World 2 - the Mermaid Land
"Mind explaining what's going on, Madam?" the smart-looking man in the suit repeated again.
"How do you..." Ophelia was astonished by the man's question. After a brief moment of hesitation, she decided to use the speech she had prepared for these newcomers. "Alright, I'm Ophelia Beverley, the leader of this team. You all have died, and this world has given you a second chance to live or die once more."
None of them shared Milton's furious personality. They all listened in silence, their expressions showing a mix of disbelief and uncertainty.
"For the next 10 seconds, focus on this," Ophelia said, realizing she needed to build trust. She took out her equipped needle pack and emptied it, letting them see that there were no needles left. When the 10 seconds were up, a needle suddenly materialized out of thin air, now in the hands of one of the newcomers.
"You might still think this is a magic trick, but you'll soon realize it's not a joke once the world begins," Ophelia continued. "Right now, we're in a sort of preparation room, and I have limited time to explain. Pay attention."
"You're going to face a lethal world very soon. I faced one myself, and I lost all my other teammates. Every one of them died, except for me."
Some of them took deep breaths upon hearing this.
"And how did you survive?" Angus, the smart-looking man, finally interrupted. "By the way, my name's Angus Wentworth. Nice to meet you."
"Angus," Ophelia acknowledged. "The only way to survive your first world is by activating your innate power through life-and-death situations. I almost died in an explosion when I triggered a power called 'Force.' Without this power, you won't be able to complete your first world, even if you accomplish the compulsory mission."
"A power?" another woman chimed in. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe in gods or ghosts. This isn't even scientific. I don't save lives through some sort of power."
"Are you in healthcare?" Ophelia attempted to establish a connection.
"I'm a doctor. I'm Lindley Vancee," the woman responded seriously.
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Vancee," Ophelia replied amiably. "To demonstrate my power, could you show me an object of yours?"
Lindley pulled out a pen from her pocket. Ophelia raised her hand and made a grabbing motion in the air, as if she were holding the pen. The pen instantly stood upright. Ophelia pressed down with her thumb, and the distant pen emitted a clicking sound, the pen's tip extended.
Seeing this magical display, others began to believe Ophelia's words. It was an unfamiliar kind of magic that they hadn't heard of before.
"You mentioned activating a power through life-threatening situations, Ophelia," Angus asked once more. "Can you provide more details on how we can do that?"
"Unfortunately, I have no clue whatsoever. All of my previous teammates failed except for me," Ophelia admitted, her guilt evident. "But I can share my own experience. I was strapped with a bomb that couldn't be removed conventionally. During the final minute of the countdown, I spontaneously generated a powerful force that pushed the bomb far away."
Angus nodded thoughtfully. "It could be tied to your will to survive, but I'll need more examples to verify that."
As they spoke, the room suddenly illuminated, signaling that it was time to begin.
"Be ready, everyone. I don't want any of you to die. The world is about to start," Ophelia reminded them.
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<Compulsory Task: Obtain the Pearl of Sirenia>
"The Mermaid Land stands as a captivating paradise, hailed as one of the world's most stunning tourist spots. Its coastline boasts powdery sands that meet the crystal-clear waters of the ocean, a canvas painted in captivating shades of blue and green. But the true magic lies in its inhabitants—the ethereal mermaids with their luminous tails and enchanting melodies, creating a world that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality.
Visitors are welcomed by the gentle rhythm of waves and a salty breeze that envelops the shores. Beneath the surface, a vibrant underwater world thrives with colorful corals and marine life. The mermaids glide through the water with elegance, leaving shimmering trails in their wake and offering a symphony of entrancing songs. Snorkeling in the vibrant reefs or embarking on boat tours reveal panoramic views of this enchanting realm.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the Mermaid Land transforms into a breathtaking spectacle. Silhouettes of mermaids against the setting sun create a scene of serenity, and the night sky blankets the land with a tapestry of stars, infusing the paradise with a touch of magic. This world of mermaids, stunning ocean vistas, and captivating melodies is an experience that lingers in the heart and memory of all who have been fortunate enough to visit."
