Tree King: What? I've become the Abundant Pharmacist?

Chapter 417 Memories of Placer Gold

Interstellar Peace Broadcast: "According to the Pierpoint hotline, a major breakthrough has been achieved in the horrific 'Ajihazo gold mine case,' and the suspect has been apprehended—"

Interstellar Peace News: "This fraud case involves multiple departments of Interstellar Peace Company and the Erudite Society, resulting in a significant waste of human and material resources and causing the company huge losses—"

Interstellar Peace Broadcast: "The suspect in this case is from Tsigania-4, is one of the survivors of the 'Second Katika-Evikin Extermination Case,' and does not possess an interstellar refugee travel document—"

Interstellar Peace Broadcast: "At the direction of 'Diamond,' head of the Strategic Investment Department, the company has made proper arrangements for him in accordance with the spirit of the Charter and will continue its investigation to further confirm the suspect's criminal motives..."

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"What beautiful eyes. Tell me, do they glow in the dark?"

"If I could, I would definitely sell them."

“You have no idea how many people wished for you to close your eyes forever. As a slave, you shouldn’t have rebelled against your master… but you killed that man.”

"No lawyer dares to defend you. Perhaps you should try to get a not-guilty declaration?"

"It's not difficult, but it's meaningless."

"You're very confident in your eloquence. Was that what you were thinking when you were deceiving the Erudite Society?"

"You got what you asked for. You wanted perfect building materials, and I just offered a possibility, a small gamble."

"If you're lucky, the company might be able to sift through the sands of Ejihazó, even the remains of the 'Sand King' Taizyuros. Unfortunately for you, you're not so lucky."

“I don’t deny that. But what I’m curious about is why such a grand scam ended up with no one profiting from it—including the criminals themselves?”

"Madam, I have gotten what I wanted—to be brought before you to begin the next high-stakes gamble."

"Then let's talk about this second big gamble. Tell me, what are you planning to bet on this time?"

"I'm betting my life. I bet you won't send me to the execution ground."

"Hmm... so what do you want?"

“I want your Chief Lana to come to me. I have something to say.”

"and then?"

"I want money."

"It can't be that simple, can it?"

"It's that simple, thirty Taamba copper coins, the price of half my life, no more, no less."

“With this money, I can climb to a higher position than you and have more wealth than you… I bet you wouldn’t dare give it to me, so call him over.”

"interesting."

"Unfortunately, 'Diamond' won't see you, and nobody can see him. So at this moment, I am 'Diamond's' agent, making the decision for him."

“You’re wrong. Thirty Taambas, I’ll give you, and much more. Wealth, status, power… the company will give you everything you want and don’t want.”

"Kakawasha...it's a good name, but unfortunately, it's destined to be buried in the ground. But you deserve to live and create more wealth for us."

"Go on, pick out an outfit you like, and choose an identity you'd like... then make good use of them, child."

May your scheme never be exposed.

.......

The gold dust lay on the ground at the Crook Film Park.

The intense headache from the baptism of harmony caused him to collapse to the ground, and it took him a long time to gradually recover.

"This is truly an unforgettable memory..."

While unconscious, Sand Gold recalled his experiences.

I won that gamble back then, which is why I have everything I have now.

"Jade? I wonder where she and Toppa are now?"

Sand Gold shook his head and stood up again.

The onlookers exclaimed, "Hey, he's awake!"

"Quickly, get away from here."

Aren't you going to help him up?

"Did you hit him? You went to help him up?"

Once the gold dust rose up, the onlookers dispersed.

"I have... 10 system hours left." Sand Gold glanced at his expensive watch, then took it off and tossed it away.

Anyway, there's not much time left.

Brushing the dust off his clothes, Sand Gold tidied himself up.

He looked up and saw a man dressed just like him.

"Strange? Am I seeing things?" Sand Gold closed his eyes.

But when he opened his eyes again, the person was still there, and was walking towards him.

