Chapter 4: Obey Me, or Else...

“I didn’t examine the merman further yesterday. I believe highly intelligent creatures like merpeople would resort to extreme measures when agitated, even to the point of committing suicide.

“I had to ensure his safety. I will get the ship crew to help prepare a large acrylic water tank.

“Whenever I think of his stare, I can't help but shiver. I have to be the first to unravel this mystery...”

As I wrote in my diary, there was a knock on my cabin door.

I immediately shut my diary and shoved it under the blanket. I didn’t want Gary to know about my diary.

I went to open the door and shuffled back to bed pretending as if I had just woken up.

Gary held the finger that was wounded yesterday and proceeded to disinfect it with a cotton ball.

“Ouch! You’re doing this on purpose!” I shouted.

Gary disregarded my dissatisfaction and said, “I’m warning you, don’t get close to the merman alone. If I find you doing that behind my back, you’re going to get it!”

While saying that, he pinched the wound on my finger as a warning.

“As if that would happen! Didn’t you see it attack me yesterday? Why would I approach him alone, especially when I’m so timid?”

Only then did he loosen his grip on my finger. But the next second, he trapped me in the corner of the room, our faces merely inches away from each other.

“Linda, you’re playing a very dangerous game if you disobey me. You must know, this ship’s crew is under my authority.”

I didn’t believe a word of what Gary had said. He was just a professor, as if he was capable of this.

I raised my head and looked him in the eye. “If you intend to do something to me, please do it. Then I can visit the merman after we’re done.”

Gary froze for a second in shock before he pulled me in front of him. My entire body was pressed against his and I could even smell his breath.

Out of fear I started to struggle, I was in disbelief that he was serious. But as a woman, my strength couldn’t have matched his.

At that moment, Gary's damned eyes were fixed greedily on my face. His hands actually began to move restlessly, locking me in place.

My professor was actually treating me like this…

But now wasn’t the time to stay shocked. I couldn’t let things unfold in the direction it was going.

I immediately raised three fingers and swore. “Alright, alright. I swear I will not visit the merman on my own, just let go of me!”

It was only then that Gary let go of me, even though he still trapped me in the corner and stared down at me, trying to see whether I was lying.

His breaths were short and hurried—it was obvious that he was excited, and he made no effort to hide it.

He even leaned forward to poke my crotch with his erection to intimidate me.

On the surface, I seemed terrified and looked at him with a pleading expression.

But in actuality, I was disappointed. Even his strength paled in comparison to the merman’s.

‘Damn it! Why was I thinking about that at a time like this!’

Gary finally proceeded to leave. He didn’t even bug me in the afternoon.

However, my memories of the merman’s perfect face and firm, powerful tail replayed repeatedly in my mind.

It was as though I was compelled by magic, I was determined to examine and research the merman thoroughly.

At two in the morning, the time when humans are the most exhausted, I jumped down from my bed soundlessly like a cat. I figured Gary and the others would be sound asleep.

I grabbed a glow stick and successfully infiltrated the area below the deck where the merman was being held.

As I opened the door of that cabin, I saw the merman silently floating within the transparent tank. His long seaweed-like hair flowed around him and he looked like a king waiting for his guests to arrive.

The sound of the door opening startled him and he locked his gaze onto me. As if he was waiting for me this entire time.