When the people of Kyushu saw that Ning Yi not only didn’t encounter a monster but even gained a decent house, they all let out a huge sigh of relief and…

“Look at this guy’s face, he looks like he’s enjoying himself. Doesn’t look like he wants to take revenge on society.”

“Exactly, if he really wanted revenge, he should look disappointed that no monster showed up.”

“A hacker expert confirmed it, this guy’s name is Ning Yi, 24 years old, cheerful personality, not an antisocial type.”

“As long as he doesn’t want to commit suicide, that’s fine!”

“This house is pretty good, compared to the wooden shack from the start, this is a huge improvement!”

“Why aren’t those fake ghosts talking now?”

As soon as those words fell, the fake ghosts sneered in reply.

“Please, this is the National Fate Marriage Game, what’s the use of a house?”

“This is exactly what they call picking up sesame seeds but dropping the watermelon!”

“Don’t bother with those Kyushu people, our country’s players are already about to enter the marriage room!”

“Haha, just thinking about receiving the national luck reward of a ‘wedding night’ makes me super excited right now!”

These people, not seeing any Kyushu players killed by monsters, were greatly disappointed.

After throwing out some arrogant taunts, they all swarmed off the forum.

The Kyushu people felt incredibly frustrated.

Although they were disgusted by those fake ghosts, they had to admit the other side had a point. Compared to getting a comfortable house, marriage was clearly a thousand times more important.

“I want to see what kind of national luck reward this Sakura Country will get!”

That statement voiced the thoughts of everyone in Kyushu.

They all began watching the Sakura Country player’s livestream.

* * *

On screen, a Sakura Country player was staring excitedly at a pink door in front of him.

“Yoshi! According to the 3rd hint, once the door is opened both sides automatically become husband and wife, which means there’s no danger, so… What could be behind the door? A cute little female demon? Or an elegant noble elf?”

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

Then, without hesitation, he pushed the door open.

The first sight was a huge lake.

A gentle breeze blew by, the air was fresh and clean.

Next, a string of words appeared:

[You have entered the marriage room. You and the fishman race ‘Aisha’ have become husband and wife. For the prosperity of your nation, please complete the ceremony with ‘Aisha’ as soon as possible!]

“Hahahahaha!”

The Sakura Country player waved his arm in excitement, shouting joyfully, “The fishman race? A mermaid! My dear countrymen, it’s a mermaid!!”

His face flushed red.

He couldn’t wait, running quickly toward the lake.

Splash~

In the distance, two snow-white legs rose from the surface of the lake, splashing colorful droplets under the sunlight.

The sight was breathtaking.

Legs for years!

The Sakura Country player grew even more excited.

But at the same time, a small doubt flickered in his heart.

Weren’t mermaids supposed to be human on top and have fish tails on the bottom? Why did this one have legs?

Still, he didn’t think too hard, quickly tossing aside that small suspicion.

“Darling! I’m coming!”

He shouted.

* * *

Back in Sakura Country, the people were in high spirits.

“This guy is too lucky!”

“I want a nonhuman bride too! If it were a horse-girl it’d be even better!”

“I know this guy, we play games together a lot. His name is Izaki Makoto, 25 years old, hardcore anime fan!”

“Makoto-kun? You can do it!”

“Makoto-kun! Rebuild the glory of our Sakura Country, we’re counting on you!”

At that moment, all the Sakura Country citizens watching the stream saw the same text in front of Izaki Makoto:

“Hahahahaha!”

On screen, Izaki Makoto shouted excitedly, “The fishman race? A mermaid! My dear countrymen, it’s a mermaid!!”

Those who were already jealous of him now grew even more envious.

“Damn it, it’s actually a mermaid!”

“In my mind, I’m already seeing Disney’s mermaid princess. What a lucky guy!”

“Hahaha, now those Kyushu people next door will be even more jealous!”

“Serves them right! Their player was an idiot, he had a marriage room too at the start but didn’t go in.”

“Must be some problem in that department!”

The Sakura Country players chatted happily.

Some Kyushu people who knew Japanese read this and immediately felt sour.

But just then, the livestream screen shifted.

Everyone watching was stunned, cold sweat running down their backs.

* * *

“Darling! I’m coming!”

Izaki Makoto ran to the lake shore.

Ripples spread across the surface and a shadow swam toward him.

That figure… was graceful beyond words!

Soon the shadow reached him.

With splashes of water, Izaki Makoto spread his arms wide, ready to embrace his…

‘Huh?’

His face froze, pupils shrinking.

The flush of excitement drained, his face turning deathly pale, cold sweat dripping, teeth chattering uncontrollably.

“Tell me, are you my husband?”

A gentle voice echoed in his ears, like a crystal-clear spring in a forest.

Izaki Makoto swore this was the most beautiful voice he had ever heard, better than any voice actress back in reality.

But…

“Ahhhh!”

His face twisted in terror, “Monster!”

Seizing back control of his body, he scrambled desperately back toward the door.

He reached it quickly.

But no matter how hard he pulled, the doorknob wouldn’t budge, as if welded shut.

[Within 3 hours of marriage initiation, the player cannot leave this area.]

Seeing the message, Izaki Makoto fell into despair.

“You… what did you just call me?”

The voice sounded again, now cold as ice, “Monster?”

Before him stood a half-fish, half-human.

But unlike the beautiful blonde mermaid he had imagined, this one had a grotesque deep-blue fish head full of sharp fangs, with only the lower half being human.

No wonder Izaki Makoto screamed ‘monster.’

He didn’t dare look.

He fell to the ground, eyes squeezed shut, flailing his arms wildly, “Get away, get away from me!”

A yellow liquid seeped down his legs.

He had pissed himself in fear.

Seeing this, Aisha the fishwoman’s eyes flashed with disdain, “Human, I’ll ask you once more. Are you my husband?”

“You ugly monster! I’m not your husband!”

Izaki Makoto shouted.

The next second, he smelled a revolting fish stench.

Instinctively, he opened his eyes.

Before him were countless razor-sharp teeth inside a massive blood-red maw.

Crunch!

Blood sprayed as his head was bitten clean off.

[Detected Sakura Country player death…]

[In 3 minutes, a random disaster will strike within Sakura Country. After it ends, another player will be chosen to enter the game.]

* * *

Everyone who saw Izaki Makoto’s gruesome end fell silent.

Honestly, before this, everyone thought Sakura Country would soar ahead thanks to the marriage room.

But no one expected the spouse to be so terrifying!

“Hiss, so that’s why the fifth hint existed? Now I finally understand why Brother Ning didn’t enter the marriage room… Brilliant! We were on level one, Brother Ning was already on level five!”

At those words, the Kyushu people quickly reread the fifth hint.

Realization dawned on them, leaving them shaken.

Without hesitation, they rushed back to the forum, typing apologies for ever doubting Ning Yi.

At that moment, those who once regretted not ‘running abroad’ shut up, hiding like turtles.

And those who took Sakura Country nationality, along with the Sakura Country players… their mentality completely collapsed!