Transmigrated into the Scummy Alpha of the Apocalypse Heroine (GL) - Chapter 2

[System: Bai Lansheng, an Omega, just turned eighteen this year. Her mother is a university professor, and her father is a businessman. As their only child, she has always been dearly loved. She is naturally kind, obedient, and easily trusts others. One day, while viewing an art exhibition, she happened to be looking at a new piece by Ke Nian. He took the initiative to talk to her, and the two became acquainted. About six months later, Ke Nian told her that traveling alone felt too lonely and invited her to come along. The planet you are currently on, Yaomu Star, is the fifth stop of their journey.]

Qin Junlan frowned slightly. “Ke Nian must have had other motives. Who brings an Omega to such a deserted, backwater place?”

[System: That is partially true. In the beginning, Ke Nian did have intentions toward Bai Lansheng. However, due to his upbringing, he never acted on them. If their journey had continued, it is likely he would have eventually. But partway through the trip, Ke Nian met a Beta. This Beta’s father is a powerful business tycoon. Bai Lansheng never mentioned her own family background to Ke Nian, so in his mind, comparisons began.]

Qin Junlan said flatly, “So it was about money. People like him always go where the profit is.”

[System: You don’t seem surprised. Is that kind of thing common in your world?]

Qin Junlan replied without hesitation, “Scumbags are the same everywhere. I’ve seen it too many times to be shocked.”

[System: If you were Ke Nian, would you choose Bai Lansheng or the tycoon’s daughter?]

That question seemed a little off.

Qin Junlan thought for a moment and answered honestly. “If it were me, I wouldn’t go after someone like Bai Lansheng in the first place. She’s too unstable. One heartbreak and she wants to destroy the world. If she can’t have what she wants, she wants to take everything down with her, even innocent bystanders. That kind of personality is a deal-breaker for me.”

[System: Just a reminder, you are one of those innocent bystanders now. Your physical body in your original world is already gone.]

Qin Junlan pretended not to hear that. “Still, I wouldn’t pick the rich girl either.”

[System: Why not?]

Qin Junlan shrugged. “Why should I be forced to choose between two people I don’t even know? That doesn’t make any sense.”

[System: That is a fair point.]

Qin Junlan paused, then asked, “If Bai Lansheng is the one who’s going to destroy this world, does that make her the female lead? Is Ke Nian the male lead?”

[System: This system cannot answer that.]

Qin Junlan clicked her tongue in annoyance. “So when something is hard to explain or you don’t want to talk about it, you just dodge it.”

She sounded displeased, but deep down, she was impressed.

She couldn’t help but wonder who created such a human-like system. It could analyze, question, and even avoid topics it didn’t want to discuss.

Something else had been bothering her.

Since the mission target was Bai Lansheng, she would definitely have to interact with her. But the system hadn’t urged her to go yet, which meant the mission still had time.

What was the reason for that?

Was it a built-in grace period offered by the system, or had Bai Lansheng not yet reached the key point in her storyline?

If it was the first, then the system must be extremely powerful, able to alter or delay parts of the plot. If it was the second, it meant Bai Lansheng’s storyline followed a fixed sequence that couldn’t be changed, and Qin Junlan would only be allowed to appear once the right time came.

The system’s origin and capabilities were unknown. Qin Junlan didn’t want to bet her life on guesses. But if the plot really was fixed, then when she did appear, it would have to be to push the story forward, not hinder it.

Just then, a sound rang in her mind.

[Ding. Mission issued: Locate Bai Lansheng (Part 1)
Objective: You cannot unlock the next mission until this one is completed.
Time Limit: Six hours
Location: Dongqi Central Grand Hotel
Completion Criteria: Determined by system
Failure Consequence: Host will be erased
Note: This is your first mission. Please give it your full effort. Sending love.]

Qin Junlan raised her eyebrows. The mission text appeared in front of her in a pink cartoon font, which did not match the system’s cold, robotic tone at all.

