Chapter 115: Rules For Cleaners
?!
Everyone was startled by Wen Jianyan’s sudden actions.
What on earth was this guy trying to do?!
Although dressed in a colorful, loose clown costume, the young man’s figure still appeared slender and straight. He followed the team step by step, moving forward without a hint of hesitation.
“…”
The few individuals hiding in the room exchanged a glance through their headgear.
For some unknown reason, Blond’s hair stood on end, and an ominous premonition slowly crept up his spine.
In the past, if someone had acted so recklessly within the team, the majority would never have followed. After all, in an instance, the most important thing was to stay alive. No one would be willing to sacrifice themselves for someone else’s madness.
However…
Looking at the current group of people, Blond suddenly became uncertain.
Can’t be? Are these people really going to follow along?
It can’t be possible, right?
This guy is clearly a lunatic!!
How could everyone go crazy with him?
“You, you all…” Blond stammered, his voice intentionally lowered, carrying a bit of nervous trembling: “You can’t really be prepared…”
Before his words could fully register, the anchor wearing a furry headgear beside him stood up.
One, two, three.
They emerged from their hiding places, imitating Wen Jianyan’s actions, and merged into the river of employees in front. They walked forward alongside the team.
“???”
Turning his head to look at the empty rooms behind and across from him, Blond was dumbfounded.
Holy crap…
Are you guys for real?!
Damn.
He had no choice now.
All his teammates had left, leaving him all alone. He was originally a support-type anchor, timid and fearful. If he were left alone in this employee rest area, he definitely wouldn’t survive.
Gritting his teeth, Blond forced himself to stand up and, following the lead of the others, joined the group of employees.
Soon, the piercing sound of the brass bell faded away.
Amidst a completely silent stillness, the staff in various suits formed a straight line and walked out of the door of the employee rest area, step by step, moving forward toward a direction away from the rest area.
Outside the employee rest area, everything remained the same as when they entered.
Lush trees concealed the colorful buildings of the amusement park in the distance, and faint sounds of joy could be heard in the air.
The entire team moved without a sound, and no conversations were exchanged. Yet, each person seemed intimately familiar with the direction they were heading, moving steadily without pause, walking straight toward the direction that led them away from the employee rest area.
Beneath the heavy paint on his face, the young man squinted his amber eyes slightly, displaying a thoughtful expression.
According to what he had seen in the employee handbook, there were two rules mentioning the existence of the “brass bell.” The first was that employees with irregular working hours needed to be summoned by the brass bell when they started work. The second was that employees resting in the employee rest area after project maintenance closures needed to wait for the sound of the brass bell.
Lilith’s figure couldn’t be found in the entire employee rest area, leaving only one possibility.
After she entered the employee rest area, the brass bell rang, summoning her to another location.
To find Lilith, the best method was to follow the sound of the brass bell.
While walking, Wen Jianyan observed the surroundings from the corner of his eye.
The trajectory of the entire team’s movement didn’t lead through the amusement park area. However, judging by the colorful light and faint music emanating from the shadows of the trees, it wasn’t far from the main park area. This was likely a pathway exclusively for employees, as no tourists were in sight along the entire route.
Still, even with a good sense of direction like Wen Jianyan’s, it was difficult to determine his current location.
However, looking at it broadly…
They should be heading in the direction of the Thriller Zone?
The bushes rustled against each other, emitting a rustling sound.
Blond raised his eyes, looking in the direction the team was heading. His enhanced vision gave him a broader perspective. He could see a peculiar, entirely black building waiting for them in the distance, concealed within the jungle.
An inexplicable sense of foreboding made Blond shiver.
He couldn’t help but look toward a few of his teammates.
Each person had their backs to him, separated by thick plush mascot suits, making it impossible to discern their thoughts from body language alone.
Blond was forced to march forward, sandwiched between the team, wanting to cry without tears.
Sob… sob… sob…
This group of teammates was way too damn crazy this time! How could they dare do anything and everything?!
Soon, as they advanced with the team, the dark building appeared before everyone’s eyes.
It looked tall and entirely black, with an eerie shape that resembled…
A massive beached black ship.
Associating the general direction the team was heading, Wen Jianyan involuntarily blinked.
This is…
A pirate ship?
[Thrilling zone park rule 5: The pirate ship attraction is damaged; please do not approach it.]
Why were these employees being summoned by the brass bell to the so-called “damaged” pirate ship?
In the “Integrity First” live broadcast room:
[Aaaaah, it’s here! The pirate ship!]
[How long has it been… How long since I’ve seen an anchor play on the pirate ship map…”
[So amazing, so amazing. I think there have only been two or three who’ve reached this place? And the endings weren’t great…]
[Exactly, the death rate on the pirate ship is 100%, not bragging!]
