Chapter 71: Hopeless Sea (Two) |
The jarring vibration of the ship's deck gradually subsided, and even the sea breeze softened.
The light grew brighter, yet remained a dim yellow. Qi Si saw a yellow sky and yellow clouds, utterly still, like an oil painting.
He blinked, and it took a couple of seconds for him to realize he was no longer standing but lying down. He reached out a hand and felt damp, gritty sand beneath him.
Things were taking a turn for the worse. Qi Si began to regret not buying a change of clothes from the game's shop.
He sat up. His gaze fell upon players scattered across the beach in disarray. Aside from the absence of splintered planks and a beached wreck, the scene had all the makings of a shipwreck.
Qi Si was genuinely grateful that the Weird Game had arranged a painless transition instead of indulging a morbid sense of humor by letting them drift in the stormy waves for a while. He would have been in a much sorrier state otherwise.
"How did we suddenly get here from the ship? The captain said we were all going to die. What did he mean by that?" a girl with green-dyed hair murmured to herself, though it was unclear who she was asking.
"That previous scene was like a game's opening cutscene, meant to establish the story's background," the young man who had questioned the captain earlier replied.
Dressed in a long brown trench coat, the young man's features behind his gold-rimmed glasses were gentle and refined, giving him a scholarly air. "I believe we've only now officially entered the instance. We shouldn't act rashly. It's best to wait for the main quest to appear before we decide on a course of action."
"Yes, I... I saw it all!" The speaker was a long-haired girl with delicate makeup. She timidly raised her hand.
Seeing the young man's encouraging gaze, she began to recount, "I have night vision, so I can see clearly in the dark. I was pushed into the cabin and saw it was filled with rotting corpses. Some had decomposed into skeletons, but they were still moving... Then I saw them stand up and start walking out. A few of them even grew fishtails after taking a few steps... I'm absolutely sure of what I saw! It only lasted a few seconds, but I definitely saw it!"
Tales of humans turning into fish are common in fairy tales, but in the context of the Weird Game, it was far from a pleasant thought.
The young man mused, "This must be a clue, something like the revelations or prophecies common in Western mythology. It might be related to this instance's lore. I was on the deck at the time and only saw those creatures lining up and jumping into the sea. From their body language, they seemed to be in a state of ecstasy. It reminds me of a story..."
He paused at the crucial point, pursing his lips and falling silent. The green-haired girl asked curiously, "What story?"
"It's just a baseless association of mine. I hope it doesn't mislead our deductions later." The young man let out a small laugh, then lowered his voice and recited in an ominous tone, "Dartmoor, where all the demons of the world gather; they love to lure beautiful girls to the cliffs, stand behind them, and then, suddenly... give them a hard push..."
Qi Si, who had been listening from the side, couldn't help but scoff. "It certainly sounds like a baseless association."
The young man didn't seem offended. He just smiled gently and shook his head.
Chang Xu found an opening to speak, casting an inquisitive look at Qi Si. "Si Qi, about the *Flesh-Eating* instance..."
A system notification chimed without warning, cutting him off:
[Main Quest Updated]
[Main Quest: Escape the Island]
Two lines of text appeared on the system interface.
The players' discussion came to an abrupt halt. Qi Si glanced imperceptibly at Chang Xu, his right hand tapping a random rhythm against his thigh.
This was the second time in a short period that Chang Xu had asked about the *Flesh-Eating* instance. His tone, like an interrogator questioning a murder suspect, was far too persistent and accusatory to be just about someone tarnishing his name.
Chang Xu didn't seem like someone who cared about his reputation. Otherwise, he would have had plenty of opportunities to defend himself in that hundred-comment-long call-out thread. Given his identity and personality, he wouldn't have been afraid to use his real name.
Could it be, then, that someone who died in the *Flesh-Eating* instance was close to him?
Qi Si hadn't been exposed when using the name, which meant the deceased didn't know Chang Xu personally—or at least didn't know the name "Chang Xu." This suggested they were likely colleagues, working together in a massive organization where departments were largely separate from one another.
Chang Xu claimed to be a police officer. In the *Flesh-Eating* instance, there was a character named Yang Yundong, a veteran who joined the public security bureau. After the instance ended, the Kyushu Guild quickly released information about it...
Threads of information were pulled from his vast mental database, connecting the dots before his eyes.
He had only just learned of the possible existence of an official organization dedicated to dealing with the supernatural, so his speculation inevitably drifted in that direction, preparing him for the worst-case scenario...
Chang Xu spoke again, his voice low. "Si Qi, the *Flesh-Eating* instance..."
"What answer are you hoping to hear?" Qi Si interrupted with a sigh. "I saw that forum thread. I thought it was suspicious from the start—most likely an impersonator. And sure enough, the story was debunked. I knew you'd ask about this. The timing was just too coincidental."
He lowered his eyes, his voice flat. "Speaking of which, before public opinion turned, I also suspected you of deceiving me in Rose Manor. I wasn't entirely convinced of your innocence at first, so I didn't speak up for you on the forums. It's only natural for you to suspect me now... It's reasonable. Fair."
"Lin Chen is alive too, so it wasn't necessarily you," Chang Xu said, pausing for a second before asking, "What was the second instance you cleared?"
