As soon as the trio stepped into the pool area, the noise of voices, splashing water, and cheerful music hit them like a heatwave.
The huge ring-shaped pool was almost like a small lake, packed with monster guests of all shapes and sizes, splashing water and full of vitality.
"Wow, such a big pool! There are even mermaids in it, so beautiful!"
Enid's azure eyes lit up instantly, pointing at several mermaid ladies elegantly playing in the water in the center of the pool, their scales shimmering in the sun.
"Quick, quick, let's grab seats first!"
Vic looked around and quickly spotted three empty lounge chairs next to each other. He immediately grabbed his girlfriends' hands and rushed over.
"Ah~ comfy!"
Vic threw himself into the soft lounge chair, crossing his legs comfortably. His flashy beach shirt was casually unbuttoned, revealing his firm chest and abs.
He exuded a lazy and charming aura.
Just as he settled in, a situation arose in the pool.
Several Lamia (half-human, half-snake maidens) playing in the water had their gazes simultaneously drawn to Vic. Entranced, they collided with a series of thuds.
Their slender snake tails reflexively wrapped tightly around each other, actually tying into a dead knot, forming a giant "bow."
The Lamia ladies fumbled for a long time before untangling themselves, their faces flushed with embarrassment.
But instead of swimming away, they exchanged winks, twisted their waists, and swam toward the shore where Vic was, their gazes bold and fervent.
"Vic!"
Enid immediately puffed out her cheeks like a small animal guarding its food. She reached out anxiously and angrily, somewhat clumsily but firmly buttoning up Vic's beach shirt one by one from top to bottom.
Muttering, "Wear it properly! No more... no more attracting bees and butterflies!"
Wednesday didn't speak, but her eyes, like the coldest ice blades, locked precisely onto the approaching Lamias.
The low pressure radiating from her and the clear warning in her eyes seemed to cool the pool water by a few degrees.
Watching his two girlfriends' reactions, Vic couldn't help but chuckle. Extending his arms, he pulled the jealous Enid and the cold-faced Wednesday to his side.
Then, facing the Lamia ladies who had swum to the edge and were looking eager, he blinked playfully. His tone was apologetic yet firm:
"Sorry, beautiful ladies. I already have owners~"
He hugged the girls in his arms tighter, his smile brilliant and honest.
Seeing the main subject state his position so clearly, disappointment appeared on the Lamia ladies' faces.
Looking at each other, they reluctantly flicked their snake tails, splashing a few drops of water, and turned to swim back into the depths of the pool.
"Hehe~"
Vic looked down at his two girlfriends with different expressions in his arms, grinning smugly. He leaned close to their ears and whispered:
"The way you get jealous for me is absolutely adorable. Pity I didn't bring a camera, otherwise I would definitely have captured that scene just now to treasure!"
"In your dreams!"
Enid playfully punched Vic's chest, but her body honestly leaned closer into his embrace.
Her cheek pressed against the fabric of his newly buttoned beach shirt, feeling the warmth and strong heartbeat beneath.
That little bit of unhappiness just now had long been dispelled by Vic's candid attitude and intimate hug.
Although Wednesday wasn't as overt as Enid, her tight jawline softened, tacitly accepting Vic's arm around her.
She even adjusted her posture slightly to lean more comfortably, though her mouth remained unforgiving.
"If your photography skills are as terrible as your taste in swimwear, then not taking pictures is actually a good thing."
Hearing this, Vic wasn't annoyed but laughed even more heartily. Tightening his arms, he planted a loud kiss on the top of each girlfriend's head.
"What's wrong with my taste? I think it's excellent! Otherwise, how could I have found you two, the best darlings in the whole world?"
His shameless sweet talk made Enid blush again, her heart feeling sweet.
Wednesday's lips curved imperceptibly, tacitly accepting his "twisted logic."
Vic glanced casually and saw Wayne and Wanda the werewolves staggering not far away, looking utterly hopeless.
They were hung with over a dozen crying, fur-pulling wolf pups like grapes. The couple looked drained of all spirit.
