Chapter 122.2 Merfolk Shore
Ji Yuanzhi’s attempt to trigger the【Hallucination】skill failed, indicating the target was too close and already noticed them.
Immediately following, Luis employed the highest level of his【Bewitch】skill, forcing their group to emit a relatively friendly aura, causing the approaching monster to dampen some of their hostility.
They hadn’t even covered half the distance to the principal’s dorm, yet they were already facing danger at the exit. If it weren’t for bad luck, it was the point after the talent show’s turning point, where the overall game difficulty increased.
“As long as we don’t violate the rules…”
Luis’ momentary optimism was cut short by Ji Yuanzhi, the latter’s voice cold, “Don’t forget what time it is now.”
Emerging at night was like dancing on a tightrope of rules.
“Blue.” Wen Shi’s gaze caught a blue strand of hair in the air. The next moment, a massive merfolk appeared before them.
On the first night, when he was stealing from the cafeteria, Wen Shi had encountered a merfolk before, but the visual impact wasn’t as strong as it was now.
In terms of appearance, Luis’ features were overshadowed by the exquisite merfolk. Suspended in the air, the upper half of the merfolk resembled a human, shrouded in mist. The lower body, however, was less distinct.
Unfortunately, the perfect face now bore an indescribable peculiarity. Beneath the treetop, the enlarged, pale face invoked a sense of colossal dread.
The merfolk approached Wen Shi, its gaze sinister and sticky.
Doubts that had been dispelled earlier resurfaced. As the Merfolk King grew closer to awakening with each passing day, the strength of its subjects would also increase.
The merfolk’s perception had improved significantly over the past few days, and its previous suspicions regarding Wen Shi began to resurface.
“Similar aura…”
A cryptic remark, yet from its cold gaze, Wen Shi deciphered the intended meaning.
Their encounter in the cafeteria had imprinted Wen Shi’s aura in the merfolk’s memory.
But evidently, the merfolk wasn’t entirely certain, otherwise Wen Shi wouldn’t have survived until today.
“Lately, stories about the King Asa have been circulating, mentioning its penchant for transforming into a black cat and wandering at night.”
This was a plot concocted by Wen Shi for his promotional leaflet. He had instructed his believers to spread the stories of King Asa, and it seemed these tales had also reached the ears of the merfolk.
Wen Shi had no intention of explaining himself. No matter how vehemently he denied it, it held no significance in the eyes of the merfolk.
“Under the light but in the dark… just like us.”
The damp chill in the air intensified, causing skin to wrinkle as if soaked even on dry land.
The merfolk ventured a bold deduction, its gaze fixed on Wen Shi as it began speaking, “The disguised feeble King Asa…” Its eyes then shifted to Ji Yuanzhi and Luis, “…and his disciples.”
The depths of its pupils brimmed with an intense, dense hostility. Strands of hair, more intricate than branches, were closing in on the fragile throats of their prey.
Wen Shi knew that tonight, the merfolk had made up its mind to kill them.
He glanced sideways at Luis, who was desperately employing his【Bewitch】skill, attempting to delay the merfolk’s murderous intent. A thought formed in Wen Shi’s mind.
The merfolk emerged from the cafeteria, probably because there had been too many recent rumors about King Asa. Mr. Ruan had confirmed the king’s presence in plain view, and it was now secretly investigating.
One in the light, the other in the shadows. The merfolk indeed displayed tactical mastery.
Quietly lifting his eyelids, he gazed at the weathered wall of the school clinic up ahead. From the clinic to the transition zone leading to the principal’s dorm, the merfolk surely wouldn’t venture too far. That was why it had intercepted them here.
Calming his thoughts, Wen Shi fixed his gaze and stated, “I’m indeed not human.”
The strands of hair that were originally poised to sever their prey’s heads froze midway at this admission.
Ji Yuanzhi, out of the corner of his eye, watched Wen Shi closely. If he were to acknowledge his identity as King Asa now, given the merfolk’s pride, it would likely be more furious at being fooled than concerned about his usefulness. This could potentially lead to a violent confrontation.
