Act 18: Helping Hand

[Part 1: A Contract]

"Guests! Would you like to check in if you have a moment?"

The lobby manager politely ushered the four distinguished guests to the front desk.

Bu Liuxing decided to get straight to the point, brushing aside the housing contract brought to him by the front desk, and asked in a low voice—

"Summon your boss to see me."

Since the hailstorm intentionally drove him here, then this Violet Sunrise Hotel must be the casino that Gloria arranged for the guests—Meteor needs to act quickly. If Captain Quack and Ethan get involved, it will be difficult to handle if it drags on until the middle of the night.

"Don't rush, General of Tears!" The lobby manager was very enthusiastic, his smile giving people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze. Judging from the aura, body temperature, and pheromones, this was a 100% pure-blooded Homo sapiens. Meteor did not have any intention of killing him for the time being.

Meteor pressed on, "Now that we're at the casino, instead of discussing serious matters, are you just going to make fun of me?"

The lobby manager remained patient and gently tapped the housing contract.

"--Please go back to your rooms and rest for a while. Be well-rested tomorrow morning, then come to the hotel's second-floor restaurant for a hearty meal so you'll have the energy to perform your best in front of Lady Goelia! Don't you agree?"

At this point, Meteor seemed to have no reason to refuse, so he looked at Captain Quack, trying to get his opinion.

This old captain, who had traveled all over the world and visited all sorts of docks and harbors, was certainly more aware of safety precautions than Meteor, this naive young man. Although General of Tears had fought for seven or eight years, his combat conditions were supported by a complete intelligence system, and he mostly operated in small teams, which was completely different from this sudden challenge to a duel.

Quack glanced at the weather outside the front hall; the hail was still raging and showed no sign of stopping.

"Although I wouldn't recommend staying here overnight, we have no other choice."

Ethan risked his life, walking about twenty steps towards the door. Before this brave uncle could even leave the courtyard, he was immediately forced back by the icy snowflakes. He jogged along, almost slipping on the slippery front hall floor, and was covered in scattered ice shards.

"No, no, no! There aren't even any roofed sheds left to shelter from the hail on the streets! All the cloth sheds have collapsed! Meteor Brother, we can't get out!"

The lobby manager then pushed the housing contract in front of Meteor.

"Don't General of Tears gentleman by your own petty standards."

"This blizzard is like a wonderful destiny; it brought us together and gave us a warm haven to take shelter in."

"Gloria is a compassionate, gentle, and sentimental person. Now that you have come to Violet Sunrise—as guests of Dionysus—we will certainly treat you all well."

"Don't worry, your friends will be well taken care of. I swear to God in the name of a Dionysian believer."

"If anything happens to any of our guests before the bet begins tomorrow, even if they suffer the slightest inconvenience in their hotel rooms or complain about the inadequacy of our customer service, I, as their manager, will have to pay with my life."

These words, spoken by the manager, were delivered with such conviction and righteous indignation.

Even the naive and innocent Flavia couldn't help but be moved by it.

"--The General of Tears! He's already brought his head to us! Shall we stay here for the night?"

"We can't find anywhere else to sleep. With this much snow, there's no way we can get back."

Quack stared out the door and added, "If we absolutely have to go back to the Church of Dionysus for the night, we'll probably get smashed to pieces by the hail."

Meteor didn't think much of it and was about to sign the contract.

At that moment, Ethan gripped the General of Tears's hand tightly.

This middle-aged man with a slovenly beard smelled of fish oil. He was balding with patches of hair, and his appearance was ugly and greasy, but there was a kind of calmness in his eyes that gave people a sense of inexplicable peace.

"Manager, does this signature really have to be made by the General of Tears?"

The two sailors had traveled extensively, and their travel experience was far richer than Bu Liuxing's, including this keen sense of contracts. Generally speaking, in the safe areas along the subway system, people usually don't pay attention to the additional terms and conditions of bank and hotel contracts—they usually just glance at them and move on.

Since Quack became captain, the first mate has been in charge of arranging hotels for the crew and workers.

Sailors always have to travel far and wide, finding nameless docks and ports in the wilderness far from civilization, and struggling with the barbaric rules born in this poor and harsh land.

Ethan had seen far too many strange contracts and was used to them. To secure quality service for his crew and negotiate a favorable price with the captain, he made sure to read every single accommodation contract's terms and conditions carefully—lest these flimsy pieces of paper turn into heavy indentures.

"It's free," the lobby manager emphasized. "The Violet Sunrise Hotel has arranged top-tier suites for you all. There will be no additional charges if you wish to change to another room type. Gloria will cover all the bills."

Ethan then pressed on, "Does this character absolutely General of Tears?"

The manager is like an ostrich, burying his head in the sand, seemingly deaf to everything.

