Global Collapse-Chapter 622 - 590: April Fool’s Day AKA "Gugu" Day

"You, come with us. Play with us."

A boy with pearly white teeth pointed at Gu Mian. "The adults aren't here this time. You must come with me."

The children didn't care whether the carnival would proceed as usual; the absence of a single Lower Class Person wouldn't make a difference anyway.

Behind Gu Mian, 007 muttered to herself, What's so great about Gu Mian? They always want to play with him.

Seeing the "there's no way you can escape" expressions on the children's faces, 007 thought they might be overthinking it.

After all, Gu Mian was such a good person, so understanding and fond of playing with children!

While thinking this, she looked towards Gu Mian. He was currently looking down, his hands clutching the corners of his clothes. He then spoke hesitantly, "If I play with you, then I can't perform on stage."

007's mouth twitched. It seems he really wants to perform on stage!

She knew Gu Mian was desperate to perform on stage, but others didn't see it that way.

They only saw Gu Mian's indecisiveness and assumed he was scared—scared of being taken away by these children, scared of being tormented by them.

The Lower Class People in the room looked worriedly at Gu Mian.

The Snake Mask quietly tugged 007 into a corner and whispered, "You're with him, right? Don't go with them! They used to come to our base to find people to 'play' with. Those they took away... barely any ever returned…"

"Barely?" 007 latched onto the key word. "So, some who were taken away did come back?"

At her words, the Snake Mask flinched and whispered so softly it was almost inaudible, "Two people were sent back. They…"

007 had a feeling this topic wouldn't be a pleasant one.

Indeed, she saw him swallow hard before continuing, "When they came back... they were... torn apart…"

As he said this, he shivered violently, as if recalling horrific memories.

Torn apart?

007 knew this "torn apart" was definitely not like the internet meme she often saw.

Literally torn apart…

"Anyway, never go with them!" After uttering this warning, the Snake Mask clamped his mouth shut, not daring to say another word. The children had already noticed the commotion from their corner and were turning their heads to look.

"Do you two want to play with us too?" the lead boy asked, looking at 007 and the Snake Mask with a chilling giggle.

The Snake Mask stumbled back several steps, practically wishing he could disappear into a crack in the floor.

007 pursed her lips. If she were taken away with Gu Mian, that might be acceptable. But she was afraid of being separated from him midway; that would surely mean no return. Then again, if Gu Mian left and she had to perform on stage alone, that would probably be an ordeal too.

Meanwhile, Gu Mian, who had been struggling with his decision, finally made up his mind.

Just as the children's attention shifted to 007 and the Snake Mask, Gu Mian finally spoke, his voice laced with hesitation, "Alright, I'll play with you. But this means I'll miss my chance to perform on stage. You'll have to compensate me, okay?"

007 had never heard Gu Mian speak in such a hesitant tone before; it sent a shiver down her spine. For some reason, hearing Gu Mian use that tone made him sound... a bit twisted.

The children's attention snapped back to Gu Mian.

The smile on the lead boy's face grew even more chilling. "That's a wise decision. You must have overcome a lot of fear to agree to come with us, right? Even though you've agreed, you must still be terrified inside. Don't worry, we'll be sure to compensate you well."

"Huh?" Gu Mian scratched his head, feigning confusion.

Children are active creatures; they get bored if they stay in one place for too long.

By now, some of the other children were growing impatient.

"Hurry up and make him come with us! It's so boring here."

"Let me think... what should we play later? We haven't played 'teppanyaki' in a while, have we?"

"I want to bring out that toy we used on the Lower Class People last time..."

The boy in front of Gu Mian turned, his smile radiating cruelty. "Well then, come with us. We'll take you to play some really fun games."

Saying this, the boy headed for the door.

Gu Mian immediately followed.

Upon reaching the doorway, Gu Mian suddenly remembered his instrument. He turned and hurried back into the room.

Hearing the movement, the boy spun around, his gaze cold and hard. "Are you trying to run?"

Gu Mian didn't answer him, striding instead to 007. "Where's my guitar?"

"Um..." 007 shrank back slightly, reaching behind her.

Since she was standing in the corner, she had some cover for retrieving things from her inventory.

Then, quick as a flash, 007 pulled out a bulging guitar case from behind her and handed it to Gu Mian, adding politely, "Are you sure you'll be okay going alone? Should I volunteer to go with you?"

Gu Mian glanced at her. "Do you enjoy playing games with children?"

Remembering the earlier talk of being "torn apart," 007 shook her head with heartfelt sincerity.

"Then forget it." Gu Mian had already slung the guitar case onto his back.

007 hesitated. "I stuffed your white lab coat in the case. By the way, will you be coming back?"

Gu Mian thought for a few seconds. "I'll come back when they've had their fun."

Had their fun...

Hearing this, 007 looked at the children standing by the door and, from beneath her mask, gave them a 'good luck with that' expression.

Of course, the children couldn't see her face under the mask, so they naturally didn't receive the signal.

Guitar in hand, Gu Mian quickly walked over to the children, enthusiastically introducing his instrument. "This is my guitar! I originally brought it to perform on stage, but I guess I can't do that today. So, I'll play something for you all with it in a bit!"

Seeing Gu Mian's excitement, the lead boy's expression turned a little odd. He snorted coldly. "Don't try any tricks."

With that, he led the other children down the corridor.

Gu Mian followed close behind, as if afraid *they* might run away.

Outside, as expected, there were other Upper Class People.

A few individuals with deathly pale skin milled about in the corridor. They all noticed the masked Gu Mian. However, since he was with the children, these people merely glanced at him a few times without taking any further action.

The absence of guards backstage didn't mean escape was possible; any Lower Class People attempting to flee would be captured and severely tortured.

Gu Mian cheerfully watched the group of oddly dressed, disturbingly chattering children ahead of him. They really are perfect human shields!

As if sensing something, the boy who always liked to pick fights turned back to Gu Mian. "You, take off your mask. You must be terrified, right? Scared stiff? Probably on the verge of tears? All the Lower Class People before were like that. We love seeing that expression the most. Hurry up, take off your mask and give us some entertainment."

Hearing this, Gu Mian reached up, grasped the edge of his mask, and lifted it.

And so, the children were met with a beaming, cheerful face.