chapter 26

Beneath the curtain of rain, from afar, another beam of light pierced through, merging with the one in the alley, and together they converged into a single, dazzling shaft upon the grand avenue of Siren Town.

The mermaid wax figures, fearful of the light, were instantly halted by this radiant barrier, unable to advance a single step.

Yet this searing, blinding brilliance cut through the entire town, locking these light-fearing mermaids behind its gleaming threshold, forever barring their pursuit of Bai Liu.

Even the mermaid sailors, less daunted by the glare thanks to their talismans, dared not cross the beam, instead circling warily at its edge, probing for weakness.

Elsewhere, Bai Liu leaned against a wall, breathless, a 3D projector at his feet. The projection of Bai Liu within shone a flashlight, its beam joining the one in the alley, forging this formidable barricade of light.

He wiped the rain from his brow and exhaled deeply. "Thank goodness this 3D projector is waterproof."

On Bai Liu's small television, the blinding beam still blazed.

For a few seconds, the audience before the screen was silent. The one who had doubted Bai Liu's escape stared, dumbfounded, before stammering, "A-amazing…"

"I once questioned the Shepherd God's judgment. I was wrong. I failed to recognize a gem in plain sight. The problem isn't the player, but my own eyes. I'll go season my rice with my eyeballs."

"This newcomer must be one of those death-comedy specialists, right? He truly treats this horror game as a game—points and victory are secondary; the experience is everything."

"Interesting." Mu Sicheng's eyes narrowed in a smile, his canine teeth biting a candy. "The rain was meant to hinder Bai Liu, yet he's turned it to his advantage."

Bai Liu, cart in tow, dashed to the seaside. The mermaid sailors behind him hesitated, then finally crossed the beam, relentless in their chase—mermaid sailors do not fear the light.

But the light-fearing wax figures were all trapped behind the beam, and the danger was greatly diminished.

At this point, the player need only plunge into the sea, deliver the Siren King to the depths, and the level would be cleared. Most players, by now, are so deeply mutated as to resemble merfolk, able to dive and return the Siren King to the abyss.

Only now did Wang Shun understand why Mu Sicheng had warned against restoring sanity.

Sanity is tied to one's mutated state; if it recovers, the player reverts from [Mermaid] to [Human].

A [Human] cannot enter the deep sea, nor return the Siren King.

In Siren Town, only a [Mermaid] can complete this final act. Bai Liu's degree of mutation was just right—no need to recover, he could enter the sea as a mermaid.

Wang Shun breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Bai Liu's restraint, and a little ashamed of his own meddling.

Mu Sicheng's gaming instincts were truly beyond his reach, yet Bai Liu, a mere novice, had managed to hold steady…

Comparisons are odious, Wang Shun thought, shaking his head.

By rights, Bai Liu should now simply drag the Siren King into the sea, evading the pursuing sailors. Yet, as he neared the shore, Bai Liu suddenly veered away, not diving in, but heading instead for the great ship where the mermaid fishing event had begun!

The ship lay moored by the sea, and Bai Liu, cart in hand, hurried aboard.

But that was the mermaid sailors' stronghold!

Wang Shun nearly had a heart attack from Bai Liu's constant twists and turns, clutching his aching chest. "He's about to clear the level! Why board their ship—does he want to be caught?"

Even Mu Sicheng was so startled by Bai Liu's apparent death wish that he bit through his candy, coughing on the shards.

Mu Sicheng pounded his chest, eyes reddening, and finally swallowed the fragments. "If Bai Liu dives now, he'll be easily caught by the sailors, who move faster in water."

"The usual method is to use items to slow the sailors—like the last novice, who floated on the surface with a flaming torch, or just brute-forced it, as long as their sanity held out."

"Bai Liu must be trying to shake off the sailors by boarding the ship," Mu Sicheng analyzed coolly. "But it's futile. First, there are still sailors aboard, and in such close quarters, Bai Liu will be caught. Second, the sailors in the sea can board the ship too, and they're faster than the ship itself. This move is pointless."

No sooner had Mu Sicheng finished than trouble erupted on Bai Liu's small television.

Bai Liu, pushing his cart up the gangplank, was immediately confronted by the sailors, their webbed claws reaching for his face, while those behind him closed in, about to seize his shirt.

Wang Shun watched, heart in his throat, but Bai Liu remained unflinching, calmly producing a 3D projector from his pocket and tossing it to the deck.

The device bounced twice, projecting another defiant Bai Liu. The sailors hesitated, then turned toward the projection.

