Chapter 24: Cruise Ship at Sea 23

It was as if the creature were saying, "What kind of trash dares to approach me?"

Behind it, Zhao Jinchu leaped onto its shoulders, clamped her knees around its head, and with a forceful twist of her hands, dislocated its jaw.

Huh?

Zhao Jinchu spotted something shimmering with golden light deep within its throat.

What was that?

She reached right in and grabbed it.

The merman let out a hoarse, sharp, screeching cry.

At that moment, the merman wasn't overly panicked; the Imperial Crystal was nearly impossible for human strength to pry loose. It intended to bite off Zhao Jinchu’s hand immediately, but its jaw had already been dislocated.

Just as it tried to move its arms, Zhao Jinchu produced a Blade of the Ocean. With a quick flick of the dagger, the object fell into her hand, and she retreated swiftly.

A voice echoed in the minds of the eight participants: [Ding, The Merman's Revenge has concluded.]

[Task evaluation in progress.]

[Eight laborers have received: Merman Mold x4.]

[Merman King (Juvenile) Imperial Crystal (Rare) x1]

Zhao Jinchu fingered the yellow crystal: ...

Do you really have to announce this to everyone?

The Merman King, unwilling to give up, attempted a counterattack. But time had run out; it cast one last glance at Qi Yan, and finally, retreated in frustration.

The juvenile Merman King departed. Zhao Jinchu leaned back against the wall, the adrenaline rush fading, wondering how she had managed that series of movements just moments ago. Now that the danger had passed, if she hadn't been leaning against the wall, she would have collapsed to the ground.

At this moment, Qi Yan leaned in and embraced her, resting his head on her shoulder while gasping for air. His hands were dripping with blood, and the flesh of the Merman King was still lodged under his fingernails. The corners of Qi Yan’s eyes were reddened, and he smelled fragrant all over: "Jinjin, I was so scared. It almost bit me."

Zhao Jinchu cast him a glance, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

*It almost bit you? You were the one who almost killed it.*

In the end, however, she said nothing and simply held him.

The fourteenth day on the cruise ship.

The ship docked at the Sea City.

Back in the same small, dark room.

The administrator appeared once again. Upon opening the door and seeing the eight people inside, he raised an eyebrow. He was perhaps somewhat surprised that so many had survived this time.

However, several of them were severely injured.

Zhao Meila had lost an eye.

Li Juanjuan had lost an arm.

Qin Chuan had sustained an abdominal injury, but it had already healed over the past few days.

Li Xiaoming’s leg had been saved.

"The merman clay sculptures I requested..." the administrator said.

Soon, four merman clay sculptures were handed over.

The sculptures were palm-sized and remarkably lifelike, though they carried a heavy, fishy stench.

The administrator looked satisfied and nodded. "Not bad, not bad."

He pulled out a pouch filled with crystals. He distributed one to each person, his expression one of genuine pain as he handed them out.

When he reached the end and came to Qi Yan, the administrator paused. "Hmm?"

A smile spread across the administrator's face. "Although you smell quite sweet, you are not an employee of Infinity Corporation. I am sorry, but I cannot pay you for your labor."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room turned to look at Qi Yan. Their breathing hitched, and their minds felt as if they were about to explode.

Digital watches began to beep and screech in succession, signaling the current level of shock among the group.

What was this?

Not an employee of Infinity Corporation?

Qi Yan didn't even lift his eyelids; he remained half-slumped against Zhao Jinchu, looking sickly and frail.

Qin Chuan had always suspected something was off about Qi Yan. Hearing the administrator’s words, he confirmed Qi Yan's identity: "The... NPC mentioned by the system."

Qi Yan said nothing. He simply looked at Zhao Jinchu.

Zhao Jinchu showed no major emotional fluctuation. As usual, she simply pulled his hat down to cover his face.