NOVEL NEXT Ch. 14
Chapter 14
The OP’s speculation was also thought of by others.
17L: This was indeed easy to guess. Prophet, elaborate further, give us something harder to guess. (Munching on sunflower seeds)
18L[OP]: The protagonist group rode four attractions; three were cut short, and the only successful one was the Spinning Seashells. Did the male lead not touch the Spinning Seashells facility? No, look at this picture, he touched it. [Spinning Seashells manga screenshot.jpg]
The difference between the Spinning Seashells and the other three attractions is that it has many children, is not very dangerous, and accidents are unlikely.
So I infer that only dangerous attractions are controlled by special abilities.
19L: (Gnawing on melon) So does that mean Qiao Jing uses his special ability to control dangerous rides to ensure tourist safety?
20L: No, no, no, my villain radar is beeping; Qiao Jing is definitely a villain.
21L: Dying of laughter, 19L, re-read the last page; does Qiao Jing’s expression look like a righteous character?
…
52L[OP]: I’m pasting the appendix here. [Qiao Jing character introduction.jpg]
After Qiao Jing’s special ability, it says “Underwater Park,” but there’s a question mark.
There’s also a question mark after his level, making his special ability and level quite intriguing.
First, regarding his special ability: it’s definitely not as simple as an Underwater Park, because he also controls the Park Loop Roller Coaster, Giant Pendulum, and Dragon Palace Fun Tour, and very likely more. I guess all the attractions in the park that can experience accidents are under the control of his special ability.
The male lead’s special ability can only cut off power to the amusement facilities, which means the facilities are real, not products of a special ability.
But Qiao Jing’s special ability obviously cannot be the elemental power of electricity, because the previously appeared character “Duan Xingzhi” has electricity as his special ability, and in Qiao Jing’s appendix, the special ability column says Underwater Park.
The appendix might conceal information, but it definitely won’t misreport information.
Underwater Park and electricity are clearly two different special ability categories.
According to the appendix’s introduction to the Marine amusement park, it specifically mentions that the Underwater Park was added after the expansion, so it should also be under Qiao Jing’s control. Then his special ability type is easy to guess: it’s the manipulation of park attractions 【under certain conditions】, which can only be a special type.
His conditions for control might be the presence of amusement facilities or a park environment.
As for why he controls dangerous attractions, that’s up to individual interpretation, but I think it’s convenient for him to cause tourists to “have accidents.”
53L: I’m already getting dizzy reading this.
54L: OP is an analysis master, able to analyze so much. (Holding melon in a daze.jpg)
55L: But if the park facilities have an accident even once, its reputation will be ruined; will tourists still go there?
…
80L[OP]: Now, regarding the dialogue on the last page.
The dialogue mentioned “after 19 hours,” such a precise time should be when his special ability regains control.
The number 19 is very strange, neither here nor there. So, is it possible that it was originally “if control over an amusement facility is lost, it can be regained after a 24-hour interval”? As for it becoming 19 hours, everyone should be able to guess that the interval was shortened because the special ability upgraded.
I boldly guess that upgrading by 1 level shortens it by 1 hour, so 19 hours would correspond exactly to Level 5.
The special ability user they caught in the previous chapter was Level 4. Is Level 5 in this chapter not impossible?
My speculation ends here, welcome everyone to discuss together~
81L: The protagonist group is only Level 3; it was already quite difficult for them to catch a Level 4 special ability user last time. If this one is Level 5, wouldn’t that be a bit too much of a cheat?
82L: Actually, it might really be possible. Everyone knows the male lead’s nullification range is within 2 levels higher than his, and Level 5 is exactly within that range.
83L: The male lead’s physical enhancement during upgrades is even higher than that of Carnivorous special ability users. Didn’t someone in the manga also analyze that his special ability itself enhances his body? In short, the male lead has extremely strong vitality and good stamina. With him slowly wearing them down, plus two teammates, defeating a Level 5 isn’t impossible.
Oh right, there’s also Bai Xuechao, whose stance is unclear.
