Chapter 113.2 Merfolk Shore
Close to eight o’clock, a figure approached from the direction of the faculty dormitory building. The magnetic field of the streetlights seemed affected, illuminating only half of Mr. Ruan’s face.
The illuminated area displayed a gentle smile, while the other half of his face remained shrouded in darkness, emanating a chilling coldness from every pore.
“Very well, everyone’s here.” Mr. Ruan stepped forward to unlock the door, “I like punctual students.”
He unlocked it with one hand while carrying a large, five-layer insulated lunchbox in the other.
Inside the cafeteria, Mr. Ruan didn’t turn on the lights. He walked ahead of everyone. “Originally, I wanted to invite you to my room, but it’s a bit messy there now…”
At this point, a bone-chilling killing intent lingered in his words.
Wen Shi’s guilty expression was concealed by the darkness.
The first layer of the insulated lunchbox contained white candles. Mr. Ruan chose a row of connected long tables in the middle and lit the candles, smiling as he said, “Dinner under candlelight brings a sense of ceremony.”
“…Don’t be too formal. I want to understand your music philosophy and your views on vocal lessons,” Mr. Ruan spoke warmly, “Let’s communicate like friends.”
The word “friends” sent shivers down everyone’s spine.
Mr. Ruan possessed keys to the entire cafeteria. Carrying the insulated lunchbox, he entered through one of the windows and began to work skillfully and naturally, as if he had been a chef here for years.
Rolled-up sleeves, hands like polished jade, in reality, a person like this cooking and preparing dishes would exude warmth. However, under the rendering of white candles at this moment, Wen Shi thought of a famous painting–The Last Supper.
Before long, Mr. Ruan came out holding a tray, placing white bowls filled with soup in front of each person.
Beneath the candlelight, Wen Shi caught a glimpse of the surface of the soup with some unskimmed blood foam floating on it. There was a piece of bright red meat underneath that, judging by its color, was barely cooked.
The water was warm, the meat wasn’t cooked, yet it emitted an unsettling aroma. The moment it was served, everyone subconsciously swallowed.
Wen Shi thought of merfolk meat. The book mentioned that all methods of cooking merfolk meat required it to be well-cooked, with a minimum boiling time of over two hours.
“Try my cooking,” Mr. Ruan said, “We’ll discuss music after we eat.”
Under his gaze, one couldn’t even pretend to eat.
Seated across from Wen Shi, Luis used his【Bewitch】skill, his misty blue eyes as soft as his tone, “Mr. Ruan, I’ve been having some stomach trouble lately, can I just have the soup and not eat the meat?”
With a submissive and slightly pleading manner, the smile at the corner of Mr. Ruan’s lips deepened. However, the tips of his fingers on the table turned pale from exertion.
Luis’s submissive posture reminded him of his own from last night. Wasn’t he also that pathetic in front of the unexpected guest?
King.
Once King woke up, he would dig to find that person and feast on their blood and flesh.
“You don’t have to drink the soup.”
As Luis grew more uneasy, Mr. Ruan finally spoke, “But you must eat the meat.”
Wen Shi, Ji Yuanzhi, and another female player almost simultaneously picked up their forks. Since they had to eat, they might as well take the initiative. It could at least leave a positive impression.
The meat was tender and juicy, bursting in the mouth and flooding it with blood, a momentary surge of the metallic taste in the throat before the desire to retch emerged. Just before the urge to vomit emerged, the unpleasant smell of rotten seafood fermented into sweetness, incredibly delicious.
The transformation of flavors allowed the insufficiently chewed meat to smoothly pass down the esophagus. Swallowing it felt like ingesting a heavy leaden weight, almost causing the stomach to explode.
【Mr. Ruan’s favorability +1.】
Effort brought results. The system’s prompt eased their expressions a bit.
Cold sweat formed on Wen Shi’s forehead as he desperately regulated his breathing. At that moment, a melody resounded in his mind, accompanied by a mournful chant, and in his thoughts, an ethereal merfolk statue took shape.
The illusion followed.
Wen Shi felt as if a layer of dense white sea mist separated him from the merfolk statue.
