Chapter 101: The Digital Cruise (Part Fourteen)

Chapter 101: The Digital Cruise (Part Fourteen)

Everyone here has been striding boldly in the game for many years, encountering many brash players, but none as audacious as this one!

Upon entering, Xie Fangcheng nonchalantly shut the door behind him. The NPC at the bar had long since retreated to the kitchen, leaving him facing twenty-five players in the now vacant restaurant.

"Do you comprehend the gravity of your words?"

Liu Guangming felt his bad luck had reached its zenith today. Initially planning to trick other players, he found himself ensnared instead.

Coming for breakfast, he thought the sixteen-point meal deal was a steal and even contemplated purchasing a couple more to hoard, fearing he wouldn't find such a bargain again. Yet, he was informed the original price was merely one point.

Later, with the intention of cozying up to Ning Suisui, he introduced himself as Liu Guangming, only to end up battered and bruised by her. After losing his points, he was now left with nothing, a sheer zero. Clearly, it was Ning Suisui's first time engaging in such activities - she hadn't hit anyone else, just him.

Now, Xie Fangcheng, seemingly the strongest player at the moment, had shut the door with the intention to rob everyone!

What is this, Black Friday?

Damn it!

Even the most resilient individuals couldn't bear this ordeal any longer!

Although aware of Xie Fangcheng's formidable abilities, Liu Guangming couldn't help but "throw caution to the wind" at this moment. He stood abruptly, "whoosh", pulling out his weapon to rush forward, determined to vent the resentment boiling in his heart.

Xie Fangcheng hadn't anticipated that someone would lash out with a weapon, reacting as if deeply insulted, the moment he opened his mouth.

Initially, he had assumed this would be another tedious game of an eagle hunting chicks, where capturing anyone was merely a matter of luck.

But now, as Liu Guangming charged at him, Xie Fangcheng couldn't help but feel elated.

"Oh my!" He genuinely appreciated this proactiveness, saving him the effort of approaching!

Without any further words, Xie Fangcheng swung his stick, followed by a surprised "eh".

Liu Guangming shattered like fragile glass, only to rapidly reconstitute.

[Skill: Glass Man · Rare · Level 6/6]

[Description: Never underestimate the humble glass, its sharp edges can be wielded as a weapon too!]

[Alert: Beware! Glass is sharp but fragile! Use with caution!]

[Effect: Fractures before receiving an attack, protecting oneself from harm.]

Liu Guangming couldn't match up to Ning Suisui, unable even to activate this skill, as Ning Suisui possessed more abundant and rare skills that could suppress his.

However, facing Xie Fangcheng, Liu Guangming managed to activate this skill rapidly.

Because... he was too slow!

Ning Suisui, who was standing aside, couldn't help but doubt internally: Given such slow speed, no matter how powerful Xie Fangcheng is, could he actually manage to hit someone?

But when Xie Fangcheng's second strike descended, although it seemingly moved at a slow pace visible to the naked eye, and onlookers believed it could easily be dodged, only Liu Guangming, who was about to bear the brunt of the blow, understood... it was unavoidable.

It was a sensation hard to put into words, as if being suppressed by a force originating from a higher dimensional plane than the one he inhabited; let alone dodging, he couldn't even move a muscle.

Regrettably, reason told him that he could totally evade at this speed. However, as the strike came down, Liu Guangming could only stand there, stunned, allowing the blow to land squarely on his shoulder.

Xie Fangcheng didn't intend to kill him with a single strike, he restrained his power during the descent. Nevertheless, the recipient of the blow, Liu Guangming, found himself sprawled on the ground, holding his arm and wailing in agony.

This scene, witnessed by everyone in the restaurant, felt somewhat surreal. They couldn't shake the feeling that Liu Guangming, not even attempting to dodge and falling so readily, resembled someone staging an accident to deceive others.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Xie Fangcheng stood coldly and mercilessly: "Come on, issue me a quest, or I'll beat you to death."

The crowd exchanged subtly complex glances.

Liu Guangming, amidst his screaming and crying, blurted: "How can I issue you a quest? I have zero points now!!"

"You think I'd believe that?" Xie Fangcheng responded skeptically.

Out of sheer frustration, Liu Guangming indeed issued a command: "I order you! Kill all the NPCs on the ship!!"

Xie Fangcheng paused momentarily: "Eh?"