"--You can take a closer look at the contract. Of course, this is just a procedure to help the hotel manage room allocation and manpower, so as to better serve customers."

"There aren't many terms and conditions; you can check in after signing. Everyone's identification information also needs to be registered at the front desk."

"This is to cooperate with the Governor's Office and the patrol officers of Huacheng Street in arresting criminals. It makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"

"Does General of Tears really have to sign? I've asked three times already, Manager, you don't seem like someone who can't understand Chinese." Uncle Ethan had already started flipping through the contract, but didn't find any suspicious clauses. "If this issue isn't clarified, we'll sleep on the sofa in the lobby and spend the night here."

The lobby manager's forehead was already beaded with cold sweat.

"--How can this be?"

Flavia exclaimed in surprise, "How can this be!"

She tugged at her skirt and patted her wet waistband. The rain and snow were soaking her skin until it stinked, and the odor of her virginity was growing stronger and stronger. She couldn't stand it herself, let alone the ordinary people around her.

Two night shift cleaning ladies walked by just now. They were about to greet Flavia, but when they smelled the stench of sweat, rain, dust, and mud on the black snake, they ran away like they were avoiding a plague.

"Should I sign it first?" Flavia's little face scrunched up with anxiety. "I need to find a room to change my clothes and take a shower. I'm so tired, Uncle Ethan!"

From noon to midnight, Flavia was busy at the alchemy table, using her Soul Power to create medium tools for Meteor and using the alchemy skills of the Greenstone People to make candy. She also personally decorated the tricycle used for her stall. With the series of sales activities in the latter half of the night, she was almost too exhausted to speak.

The lobby manager seized the opportunity and quickly explained--

"--Or Miss Flavia could sign this."

"Since none of the guests are willing to accept Gloria's arrangements, there are actually public restrooms and artificial hot springs on the first floor, with hot tubs and saunas, which can be provided as resting places for the gentlemen."

"How about it?"

As he said this, the lobby manager showed a hint of disdain on his face.

"It's fine if a stinky man doesn't take care of himself, but please don't let the noble Miss Flavia suffer."

"Or is it that the famous General of Tears is actually afraid?"

The manager's finger swept across the top of the contract page, then he turned his body, tilted his head back, and straightened his chest.

"You were scared by these two thin pieces of paper?"

Bu Liuxing said to Captain Quack, "He seems to look down on me?! Hey! Does he think I'd fall for such a stupid and low-level provocation?"

Quack nodded. "I think this approach is extremely effective for you."

Ethan chimed in, "Yes, the captain is right, General of Tears, I wholeheartedly agree."

"Tch!" Bu Liuxing strode forward to Uncle Ethan's side. "So? Any problems? If there are no problems, I'll sign it."

Quack whispered to Ethan, "He can't even manage two hundred words."

"I'm completely clueless too." Ethan finished reading the contract, confirming there were no interlocking pages or strange invisible ink in the two sheets of paper, and that the terms were reasonable and the service was attentive. "So, General of Tears, Lady Goelia insists you sign this contract. I've already looked at it, and it seems to have no problems—or rather, I lack the Inspiration and clairvoyance to spot any issues."

"Now I'm giving it to you. Please take a close look and think it over carefully before you act."

With that, the housing contract was handed to Meteor.

As Ethan said, it was just a guest registration form for the Violet Sunrise Hotel, along with a list of hotel services, room details, dining options, and additional room and tax charges, plus a disclaimer and check-in instructions. All expenses were to be covered by Gloria Sebastian, and the seal of the Church of Dionysus and Gloria's own signature were on it, just waiting for the signature to appear.

There are four rooms in total. If guests need to change room types or have multiple people stay in one room, we can make temporary adjustments. Everything will be arranged according to the guests' wishes.

He brought the contract to his lips and carefully tasted the paper, especially the corners where his fingers frequently touched. He tried to collect some pheromones, trying to gain more information—but to no avail.

At least to them, they looked like two ordinary pieces of paper, devoid of any credibility or threat. Tearing them up would be so easy, after all, this was the Great Xia —even if they signed the agreement, it wouldn't matter if they didn't fulfill the housing agreement.

"Check-in time is today, and check-out time is after the betting ends." Meteor silently recited the contract details. "Sign here, right?"

The manager smiled and nodded, "Yes, General of Tears."

Meteor: "Will you sign my real name?"

The manager replied, "A code name is fine, but if possible, it's best to sign your real name. This will make it easier for the Government Soldiers to handle things. Our hotel has to submit a guest list every day. Southeast Asia is not peaceful. Many warlords are eyeing the ports along the coast, and spies disguised as travelers from all walks of life come to East Malaysia to stir up trouble."

"Okay." Meteor decided to believe this explanation for now.

After signing, the manager brought four sets of keys, which were used to access the doors of the four suites.