84L: He’s the male lead, so a little protagonist halo isn’t too much, right? His special ability and physical fitness are there; he could fight Level 4 in the previous chapter, so fighting Level 5 this time is also reasonable.
85L: Don’t just talk about levels; whether a special ability is strong or not depends on what kind of special ability it is, in addition to its level. Also, the mechanism of the special ability and whether its limitations are significant.
86L: It probably depends on what level special ability user Bai Xuechao is, and his stance.
87L: Does that even need thought? It’s definitely to balance the combat power for the protagonist group.
Seeing this, I exited the thread.
This OP was probably quite meticulous and thoughtful when reading the manga, and also very good at bold analysis; most of what he said was correct.
However, fighting Level 5?
With the addition of the Special ability energy crystal, it was more than that.
The Marine amusement park app on my phone had finished installing. While registering an account with a dummy account, I opened the thread discussing me.
【Subject: Food Chain, everyone, let’s discuss Bai Xuechao [HOT]】
OP: After the female lead saw Bai Xuechao’s back, a flashback occurred. The person next to her brother also had white hair. Could there be any connection with Bai Xuechao? [manga screenshot.jpg]
His appendix is also very mysterious; it only gives his name, age, and special ability, with “Unknown” written after special ability.
1L: I don’t know what prompted our daughter to make that association. Honestly, besides the white hair and height, there’s no effective information, not even the eyes are visible, and it’s too blurry.
2L: The female lead mentioned before that her brother disappeared last December after transferring a huge sum of money to her and their mother, and it’s been almost a year since then.
This white-haired person was with her brother; perhaps they disappeared together?
3L: The female lead recalling this scene might be because Bai Xuechao gives her a similar feeling to this white-haired person? Or white-haired people are rare, leading the female lead to make the association? In any case, there should be a blood relationship, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been shown. Judging by height, either an older brother or older sister is possible, but I think an older sister is more likely because of the long hair.
4L: If there’s a blood relationship, Bai Xuechao wouldn’t also be looking for relatives like the female lead, would he? Then the search-for-relatives group +1 person.
5L: Hahahaha, dying of laughter, strange shipping increased, search-for-relatives group. (Dog head)
6L: 3L might be a bit stereotypical; long hair could also be an older brother. It would be perfectly reasonable for him to get along with the female lead’s brother, and for them to be good friends.
7L: Is there a possibility, and I mean a possibility, that this white-haired person is Bai Xuechao himself? (Dog head)
8L: If it’s Bai Xuechao himself, why didn’t he react upon seeing the female lead?
9L: This possibility is a bit too bold.
Later, readers debated whether it was an older brother, older sister, or himself, dragging the discussion for over fifty floors, and then it was sidetracked by one person—
56L: Is no one going to guess what Axue’s lure-pheromone tastes like?
57L: Hiss, is that coming?
58L: It seems so.
59L: Alright, come on! The new round of the beverage battle has begun! (Grass)
60L: Hahahaha, don’t restrict the categories too much; let’s make it the best diet battle. (Big grass)
61L: Hahahaha, here it comes again!! Since the competition began, Ling Feng’s Jasmine Milk Tea has still been ranked first. Can the new character Bai Xuechao overcome the previous waves? Tune in next for— A Bite of Special Ability Users on the Tip of the Tongue
62L: Bullshit! Yu Muyang’s Braised Pork flavor is the first! This Carnivorous special ability user is overjoyed, saliva flowing! (Not!)
63L: Aren’t we guessing Bai Xuechao now? I vote for Mango Sago!
64L:? How much did Mango Sago pay you? My Soybean Milk Tea doubles that!
After this, the thread spiraled out of control, feeling less like they were guessing my lure-pheromone and more like everyone was ordering takeout.
I pondered thoughtfully.
Since most readers speculated that my long-haired version was my older brother or sister, I might as well fabricate a backstory along those lines when creating one, to meet readers’ expectations.
However, I needed to “communicate” with Bai Guzi, so she wouldn’t expose my identity.
Closing the thread, I began to look at the map on the app.
The protagonist group’s play route was quite easy to recognize; the four attractions connected formed a clockwise path.
