Chapter 85: Song of the Deep (12)
None of this affected the venue.
The two tourists who had been missing for days and had recently returned were also at the dance. They stood together in their suits, quietly observing the mingling guests without speaking.
As the dance neared its end, the music suddenly changed. There was no melody, just a monotonous sound that had an incredible, enchanting quality. The dancers froze, their eyes locked on one direction, and their mouths curved into a synchronized, strange smile.
At the same time, two crew members and a waiter stood on the deck, facing the sea against the wind and waves. Their green eyes glowed in the darkness.
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The wind and waves grew stronger, and the sea turned pitch black. Ye Nianchu watched the coffee in her cup wobble, frowning as she pulled out her compass. The needle spun wildly, indicating a malfunction.
The cruise equipment was down, and the compass was useless. Despite memorizing the route map, they had no way to determine their location. It seemed they had veered off course, and some force was guiding the ship toward a specific destination, likely its lair, planning to eliminate everyone in one strike.
As the ball ended, people slowly left the venue, and many were still taking pictures by the Crystal Stairs. Everything seemed normal. Had they misjudged the situation?
“Let’s go back,” Ye Nianchu said.
Just as she stood up, a wave crashed against the ship, causing it to rock violently. She lost her balance and grabbed the nearby table for support.
But this was only the beginning. A bolt of lightning streaked across the dark sky, followed by thunder that matched the rising waves. The weather deteriorated rapidly, and a storm approached.
The hull tilted suddenly. Two cups fell from the table, shattering on the carpet as coffee spilled. The chandelier overhead swayed violently. Qin Mubai grabbed Ye Nianchu, pulling her away from the shifting tables and chairs.
Waves crashed onto the deck, and the strong winds nearly swept people off their feet. Screams echoed from the stairs. Tourists in their finery were whipped around by the raging wind as they exited the ballroom. Some hit the railings, while others fell and rolled down. The scene descended into chaos. No one could walk; they could only cling to whatever they could find. Decorations on the walls and items on tables fell one after another.
All other sounds were drowned out by the roar of the waves.
To say Ye Nianchu’s luck was bad would be an understatement. It was extremely, catastrophically bad. They were in an area with a great view, perfect for sightseeing. But now, the sea surged over the railings.
Seconds ago, she had watched someone who hadn’t run fast enough be swept into the sea, gone before they could even scream for help. People felt small and powerless in moments like this.
In special games, facing a boss with natural power boosts can get... dicey. It’s definitely unfair. Frustrating, even.
Qin Mubai grabbed Ye Nianchu, pulling her inside. The churning seawater soaked their clothes, and the wind chilled them to the bone. The sudden turn of events had caught everyone off guard.
Ye Nianchu looked up at Qin Mubai. Staying there was definitely not a good idea, but leaving wasn’t an option either. With so many people watching, and some likely being players, Qin Mubai couldn’t just activate a protective barrier and lead her out in plain view.