He smugly shook the still "toot-tooting" Super Moose in his hand, then looked at the four smooth talismans on the bed, grinning to reveal sharp canine teeth:
"Pity, what a pity. All these talismans, including this moving little deer, now share my last name!"
"If only I could collect all the talismans."
The light of the Rat Talisman faded, and Super Moose turned back into a plush toy.
Vic played with the four smooth talismans in his hand, an uncontrollable thought surfacing.
Twelve abilities gathered in one body—what an... interesting scene that would be!
But how to find the other talismans scattered around the world? Running around like a headless fly was too inefficient.
Vic stroked his chin, brows slightly furrowed.
Ring ring ring!
The phone in his pocket suddenly rang cheerfully.
"Hello? Oh, Big Sis Mavis!"
Vic answered the call, his tone instantly becoming light.
"What? Really? Oh! I love you to death, my dearest Big Sister!"
The voice on the other end seemed to say something more, and a brilliantly radiant smile bloomed on Vic's face at a visible speed.
"Understood! Absolutely on time! Wait for us!"
He hung up the phone practically bouncing, his face written with the words Surprise From Heaven.
"Vic, what's wrong? Was that Mavis just now?"
Infected by his mood, Enid leaned in curiously.
"That's right, my baby! Screw the talismans!"
Vic excitedly grabbed Enid's waist and spun her around.
"Great news! Everyone at the hotel is planning a group trip, and Mavis told us to pack up and meet them—Luxury Cruise Trip! Big Sis Mavis already paid for us."
"Luxury Cruise!"
Enid's azure eyes lit up instantly, cheering in surprise.
"That's amazing! What are we waiting for? Wait... we need swimsuits first! Sunshine, beach, parties! I can't wait!"
Wednesday, who was originally uninterested in "group activities," pursed her lips imperceptibly when she heard the words "luxury cruise."
Just as she was about to refuse—
"Oh, my dear Wednesday~"
As if anticipating this, Vic instantly let go of Enid, nimbly sidling up to Wednesday. In a low, seductive voice, as if narrating an ancient legend, he whispered in her ear:
"Don't be so quick to say no... Guess where the boarding point for this cruise is? The Bermuda Triangle! The center of mysterious waters!"
"And its final destination is... the Lost Atlantis! The legendary sunken ancient civilization! It's said you can even spot the Kraken along the route..."
Every word Vic spoke was like precisely placed bait, hooking deep into Wednesday's natural desire for mystery, the unknown, and dark legends.
"Bermuda Triangle... Lost Atlantis... Kraken..."
Wednesday repeated the keywords, a barely suppressed fluctuation flashing in her eyes.
She pursed her pale lips, trying to maintain her cool, but her slightly accelerated speech betrayed her temptation.
"That... does sound like it contains a trace of... mystery worth exploring. Very well, I shall reluctantly..."
"HA! I knew you'd agree! Let's go, time to buy swimsuits!"
Vic immediately cheered in victory, giving Wednesday no chance to renege.
Exchanging a look with Enid, the two of them, one on each side, tacitly linked arms with Wednesday and marched her out of the room.
"Wait! Swimsuits? No! I will absolutely not wear those revealing and shallow..."
Wednesday's protests seemed a bit pale and powerless in the face of the temptation of "Atlantis."
Just then, the room door was pushed open. Tyler walked in looking exhausted, holding a cup of overly sweet-looking chocolate milkshake, sweat beading on his forehead:
"Uh, where are you guys going? I bought it as you asked, double sugar."
"To hell with that damn milkshake!"
Vic didn't even look at the drink, waving excitedly at Tyler.
"Follow us, Tyler! An unprecedented luxury adventure trip awaits!"
Tyler looked at the scene before him, then at the wasted milkshake in his hand. He sighed deeply and helplessly, placed the cup on the table, and followed resignedly.
"Damn it, can't I get a break..."
He rubbed his throbbing temples, muttering under his breath.
"Having a boss with inexhaustible energy who does whatever comes to mind is truly more tiring than turning into a Hyde..."
---
Walking out of the hotel, the afternoon sun was a bit glaring.
