“Boss, this thing is amazing! Where did you get it? Did it drop in the dungeon? It feels even better than the Fountain of Life!” The teammates bombarded him with questions.
The [Fountain of Life] sold in the system store could revive the dead, but it was extremely expensive. Only players who reached the highest level could even be eligible to buy it—and so far, no one, not even the leaders of the three major guilds, had qualified.
Qian Ming’s wounds gradually healed, and he felt as if he had truly come back to life. He moved his body and exclaimed in delight, “I’m okay now!” He looked up at Pu Yunfeng, eyes wide with excitement. “Boss… did you use talismans on me?”
Seeing him recover, Pu Yunfeng’s face broke into a smile again. “I was about to tell you all. I went into an incense shop…”
He recounted his experience at the incense shop and distributed one purification talisman to each teammate. He also set the rules: everyone must move together in the dungeon, avoid being separated, and only use talismans in emergencies.
Having seen the talisman’s effects firsthand, the team was thrilled to each receive one. This was a life-saving item comparable to the [Fountain of Life]!
Originally, accompanying the vice leader into the dungeon, everyone had mentally prepared for the possibility of not surviving. But now, learning there was hope for survival, their spirits lifted instantly.
“Boss, you’re so lucky! We have a chance now!”
Pu Yunfeng also felt lucky—how else could he have stumbled upon an incense shop in such a dangerous situation?
“Can we buy talismans too?” a teammate asked eagerly. With such a powerful effect and requiring only one skill or item to pay, this was an unbelievable opportunity. They wanted to stock up, knowing it could be useful later.
Pu Yunfeng gestured toward the Wax Museum’s open doors. “Can you see the incense shop outside?”
The teammates strained their eyes, but ultimately shook their heads in disappointment.
Pu Yunfeng sighed. “I can’t see it either.”
This was a rare encounter. He couldn’t help but wonder—could the incense shop be a beacon of hope for players trapped in the Infinite Horror world with no way home?
Thinking of the two extraordinarily attractive shopkeepers, a vague thought crossed his mind: maybe… they were capable of rivaling the gods of the Infinite World…
Though slightly disappointed, the team quickly regained their spirits. At least the boss had the talismans—they could survive this dungeon!
Qian Ming noticed Pu Yunfeng holding something else. Curious, he asked, “Boss, what’s that?”
Pu Yunfeng glanced at the incense money paper and said, “Also from the incense shop. Not sure what it does yet.”
Even if it had no effect, it didn’t matter—they already had life-saving talismans.
While they were still celebrating, a teammate suddenly shouted, “Someone’s coming!”
Everyone tensed instantly and assumed combat stances.
This dungeon’s premise was simple: the Wax Museum opened, and many “people” came to visit, including players. There were no rules or puzzles—players only needed to survive for seven days to leave. But all visitors were NPCs, and players had to watch out for them turning into wax figures. The NPCs crowded the museum, leaving players with nowhere to hide.
Previously, Qian Ming had hidden in the restroom but was still found and attacked by NPCs, resulting in his injuries.
“Don’t move!” Pu Yunfeng ordered.
Not all NPCs became wax figures upon seeing a player. Sometimes they behaved like normal humans and could even reward items if interactions went well. But they could also attack spontaneously or transform mid-conversation. The trigger conditions were unknown, adding to the players’ fear.
For now, staying still and observing was best—what if the approaching NPCs didn’t turn into wax figures?
“What are you doing here? This is the Wax Museum’s back door, far from the main exhibition. Are you trying to steal something?” About ten people approached. Leading them was a burly man in a black suit—clearly not to be trifled with. If he turned into a wax figure, his combat power would be formidable.
As vice president of the third-largest guild, Pu Yunfeng had both high level and strong combat ability. He stepped forward cautiously. “The Wax Museum is huge. We got lost, and we’ll leave immediately.”
The burly man stared at him silently, the atmosphere instantly tense. Teammates were ready to use skills and items.
Then the man’s gaze suddenly fell on the incense money paper in Pu Yunfeng’s left hand. “What’s that? It smells so good…”
Pu Yunfeng: ?
Teammates: ?
They exchanged confused glances, not understanding why the NPC had suddenly shifted focus. The previously tense atmosphere became strangely awkward.
The burly man continued drooling over the incense paper. “So fragrant…”
The NPCs behind him began to salivate as well. “So fragrant… so fragrant…”
Pu Yunfeng hesitated, then tossed a stick of incense to test it.
The man immediately caught it, bringing it close to his nose, inhaling deeply, as if trying to absorb the scent.
The NPCs behind him stared intently at the remaining incense money paper in Pu Yunfeng’s hand, swallowing audibly—they clearly wanted it too.
One glance from the man and the others immediately suppressed their greed.
Pu Yunfeng: …
It seemed the burly man had absolute authority—likely a powerful NPC, possibly one of the dungeon’s bosses.
While pondering, the man said, “Give me all of it.”
Pu Yunfeng realized he wanted the remaining incense money paper and quickly threw it all to him.
The man delightedly sniffed the incense repeatedly.
“Let’s go.” Once satisfied, he waved his hand to leave with his subordinates.
Pu Yunfeng: !
So the incense money paper had a deadly attraction to NPCs, effectively making them leave Pu Yunfeng and his team alone?
This was a complete surprise—the team hadn’t processed it immediately.
Just as the man turned, another group of NPCs approached.
Pu Yunfeng braced himself. Without incense paper, they would have to fight.
Unexpectedly, the burly man blocked the other group. “I’ve got this.”
The second group immediately turned and left without a word.
Pu Yunfeng: ?
Teammates: ?
So the man was protecting them, and the other NPCs dared not challenge him…
…So the incense money paper had acted like a protection fee?
Soon, the burly man left, casting Pu Yunfeng a glance that seemed to say, “Not bad, young one. The offerings are good.”
Pu Yunfeng: …
“Boss, this incense money paper is amazing!” Once the NPCs were gone and the area safe, the team finally exclaimed in awe.
Pu Yunfeng was astonished as well.
The incense money paper seemed even more powerful than the talismans—it could make NPCs protect them!
He suddenly remembered the incense shop’s female owner deliberately asking if he wanted to buy incense money paper… perhaps she already knew it could control these wax NPCs?
For a moment, his curiosity and respect for the two shopkeepers grew. Could they really be hidden saviors?