I Rely On Poverty To Sweep Through Survival GamesCh121 - Kriv Institute (4)

We're recruiting a translator for this novel.
Join us!

Edited by Jules


Xiao Lan was waiting for his dreamself’s next move. 1WX7Dd

Yet he sensed everything around him recede rapidly, almost in an instant, until there was only darkness before his eyes.

Drip drop —

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

An ice-cold liquid seemed to be dripping on his face.

Sensing the coldness on his face, he drowsily thought: Can it be that my schoolmates finally can’t help waking me up with water? 8IRNUd

Xiao Lan suddenly opened his eyes.

What greeted his eyes was Kriv’s gothic-style ceiling: high and exquisite, but ice-cold.

The only difference was that a patch of wet spots had appeared on the ceiling. The wet spots spread irregularly to form words:

【She’s gone mad】

XEGK0d

【Blood blood blood】

What had just dripped onto Xiao Lan’s face was probably the water that had formed these words.

Under his gaze, these words seemed to evaporate, slowly turning faint before finally disappearing.

Xiao Lan reached up to touch the stains on his face, and he then sniffed his fingers. PEd0 U

There was an unpleasant smell, as if from a stagnant body of water. The scent of soil mixed with the fishy smell of algae made the water smell strange.

Who left the words?

And who was the written ‘she’ referring to?

Xiao Lan turned over and got up to examine his room, but there were no signs of intruders; it was as if these words had appeared out of nowhere. VecG1

But something like this appearing in the game wasn’t astonishing.

Unable to find any other clues for the time being, Xiao Lan took a shower, changed into his uniform, and left the dormitory.

After breakfast, Xiao Lan arrived at the classroom for his first lesson. OtquaZ

There was still some time before class began. Students who came early and had nothing to do started to gossip quietly. Because students didn’t all join Kriv at the same time, they were always able to find schoolmates to act as a new audience for their gossip.

New student Xiao Lan, who had just joined the school and looked both fair and handsome, was a good choice.

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

Three students came over. They approached Xiao Lan with eyes full of the desire to spread gossip.

“Hey~ you just joined the school, right? You look really handsome; I already noticed you yesterday.” A red-haired girl took the lead and spoke with a smile. Mjqoxu

“Hello, I’m Xiao Lan.” Xiao Lan also gave them a smile in return, appearing polite and harmless.

The three students also introduced themselves.

After that, they exchanged meaningful glances, before one excitedly said, “Do you know the rumours about the institute?”

Xiao Lan cooperatively shook his head and looked at them with expectant eyes, the perfect image of curiosity. uD0NyY

Instantly, the three youths acted like they had found a hidden treasure, and sat down near him. “Then, we’ll tell you.”

This was also the reason why Xiao Lan had come to class early.

When students were idle and bored, they would always look for a way to use up their vigor. Campus legends were well-known topics, and who knew: waiting idly for an opportunity might produce some gains.

Look, hadn’t it arrived? X1O9GF

The red-haired girl called Cily mysteriously said, “The most famous rumour in school is probably about the monsters in the northern tower.”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Xiao Lan cooperatively asked, “There are monsters here?”

Jlis cbvvfv. “Pa’r rjlv atja atfgf jgf akb teuf rcjxfr ibmxfv eq atfgf. Ktfs’gf lcmgfvlyis teuf; cba bcis atja, atfs jirb mjc lwlajaf tewjc rqffmt. Po rbwfbcf lr obbifv lcab kjixlcu lcab atf abkfg, atfs’ii yf fjafc eq!”

Wljb Ojc ibbxfv ja atf atgff affcjufgr’ fsfr oliifv klat jcalmlqjalbc jcv mbcalcefv qijslcu jibcu jr tf jrxfv, “Ljr jcsbcf fnfg rffc atfw?” 3zM5Z1

“Of course,” Cily said. “Supposedly, past school seniors heard a little girl’s voice near the northern tower. The voice said, ‘Adeline is so scary…’ A senior who didn’t believe in the supernatural secretly went to save that person, but never returned.”

Xiao Lan caught the keyword ‘Adeline’; it seemed that he would have to take a look at this northern tower.

Xiao Lan tried to uncover more. “Who’s the senior who started the rumour? Can I still find them?”

The three teenagers looked at each other; clearly, the seniors in this gossip all lived in the word of mouth passed down by each generation of students. These gossips had never met them in person. vcT5Bz

“Have you visited Kangwo City before?” Cily asked as she bluntly changed the subject.

Xiao Lan: “I only arrived recently to join Kriv; I’ve never been here before.”