"Don't you have any self-awareness? You lowly gambler?"

The man spoke, and Sand Gold finally got a clear look at his appearance.

It looks exactly like me.

"what happened?"

"Am I dreaming, or have I gone completely mad?" Sand Gold rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“Perhaps both,” another gold duster said.

"You've already forgotten about me? When you were tied to the electric chair by the warlord of Imanika, who gave you the idea?"

Sand Gold gazed at himself before him and suddenly understood something.

This must be a hallucination caused by the influence of the same harmony.

"Alright... I might be crazy, but I'm not stupid. Get out of my head, you 'harmonious' newborn."

"Ha, 'Tongxie'? Don't be silly, we've met before, no need to be so formal."

“I am you, even more so than you understand yourself, and I know better what you really want. You're dying, and even on your deathbed you want to drag a few unlucky souls down with you…that's why you came here, isn't it?”

"A magnificent opening performance, do you really think you can pull it off?"

“Why not?” Sand Gold countered.

"You may be able to fool everyone, but you can't fool yourself."

"I can prove it to you—I will accompany you on your final journey before you completely disappear..."

"Let's have a good talk on the way."

Sand Gold was furious. "Damn it, what the hell are you?"

"Most people in this world spend their entire lives trying to reach one outcome... and I am that outcome."

"Kakavasya...I am your future."

“This is impossible!” Sand Gold roared.

"My future is uncertain."

“Nothing is impossible.” The other gold duster turned his head slightly, his tone very calm.

"Perhaps you should look ahead."

"You'll find what you're looking for there."

After finishing his explanation of the other gold dust, he walked towards the gold dust.

Sand Gold instinctively tried to dodge, but he walked into Sand Gold's body and then disappeared.

"No....."

Sand Gold panicked, but he forced himself to remain calm.

He lowered his head, letting the sweat drip down his face.

"This is nothing but a joke."

"I haven't lost yet..."

He exhaled and slowly but firmly walked into the depths of Crook Park.

There, he saw a little child.

"There's only one Pipixi... no, a little kid?"

Sand Gold covered his head, looking very weak.

"What's wrong, big brother?"

When the child noticed something was wrong with the gold dust, he came over and asked in an innocent tone.

“I’m fine.” Sand Gold shook his head.

"I remember that minors aren't allowed in 'Golden Hour'... Hey, what are you doing here all alone?"

Despite the pain, Sand Gold suddenly saw the child's eyes.

It was colorful, just like him.

“Your…eyes? That’s impossible. Who are you?” Sand Gold asked urgently.

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they? My sister says they’re gifts from Mother Fingo, the earth goddess. Colorful eyes bring good luck.”

The child smiled, and then he saw the gold dust in the eyes.

"Ah, sir... you have beautiful eyes too. They're so lovely!"

"Are you... all alone? Where are your parents?"

"They're all in this amusement park. Mom and Dad went in first. I'm going to find them."

"So I have to go now, goodbye, sir. Have fun!"

After saying that, the child ran away.

"How is this possible...? The Evgeny?"

“Those eyes, and ‘Mother Fingo’… No, this can’t be…”

Sand Gold was still in shock. All the Evikins except him had been wiped out, so how could there still be any left?

There are clearly no Evgenians left in the universe.

Suddenly, a voice rang in Sand Gold's ear, "Surprised? I'm not surprised at all."

"Why are you still here?" Sand Gold turned around and said impatiently.

"You already know that if the family were truly tolerant of every family member who came to ask for help, why would we need to build such high walls and deep trenches?"

"But people don't see it that way. After all, the taste of the dream syrup is just too tempting. You're all alone in Pinocchio, trying to take down the wall all by yourself... How is that possible?"

"So as soon as you step into the hotel, you take off your tall hat and start begging around like a hyena scavenging for food in the desert. Because you know that opportunities are fleeting."

"Whether it's that masked fool, the doctor, the patriarch, or your board members."

