Weird Rules: Start by playing God in Bikini Bottom!

Chapter 15 I, the generous Krab King, owner of the Krusty Krab, have decided—the Krusty Krab is clos

SpongeBob's smile is so bright it's almost blinding, standing out starkly against the gray background.

He was holding a small object wrapped in a seashell and tied with a crooked bow.

"Look! I've prepared a Christmas present for you! It's a 'seaweed bell' that I made myself. Shake it and it will make a sound like Christmas bells... uh, like a rusty anchor chain! It's super—holiday-like!"

Jiang Xiu looked down at the so-called "gift," then looked up at SpongeBob's face that seemed to say "Praise me!" and the strange decorations around him, and felt his headache double.

He took the thing with his tentacles, casually stuffed it into his uniform pocket, and responded in his usual tone, tinged with annoyance and weariness.

"Oh, Merry Christmas, SpongeBob. I hope your holiday spirit doesn't turn out like your cooking skills, bringing disaster to everyone."

"Of course not! Today is a day filled with joy and the aroma of Krabby Patties!"

SpongeBob didn't pick up on the sarcasm at all, or rather, he didn't care at all, and remained cheerful.

At this moment, the crab owner also came out of the restaurant.

He was also wearing a small, golden captain's Santa hat today, a rare sight for him, and his face was plastered with a deliberately crafted smile that mixed greed and a kind of eerie excitement.

"Aha! My two excellent employees are both here!" Mr. Krabs rubbed his pincers together, making a clicking sound like gold coins rubbing together. "First of all, Merry Christmas! May gold coins... uh, may happiness be with you!"

Jiang Xiu's internal alarm bells went off: Boss Crab said he wished happiness to be with you all? This is even more terrifying than hearing that I'm going to dock all your wages! Something's definitely wrong!

"On this day filled with 'joy',"

The crab owner continued to announce in that exaggerated tone.

"I, the generous Krab King, the owner of the Krusty Krab, have decided—today, the Krusty Krab will be temporarily closed for dine-in service!"

What?!

Temporarily closed?!

Jiang Xiu almost thought he had misheard.

Would the crab owner, who values ​​business hours above all else and considers closing the shop for even a minute as a painful loss, voluntarily suspend business?

Is this happening during a "holiday" when it might be profitable? This is even more unbelievable than Patrick Star suddenly getting accepted into Harvard!

The live stream chat in China was instantly flooded with question marks:

"Has the crab owner changed his ways?"

"Impossible! This is definitely a scam!"

"A Christmas event in an S-rank dungeon... there's no way it'll be normal!"

In the other surviving chosen ones' live streams, upon hearing the same announcement, those already demoralized players were even more bewildered, completely unable to understand the meaning behind this unusual action, and could only feel more uneasy.

"but--!"

The crab boss drawled out his words, his small eyes gleaming with a shrewd light and a hint of something sinister about them, before abruptly changing the subject.

"To ensure that the residents of Bikini Bottom don't miss out on enjoying a delicious Krabby Patty on this 'special' day, and to demonstrate our meticulous 'care'... we've decided that today we'll only be offering takeout service!"

He brandished the pliers, pointing them at Jiang Xiu and SpongeBob, his voice suddenly rising:

"And you! My dear Squidward, and my endlessly energetic SpongeBob! You are today's glorious deliverymen! Responsible for delivering the 'joy' of Christmas to every customer!"

Jiang Xiu: "..."

His inner turmoil erupted like a volcano: Delivery drivers?! I knew it! How could they really be on holiday! So this is what they were waiting for! Sending cashiers and cooks to deliver food? How could you even think of that! And delivering food in this godforsaken place? Who knows what kind of customers they'll get, or what they'll encounter on the way! This is absolutely a trap, a huge trap!

However, his outward reaction remained Squidward-esque—he rolled his eyes dramatically, sighed deeply, slumped his shoulders, and complained in a resigned tone:

"Delivering takeout? In this godforsaken world where even the seawater is too lazy to flow? Mr. Krabs, do you think my artistic temperament hasn't been ruined enough? Do you have to make me covered in takeout box grease and... who knows what other weird stuff? My clarinet will cry."

SpongeBob, however, jumped up excitedly.

"Delivery driver! Awesome! I can put on my special delivery scooter and deliver hot Krabby Patties and Christmas greetings to every corner of Bikini Bottom! I'm ready! I'm ready!"

The Krabs owner ignored Jiang Xiu's complaints and expressed "appreciation" for SpongeBob's enthusiasm.

"Very good! SpongeBob! Keep it up! As for you, Squidward..."

He turned to Jiang Xiu, lowering his voice but with a strong sense of threat, "Today's 'delivery service' is crucial; it's related to our store's... um... 'holiday reputation' and 'special revenue.' Do a good job, or else... deduct your salary! Three times! No, five times!"

Another pay cut.

Jiang Xiu appeared even more listless, but inwardly he was calmly analyzing the situation.

"Special revenue"... probably doesn't refer to ordinary currency. Delivering food is a mandatory task, and both the journey and the "customers" receiving the goods are extremely dangerous. But refusing or behaving abnormally is definitely not an option. You have to go, and you have to go in the "Octopus Brother" way—reluctantly, complaining, but forced to do it.

"Sigh... I know." Jiang Xiu replied listlessly, as if he had already foreseen his miserable day.

The crab owner nodded in satisfaction and handed over two slightly worn-out takeout boxes with the Krusty Krab logo, which didn't keep food very warm, and... a crumpled takeout order list that looked like it had been repeatedly scribbled and modified.

"These are today's orders, and the addresses are all written here. SpongeBob, you're in charge of the East Zone and Coral Hill. Squidward, you're in charge of the West Zone and Shipwreck Zone. Remember, be punctual, accurate, and make sure the customers receive their Krabby Patties on time and to their satisfaction! This is a 'Christmas Special' order!" The Krabby Shopkeeper emphasized a few words, his eyes full of meaning.

Jiang Xiu took his own insulated box and order list. The box felt unusually heavy and cold to the touch, and the handwriting on the order was distorted and blurry. Some addresses did not look like normal Bikini Bottom locations at all.

Thus began his Christmas "deliveryman" career, amidst the Krabs owner's eerie smile, SpongeBob's excessive enthusiasm, and Jiang Xiu's constant complaints and vigilance.

The hearts of the Chinese audience were once again in suspense.

"Delivering takeout? Isn't that more dangerous than working in the store? You have to go out!"

"Those addresses sound off! A shipwreck area? They'll probably attract a different kind of customer!"

"Jiang Xiu, you must be careful! Act according to the situation!"

International viewers are also watching with bated breath, wondering how many survivors will be eliminated by this unexpected "Christmas delivery" challenge.

Jiang Xiu carried the cold insulated box, looked at the bizarrely decorated streets of Bikini Bottom shrouded in gray fog, and then glanced at the unsettling order in his hand.

"Merry Christmas?"

He muttered under his breath, a bitter smile curving his lips, "I think 'Christmas Horror' is a better word."