There wasn’t much useful information in the description, but the time limit told her something important.

The system had said earlier the first mission allowed for twenty-four hours. She had used about three so far. With this task set at six hours, it seemed likely the mission was part of a chain.

If there is a Part 1, there must be a Part 2. Possibly more.

She asked the system, but as expected, received no answer.

The first time she had heard about Dongqi Central Grand Hotel was when she was chatting with people at the grocery store.

It was a landmark building on Yaomu Star and took about two hours to reach. Back then, the system had said the destination would take her two hours, so she had guessed this might be the place and made sure to ask a few extra questions.

Now it was confirmed.

The only problem was how to get there.

Her current home was in a remote area with muddy roads that no vehicles could enter. She would have to walk a bit before catching a ride.

She made her way back to the grocery store, which was still buzzing with people. She waved toward the flashiest person in the crowd. A young Beta woman with bright green hair jogged over with a grin.

She was smiling even before she arrived. When she smiled, a little dimple appeared on her face, making her look cheerful and a bit goofy.

Qin Junlan asked, “Green Hair, right? I remember you have a car?”

An hour and a half later, Qin Junlan arrived at the hotel. She had only one thought.

There was nothing cute about this at all.

Green Hair looked at her pale and queasy face and said proudly, “Boss, not bad driving, huh?”

Qin Junlan waved a hand weakly, afraid to open her mouth.

Her hangover dizziness had vanished, replaced by motion sickness.

Once she had mentioned she was in a hurry, Green Hair had gone full speed the whole way, flipping off other drivers and weaving dangerously through traffic. If Qin Junlan had known the route, she would have snapped that middle finger off and taken the wheel herself.

After recovering a little, Qin Junlan gave her the rest of her cigarettes and a few Sokar coins, planning to tell her to wait nearby.

But Green Hair asked, “Boss, are you going in for some fun? Can I come? I’ve never been inside before.”

Qin Junlan hadn’t expected her to have a way in, but she nodded.

Green Hair lit up. “There’s a guy we can pay to get us inside.”

Just as she said, they managed to sneak in, dressed as security guards. However, they were only allowed access to the outer area and the first floor. They couldn’t go upstairs and disturb the VIP guests.

Qin Junlan did not find Bai Lansheng on the first floor. She turned to Green Hair and said, “Let’s split up.”

Green Hair had long been itching to explore the lights and crowd. She nodded excitedly. “There’s a gang event in a few days. We need someone to represent. Don’t have too much fun without me, Boss.”

Qin Junlan gave a simple reply. “Sure.”

Green Hair was here to party. Qin Junlan had a mission.

But where exactly was Bai Lansheng?

She looked up at the hotel. Twenty-one floors in total. Excluding the rooftop, there were still twenty accessible floors. If Bai Lansheng was in a guest room, searching one by one would take forever.

A chance encounter was clearly out of the question.

Qin Junlan decided to start by locating Ke Nian.

[Qin Junlan: Is Bai Lansheng really inside this hotel?]

[System: Yes.]

With that confirmation, Qin Junlan focused her attention on four specific floors: two, six, eight, and sixteen.

These were all common locations for banquets and events.

The sixteenth floor could be ruled out. It was reserved for wealthy elites and officials.

Bai Lansheng and Ke Nian had met at an art exhibit. Ke Nian was a painter. As an artist, he would likely have a strong sense of taste and aesthetic. That meant he probably wouldn’t choose anything too flashy or vulgar.

So, the second floor could also be eliminated.

Ke Nian’s income and background could support the sixth floor, if he were traveling alone.

There was a wealthy heiress who seemed very close to Ke Nian. Judging from his ambiguous attitude, Ke Nian appeared to be someone with ambition. That made his choice fairly obvious.

The eighth floor was a good number. In many cultures, it symbolized wealth and prosperity.

It was a step above her current status and offered the chance to mingle with higher circles.