"*Screaming Amusement Park*," Qi Si said, recalling.
"It was a huge amusement park, with rides like a drop tower and a pirate ship, all stained with blood. I got the Normal End by trying out every ride and surviving until the end. I actually knew how to get the True End, but by then it was just me and a couple left, and none of us were in any condition to attempt it."
He had prepared contingency plans for various scenarios ever since he learned Chang Xu was still alive, so he could spin his lies without missing a beat.
After relaying the information he'd gleaned from the forums, he feigned a sudden realization and added with a mocking smile, "You've asked me so many questions, Chang. Now it's my turn: what makes you think you have the right to interrogate me?"
"Officer, even in the real world, you need evidence to arrest a criminal. And this is a game. Aside from killing you once in *Rose Manor*, I owe you nothing. You and Lin Chen are both alive and well. If we're judging by actions instead of outcomes, then you're just as much of a murderer as I am."
His logic was sound—if Qi Si were truly innocent. Although Chang Xu had never been one to care much for others' feelings, he knew he couldn't press the matter any further for now.
Having temporarily bluffed his way through, Qi Si gave a nonchalant smile and got up, walking away from the shore.
The azure waves lapped slowly against the shore, casting white foam that scattered and soaked into the sand, turning the golden yellow a pale brown.
Beyond the beach lay a lush coconut grove. At its edge stood a statue of a merman holding a short blade.
To call it a merman wasn't entirely accurate. The statue had the head of a fish, turned sideways to face the ocean, but below it were human limbs and a torso. Its grayish-white surface was covered in scales, looking as rough as a layer of dry wax under the dim yellow light.
Qi Si stood on a large, smooth rock in front of the statue, gazing into the distance.
Deep within the dense forest, a tall clock tower rose abruptly, its sharp, towering spire built in the Renaissance style.
This suggested the island was inhabited by a relatively civilized people, not deserted, so the players wouldn't have to prioritize wilderness survival.
[Your Identity: "Merchant"]
[Identity Effect: ① Spend less money to receive the same services; ② All murderous intent towards "Nobles" cannot be translated into action]
In the upper right corner of Qi Si's vision, a gold-bordered identity card silently materialized.
The card depicted a figure in a black robe with golden eyes, leading a brown steed. Both the figure's arms and the horse's back were laden with piles of gold coins.
The [Merchant] card hung below the [Humanoid Evil] card, slightly smaller in both length and width.
This must be what the game forums referred to as a "sub-card." Without the corresponding main card, it couldn't be taken out of the instance.
Judging by its position, it didn't belong to the [Humanoid Evil] set, and he had no idea what its corresponding main card was.
Qi Si didn't feel much disappointment. After all, he still didn't understand the purpose of the Identity Card system, and it didn't seem particularly useful.
Although the fact that he couldn't take it with him was rather vexing for someone with his collector's mentality and perfectionist tendencies...
A narrator's voice sounded at the right moment:
[You are a merchant who travels the world in pursuit of money. Gold, rare species, people, firearms—all are on your trade list. But a few damn scholars constantly condemn your actions, even attempting to push for legislation to ban your business.]
[Fortunately, those killjoys happened to be on the same ship as you and are now trapped on this island with you. This is a perfect opportunity to get rid of them, isn't it?]
[Side Quest Updated]
[Side Quest (Optional): Kill all "Scholars".]
Qi Si offered a solemn critique: "First, money and politics are often inseparable. The protests of a few scholars would be insignificant to a capable merchant. Second, killing someone just because they disagree with you is troublesome and offers no direct benefit. And finally, if I were truly going to kill them, I would have done it on the ship. Tossing the bodies into the sea to feed the fish is far more convenient and environmentally friendly."
After voicing his objections, he smiled gently. "...Of course, since that's the established premise, I'll go along with it. As long as you're happy."
The Weird Game: *Oh, thank you so very much.*
By now, the other players on the beach had also gotten their bearings. A whole crowd of them rose to their feet and began making their way toward the statue.
Including Qi Si, there were fifteen people in total. The earlier noise had vanished, replaced by a tense silence as everyone warily observed one another, their gazes filled with undisguised caution.
A stone tablet materialized in front of the statue. Twisted, misshapen letters were carved into it, writing in an effusively enthusiastic tone:
[Welcome to the Hopeless Sea, a sanctuary free from the clutches of age and time, where there is no true night.]
[The great Sea God watches over this beautiful domain and has set the following rules for travelers from afar:]
[1. Please ensure you carry a usable amount of money at all times. Most services and facilities here are not free and require payment for access and use.]
[2. The clock tower bell chimes every two hours. Please go to sleep when it chimes ten times and wake up when it chimes four times. Rest assured, it is safe to sleep in the rooms of the inn.]
[3. All food on the island is edible. Please eat at regular intervals. Only by eating the island's food can you become a follower of the Sea God.]
[4. The Sea God is willing to shelter all lost followers, but He dislikes the stingy. If you wish to pray to Him, please prepare sufficient offerings.]
[5. If you wish to leave the island, you may ask the Sea God about matters concerning your departure. Remember, do not take anything from the island with you!]
[6. The ocean is dangerous. Stay away from the shore, and beware the sea!]