DA chapter 79

“Ahhh!”

A sudden scream erupted from behind, interrupting Lin Jia’s conversation with the cat.

The cat turned its head to look and said, “Seems like that newbie.”

Lin Jia stopped moving forward and turned to find the source of the scream. The Soup Surface hadn’t been announced yet, meaning the Fish Belly hadn’t officially started. A scream at this time could only mean that a newcomer had seen a Fishman and it shattered their understanding.

The people who had split up to find the Fishman weren’t far apart to begin with. Lin Jia turned around and, after only a few steps, found the source of the scream.

By the stream stood a waterwheel about one and a half people tall. The Fishman was right beside it.

The older brother among the newcomers discovered the Fishman first. Although he had heard about the Fishman from Yan Xu, he had imagined it would look like a mermaid from fairy tales. He never expected it to look so horrifying.

And the key point—it was alive! The Fishman’s bulging eyes stared fixedly at him.

The brother turned and ran in panic, but the rotating waterwheel had soaked the ground. In his haste, he misstepped and fell heavily.

He looked at the Fishman again. Its gaze was still fixed on him. The moment their eyes met, the Fishman slowly pulled into a strange smile, revealing sharp teeth.

The brother screamed, “Ahhhhh—”

His scream attracted nearby people. Yan Xu arrived first. To the brother, Yan Xu was like a savior. He quickly pointed at the Fishman. “That…that is…”

Yan Xu covered his mouth and shook his head.

Yan Xu had already warned them not to speak carelessly here before mentioning the Fishman. Still shaken, the brother forced himself to calm down.

After confirming that he had quieted down, Yan Xu glanced at his leg. His knee was scraped, and the edge of the steps had cut his calf. Blood was flowing heavily.

When Lin Jia arrived, he saw Yan Xu pulling the man up from the ground.

“Can you walk?” Yan Xu asked in a low voice, making sure the Fishman couldn’t hear.

The brother tried to stand, but as soon as his injured leg touched the ground, he winced in pain.

They were too close to the Fishman. It would be too easy for it to overhear their conversation and waste their chance to ask questions. This was a four-star Fish Belly, and Lin Jia was present. Yan Xu wouldn’t act recklessly. He supported one of the newcomer’s arms and led him away from the Fishman.

Lin Jia frowned slightly. The cat beside him sighed, “That fall looked really bad.”

Knowing that Lin Jia had a cleanliness issue and that the newcomer had gotten dirty, fishy water on himself when he fell, Yan Xu didn’t bring him close to Lin Jia.

Since he had helped him up, Yan Xu had gotten some of that smell on himself, too. Combined with Lin Jia’s deliberate distance, Yan Xu didn’t dare approach him either.

The younger sister followed the sound, saw her injured brother, and immediately rushed over to ask what happened.

Because newcomers lacked information, wasting safe Fishman questions due to that gap would be too costly. Distracted, Yan Xu explained the situation with the Fishman and the Fish Belly to the siblings.

From time to time, he secretly glanced at Lin Jia, who had found a spot and was sitting leisurely. Now there were four of them, so there was no need to hide. Besides, the area was open with nowhere to hide anyway.

The brother’s scream attracted not only the few nearby people, but also others wandering the ancient town, searching for the Fishman. One by one, people arrived at the riverbank and found the Fishman.

Lin Jia had only gathered information about the timing of the cloud’s descent, not more detailed information. He quietly asked the cat, “How many people were drawn in?”

The cat first looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then lowered its voice. “About sixteen people.”

This number didn’t surprise Lin Jia. After all, it was a four-star cloud. What was annoying was that the Fishman would only announce the Soup Surface once everyone had gathered.

Right now, only a few people had arrived. Who knew how long they would have to wait for the Fishman to announce the Soup Surface?

Lin Jia observed the arriving people, judging from their expressions whether they were hounds tracking him. He occasionally glanced at Yan Xu, who was talking to the siblings, replying once or twice.

More and more people gathered by the riverbank, but there was still no sign of the hounds. However, Lin Jia noticed that this four-star Fish Belly was different from the others. It didn’t divide into teams. Most people were alone, or in pairs at most.

