Chapter 21 - The Vanished Mermaid (Part 14)

The most outstanding employee.

Yesterday, when getting off the bus, the boss indeed mentioned that Luo Yiran had contributed the most to this project…

Luo Yiran blinked gently, pondering the significance of this setup. Just like Guan Cheng, who was lucky enough to survive last night without knowing anything… What might being the most outstanding employee bring?

It shouldn’t be related to work capabilities, as he hadn’t noticed any additional skills.

So it must be-attention?

Whether it’s jealousy or admiration, the most outstanding person always garners attention.

Li Qi Feng and Via’s gaze fell on the doll, also catching the emphasis in the boss’s response.

Today, the boss seemed much happier than yesterday, almost like a different person: “Let’s not think about work while we’re out having fun. Come on, today we’re going to visit the underwater world!”

The female player couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, don’t you think there are fewer of us?”

The female player was the one who initially mistook the magician for the instance’s boss. This was her third instance, still quite new, so she asked directly.

“No, there aren’t fewer.” The boss turned to Artel, “There’s even an extra person. Is he a new friend you made? Perfect, let’s all go have fun together.”

As the boss turned, his profile became visible to most, revealing the smooth pearl on his earlobe.

Others were taken aback, but Luo Yiran and a few others had seen it yesterday and weren’t surprised. However, the doll thought of something, grabbing the magician’s hat brim and peering down: “Everyone acts like you don’t exist.”

The magician offered what he thought was a perfect answer: “Because I’m just an insignificant puppet, only belonging to you.”

Luo Yiran remained silent, his beautiful red eyes fixed on the bandages on the magician’s face-it’s difficult to gauge someone’s thoughts when you can’t see their face.

“Young master, your hat’s about to fall.” The magician kindly reminded, complimenting him, “This outfit suits you very well, looks cute and… energetic? Like an idol.”

“…” Luo Yiran withdrew his head.

Energetic? Idol? The doll’s lips pressed slightly; it seemed the magician knew more about the real world than he had imagined.

“Boss.” Via raised his hand, smiling as he asked, “Do we have to visit the underwater world?”

The boss’s tone softened slightly, though still firm, “Yes, we must. It was part of the itinerary we agreed upon before coming, and now it can’t be changed.”

The change in attitude suggested certain things, like Via’s relationship with the boss might be better, or perhaps Via’s status differed from the others.

Luo Yiran stopped speculating, as their identities seemed to bring either positive or negative impacts, which in life-or-death situations might offer a lifeline or push them towards doom.

Thus, focusing on oneself seemed best.

The boss, as before, drove his sports car, renting a bus for the employees parked at the entrance.

Though the bus’s color and decorations differed from the one they arrived in, everyone worried about encountering the tour guide again, but relaxed upon seeing someone in the driver’s seat.

Via was the third last to board, shaking his curly hair: “You guys are really carefree, not considering if boarding should be orderly.”

Everyone on the bus froze.

The remaining female player, He Qingqing, timidly raised her hand: “Should we get off and reboard?”

The driver laughed heartily: “Just board however you like. Do you have rules for this?”

Li Qi Feng, frustrated, karate-chopped Via’s head: “Stop talking nonsense, get on the bus.”

The doll’s gaze remained fixed on the hotel’s sixth floor, only retracting when all players boarded.

The magician’s voice carried a smile: “Young master, what did you say to those two?”

In the morning, he was manipulated to leave the room, initially thinking Luo Yiran was testing the distance he could control him from, but upon returning to room 624, realized Luo Yiran had released the two men from the wardrobe.

Releasing them didn’t require sending him away, but speaking with them did.

Though he could hear conversations from afar, the distance was too great, and several floors separated them, so the magician hadn’t heard anything.

Luo Yiran ignored the magician’s inquiry, calling Artel and reminding him to put on his hood.

Artel kept his head down, following the magician to the bus’s rear, asking, “Shouldn’t I wear a mask or something?”

“Wearing a mask would draw attention. Just keep your hood on…” The doll paused, raising a finger, prompting the magician to retrieve sunglasses from a hidden pocket.

The doll said, “Put these on.”

With his distinctive blond hair and blue eyes covered, and lacking a unique aura, Artel became inconspicuous.

Though unhappy about concealing his proud features, Artel endured.

The bus started, moving at a moderate pace through the streets, and while Luo Yiran remembered the map, he kept watching outside.

He recalled that on the way to the underwater world, they’d pass through a section where lower class people lived.

Sure enough, after about ten minutes, Luo Yiran saw the low buildings and chaotic streets.

Here, the housing was cramped, the ground littered with piles of garbage, and people walked with heads down, occasionally raising empty, bewildered eyes.

Many players didn’t know the glamorous Water City had such a bleak area, frowning as they looked outside.

The driver suddenly spoke: “No need to pity them. You outsiders don’t know; these people have all done bad things.”

“Our Water City prison only holds criminals and those who attempt to harm mermaids, and the criminals are only murderers.”

The driver, accustomed to this, glanced casually at the lower class people, driving past the area: “But the lower class area is full of social parasites, either guilty of non-murder crimes or useless to society.”

“A bunch of trash.”

He Qingqing felt like she’d taken an arrow to the knee, awkwardly laughing: “Good thing I’m not living here as a shut-in.” Otherwise, she might have ended up as trash too.

The driver laughed heartily, assuming He Qingqing was joking, as in his understanding, these people were just taking a break from work.

Luo Yiran remained unfazed by the driver’s words, aware of the situation, but as the bus passed the lower class area, he manipulated the magician to open the window and glance back-

Lower class area. The wind tousled his hair and clothes, the roaring wind loud, and Luo Yiran smiled at those who looked up at the bus.

They arrived at the underwater world at ten o’clock, the boss’s sports car parked at the entrance, where a staff member in blue awaited them, wearing a mask beside a signboard reading “Closed Today.”

The players disembarking stared at the signboard, bewildered.

The staff approached, eyes crinkling: “Welcome.”

Via pointed at the signboard.

The staff explained with a smile: “Closed for renovations, but actually finished early today, so we can officially open tomorrow.”

“Should we come back tomorrow then?”

Upon hearing the staff’s words, Guan Cheng wanted to leave.

Closed meant no other visitors, just them touring, akin to last night’s hotel stay-what’s the difference?

The word “danger” practically materialized at the entrance.

“No.” The staff’s smile vanished, his pupils darkened perhaps due to backlighting: “Once registered, you must enter.”

“…”

Guan Cheng was taken aback, stammering: “Okay, okay… we’ll go in…”

The staff smiled again, stepping aside: “Welcome to the underwater world, and please adhere to the single rule-”

“Never turn back once inside.”