Wasteland's Only King-Chapter 38: Magic Tricks

Light’s barbecue didn’t last long.

To be precise.

After handing out two skewers to each club member, he put down his tools.

Because the system panel had stopped popping up new reward notifications.

Light wiped the greasy stains off his hands on his apron as he mentally tallied up his gains.

Just one look, and he couldn’t help but click his tongue in surprise.

In just these ten-odd minutes, he’d racked up a total of 204 Tier Three Energy Crystals!

The club, besides himself, had 102 members, meaning each person contributed two Tier Three Energy Crystals to him!

Not to mention—

There was also a whopping 200,000 Wasteland Points!

"Even though they’re just Tier Three Crystals, the quantity is huge, so the value isn’t low!"

Light was in a fantastic mood, his smile only growing brighter.

The club members noticed and immediately felt even more admiration for this President.

At the same time—

Seeing Light stop grilling, they all felt relieved, like a weight had lifted from their shoulders.

If President kept barbequing, they’d really feel too embarrassed.

As Light took off his apron and sat down by the edge of the clearing—

The eager first-year newcomers couldn’t hold back anymore; they yelled and rushed toward the flaming barbecue racks.

Five minutes later—

Light stared at several huge plates of skewers piled in front of him, and at the members still enthusiastically handing him more, sinking into deep thought.

...

...

College students, especially freshmen, seem to have an endless reserve of energy.

Even though everyone had spent the whole day battling polluted rivers, at this moment, whether guy or girl, they were all lively as ever.

Some were grilling, faces smudged with ash; some gathered to drink; some, hormones flying, went up to chat with someone of the opposite sex.

The lively vibe, the peaceful atmosphere—made Light temporarily forget everything about the ’Wasteland.’

He lay on the grass at the clearing’s edge, hands under his head, daydreaming up at the night sky.

Thanks to the resort being far from the city and light pollution being minimal, there were plenty of stars twinkling above.

"What are you thinking about?"

Yin Yao appeared at some point, sitting down beside Light.

"Ha."

Light let out a chuckle.

"Nothing really. Just feels nice like this."

Yin Yao pressed her lips together at that.

After a while—

She finally let out a gentle, lingering sigh.

"Yeah."

"Just like this is good."

They quietly watched the night sky, saying nothing more.

Not far off—

Some members noticed them, gossiping quietly, but no one came over to disturb.

Yin Yao, senior, was a celebrated figure at Jiang University, and rumor had it her background was deep as could be.

But President Yu—his charisma was nothing to scoff at!

In fact—

To many members these days, Light’s status ranked even above the mysterious Senior Yin Yao.

Time passed slowly.

Not far away—

The club’s freshmen were full and tipsy, and started spontaneously showing off their talents.

Some sang, some danced, some even did backflips.

Light sat up, with Yin Yao beside him, watching the scene unfold, a faint smile on his face.

Honestly...

Aside from ’milking rewards’, he genuinely liked these club members.

"If only it could always be like this..."

He heard Yin Yao quietly sigh again.

He turned his head and looked at Yin Yao.

This senior was actually very different from the people he’d imagined.

"What’s wrong?"

Yin Yao, catching Light’s gaze, turned her head toward him.

Their eyes met—

But the atmosphere wasn’t romantic at all.

In her eyes, Light instead saw a hint of quiet compassion.

Compassion?

Was it for the coming Wasteland?

Light puzzled over this, but kept a calm expression.

"That Jiang City Environmental Ambassador thing—was it your idea, or Principal Jiang’s?"

Light deliberately changed the subject, taking the opportunity to ask what was on his mind.

The river purification event earlier, both in scale and aftermath, had totally exceeded his expectations.

Of all of it—

What shocked Light most was the way the Jiang City head had appointed him ’Jiang City Environmental Ambassador’ in front of the media.

And even announced that two days later, this Saturday, there’d be a citywide environmental activity!

"It was my uncle’s own arrangement."

Yin Yao replied quickly.

Then she paused, looking at Light: "If you’re not interested in that ’Environmental Ambassador’ thing or Saturday’s event, you can opt out."

Light shook his head.

He knew, with Yin Yao’s background, "you can opt out" was not a joke.

But...

Even though the ambassador gig and the whole city event had totally blindsided him, from the reward perspective, it was another prime opportunity to ’milk rewards and rake in loot.’

Purifying just one polluted river had earned him a ton of rewards.

If he actually pulled off this citywide environmental activity—leading millions to do environmental work—how bonkers would the system’s judgment and rewards be?

Just thinking about it gave Light the chills...

Yin Yao saw Light shake his head and didn’t press any further.

Even though she thought Light should focus more on the internal beta of "Wasteland"—

Still, she respected all of Light’s choices and decisions, and would support them.

That’s precisely why—

She was here, not inside "Wasteland."

Light was Yin Yao’s biggest, most important investment after her Rebirth.

"Old Yu!"

No telling how much time passed—

Tang Yunxuan came running over, clutching grilled lamb kidneys, grilled leeks, and still chewing a freshly swallowed grilled oyster.

"What’s up?"

Light raised an eyebrow.

"Uh, well, uh!"

"Talent show!"

"Those freshmen have already gone through several rounds of performances, and now they’re egging you on to show off your talent!"

As soon as he finished—

The freshmen nearby all yelled in unison: "President! President! President!"

"What talent do I even have?"

Light felt helpless, but couldn’t help laughing too.

"Yeah, right!"

Tang Yunxuan, mouth still full of oyster, spoke a bit unclearly.

"They even tried to make me sing earlier!"

"Like, how ridiculous is that? I can’t sing at all!"

Light’s expression changed in an instant.

Tang Yunxuan really wasn’t being humble—he was totally tone-deaf, sounded like a banshee wailing.

Old Tang’s singing was nicknamed Level Dragon Calamity!

"Did you?"

Light’s tone became unusually grave.

"Not yet!"

"They said, if you go up and perform a talent, they won’t force me to sing."

As Tang Yunxuan finished—

Swish—

Light jumped up.

So fast he almost made a wind-breaking sound.

"?"

Yin Yao was dumbfounded.

"Damn!"

Tang Yunxuan froze, then quickly caught up with Light’s pace.

"That’s discrimination, discrimination against Old Tang!"

"I don’t think my singing is THAT bad..."

"Old Yu, Old Yu, what talent are you gonna perform?"

Light didn’t look back.

"Magic tricks."

At that—

Tang Yunxuan was totally bewildered, scratching his head where he stood.

"Magic?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Never heard you mention you could do magic..."