I must go save him, believe in him. The desecrated deity is waiting for me.
“He needs me…” Wen Shi murmured unconsciously.
Seeing his intense reaction, a player decided to back out discreetly, seeking Mr. Ruan’s opinion, “Sir, I’m feeling a bit unwell, I’d like to leave.”
Mr. Ruan nodded kindly. “Go ahead.”
The player made sure not to rush as they walked to the staircase, confirming that Mr. Ruan remained seated before descending.
Another female player, considering a similar excuse to leave, was about to speak when a short, piercing scream echoed from below.
Within seconds of the scream, a series of sharp thuds, like melon rinds hitting the ground, magnified infinitely in the darkness.
Wen Shi’s vision gradually cleared a bit. He recognized this sound. The first night when they stole cakes, Wen Shi witnessed a player’s head rolling down the staircase.
Others, hearing the commotion, probably knew what had happened. Unperturbed by the noise, Mr. Ruan sat with a smile, like a beautiful butcher.
Beside the butcher was an executioner, hunting down those who retreated.
Ji Yuanzhi narrowed his eyes and whispered, “Normally, side quests don’t have this kind of situation.”
Competing to be the class representative should be an activity with an option to withdraw at any time.
“Keep eating,” Mr. Ruan smiled, “It won’t taste good when it’s cold.”
The quest was named “Mr. Ruan’s Trust,” and the only way to gain an NPC’s complete trust was to surrender one’s soul.
So, the consequences of finishing this bowl of meat were quite evident. If the game incorporated a corruption value, a player’s health bar would drop by at least half, and those with slightly weaker willpower might even undergo a transformation.
Many players at the table frowned, not understanding why an ordinary quest had become so extreme.
Gululu. A glass bead suddenly rolled forward, capturing everyone’s instinctive attention. The bead exploded into a small firework just before stopping, enveloping the area in smoke. Simultaneously, the player who had previously tampered with the lock activated an extreme-speed item and dashed toward the small door of the fire escape.
Wen Shi keenly noticed the fading of the smile at the corner of Mr. Ruan’s lips. This indicated that there was a certain opportunity if one took the outdoor stairs.
He had a chance to leave as well, but Wen Shi was the type who wouldn’t give up until the last moment.
Ji Yuanzhi suddenly asked, “When is this dinner considered over?”
Those who persisted until the end of dinner to leave would become class representatives, but what to do with the remaining people wasn’t mentioned.
“I need two class representatives,” Mr. Ruan explained gently, “I plan to select the two students who finish their meal first. After all, if they can’t even eat properly, what else can I expect from them?”
Both Mr. Ruan and Arlon had strong personalities, but their ways of expressing it differed. To be more precise, Mr. Ruan was more hypocritical and better at concealing.
“And what about those who weren’t chosen?”
Mr. Ruan smiled, “They will naturally continue being ordinary students.”
The group breathed a slight sigh of relief. This meant that as long as two people successfully finished the contents of their bowls, everyone would escape.
However, Mr. Ruan’s patience was limited. His habit of tapping the table showed that once a certain time threshold was crossed, everyone would be in trouble.
“This meat is delicious,” Wen Shi glanced at the untouched bowl on the vacant seat, “Sir, the unfinished meal should be taken back to your lunchbox.”
Mr. Ruan seemed to find it reasonable. As he took the bowl towards the window, Wen Shi gestured at Song Yan, glanced at Ji Yuanzhi, and turned his gaze to the others. He spoke rapidly, “Each of you transfers a hundred points to us, and we’ll eat the meal.”
He didn’t ask for too much. A hundred points were a friendly price. These people wouldn’t want to cause any trouble later.
A female player on the side spoke up first, “I don’t mind, player number.”
For such small transactions, they didn’t even need to use any contract items.
While others were busy transferring points, Ji Yuanzhi asked, “How confident are you?”
“Sixty percent.”
Sixty percent was a conservative estimate. In reality, Wen Shi had a more detailed plan in mind, but since last night, he felt like there was a chaotic area in his brain, so he tended to think things through more.