[Do you think the anchor can come out of this alive?]
[In the past, I wouldn’t believe it, but this time… I’m kind of looking forward to it!!]
[Aaaaaah, so excited! Can the anchor break the 100% death rate record of the pirate ship?!]
Wen Jianyan’s fingers slightly curled inside his pocket, uneasily rubbing the edge of the employee handbook—wondering if these would be recorded in the employee handbook.
Beneath the slightly tilted cabin, there was a small entrance.
The entrance was devoid of people or obstacles. The entire line of the team marched forward, heading into the cabin without stopping.
As they entered the cabin, the light instantly dimmed. A strange scent hung in the air—sticky, damp, sickly-sweet, with a touch of an odd fishy smell.
Ahead was a spacious room with faded metal sheets, marked with a few words:
[Changing Room]
A mechanical female voice reverberated in the air, repeating the same sentence over and over again:
“Please enter the changing room promptly and wear your work badge. Those without a work badge are not allowed to enter.”
…A work badge?
Wen Jianyan followed the team into the changing room.
The space here was even larger than he had imagined. Inside were individual, small compartments that could only accommodate one person each. Despite the variously dressed staff members, there was still no communication happening between them. They naturally walked towards the small compartments, drawing the curtains closed behind them.
Wen Jianyan also walked into one of the compartments.
The space inside the compartment was not large. There was a low stool, and on the wall hung a metal hook with a small work badge hanging from it. On the badge was the word:
[Cabin].
A sheet of metal was nailed to the wall, covered in patches of rust that made it look particularly old.
[Pirate Ship Staff Rules]
1. Before entering the pirate ship, please promptly wear your work badge and queue up according to the classification on the badge.
2. Your working hours and workload on the pirate ship are not fixed. Please use the ringing of the brass bell as a signal for work handover. Do not engage in verbal communication with other sailors.
3. During your work, “red steam” may be emitted from the top of the deck’s chimney. This is a normal occurrence generated by the ship’s operation. Please do not pay excessive attention.
4. The work on the pirate ship is divided into two parts, “Deck” and “Cabin”. “Deck” sailors are responsible for loading ammunition, cleaning the deck, and controlling ropes. “Cabin” sailors are responsible for fueling and maintaining the ship’s movement.
5. There is no drinking water available in this area, and carrying “water” is prohibited. If you feel thirsty, immediately stop your work, flip your badge, go to the room on the right side of the corridor, press the button, and wait for relevant personnel to arrive.
Wen Jianyan memorized all the rules, then took the work badge from the hook and hung it on his chest.
After completing these actions, he walked out of the compartment.
Many employees had already formed two lines in the changing room.
Wen Jianyan found a line labeled “Cabin” and silently joined it. He turned his head inconspicuously, scanning the entire changing room, and quickly located his other teammates.
Luckily, their luck wasn’t bad enough to end up in the same line together.
As they couldn’t communicate, the gazes of the few teammates briefly intersected before quickly parting.
Once everyone had put on their work badges, the line began to move.
After leaving the changing room, two paths appeared outside—one going upward, marked “Deck”, and one going downward, marked “Cabin”.
The line Wen Jianyan was on proceeded towards the downward path.
The stairs were narrow and steep, and the pungent and sweet smell in the air grew stronger.
Perhaps due to the slight tilt of the entire pirate ship, the corridor was crooked and winding, giving a slightly dizzying illusion.
Faint booming sounds could be heard in his ears, seemingly coming from deep underground.
Soon, they reached the end of the stairs, and the space in front of them opened up suddenly.
The lighting was quite dim, but he could still vaguely make out the entirety of the cabin. The ceiling was high, and there was a massive steel apparatus inside, seemingly operating slowly.
All the employees went to their respective spots and began their tasks adeptly, which was known as “fueling.”
Although it was called fueling, they didn’t actually need to do it manually. In front of them was a large iron pipe with a green light flashing at intervals. The sailors only needed to press the button next to it, and the fuel would be automatically transported into the apparatus.
Wen Jianyan stood in his spot, pressing the button a few times.
As he worked, he subtly surveyed the entire cabin before him.
Among all the staff, only five were wearing tortoiseshell cat costumes. This time, Blond was assigned to the deck, leaving only him and Yun Bilan to search for Lilith in the cabin.
In the distance, Yun Bilan shook her head at him. Clearly, the cat on her end wasn’t Lilith.
Wen Jianyan withdrew his gaze, turning his attention to the remaining three cat costumes in his direction. The first two weren’t right, but the last one was closer to the passage… It was too far away, and the lighting was too dim to discern the patterns on its suit.