[Ding - Player [Liu Guangming] has issued a task to you.]

[Player [Liu Guangming] has a lower score than you, task issuance failed, compensation is the difference between both scores.]

[Ding - Player [Liu Guangming] has a score of zero, compensation failed.]

Xie Fangcheng looked at him, his expression betraying a myriad of unsaid words.

"How did you end up like this, with zero points?"

Liu Guangming seemed to not hear what he was saying, his face suddenly turned ashen.

In his vision, the surroundings morphed with each blink, the once greasy and dilapidated restaurant now seemed to be splashed with a layer of blood speckled with chunks of flesh, a pungent odor of blood pervaded his nostrils.

A warning siren resounded beside Liu Guangming's ear.

[Warning! Player [Liu Guangming] issued a task with zero points, attracting the wandering [Cruise Ship Wraiths].]

[Warning! [Cruise Ship Wraiths] are approaching! Please prepare early.]

[Hint: Every individual who dies on board transforms into a wraith, following the vessel towards the ocean's heart. What awaits the living is treasure, but what might the wraiths obtain? A shipload of delicious snacks, perhaps?]

Liu Guangming frantically scanned the surrounding players.

Initially, the day was bright and sunny outside. Although the restaurant on the first floor was damp and dim, the light filtering through the window still managed to uplift one's mood considerably.

Yes, refreshing.

This instance doesn't seem to resemble the other gloomy and terrifying ones; at least judging by the surrounding environment, it feels more like a luxurious cruise ship where one could have a comfortable time if they have high scores.

Until this moment, the faces Liu Guangming recognized - some familiar, some not - appeared somewhat distorted and ferocious. People around him were speaking to him, but it seemed as if his eardrums were sealed. The sounds were dull and noisy, incomprehensible to his ears.

"...Old Liu? What's happened to you?"

"Hey! ... That Xie, Boss Xie, we haven't offended you, have we? Look at what you've done to our brother Liu; could you perhaps show some mercy?"

"Exactly, exactly, we're all players here. Isn't it unnecessary to make things so uncomfortable from day one?"

Xie Fangcheng, however, seemed to sense something amiss. He abruptly turned his head, his gaze falling upon the now closed door.

Ning Suisui had already lifted her giant axe, her face solemn as she too fixed her eyes on the entrance.

The closed door... slowly swung open.

The sunlight outside was brilliant, yet an indescribable chill wafted into the room.

"What's happening? Something feels off..."

"What's going on? Is there something outside the door?"

People exchanged uneasy glances, voicing their concerns one after another. Although unaware of the specifics, an inexplicable panic drove them to draw their weapons in succession.

If others could only sense something at the doorway, Liu Guangming could see it clear and real.

At the doorway, tumultuous waves surged in, one after another, under the ghastly sunlight.

A skeleton stood at the entrance.

The skeleton was entwined with seaweed and unidentified marine creatures, draped in a grey robe, its dark, hollow eye sockets staring straight at Liu Guangming. Despite the emptiness, it seemed as if something had locked onto him.

"...Gu Zailai..." Liu Guangming was covered in a cold sweat, recognizing the signature grey robe on Gu Zailai.

The skeleton's grim white teeth clacked together, now slightly parting to reveal what seemed to be a smile, its raspy voice piercing through Liu Guangming's eardrums.

"Hello, it's quite boring in the sea. Would you keep me company?"

The skeleton asked politely.

Damn it!

Liu Guangming scrambled up from the ground, disregarding the throbbing pain in his shoulder, ready to retreat a few steps.

Just then, his shoulder felt a heavy pressure.

Liu Guangming stood rigidly in place, sensing that in the blink of an eye, the skeleton before him had vanished into thin air.

—— indeed, it had vanished from his sight completely.

Liu Guangming's nostrils flared as he caught a whiff of a pungent sea-stench nearby.

Four bony fingers rested on his shoulder. From the corner of his eye, Liu Guangming could see that the skeleton wasn't just bone. Flesh still clung to the gaps between bones, as if something had gnawed at it, leaving behind only this skeletal frame.

"What's the matter?" Gu Zailai drew closer, emitting an unpleasant cackling laughter, "Why... won't you turn around?"

—— "I am right behind you, you know."

Liu Guangming swung his weapon violently backwards!