Please visit chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

“Then you definitely don’t know about the nights of the red moon.” Cily looked at Xiao Lan and only continued when she saw the curious expression on his face. “The red moon is a legend specific to this place. Every month, there’ll be three nights when the moonlight turns red.”

Cily lowered her voice. “During the nights of the red moon, you must not leave your room no matter what, because a Lady Red Moon wanders around on those nights. If she notices you, you’re screwed.” Kd26MU

Xiao Lan also lowered his voice and put on a curious and scared appearance. “Who’s Lady Red Moon?”

A curly-haired little fatty, Dave, rushed to speak before Cily could open her mouth. “The legend is that Lady Red Moon wears a gorgeous, blood-red dress. Her face is covered by a black veil, and she looks like the most elegant noblewoman.

“But once she discovers her prey, she’ll instantly appear behind them and then peel off their skin!

“It’s said that because Lady Red Moon herself looks very ugly, she wants to use other people’s skins to make herself beautiful.” LlKi49

Xiao Lan asked, “Is that true?”

Little fatty Dave was about to speak, when Cily cut in. “It’s true. Even in our institute, there are students who have died because they met Lady Red Moon!”

David glared at Cily and could only nod in agreement at Xiao Lan.

On the other side, the thin youth who never got the chance to speak, San Lang, also said, “It’s true. Moreover, it’s said that the more good-looking the student, the more dangerous it is, so you should be more careful. From my count, tonight should be the start of the red moon ba?” 4byovE

Cily raised her fingers and counted. “You’re right!”

Dave said, “Then, Xiao Lan, it’s better if you don’t go out for the next few nights. You’ll be dead if you meet Lady Red Moon.”

Xiao Lan expressed that he would be careful and thanked the teenagers at the same time for their goodwill.

At that moment, the bell for class rang, and the three teenagers hurried back to their seats. JRIfN4

Xiao Lan flipped open his notebook and adopted the appearance of one who was prepared to take notes.

In reality, he was thinking about what the three youths had just said.

This Lady Red Moon and the giant snakes in the tower should be related to the plot somehow; he would have to find some time to take a look.

But the teenagers’ words were a clear hint that the next few nights would be very dangerous. Based on his experience of time in the games so far, the three nights of the red moon would more or less cover practically the whole game. olaWVS

It seemed that the dangers of the nights of the red moon would be hard to avoid.

This made him think of the chase under the moonlight in his dreams. That sort of nervousness and terror of teetering between life and death made his heart beat more quickly even just thinking of it now.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

But the colour of the moon in his dreams wasn’t red, and the moon last night was also very normal.

Could it be that everything that happened in his dream was on his first day when he just entered the game? M6tsoH

The dream was too real; Xiao Lan couldn’t help wondering again whether it was a dream or reality.

The students around him became restless again.

Xiao Lan lifted his head and saw walking into the room, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a book in one hand and a teacher pointer in the other, Luo.

It had to be said that Luo’s current appearance really was filled with the charm of a gentleman scum.

Xiao Lan then looked at the excited expressions of the surrounding boys and girls.

Adolescents were always very straightforward in their pursuit of beautiful things. As long as someone had an outstanding appearance in a certain aspect, it was very easy to give a good impression.

The youngsters also expressed their good impressions in a simple and enthusiastic way, unlike how adults were mostly fond of hiding many considerations and calculations behind their backs. OBjAlN

But… it isn’t like this isn’t understandable… Xiao Lan secretly thought.

Luo had already walked up to the podium, and unhurried started his lecture. “Today we’ll be analyzing a sonnet by Shakespeare…

“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this and this gives life to thee. xd9Fip

The students who still had faces of boredom before class instantly perked up, and each of them stared at the teacher seriously, as if they had all become earnest, hardworking top students. Who knew whether they were looking at the person or listening to the lesson.

Xiao Lan felt someone jab him in the back.

He turned his head and saw a bright, shiny large head that was bronze in colour. It looked… a lot like a braised egg.

It was Dai Bumao. At some point, the guy had secretly snuck into the seat behind Xiao Lan. T Ubxk

“Classmate Xiao Lan.” Dai Bumao leaned over the table and shrunk in on himself as he tried to use Xiao Lan’s back to block him.

Xiao Lan: “…”

Please visit chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

This guy simply had no idea about his own figure at all. Xiao Lan’s frail body with its youthful air could at most only hide half his body.

That was to say nothing of Dai Bumao’s glistening and conspicuous forehead. BirE0n

Dai Bumao lowered his voice. “Block me a little, don’t let the teacher notice.”

Xiao Lan leaned back and softly said, “It’s fine, the teacher is one of us.”