Vic squinted, looking at the Dark Hand members standing somewhat uneasily in front of the hotel entrance not far away—
Valmont, Finn, Ratso, Chow, and Hak Foo, who was wrapped in bandages with a pale face.
He couldn't help but sigh, his tone containing sincere confusion and undisguised teasing:
"I say, what's with you guys? Couldn't you use this perseverance for something good? Why do you have to keep banging your heads against us? Looks like the impression Tyler left on you... wasn't deep enough."
He turned his head, tilting his chin toward the gloomy young man beside him.
"Right, Tyler?"
Tyler stepped forward silently, rolling his wrists, bones making slight click sounds.
His temperature-less eyes scanned Valmont and the others' necks, joints, and other vulnerable parts coldly like a scanner.
As if assessing which angle would be most efficient to tear them into pieces.
The oppressive aura radiating from him made the air seem to solidify.
Cold sweat instantly seeped from Valmont's forehead. He had seen with his own eyes what a terrifying monster this "skinny" young man turned into.
He hurried forward a step, raising his hands high first, forcing a complex smile mixed with tension, awkwardness, and an attempt to show sincerity:
"Hey! Wait! Calm down, buddy! Don't be impulsive! We're not here... to cause trouble this time!"
He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound steady:
"We're here to discuss cooperation."
"Cooperation?"
Vic raised an eyebrow. The impatience on his face was instantly replaced by an amused look, like seeing a novel toy.
He patted Tyler's shoulder gently, signaling him to calm down. Then, hands in pockets, he strolled forward two steps, his gaze sweeping over Valmont and his terrified subordinates.
"Interesting. Let's hear it."
Seeing Vic seemed interested, Valmont breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, but facing those eyes dancing with manic light, the pressure didn't decrease at all.
"We... we want those twelve talismans."
Valmont tried to make his tone sound sincere.
Vic snorted as if hearing the world's greatest joke:
"Ha! No deal. It's still broad daylight; isn't it a bit early for dreaming?"
"Don't rush, buddy. Why not hear our conditions first?"
Valmont tried hard to maintain his smile.
"If you can hand over the twelve talismans to us, Shendu promises to grant you one wish."
"Grant my wish?"
The sarcasm on Vic's face deepened. He spread his hands exaggeratedly.
"What? Is that stone dragon of yours a turtle in a wishing pond? Toss a coin and realize your dreams?"
Valmont choked, but steeled himself to continue reciting the script Shendu gave him:
"Thousands of years ago, Shendu ruled the entire world! His palace treasury collected rare treasures from every corner of the globe."
"Everything under the sun! Only things you haven't heard of, nothing you can't find! Even the lost Treasure of the Golden Rooster King."
He tried to paint a tempting picture.
"I admit, the talismans are powerful, but compared to more choices and rarer treasures in Shendu's vault, isn't it obvious which is better?"
"Trust me, exchanging talismans for a chance to enter the vault and pick anything you want is absolutely a bargain!"
Vic stroked his chin lightly, not answering Valmont immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze to Wednesday and Enid beside him.
"Sounds kinda interesting, right?"
His tone was relaxed.
"A treasury that can satisfy any wish sounds much more romantic than these hard stone talismans."
Wednesday glanced at him with her deep pool-like eyes, her voice cool:
"Legends are often accompanied by traps. The credibility of that so-called Shendu is extremely low."
Enid hugged the Super Moose plushie tighter, worry in her azure eyes:
"Vic, they don't look like good people..."
"Exactly right—"
Vic dragged out his tone, the amusement in his eyes overflowing.
"See that? Sir, that's the problem. We have zero foundation for trust."
"Ruling the world? Rare treasures? Sounds legit."
Vic strolled forward two steps, stopping in front of Valmont, close enough to see the cold sweat sliding down the other's forehead.
"But how do I know your wall-embedded 'Ex-World Ruler' isn't just painting me a pie in the sky? Anyone can make empty promises."
Valmont's Adam's apple bobbed. He forced himself to stay calm:
"Shendu guarantees it with his dignity! His treasury is real!"
"Dignity?"
Vic laughed out loud as if hearing an extremely ludicrous word, looking back at Wednesday and Enid.