It felt like he had struck a solid metal wall. A jolt surged through his wrist, yet the skeleton didn't even retreat a step; its skull even leaned in closer.

[Glass Man] skill activated!

Before Liu Guangming could react, the skeleton extended its sharp bony claws, piercing straight into his chest.

Liu Guangming spewed a mouthful of fresh blood with a "wa" sound, feeling darkness encroaching upon his vision.

He stood no chance.

Gu Zailai was a terrifying player when alive. In death, his strength seemed to have reached the level of a mini-boss in the instance.

This level of power... was simply insurmountable for a player.

Is this where it ends?

Liu Guangming wondered if he would become an undead after his death.

No wonder this instance had no conquerors; it seems anyone who dies on this ship becomes an undead. The more people die, the more undead there are.

And there was inherent competition amongst the players; everyone sought to seize points from others. Even if the strong players refrained from killing, those with lower points who couldn't afford the ship's fee would still die.

Essentially, it would lead to a scenario where players were pitted against each other in a bloody battle, leaving only a few to survive till the end.

In the end, even with a high score, the undead would launch an attack at the final moment...

Was this instance truly something players could conquer?

The surroundings were chaotic, voices murmured indistinct words.

Liu Guangming strained his mind, intending to check on his guild members and relay the message to them.

But for some reason, there seemed to be another figure in his line of sight...

A resounding "clang" echoed.

The bony claw embedded in his chest withdrew swiftly, and the entire skeleton crashed against the wall with a "bang", creating a narrow breach in it.

As the claw retreated, Liu Guangming let out a "wa" and expelled another mouthful of fresh blood.

【Ding—Players [Jie Fangcheng] and [Liu Guangming] have repelled the Cruise Specter, receiving a point reward of 100.】

With the system notification, the blood-red hue that pervaded Liu Guangming's vision faded away. The distorted silhouettes around him became clear, and familiar urgent cries echoed in his ears.

“Guild leader! Guild leader, are you alright?!”

“Old Liu, what happened to you? What transpired just now?!”

“Hurry, hurry, take the potion!”

Coughing, Liu Guangming gulped down a generous mouthful of the potion from the bottle at his lips.

The system's potion worked wonders, healing Liu Guangming's wounds at a visibly rapid pace.

His eyes darted around, quickly grasping the recent events.

“Where is… Brother Jie?”

It was evident who among the present players could send a BOSS flying with a single strike earlier.

Jie Fangcheng! This man is truly formidable!

And he had lent him a hand!! Truly worthy of being a Ronghua player!!

Liu Guangming's eyes brimmed with tears of gratitude.

After the skeleton was sent flying, Jie Fangcheng also received a +100 point notification from the system. Without hesitation, he flung open the dining room door, kicked off his shoes, and dashed out in pursuit.

Just as he took a few steps, a splash resonated from the direction he sensed the skeleton.

“Damn! How did it flee so swiftly?!”

Jie Fangcheng was frustrated.

That [Cruise Specter] was quite a catch! If captured, it could be bound and each strike with a stick would yield a hundred points.

Although the points held little value for him, they would be beneficial for other Ronghua players.

If he could rack up ten or twenty thousand points for everyone, wouldn't they all be able to strut confidently? He could then leisurely coast along, without needing to compete with other players for points.

What a pity.

Jie Fangcheng heaved a sigh, realizing that catching up to the specter was futile. He reluctantly returned to the dining room, stick in hand.

Inside the dining room, Liu Guangming was vividly narrating the terrifying encounter with the Cruise Specter, emphasizing its formidable power and urging everyone to ensure their points did not drop to zero, lest they court death.

Just then, the door was swung open once more.

All heads turned as Jie Fangcheng entered.

Liu Guangming wore an emotional expression: "Boss Jie..."

Just look at that man's distinctive demeanor, consider his unique visage, and... uh, why is he putting on his shoes while walking?

Jie Fangcheng slipped into flip-flops, locking eyes with Liu Guangming as he gently closed the door behind him.

This time, it was not just a mere closure; Jie Fangcheng bolted it securely, preventing any unannounced specters or ghosts from causing further disturbances.

Coming to his senses, Liu Guangming said, “Thank you, Boss Jie, for saving me earlier!”

“No big deal,” Jie Fangcheng replied, planting his stick firmly on the ground, “Now, pay up.”