Wang Shun, sweating, wiped his brow. "Is Bai Liu using the projector's light to restrain the sailors, or just to confuse and delay them?"

But then he frowned. "But the sailors aren't afraid of light. Even if the projection wields a flashlight, it can't stop them. The beam on land didn't stop them, and it won't here."

"You're mistaken. Check the monster manual page for the sailors again," Mu Sicheng prompted, eyes shining as he watched Bai Liu. "I know why he boarded the ship—brilliant, no wonder the system nerfed him."

Wang Shun hurriedly opened his digital log, finding the entry:

[Siren Town Monster Manual—Mermaid Sailor (3/4)]

[Name: Mermaid Sailor (Chrysalis State)]

[Weaknesses: Fear of strong light, talismans, Siren King]

[Attacks: Biting, clawing (may trigger mutation upon contact)]

"How odd," Wang Shun muttered, "Their weakness is strong light, so why weren't they affected on land?"

"Talismans," Mu Sicheng explained. "With talismanic protection, strong light has no effect."

Realization dawned on Wang Shun. "That's it! So Bai Liu is—"

Mu Sicheng smiled. "Exactly. He's heading for the hold, where the sailors keep their talismans. He'll smash them, stripping the sailors of protection, and then his light will work."

On screen, Bai Liu had already shaken off his pursuers and reached the hold. He raised the pickaxe that had shattered bulletproof glass, and, face calm, began smashing the sailors' talisman statues one by one.

The talismans crumbled to dust at his feet. As most were destroyed, the [Bai Liu Projection] on deck produced a flashlight, as if the two Bai Lius were working in perfect tandem.

The projection smiled, raising the flashlight, finger poised on the switch like a trigger. With a click, a straight, brilliant beam cut through the encircling sailors.

Blinded and unprotected, the sailors shielded their eyes and collapsed, howling in agony. Even Wang Shun, Mu Sicheng, and the front-row audience shielded their eyes from the glare.

"This newcomer is ruthless," Wang Shun said, conflicted. "I almost pity the monsters."

But the sailors soon began to circle the light, some diving into the sea to flank Bai Liu.

Wang Shun frowned. "Even with the flashlight, Bai Liu only has one beam. The projector is spent. One beam can limit the sailors, but not trap them as before."

Mu Sicheng, arms folded, stated, "Even two beams can't fully restrain them here. On the ship, unlike the town, a single line of light can be bypassed."

"Exactly," Wang Shun mused. "There's no time to buy another projector, but a third flashlight would form a triangle, enclosing the sailors."

"I agree," Mu Sicheng nodded. "But at this stage, a flashlight will cost dearly—at least a hundred points."

"A hundred?!" Wang Shun exclaimed. "That's robbery!"

Mu Sicheng shot him a look. "But would you buy it at such a moment?"

Wang Shun sulked, then muttered, "Yes."

Bai Liu emerged from the hold, pickaxe in hand, and bought an item from the system store. Wang Shun glimpsed the price—two hundred and fifty points for a flashlight—and nearly choked. "That's daylight robbery!"

But Bai Liu, unfazed, scrolled past the flashlight. Wang Shun fretted, "Bai Liu, just buy it! It's your ticket to victory!"

The audience was equally anxious, watching Bai Liu hesitate over the purchase.

"Bai Liu, don't worry about the cost! I'll top up your points—just buy it!"

"Quick! Let's crowdfund a flashlight for Bai Liu! The kid's life is on the line!"

"Stop dithering! Just buy the best one for a hundred points—you'll be happy together! I'll chip in for your wedding!"

Even Mu Sicheng opened his own [Points Wallet], ready to contribute.

Suddenly, Bai Liu paused, a smile dawning as he found the item he sought.

[Purchase high-definition reflector?]

Bai Liu, without hesitation: [Yes]

[System: 3 points, thank you for your patronage.]

He placed the reflector in a corner of the ship, tied the flashlight to the bow, and flicked the switch.

The beam pierced the mist, struck the reflector, and was cast anew, merging with the projection's light.

Three blinding beams, like high-wattage LEDs, formed a brilliant triangle, trapping the sailors within. They writhed and howled, unable to escape.

Bai Liu sat at the prow, one knee raised, hair tousled by wind and rain, his eyes hidden in the shadows, lips curled in a faint smile. "Stay put, sailors."

[System: Most monsters have been restrained. The rain no longer weakens Bai Liu. Weather change imminent.]

