This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

Rita bought a list of dungeons in the territory controlled by *Nameless*. As people grew more adept at controlling their abilities, nearly every dungeon had been scouted by its owners. They didn't need to delve deep—just entering the dungeon and finding the creatures inside allowed them to estimate the dungeon's level based on their insight.

The *Nameless* guild had released the list themselves, making it easier to rent out slots for people to enter their dungeons. Disguised and invisible, Rita started her investigation, prioritizing the level 15 dungeons and scouting them one by one.

On August 12th, she finally spotted the flood dragon in the heart of a lake in one of the dungeons.

In her past life, this flood dragon was a bit of a celebrity. Rita was sure she hadn't mistaken it.

At first glance, it looked like a massive black snake, but its large head already resembled the legendary dragons of her homeland. It had two small, straight horns on its head and a pair of "dragon claws" beneath its body, each with only three toes.

From a distance, Rita used her watch's insight ability.

**[Flood Dragon] Black Jade (Level 12, 58.25%)**

**[Divine Gift] Wind Fury (S-level)**

**[Species] Flood Dragon**

**[Species Trait] Devour**

**[Health Points]: 14,219 / 14,219**

**[Mana Points]: 13,260 / 13,260**

**[Strength]: 119**

**[Constitution]: 115**

**[Intelligence]: 168**

**[Agility]: 92**

**[Charisma]: 7**

**[Luck]: 8**

Rita suddenly thought of Nivalis' luck. When she had used Insight on Nivalis, the luck stat had appeared as question marks. When she asked Nivalis, she had said her luck used to be 3, but after meeting Rita, it had changed to question marks.

Rita suspected this was because she had altered Nivalis' fate. After all, in her previous life, Nivalis had signed a contract with Rick, which definitely brought her bad luck.

Rita took out her phone and snapped a picture of the flood dragon. She carefully chose the angle and lighting, capturing the creature resting in the middle of the lake, making it look extremely majestic.

With the moonlight reflecting off the lake, the sheen on the black dragon's scales was even more dazzling than the moonlight itself, like a divine weapon.

In terms of appearance, it wasn't much inferior to Nivalis. After all, Nivalis was still young and lacked the same imposing aura.

A flood dragon may not be a full dragon yet, but the idea of raising it was enticing. Training a flood dragon to become a true dragon sounded legendary. Plus, once it fully transformed, it would definitely be the kind of dragon that matched the traditional image in people's minds. There was no way Rick wouldn't be tempted.

Satisfied that her S-level insight skill couldn't uncover any reverse abilities from this flood dragon, Rita finally relaxed.

But before leaving, she had one last task.

In a level 12 dungeon, considering the timeline, if the creatures inside hadn't been cleared out since the dungeon first appeared, the monsters inside would be able to leave around August 20th. The flood dragon, being the boss, would be restricted for a bit longer.

Rita didn't know how the Special Affairs Bureau handled the creatures that left dungeons, but given that nothing major had happened yet, it was clear they were keeping things under control.

Rita didn't want this dungeon to be discovered due to the creatures leaving, so to be safe, she needed to clear out all the monsters inside, leaving only the flood dragon.

When she finally left the dungeon, it was already noon the next day.

The next question was how to get this information to Rick.

There was no way she'd be the one to deliver the message. Just like with the sale of a thousand belts to Lopez's family before, she would never be the one to take responsibility for something that could later turn bad.

Otherwise, Rick would definitely blame her for everything.

People, when they're unlucky, tend to find someone else to blame.

Rick was a master at this. He never internalized anything. When something went wrong, it was always someone else's fault. He would trace every misstep, passing the blame up the chain.

If he was responsible for every step? Then he'd blame the person who first suggested the idea to him.

And if he came up with the idea on his own? He'd blame his luck and the environment.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

After leaving the dungeon, Rita sent the two pet contract scrolls to Rick.

Sure enough, at 1 a.m., he accepted them instantly and responded right away.

**[Rick]: Thanks, sis!!!**

Where was this gratitude when she forwarded Julian's plea for help? Not a peep.

Julian, good luck.

**[Rita]: I'll keep an eye out for any pet opportunities for you.**

**[Rick]: You got it, sis~**

**[Rita]: Don't worry, just wait.**

Rita then anonymously posted the flood dragon's photo on the game forum.

**[Title: Flood Dragon! Exotic Beast!]**

**[As seen in the picture, located in Los Angeles. A flood dragon, minimum level 12. Selling dungeon coordinates. No chit-chat, serious offers only in the comments. Will sell once every ten days.]**

When she refreshed the page, there were already over seventy comments.

Rita scrolled through them, recognizing quite a few familiar names.

**[Mateo]: 20 gold coins**

**[Josephine]: An apartment in Los Angeles**

**[Ezra]: Two level 5 rare rings + a full set of level 5 excellent gear + a level 5 rare weapon (choice of sword, staff, or bow)**

Ezra was clearly representing Rick and Zoey. Since Mateo had already made an offer, Zoey couldn't openly compete with a Lopez family member, or people would suspect internal conflict. Having Ezra bid was just a thin cover. Mateo surely knew who Ezra was playing for.

Ezra's offer was worth about 30 gold coins. Even though rare accessories were valuable, level 5 gear, no matter how rare, couldn't be too expensive.

Although Rita's transactions with Rick often involved hundreds of gold coins, for 99% of players, even 1 gold coin was extremely valuable. In her previous life, by this point, Rita's entire wealth hadn't even reached 10 gold coins.

The bids were all generous. A single dungeon location could fetch a full set of gear, a surefire way to get rich overnight.

And selling once every ten days? She could strike gold every ten days.

The post quickly shot to the top of the forum.

But it didn't stop there.

**[Ezra]: Additionally, one month's use of a level 3 dungeon portal.**

Rita, still posting anonymously, replied to Ezra.

**[Anonymous (OP)]: I don't want the dungeon. I want something else.**

**[Anonymous (OP)]: I know you're close with Aaron. Aaron works with Rick, and Rick's sister is the one on the pet leaderboard, Rita. I want 1,000 pounds of dragon dung. Donate it directly in this post, and I'll send you the location.**

Rita deliberately asked for dragon dung, partly to help Rick out and strengthen his trust in her—it was a long game. Trust is built piece by piece, through both big and small gestures.

It also ensured that she was an obvious participant in this plan, lowering any suspicion—even if she wasn't likely to be suspected in the first place.

And of course, she could squeeze a bit more out of Rick.

Barely two minutes passed before she received an email notification.

**[Rick]: Sis~ I need your help. Please, can you lend me a hand?**

**[Rita]: What's wrong?**

**[Rick]: [Link][Title: Flood Dragon! Exotic Beast!]**

For crying out loud, can't even ask for help properly, just tossing me a link?

Laughable. Do you really think I'm just a sibling supporter?

Well… maybe I am…

Even if the heavens fall today, I'm still going to help my dear brother out.