“...” A stupefied look settled on Liu Guangming's face, “Pay what?”

“Points, of course. You have a hundred, don’t you?” Jie Fangcheng added, suddenly realizing, “Right, you also owe me an item worth five million points.”

“Why?!”

“Because I just saved you,” Jie Fangcheng said, seemingly good-natured, “If you don’t pay, I’ll kill you just like that skeleton earlier.”

Liu Guangming: “...”

Liu Guangming's voice trembled: “You... aren't you a member of Ronghua? What is happening with Ronghua now?”

Has Ronghua really started charging now???

Jie Fangcheng chuckled, “We have just embraced a new development philosophy.”

“...What philosophy?”

“While adhering to the principle of a 'community with a shared future for mankind,' we aim to allow a portion of people to get rich first,” Jie Fangcheng stated.

.

As Jie Fangcheng was implementing the strategy of "enriching a portion of the population first", elsewhere, the only player who had escaped without paying the boat fee returned to the vicinity of the washroom.

Sun Ting.

The player who had once traded her own flesh with an NPC, securing the promise of two octopuses, was now frantically searching for Zhang Min, the NPC who had led her to the octopuses that day.

Sun Ting vividly remembered the revulsion and nausea in Zhang Min's expression when discussing the octopuses' preference for human flesh.

Furthermore, she seemed to recall a sharp, cold intensity in Zhang Min's gaze later.

It was as if he harbored a deep-seated animosity towards these non-human NPCs.

Zhang Min appeared human; perhaps he had a way to save her!

Holding onto this thought, Sun Ting searched fervently, calling out Zhang Min's name in hushed, anxious tones.

She was in luck. Not long after reaching the vicinity of the washroom, Zhang Min appeared before her.

Upon seeing Sun Ting, she paused momentarily.

"What's the matter?"

Sun Ting swiftly recounted the recent events in a concise manner. Zhang Min pondered for a moment before shaking his head initially.

"They can detect the location of guests who haven't paid the boat fee. Even if you flee to the fifth floor, they will find you."

"What should I do then?!" Sun Ting was notably anxious, "I don't have any valuable possessions, so I can't plead with that powerful individual! I only have myself to offer. Can you help me persuade the two guards? I am willing to pay any price!"

Unlike many players who take for granted that Ronghua should naturally provide assistance and complain about “the guild losing its original spirit” or “Ronghua’s people are really too much” upon hearing about the protection fee, she harbored no such sentiments.

Sun Ting was fully aware of her situation.

In any dungeon, if someone is willing to lend a helping hand and save her life, she wouldn't hesitate to part with items worth millions of points. Paying any price to save her life would be considered extremely fortunate.

So, when Jie Fangcheng demanded items, if she had been able to afford it, Sun Ting would have been the first to comply.

But she genuinely didn't have the means.

Sun Ting's abilities were quite average. Last year, she narrowly escaped death in the universal dungeon due to good fortune.

This year, it seemed much more challenging.

She was acutely aware that she was just an ordinary person. Managing to struggle and survive up to this point was a stroke of immense luck.

But not everyone is fortunate when it comes to luck.

Sun Ting didn't expect that six years after she started playing the game, her younger sister would also join.

Her sister was just a seventeen-year-old high school girl. When Sun Ting died, she was still a crybaby toddler. Now, she had grown into a graceful young lady.

Sun Ting knew she might not be able to clear the universal dungeon. Hence, when the guild leader proposed entering a level five dungeon, after some hesitation, she agreed, hoping to obtain more high-quality items in this dungeon.

Before entering, she had transferred all her valuable items and points to her sister, fearing that she might not clear the level five dungeon, ensuring that her newly joined sister could use those items to survive her first universal dungeon.

When Jie Fangcheng demanded protection fees, Sun Ting didn't plead for mercy, hoping they would show leniency.

She understood profoundly that being willing to accept "protection fees" was already an act of immense kindness and leniency. To bargain further, attempting to manipulate the strong while presenting oneself as weak, was not only distasteful but also profoundly misguided.

Sun Ting acknowledged her lack of strength... but even the weakest should have a chance to survive, shouldn't they?

Therefore, while the two octopus guards were dealing with other players, Sun Ting made a swift escape.

It was the only gamble she could take.

As she voiced these concerns, the Zhang Min before her regarded her with fluctuating expressions.

