Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Hotel – 5

Just as Night Jiujui had said, the first floor was bustling with activity at this hour.

The hotel guests from the second floor had filled the entire dining area. Aside from the self-service section, all the tables requiring player assistance—that is, the dozen or so tables where guests had to pay an additional fee after finishing their meals—were completely occupied.

“Looks like I’ll have quite a lot of an audience this time.”

Standing at the entrance, the Puppeteer surveyed his surroundings. He lightly touched the beauty mark beneath the corner of his eye and spoke with an indescribable sense of delight.

Then, he stepped through the entrance.

The very instant the Puppeteer entered—

All the guests seemed to sense something. The previously noisy atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Whether they were ordering food, already eating, or preparing to settle their bills, every single guest stopped what they were doing and turned their eyes toward the Puppeteer standing at the entrance.

They scrutinized him. The inexplicable sense of intimidation that had initially arisen in their hearts gradually faded when they saw his seemingly harmless appearance. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

In fact, feeling embarrassed that they had actually been frightened by such a delicate-looking pretty boy—someone who seemed as though a single finger could crush him to death—they gradually became irritated and resentful.

Their gazes were like those of people inspecting a piece of meat waiting to be carved up, or spectators casually watching something amusing that had nothing to do with them.

In any case, such looks clearly interrupted the Puppeteer’s pleasant mood.

“Ladies and gentlemen, have I done something to offend you?”

He spoke—

The displeasure in his voice was clearly conveyed to every person present.

“Are you dissatisfied with me, the person who is about to present you with a magnificent theatrical performance?”

Huh? Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

His arrogant and self-important words obviously amused the guests.

Laughter and all sorts of comments immediately erupted.

“Hahahahaha! A theatrical performance? Who watches plays these days?! We watch television!”

“Exactly!”

“When he first walked in, I suddenly felt a chill in my heart. I thought some important big shot had arrived. But the result… Where did this idiot come from?!”

“Such delicate skin. He looks like he’d taste delicious!”

“Now that you mention it, this idiot might be a little too eager to die, but he’s actually quite handsome. If he came with me, I’d at least make sure to treat him gently.”

“You? Dream on! I want his skin!” Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

…

As things progressed, the second-floor guests, who mistakenly believed they had been provoked, began making increasingly vicious remarks.

Every piece of the Puppeteer’s flesh and every organ in his body had already been claimed—

Meanwhile, the hotel’s dining staff remained silent due to the hotel’s workplace regulations. They lowered their heads, stared at the tasks in their hands, and pretended not to hear anything.

As for the players…

Their primary objective was to survive this instance. They silently held their menus and inconspicuously hid in places they considered relatively safe.

Especially…

Storm, who recognized exactly who the Puppeteer was. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

He had never expected that his decision to avoid encountering the Puppeteer on the third floor again—whether through room service or some other hotel duty—would end up putting him directly in the line of fire!

He cursed inwardly.

The pain of personally digging out his own heart still seemed to linger throughout his body. The sensation had been so vivid, as though his body and soul had been completely torn apart, leaving him utterly powerless…

He didn’t even dare to look at the Puppeteer for another second. Without hesitation, he silently hid behind the counter.

While pretending to organize the counter with a perfectly serious expression, Storm secretly glanced at the second-floor guests from the corner of his eye.

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for those people who were clearly courting death.

To be able to act so recklessly in front of this psychopath… These NPCs were freaking warriors!

As for these so-called “warriors,” the Puppeteer listened very politely and patiently to their requests. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

In fact…

He even seriously asked the guests to confirm which parts of his body they wanted.

His courteous and gentlemanly demeanor…

Although there was something inexplicably terrifying about the sight, the guests looked at the gentle, seemingly accommodating smile on the Puppeteer’s lips. They also heard his warm, friendly voice, which showed not the slightest hint of anger.

So what if this pretty boy had a few tricks up his sleeve?

What could he possibly do against all of them, the NPCs, combined?

At worst, he was just a lunatic!

With this conviction, some guests actually cooperated with the Puppeteer’s questions and openly stated which parts of his body they wanted. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

Some wanted his liver. Others wanted his heart. Some requested his small intestine, others his stomach, and still others…

“Does anyone else want something?”

After making the rounds and asking everyone, the Puppeteer took a handkerchief out of his pocket as he made his final confirmation.

He carefully wiped his hands while listening to the scattered responses. Then, at an unhurried pace, he took out another pair of gloves and put them on.

Only then did he finally raise his head again.

“Clap!”

The first clap of his hands.

It was directed at the guests who had confirmed which parts of the Puppeteer’s body they wanted. They had been laughing arrogantly, looking at him as though he were some kind of clown. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

Their bodies suddenly stiffened.

Only their eyeballs remained free to move around.

“Clap—”

Another clap.

The guests stood up in perfect unison.

Their movements were identical. Their postures were identical. Even the smiles spreading across their faces were exactly the same—twisted expressions that looked as though they were about to burst into tears.

It was as if an invisible pair of hands were forcibly pulling the corners of their mouths upward.

“You—” Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

One particularly hot-tempered guest had barely managed to utter the first syllable…

“Bang!”

A dazzling explosion of flesh and blood erupted. Blood sprayed outward like raindrops, splattering everything around them.

“Shhh—”

The Puppeteer curled his lips into a smile.

“People who interrupt a performance… I’m afraid I can only make them shut up permanently—”