The man covered his mouth and coughed dryly, his complexion looking rather poor. From the angle below, his eyes beneath the sunglasses appeared blood-red, and a strange odor emanated from him intermittently.
The cleaner scrambled to her feet. "M-Mr. Priller!"
The man waved a hand, his fingers scratching restlessly at his arms, signaling for her to move aside. The cleaner nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice. Only after the man had walked away did she let out a sigh of relief. She didn't pay much attention to the odd smell on him, assuming it was just the fishy stench from the mop water.
Just as she dipped the mop into the wastewater bucket to wring it out and continue cleaning, she suddenly noticed a footprint left where the man had been standing. It was shimmering. Squatting down to pinch it with her fingertips, she felt a sticky texture that pulled into transparent, slimy threads.
Leaning in for a closer sniff, a faint fishy odor wafted from it, bearing a striking resemblance to the smell on the man earlier. Living at sea all year round had dulled her sensitivity to such smells, but only now did she realize this was the distinctive fishy scent of a saltwater fish.
Looking around, almost every spot the man had stepped on was marked with these footprints. It would take half a day just to mop them all up. The cleaner even picked up a fish scale from the floor—a translucent, blue-veined scale nearly half the size of a palm, with traces of blood still clinging to the base.
Despite these oddities, the cleaner didn't think too much of it or take it to heart. After quickly finishing the rest of the cabin, she headed toward the man's guest cabin with a heart full of excitement.
The guest had checked out. Based on her observations of the wealthy people on this ship, once they checked out, it usually meant they wouldn't step foot back in this VIP cabin again. Anything left behind was hers to take; even a small item dropped by those people could be worth a lot of money when sold.
She was very familiar with the young man in charge of registration. If those people actually came back looking for something or if it were an essential item, she could just file a late report afterward; a night spent with him would smooth things over.
After spending so many years on the ship, she was more slippery than the fish in the sea.
Not long after, a woman's scream echoed from the VIP cabin. The cleaner came running out of the bathroom, her eyes filled with terror. She fled in a panic, ignoring the many valuables still in the room as if something invisible were chasing her.
Inside the VIP cabin's bathroom, water flushed continuously in the porcelain white toilet. A crimson fish eye the size of a fist stared fixedly upward. Suddenly, it lurched, swiveling toward a certain direction; a sizable archipelago was situated in that very spot.
...................
In the center of the island, beneath the Fountain of the Gods hotel, the crew of the horror variety show Paranormal Explorers was buzzing with activity around three figures. After the cameraman gave an OK gesture, the three walked along the red carpet toward the Fountain of the Gods hotel.
"What a bright afternoon! Welcome to a new episode of Paranormal Explorers. This episode is sponsored by Kamani. Kamani’s Special Passion Lipstick brings you a different luxury experience—light liquid lip-coating with naturally vibrant colors..."
"In the previous episode, the paranormal exploration team dispelled the resentment of the Ghost Bride in the abandoned Yinshan Stockade and found a note regarding the 'Mermaid Miracle' in a well. Rumor has it that the Siren King's miracle is hidden on this mysterious island."
"What heart-pounding adventures will the paranormal exploration team experience on the island this time?"
[: Finally, you're back! I'm glad I didn't give up on 1106.]
[: I watched the entire Yinshan Stockade episode from under my covers. It was terrifying. The Ghost Bride was so pitiful, waiting for a groom who never came. I’m really looking forward to this episode’s plot.]
[: Stop bringing Yaoyao along, she really drags the team down. It’s been so long since Kim Jung-han Oppa and John appeared.]
[: Will the Little Celestial Girl be in this episode? Excited.]
Even during the pre-show warm-up, the live stream's popularity had already surged to several million. The density of the bullet comments clearly showed the audience's enthusiasm. Paranormal Explorers was immensely famous, airing every Saturday night and holding an undisputed first place in discussion among Saturday variety shows, thanks to its mockumentary style, excellent scripts, and atmosphere building.
As the camera zoomed in, the three team members for this episode were revealed. First to catch the eye was a white man with light brown hair, a high nose bridge, and deep-set eyes, waving at the camera.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
[: It's John! It's really John!]
[: Even though he hasn't appeared for several episodes, I still can't forget the way he grabbed a crowbar and fought for his life against those patients in the abandoned mental hospital. A real man!]
The second to appear had an Asian face, looking like a heartthrob often seen in youth idol dramas—handsome with a hint of delicate grace. He had a warm, spring-breeze smile and side-parted hair. Gray suit trousers accentuated his long legs as he stood with one hand in his pocket, waving at the camera.
[: Kim Jung-han Oppa! Handsome from every angle without a single flaw. The true backbone of the explorers team, a legend who faced a pyromaniac head-on in the Old Building No. 0 to cover the team's retreat!]
[: I'm claiming all the screen space for Kim Jung-han!]
[: The two most reliable men in the exploration team are appearing together. I'm starting to look forward to the plot this time.]
The camera moved to the third person. It was a young girl wearing a painter's outfit. Her small brown vest was neatly buttoned, and below her pleated skirt were healthy, wheat-colored legs. She stood with her hands on her hips, looking full of energy.
[: Who is this?]
[: Did a newcomer join the explorers team?]
[: She doesn't look very bright. Is she really not going to drag the team down?]
At that moment, a text introduction popped up on the live stream. Dark stripes crossed the screen like an anime intro. The girl held up a monocle, making a gesture as if firing energy.
Amy. A new member of the explorers team. The person in black from the Blackstone Mental Hospital and the letter-writer who guided the team to Yinshan Stockade. She has a quirky personality, a three-minute interest span, and zero patience. Some scholars have pointed out that Amy's brain is perpetually in a floating state.
Amy's face stiffened.
What did it mean, her brain was perpetually in a floating state? No one told her that her character profile was like this! Her fists tightened!
But remembering what Aivmey had repeatedly emphasized and instructed her, she had no choice but to endure it, forcing a very strained smile for the audience.
After introducing the members, the camera followed the group into the interior of the Fountain of the Gods hotel. As the place where the Withered Flower family hosted guests on the island, the hotel's decor was grand. The floors were inlaid with ivory-white marble, and the emerald-green wallpaper was speckled with gold dust. The four-story atrium design made the vertical space of the lobby feel very open. Under the crystal and glass chandeliers, the group sat down on a long sofa. Even the sofa was full-grain leather, with a delicate texture whose animal origin was unknown.
Amy marveled at the softness of the sofa. She considered herself quite knowledgeable; her boss was a fashion designer, and she had access to many fabrics and leathers around him, but she had never felt a material so smooth and delicate.
There were still twenty minutes before the official filming began. The production staff bustled around them. The wait was a bit long, so Amy, unable to contain her curiosity, whispered to the hotel receptionist:
"What kind of skin is this sofa made of?"
Seeing the girl's innocent expression, the receptionist flashed an eerie smile:
"Mermaid skin."
Rate on N.U.
