### Chapter 84: The Deal
Lulu Lana looked dubiously at Hilo.
“Can I trust you?”
“I don’t deceive old people and kids.”
“Hmm… Because you don’t take advantage of the young and the old?”
“Yeah.”
Seeing Hilo’s rather uncommunicative demeanor, Lulu Lana couldn’t help but ponder this.
She had done her homework too, like understanding the characteristics of Star Eclipses, especially that key term, “Obsession.”
If Hilo was a manifestation of the “No Exploitation of Young or Old,” then he probably wouldn’t lie.
And he had mentioned being friendly toward humans, so she needn’t be afraid he’d harm her.
“Are you a boy or a girl?” Lulu Lana asked in all innocence.
She reached her conclusion and quickly relaxed.
Curious, she started asking questions to satisfy her curiosity.
Given that Hilo was entirely ungendered, it left people confused.
Hilo answered her calmly.
“I don’t have any such concept as gender.”
“Well…”
It seemed Hilo was ungendered, but it wasn’t entirely bizarre.
“So why are you in my room anyway?”
“Anomaly.”
“Ahh… I might know what you mean by anomaly, but I can’t tell you right now.”
“I can trade with you.”
“What kind of trade?”
“Any kind of trade.”
“Then can you make my Star vanish?”
Actually, Lulu Lana found her Star quite bothersome.
Because it meant she couldn’t interact with other Star Eclipses, yet Night Star had introduced her to many Star Eclipse friends.
If she couldn’t even shake hands or hug them, Lulu Lana would likely suffer greatly.
Thus, she began to despise her own Star.
Eliminating it had crossed her mind.
But this was just a hypothetical question.
To her surprise, Hilo nodded.
“Sure can.”
Lulu Lana’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Yep.”
Having received confirmation, Lulu Lana pondered another angle.
While Hilo indeed might remove her Star, doing so could lead to a series of repercussions.
Her mother wouldn’t let it go easily, for example.
And once reduced to a regular mortal, losing her family’s status and connections would hurt her deeply.
Becoming an ordinary girl meant losing access to so much.
Being a Star Holder carried many perks. Losing it would mean she couldn’t even associate with Night Star anymore.
But there might be a solution.
Night Star had said boosting mental strength could control the Star’s activation, negating the need to disappear it.
However, elevating mental power didn’t seem simple from her research; it would require considerable time.
But she didn’t want to wait.
If she could purchase mental strength with money, she would empty her piggy bank in a heartbeat.
“Can I trade for mental strength?” Lulu Lana cautiously inquired.
“Sure,” Hilo responded.
Predictably, Hilo provided the bargaining chip.
“I want to buy enough mental strength! I’ll use my savings!”
As the daughter of a wealthy family, her savings were astronomically large sums of electronic currency.
Without hesitation, Hilo agreed.
“Will do.”
For most Star Eclipses, modern electronic currencies held little value; they lacked opportunities to spend them.
But Hilo saw the currency diversely beneficial. His power enabled him to exchange things based on his subjective valuation.
In simpler terms, he could trade goods by force if they matched.
If someone’s life was valued at one RMB, Hilo might trade it for that. He could obtain anything with a seemingly equal exchange.
Of course, he also traded more conventional items.
People could benefit from these trades and pay the price accordingly.
Over time, he had accumulated a variety of tradable items, including electronic currency.
Currency remained essential, even in this time.
Some even traded their lifespan.
Hilo had seen plenty of such people.
Anything of significant value worked.
Lulu Lana’s mental strength requirement could be addressed.
“Alright, Mr. Hilo, let’s make a deal. I’m Lulu Lana, call me by name.”
Lulu Lana was eager, hopeful about the future ahead.
Hilo nodded lightly, agreeing to the transaction.
“I want a lot of mental strength. In exchange, I’ll give you all my savings.”
“Deal.”
Instantly, Lulu Lana’s bank account was emptied.
Hilo placed a hand on her head, initiating the transfer.
Seconds later, Lulu Lana felt a massive surge of energy enter her body.
“Ahhhh!!!”
Injecting foreign mental strength into another’s body was no trivial task. Increasing one’s limit was excruciatingly painful.
Only Lulu Lana bore this pain.
Growing up sheltered, she soon faced her toughest trial.
Her cries went unnoticed.
Advanced soundproof technology ensured no disturbances.
After pushing until her body’s limits, Hilo released her with no emotion.
Lulu Lana collapsed in unconsciousness.
Watching this, Hilo wordlessly departed.
Across the way…
Night Star was in the same hotel as Qing Liao, inside Qing Liao’s room.
“Qing Liao, have you taken leave from work?”
“Yes, I told my superiors yesterday I intend to stay in this city. They said they’d discuss it; there’s a good chance they’ll agree and I won’t have to worry.”
“That’s great!” Night Star raised her arms in triumph, clearly delighted.
Then remembering something, she asked, “What about the Order of Sequence? Will they continue protecting you?”
Qing Liao shook her head.
“No, they’ll stop protecting me once I officially leave Waltonka.”
“Awesomesauce! Then come join our theater group! We of the Rising Sun will protect you!”
Qing Liao gave a light smile.
“I look forward to performing together with you.”
