Chapter 51: Knowledge Acquired Through Reloading

Before heading out, Su Wen pressed the ESC key.

He checked the newly added feature in the game from a day earlier:

[Letter from a Distant Anonymous Sender]

[New] [Cognitive Bias: Appearance Fine-Tuning (Applies to self only) (Duration: One game session)]

This feature was precisely what he needed right now.

Upholding the philosophy of rational consumption, Su Wen decisively spent a portion of World Influence.

Using [Spacetime Travel], he activated the "cognitive shift" regarding how others perceived his appearance.

In this way,

Even though he was the newly sensational legendary racer of Detroit,

having left his handsome profile and back view in major newspapers and video footage,

it would still be extremely difficult for strangers to connect those images with him.

Afterward,

he gracefully adjusted his clothes

and pushed open the door.

[Phase Objective: Search for clues related to the Surging Tide Cult]

[Perhaps the travelers who wish to draw the least attention are the ones most likely to be hiding secrets]

The corridors of the yacht were dominated by deep brown tones, trimmed with gilded borders.

The surroundings were adorned with paintings rich in the European classical era style.

The ceiling was painted with resplendent and magnificent caissons.

As Su Wen strolled, he observed and gathered information.

This cruise ship, named the "Colin," was of a high class, featuring a buffet, a swimming pool, a club, and everything one could possibly expect.

However, the setting sun had not even dipped below the horizon yet, and compared to the banquet hall for the evening party,

he currently had an even better choice:

The yacht deck.

The moment Su Wen stepped out of the corridor,

the scenery belonging to the ocean suddenly rushed into his eyes.

It was the shimmering ripples reflected across the entire sea surface after the brilliant golden sunlight was cast upon it.

Seabirds flew freely in the azure sky.

At the same time, the cruise ship sailed slowly across the water, raising huge sails and parting the foaming waves.

He walked toward a traveler who was standing by the deck railing, holding up a camera to take pictures.

[Appraisal: Nelson Joel, world-renowned marine photographer, no supernatural traits]

It seemed he was not a member of the Surging Tide Cult.

Su Wen asked politely and calmly:

"Pardon the interruption, but I would like to ask a question.

The cruise ship beneath our feet is heading to the Samoa Islands—is it because there is some special event being held there?"

This marine photographer was somewhat surprised that someone would ask such a question.

"It is not a cultural event."

He lowered the camera in his hand and explained simply:

"Don't you know?

Whenever the largest typhoon season of the east coast passes,

the Samoa Islands, which rank second only to the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific region,

affected by tropical circulation,

will soon welcome the most magnificent sea tide scenery of the entire year."

Hearing the traveler say this,

Su Wen suddenly realized that he seemed to understand what Old Man Lin had meant.

He had told him, "Do not stand on the edge of the storm cliff when the tide arrives."

He had even recommended that he bring a camera to record "unseen beauty."

It certainly seemed to make a lot of sense.

Now that he had a good entry point,

Su Wen knew very well what he should do next.

First, he paused the game and searched the World Wide Web for Nelson Joel's works.

Then, he pressed that familiar operation key:

[Load Game]

[Load Point: Five seconds before stepping onto the deck]

Afterward,

Su Wen arrived beside Nelson Joel once again and struck up a conversation with him:

"You are Mr. Nelson, am I correct?

I have seen your travel logs published in National Geographic.

Both from the perspective of light and shadow and your compositional approach, they are exceptionally brilliant and deeply impressive.

By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet.

My name is 'Kevin,' a detective."

That's right.

Su Wen used [Load Game] to acquire knowledge he hadn't originally possessed,

using it instead as proof of his identity.

At the same time,

faced with the high-level flattery from "Mr. Kevin,"

as an artist,

Nelson Joel quickly decided in his heart that this man was a kindred spirit, and his attitude improved noticeably compared to before the game reload:

"Detective Kevin, I'm just taking a few photos. I didn't expect to receive such high praise from you."

Hearing Nelson's reply,

Su Wen achieved the exact effect he desired.

He needed a well-known traveler to serve as a cover for his upcoming search for the Surging Tide Cult.

Otherwise,

as a "mysterious stranger" who popped up out of nowhere,

he would probably be the one more likely to be suspected.

For ten minutes,

Su Wen and Nelson Joel chatted about many things:

"Once the hurricane season passes, the Samoa Islands usher in their most breathtaking moments. It seems our purposes align—we are both here for this very reason."

Then,

he asked without leaving a trace:

"By the way, Mr. Nelson, are there any other people on this cruise ship who are paying attention to ocean currents like us?"

"People paying attention to ocean currents?"

Nelson thought for a moment.

Then he replied:

"I remember when boarding at noon yesterday, there was a group of 'marine biologists' carrying surveying equipment. I heard they were going to the Samoa Islands to conduct ocean current observation experiments.

But I haven't crossed paths with them many times since then.

Secondly,

there is that strange young woman over there who has been standing in the corner of the deck all day long.

She seems to have been staring at the sea the entire time."

Hearing the information provided by him,

Su Wen analyzed silently:

Assuming the Dormant Cultists were a group of cultists, would it be reasonable for them to use scientific research as a cover?

Still, that possibility could not be completely ruled out.

At least that group of pretty bikini-clad young ladies frolicking in the luxury yacht's open-air swimming pool probably weren't them.

To prevent any mistakes,

maintaining his rigorous attitude, Su Wen watched for a little longer.

As for that young woman standing in the corner looking at the distant sea,

he had also paid attention to her earlier.

Now it seemed,

she was likely the second target he needed to approach.

Just at that moment,

an urgent broadcast echoed from the cruise ship's public address system:

"Attention passengers, please return to your respective rooms in a timely manner. Two minutes ago, the Colin Yacht Security Team discovered a deceased person in the banquet hall.

The ship's threat level has been upgraded, and the identity of the victim is still under investigation.

Meanwhile, out of a sense of responsibility to all passengers on board,

everyone is requested to submit to the investigation concurrently."

Nelson said in panic:

"Someone has died? How could this happen?"

Considering his ability for this game session, "The Lantern Bearer,"

along with the "detective identity" he had fabricated,

Su Wen calmly adjusted his bow tie.

Regardless of whether this was an accident, as the luxury yacht sailed toward the Samoa Islands,

undercurrents were surging,

and the game of wits had officially begun.

"Mr. Nelson, could you help me arrange an introduction to the captain of the Colin?"