Volume Six: What She Lost, What I Gained - Chapter 508: The Life-Saving Membrane Mage (2) (Second Update)

"The protective film on this small boat is completely torn. How did this happen?"

"Because of some idiot."

As I spoke, I patted Little Ying on the shoulder, and Little Ying stuck out her tongue.

"Heh... you should be more careful. Although the membrane is applied using instruments, if it's completely ruined in one go, it'll be a problem, and you'll have to replace it with a new one." Fisse shrugged.

"I just wanted to add some fun to this boring trip... Ugh!"

"Shut up, it's too noisy."

Little Ying wanted to explain, but Sin Annihilation impatiently covered her mouth and pulled her away.

"I'm so sorry, you must have found this amusing and caused you any trouble," Haoyue said politely.

"Haha... No need to apologize, it's just part of our job."

Fiser picked up something that looked a bit like a cross wrench at first glance, turned a few knobs on it, and immediately a faint light emanated from the four ports.

"That's roughly the design... several sub-devices are arranged on the hull... and these lights form the framework of the protective film. The group spent a lot of effort developing this."

"That's impressive! Do you need any help?"

"Help? No, no, I'm really sorry. It would be against my conscience to let beautiful ladies like you do this. Besides, there are strict rules that maintenance personnel are not allowed to be distracted when performing precision work. So, I'm sorry, could you please get off this ship for a while?"

"Are you making me work alone?"

"One reason is that we can't be disturbed. Also, before the protective film is formed, the spiritual radiation emitted by these devices is very bad for the body. We technicians have special work clothes to protect us, so we're not afraid, but it wouldn't be good for customers to suffer."

"Don't worry, we're all in great health."

"Please, company rules are very harsh. Those inspectors don't care what excuses you have. Once they find out, even if you explain for me, I'll still be punished. So please be understanding."

"... Oh, okay then."

"Wow, that's amazing! This is my first time on a container ship!"

"Mmm..."

Little Ying and Sin Annihilation both seemed very interested in the ship's densely packed containers. They touched this and that, squeezing in and out of the narrow gaps. So, you guys with small breasts are really lucky; if I tried to squeeze through, I'd definitely get stuck.

"You two, stop running around and touching me," Xiao Wu scolded gently.

"Eh..."

"Boring..."

Little Ying openly showed her impatience, and even Sin Annihilation rarely showed any resistance in front of Xiao Wu.

Seeing this, an older crew member sitting nearby laughed and said, "It's alright, it's alright. These containers are all well-sealed and don't contain any dangerous goods. Besides, even if they get lost, we're familiar with this ship and can find them immediately."

The other crew members echoed my sentiments. They were all men, and I could clearly feel their gazes sweeping over me. As soon as I faced them, they immediately turned their heads away. They seemed to want to look but dared not. Their feelings were truly conflicted.

We were now on a container ship next to our small boat. The huge deck, resembling a mountaintop plain, was filled with containers, winding and turning like a giant maze. Because Fiser said, "The regulations stipulate that we cannot disturb them while they are working, and for safety reasons, no one other than the technicians can be on the ship that is being coated," we temporarily disembarked and went to bother the ship next to us. As it turns out, good looks are always a universal passport, no matter when or where. After the initial surprise, the crew members welcomed us with great enthusiasm, offering us tea and water.

Of course... I couldn't be bothered to drink a drop of the tea they served. These crew members were really generous, using a special tea set instead of the metal or glass cups that sailors usually use.

Although it was a bit annoying, we were the ones bothering them, so I exchanged a few polite words. Xiao Wu leaned against a container and barely spoke, while Haoyue used a lot of polite language to keep their distance. Sick Spider and Sin Annihilation Exterminate didn't speak to them at all, but Little Ying was very excited and asked them all sorts of questions.

Um...

I'm feeling a bit annoyed.

"Xiao Ye, Xiao Ye, let me go for a walk on the boat! I'll be fine! My uncles said they can find me right away even if I get lost!"

"No."

"Moon Girl! I want to go play by myself!"

Please shut up.

"Um... Xiao Wu? I'd like to... take a look around by myself... okay?"

"...(stare)"

"Ugh... Sin Annihilation- chan, Sin Annihilation- chan, come play with me~"

"Xiao Wu said no, so I refused."

"Alas..."

Little Ying walked to the side dejectedly, and several crew members teased her in a half-joking manner, which made her howl.

I shifted my attention away from her and went to the ship's side. Right next to the hull was the container ship's protective membrane, a pale blue color that looked very sturdy. Looking down through the transparent membrane, I could see our small boat. The new protective membrane was almost complete; the transparent barrier, with beams of light forming its framework, was brand new. Fiser was probing around with an unidentified instrument, seemingly testing the membrane's strength.

Noticing our gaze, Fiser smiled and waved at us, and I nodded in response.

Haoyue and Xiao Wu came to my side.

The atmosphere was subtle.

(Hey, Ye...)

(I know, you all too...)

(Something was off from the start.)

Fisse below, however, seemed oblivious to the coldness of our gazes, still waving to us with a bright smile.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone! The coating is complete, and the tests are all fine. You can come back now!"

"..."

We remained silent.

He simply stood on the container ship, looking down at her from above.

His gaze grew increasingly cold.

"Um, ladies? The membrane is all applied. You can go back to the ship now. We'll be arriving at our destination in less than ten minutes."

