Guide

After Skeleton finished briefly introducing the codenames of the two candidates, he said nothing more.

Chen Miemie said, “They only have codenames? How am I supposed to choose? Even if I were hiring a bodyguard, I’d at least need to know their general areas of expertise.”

“We can provide a general overview of their abilities, but only after you’ve paid the deposit.”

“Then I’ll pay.”

Chen Miemie had already decided to choose this travel agency. After all, being able to provide a high-tier mystic as a guide was proof enough of its strength.

He didn’t even need an explanation. Delighted to meet such a straightforward customer, Skeleton became exceptionally cheerful, making the bells on his body jingle nonstop.

“How long would you like to hire someone for, sir?”

“One month to start.”

After Chen Miemie paid a hefty fee, Skeleton’s enthusiasm rose another notch.

“I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

“No need. Just introduce them to me directly. I’m in a hurry.”

“All right. Harpoon’s right hand is a harpoon fused to his arm. No matter how fast, how far away, or how deep underwater his opponent is, once he launches it, it never misses.

“Dentist doesn’t treat human teeth. She only works on large fish.

“They’re both highly versatile. Relatively speaking, Harpoon is stronger in direct combat, while Dentist is more capable when it comes to underwater exploration.”

“Then I’ll choose Dentist,” Chen Miemie said decisively.

He wasn’t lacking in combat power. He would certainly be going underwater later, and Dentist’s utility was clearly greater.

“Good. Please wait a moment. I’ll notify Dentist to come over right away.”

Dentist quickly replied to Skeleton’s message, saying she would arrive in twenty minutes.

During the wait, Skeleton and Chen Miemie continued chatting.

Skeleton had just landed a huge deal and was in an excellent mood.

“Customer—”

“My name is Chen Miemie.”

“Chen Miemie? What a nice name. My name is Sailor. You absolutely won’t regret choosing us.”

“Mm-hmm. By the way, I passed several travel agencies on my way here. Why did it seem like none of them came outside to solicit my business?”

“That’s perfectly normal. Our city is highly tourism-oriented, so the travel-agency industry is particularly well developed.

“Precisely because of that, there’s a saying: without rules, nothing can be accomplished. The agency that regulates the travel industry has forbidden agencies from approaching tourists to solicit business. They can only wait for customers to make their own choice and come inside. Violators are severely punished.”

Chen Miemie nodded repeatedly as he listened. “That’s a very clever policy. What kind of organization is the agency’s regulator?”

“The Black Tide Chamber of Commerce.”

“Hm? From the name, it sounds like a private chamber of commerce.”

“Exactly. The Black Tide Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most powerful chamber in the entire city.”

“Wait.” Chen Miemie seemed to have thought of something. “Isn’t this place called the Black Tide Travel Agency?”

“That’s right. I’m a member of the Black Tide Chamber of Commerce, and this is one of our own businesses.”

“So the Black Tide Chamber of Commerce makes the rules for the industry, while also personally operating a business in that same industry?”

“Of course. What’s contradictory about that? Let me tell you, the Black Tide Chamber of Commerce is known for being absolutely impartial. Even if someone files a complaint against the Black Tide Travel Agency, we’ll accept it.”

Chen Miemie was highly skeptical. “Really?”

“Of course. Though if someone complains about the Black Tide Travel Agency, I’ll be the one handling it. I’ll consider the matter from every angle and then deliver the fairest possible verdict.”

Chen Miemie was speechless at Skeleton’s shamelessness, although Skeleton didn’t actually have a face to begin with.

He was going to investigate himself? Truly impartial.

They had been told twenty minutes, but barely fifteen had passed when a figure walked in through the door.

Skeleton introduced them both. “This is Dentist. And this is Chen Miemie. Dentist, you’ll be responsible for protecting him for the next month.”

Chen Miemie raised his head and looked at Dentist.

He had to raise his head because Dentist was over two meters tall. With her healthy wheat-colored skin, rippling muscles, and long coat, she stood before him like a wall.

“Hello, employer Chen Miemie.” Dentist extended her hand for a handshake.

Chen Miemie’s hand paused halfway.

That voice… was she a woman?

“H-Hello. You can just call me by my name.”

Dentist was extremely cheerful. Her broad, iron-fan-like palm landed enthusiastically on Chen Miemie’s “slender” shoulder, pressing him down slightly.

“Haha, I know what you’re thinking. I’m a woman. I’ve won the women’s division of the Three Realms Beach Bodybuilding Championship three years in a row. Don’t worry. As long as you don’t go running off underwater, I guarantee your safety.”

Chen Miemie rubbed his shoulder. He felt as though it might already be bruised.

So this was the security that came with a sense of safety.

Chen Miemie and Dentist left the Black Tide Travel Agency.

Dentist hadn’t become the agency’s hidden ace merely because of her strength and wealth of adventuring experience. She was also exceptionally good at dealing with people. After just a few sentences, she could strike up a conversation with anyone.

“Chen Miemie, Sailor told me you’re very capable?”

Chen Miemie looked puzzled. As far as he knew, his strength shouldn’t have been exposed.

Dentist immediately cleared up his confusion. “Stop pretending. Anyone who pays for an entire month up front is obviously a top-tier big spender. Someone that rich only comes along once in a blue moon.”

“You mean my financial means? That’s true. I have more money than I could ever spend.” Chen Miemie went along with it, crafting a persona for himself as a clueless man with money to burn.

Dentist’s eyes lit up. “Really? I’m going to take you at your word. I’ll be following you around all day, so you’ll have to cover my meals too.”

“You eat a lot?”

“Of course not!” Dentist immediately denied it. “I’m into bodybuilding. I follow a strict diet.”

“Oh. Then that’s no problem. While we were chatting, I heard Skeleton mention that there’s a famous all-you-can-eat seafood restaurant in the city. How about we try it for lunch?”

Dentist stopped walking. Her expression darkened as she shook her head. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

“Why? Do you avoid seafood because of your diet?”

“No. Every buffet restaurant in the city has blacklisted me.”

Chen Miemie tactfully dropped the subject.

“Dentist, I’d like to find somewhere to stay first. Preferably somewhere with a bit of character. Do you have any recommendations?”

“That’s easy. Follow me.”

Dentist led Chen Miemie through a maze of dazzling covered walkways. After winding around for more than ten minutes, she stopped in front of a building covered in flowers and greenery.

“Here we are.”

Chen Miemie looked up. Hanging on a rustic sign above a doorway blanketed in ivy and moss were the words:

Firefly Inn.