I Became the Most Popular Character by Acting as a Villain in the Manga

Chapter 16

Almost a few seconds after the message was sent, Qiao Zhanpeng’s call came in.

Bai Xuechao hung up the call the moment it displayed on the screen, then sent him a message that would automatically self-destruct after being read: [1.]

Qiao Zhanpeng urgently sent him a message: [Mr. Bai who are they]

He was so anxious that he didn't even use punctuation.

Bai Xuechao, however, slowly replied: [From the SAIDB.]

Whether it was being discovered secretly raising highly aggressive mutated species behind the Dark Organization’s back, or being discovered by SAIDB personnel, it was a crisis for the Marine amusement park. But Qiao Zhanpeng probably thought that even if he had done something wrong, the Dark Organization would still protect the Marine amusement park first in front of the SAIDB.

If it were someone else in the Dark Organization, they might have dealt with the protagonist group the moment the mutated species were discovered. Unfortunately, Qiao Zhanpeng was now dealing with Bai Xuechao, who had a villainous mission.

The male lead of the manga was supposed to obtain the Special ability energy crystal in the Marine amusement park. Bai Xuechao had long prepared to clear the Dark Organization's traces and distance himself from the Marine amusement park immediately if the truth came out.

Qiao Zhanpeng eagerly asked: [Are you not going to take action to deal with them]

Bai Xuechao pursed his lips and silently smiled, intentionally replying: [No, unless you hand that over.]

Qiao Zhanpeng pretended to be confused, though he understood: [What?]

Bai Xuechao: [You don't need me to remind you what you got two years ago, do you?]

Qiao Zhanpeng, who usually replied almost instantly, went silent.

Bai Xuechao knew for sure that Qiao Zhanpeng wouldn't hand it over, as the most valuable bargaining chip he held was the Special ability energy crystal, and he would definitely not give it up. With the Special ability energy crystal, even if the Marine amusement park's secret was fully exposed, he would still have a chance to rise again. But handing it over, especially to Bai Xuechao whose intentions were unclear, was too risky.

However, if he sought help from Jiang Yunyi, distant water couldn't quench immediate thirst.

Therefore, the only one he could rely on and trust now was his son, Qiao Jing.

Bai Xuechao added fuel to the fire, pushing him little by little onto the path he had envisioned: [Let me give you a piece of information. These three are Level 3 special ability users. The one in the Jiangshi costume is an invalidation special ability user, capable of invalidating the special abilities of Level 5 special ability users at most.]

Qiao Zhanpeng still didn't reply to the message, but Bai Xuechao knew he had seen it.

Bai Xuechao watched the three communicating with the SAIDB about how to handle the situation, then, without batting an eyelid, he subtly concealed some information and sent: [Furthermore, they haven't reported it to the SAIDB yet. They're currently discussing having a face-to-face talk with you first.]

Currently, what the Marine amusement park was discovered for was privately keeping so many dangerous mutated species, which was merely a violation. What Qiao Zhanpeng and Qiao Jing had done beyond that was still unknown.

If nothing unexpected happened, the SAIDB’s stance should also be to first seek a face-to-face meeting with Qiao Zhanpeng to discuss why he was raising so many mutated species, whether he was aware of their dangerous nature, and to force Qiao Zhanpeng to hand them over—perhaps "confiscate" would be a more appropriate term?

Qiao Zhanpeng remained silent, no longer sending messages.

But Bai Xuechao knew that Qiao Zhanpeng was probably already restless, planning to have Qiao Jing use the Special ability energy crystal to temporarily boost his special ability level and silence these three SAIDB special ability users.

In fact, Qiao Zhanpeng was indeed heading to where the Special ability energy crystal was hidden, with Qiao Jing accompanying him.

"So it's an invalidation special ability user!" Qiao Jing gnashed his teeth, clenching his fists, and cursed in a low, ferocious voice, "How can there be such a shitty special ability! Such a person shouldn't be alive; it's unfair, he can restrain all special ability users! And he knows our secret, Dad, I must eat him!"

...

The trio finished sending messages to the SAIDB, avoiding Bai Xuechao's and Duan Xingzhi's gazes.

Turning back, Xia Xiaoxi smiled at them somewhat awkwardly, as they were the ones who had invited the two, yet had left them waiting for so long: "Sorry, we have something to do, so we won't be strolling anymore."

Bai Xuechao said: "Hmm, we're leaving too, it's on our way."

The five of them returned the way they came, arriving at the location where the white wall once stood.

Fearing that tourists might accidentally enter, Xia Xiaoxi used her special ability.