Dai Bumao looked at Luo, whose temperament was completely unlike a player. “That dude is also a player?”

Xiao Lan nodded. cNWBCo

Dai Bumao sighed in relief. “I came over to ask you, did you see any words on the ceiling when you woke up this morning?”

Understanding that the other man wanted to exchange information, Xiao Lan didn’t mince words. “‘She’s gone mad’ and also ‘blood blood blood’.”

Dai Bumao: “Me too. I thought different players might see different things; I’ve asked three people already, but it looks like the first day is all the same.”

Conversely, this was new information. tPK2iw

Xiao Lan was just about to say something, when Luo’s voice came from the podium. “Student Xiao Lan.”

Xiao Lan turned his head, only to see the gazes of the entire class practically attacking him.

What was up with this feeling of being publicly condemned after being caught red-handed talking in secret?

Luo’s voice was still elegant and he even had a gentle expression, but what he said wasn’t so beautiful. “Please describe the ideals and feelings expressed in this poet’s sonnet.” eT8Ha1

Xiao Lan: “…”

What did he just say?

Wasn’t this question a little too different?

Not only was this equivalent to a surprise test, he didn’t even know the topic. Who would guess right ah? bNVtfH

Faced with Xiao Lan’s stupefied look, Luo walked over unhurriedly on his long legs.

He gently lifted Xiao Lan’s chin with the teacher pointer in his hand and gazed down at the younger version of Xiao Lan from above. “Is my class distracting?”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Xiao Lan was unable to respond for a time, and just blinked at him.

Luo’s lips curved into a small smile. “Please come to my office after class.” edgoJx

With that, he turned and returned to the podium, and continued to explain the rest of the content.

Xiao Lan drew a bunch of gazes from his classmates – who knew if it was envy or sympathy.

Dai Bumao behind him made a questioning sound. “He’s one of us?”

Xiao Lan: “…” hEWVsc

This was really awkward.

•12

After class ended, Xiao Lan followed Luo to where the teacher’s offices were.

On their way, Luo greeted his colleagues appropriately, and seemed to have fully integrated into their midst. ObzD84

The office Luo was using was shared between several teachers. He was just occupying one of the spaces, and directly brought Xiao Lan into his own room.

After closing the door.

Luo lowered his voice. “Apologies, sir, my movements in the institute are being constantly watched, so I can only use this method to communicate with you.”

Xiao Lan instantly understood. Just look at the students’ enthusiasm towards Luo; wherever he went, he would probably create an uproar. djfZ4k

Finally, it was only the two of them for the time being, and they could exchange information.

“What’s up with your glasses?” This was something Xiao Lan had been wondering about. He knew very well that Luo didn’t have this thing before entering the game.

Luo reached up to take down the glasses, and he smiled. “It’s a small item I found here. It can increase perception slightly. It doesn’t have any special uses, but I quite like it.”

He showed Xiao Lan the item description. 68TsAj

This item was called 【Eye of Horus】, but unlike its high-sounding name, it actually only had the ability to increase perception slightly. It was an item that was more ornamental than practical.

But it truly suited Luo very well.

Please support our translators at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

Xiao Lan then told him about the rumours he heard from the students, and the perplexing dream he had last night.

Unexpectedly, Luo said, “Last night, I also dreamed of you. WTdZty

“But calling it a dream isn’t too accurate. It’s likely that I collected another fragment of myself last night. As I was absorbing it, I saw a small memory; it was related to you, sir.

“It’s roughly like what you described: At that time, I was reading in my room when an intruder suddenly broke in. I then just happened to meet you. Unfortunately, there wasn’t more after that.”

Xiao Lan touched his chin. “We both saw the same thing. Could it be that this really isn’t a dream, and we truly met before in the past?”

Luo tilted his head slightly. “This is a fragment of my memory. That meeting probably happened for real.” 5fVKC

He looked at the young Xiao Lan, and there was a gentle smile in his eyes. “Sir back then was very cute.”

Xiao Lan’s face was covered in black lines. “I was beaten into rolling over the floor; what part of that was cute?!”

When it came to appearing before Luo for the first time, he unexpectedly still cared a little about that sort of tragic state.

Although their meeting after that wasn’t any better, with him being so poor that he had nothing but debt. L H3nX

Did he not need his pride?!

Luo only smiled and didn’t say anything.

The teenager in his memory had a frail figure that was covered in dust, and was like a homeless animal in a tight spot. He clearly looked so weak and so pathetic, yet there was an unyielding will to live in his limpid eyes.

It was as if a certain switch in the depths of Luo’s heart had been turned on. sNG5Ug

He couldn’t accept the life in those eyes dying out, so he made a move.