"Uncle Wayne, Aunt Wanda!" Vic greeted them.
"Oh, it's little Vic..."
Wayne looked up, his voice weak. The exhaustion from the burden of childcare could be felt from meters away.
"Uh... Uncle Wayne, you really should take this opportunity to rest."
"We want to, but as you can see, with so many little ancestors, we can't leave them for a moment."
"Turn right over there."
Vic pointed to another direction in the pool area.
"There's a 'Little Monster Fun Club,' professional daycare service. You can leave the kids there temporarily. The staff there will take care of them, letting you catch your breath."
"What? Help us take care of the kids?"
Wayne's eyes widened instantly like copper bells, as if hearing a fantasy.
"Is there really such a paradise on earth? Oh! Thank you! Thank you so much, little Vic!"
Before finishing his sentence, Wayne grabbed the still hesitant Wanda and sprinted in the direction Vic pointed as if shedding a thousand-pound burden, the wolf pups hanging on them yelping from the bumps.
"They really work hard, traveling with dozens of kids." Enid looked at their backs, sighing sincerely.
"Perhaps you will be like that in the future too."
Wednesday looked at Enid's flat abdomen with interest, dropping a bomb in a flat tone.
"I won't give birth to that many!"
Enid's face turned completely red like a ripe tomato, retorting shyly.
"Oh?" Vic's lips curled into a wicked smile. He leaned close to Enid's ear, lowering his voice, "Then how many is Enid willing to bear for me?"
"Vic!" Enid was so shy she wished she could find a crack in the ground, punching him hard.
"Just kidding, just kidding~"
Vic quit while he was ahead, laughing and hugging her tight.
"But you were wrong about one thing. The Waynes never leave any family member behind when they go out."
"What? You mean..."
Enid was stunned for a moment, then remembered the "wolf tide" composed of over four hundred wolf pups at Nevermore Academy that could drown everything!
As if confirming Vic's words, a loud whistle suddenly came from the distance!
Immediately after, the dense sound of running footsteps like drumbeats came from the end of the deck!
"AWOOO—!"
"Woof woof!"
"Make way! Make way!"
A massive, dark wolf tide appeared again! Hundreds of wolf pups of various sizes rushed excitedly across the deck like a bursting dam, causing chaos wherever they went. Monster passengers dodged in panic.
In the chaos, a small figure wearing a Halloween witch costume, originally trying to sneak away to explore elsewhere, was caught off guard and swept into the wolf tide!
"Wahhh!"
Jade let out a series of screams, tossed left and right, up and down in the galloping wolf pack like a small leaf.
It was practically like an extremely thrilling and dangerous "wolf-back surfing"!
Finally, at a corner, she was thrown out violently by immense inertia, drawing a parabola and falling toward the pool!
"Unlucky kid."
Vic shook his head, his tone sounding like he was watching a show, but his actions weren't slow at all.
From his cuff, Venom's black tentacle shot out instantly like a flexible rope, precisely catching the screaming little witch in mid-air and pulling her steadily back to the shore.
"You okay, little one?"
Vic asked, looking at her still-panicked face.
Jade patted her chest, panting heavily: "I-I'm fine... thanks, wait!"
She jerked her head up, saw Vic's face clearly, and immediately widened her eyes, pointing her little finger at him.
"It's you?! Big meanie!"
"Oho?"
Vic raised an eyebrow slightly, a playful smile appearing on his face.
Venom's tentacle turned, easily hanging the little witch upside down so her face was level with his.
"So it is you."
Vic looked at her swinging back and forth leisurely.
"I remember your name is... Jade, right?"
"Let me down! Meanie! Uncle Jackie won't let you off!"
Although hanging upside down, Jade's spirit wasn't weak at all, waving her small fists in protest.
But Vic laughed even happier, as if finding a novel toy.
"Jackie Chan? He's here too. Interesting. What are you two humans doing on a monster cruise ship? Don't tell me... you have news about the talismans~"