She was an elemental type, with wood special ability.

Emerald green vines appeared out of nowhere on the glass pathway, weaving layer upon layer like knitting a towel, forming a seamless vine wall that completely blocked the glass passage.

The group continued walking out, gradually seeing other tourists.

As they passed a couple, they heard the girl say with some surprise: "Missing? What does that have to do with Kunpeng Marine Floating Island Park?"

The protagonist group's steps unconsciously slowed down.

The boy was even more surprised than the girl: "Didn't you see it? The couple is holding missing person posters right outside the Marine amusement park, and there are videos of them online too."

The group walked past the couple.

"What missing person posters? I didn't see any," Xia Xiaoxi whispered, searching online on her phone.

Zhou Chenhao was also searching on his phone: "Did we come too early, so we didn't see it?"

"I know about this," Bai Xuechao said. "We came relatively late and saw a couple holding missing person posters outside the Marine amusement park. They said their daughter and her friend went missing after leaving the Marine amusement park by boat."

Xia Xiaoxi said: "I found it!"

Indeed, there were videos of this elderly couple online. Most comments expressed sympathy, while a small portion said it was disrupting the Marine amusement park's business.

Zhou Chenhao raised his hand to touch the back of his neck: "Do you think this has something to do with the Marine amusement park?"

As they spoke, they reached the entrance of the Underwater Park.

Ling Feng subtly glanced at Bai Xuechao.

However, Bai Xuechao noticed Ling Feng's gaze but pretended not to: "You all are busy, we'll be leaving first."

After they waved goodbye to each other, Bai Xuechao and Duan Xingzhi walked out of the Underwater Park.

Xiao 6 was a little unhappy: "Why is Ling Feng always so wary of you?"

"He's not targeting me," Bai Xuechao said calmly. "He's just wary of non-SAIDB personnel."

Xiao 6: "Alright."

The two walked out of the Underwater Park. When they went in, the sky was still bright, but when they came out, even the remaining sunset glow in the sky was gone, and the sky was a deep blue.

It was approaching 6:30 PM, and the Great Escape event was about to begin.

Bai Xuechao raised his hand and put it on Duan Xingzhi's shoulder, smilingly calling him 'Gege' and saying: "Let me arrange your next task."

On the other side.

Qiao Jing held a blood-red crystal about the size of a goose egg, which was crystal clear and reflected brilliant colors under the light.

He gazed at the Special ability energy crystal in his hand, a hint of dissatisfaction leaking from his eyes, then began to grip the Special ability energy crystal tightly.

An astonishing scene occurred.

The skin on his palm seemed to melt, slowly absorbing the Special ability energy crystal into it.

This was the second way special ability users fed: absorption.

Special ability users could absorb non-living organisms into their bodies through skin contact, and at a fast speed. This method was often used by special ability users to "eat raw" after hunting mutated species.

"Don't absorb it!" Qiao Zhanpeng quickly stopped him.

Qiao Jing looked at the large bulge on his palm in shock: "I can't absorb it."

This method of feeding was painless, so he didn't feel any pain.

Qiao Zhanpeng scolded: "Then hurry up and take it out!"

"No." Qiao Jing controlled the Special ability energy crystal to move along his arm. The bulge moved from his arm to his chest, and he laughed, somewhat nervously: "Dad, I can feel that after the Special ability energy crystal enters my body, the increased special ability value is at least double what it is when I'm just holding it!"

Qiao Jing's special ability value surged, instantly surpassing the threshold of Level 6 special ability users, eventually stopping before Level 7, not reaching Level 7.

He temporarily became a Level 6 special ability user by relying on the Special ability energy crystal.

The Special ability energy crystal was moved into his abdominal cavity.

***

At 6:30 PM, the broadcast speakers of Kunpeng Marine Floating Island Park sounded, and a pleasant female voice broadcasted clearly: "Dear visitors, the Great Escape event is about to begin. This year's theme is Ghost Gate Opening! Countdown 3... 2... 1!"

Accompanied by a "bang," fireworks shot up into the already darkened sky, blossoming into dazzling flowers above the building shaped like an underwater palace in the center of the land park, and then falling like shattered-like light, disappearing into the air.

Inside the palace, which had been cleared an hour in advance, various "ghostly NPCs" emerged. Some had green faces and fangs, others were dripping with blood, and their appearances were quite terrifying.

A huge hot air balloon, inscribed with "奠" (meaning "offering to the dead"), slowly floated above the palace.