[Qin Junlan: The eighth floor. Did I guess right?]

[System: Congratulations. You’ve completed half the mission.]

Qin Junlan smiled faintly. If someone couldn’t even make this kind of deduction, how could they survive in the business world?

[System: Now comes the question of how you’re going to get to the eighth floor.]

[Qin Junlan: That’s not difficult.]

The man who let them in had repeatedly warned them not to go beyond the outer areas or the first floor. He was probably just worried they’d cause trouble. But as long as she didn’t cause any trouble, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Starting from the second floor, the security uniforms were different.

Qin Junlan knocked out one of the second-floor guards and changed into the uniform. Just like that, she slipped upstairs.

The system watched her calm and composed performance. For once, its tone showed a trace of curiosity.

[System: You’ve never been to a place like this. Aren’t you afraid of being exposed?]

[Qin Junlan: Business teaches you this much. You need thick skin, and even if your heart jumps out of your chest, you swallow it right back in.]

With a professional smile on her face, Qin Junlan politely pressed the elevator button for another guest. As they thanked her, she stepped out on the eighth floor.

[System: But I didn’t detect any changes in your heart rate.]

Qin Junlan made a noncommittal hum.

[I’m going in. Don’t speak.]

She pushed a serving cart into the banquet hall on the eighth floor. By now, she had already changed into a bartender’s uniform.

As she entered, another bartender glanced over and asked, “I don’t think I’ve seen you before?”

Qin Junlan replied, “He wasn’t feeling well. I’m covering for him today.”

The bartender didn’t seem suspicious at first. But just as Qin Junlan placed drinks onto a tray and prepared to walk away, he asked, “Who are you covering for?”

“Abel,” she answered smoothly. “I know we’re supposed to give advance notice when we switch shifts, but he really wasn’t feeling well. It’s not easy being a bartender.”

The bartender finally relaxed and nodded. “Ain’t that the truth. Sorry for doubting you. Head over to that side. I’ve already been there, it’s easier.”

Qin Junlan smiled. “Thanks.”

Her frame wasn’t especially strong, but her movements were steady. Her long limbs looked good in the fitted bartender uniform.

The other bartender couldn’t help glancing at her a few more times.

Although Qin Junlan had already turned away, the system’s perspective wasn’t limited like hers. It could still see the bartender watching her leave. Based on his expression, it seemed the host had quite a lovely smile.

Qin Junlan had forbidden the system from speaking, so it didn’t report the bartender’s reaction.

But if she had known, she would’ve told the system that this was one of her signature workplace tactics—her famous killer smile. When she showed exactly eight teeth, her charm stat hit maximum level.

Walking among the guests with her tray of drinks, Qin Junlan’s eyes calmly scanned the room. Occasionally, she would pause.

Her efforts weren’t in vain. She finally spotted Ke Nian, although he was surrounded by a bit of commotion.

A chubby Alpha man was arguing with a male Omega. The Omega accused him of misconduct, while the Alpha loudly insisted he was being falsely accused.

[Ding. Mission Complete: Locate Bai Lansheng (1)
New Mission Issued: Locate Bai Lansheng (2)
Objective: Retrieve the hotel room keycard from Ke Nian’s coat pocket. Bai Lansheng might be waiting in the room.
Time Limit: Three hours
Location: Dongqi Central Grand Hotel
Completion Criteria: Determined by system
Failure Consequence: Host will be erased]

Note: This is your very first mission, dear. Please take it seriously. Sending love.

Qin Junlan finished reading the mission details, then looked over at Ke Nian, who wasn’t far away.

Now was the perfect moment. All she needed to do was take advantage of the commotion, bump into him by “accident,” and swipe the keycard from his coat pocket.

Qin Junlan paused mid-step.

[System: Taking the room key will complete half of Mission 2. After that, all you need to do is find the room number, and the mission will be complete. Why did you stop?]