The group discussed it again and decided to save two rooms: one for Quack, Ethan, and Meteor, and one for Flavia alone.

The manager pointed to the stairs. "Please, everyone, climb up to the sixth floor. Thank you for your hard work."

The modernization process in East Horse Port has not yet unlocked high-end features like elevators. The hotel's decor is more like London from one or two hundred years ago, with cotton fabrics and wallpaper used for soft furnishings, and statues and murals used as artistic decorations.

[Part ②: The Mad Demon]

After the distinguished guests were led upstairs by the night shift host--

--The lobby manager breathed a sigh of relief, carefully carrying the housing contract, and hurried to the second-floor reception hall.

He hurried past the kitchen and the brewery to the boss's office.

"Mr. Fret! Boss! Are you still awake?"

The manager knocked on the door forcefully for a long time.

A bright red, fleshy hand peeked out from the crack in the door, revealing a pair of cunning and sinister little eyes.

He was a burly man with sunken cheeks and an unusually thick chin, a Cossack whose skin was red all over, like a devil from hell.

His arms were thick and large; he could completely cover his head when he raised them, yet his head was unusually small.

--Compared to its enormous 2.1-meter body, this head looked like an underdeveloped little watermelon, covered with thick black hair, with whiskers from its chin to its cheeks, growing together with its hair to the back of its head and finally draped over its shoulders.

He had a pair of beautiful horns, resembling a fierce bull, deep-set golden-red eyes, full and fleshy brows, and thick eyebrows that were almost connected in a line. When he frowned slightly in anger, they would turn into an exquisite "V" sign.

Fret is his alias. This devil comes from the Nine Hells and, like Saint Josh Joris, is a [Deva]. He gained extraordinary psychic powers through the [Pratapa Deva] ascension ritual and was favored by the Original Seed Pher Grey Butterfly.

"He's here?"

The manager quickly presented the contract documents.

"Yes, General of Tears has already signed the document and is staying on the sixth floor."

Fret grinned. "Then let's begin! Without further ado! Get the men moving!"

As he said this, the Great Demon brought out the housing contract and shouted the true name of Soul Might—

"--[Helping hand]! Open it!"

The originally thin paper suddenly expanded, like a magic card in Fret's hands, spitting out a thick stack of contracts from between the two pages.

Every page of it bears Bu Liuxing's authentic signature.

The pen in the General of Tears's hand seemed to pierce through the paper, writing names on every page of the contract.

The additional clauses totaled 1,422 items, spread across 46 pages, and landed on the desk from these two pages of the contract.

Fret beamed with satisfaction as he looked at these "indentures of servitude."

--They possess the magical Magic Power of the Pher Grey Butterfly and the supernatural abilities of the devil; these terms are an inviolable oath for those who sell themselves into slavery.

"The General of Tears is mine now," Fret said smugly. "Guess how much money Gloria is willing to pay for him? How many units of essence?"

Manager: "Since he's willing to sign obediently, the rest of the bet will proceed."

"Foolish! Of course, we have to put on a show!" A slender tail darted out from Fret's robes, possessing sharp, heart-shaped barbs like [Hell Highway]. It lashed out at the manager's face. "With these treaties, I can toy with General of Tears at will! How could I pass up this opportunity?"

"Gloria cares so much about this little toy, I'm going to break it!"

"Smash him to pieces"

Hehehe

The manager also chuckled slyly.

"Boss, your soul power is so formidable, coupled with your demonic knowledge and contractual commands, your various spells are even more difficult to defend against—this duel ordered by the God of Wine will surely be a success."

"Shut up," Fret interrupted, his smile fading.

The manager said awkwardly, "It was me. Did I say something wrong?"

Fret took off his robe, changed into a fitted suit, and dressed himself up smartly.

"No, you're absolutely right, Mr. Man Yin."

"You were just imitating my laughter; the way you looked at it was disgusting."

"Uh," Manager Man Yin was at a loss.

Fret said sternly, "I'm not that sleazy; you're not behaving like me."

Man Yin then asked, "Then what should we do?"

"Be even more arrogant! More carefree! More natural! Don't try to imitate that anymore!" Fret said, snapping his fingers. A jeweled scepter flew out of his desk drawer—the staff and radiant stone he possessed when he was still in human form.

The great devil Fret, was once the top magician in Balason.

If Saint Josh Joris was forced to become a demon in pursuit of the power of the Morpho Butterfly, this ogre still lacked Soul Might after becoming a demon—while Mr. Fret, after acquiring the Flash Butterfly, resolutely switched his allegiance from the Blue Stone People Man to the Madness Butterfly, thus illuminating many of the demonic skill trees related to the Original Seed.

He possesses Magic Wand that is a combination of staff and stone, superhuman soul power, and demonic spells. And like all the Pher Grey Butterfly, he is immortal as long as the magic pool remains.