However…
Wen Jianyan quickly surveyed his surroundings.
No supervisors, no monitors. Perfect.
He flipped his badge on his clothing and left his position.
No one stopped him; in fact, all the employees made way for him. His vacant spot was immediately taken by someone else.
Wen Jianyan slowed his pace, step by step getting closer to the passage, his gaze still on the last cat.
Finally, just before he reached the room on the right side, the tortoiseshell cat turned its head, revealing the pattern on its forehead beneath the headgear—
Not her.
Wen Jianyan lowered his eyes, withdrawing his gaze.
He was about to flip his badge back when he suddenly paused.
Ahead was a pitch-black corridor. To the right was the room mentioned in the rules for when one felt thirsty. To the left…
Wen Jianyan turned his head, looking to his left.
In the “Integrity First” live broadcast room:
[?What is he looking at?]
[I don’t know… I only know that the right side is the restricted area. I have no clue what’s on the left. Has any anchor been to this place before?]
[This old fans of Fantasy Theme Park came here uninvited, I haven’t seen this before! So excited!]
Darkness enveloped the end of the corridor. On the wall, a small piece of metal was posted with the words:
[Cleaner’s Rest Area]
Wen Jianyan was taken aback, squinting slightly.
In all the previous rules, almost all “staff” referred to people in doll costumes. Only a few mentioned other employees in the theme park, indicating the existence of various job types.
Regarding cleaners, there were only two mentions.
His gaze flickered as he quickly looked around to ensure that no one noticed his actions. Then he hurriedly walked towards the Cleaner’s Rest Area.
His movements were light and fast, taking only a short ten seconds to silently disappear into the darkness at the end of the corridor, just like a drop of water falling into the sea, leaving no trace behind.
Straight ahead down the corridor was the so-called Cleaner’s Rest Area.
It was similar to the employee rest area but smaller, with only six rooms.
Wen Jianyan randomly picked one and entered.
In the closet, he found a set of rules for cleaners, but this set of rules was completely different from the one he found in the employee rest area.
This set of rules was green.
It was just a thin sheet of paper.
[Rules for Cleaners]
Welcome to be a cleaner in Fantasy Theme Park. To ensure the normal progress of your work in the park, please forget all the contents of your previous rules. All actions should be based on the content of these rules.
1. The park closes at midnight. No overtime is allowed. Do not stay within the park during non-working hours. After midnight, please return to the rest area immediately for rest.
2. During rest, regardless of what sounds you hear, do not open your eyes, do not leave the bed, and ensure you are always in an unobservable sleeping state.
3. During your non-working hours, hearing “chewing sounds” and “laughter” is normal. Do not react to this. Hearing “crying sounds” and “anger” is abnormal. If you hear such sounds, immediately check if your daily tasks have been completed. If not, proceed to the pirate ship deck and press the red alert button to notify the park manager. The park manager will assign your next task.
4. Your daily tasks are as follows:
1. Wait for the bell and go to the haunted house to collect frog eggs.
2. Wait for the bell and go to the area under the roller coaster to clean up the dead frog bodies.
3. …
4. Wait for the bell and go to the end station of the Crazy Little Train to clean up the dead frog bodies and hungry frog larvae.
5. …
18. Transport all frog eggs, dead frog bodies, and frog larvae to the pirate ship. After filling the fuel tank, ring the bell to notify the sailors to handle them.
Staring at the Cleaner’s Rules in front of him, Wen Jianyan’s expression grew increasingly grim.
Among the items mentioned in these rules, some he had played before and some he hadn’t. The haunted house, roller coaster, and Crazy Little Train were all experiences he had.
In the haunted house, players contaminated by frog eggs were parasitized.
Under the roller coaster, the ones who fell to their deaths were polluted players.
Inside the Crazy Little Train, players who were killed and players infested with hungry frog larvae were mentioned.
An extremely uneasy feeling surged within him.
Wen Jianyan put the cleaner’s rules into his pocket, pushed the door open, and continued walking deeper into the corridor on the left side.
Soon, the path reached its end.
There was a massive iron door here, with words written on the metal sheet above it: [Do Not Enter].
Wen Jianyan took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and walked inside.
The air was filled with a heavy, damp odor that was pungent and stomach-churning, inducing physiological discomfort.
Underneath the exposed steel staircase was a massive pool.
The pool contained no water; instead, it was filled with thick, sticky mucus and densely packed, translucent frog eggs. Most of the frog eggs had successfully hatched, and they were squirming and struggling within the pool.
Amidst these frog eggs and tadpoles, there were several pale, lifeless human bodies.
