next to them, went over to examine them closely.

"How many days would the customer like to extend?" Charlotte asked, resting her chin on her hand and ignoring his actions. She wasn't worried about him taking things and running.

Jeremy, with the black hat brim casting a shadow over his eyes, frowned slightly in amazement. A chance to attract zombies for a single escape?

He had heard of such things in large bases, though they were rare and expensive, used only for internal personnel.

Having something like this was equivalent to an extra life, and many people would fight fiercely for it!

But now it was just casually displayed in a regular glass case, easily accessible?

"Do you have more of these cubes? I'll take these two."

Jeremy picked up the cubes, feeling their lightness in his hand.

Charlotte glanced up, "No more. Just these two."

If he wanted more, he'd have to wait for someone else to bring trouble to her door.

Jeremy, not suspecting any deceit, quickly pulled out four level-2 crystal nuclei from his pocket and placed them on the counter.

"Extend the room for a week."