Is It Wrong to Abusing Cartoon Tropes in Dungeon?

It turns out that when a knife is held to their necks, these people can work with remarkable efficiency!

Watching the crowd outside the hall frantically making calls and urging others over the phone, Altair was very satisfied. He turned to Luo Hao, who was deep in thought.

"Luo Hao, do you know why I only said that two of the four great families in Japan would remain tomorrow?"

Luo Hao looked up at Altair, thought for a moment, and replied.

"Is it because the other families still have some use?"

"No, it's to give them a glimmer of hope."

Altair raised his index finger.

"Also, I said that to send a message to the other two families."

The four great families were not united. They had their own internal struggles. If Altair had said he would wipe out all four families at once, these people might have resorted to desperate measures, especially in Japan, where dragging others down with them was a common tactic.

But if Altair only targeted two families—the Kusanagi and Sayanomiya families—the remaining Renzou and Seishuuin families would choose to stay out of it.

This single statement would divide the four families into two factions. On one side, the Kusanagi and Sayanomiya families would be forced to work desperately to meet Altair's demands. If they tried to rebel, the Renzou and Seishuuin families would be the first to oppose them. Since Altair's orders didn't initially affect them, they wouldn't allow the other two families to cause trouble that might spill over to them.

"From a psychological perspective, if you push someone to complete despair, they will either give up or fight back with everything they have. After all, if they're going to die anyway, they might as well try to win. But if you give them a sliver of hope, they will cling to it, even at great cost, and follow that hope."

Altair's face still wore a bright smile, but his words sent chills down everyone's spines.

"I killed members of the Kusanagi family and had Lu Yinghua injure Kaoru Sayanomiya to instill fear. But I didn't kill them all, giving them a sliver of hope. They will do everything in their power to meet my demands, and the other two families will also help them. Their efficiency will reach its peak."

"I see."

Luo Hao nodded seriously, once again feeling like she had learned something valuable.

"The other two families should have received the news by now. They will likely provide full support to the Kusanagi and Sayanomiya families. However, while they will help, they won't go all out. They will use this opportunity to demand rewards from the other two families. Even in a life-or-death situation, they won't pass up the chance to gain benefits."

As Altair predicted, after he issued his orders, Kaoru Sayanomiya immediately relayed the message to the Sayanomiya main family. The Sayanomiya family was stunned—why had the Kusanagi family's mess dragged them into this?

The Sayanomiya family quickly contacted the Kusanagi family, and together they reached out to the Seishuuin and Renzou families for support. However, the two families agreed to help only if the Kusanagi and Sayanomiya families paid a price, as their resources weren't limitless.

The Sayanomiya and Kusanagi families threatened that if they didn't receive support, they would all go down together. But the Seishuuin and Renzou families responded that if they were going down, it wouldn't be them first. The knife was currently hanging over the Sayanomiya and Kusanagi families.

Reluctantly, the Sayanomiya and Kusanagi families agreed to the demands of the Seishuuin and Renzou families, paying a heavy price in exchange for support.

The four great families of Japan mobilized, and the History Compilation Committee transported a large amount of materials and resources to the Western Heavenly Palace.

During this waiting period, Altair periodically sent Lu Yinghua out to bring someone in and ask if the task was completed. Not answering meant death, and answering that it wasn't done also meant death!

Through this method, Altair continuously applied pressure on the Kusanagi family. The members of the Kusanagi family were on edge, each one terrified, but none dared to resist. They pinned all their hopes on those outside to complete the task quickly. This sliver of hope kept them silent.

Like monkeys trapped in a cage, they only needed to push the first one out to die, while the rest clung to the hope of survival. Their only thought was: "Please, don't let it be me next."

"O King, please show them some mercy."

After Altair killed another member of the Kusanagi family, Yuri Mariya, who had been standing beside Tooma Amatsu, finally couldn't hold back. She stepped forward, knelt before Altair, and begged, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"You've already made all the necessary preparations. There's no need to kill them anymore."

Altair looked at the girl kneeling before him, tilting his head with an innocent, puzzled expression.

"Are you... telling me what to do?"

"No! Absolutely not! I only hope that you, O King, can show them some mercy and demonstrate your compassion. I believe there is kindness in your heart. If my words have angered you, I am willing to accept any punishment. Just please spare them."

This was the advantage of dealing with a fool. With just a few words, she could be swayed!

In the original story, after being manipulated by Tooma Amatsu, she believed she was the shrine maiden protecting Tokyo and should shield others. She often said similar things to the protagonist, offering to take the punishment herself and spare others. But the question was: who did she think she was?

"Hmm... I see..."

Altair looked at Yuri Mariya, pinching his chin thoughtfully. Tooma Amatsu, who was also waiting nearby, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Altair didn't immediately reject her plea. He felt he had gambled correctly—Yuri Mariya, as an advanced shrine maiden, truly had an effect.

"Since you've said so, I'll spare them. But you will take their punishment in their place."

Hearing Altair's words, Yuri Mariya felt a weight lift from her heart, but at the same time, she was filled with despair. Her fate was likely death. Tooma Amatsu was also surprised—it had actually worked. Sacrificing one shrine maiden had saved so many.

"Considering you're a highly capable shrine maiden, I won't kill you."

A glimmer of hope appeared in Yuri's heart. She wouldn't die? What would the punishment be? No matter what, she wouldn't die, and it seemed she had succeeded in protecting the people of the shrine! Tooma Amatsu's heart even swelled with excitement. The shrine maiden he had chosen was the right one. The Great Dragon King seemed to have taken a liking to her.

"I heard you have a younger sister. She will die in your place."

Altair casually announced Hikari Mariya's death sentence, even leaning back in his chair with a smile. Yuri Mariya, however, froze in despair.

"Remember, your sister died in your place."

___

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my pat reon, 

https , // www .pat reon. com /XElenea