Besides the large pool, a few employees wearing blue uniforms were at work.
They seemed…
Hardly human anymore.
Under their blue uniforms, their skin appeared pale and sticky. Their faces were covered by thick masks, but you could still faintly make out bulging eyeballs and thin, pale membranes between their slender, white fingers, which moved with exceptional swiftness.
They quickly placed the wriggling eggs and bodies from the pool into long metal pipes.
At a glance, Wen Jianyan recognized that these pipes were the “fuel” conduits connected to the machinery.
***
On the deck.
Wen Ya and Blond were “working” on the deck.
To call it work was a bit of a stretch, as the entire process was quite monotonous and simple.
Since the deck wasn’t dirty, everyone was assigned to two positions: loading ammunition and controlling cables.
Long, flexible hoses extended from beneath the deck. Whenever red steam rose from the chimneys on the deck, the sailor controlling the cables would connect the hoses to the iron pipes and then signal the sailor loading ammunition.
The sailor loading ammunition would press a button.
Accompanied by a humming sound, the machinery began to operate like a water pump.
Wen Ya’s phone in her pocket vibrated twice. She knew it was probably from Wen Jianyan.
She casually took out her phone and glanced at its content.
Wen Jianyan asked two questions. The first was about whether they had found Lilith. Unfortunately, the sailors on the entire deck had been observed by Blond, and they didn’t find anyone dressed in a similar tortoiseshell cat costume.
The second question was a bit strange.
He asked if there were pipes on the deck and, if possible, if they could check the contents of the pipes.
Wen Ya was responsible for connecting the hoses, which was relatively easy to do.
After confirming that no one was paying attention to her, she subtly slid her finger, causing the hose to slip off the iron pipe.
In the next moment, a viscous, bright red liquid gushed out.
A sweet and sticky smell permeated the air.
Wen Ya quickly reattached the hose.
A sailor who seemed to be in charge waved and beckoned, pulling over another sailor who appeared less occupied. He had him clean up the mess that Wen Ya had just spilled on the deck.
Wen Ya stepped back two paces, her fingers concealed within her costume, rapidly sending her conclusion.
***
“Buzz.”
The sound of a vibrating message echoed.
Wen Jianyan pulled out his phone, and the two words on the screen were startling.
—”Syrup.”
Inside the barrage of the “Integrity First” live broadcast room:
[…What the heck?! This so-called syrup is actually made from frog eggs and frogs!!!]
[Damn, this is the first time I’ve heard of this…]
[Oh my god, seriously, the anchors in this instance are in such a miserable situation!!!!]
[Are there any anchors in this instance who haven’t drunk the syrup?]
[I’ve checked the live broadcasts of the other anchors in this instance, and I can responsibly tell you that there aren’t.]
[Right… Polluted anchors need syrup to recover, and even anchors who have completed the tasks need to come to the food area and purchase products with syrup. Anyway, there are a thousand ways to make one drink it…]
[Damn, just imagining it makes me feel nauseous.]
[This is so twisted, seriously, this instance is so twisted!!!]
[I always feel like this thing definitely has side effects; otherwise, the completion rate of this Fantasy Amusement park wouldn’t be so terrifying… I just don’t know what the mechanisms of these instances are…]
Wen Jianyan’s face turned green as well.
Upon realizing the ingredients of this syrup, he felt a surge of nausea in his stomach, wanting to vomit.
That strange sensation stuck in his throat seemed to resurface, like a festering sore that couldn’t be removed.
…Damn.
This instance was truly overly twisted!
Wen Jianyan took a deep breath, forcing himself to divert his thoughts from this aspect.
He slowly took a few steps back, preparing to leave this room.
However, suddenly, a strong sense of unease struck him.
Wen Jianyan’s danger radar involuntarily went off. He looked up.
Under the stairs, a cleaner wearing a blue uniform stood not far away. It seemed to be preparing to throw a handful of frog eggs into a pipe, positioned at a tricky angle that allowed it to see Wen Jianyan.
Not good!
Wen Jianyan’s internal alarm bells rang loudly.
The moment he sensed danger, he swiftly opened the door behind him and turned to run outside!
His heart was racing in his chest, and his blood seemed to boil with intense unease.
The cleaner stood in place, its pale, sticky face mostly covered by a thick mask, leaving only a pair of swollen, bulging eyes. It stared fixedly at the slightly open door that was slowly closing.
It pressed a button on the wall.
The next second, the entire pirate ship resonated with a piercing alarm sound.
“Ding-ling-ling——”
The author has something to say:
The unveiling is beginning slowly! Are you all excited? (rubbing hands together)
Chapter 115: Rules For Cleaners
?!