This big boss of the Violet Sunrise Hotel has made a name for himself in the Netherworld and has been playing around in the human world for hundreds of years. He has transformed from a calm and wise Blue Stone People into a purely crazy and playful person.

For the deputy, Man Yin, this clumsy imitation made him feel ashamed and inexplicably guilty. The boss's scolding was like torture, leaving him feeling helpless and forced to endure this PUA attack.

Mr. Fret was very generous; he put his arm around the young man's shoulder and whispered something to him.

"I'm not good at comforting people, Man Yin, because that laughter was so lewd and awful, and your face looked terrible, like a rotten, stinking broccoli stuck on a prostate cancer tumor."

"Even the devil won't comfort you. I'll just tell you to go out and find a girl, like to work at our front desk, and use your position to sexually harass her, or to bribe a couple of pretty girls into submission—and that shame will slowly disappear."

"But I still have to say bad things about someone. Oh, by the way, did I say bad things about him today?"

"Not yet, Mr. Fret," said Man Yin dejectedly. "You didn't mention that man today, and it's only been a little while."

"Then it's time to teach him a lesson!" Fret emphasized.

"--What if one day you're feeling down and feel like there's no hope in the world?"

When you're at a low point in your life, you need one or two people to talk to, to have some company, and to confide in them.

"I'll give you a choice between Stone and Wood Plark, trust me."

Mr. Fret gritted his teeth, unable to sleep at the thought of this man. There was a story between them, but it was from a very, very long time ago.

The last sentence popped out from between his canine teeth.

"Hesitating for even a second longer is disrespectful to the stone."

The scepter pressed against Man Yin's cheek, making Man Yin feel threatened with death, and his gloom gradually dissipated.

"Boss, how should we get started? Let's get down to business."

"What's the agreement?" Fret emphasized. "According to Gloria's rules."

"It's four against four." Man Yin quickly produced another letter, handwritten by Gloria Sebastian: "It demands fairness and impartiality; the Hunter King must also be present before the duel can begin."

"To hell with fairness and justice, I'm going to do it now." Fret raised his eyebrows triumphantly, the whole devil strutting around. "Right now, I want these little bastards to die in hotels, in bathtubs, in beds, everywhere—besides the General of Tears, how much money can he get for that?"

Man Yin reminded her, "Won't Lady Gloria be angry?"

"Oh my goodness! Man Yin!" Fret said affectedly, pinching his fingers into a delicate gesture, his large, rough hand covering his gaping mouth. "You don't really think I'm Gloria's servant, do you?"

"Your boss is brilliant and powerful!"

"He is strong and powerful! His magic is unparalleled!"

"Besides Soul Might."

Fret nodded in approval.

"--Indeed, my soul power is rather weak."

It doesn't seem to be very useful.

Man Yin chimed in, "It seems so."

"Shut up!" Fret, in his unpredictable temper, suddenly yelled, "Who gave you permission to criticize it! You shameless bastard!"

Man Yin: "Okay. I won't say, I won't say."

"If it were any stronger!" Fret muttered to himself, referring to his Soul Power, which wasn't particularly lethal. "I wouldn't have ended up with this crimson skin, nor would I have turned into a demon."

"Man Yin, I think what you just said makes a lot of sense."

Man Yin: "Hmm"

Fret: "It's about being a decent human being, knowing your place, and being fair and just. Nobody wants to play an unfair game, right?"

Man Yin: "Indeed."

"But I'm not human! I'm not human anymore!!! I stopped being human a long, long time ago!"

A pair of enormous, bright red bat wings emerged from behind Fret; it was the spirit of [Helping Hand].

The hysterical laughter carried far and wide; the boss's laughter could be heard throughout the entire front hall.

"Hahahahahahahahaha!~~ha..."

The receptionist opened her dead fish eyes and started chatting with the cleaning lady next to her.

"I don't understand why the boss is so happy every day. He's full of energy."

The cleaning lady thought for a moment, seemingly infected by this optimistic and positive spirit.

"--He doesn't have to work! If I saw so many people working for me at the hotel every day, I'd be happy too!"

"And"

"I have a boyfriend! Hey! My dad arranged a marriage for me with a soldier in the Inner Palace! He's tall and strong, and it's a secure job! I'm going to quit my job after the New Year!"

Before the words had even finished --

--Fret overheard the whispers in the front hall. This mad devil seemed to be resentful; after his transformation, he couldn't stand seeing others do well—it was in his nature.

He took Man Yin to the second-floor pavilion, where he hugged the manager and began licking him intensely, appearing extremely nervous.

Wiping away the saliva from his long tongue, he glared and roared.

"So what if you have a boyfriend?! Let me tell you! I have one too!"

The waitress covered her forehead, her face filled with disbelief.

"--What a strange competitive spirit."