"But they will never think highly of you."

Sand Gold laughed. "Compared to your description, Ladio's 'The Peacock of Artini' sounds far more beautiful."

"You know I rarely speak the truth, but I urge you to take this to heart."

"Perfect timing, you mentioned that professor—I particularly like what you and he have in common, the scheming and plotting… especially the ending, a magnificent betrayal!"

"When everyone thinks that way, who will suspect that it's yet another trap you've carefully set?"

The gold dust fell silent.

"Am I right? That's just the kind of person you are: cautious yet self-deprecating. You've won so much, but you're still more afraid of losing than anyone else."

"People only see you betting big at the card game, but they don't know that there's another hand under the table, clutching the chips, trembling..."

"Impressive. No wonder the tavern sent you an invitation. You're a natural actor... not only good at deceiving others, but even better at deceiving yourself."

Sand Gold clenched his fist. "The best way to avoid being exposed in front of others is to deceive yourself first."

“Hahaha, do you think you fooled that director?” another gold miner asked.

“But at least, she promised me.” Sand Gold’s gaze turned serious.

Why do you think she would help you? Is it because you work for the same company, or because you fawned over her?

"Stop dreaming, what value do you think you have?" another gold duster mocked.

"You're just fooling yourself."

"You think you've fooled her by risking your life, but deep down you don't want to admit it. It's because of her concern for you that you subconsciously believe you've fooled her with a high-stakes gamble."

“Hypocrite.” Another gold duster’s tone was full of sarcasm.

“You…” Sand Gold was trembling all over.

"Don't argue, I am you, your inner self."

"I don't need to care, I don't need any emotions, that's why I've been able to win so far."

"Hahahaha, that's hilarious!" Another gold duster burst into laughter.

"You're really perfect for pleasure, but it's strange, why did you turn down that invitation? You've had the chance to embrace 'pleasure,' isn't that what you wanted most? Yet you still chose the company's card table..."

"For 'storage'? Hmph, I don't think so. What do you have to do with 'storage' whatsoever?"

"Alright, either shut up now or get out of my sight right now."

“No problem. But who is it that is about to disappear here?” The other gold dust smiled just before disappearing.

“Anyway, it wasn’t me,” Sand Gold said viciously.

His mind was in turmoil, but he had to resort to any means necessary to win.

He continued walking, when suddenly his foot bumped into something.

Sand Gold picked up the yellow stone.

"Topaz? Why is it here..."

"What, does her foundation really break your heart like that?"

That figure reappeared.

“Didn’t you say you disappeared?” Sand Gold didn’t look at him.

“I won’t disappear, unless you do,” another gold duster said with a laugh.

"So, what are your thoughts upon seeing this cornerstone?"

"Perhaps that winged-headed guy deliberately placed it here to mock you. To make you understand that your elaborate magic show is nothing but a dying struggle."

"The color of the foundation stone is exactly the same as the radiance of the Corpse of Cripples… How could you come up with such an absurd excuse? If he were even slightly more perceptive, your lie would crumble at the slightest provocation."

“This is just bait.” Sand Gold put the topaz away.

"Of course! That's why you included Ladio's 'betrayal' as a key part of the plan. I must say, that professor's acting was incredibly convincing."

“Maybe he wasn’t acting at all?” Sand Gold asked rhetorically.

"Ha, isn't that exactly what you wanted?"

“That meticulous Oak family patriarch, on Sunday, has an almost obsessive need for control. You must give him enough information, but without letting him notice any flaws…”

"So you had Ladio find him and deliberately leaked the plan. In order not to arouse suspicion, everything you told Ladio was true, and he relayed it to Sunday as well."

"Finally, the patriarch successfully found another foundation stone through the 'bait' of topaz you laid out, and thus—"

"Only then can you conceal the third stone, the gold dust, from the heavens and the sea."

“Am I right?” Another gold dust collector took a handful of gravel from his briefcase.

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