Chapter 8 - The Vanished Mermaid (Part 1)

Seeing that the doll didn’t take the rose, the magician ran his hand over it, and the flower transformed into the familiar little red dress.

“Young master, how about changing into some fresh clothes first?”

Luo Yiran’s fingers twitched, instinctively wanting to manipulate the magician to stop him, but then he realized-

“I’m not your puppet for the moment,” the magician said, even more pleased.

Indeed, Luo Yiran could no longer sense the invisible thread connected to his index finger. He couldn’t control him now.

“Because this place is the young master’s home,” the magician said softly, poking the doll’s face lightly. “There’s no danger at home, so no need for weapons.”

Luo Yiran didn’t bother to dodge-it was pointless anyway. But upon hearing this, his ruby-like eyes glanced at the heavily bandaged magician. A weapon indeed, more like a ticking time bomb that might blow him up at any moment.

“Then, young master, shall we change?” The magician’s bandages shifted as he spoke. “I guarantee it’ll fit perfectly~”

Luo Yiran smiled, the corner of his lips curling as he asked, “Do you enjoy streaking?”

The magician paused.

“If you dare put me in a dress, I’ll make you streak through every instance,” Luo Yiran said gently.

The magician: “…”

The little dress silently retreated. The magician took off his hat, and a cascade of gray hair spilled over his shoulders. “My body is only for you to see,” he said.

Luo Yiran responded with a smile and a middle finger.

Since the little dress was a no-go, the magician sighed and rummaged through his hat, pulling out a blue rose. He held it in front of Luo Yiran.

The doll was so small that the flower nearly obscured him entirely.

But before Luo Yiran could swat it away, the magician crushed the flower in his hand.

When he opened his palm again, a finely tailored dark blue military uniform appeared in his bandaged hand.

“…” Overly flashy.

“It’s not a dress,” the magician said, holding his pose. “If the young master still refuses, I’ll have to change you myself.”

Luo Yiran snatched it over-his clothes were dirty anyway, so he might as well change. But…

“Turn around,” Luo Yiran said coldly.

The magician put his hat back on, feigning innocence. “I’m not lusting after the young master’s body. Besides, my eyes are covered.”

“Turn around.”

It was like owning a cat-knowing it might scratch you, but you couldn’t resist teasing it because it was just too cute.

Even its stubbornness was endearing.

The magician suppressed the urge to fiddle with the doll and finally turned around.

Luo Yiran carried a lot of items with him. After changing his clothes, he began transferring his props one by one. However, during the process, he noticed that the dark blue outfit he was wearing also had several items the magician might use.

He glanced at the magician’s back, then, after a quick inspection, decided to keep them on his person.

Just as he fastened the last button, the magician happened to turn around.

The magician clapped his hands dramatically. “Excellent.”

Luo Yiran initially ignored him, but the magician, clearly pleased, pulled out another small outfit-a green robe. “Young master, why not try this one on?”

“?” Luo Yiran sneered. “Not a chance-”

Before he could finish, the magician scooped him up, chuckling softly. “I know you’re tired, so I’ll help you change.”

Change my foot. Luo Yiran was ready to lose his temper. He reached for his small knife.

But the magician, as if sensing his intention, set him back down. “Just kidding. I wouldn’t do anything to upset you, young master.”

He put the green robe away, his tone resigned. “I can’t treat you like a dress-up doll, after all. Clothes are meant to be changed when they’re dirty.”

Luo Yiran twitched the corner of his mouth. He raised his hand, then paused-the outfit wasn’t too tight or too loose. It fit his doll body and the props perfectly, as if it had been custom-made for him.

Suspicion crept into his mind again. Various theories flashed through his thoughts, but his expression remained neutral as he naturally lowered his hand. “It better stay that way.”

After speaking, he finally took in the rest of the room.

The room’s overall tone was dark, but the lighting was soft and warm, creating a cozy atmosphere. The furniture was comfortable and subtly colored, though intricate patterns adorned everything, adding a sense of weight and antiquity.

“Young master, do you like it?” the magician asked, tilting his head.

To be honest, Luo Yiran did like it, but-“This isn’t my size.”

He doubted this was his personal space, and he had evidence to back it up.

“As long as you like it,” the magician said with a smile. He bent down and pulled out a semi-transparent box from under the window, placing it on a nearby chair and opening it.

Luo Yiran stared at the inside of the box, which seemed to be an exact replica of the room they were in, and froze. A bad feeling washed over him-

Was this box room actually his personal space???

“Come, young master, step inside,” the magician coaxed, reaching out.

“Step-” Before Luo Yiran could finish the word, the magician covered his mouth and placed him on the bed inside the box room.

As soon as the magician’s grip loosened, Luo Yiran sat up from the bed, his hair slightly disheveled. “Are you out of your mind?!”

The magician crouched down halfway, stretching his arms to encircle the box-like room. His laughter, muffled by the bandages, was low and unsettling. “Young master, you look absolutely adorable like this.”

As if he were a personal possession that could never escape.

Adorable? Luo Yiran’s ball-jointed hands gripped the black bedsheet beneath him, his crimson eyes darkening-this guy was definitely insane!