"..."

"Hey, hey... I'm talking to everyone?"

"... That's enough!"

Xiao Wu coldly.

"Huh?"

"Stop acting. We've waited this long to see what you're really planning to do next, and all you're doing is sabotaging our ship?"

"You're being way too obvious. The membrane you put on us must be faulty, right? Maybe you even hid bombs on the ship. Once we get back on board, this so-called protective membrane will become our prison, and then the ship will explode or something. Is that how it's going to happen? That's a bit cliché."

"What are you talking about?!"

She immediately panicked.

"I'm a full-time technician employed by the company. Helping you is just part of my job. What good would it do me to harm you? Don't frame me!"

"If you're trying to trick us into going back to the ship you tampered with, then you'd better make your act even more convincing."

I twirled my hair with my fingers, enjoying the rare thrill of looking down on someone and seeing through a conspiracy.

"In short, you've already been exposed. We're not stupid enough to go back!"

"..."

She lowered her head, her eyes, filled with astonishment, hidden by her bangs.

Then--

"Yeah..."

She smiled.

His mouth stretched almost to his ears, a rather eerie and ferocious smile.

"I'm relieved to hear that."

Click-clack-clack-clack!!!!!!

"--Why?"

The crew members suddenly transformed into ink-like human figures and then vanished into thin air! A piercing metallic clang rang out from all directions, and the protective film on the container ship suddenly twisted, turning from an almost transparent pale blue to a metallic silver-gray!

Ah-- I've been tricked!

Because I hadn't officially entered the Business Capital yet, I subconsciously lowered my guard, which gave "Feiser Van der" an opportunity to take advantage of me.

After noticing her various abnormal behaviors, we thought we had figured her out and believed we would never fall for her tricks.

It turned out to be a feint attack!?

The membrane and other coverings on our ship were just a ruse from the start, exploiting our misunderstandings to make us believe that if she were to set any traps, they would be on our ship. The real trap was actually this container ship!

"She wants to trap us here!"

"Whispering sound--!!!"

Without hesitation, Xiao Wu punched the silver-gray protective barrier, but it only rippled slightly before going silent. Xiao Wu dared not exert her full strength; she could only use her power from "one year and two months ago." Her strength had only undergone a qualitative leap after meeting Ye and the others, and she was certain that she was far weaker back then...

But just how strong was he? What level of ability was he capable of back then?

Who the hell remembers to invite me?! I might accidentally use a move that exceeds the limits and hurt Little Butterfly! It's so frustrating to only be able to suppress my power within a safe range!

"Calm down, Xiao Wu! Feel it carefully... Use your punch just now as a reference, as a reference for how strong this barrier is, and respond flexibly!"

The contractual restrictions prevent us from attacking at will. If this barrier turns out to be much stronger than we imagine, we might reflexively unleash power exceeding the limits, which would be disastrous. Therefore, it is wise to investigate the situation before attacking!

Upon hearing my words, she immediately calmed down.

Indeed, it's not difficult if controlled properly! Judging from the feeling of that punch just now, although the barrier has been strengthened, even if my strength is suppressed, destroying it is not a problem!

"... This barrier isn't very strong. My light punch just now... if I aimed at one point and delivered an attack six to seven times more destructive than before, I could easily break through it!"

"Good!"

The surging blood from deep within my skin congealed into a crescent-shaped blade—my first skill, Blood Blade! This skill, long abandoned due to its low attack power, has been picked up again after a long time.

Just as I was about to make my move--

--Whoosh!

A blinding white light suddenly shone down from above, making my eyes dizzy for a moment. It was a large searchlight on the top of the container ship, which was obviously on full power now, flashing us with a bright light before immediately returning to normal brightness.

Suddenly shining a bright light on us?

Do you want to temporarily blind us?

But what's the point?

"--ah!"

With a whoosh.

It sounds like water splashing on the ground.

My body felt a chill, as if icy liquid had been splashed on me, and it had a strange, ink-like smell.

I managed to open my eyes, and as my blurred vision gradually cleared, I could see my arm.

It was stained black by a substance that resembled ink.

It wasn't a uniform black dye, but rather a large cross.

Not just his arms, but his entire body was covered in ink crosses.

It felt like someone was using a giant paintbrush dipped in ink to scribble on me.

"Uh... eh...?"

My body lost all strength and I collapsed limply to the ground. I tried to move my limbs but couldn't, and even my eyelids were stiff. All I could do now seemed to be barely move my eyes.

What happened?

With difficulty, he turned his eyes and saw that Xiao Wu and Haoyue were also lying on the ground not far away, covered in ink crosses, even their faces. Turning his eyes to the far left, he could see the feet of the Sin Annihilation, while Little Ying and the Sick Spider were completely out of his sight.

Their bodies were trembling slightly, and like me, they were suddenly unable to move.

"... You... uh..."

I want to make a sound, but let alone my lips, even vibrating my vocal cords becomes a burden, making communication impossible.

"Hey~~ How are you guys inside? Although I can't see what's going on inside, I can't hear your struggles from the outside, so it seems like you've succeeded initially. It wasn't that difficult after all."

On the other side of the barrier, outside the container ship, the voice of "Fiser" drifted over.

"Thank you for your hard work, Chi Ying- chan. Now... let's 'return to the beginning'!"