Everyone was startled by Wen Jianyan’s sudden actions.
What on earth was this guy trying to do?!
Although dressed in a colorful, loose clown costume, the young man’s figure still appeared slender and straight. He followed the team step by step, moving forward without a hint of hesitation.
“…”
The few individuals hiding in the room exchanged a glance through their headgear.
For some unknown reason, Blond’s hair stood on end, and an ominous premonition slowly crept up his spine.
In the past, if someone had acted so recklessly within the team, the majority would never have followed. After all, in an instance, the most important thing was to stay alive. No one would be willing to sacrifice themselves for someone else’s madness.
However…
Looking at the current group of people, Blond suddenly became uncertain.
Can’t be? Are these people really going to follow along?
It can’t be possible, right?
This guy is clearly a lunatic!!
How could everyone go crazy with him?
“You, you all…” Blond stammered, his voice intentionally lowered, carrying a bit of nervous trembling: “You can’t really be prepared…”
Before his words could fully register, the anchor wearing a furry headgear beside him stood up.
One, two, three.
They emerged from their hiding places, imitating Wen Jianyan’s actions, and merged into the river of employees in front. They walked forward alongside the team.
“???”
Turning his head to look at the empty rooms behind and across from him, Blond was dumbfounded.
Holy crap…
Are you guys for real?!
Damn.
He had no choice now.
All his teammates had left, leaving him all alone. He was originally a support-type anchor, timid and fearful. If he were left alone in this employee rest area, he definitely wouldn’t survive.
Gritting his teeth, Blond forced himself to stand up and, following the lead of the others, joined the group of employees.
Soon, the piercing sound of the brass bell faded away.
Amidst a completely silent stillness, the staff in various suits formed a straight line and walked out of the door of the employee rest area, step by step, moving forward toward a direction away from the rest area.
Outside the employee rest area, everything remained the same as when they entered.
Lush trees concealed the colorful buildings of the amusement park in the distance, and faint sounds of joy could be heard in the air.
The entire team moved without a sound, and no conversations were exchanged. Yet, each person seemed intimately familiar with the direction they were heading, moving steadily without pause, walking straight toward the direction that led them away from the employee rest area.
Beneath the heavy paint on his face, the young man squinted his amber eyes slightly, displaying a thoughtful expression.
According to what he had seen in the employee handbook, there were two rules mentioning the existence of the “brass bell.” The first was that employees with irregular working hours needed to be summoned by the brass bell when they started work. The second was that employees resting in the employee rest area after project maintenance closures needed to wait for the sound of the brass bell.
Lilith’s figure couldn’t be found in the entire employee rest area, leaving only one possibility.
After she entered the employee rest area, the brass bell rang, summoning her to another location.
To find Lilith, the best method was to follow the sound of the brass bell.
While walking, Wen Jianyan observed the surroundings from the corner of his eye.
The trajectory of the entire team’s movement didn’t lead through the amusement park area. However, judging by the colorful light and faint music emanating from the shadows of the trees, it wasn’t far from the main park area. This was likely a pathway exclusively for employees, as no tourists were in sight along the entire route.
Still, even with a good sense of direction like Wen Jianyan’s, it was difficult to determine his current location.
However, looking at it broadly…
They should be heading in the direction of the Thriller Zone?
The bushes rustled against each other, emitting a rustling sound.
Blond raised his eyes, looking in the direction the team was heading. His enhanced vision gave him a broader perspective. He could see a peculiar, entirely black building waiting for them in the distance, concealed within the jungle.
An inexplicable sense of foreboding made Blond shiver.
He couldn’t help but look toward a few of his teammates.
Each person had their backs to him, separated by thick plush mascot suits, making it impossible to discern their thoughts from body language alone.
Blond was forced to march forward, sandwiched between the team, wanting to cry without tears.
Sob… sob… sob…
This group of teammates was way too damn crazy this time! How could they dare do anything and everything?!
Soon, as they advanced with the team, the dark building appeared before everyone’s eyes.
It looked tall and entirely black, with an eerie shape that resembled…
A massive beached black ship.
Associating the general direction the team was heading, Wen Jianyan involuntarily blinked.
This is…
A pirate ship?
[Thrilling zone park rule 5: The pirate ship attraction is damaged; please do not approach it.]
Why were these employees being summoned by the brass bell to the so-called “damaged” pirate ship?
In the “Integrity First” live broadcast room:
[Aaaaah, it’s here! The pirate ship!]
[How long has it been… How long since I’ve seen an anchor play on the pirate ship map…”
[So amazing, so amazing. I think there have only been two or three who’ve reached this place? And the endings weren’t great…]
[Exactly, the death rate on the pirate ship is 100%, not bragging!]