All tourists participating in the Great Escape event had wristbands on that emitted bright yellow light at the same time, making them exceptionally conspicuous in the crowd, like glittering golden stars.

Some tourists recorded with their phones, exclaiming: "Wow! Another year of a big production!"

The ghostly NPCs only chased and captured tourists whose wristbands glowed. Tourists obtained Lights-out time by playing games, and for a while, the Marine amusement park was bustling.

However, the protagonist group encountered a problem.

They had received a mission from the SAIDB to speak with Qiao Zhanpeng about the mutated fish on behalf of the SAIDB. But as soon as they left the Underwater Park, they were attacked by ghostly NPCs.

"What's going on?!" Zhou Chenhao was grappling with a ghost.

The ghost was fast, strong, and had sharp claws.

At first, the three of them were ambushed by the ghosts and thought they were just playing.

It wasn't until the left sleeve of Zhou Chenhao's official uniform was torn by a ghost's claw, leaving two shallow bloody marks on his skin. If he hadn't sensitively detected something was wrong and dodged quickly, his arm would have been torn apart by that blow.

Xia Xiaoxi disregarded the possibility of being discovered by ordinary people and used her special ability.

Vines grew from Zhou Chenhao's feet, climbing and binding the ghost's legs, pulling it aside, but the ghost broke free with a burst of strength!

"This is a special ability!" Ling Feng realized the seriousness of the situation, frowned, and shouted to the two, "Run!"

Zhou Chenhao's inability to invalidate the special ability meant it was at least Level 6!

The three took off running, with the ghosts chasing relentlessly behind them. It seemed like they were no different from other tourists, but for other tourists, the ghosts were NPC employees playing with them; for the protagonist group, the ghosts genuinely wanted to kill them!

Ling Feng was an elemental wind special ability user, using wind to push the three of them, barely shaking off the ghosts behind them, only for another to suddenly dart out from nowhere!

They were running too fast, and just as they were about to crash into the ghost, a stream of water rushed from the side, pushing the ghost off course, causing it to brush past them.

"This way!" the black-haired boy in a red round-collar robe shouted.

The three instinctively ran in Bai Xuechao's direction.

Bai Xuechao led them directly into the nearby aquarium. The two ghosts chasing them screeched to a halt outside the door, growling softly before leaving.

"That's it?" Zhou Chenhao still hadn't quite processed it.

Bai Xuechao explained: "Because according to the activity rules, ghosts cannot attack tourists who are about to play an amusement ride."

Interestingly, the ghostly NPCs even attacked him.

This was definitely Qiao Jing's intention; Qiao Zhanpeng wouldn't dare to lay a hand on him.

Only the young Qiao Jing would have the delusion of taking advantage of the situation to attack him.

However, this was also good. He wouldn't be treated specially and would have the same treatment as the protagonist group, which wouldn't arouse their suspicion.

Xia Xiaoxi pouted: "He's quite good at following the rules."

After saying that, she realized that this must be the killing mechanism of this special ability.

Ling Feng was sending messages to the SAIDB with a serious expression, saying: "The Marine amusement park owner has a problem. He must know that we discovered those mutated species and wants to use the Halloween event to silence us. I've already reported it to the bureau, and they'll send people over soon. In the meantime, we need to hold on."

"Isn't that simple?" Zhou Chenhao folded his arms. "We'll just stay here."

Good heavens, he was exploiting a bug here.

"You're good!" Xia Xiaoxi gave Zhou Chenhao a thumbs-up. She noticed Bai Xuechao was alone and asked, "Where's your brother?"

"He got lost, and his phone ran out of battery and turned off," Bai Xuechao smiled somewhat helplessly. "But he's much stronger than me, he should be fine."

Xia Xiaoxi said: "Then you can stay with us for now."

She asked the other two: "Any objections?"

Of course, they wouldn't object. It was a dangerous time, and they should help each other.

"I haven't introduced myself yet," Bai Xuechao volunteered. "Bai Xuechao, Level 4 special ability user, elemental water special ability."

Lies rolled off his tongue effortlessly.

Once he introduced himself, the protagonist group remembered that they hadn't introduced themselves either.

All three stated their names, levels, and special abilities. They were all Level 3 special ability users, so Bai Xuechao's "Level 4" was actually the highest.

The four of them stayed in the aquarium lobby, exploiting the bug, occasionally chatting.

However, after only five minutes of exploiting the bug, a ghost wandered to the door, stepped inside, and headed towards them!

Ling Feng immediately reacted: "No, we have to play a game!"

