DSMC Chapter 92.2

Sure enough, the first crisis was the rioting animals.

But this was only the first crisis. Would there be a second crisis? A third crisis?

The instance lasted five days.

After Dr. Peng’s phone became usable again, he called people from the zoo to drive the internal-use vehicle to pick them up.

Yan Jiyun wearily got into the special vehicle used by zoo leadership for inspections. It looked much more high-end than the sightseeing carts, and the seats were extremely comfortable. Yan Jiyun almost wanted to lie down right there.

At this moment, Dr. Peng didn’t look weak at all. His eyes were shining.

Yan Jiyun simply leaned against the car window and looked outside.

Dawn had broken. All the small animals that had been knocked unconscious by the spray had disappeared. The instance must have used some method to send them back. Along the way, not a single stray or flying small animal could be seen.

Yan Jiyun yawned.

As soon as 5 a.m. arrived, the system began sending out messages as if they were free—like it had just woken up from sleep and suddenly become excited.

[All players, please return to your respective posts and work hard to welcome the new day.]

[During last night’s free activity, 3 players unfortunately failed to defeat even small animals and lost their qualification to become star animals. What a pity.]

[Please continue to work hard~]

Yan Jiyun: “…”

Other players: “…”

The zoo’s first crisis had been resolved. Most players knew what the crisis was, but they didn’t know how it had been resolved, and they were indeed exhausted. After returning to their exhibition areas, they could continue sleeping. If there were visitors, they would show off their talents; if there were none, they would seize every spare moment to rest. By the end of the day, they could more or less make up for the sleep they had lost the night before.

Yan Jiyun understood that surviving under last night’s circumstances had not been easy.

When the animals in one area became irritable, the first ones they harmed were their own kind in the same zone. The fact that most players had managed to avoid their attacks showed how capable they were. As expected of players who had gone through multiple instances. Aside from those who truly couldn’t avoid damage, the others had secured their own safety immediately.

The instance truly wanted them dead.

By resolving the zoo’s first crisis, Yan Jiyun had roughly figured out the structure of this instance’s missions.

There were two types: one aligned with Dr. Zhou’s direction, and one aligned with Dr. Peng’s direction. The tasks related to these two doctors were completely different.

At present, he felt it was likely a factional struggle. One side supporting the director, the other supporting the vice director.

Those supporting the director were doing missions issued by Dr. Zhou; those supporting the vice director were doing missions issued by Dr. Peng.

A new day arrived. Morning light fell across Yan Jiyun’s face, the fine hair on his skin shimmering faintly gold. Bathed in sunlight, he couldn’t help but yawn.

Dr. Peng held his shoulder and used his uninjured hand to open the car door for him. “Xiao Jiang, you really worked hard last night. Our shift is over now. Get some good rest today.”

The car dropped Yan Jiyun off at the keeper dormitory entrance.

With the zoo’s first crisis mission over, what would happen to Dr. Zhou and the others?

What kind of outcome had the system assigned?

As Yan Jiyun passed by the dormitory of the two keepers who had previously looked down on him, he even deliberately knocked on their door.

Ah Qiang yanked the door open. When he saw Yan Jiyun, he nearly jumped in fright, his expression like he had seen a ghost. Then Yan Jiyun closed the door right in front of them and locked it.

Eight hours of rest time was enough.

He’d sleep first. His brain could barely function anymore.

[Rest Time Countdown: 7h 55m 22s]

When he had used rest time yesterday, no one had disturbed him at all. He could rest with peace of mind.

Yan Jiyun fell asleep the moment his head touched the pillow. He was truly exhausted.

During the time Yan Jiyun was resting, the system announcements never stopped. Just like yesterday, the other players continued competing for the three advertisement slots.

When he woke up, it was just around noon. He had woken up from hunger.

After washing up in the dormitory, he discovered there was an additional, different set of work clothes in the wardrobe.

The uniform looked somewhat familiar. He remembered that the supervisor who had interviewed him had worn this very set.

Yan Jiyun was finally fully awake. He began checking the system notifications and his character information.

[Congratulations, player, on being promoted from Senior Zooeeper to Junior Manager.]

[Congratulations, player, on obtaining 10 subordinates.]

[Player: Yan Jiyun]

[Assigned Species: Black Panther]

[Animal Rank: Junior Popular Animal]

[Living Area: Leopard Zone]

[Role Played: Jiang You]

[Position: Zookeeper — A Team Supervisor]

[Employee Rank: Junior Manager]

[Unlocked Animal Types for Care: All large animals in the zoo]

[Number of Managed Staff: 10]

After waking up from a nap, he had been upgraded to supervisor level? And he now had management authority. Did that mean he effectively had 10 NPCs at his disposal?

[Want to be Human] livestream channel: 

“Holy crap, the kitten leveled up to manager just by sleeping. Look at his career advancement path, and then look at me! Three years and still a low-level employee! If I had the kitten’s drive, I’d definitely reach the peak of life within three years. Kitten, you’re our idol now. Respect!”

“This instance can actually be played like this? The kitten must have already discovered the true main storyline, right?”