[Do you think the anchor can come out of this alive?]
[In the past, I wouldn’t believe it, but this time… I’m kind of looking forward to it!!]
[Aaaaaah, so excited! Can the anchor break the 100% death rate record of the pirate ship?!]
Wen Jianyan’s fingers slightly curled inside his pocket, uneasily rubbing the edge of the employee handbook—wondering if these would be recorded in the employee handbook.
Beneath the slightly tilted cabin, there was a small entrance.
The entrance was devoid of people or obstacles. The entire line of the team marched forward, heading into the cabin without stopping.
As they entered the cabin, the light instantly dimmed. A strange scent hung in the air—sticky, damp, sickly-sweet, with a touch of an odd fishy smell.
Ahead was a spacious room with faded metal sheets, marked with a few words:
[Changing Room]
A mechanical female voice reverberated in the air, repeating the same sentence over and over again:
“Please enter the changing room promptly and wear your work badge. Those without a work badge are not allowed to enter.”
…A work badge?
Wen Jianyan followed the team into the changing room.
The space here was even larger than he had imagined. Inside were individual, small compartments that could only accommodate one person each. Despite the variously dressed staff members, there was still no communication happening between them. They naturally walked towards the small compartments, drawing the curtains closed behind them.
Wen Jianyan also walked into one of the compartments.
The space inside the compartment was not large. There was a low stool, and on the wall hung a metal hook with a small work badge hanging from it. On the badge was the word:
[Cabin].
A sheet of metal was nailed to the wall, covered in patches of rust that made it look particularly old.
[Pirate Ship Staff Rules]
1. Before entering the pirate ship, please promptly wear your work badge and queue up according to the classification on the badge.
2. Your working hours and workload on the pirate ship are not fixed. Please use the ringing of the brass bell as a signal for work handover. Do not engage in verbal communication with other sailors.
3. During your work, “red steam” may be emitted from the top of the deck’s chimney. This is a normal occurrence generated by the ship’s operation. Please do not pay excessive attention.
4. The work on the pirate ship is divided into two parts, “Deck” and “Cabin”. “Deck” sailors are responsible for loading ammunition, cleaning the deck, and controlling ropes. “Cabin” sailors are responsible for fueling and maintaining the ship’s movement.
5. There is no drinking water available in this area, and carrying “water” is prohibited. If you feel thirsty, immediately stop your work, flip your badge, go to the room on the right side of the corridor, press the button, and wait for relevant personnel to arrive.
Wen Jianyan memorized all the rules, then took the work badge from the hook and hung it on his chest.
After completing these actions, he walked out of the compartment.
Many employees had already formed two lines in the changing room.
Wen Jianyan found a line labeled “Cabin” and silently joined it. He turned his head inconspicuously, scanning the entire changing room, and quickly located his other teammates.
Luckily, their luck wasn’t bad enough to end up in the same line together.
As they couldn’t communicate, the gazes of the few teammates briefly intersected before quickly parting.
Once everyone had put on their work badges, the line began to move.
After leaving the changing room, two paths appeared outside—one going upward, marked “Deck”, and one going downward, marked “Cabin”.
The line Wen Jianyan was on proceeded towards the downward path.
The stairs were narrow and steep, and the pungent and sweet smell in the air grew stronger.
Perhaps due to the slight tilt of the entire pirate ship, the corridor was crooked and winding, giving a slightly dizzying illusion.
Faint booming sounds could be heard in his ears, seemingly coming from deep underground.
Soon, they reached the end of the stairs, and the space in front of them opened up suddenly.
The lighting was quite dim, but he could still vaguely make out the entirety of the cabin. The ceiling was high, and there was a massive steel apparatus inside, seemingly operating slowly.
All the employees went to their respective spots and began their tasks adeptly, which was known as “fueling.”
Although it was called fueling, they didn’t actually need to do it manually. In front of them was a large iron pipe with a green light flashing at intervals. The sailors only needed to press the button next to it, and the fuel would be automatically transported into the apparatus.
Wen Jianyan stood in his spot, pressing the button a few times.
As he worked, he subtly surveyed the entire cabin before him.
Among all the staff, only five were wearing tortoiseshell cat costumes. This time, Blond was assigned to the deck, leaving only him and Yun Bilan to search for Lilith in the cabin.
In the distance, Yun Bilan shook her head at him. Clearly, the cat on her end wasn’t Lilith.
Wen Jianyan withdrew his gaze, turning his attention to the remaining three cat costumes in his direction. The first two weren’t right, but the last one was closer to the passage… It was too far away, and the lighting was too dim to discern the patterns on its suit.
