LRAB Chapter 4: I'm going to stand up to the boss, so what?
Chapter 4: I'm going to stand up to the boss, so what?
His bulging round eyes instantly lost all their luster, turning into two cloudy glass spheres reflecting the cold light of the cash register screen, staring straight at the apologizing Chosen One.
"An apology? Negligence? Another chance?"
The crab boss's voice changed; it was no longer simply sharp and impatient, but rather a sticky and eerie echo that reverberated directly in the minds of the several apologetic chosen ones.
"In my restaurant, time is money! Distraction is theft! Stealing my time is stealing my coins!!!"
With that terrifying sound, the crab boss's pincer suddenly shot out at a speed that was impossible to detect with the naked eye!
The target is not the Chosen Ones' vital point, but rather the gray-blue tentacle they possess as "Octopus Brother," which is swaying unconsciously!
"Sizzle—!"
A tooth-grinding, ear-piercing sound, like a scalding hot frying pan hitting raw seafood, rang out!
The tip of one tentacle of the chosen one from India, clasped in prayer; the tentacle of the chosen one from Russia, bowing low and near the counter; the tentacle of the chosen one from Japan, bowing...
Almost at the same moment, I was gently tapped by the tip of the crab boss's pincers, which looked like a red-hot branding iron.
"ah--!!!"
A series of piercing screams erupted from the mouths of the chosen ones! It wasn't just physical pain; it felt as if their souls had been brutally burned and torn apart by some cold, malicious entity!
The tentacle that was "pointed" at them quickly turned black from the tip, losing all vitality and color. Then, within seconds, as if "severed" by an invisible force, they turned into a small clump of grayish-black dust, emitting a burnt, fishy smell, which fluttered to the ground.
The cut was smooth, without bleeding, only a piercing, nihilistic pain of being utterly stripped away, and a lingering, eerie burning sensation that sent shivers down one's spine.
The crab owner retracted his claws and placed them near his mouth, as if blowing away non-existent heat.
A bizarre smile of extreme satisfaction and ecstasy spread across his contorted face. His murky eyes stared at the Chosen Ones writhing in agony, and he spoke with the sticky rubbing sound of gold coins:
"Very good, it's good that you've realized your mistake. Consider that as a deduction from your wages for this week, for 'being distracted and stealing my time.' I hope it won't happen again, my dear employees."
"Now……"
His gaze swept across the empty restaurant, and his smile became "kind" yet even more chilling.
"Let's look forward to our first customer today. Remember to meet their needs!"
After saying that, Boss Crab acted as if nothing had happened, humming a distorted, money-grubbing, unknown tune, turned around, and swayed unsteadily toward his office with the same gait as always.
However, the ground he passed through seemed to briefly leave behind a string of wet, dark golden, oily footprints.
The live streams from India, Russia, and Japan were instantly overwhelmed by boundless fear and pain!
Their chosen ones lost a tentacle, and more importantly, they personally experienced the terror of S-rank dungeon NPCs and the cruelty of the rules—a humble apology not only failed to quell the anger, but was instead seen as an admission of wrongdoing, resulting in direct and painful punishment!
Playing the role of rule number one seems to be far more complex and deadly than they imagined!
In stark contrast to this is—
Dragon Kingdom Live Stream Room.
In the scene, after hearing Jiang Xiu's "artist's complaint," the crab boss was only stunned for a moment, his bulging eyes rolled around, and the anger on his face seemed to be replaced by a conflicted expression of "Why is this guy so talkative today, but he's still so annoying."
He showed no signs of becoming strange, nor did he launch an attack.
He even pursed his lips and muttered in his shrill voice.
"Hmph! A clarinet solo? I think it's more like a 'monotonous lullaby'! Forget it, I can't be bothered to say anything more. If you dare to daydream again when customers come, I'll dock double your pay! No, triple it!"
The threat remained the same: deducting wages, but it was only a verbal threat.
After saying that, the crab boss didn't press the matter any further and turned to walk towards his office, though his back view didn't seem as angry anymore.
The danger seems to have temporarily passed?
At least, Jiang Xiu did not suffer any substantial harm.
Global viewers, especially those who had just witnessed the tragic fates of the other chosen ones, now looked at Jiang Xiu, the "Octopus Brother" in the Dragon Kingdom's livestream room, who had just "outrageously" defied his boss yet remained unscathed, even showing a deeper expression of disgust towards SpongeBob...
The entire live stream chat was eerily silent for several seconds, like a vacuum.
What followed was an eruption far more violent than before!
"WTF?! Why? Why did the one who apologized get their tentacles fried, while the one who talked back got away scot-free?!"
"The rules! The role-playing rules! The Dragon Kingdom contestant... was that the proper reaction?! Being bored with work and complaining about the boss!"
"So, to prevent people from discovering the true meaning of the abnormality, it's not about playing the role of a respectful employee, but about completely becoming that character, including their personality and reaction patterns!!"
"The Chinese player...did he realize it from the beginning? Was that 'dazed' look on his face a recollection of his character?"
"How is this possible?! Did he guess it? Or is he actually familiar with this 'character archetype'?!"
"Anyway... it seems he... stumbled upon... the most fatal first step?"
The mockery disappeared, replaced by astonishment, shock, and a hint of something they themselves were unwilling to admit... a re-evaluation of this seemingly unreliable chosen one of the Dragon Kingdom.
In the Dragon Kingdom's live stream room, the previously deathly silent chat suddenly erupted like a volcano:
"What...what the hell?! Jiang Xiu is alright?! Other countries were attacked?!"
"Who just said he was courting death?! Come out and see for yourself!!"
"There's hope...really...there's hope? Jiang Xiu...may really be different!"
Inside the Strange Tales Research Institute, Zheng Peng suddenly stood up, lightly slammed his fist on the table, and his eyes flashed with an unprecedented glint.
"Record this! Immediately conduct an in-depth analysis of Jiang Xiu's behavior patterns! His reaction is not accidental! He may possess crucial information we don't know about, or... he has an extremely high talent for role-playing!"
The analysts, recovering from their extreme tension and pessimism, were filled with excitement and disbelief, and began frantically recording, comparing, and analyzing.
And at this moment, in front of the cashier.
Jiang Xiu stood behind the cashier, his tentacles unconsciously tapping lightly on the counter, his mind racing as he processed the terrifying scene that had just unfolded.
The importance of the first rule was proven in the bloodiest way—playing a role must be a complete and ingrained immersion; any "optimal solution" based on common sense can be fatal.