Ghosts wouldn't attack tourists who were about to play a game. When they first entered the aquarium, the ghosts would assume they were going to play a game, but if they stayed in the lobby for too long without moving, it wouldn't count as playing anymore.

The group could only immediately walk further into the aquarium.

The Marine amusement park's aquarium wasn't just a simple aquarium; after all, it was an amusement park, so some entertainment elements were added.

After entering the aquarium, tourists needed to participate in mini-games within the aquarium to obtain "Sea Kingdom Pearls." After collecting three, they could exchange them for a "Sea Kingdom Ticket" to officially tour the aquarium tunnel and watch the exciting "Mermaid Princess" show.

They walked to the mini-game area. The games here were relatively simple casual puzzle games, decorated with a fairy-tale feel, which children would likely enjoy.

"Hey, people are coming!" A tourist waved to them. "We're short exactly four people here, want to play?"

The four exchanged glances and walked over.

This game was called "Hug Prime Numbers" and required 10 tourists to participate.

There were three rounds in total. Each person had to hold a display device. After starting, the device would show a number within 100. Only prime numbers counted as passing.

Tourists with non-prime numbers could, within 10 seconds, combine their devices with others to add up the numbers to form a prime number and pass.

After 10 seconds, tourists with non-prime numbers would be sprayed by water guns. There were three water guns in the first round, six in the second, and nine in the third.

As long as each tourist achieved a prime number in one of the three rounds, they would receive a "Sea Kingdom Pearl" after the game ended.

The Marine amusement park even thoughtfully prepared raincoats, which guests had to pick up themselves.

It didn't sound difficult.

The group all went to grab raincoats and put them on, picking up the remaining four devices.

The game venue was a large circular platform, with nine water guns set up around it. A large screen on the wall in front played videos of other tourists playing here. The water guns were very powerful and would automatically lock onto tourists who needed to be punished, making them scream and yell.

The video on the large screen disappeared, replaced by a sound wave animation, and a cute female voice announced: "Is everyone ready? The first round is about to begin~"

The screen displayed a three-second countdown.

After three seconds, everyone raised their display devices.

Bai Xuechao had 2, Xia Xiaoxi had 59, Ling Feng had 29, and Zhou Chenhao was the lucky one, with the number 4.

Zhou Chenhao quickly scanned the area and found that everyone else had prime numbers except him. And even if he wanted to combine with someone else, there wasn't a number that, when added to his, would form a prime number.

After the ten-second countdown on the screen ended, the display screen in Zhou Chenhao's hand turned red.

Three water guns aimed at him.

He originally thought being sprayed wouldn't be a big deal, but the moment the water guns shot out water jets, alarms blared in his head!

Zhou Chenhao dodged the three incoming water streams with a difficult maneuver.

Smack!

A stream of water grazed the platform, leaving a deep crack!

This was probably not just a water gun, but a cutting water gun.

The water guns didn't stop but continued to shoot water streams. Zhou Chenhao dodged frantically with extremely fast reflexes. The three water gun nozzles automatically aimed and chased him. One water stream, after he dodged it, hit a decorative pole filled with girlish charm behind him, cutting the pole in half, and it fell to the ground with a crisp metallic clang.

All the tourists were stunned, some even screamed.

"What's going on?! This is murder!"

"I'm not playing anymore!" someone said, about to throw down their display device and get off the platform, but a water gun nozzle aimed at him, and he shakily held the display device and stood back.

The water guns stopped.

Zhou Chenhao unconsciously let out a sigh of relief, making up an excuse to comfort the other tourists: "Uh, it's just that this platform was already old, so the water guns broke it. That pole too, it already had a slight crack, so it broke, haha..." He let out two dry laughs.

Ling Feng massaged his forehead: "Do you think they'll believe that?"

They had no choice but to believe it, as they couldn't run.

However, the special ability was only targeting them. If ordinary tourists were punished, it shouldn't be this dangerous; it would be normal water guns. But they didn't dare and couldn't gamble that tourists receiving punishment would definitely be normal water guns.

The large screen sounded: "The second round is about to begin~"

A tourist couldn't help but burst into tears.

After three seconds, numbers appeared on everyone's display devices.

Bai Xuechao had 1, Zhou Chenhao had 97, Xia Xiaoxi had 83, Ling Feng had 19. The other tourists were all lucky enough to have prime numbers.

The screen displayed a countdown, 10, 9...

At the same time, Zhou Chenhao breathed a sigh of relief: "Great, everyone has prime numbers."

8, 7...

Bai Xuechao showed a kindly smile, as if looking at an idiot: "1 is not a prime number."