“Huh? Isn’t the main storyline resolving the zoo’s crisis? Did I miss something?”

“Another one watching the instance without using their brain. The system’s mission prompts are just surface-level crises. The real main storyline is the biggest secret hidden in the zoo!”

“Wait, didn’t someone just say no one had gone down this route before? Then how does someone know about the zoo’s big secret?”

“That just means they haven’t played this instance enough times. I’ve been following this instance for years. So moving… finally a player is about to touch the secret storyline. Since most people don’t know, I won’t spoil it.”

“Don’t! Tell me!!!”

Yan Jiyun sorted through all his doubts first, then put on the newly issued uniform. Brand-new clothes really did make a difference. He looked much more spirited.

If only the system could upgrade him to a small suite as well. Preferably with a sun-facing lazy sofa… not bright yellow, black would be better.

Wearing the new uniform, he headed familiarly to the cafeteria.

As soon as he entered, several gazes fell on him, all from NPCs.

His promotion in status brought him significant advantages. Next, he needed to blend into the management level, continue searching for new clues, and learn more about major events.

There were still many places he hadn’t explored.

As he passed several NPCs, he heard them addressing him as “Supervisor Jiang.”

He liked being called Supervisor. Supervisor Jiang sounded pretty good.

Would he start playing the “borrowed authority” mode now?

Who would have thought that playing a game could let you experience the thrill of career promotion? Though, it had all come from last night’s frantic running. Just thinking about that process made him not want to experience it again at all.

Yan Jiyun nodded perfunctorily at them and prepared to get food, but an NPC told him, “Supervisor Jiang, please dine on the second floor.”

Yan Jiyun nodded. “There’s even this kind of privilege?”

Just like animal players who ranked in the top three would get promotion slots, his treatment had improved across the board. Even the cafeteria was preparing special meals for him.

On the second floor, a chef asked him what he would like to eat. Yan Jiyun chose mainly fish, chicken breast, and beef.

Chef: “Braised fish? Spicy diced chicken? Boiled beef in chili oil?”

Hearing the dishes listed, Yan Jiyun nearly drooled. His heart bled, but his face remained calm. “Thank you, just plain boiled is fine. And some rice too. My stomach hasn’t been great lately, so I can’t eat greasy food. Sorry for the trouble.”

The chef smiled. “No trouble at all. You eat like it’s cat food. So little, ah.”

Yan Jiyun: “…”

He guessed it. It really is cat food.

There were quite a few people dining in the cafeteria. Yan Jiyun also saw many familiar faces.

Dr. Peng and his colleagues from the visitor infirmary, as well as Dr. Zhou, who had chased him for more than a street last night.

Wait— Dr. Zhou was fine?

Hadn’t they caught evidence against him?

Even that couldn’t bring him down? Such a strong backing?

At that moment, Dr. Peng waved to Yan Jiyun. “Xiao Jiang, come over.”

Yan Jiyun walked over to Dr. Peng, but inwardly he grew increasingly curious about Dr. Zhou’s identity. He was an important NPC, but whether he was the villain was another matter.

Dr. Peng looked especially refreshed today, glowing from good news.

He first congratulated Yan Jiyun on his promotion, then chatted with him, never once mentioning last night’s data or blood samples.

Yan Jiyun could understand the promotion— the system would automatically smooth over the reasoning behind it. As for not mentioning the blood samples, that was likely for confidentiality.

But why the need for secrecy?

These NPCs each had more secrets than the last. None of them were simple.

After Dr. Peng’s colleagues left, Yan Jiyun proactively asked, “Why is Dr. Zhou fine?”

With his back to Dr. Zhou, Dr. Peng lowered his voice. “How could he be fine? He’ll never be allowed to conduct experiments in the zoo again. All his positions have been suspended. Now he can only be an ordinary veterinarian.”

Yan Jiyun caught the implication. “Dr. Peng got promoted?”

Dr. Peng smiled. “A small matter. Not worth mentioning.”

Yan Jiyun noticed that the nameplate on his chest had changed: Veterinary Director, Peng Yu.

Strange. Too strange.

At that moment, Dr. Zhou, behind Dr. Peng, smiled at Yan Jiyun. There wasn’t the slightest trace of gloom on his face from having his positions suspended.

The aroma of food drifted into Yan Jiyun’s nose. He stopped thinking and focused on finishing his lunch first. He was starving!

Just after finishing his meal, the walkie-talkie in his pocket rang. This time, it was a gentle voice.

“Supervisor Jiang, please attend a meeting on the third floor of the management center in ten minutes.”

He even had a little secretary notifying him of meetings now. Look at his rising status!

Dr. Peng also stood up. “Let’s go. We’ll attend the meeting together.”

Dr. Zhou in the back row pulled out his chair as well.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the cafeteria grew tense.

Dr. Zhou smiled silently, then carried his tray away from his seat. He glanced back at Yan Jiyun and said, “Remember to come to my office for tea, Xiao Jiang.”

Yan Jiyun cursed inwardly: ‘Dr. Zhou is really sinister!’