Based on the manga’s update speed and the timing of encountering Qiao Jing, combined with the queue times displayed on the app, they should be queuing for the Underwater World Shuttle, a very popular 4D roller coaster ride. While on the roller coaster, three-dimensional underwater images would be played around them, giving the sensation of traveling through the ocean.
Of course, the queue time was also hot, showing 90 minutes.
I left the restroom and returned to the office.
I had been gone for about ten minutes, and Duan Xingzhi and Qiao Zhanpeng sat quietly in the office.
Qiao Zhanpeng had probably thought a lot during this time, and under pressure, although it didn’t show on his face, a slight sweat had beaded on his hairline, shining wetly in the sunlight.
“Boss Qiao, have you considered it?” I asked.
Qiao Zhanpeng nodded repeatedly, handing the freshly printed contract to me. “Does this work for you?”
I took the contract and glanced at it, finding that Qiao Zhanpeng was indeed very cooperative. He not only restored the previous “cooperative” relationship but also offered concessions, with a hint of ingratiation. To show sincerity, he had even signed it in advance.
“Yes,” I said, signing it as a representative.
But in reality, ever since I had read the information from the intelligence department, I doubted how long the Marine amusement park could remain in existence.
According to the plot, when the male lead Zhou Chenhao obtained the Special ability energy crystal, he would inevitably clash with Qiao Jing. If Qiao Jing made no effort to conceal his cannibalistic tendencies, then the fact that he had eaten so many people over the years would very likely be exposed to the SAIDB.
If exposed, the entire Marine amusement park, as the medium for Qiao Jing’s special ability, would surely be sealed off by the authorities. As Qiao Jing’s father, Qiao Zhanpeng would be unable to escape unscathed, and the transaction with the organization would also fall through, as the organization, no matter how audacious, would not operate openly against the authorities.
Although this contract, on the surface, appeared to be nothing more than a perfectly normal commercial transaction contract with the Marine amusement park’s “Eco-Tourism Park,” showing no issues—
My blood-red eyes looked at Qiao Zhanpeng.
They each held a copy of the contract. Qiao Zhanpeng wiped the sweat from his forehead with a tissue, solemnly took his copy, and locked it in the safe next to his office desk.
—But, once the matters of the Marine amusement park were exposed, I would come to destroy this contract, clean up all organization-related items, and disassociate the organization from the Marine amusement park.
Of course, I wouldn’t do this for the organization, but to reduce trouble. Even if I didn't do it, once the Old leader learned of the incident at the Marine amusement park, he would dispatch either me or Jiang Yunyi to handle the aftermath. Since it had to be done sooner or later, handling it earlier would ensure a cleaner job.
“Alright, then we won’t disturb you further,” I said, taking the contract and smiling. “We plan to play around in the park for a bit, you don’t mind, do you?”
“How could I mind? You are most welcome!” Qiao Zhanpeng said with a polite smile, “You’ve come at just the right time. Our park hosts a Halloween Month theme event every year. You absolutely must participate in the ‘Great Escape’ tonight; it’s very interesting.”
I played along, “Oh, good, we were planning to participate anyway; we’ve already prepared our clothes.”
“Participating in this event requires a wristband. I’ll have my assistant bring them to you,” Qiao Zhanpeng said, picking up the desk phone and dialing, asking the assistant to bring two wristbands.
Soon, the assistant brought two event wristbands and two Express Pass cards. When wanting to ride an attraction, swiping the Express Pass allowed entry into the fast lane, enabling them to ride without queuing.
Quite thoughtful.
The assistant politely said, “You two can follow me to the room next door to change clothes. Your changed clothes can be temporarily stored in the lockers on the first floor.”
“Okay,” I said, putting on a wristband for myself and Duan Xingzhi. I then said to Qiao Zhanpeng, “Boss Qiao, we’re leaving.”
Seeing that I and Duan Xingzhi were finally leaving, Qiao Zhanpeng’s smile became much more genuine: “I wish you a pleasant time.”
As I turned, my gaze fell upon the statue against the wall by the door.