Even Wen Shi himself wasn’t aware that he was trying to maintain an absolutely correct state.
Gathering his focus, Wen Shi told Song Yan, “Make sure to keep a trace of clarity. If you can’t hold on anymore, think about what your name is.”
Song Yan was a bit puzzled.
Wen Shi said with meaningful intent, “Your real name.”
Song Yan immediately caught on that he was referring to the true spirit’s name. However, he didn’t know the real name of the true spirit. The implication was for him to attempt communication, to sense the will of the true spirit.
It was quite an abstract concept with a very low success rate. Out of his unwavering trust in Wen Shi, Song Yan nodded and prepared to follow through.
Ji Yuanzhi possessed an item to counteract mental contamination, and Wen Shi had a strategy. He wasn’t inclined to compete for the class representative position. Moreover, employing the anti-contamination item in this situation would have been somewhat excessive.
Soon, Mr. Ruan returned. Wen Shi didn’t deliberately waste time and began eating the second bite of meat in front of him.
【Mr. Ruan’s favorability towards you +1.】
Wen Shi struggled to swallow.
Indeed, these things had a more significant effect when done in front of NPCs. Mr. Ruan had Luis drink the soup, indirectly emphasizing the rule of not wasting food. Opportunistic behavior during meals wasn’t advisable.
Wen Shi’s complexion grew increasingly unpleasant. The clarity of the merfolk statue in his mind increased. Eventually, Wen Shi even mouthed the words “My King.”
The silent cry of despair greatly pleased Mr. Ruan.
Song Yan managed the first bite of meat decently, but as time passed, his facial muscles started twitching.
The entire cafeteria was filled with the sound of chewing. Observing their painful expressions, some considered transferring another hundred points. They initially thought that Wen Shi was relying on an item.
Did he endure this purely with his willpower?!
Luis had a complicated expression. “I don’t understand.”
Not just him, everyone present was shocked. When an action seemed overly foolish and absurd, it made people hesitate to pass judgment too quickly.
Wen Shi barely breathed throughout the process. When he forced himself to lift the bowl and drink the soup, he gained another point in Mr. Ruan’s favorability.
When he set the bowl down again, he felt like he’d been pulled out of water, drenched in cold sweat. Beside him, Song Yan’s face was as pale as paper.
Unsure if it was an illusion from sitting across from Luis, Wen Shi saw a hint of a smile in his eyes, a smile that made him momentarily think that Luis was even more twisted than Mr. Ruan.
Wen Shi’s heart raced intensely at this moment, his mind feeling split into two. One part wanted to fervently pledge allegiance to the Merfolk King, while the other remained calm and was pleased to still possess around ten percent of his rationality. This aligned with his estimation. No matter how difficult the side quest was, it wouldn’t lead to an immediate hundred percent contamination from the meat.
“Congratulations on completing the side quest, Mr. Ruan’s Trust.”
“Mr. Ruan is quite satisfied with you and is preparing to choose you as the class representative.”
“You have received Nightingale Voice Changer *1.”
【Nightingale Voice Changer: Allows you to have a magnificent voice within a limited five-minute timeframe after use.】
The rewards for ordinary side quests, apart from points, often served the purpose of the current instance. The voice changer was such an example.
Mr. Ruan asked Wen Shi and Song Yan a few questions about music.
Wen Shi replied randomly, his consciousness growing hazier. He lost track of time, only recognizing the sound of chairs being moved, signaling the end of the dinner.
Before leaving, Mr. Ruan’s lips formed the words “class representative.”
Mr. Ruan left with the insulated lunchbox, his figure disappearing into the darkness as he ascended the internal stairs of the cafeteria. Once he was gone, the dampness in the air seemed to lessen slightly.
Wen Shi leaned weakly against the back of the chair, hunching over with an air of dejection.
Luis sighed, “I’m not envious at all of the points you earned.”
Most of them could manage to resist contamination, but the real challenge lay in preventing further mental harm after resisting. In most cases, the person would go insane before the monster even attacked.