[Weather: Torrential rain → Clear skies]

Light rose behind Bai Liu. One foot on the cart, the other dangling over the water, he stood as golden sunlight broke through the clouds, rain fading, his disheveled face aglow with a strange, compelling aura.

[Bai Liu has entered the final chapter of Siren Town—Return of the Siren King.]

After a brief silence, the audience erupted in wild cheers and donations, players embracing and high-fiving, the like count soaring by the second.

Mu Sicheng, hand poised to tip, paused, then broke into applause. "Well done, Bai Liu."

Wang Shun joined in, clapping until his hands reddened, sweat streaming down his face.

The rest of the audience was no less moved, some nearly bursting into song:

"Rain when you say rain, sun when you say sun! Are you the Weather Child, Bai Liu?"

"Go red! Go viral! Take my points and charge ahead! Bai Liu, to the top of the New Star list!"

——————

[12,011 people liked Bai Liu's stream, 12,000 bookmarked it, 2,077 donated. Bai Liu earned 3,011 points, with over 300 donating more than one point.]

[Bai Liu received over 10,000 likes and 3,000 points in a minute, his reputation soaring! Achievement unlocked: First Glimmer of Brilliance!]

[Congratulations, Bai Liu, you've advanced to the central hall's main screen, solo game strong recommendation.]

[Welcome back to your rightful place, Bai Liu.]

————————————

As Bai Liu ascended to the main screen, nearly all the fringe viewers followed.

This excited crowd, faces flushed, crossed the hall, attracting curious onlookers.

"What are you watching? Why so lively?"

"The Weather Child!" "Godlike reflector play!" "Shepherd God's newly acknowledged prodigy!"

The newcomers were baffled: "What on earth are you watching?"

Many joined out of curiosity.

Wang Shun and Mu Sicheng led the charge, and only then did Wang Shun notice Li Gou, who had been lurking in the back, now trailing the crowd, face dark as thunder, realizing Bai Liu was not someone to be trifled with.

Wang Shun breathed a sigh of relief for Bai Liu's sake.

Players like Li Gou were best kept at a distance.

When Wang Shun's group reached the main screen, the viewing area was already packed—some old followers, some newcomers, and even those who had once mocked Bai Liu's "lowbrow" tastes.

These critics, despite their disdain, were the first to crowd the front, loudly complaining:

"Ugh, he's back again. So annoying."

"How does he get so many likes? He's dragging down the average. I'm downvoting him."

"I don't get it. What's so great about showing off? How did he get thousands of likes and donations? Are people stupid? Don't they have better things to waste points on?"

"So annoying. Can't he be replaced by someone on Shepherd God's level?"

Their noise disturbed the genuine viewers, but most endured it, unwilling to clash with the powerful guilds behind these hecklers.

Mu Sicheng's smile faded slightly as he watched, but he still wore a pleasant expression.

He removed his monkey hat, walked to the front, and, with a gentleman's flourish—one hand on his chest, the other holding the hat behind his back—bowed to the crowd.

The gesture, made comical by the plush monkey hat, nonetheless drew gasps:

"Shepherd God! It's really you! You're watching his stream!"

Some confronted him directly: "Shepherd God, why do you recommend this player? He's unskilled and hogs the spotlight. It's so frustrating."

Mu Sicheng smiled. "Hello, I overheard your conversation and found it nostalgic."

The crowd erupted, eager to criticize Bai Liu:

"Shepherd God, you find him annoying too, right? He's just a show-off, hogging the screen so better players can't get in."

"I have to scroll past his stream all the time. I just want him to die and drop off the list!"

"Shepherd God, why not play yourself and push him out?"

Their eyes shone with excitement, as if Bai Liu's fall would be a triumph. Suppressing newcomers was their favorite pastime, especially for those lacking talent themselves.

"No, when I say nostalgic—" Mu Sicheng's smile grew more genuine, a lollipop between his lips, his manner languid. "It's because, when I first made the main screen, many central viewers insulted and cursed me just like this."

The crowd fell silent, exchanging awkward glances.

Watching these critics fall silent before him, Mu Sicheng laughed.

His laughter was innocent, as he leaned forward and asked, "Do you know what became of those who cursed me?"

They stared into his dark red eyes, chilled to the bone.

Reflected in Mu Sicheng's pupils was a cartoon monkey, grinning wildly, its eyes aglow with a vivid red light.

Only then did they realize—the crimson in Mu Sicheng's eyes was not his own, but the light from the monkey within.