The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 2 Handover Work

"Come with me."

Swishing his tail, Niu Ma guided Liu Zheng further into the restaurant's depths.

They moved through the staff hallway and quickly reached a three-way fork.

Red emergency lights illuminated the left path, carpet covered the front one, while two blue drapes concealed the right.

He perked up his ears; bone-chopping sounds appeared to come from behind those curtains.

"The waitstaff rest area lies straight ahead, right leads to the kitchen's domain, and left is our turf. Keep it in mind—don't stray wrong."

Niu Ma cautioned.

Consequences of a wrong choice?

Niu Ma kept silent, and so did Liu Zheng on the matter.

A few paces leftward, he abruptly spun around.

Moments ago, a woman's shrill cry had pierced the air.

Liu Zheng halted, straining to hear; the scream persisted, fading gradually.

"She's probably still kicking—want to rush in and rescue her?"

Now Niu Tou's massive head loomed near his face.

Liu Zheng pivoted to confront the smirking, furry visage.

"You wishing for me to head there?"

His gaze locked onto those enormous eyes as he spoke.

"Work drags on endlessly; some entertainment spices it up. But anyway..."

Niu Ma raised a nimble forehoof, slung it over Liu Zheng's shoulder, and steered him elsewhere.

"Lucky you—I could use an assistant at the moment."

A powerful shove from Niu Ma propelled Liu Zheng onward, resistance futile.

"Everyone here requires a position."

With those weighty words from Niu Ma, they departed the junction.

The woman's cries diminished, swallowed by the curtained shadows.

"We've arrived."

Minutes passed before Niu Ma released Liu Zheng's shoulder.

A dark corridor stretched ahead, with an aged wooden door to the right.

"Delivery exit over there; this door's our lounge."

Finishing up, Niu Ma parted his jaws, tongue curling to expose a concealed key.

Key gripped in its mouth, it fumbled toward the door's keyhole.

Evidently, a tricky endeavor.

"Help needed?"

Liu Zheng could watch no more.

"Fine, you handle it."

Niu Ma's mouth gaped, letting foul saliva drip onto the key.

Expression unchanged, he accepted the key and slotted it home.

A creak sounded as the door swung open.

"Nice job. Seems you're useful indeed."

Niu Ma praised with approval.

Then it glanced back, spotting a slim hand grooming its fur.

"What gives?"

Niu Ma barely managed a scowl.

"Cleaning my hands."

Liu Zheng stated evenly.

"I get that—what I'm asking is why on me?"

Niu Ma's breaths deepened.

"I won't mooch off others; reject it if it's not mine."

He declared sincerely.

Niu Ma's nostrils widened, bull-like eyes flashing menace.

Still, Liu Zheng met its stare calmly, devoid of fear or challenge.

After an eternity, Niu Ma huffed.

"Human, your smarts might bite you back."

It grumbled lowly.

It recognized this human probing its boundaries.

"A touch of wit just delays the end a bit, yeah? Hate hunting a fresh partner so quick?"

He countered.

"Fair point—if all were as thick-headed as priors, I'd be done for eventually. Too sharp, though, spells doom too."

Niu Ma grunted in response.

"Then guide me well, Niu Ma."

Liu Zheng beamed brightly.

"Guide you how?"

Niu Ma eyed him sideways.

"Because..."

Liu Zheng nearly voiced the need for aid, but overplaying it risked Niu Ma's rebellion.

Eyes on Niu Ma's bulging muscles and ridged spine, inspiration struck.

"Boss, fancy a massage?"

"Huh?"

A huge query mark hovered over Niu Ma's head.

Ten minutes on, in the deliverymen's lounge.

"Yeah, yeah, hit there—harder, perfect spot."

Niu Ma sprawled on the floor, face alight with delight.

"Relax, I'll sort you out swiftly."

Liu Zheng assured, hands gliding over Niu Ma's back.

"Boss, that spine of yours is badly warped."

He observed.

"Hauling loads daily—how could it stay straight? Unlike you humans with your handy arms."

Niu Ma griped.

"Why not dangle them from your horns?"

Liu Zheng inquired, intrigued.

"No way—risk damaging goods? Horns matter more to us than faces do to you."

Niu Ma shook his massive head firmly.

"Fair enough, I suppose."

Liu Zheng opted not to probe these alien quirks further.

This realm mirrored reality closely, yet entry signs and that scream signaled its horrors.

Prying more might shatter his sanity anew.

"Up you get—test it out."

Twenty minutes later, Liu Zheng slapped Niu Ma's rear.

"Feels great—keep going awhile?"

Niu Ma rose grudgingly, all fours planted.

He circled the lounge excitedly, joy plain on his broad mug.

"Kid, you've got real talent here."

Niu Ma lifted hooves in acclaim.

"Mere skill, nothing special."

Liu Zheng demurred humbly.

He'd apprenticed briefly under a Bajiquan sifu.

Sifu lacked prowess, but bone-setting massages were heirloom arts.

Liu Zheng, seeing no fist path, shelled out extra for those healing techniques.

"No free rides—park yourself; time to detail your duties."

Niu Ma declared.

Liu Zheng scanned about, spotting no seat.

"Humans complicate everything—hold on."

Niu Ma hawked up a keyring, unlocked a cabinet, and fished out a tiny stool.

"Sit. Belonged to my predecessor's predecessor's predecessor."

"Where's he at now?"

Liu Zheng toyed with the stool, question casual.

"In the kitchen."

Niu Ma answered.

"Cooking?"

"As food."

"Uh, right."

He shrugged, unfazed yet it fit perfectly.

"Any delivery experience?"

Niu Ma probed.

"None."

Liu Zheng pondered briefly before answering.

"Then I'll walk you through it."

Niu Ma pressed on without more queries.

"Spot that hole?"

He gestured skyward.

Liu Zheng traced the direction, noting a rectangular slot under a wooden panel, shielded by a sliding board.

"See it."

He acknowledged with a nod.

"Order comes: paper slips through the hole. Pause thirty seconds, grab from the cart outside, deliver per slip details. Clear?"

"Clear."

"Excellent—that cabinet's yours; gear's all inside."

Liu Zheng inspected the open locker: uniform, flip phone, map.

The phone, ancient clamshell, held no contacts.

"Commit my number to memory."

Niu Ma rattled off digits.

While jotting, Liu Zheng keyed it into contacts.

"Don't save."

Niu Ma halted him.

"Why not?"

"Rule one," Niu Ma's deep tone resounded through the lounge.

"Never store numbers in that phone."