But perhaps, no matter how many times it was, he would always choose to stretch out a hand towards the other.

 

The author has something to say: vAcVj2

Looking at everyone guessing the plot, I really want to give a spoiler ah

No, I don’t _(:з」∠)_

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

Translator's Note

guard a tree stump to wait for rabbits

Translator's Note

A guy who looks handsome in glasses QVnk31

But for further explanation, it was called gentleman scum in a derogatory manner for the characters in shows who look gentlemanly but are actually two-faced. Nowadays it’s more of a compliment to people who look good in glasses, since freaks like yall like those people who look handsome and refined, wear glasses, and are cool villains

Translator's Note

raws was in English

Translator's Note

…step-bro?

Leave a Comment

35 comments

  1. If only Luo punished him… that would be a “good” play hehehe… Right, so they did meet in the past. Anyway, thanks for the chapter!

  2. Maybe his father somehow managed to remove or stall him from entering the games temporarily, wiped his memories, implanted false ones, N help xiao lan prepare a ton of debt for his skill

    Or maybe I just have a huge brain hole bahahaha

  3. Hmm I won’t try to guess, my head is currently empty…

    Thank you for the chapter ❤️

  4. Oh yeah, I loved those topics in school :3 “What was the author thinking?” – my answer “How should I know? Am I the author?” … another failed exam lolololol

    Whatever happened to them in the past, I’ll just wait for the answer since my brain isn’t able to find it on its own lol

    Thx for the ch ٩( >ヮ<)۶

  5. HEHEJIEJIE I was turned into an UwU mess again, Oh My Lord, Teacher Luo sure is getting into his role this time~ kekekeke

    LOL is this what they call, ‘Worrying over their own appearances in front of their crush?’, Xiao Lan you’ve already been whipped by Mr. Cunning Teacher Luo!

    Now let’s all wait until the frog is thoroughly boiled (spongebob screaming meme)

    Thank You For The Chapter!

  6. Really no one noticed one of the character’s name is San Lang? * immediately thinks of Heaven Official’s Blessing *

  7. Leaving the plot guessing to the detectives in the comments ~

    My brain is too small unlike some ppl who can take out 2828 meanings from one sentence ~

    😔

  8. I have a theory that Luo was actually the “Insurgent” Cheng was talking about in the past chapters. He had already met Mr. Xiao and when he saw Xiao Lan, he immediately recognized him and reported his whereabouts to Mr. Xiao. XL and his dad met in the real world and XL told about the card skill thing to his father (this was why he knew about the poverty value). Then, because he was too young that time, mr Xiao and Luo worked together to forcefully pull XL out of advent. This effort resulted in mr Xiao almost dying and Luo’s soul tearing apart, this was why parts of his soul was scattered in instances. Just a theory tho, gotta come back if my theory is correct or nah
  9. So I’m assuming that’s why Daddy Xiao made him riddled in debt. Because he will be powerless without it with the skill he obtained.

  10. His dad was probably a good dad… I’m sure he just wanted to protect Xiao Lan so he attempted to destroy the game before Xiao Lan comes back. Maybe he erased some parts of Xiao Lan’s memories and found a way to cut his connection with the game, in return his father cannot come back to the real world. His father and Luo might have teamed up to destroy the game so that Xiao Lan wouldn’t have to go through all the hardships in life. He is actually such a good father, in this perspective…

  11. ‘On the other side, a thin youth who never got the chance to speak, San Lan said “It’s true.” ‘

    Yoooo San Lang what are YOU doing in this story!! I think Xie Lian will be missing you!! :3

  12. So here’s my theory which i think could be true: there are 2 timelines, he did enter at 15, and first met Luo in that instance the institute one. They get to know each other after this; sometimes helping each other and getting closer. Luo was obviously his whole powerful self then called the name ‘Insurgent’ and MC went ahead to make Wanshu. Loses Luo because of Advent world. Rebels. Going to die he sends Luo’s piece in a letter that he has to Himself in the past/ another timeline to maybe become stronger & also activate his poverty skills from the start.So all of this was done to save Luo and take advantage against advant world. So yeah I think there’s no his ‘father’ as them having 80% similar faces is already very sus as he himself never said that he and his father had similar face structures. And that reckless behaviour aligns with our MC more who got more ruthless in the future and combined with worse circumstances.
  13. so it is a real memory?! that leaves me with so many questions 。゚(゚´Д`゚)゚。

    but i don’t really like this move, ah… Xiao Lan is a minor in that, Mr. Luo shouldn’t have any unkind thought, ba! i’m really worried QAQ