Just as they stepped into the new world, Ophelia couldn't help but feel the stark contrast to her previous experience. The atmosphere here was peaceful and devoid of danger, a complete departure from what she had encountered before.
Laughter and playful chatter filled the air as people enjoyed themselves in the beautiful Mermaid Land. A cheerful tour guide led them through the breathtaking sights, and advertisements with enticing phrases adorned the surroundings.
As they absorbed the surroundings, Angus leaned in close to Ophelia, his voice hushed as the tour guide continued speaking. "Any thoughts on the Pearl of Sirenia?"
Ophelia shook her head softly, admitting, "I have no clue. My mission in the first world was to survive for 5 days, completely different from what we're facing here."
Angus didn't seem deterred. "From its name, I'd guess it's a valuable gem. Given the theme of 'the Mermaid Land,' it could be a pearl associated with the mermaids. Since this is a deadly game, obtaining the pearl probably won't be as simple as buying it."
"Money's not something we have much of anyway," another man chimed in. "Team leader, how did your team manage to get supplies during your previous experience?"
Ophelia realized she hadn't thought about that. With Dell in charge, he always seemed prepared and provided them with necessities like food, water, and soap.
"You can just call me Ophelia," she responded, feeling a bit embarrassed. "In our team, one member was in charge of that. As for now, I brought some food and drinks from the real world. Feel free to take what you need."
"Thanks, I'm Nixon Goodmane by the way, you can call me Nixon." Nixon smiled cheerfully.
Angus grinned. "It shouldn't be too hard here. This world doesn't appear to be one of scarcity. Watch and learn."
With that, he approached a fellow tourist nearby, putting on a pleading expression. "Excuse me, ma'am. Could you spare us some food or drink? We left ours back at the hotel." With his charming demeanor and well-dressed appearance, he quickly received several packs of biscuits and a bottle of water from the willing lady.
"Let me know if you need more," she offered generously.
"Well done, Angus," Nixon complimented, giving him a thumbs up.
Observing how effortlessly Angus procured resources, Ophelia began to realize that her team's capabilities exceeded her initial expectations.
As the responsible leader, Ophelia turned her attention to the last newcomer who had yet to speak. Walking toward the athletic-looking young woman, Ophelia initiated the introduction. "Hi, would you mind telling us a bit about yourself?" The woman sported a fit physique, dressed in a sports t-shirt, pants, and shoes.
"I'm Irvette Harlane, a scuba diving coach," she introduced herself. "I'm not entirely convinced I should trust you, but for now, I'll go along with your lead."
"Welcome, Irvette!" Ophelia welcomed her. "I'm not entirely sure what scuba diving involves, but it sounds like your expertise could be well-suited for this world of mermaids and the ocean."
Irvette seemed to appreciate the environment, though her skepticism toward Ophelia's claims remained evident.
As lunchtime approached, the tour guide concluded his speech, inviting questions from the group.
Angus raised his hand and was granted the opportunity to speak. "I'm curious, have you ever come across something called the Pearl of Sirenia?" Angus inquired politely but directly.
The tour guide's demeanor shifted to unease at the mention of the name. "Oh, uh, no, never heard of it. A pearl with such a peculiar name? No, ha... ha..."
"Are you certain?" Angus pressed.
"Anyway, it's lunchtime now," the tour guide swiftly changed the subject. "Let's head to the beach and enjoy the food!"
Ophelia and the other four exchanged knowing glances. Something about the pearl seemed decidedly off.
While they ate, Ophelia couldn't help but notice that the tour guide was discreetly gesturing towards Angus during a conversation with another well-built man in a suit and sunglasses.
"Stay vigilant, Angus," Ophelia cautioned him. "It appears you're being watched closely."
Angus grinned. "I anticipated this reaction when I posed the question. For the five of us to be specifically chosen in this high-stakes game, the Pearl of Sirenia must possess extraordinary attributes that inspire fear or fascination. Sirens are renowned for their enchanting songs that can mesmerize people. Could the pearl possess a similar power?"