CHAPTER 669: GOING ON A CRUISE

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Cedric’s schedule remained mostly the same.

If he’s not in the virtual world, enjoying its sights or participating in the Virtual Arena, he’s out exploring the Fallen Heaven Realm.

Then again, he stayed in this place long enough that it’s starting to get old. Although he’s more than happy to stay here in comfort, the Dark Star Domain is too large for him to ignore. There’s so much more out there that he could and should go see; therefore, it wouldn’t be long before he leaves.

Cedric has already seen the Realm Lord of the Fallen Heaven Realm, the Cosmic Level expert and the strongest around here, although only from a distance.

He wasn’t keen on building a relationship with the guy. Fallen Heaven Realm was only one of his stops in this very large Chaos Realm. He doesn’t even know if he’d ever return here in the future.

In his recent outings, he caught wind of some news that he could take advantage of.

He heard rumors of a cruise ship that’s about to make a stop at the Fallen Heaven Realm to resupply.

Yes, a cruise ship. Except, instead of traversing the seas, it cruises on space itself. This was for rich people who wanted to go on an adventure in relative safety.

The ship was heavily guarded by the Space Marines, and it’s to be expected since it carries many VIPs within.

This is where his status as a Scarlet VIP of the Golden Bangle Bank showed its usefulness once more. All he needed was to express his desire to join the cruise, and the bank will do the rest of the arrangements for him; he doesn’t even need to lift a finger at all.

Of course, he needed to pay, but the cost wasn’t an issue given how many bangles he had in his account. It’s even discounted, actually, and the longer he stays on the cruise, the more discounts will be available to him.

The bank will prepare a private room for him, and it will send him invitations to parties, gatherings, social circles, and many more—anything that’s available while on the cruise ship. Actually, if he wanted to, he could even send a request to visit a place he’s interested in to the ship’s captain. If it’s possible, then the captain might just add it to their itinerary.

The more he hears about this, the more he’s tempted to join.

And since the timing was just right, he decided to go. There’s nothing for him to lose anyway. Besides, this removes his need to plan his schedule. The cruise is already on its path; all he had to do was to join along the ride and enjoy himself.

**

Cedric was welcomed aboard with open arms and a very intimate reception. The staff of the ship, and even the captain himself, greeted him as he boarded.

He accepted this all in stride, although he did feel a little awkward inside.

The captain personally gave him a tour of the ship, showing off the more popular areas for the tourists and giving him sufficient information to work with.

This cruise ship wasn’t simple. It was a giant, not as big as a space whale, but still large nonetheless. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and engines, making the cruise smooth and safe. Nobody could even feel its movement at all.

Yes, there were Space Marines on board. But unless you’re specifically looking for them, they’re unnoticeable since they look like they’re on vacation as well. But make no mistake, if they’re ever needed, they will immediately appear in full uniform, armed and ready to tackle anything that threatens the safety of the customers here.

Some parts of the ship’s interior were larger than one would expect. This was mostly due to clever design or space expansion technology. The captain showed rooms to Cedric that were as big as Prime Earth post expansion.

Here, parties never ended; all sorts of luxury activities were available on top of other more private and personal adventures as well. Cedric even saw an entire world that’s strictly for gambling activities.

The ship has a lot of people. Millions of them, easily. And among these, only a few were the true VIPs. Most of them either joined for clout and personal interest and will also depart after a few stops, and some were just here because they’re curious.

As for the real VIPs, they’re here for leisure. They have money, and they want to spend it; it’s as simple as that.

After the tour, Cedric was escorted to his room.

He didn’t just get a penthouse. He had an entire pocket dimension to himself. A little excessive if you ask him, but this was one of his perks as a Scarlet VIP.

This pocket dimension has everything he’d ever need. If he doesn’t like the way it looks, he could always make a request for a change, and personnel around here will cater to his needs, as it’s their duty to do so.

Not that Cedric would make them do that. He had no complaints about what he saw. In fact, it’s even more than what he initially expected, so how could he complain?

There were also a few Space Marines that will act as his bodyguards during his stay. They have their rotations, which Cedric didn’t interfere with, but they will always follow him around if he decides to go out. Of course, they’d trail him in the shadows so that Cedric could truly enjoy himself.

This was extravagance at its finest. Cedric actually felt guilty spending money like this. He feels guiltier going on a luxury cruise like this without informing his wives about it.

Well, it’s not like he could take them with him. The process was too complicated, and he’s really not ready to take them out here with him.

Still, though. This was nice. He felt relaxed and at ease already. Maybe there’s something in the air around here, but Cedric was too lazy to care.

On his first night, Cedric decided to tour the ship alone this time. He wore one of the expensive suits he bought and dressed up nicely to blend in with the people. But at the same time, he also suppressed most of his natural glow so as to not stick out like a sore thumb.

You see, Cedric wasn’t really interested in small talk. He just wanted to have a look around and see if there’s anything that piques his interest. As for making connections? Well, that’s up to his whims.

But even with him deliberately putting on a mask and giving off an anti-social aura, there were still some people who decided to try their luck with him.

Most of them being women. They either wanted to ’have some fun’ with him or, worse, to seduce him and manipulate him into doing their bidding. Some of the bold ones were even open to sharing.

Despite this place stinking with wealth and luxury, the stench of machinations was everywhere, figuratively. It’s disappointing, but not surprising.

Cedric deftly evaded them like the plague, though. Thank the heavens for his keen senses, allowing him to sense their intentions from afar.

He also noticed his bodyguards following him, but he ignored them for the most part. He didn’t make their lives difficult since they’re just doing their jobs.

As the night went deeper, Cedric’s little excursions took him to places that the captain avoided during his tour.

These areas were the more ’restricted’ parts of the ship. Although the ’restriction’ only applies to people of low status.

Here, he saw whole red light districts, hidden combat arenas, trading spots of ’exotic products,’ and so on. Things are usually on the more illegal side of things.

Again, Cedric wasn’t at all surprised to see this. Humans are weird creatures, after all. Especially those who are too bored and have too much money to spend.

The ship captain and the Space Marines turned a blind eye for this for a cost, because obviously, how can they not take the opportunity to make more money from rich people with unique ’tastes’?

Cedric was like a ghost around these parts. He went in and out unseen and unbothered by anything he saw. All he had was curiosity about these places because the ship captain avoided showing him these, but now that he knew, he lost interest in all of them.

Deep into his first night, aside from shopping for other materials and buying some surprising treasures that most don’t know the real value of, Cedric returned to his residence to retire.

He had seen enough, and it seems that unless something happens or if he felt like it, he would stay in this little pocket dimension for the foreseeable future.

Looking at the itinerary, the next stop of the ship was a place called the ’Profound Heaven Realm.’ It’s a famous tourist attraction due to its history. It witnessed a few legendary battles that forever altered the world itself.

It would take about a month before the ship arrives there. Plenty of time to get into some more virtual arena matches.