The magician’s face was entirely wrapped in bandages, making it impossible to meet his gaze, yet Luo Yiran could feel his eyes fixed on him, cold and unrelenting.

Then, the magician raised a finger to his lips. “Be good, young master. Get some rest.” With that, he closed the box.

Luo Yiran: “…”

Luo Yiran: “Beep-” He cursed every profanity he had ever known, exhausting himself. Only when he stopped did the magician’s voice chime in, mimicking Luo Yiran’s earlier gentle tone. “If the young master doesn’t want to sleep, I can play a game with you.”

The box remained silent.

The magician chuckled. “Milk helps with sleep. Starting tomorrow, I’ll prepare some for the young master.”

No thanks. Who knows if it’s even real milk? Luo Yiran thought coldly.

But…

Feeling around the bedside for the switch, Luo Yiran pressed it, and a soft, non-glaring light filled the space. He sat quietly for a while, thinking the environment was indeed perfect for sleeping.

After some hesitation, Luo Yiran took out his phone, entered Xia Lang’s ID to add him as a friend, then casually removed his outer clothes and lay down on the bed-since he couldn’t leave, he might as well make the best of it.

He drifted into a light sleep, and the magician seemed to sense it, a faint smile curling beneath his bandages. He raised his hand and gave a gentle wave in the air.

Outside, the streetlights dimmed, and inside, most of the lights went out. The magician looked down at the box-so carefree. Was it because he lived in a world with such high safety standards?

Luo Yiran woke at dawn, blinking in surprise at the familiar dormitory around him. He hadn’t expected the magician to leave him undisturbed all night. He was a light sleeper, easily roused by the slightest noise, let alone the magician’s malicious presence…

So, had the magician left after closing the box last night?

That was the only conclusion Luo Yiran could draw.

“Ran-Ge…” Xia Lang blinked groggily as he sat up, taking a moment to gather himself before asking, “So, what’s your personal space like?”

He had sent Luo Yiran a message last night after adding him as a friend, but Luo Yiran hadn’t replied.

At the question, Luo Yiran’s relaxed expression instantly turned cold.

Xia Lang shivered, fully awake now. “Ran-Ge, wh-what’s wrong?”

Luo Yiran shook his head. “My personal space isn’t safe.”

Xia Lang froze.

Luo Yiran thought for a moment. “Can we only enter an instance once a week?” His personal space was far more troublesome than any instance.

“Only once a week,” Xia Lang replied, his concern growing. “No wonder you didn’t reply to me last night. Your personal space must be really dangerous.”

Luo Yiran paused slightly, then nodded calmly. “Right.”

“Then let’s enter the game at 9:30 tonight. That way, we’ll go straight into an instance! We don’t have many items anyway, so there’s no need to prepare in our personal spaces,” Xia Lang suggested. “And aside from entering instances, you can just come to my personal space every day!”

Luo Yiran was about to nod but then thought the magician might not be so easy to shake off. Instead, he said, “We’ll see.”

Xia Lang took it as agreement and finally asked, “Ran-Ge, what’s the danger in your personal space?”

Luo Yiran was silent for a moment, then summarized, “That puppet of mine didn’t burn to death. He went to my personal space, and there, he’s beyond my control.”

“…”

Xia Lang was stunned.

What kind of horrifying nightmare was this?

“But maybe he’s not allowed to harm me in my personal space,” Luo Yiran added. Otherwise, the magician would’ve torn him to pieces, not just locked him up.

Thinking of that box-like room made Luo Yiran feel suffocated. He didn’t want to dwell on it and got out of bed. “Get up and get ready for class.”

Since Luo Yiran didn’t want to talk about it, Xia Lang didn’t press further and followed suit, getting ready for the day.

After spending the day on edge, by 9:29 PM, Xia Lang sat on his bed and finally couldn’t hold back. “Ran-Ge, maybe you should be nicer to the puppet tonight? That way, maybe…”

Luo Yiran’s finger hovered over the login button on the World Human app. Hearing this, he looked up at Xia Lang and gave him a meaningful smile.

Xia Lang, still uneasy, pressed the login button at the same time as Luo Yiran.

The screen went black, and a mechanical voice briefly announced: [Instance: “The Vanished Mermaid” loading…]

In the blink of an eye, Luo Yiran’s vision cleared, and a massive white bus stood before him. Instinctively, he glanced around to assess his surroundings, only to come face-to-face with a profile entirely wrapped in bandages.

Luo Yiran: “…” He hadn’t expected to be standing on the magician’s shoulder this time.

“What are you standing around for?” someone with a cap labeled “Tour Guide” barked from beside the bus. “Come over and register to board.”

The magician remained motionless, letting out a faint chuckle.

Luo Yiran unceremoniously manipulated the puppet to go and register. The tour guide shot him a disapproving glare before scribbling something down carelessly.

The handwriting was too messy for Luo Yiran to decipher.

After finishing, the tour guide waved dismissively. “Alright, get on the bus.”

Luo Yiran obeyed and boarded.

Once inside, he noticed the bus was packed. Aside from the driver’s seat, only one spot remained in the front row.

No choice-the bus could hold 28 people, and he was the last to board.

As Luo Yiran maneuvered the magician onto the bus, someone gasped in shock and exclaimed, “The instance boss is traveling with us?!”