"Willing to pay any price?"

"Yes!" Sun Ting affirmed without hesitation.

She could sense that the two guards seemed to be approaching.

On this cruise ship, she hadn't encountered any other NPCs except for the one before her, Zhang Min. Perhaps, she might have a solution.

Zhang Min inquired, "Do you still have that potion you drank the other day?"

Sun Ting paused for a moment, then immediately nodded: "Yes!"

"Hand me a bottle."

Without a word, Sun Ting promptly exchanged three to four bottles of the potion and handed them over.

Zhang Min was somewhat surprised but exceedingly pleased with her decisiveness.

Sun Ting might not be particularly skilled, but she was cooperative and astute.

At the very least, she understood the attitude one should have when seeking help from others.

Zhang Min had a vague sense that she had known people in the past who maintained a superior attitude even when asking for her help, which was quite irritating.

Sun Ting's approach, however, was rather refreshing.

After accepting the potions, Zhang Min retrieved a strange object resembling an eyeball from her pocket.

"Consume this."

Without any hesitation, Sun Ting took it and swallowed it in one gulp.

She was acutely aware that, at this moment, the only entity she could rely on was the NPC before her.

If she chose not to trust her now, then she shouldn't have approached her in the first place.

Just as she swallowed the "eyeball", the figures of the two guards appeared at the end of the corridor.

Without a word, Zhang Min forcefully pushed Sun Ting to the ground.

"Come quickly!" Zhang Min shouted at the two guards, "This woman is utterly foolish, she came seeking my help just a moment ago!"

Sun Ting was momentarily stunned, then immediately began to struggle.

Damn it... had she misplaced her trust?

Indeed, even if these NPCs seemed to resemble humans... they were not humans after all!

The two guards rapidly closed in, and as they stepped closer, they gradually shed their human disguises, transforming back into two horrific, gigantic octopuses.

"Damn! She managed to run quite far!"

One of them swung its tentacle directly at Sun Ting, causing her chest to cave in violently, displacing all her internal organs with the powerful impact.

The other octopus stopped him: "Enough, leave this one intact for the captain's meal!"

Zhang Min smiled: "You two have worked so hard, and this woman can self-heal. Why not have a little taste first?"

The octopus guards exchanged a glance, clearly very tempted by the suggestion.

Zhang Min took out a vial.

"Just now, thinking I'd save her, she gave me this medicine as payment. Leave her an ounce of life, then pour this down her throat after eating your fill."

"Zhang...Min!" Sun Ting coughed up blood violently.

Her displaced organs made her look bloated all over. Mustering all her strength now, she could only fling the dagger in her hand, clattering onto the floor before Zhang Min.

Zhang Min laughed derisively.

The octopus guards were in great spirits, surrounding Sun Ting as their tendrils tugged at her limbs.

"Ahhh!!"

Though at death's door, the tremendous pain still wrenched a scream from Sun Ting.

Her four limbs were stuffed into the octopuses' mouths, crunched on, then pulled back out as bare white bone fragments.

Seeing her screaming and writhing pitifully without her limbs, the octopuses guffawed loudly, in no hurry to devour the rest of her either. They took evident delight in her miserable state, leisurely excavating other organs bit by bit.

Finally full, one octopus guard belched contentedly.

"Alright, make her drink the medicine. The captain's been waiting to—"

Slice!

Enduring until now, Zhang Min finally picked up the dagger on the floor and strode up to the octopus guard in two steps, stabbing straight into the top of one's head.

In the past, even if these monsters' skin looked soft, it could not be cut open.

But now, Zhang Min seemed to lack even the strength to truss a chicken. She held the dagger like cutting vegetables, sinking into the octopus' flesh like soft mud.

"Roar!!"

The octopus writhed, glaring resentfully at Zhang Min as its tendrils viciously coiled around Zhang Min's neck.

But as it strained, the tendril instead slowly went limp, unable to bear its own strength. Its skin grew transparent before dissolving into a puddle of blood on the floor.

"Zhang Min!!" the octopus roared furiously.

Zhang Min looked at it.

"Back then when you all were caught in the fishermen's nets, it was my father who cut open the nets and freed you."

Zhang Min stared straight at the two melted octopus corpses, black pupils wide as she quietly asked: "The day you ate him...how could you laugh and say his flesh was too tough and tasteless?"