Chapter 148: What is your wish?
"So many people..." Clara whispered, somewhat timidly navigating through the crowd. She had come up from the Underworld today to work part-time, hoping to earn funds for repairing the robot settlement. But passing by here, she saw this incredible scene.
Those glittering gold coins made her stop. If... if I had this money, I could buy many parts, right? Mr. Svarog and everyone could be properly repaired...
Clara bit her lip, struggling internally. Mr. Svarog had said not to take other people's things, but this seemed like a paid blind box. Using her small stature, she squeezed through the crowd and carefully approached the dice.
After reading the instructions, Clara pulled out the few winter city coins she had. "I need to put them in... then silently wish..." She closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, "Clara wants something that can help everyone..."
Her small hand gently pressed the button. The dice spun and landed on a side with a claw pattern.
Click! The side door opened. What fell out was not gold, not jewels, but... a shriveled monkey's paw.
"This is...?" Clara carefully picked it up, tilting her head.
Suddenly, the monkey's paw spoke! "Little girl, don't be so quick to be disappointed~"
"Ah!" Clara jumped in fright but held on tightly. "You-you can talk?"
"Don't be scared~" the paw said in a strange tone. "Congratulations! You've won the super grand prize—the Wishing Monkey's Paw! I can grant your three wishes! Any wish!"
"Really?" Clara's eyes widened. "Any wish? Then... if I want Mr. Svarog and everyone to be repaired, is that possible?"
"Of course!" the monkey's paw wiggled proudly. "How about you try making that wish now?"
Just then, marching footsteps sounded. "Everyone, step back immediately!" Bronya arrived with a large contingent, quickly surrounding the dice. "All items obtained from it will be confiscated!"
Although the citizens were unwilling, they obeyed. Bronya's gaze swept over the crew. "The gold coins in your hands also need to be confiscated."
"No!" Stelle tightly hugged her pile of gold coins. "These are mine!" Under Dan Heng's persuasion, she reluctantly handed them over. "Wuwuwu, my gold coins..."
Finally, Bronya's gaze fell on Clara. The little girl was holding the shriveled paw, looking at a loss.
"Quick! Make a wish!" the monkey's paw twisted frantically in her hand. "Quickly! Don't you want to fix your friends? Now's your chance!"
Clara looked at the approaching Silvermane Guards, her small face full of hesitation.
"Wait a moment," a gentle voice said. "Little sister, I suggest you don't use that thing."
Clara turned and saw a black-haired young man looking at her. It was an unforgettable face. She paused, her face flushing slightly. "Huh?... Why?"
Orion smiled. "Let me tell you a story... A long time ago, someone got a monkey's paw. He wished for 300 winter city coins. The next day, his son died in an accident, and the factory's compensation was exactly 300 winter city coins."
Clara's eyes widened.
"Later," Orion continued, "the grieving father wished for his son to be resurrected. Late at night, there was a knock at the door... But that was no longer the son he knew." He watched her expression turn fearful and softly concluded, "You see, things that claim to grant your wishes are often not good things. They will twist your wishes and fulfill them in the cruelest way."
"Lies, it's all lies!" the paw twisted frantically. "Don't listen to him! I'm a legitimate wishing artifact, absolutely no side effects!"
Clara looked down at the paw, then up at Orion. His eyes were full of sincerity.
"Clara feels... this gentle big brother wouldn't lie to Clara."
Orion extended his hand. "Give it to me."
Clara handed it over without hesitation. Orion took the paw and gently patted her head. "Good girl."
"Mmm..." Clara's small face turned even redder.
"What is this?" Stelle and March 7th came over, curiously staring at the paw. It struggled wildly. "You liar! You have no right to take me!"
Bronya also walked over as the Silvermane Guards formed a circle.
"Honestly, what exactly are you?" Orion asked, examining the paw.
"I..." The paw stopped struggling. Its noisy voice ceased. Then, it suddenly let out a soft, chilling chuckle.
"Me? ...As you can see, just a monkey's paw. Except, I happen to be able to help people fulfill three wishes." It trembled slightly. "Since I've fallen into your hands, why don't you let me hear—what... do you desire?"
[Inorin Note:
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