They also observed others. Lin Jia thought that, in their eyes, he was probably alone while Yan Xu and the siblings knew each other.

By the time the sun was about to set, sixteen people had gathered on the riverbank. They had all entered the Fish Belly to find Fish Spirits—there were no management members present.

Lin Jia wasn’t surprised. The management had fixed salaries and didn’t need to risk their lives in the Fish Belly. They lacked survival experience there, so they wouldn’t enter recklessly, especially not a four-star Fish Belly.

“Everyone’s here,”

Someone said.

The Bounty Hall had estimated sixteen people would be there, like a weather forecast. When sixteen people gathered at the riverbank, the Fishman began announcing the Soup Surface.

Although weather forecasts can be wrong, after going through several Fish Bellies, Lin Jia realized that the Bounty Hall’s estimates were always accurate—even for four-star clouds.

It felt like he had discovered a gap in understanding, but the most important thing right now was the Soup Surface, so he pushed that thought aside for the time being.

Everyone’s gaze fell upon the Fishman. Its entire body was covered in scales with faint patterns.

The Fishman grinned and said, “It was mottled. It died. It lived.”

After hearing this inexplicable story, aside from the newbie siblings, no one else showed any expression. The information about the Soup Surface was important, but trying to figure out clues from it alone was wishful thinking.

The experienced players present had voluntarily entered the four-star cloud layer. They had rich experience with Fish Bellies and solid strength. They wouldn’t be like those in other Fish Bellies who immediately started pondering Fishman questions after the Soup Surfaced.

They clearly understood that the prerequisite for questioning the Fishman was to first find certain clues. They wouldn’t treat the Fishman’s questions as a life-saving tool; they would only use them to verify their own line of reasoning.

After listening to the announcement and observing the Fishman, everyone moved a bit farther away, avoiding having their conversations captured as Fishman questions.

Before everyone dispersed, a man with a bun hairstyle spoke up.

“Although ownership of the fish spirit depends on one’s ability, since everyone here dared to enter a four-star Fish Belly, you probably don’t lack just one fish spirit. Losing your life over it wouldn’t be worth it.”

As he spoke, he pointed to a spot not too near or too far from the Fishman. “I’ve left a few pieces of chalk over there. After asking the Fishman a question, please leave a mark. If possible, write down the question clearly. After all, fate brought us into the same Fish Belly. Helping each other might help us get out sooner.”

This was a suggestion that would help decipher the Soup Surface, so no one objected. The man cupped his hands in thanks and added, “If you witness someone’s unfortunate death, it’s best to leave a mark as well.”

Ironically, in a Fish Belly, the scene of a death was often the source of clues.

Everyone agreed, then dispersed without needing to cooperate with others.

Those who were alone left alone, and those who were in pairs left together. Before long, only Lin Jia, Yan Xu, the siblings, and the cat remained by the river.

Lin Jia cast a glance over. Yan Xu was no longer speaking to the siblings; he was looking at Lin Jia instead, as if waiting for instructions.

That made sense. After all, Yan Xu had just said he would do whatever Lin Jia said. When Lin Jia told him to find the Fishman first, he did so. When Lin Jia wanted to reset their relationship, Yan Xu kept his distance and stood with the others.

So obedient.

Lin Jia glanced again at the siblings. Now that they understood that they hadn’t time-traveled, but rather entered a bizarre world—especially since the brother was injured—both of their faces were filled with fear and panic.

“Brother,” the older one cautiously asked Yan Xu, “Can we follow you?”

They probably understood they had no particular value to be kept. With sincere pleading, they said, “We promise we won’t cause trouble. We’ll do whatever you say, and we won’t act recklessly. If we run into danger, we just hope you can warn us—that’s enough. We’ll take responsibility for the rest ourselves.”

Yan Xu fell silent for a moment and was about to speak when Lin Jia said, “Alright.”

Yan Xu froze, looking at Lin Jia in surprise.

The cat also looked at Lin Jia in shock. Based on his understanding of him, this person’s heart was as hard as stone. The sun must have risen from the west—he was actually willing to take in two burdens.

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