However…
Wen Jianyan quickly surveyed his surroundings.
No supervisors, no monitors. Perfect.
He flipped his badge on his clothing and left his position.
No one stopped him; in fact, all the employees made way for him. His vacant spot was immediately taken by someone else.
Wen Jianyan slowed his pace, step by step getting closer to the passage, his gaze still on the last cat.
Finally, just before he reached the room on the right side, the tortoiseshell cat turned its head, revealing the pattern on its forehead beneath the headgear—
Not her.
Wen Jianyan lowered his eyes, withdrawing his gaze.
He was about to flip his badge back when he suddenly paused.
Ahead was a pitch-black corridor. To the right was the room mentioned in the rules for when one felt thirsty. To the left…
Wen Jianyan turned his head, looking to his left.
In the “Integrity First” live broadcast room:
[?What is he looking at?]
[I don’t know… I only know that the right side is the restricted area. I have no clue what’s on the left. Has any anchor been to this place before?]
[This old fans of Fantasy Theme Park came here uninvited, I haven’t seen this before! So excited!]
Darkness enveloped the end of the corridor. On the wall, a small piece of metal was posted with the words:
[Cleaner’s Rest Area]
Wen Jianyan was taken aback, squinting slightly.
In all the previous rules, almost all “staff” referred to people in doll costumes. Only a few mentioned other employees in the theme park, indicating the existence of various job types.
Regarding cleaners, there were only two mentions.
His gaze flickered as he quickly looked around to ensure that no one noticed his actions. Then he hurriedly walked towards the Cleaner’s Rest Area.
His movements were light and fast, taking only a short ten seconds to silently disappear into the darkness at the end of the corridor, just like a drop of water falling into the sea, leaving no trace behind.
Straight ahead down the corridor was the so-called Cleaner’s Rest Area.
It was similar to the employee rest area but smaller, with only six rooms.
Wen Jianyan randomly picked one and entered.
In the closet, he found a set of rules for cleaners, but this set of rules was completely different from the one he found in the employee rest area.
This set of rules was green.
It was just a thin sheet of paper.
[Rules for Cleaners]
Welcome to be a cleaner in Fantasy Theme Park. To ensure the normal progress of your work in the park, please forget all the contents of your previous rules. All actions should be based on the content of these rules.
1. The park closes at midnight. No overtime is allowed. Do not stay within the park during non-working hours. After midnight, please return to the rest area immediately for rest.
2. During rest, regardless of what sounds you hear, do not open your eyes, do not leave the bed, and ensure you are always in an unobservable sleeping state.
3. During your non-working hours, hearing “chewing sounds” and “laughter” is normal. Do not react to this. Hearing “crying sounds” and “anger” is abnormal. If you hear such sounds, immediately check if your daily tasks have been completed. If not, proceed to the pirate ship deck and press the red alert button to notify the park manager. The park manager will assign your next task.
4. Your daily tasks are as follows:
1. Wait for the bell and go to the haunted house to collect frog eggs.
2. Wait for the bell and go to the area under the roller coaster to clean up the dead frog bodies.
3. …
4. Wait for the bell and go to the end station of the Crazy Little Train to clean up the dead frog bodies and hungry frog larvae.
5. …
18. Transport all frog eggs, dead frog bodies, and frog larvae to the pirate ship. After filling the fuel tank, ring the bell to notify the sailors to handle them.
Staring at the Cleaner’s Rules in front of him, Wen Jianyan’s expression grew increasingly grim.
Among the items mentioned in these rules, some he had played before and some he hadn’t. The haunted house, roller coaster, and Crazy Little Train were all experiences he had.
In the haunted house, players contaminated by frog eggs were parasitized.
Under the roller coaster, the ones who fell to their deaths were polluted players.
Inside the Crazy Little Train, players who were killed and players infested with hungry frog larvae were mentioned.
An extremely uneasy feeling surged within him.
Wen Jianyan put the cleaner’s rules into his pocket, pushed the door open, and continued walking deeper into the corridor on the left side.
Soon, the path reached its end.
There was a massive iron door here, with words written on the metal sheet above it: [Do Not Enter].
Wen Jianyan took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and walked inside.
The air was filled with a heavy, damp odor that was pungent and stomach-churning, inducing physiological discomfort.
Underneath the exposed steel staircase was a massive pool.
The pool contained no water; instead, it was filled with thick, sticky mucus and densely packed, translucent frog eggs. Most of the frog eggs had successfully hatched, and they were squirming and struggling within the pool.
Amidst these frog eggs and tadpoles, there were several pale, lifeless human bodies.
