Sunday clenched his fists tightly, looking at everyone present.
Based on the clues he had and normal logic, these people had nothing to do with killing Robin.
Especially given what Pei Guang had already shown, Sunday couldn't pick a fight with them, nor could he even leverage them to help him find the killer.
Seeing Sunday's expression—schemes ruined, pain from his sister's death, looking constipated—made Pei Guang laugh.
He then leaned close to Sunday, bending down to look up at his expression.
"I see it! I see it. The expression of someone who wants to use others to investigate the killer after losing a family member, but gets every plan violently crushed and now looks like he's holding it in and suffering like constipation. Truly worthy of Penacony's Charmony Festival's real manager, your expression is so entertaining!"
Sunday stared at Pei Guang.
He wanted to speak, but Pei Guang straightened up faster, looking at him seriously.
"We've already proven our innocence in our own special way. So now it's time to talk business. Miss Robin being attacked, even if it has nothing to do with us… we'll investigate to the end. She helped me, I have a good impression of her. And you let us stay at the hotel. For those reasons alone, I will take this job."
This move left Sunday unable to keep up.
Just as he tried again to speak, Pei Guang cut him off once more.
"So~ a supposedly death-free dream… but someone died? And it's your dear little sister~? Dear Sunday, you wouldn't want the whole universe hearing about this while we investigate, right?"
Sunday finally felt he could speak, words were already at his lips, but Pei Guang cut him off yet again: "I know what you want to ask: what do we want? We are Trailblazers full of justice. How could we conceal something that harms innocent people?"
Firefly's eyes sparkled at Pei Guang's righteous tone—right until the next sentence nearly made everyone except Stelle and Firefly instantly break.
"Unless you pay extra! Double the mission rewards, and everyone gets a share!"
Sunday had expected some lofty speech, but that "pay more" made his composure snap. He wanted to protest, but paused.
After a long silence, he finally spoke slowly.
"You have already said everything I intended to. Since you've made the choice for me, we will do as you said. Please investigate the cause of my sister's death. No matter the cost, I will pay it."
His tone was heavy. His improvised plans were ruined, and he knew exactly how rotten his family was.
He did have ways to investigate Robin's death on his own, but since Pei Guang found out so fast and had such mysterious connections, asking him wasn't bad.
Just as Pei Guang said, before the Charmony Festival ends, news of Penacony's dream being unsafe must not spread. Even paying to keep them quiet was worth it.
And Pei Guang offered to help investigate? In a way, he gained from this.
Seeing Sunday agree, Pei Guang smiled.
"No problem. Just trust us. We're professionals at missions. Alright, no point standing here! Let's go investigate Robin's 'cause of death.' It's double reward time."
Stelle praised him: "As expected of Ah Guang, you doubled the reward so easily."
Pei Guang puffed up. "Of course! All those favor points we farmed weren't for nothing. Though I didn't expect the stuff I pulled out to really work."
He turned and walked off: no need to stay now. They cleared suspicion and got double payment. Pei Guang was delighted.
Sure, Sunday's favor probably tanked, but whatever. Once Pei Guang brings Robin back alive, that favor will shoot right back up. And even if not? Doesn't matter.
As a player, Pei Guang hated self-verification and investigation quests: too much hassle. If he could skip class? Perfect.
They left.
While leaving, Pei Guang used his phone to contact the rest, arranging to meet at the Clockie Boy Statue.
Acheron followed. Aventurine did not.
Once they were gone, Sunday finally looked at Aventurine. "I thought you'd follow him."
Aventurine smiled. "No need. Our goals differ. He has his business, I have mine."
He originally wanted to partner with the Astral Express crew, but before he even asked, Pei Guang had already charged off to do exactly what he wanted: investigate Robin's death.
That investigation would gather clues, and more clues meant his next moves would be easier.
As for his own goal? Naturally, to have a good conversation with Sunday and get his chips back.
Pei Guang and the others walked a bit, planning to regroup with Himeko's crew, but Black Swan stopped them.
Black Swan: "I have private affairs to handle next, so we'll part ways~"
She looked forward to the Trailblazers' journey, but she didn't need to follow, since she could see it without being there. And right now, she was more curious about Acheron.
Pei Guang: "Then, bye?"
Black Swan: "Next time we meet, what interesting memories will we witness? I'm looking forward to it~"
Black Swan gave Pei Guang a mysterious smile, then disappeared on the spot.
Pei Guang didn't pause just because Black Swan left. The group walked to the Clockie Boy Statue and waited for Himeko's group to arrive.
Since they were already here, Pei Guang planned to hand in the Clock Credits to Clockie Boy and exchange them for useful rewards.
"Clockie Boy~"
Standing by the statue, Pei Guang called out. This time, Clockie Boy responded.
"Tick-tock~ tick-tock! You're here! From the looks of it, you've already reached the Dreamville~ You're getting closer and closer to the truth~"
Clockie Boy knew everything Pei Guang had experienced, and because it knew, it felt Pei Guang's terrifying nature: he actually ate that terrifying thing!
Did that mean if Pei Guang wanted, he could eat Clockie Boy too?
But that didn't matter: it was Clockie Boy, the righteous opponent of Boss Stone! And Pei Guang was righteous too.
Since both sides were good guys, why fear each other?
Pei Guang: "Closer or not doesn't matter. I'm here to exchange the Clock Credits. You prepared enough rewards, right?"
Clockie Boy gave a thumbs up. "Plenty!"
"Then… let's trade!"
Clockie Boy originally thought Pei Guang had maybe a thousand, at most tens of thousands. But when Pei Guang actually took them out, Clockie Boy's eyes widened, the clock hands spinning wildly.
Pei Guang pulled out enough Clock Credits to drown it.
Clockie Boy was stunned!
Maybe all of Penacony didn't have this many… how did Pei Guang get them?