Wen Shi continued, “Actually, I’m a wild fox.”
“……”
The audacious words had barely left his lips when a relaxed and nimble tail appeared beneath his perfectly defined waistline. The【Tail Fragment】feature from the fox spirit wasn’t pure white but a mix of various colors, yet it was remarkably fluffy, accentuating Wen Shi’s frail and delicate physique.
Once the【Tail Fragment】was applied, the tail seamlessly blended with Wen Shi’s body, appearing entirely natural, as if it had grown there.
Gazing at his attribute panel, Wen Shi’s brow slightly furrowed. He quickly adjusted his emotions, causing the tail, which had suddenly appeared, to twitch slightly due to his anxiety. His pale eyes held a hint of fear, skillfully feigned.
“I’m half human, half fox—a sort of minor fox spirit. Since there are students who worship me at the academy, I’m here specifically to protect one of them.”
The absurd story flowed forth effortlessly, “That night in the library, I used what little divine power I had left to shield my worshipper. Unfortunately, she got injured again today and is currently in the school clinic. I’ve come to see if I can help her regain her consciousness.”
The senior girl who wore the fox spirit pendant was still recovering mentally in the school clinic. Every aspect of Wen Shi’s tale neatly aligned with the narrative.
“…Anyone who worships the fox spirit has to pay with their soul when they turn twenty,” Wen Shi’s tone turned chilly. “But before her twentieth birthday, I need to protect her from harm.”
No monster was merciful, and this fox spirit of his had to exude a hint of cruelty.
Being a fox spirit was the most fitting identity. It allowed him to entirely dissociate from the black cat in the merfolk’s eyes and also held practical value for exploitation.
Luis’s points were continuously being squeezed by the【Bewitch】skill, and this story almost had him bending over with amusement.
The merfolk hesitated briefly at his story, not fully processing it, before subconsciously turning its gaze towards Ji Yuanzhi.
“I voluntarily worship the fox spirit, only seeking safety for my son and myself.”
For some reason, merfolk inexplicably felt a surge of exasperation at being played with. Just as it was about to react, Ji Yuanzhi pushed his glasses up. “I’m the father of Euilia’s child. I came specifically to the school clinic to check on him.”
“It’s true,” Wen Shi calmly added from the side, “During Mr. Ruan’s first class, when Eulia was called upon, he was daydreaming. It was his child’s father who reminded him to stand up and answer.
“… After that, Euilia was targeted. The student council refused to give him a contestant number for the audition, so I went ahead and got him in line to collect one. Of course, we wouldn’t just treat someone kindly for no reason.”
Temporarily disregarding its authenticity, the story was seamlessly constructed. The merfolk finally turned their gaze to Luis. Wen Shi and Ji Yuanzhi followed suit, putting on a facade of encountering him coincidentally and not being familiar with him.
Beads of cold sweat formed at Luis’s temple as he stammered, “I… I…”
What am I? What am I supposed to be!
Although they agreed not to die as enemies, encountering these two was scarier than having teammates who would harm each other.
Luis looked at Wen Shi innocently swaying his large tail and Ji Yuanzhi’s indifferent expression. In that moment, he had only one thought: I’ll be damned if I work with them again!
While the plan was to increase favorability to prepare for escape, seeing these two not making a move had him regretting his decision.
As merfolk stared at Luis, Wen Shi mouthed, “I can save you. Do you want to be saved?”
Luis had his own life-saving card, but he couldn’t guarantee escaping from under the merfolk’s watchful eyes. With a mindset of saving whatever he could, he nodded lightly.
Wen Shi glanced sideways at Ji Yuanzhi, further asking if he needed assistance.
Merfolk weren’t fools. Once Luis’ irresistible charm effect faded, they were still doomed.
Ji Yuanzhi remained silent for a moment. Pei Wenwei’s act of saving people itself was a horror story.
Luis nudged him gently with his elbow. When someone was offering help for free, what was there to hesitate about?
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