One by one, the group dispersed. With Ji Yuanzhi’s support, Wen Shi descended the outdoor staircase slowly.
His final note focused on Song Yan. Seeing that he was more lucid than expected, Wen Shi’s smile deepened.
After completing the quest, the group smoothly left the cafeteria.
The fountain outside the cafeteria would automatically shut off after lights-out in the dormitory. Currently, it still softly sprayed water, the sharp teeth of the sperm whale statue reflecting a layer of water sheen.
Leaning against the edge of the fountain, Wen Shi crouched down. Ji Yuanzhi standing in front of him, said, “According to the game’s story, the Merfolk King grows closer to emerging each day, and invisibly, it will magnify its impact on your sanity.”
Given Wen Shi’s current state, completely transforming into a fanatical follower would probably take just a day or two.
“It’s okay… Mingzhu Academy has numerous legends about merfolk, but currently, very few know that there’s another legend…”
Wen Shi tilted his head back, the moonlight tracing his smooth profile as he continued, “In the legend, the Merfolk King was wounded by a land sovereign, causing him to fall into a deep slumber. This sovereign sacrificed his life, leaving a prophecy before passing away. When the Merfolk King rises again, his reincarnation will seal him once more. The Merfolk King demands the souls and bodies of believers, even making them hatch eggs in his stead. But what he truly seeks from his reincarnation is purer devotion. However, above the fallen Merfolk Kingdom, there once existed an even grander presence, and that is—
“The Miao Miao Kingdom!”
Ji Yuanzhi, who had been earnestly listening, suddenly felt his heart skip a beat, thinking Wen Shi had stumbled upon a secret clue at the library.
Even Song Yan stumbled a bit.
Wen Shi’s gaze held no trace of jest. A pen materialized in his hand, the same one the host had sent him. Using this pen to jot down information would automatically boost public trust.
His experience at the sanatorium taught him that these types of contamination instances could spawn unbeatable monsters. The Merfolk King was undoubtedly a big boss. These foolish school administrators unleashed subpar merfolk, turning students into a fresh source of meat. Little did they know that the truly horrifying elements were the invasive words and melodies.
The Merfolk King absorbed devotion, and Wen Shi was prepared to seize that devotion.
This was why he had Song Yan eat that piece of meat.
Song Yan believed in Wen Shi, preventing him from getting tainted too quickly.
His faith had once allowed Wen Shi to achieve victories with the Mud Bodhisattva. Since then, Wen Shi had become interested in harnessing the power of faith. Gaining the trust of NPCs seemed to bring about delightful results.
“Many matters aren’t suitable for Mr. Ruan to handle directly. He will undoubtedly spread the Merfolk King’s faith among the students through the class representatives, especially at this crucial juncture when everyone is scrambling to participate in the music concert,” Wen Shi smiled, “Isn’t it about fulfilling wishes? The Great Miaojesty can do it too.”
The premise of brainwashing others was to first believe it oneself. After completing the manuscript, he not only intended to show it to others but also to make an effort to believe in the words himself.
“Let’s use a hypnosis item.” The players in the self-study room could block even memories, briefly turning them into illiterates. The in-game store likely had hypnosis items for sale.
Armed with the manuscript written with the host’s pen and a hypnosis item, he could deceive even himself if necessary.
“I am the reincarnation of His Miaojesty,” Wen Shi entered the state in advance, nervously repeating, “Where are the citizens of Miao Kingdom today?”
I believe in myself.
I am my only disciple.
Ji Yuanzhi: “……”
After repeating this several times, Wen Shi’s gaze suddenly fell on Ji Yuanzhi like a knife, “Golden Daddy, from now on, you are the High Priest.”
Then his slender fingers pointed towards Song Yan, “You, the Red-Robed Bishop.”
High Priest?
Ji Yuanzhi considered giving the other person an expensive anti-mental-contamination item for free, just hoping to thwart this Miao Kingdom plan.
He looked at Song Yan, ready to persuade Wen Shi together. But unexpectedly, Song Yan clasped his hands, gazed up at Wen Shi on the fountain platform with admiration, and softly murmured, “Eternal God.”
😹
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