Besides the large pool, a few employees wearing blue uniforms were at work.
They seemed…
Hardly human anymore.
Under their blue uniforms, their skin appeared pale and sticky. Their faces were covered by thick masks, but you could still faintly make out bulging eyeballs and thin, pale membranes between their slender, white fingers, which moved with exceptional swiftness.
They quickly placed the wriggling eggs and bodies from the pool into long metal pipes.
At a glance, Wen Jianyan recognized that these pipes were the “fuel” conduits connected to the machinery.
***
On the deck.
Wen Ya and Blond were “working” on the deck.
To call it work was a bit of a stretch, as the entire process was quite monotonous and simple.
Since the deck wasn’t dirty, everyone was assigned to two positions: loading ammunition and controlling cables.
Long, flexible hoses extended from beneath the deck. Whenever red steam rose from the chimneys on the deck, the sailor controlling the cables would connect the hoses to the iron pipes and then signal the sailor loading ammunition.
The sailor loading ammunition would press a button.
Accompanied by a humming sound, the machinery began to operate like a water pump.
Wen Ya’s phone in her pocket vibrated twice. She knew it was probably from Wen Jianyan.
She casually took out her phone and glanced at its content.
Wen Jianyan asked two questions. The first was about whether they had found Lilith. Unfortunately, the sailors on the entire deck had been observed by Blond, and they didn’t find anyone dressed in a similar tortoiseshell cat costume.
The second question was a bit strange.
He asked if there were pipes on the deck and, if possible, if they could check the contents of the pipes.
Wen Ya was responsible for connecting the hoses, which was relatively easy to do.
After confirming that no one was paying attention to her, she subtly slid her finger, causing the hose to slip off the iron pipe.
In the next moment, a viscous, bright red liquid gushed out.
A sweet and sticky smell permeated the air.
Wen Ya quickly reattached the hose.
A sailor who seemed to be in charge waved and beckoned, pulling over another sailor who appeared less occupied. He had him clean up the mess that Wen Ya had just spilled on the deck.
Wen Ya stepped back two paces, her fingers concealed within her costume, rapidly sending her conclusion.
***
“Buzz.”
The sound of a vibrating message echoed.
Wen Jianyan pulled out his phone, and the two words on the screen were startling.
—”Syrup.”
Inside the barrage of the “Integrity First” live broadcast room:
[…What the heck?! This so-called syrup is actually made from frog eggs and frogs!!!]
[Damn, this is the first time I’ve heard of this…]
[Oh my god, seriously, the anchors in this instance are in such a miserable situation!!!!]
[Are there any anchors in this instance who haven’t drunk the syrup?]
[I’ve checked the live broadcasts of the other anchors in this instance, and I can responsibly tell you that there aren’t.]
[Right… Polluted anchors need syrup to recover, and even anchors who have completed the tasks need to come to the food area and purchase products with syrup. Anyway, there are a thousand ways to make one drink it…]
[Damn, just imagining it makes me feel nauseous.]
[This is so twisted, seriously, this instance is so twisted!!!]
[I always feel like this thing definitely has side effects; otherwise, the completion rate of this Fantasy Amusement park wouldn’t be so terrifying… I just don’t know what the mechanisms of these instances are…]
Wen Jianyan’s face turned green as well.
Upon realizing the ingredients of this syrup, he felt a surge of nausea in his stomach, wanting to vomit.
That strange sensation stuck in his throat seemed to resurface, like a festering sore that couldn’t be removed.
…Damn.
This instance was truly overly twisted!
Wen Jianyan took a deep breath, forcing himself to divert his thoughts from this aspect.
He slowly took a few steps back, preparing to leave this room.
However, suddenly, a strong sense of unease struck him.
Wen Jianyan’s danger radar involuntarily went off. He looked up.
Under the stairs, a cleaner wearing a blue uniform stood not far away. It seemed to be preparing to throw a handful of frog eggs into a pipe, positioned at a tricky angle that allowed it to see Wen Jianyan.
Not good!
Wen Jianyan’s internal alarm bells rang loudly.
The moment he sensed danger, he swiftly opened the door behind him and turned to run outside!
His heart was racing in his chest, and his blood seemed to boil with intense unease.
The cleaner stood in place, its pale, sticky face mostly covered by a thick mask, leaving only a pair of swollen, bulging eyes. It stared fixedly at the slightly open door that was slowly closing.
It pressed a button on the wall.
The next second, the entire pirate ship resonated with a piercing alarm sound.
“Ding-ling-ling——”
The author has something to say:
The unveiling is beginning slowly! Are you all excited? (rubbing hands together)