It was a life-sized statue of Poseidon, holding a trident in one hand, gazing in the direction of Qiao Zhanpeng’s office desk. If one were sitting in Qiao Zhanpeng’s seat, it would be directly facing the statue.
I casually mentioned, “Boss Qiao, this statue is quite nice.”
Qiao Zhanpeng chuckled a few times and said, “I had someone make it myself.”
I nodded and followed the assistant.
Watching Bai Xuechao and Duan Xingzhi leave the office with the assistant, Qiao Zhanpeng immediately picked up his phone and quickly dialed Jiang Yunyi…
In the corridor outside the door.
Xiao 6 couldn’t help but say, “That statue just now looked too much like Qiao Zhanpeng!”
“It was his facial features; how could it not look like him?” I replied.
Qiao Zhanpeng must have had someone replace Poseidon’s facial features with his own when commissioning the statue; his intentions were clear.
I continued, “Some people always have unrealistic ambitions.”
The assistant led them to a room.
A full-length mirror was conveniently embedded in the room’s wall, making it easy for them to change clothes.
After the assistant left, Duan Xingzhi and I changed.
Duan Xingzhi changed faster. He only needed to change his shirt, put on his vest and cloak, and after changing, he stood aside, waiting for me.
He waited quietly, without speaking, wearing a white stand-collar ruffle-sleeved shirt with a black vest and Gothic cloak over it. Around his neck was a thorn-rose necklace, with a slightly darker velvet red rose blooming among silver thorns. His demeanor was noble, and a strong dark aura enveloped him, as if he were a noble vampire awakened after centuries of slumber.
Xiao 6 rubbed its hands, “Hiss-ha hiss-ha! He’s really too handsome!”
My phone, in my coat pocket, vibrated. I took it out and saw that the caller ID was Jiang Yunyi. I directly hung up.
It was nothing but about Qiao Zhanpeng’s matter.
I decided to give Jiang Yunyi the cold shoulder.
I temporarily blacklisted Jiang Yunyi’s number. When Jiang Yunyi tried calling again, he would surely know he was blacklisted and should understand my meaning. We could talk tomorrow.
Facing the full-length mirror, I buttoned up the round-collar robe and fastened the black leather belt around my waist.
In the mirror, the white-haired boy had delicate and beautiful features, skin as pale as snow, faint red lips, and plum-blossom-like red eyes that complemented the pomegranate-red round-collar robe he wore, resembling a red plum blossom bravely defying the winter snow.
He looked like a graceful young scholar who had stepped out of an ancient painting.
I slowly placed the Wusha hat on my head.
Xiao 6 gave me a huge red heart, praising, “Host, you’re so beautiful and handsome! In my heart, you’re the top in appearance in this work, always number one! Mwah!”
I calmly listened to Xiao 6’s praises, tilting my head slightly left and right to look. Then I took out the single-color red eyeshadow I had prepared in the tote bag and applied a layer under my eyes, like dark circles, instantly making me look as if my mental state wasn’t very stable.
Hmm, much scarier than before.
Xiao 6: “…”
Boo-hoo-hoo, why is the Host trying so hard to play a ghost?
I turned my head to look at Duan Xingzhi, extending a hand to him, “Brother, I’ll need your cooperation later.”
“What should I do?” Duan Xingzhi placed his hand in mine.
The moment their hands clasped, Duan Xingzhi’s handsome features seemed to melt like burning wax. When his features reappeared, he now bore a five-tenths resemblance to me.
Although Duan Xingzhi still had white-gold hair and light blue eyes, anyone would connect them and believe they were blood relatives.
Xiao 6 shrieked wildly in my head, “Wow! Whoa! Duan Xingzhi’s face changed! Did you do that, Host?! Oh my god!”
I calmly replied, “I have more than one special ability.”
Xiao 6: “Awooo awooo awooo—”
I released Duan Xingzhi’s hand and looked up at him.
“From now on, you are my biological older brother,” I said, my blood-red, beautiful eyes curving into a smile, fabricating a false backstory, “We had an older sister who went missing last December.”