Chapter 515 - 324: Zog’s Tourism Revenue Is Less Than Ideal

The Demon Shadow Festival had been underway for three days, and the residents of Deepwater City were gradually getting used to the strange behavior of the out-of-town tourists.

For instance, there were the groups of fans screaming, "AHHHHHH, so-and-so is over there!"

At first, people would think something urgent was happening.

Later, they gradually realized it was just another celebrity they didn't recognize appearing on the street.

This signature opening scream of "AHHHHHH" was jokingly dubbed the "Star-Chaser's Battle Cry."

Because for anyone who heard it, the level of anxiety it induced was comparable to an actual battle cry.

Fortunately, everyone's tolerance for people coming to spend money was quite high.

For most of the city's business owners, business had never been so good.

Making money put everyone in a better mood. Lately, civic relations were a picture of harmony, and no one could keep the smiles off their faces.

Except for Zog.

Zog stared at the revenue report, looking like someone owed him several hundred Gold Coins.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

Elsa asked curiously. She had also seen the revenue report; the numbers were absolutely outstanding, so she couldn't understand what Zog was unhappy about.

"Nearly ninety percent of all spending is happening around the Demon Shadow Festival grounds, the station, and the hotels. The other ten percent is from people playing the full version of Doomsday Warrior," Zog said, his expression serious.

"Uh... and?"

Elsa asked, thoroughly confused.

"Isn't the whole point of the Demon Shadow Festival to attract people to spend money? Why are you upset that they're spending it *at* the festival?"

She thought Zog was being a little ridiculous.

Zog shot Elsa a disdainful look. "Idiot. Of course the Demon Shadow Festival is meant to get people to spend money, but more importantly, it's a traffic driver. My goal is to use the festival to attract people here, and then get them to explore other parts of the city."

"But right now, no one is going to the other areas. That means once the Demon Shadow Festival is over, Deepwater City will have no way to attract tourists. This is just a once-a-year business that lasts a few weeks."

Deepwater City had built numerous entertainment facilities and venues, with a 'Devil' theme as the main selling point. They had cooperated deeply with Asmodis, striving to turn the city into a famous tourist destination.

However, it now seemed they were failing. The tourists just weren't interested in the city's other attractions.

Even if this batch of tourists were Shadow of Evil fans who had come with a single-minded purpose and little interest in other activities, the conversion rate shouldn't be this low.

"That's going to be hard," Elsa said. "Famous tourist cities are famous because they have long histories, scenic spots, historical landmarks, that sort of thing. We're a brand-new city."

"Does Twin Tower City have a long history?"

"A lot longer than Deepwater City's. I think if we give it a few decades, this place could slowly develop into a tourist destination too. You're a Dragon; it's not like you can't afford to wait."

"No!"

Zog declared with a grave expression, "We are here to do what ordinary people believe is impossible."

Elsa knew all too well that when he started talking like this, he was probably about to assign her more work.

"Just think, a city only a few years old becoming one of the most famous cities on the Continent in one fell swoop! Isn't that exciting? Isn't that an achievement worthy of being remembered?"

"This isn't about how fast we can make money; it's about achieving an unprecedented miracle. Do you really want to just hoard untold riches and live out an ordinary, unremarkable life?"

Elsa really wanted to say that she did, but under Zog's stare, she reluctantly shook her head.

"Excellent. I knew you were a good kid with lofty ambitions. I have an important mission for you now: infiltrate the tourist groups and find out why they don't want to explore the rest of the city. No surveys or questionnaires. I want to hear their genuine feelings."

'She knew it.'

Elsa rolled her eyes.

'A job like this would have no set working hours, she could tell already.'

"Do a good job, and I'll consider giving you back the year-end bonus I docked," Zog added.

"I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

Elsa said, suddenly full of motivation.

Watching Elsa's retreating figure, Zog sighed.

'It's no good,' he thought. 'She's getting sharp. Empty promises don't work on her anymore. Fresh graduates are so much easier to fool...'

Elsa changed her clothes and, for once, painstakingly applied heavy makeup, taking her cues from the fans of the Zor Band.

A wild hairstyle, ultra-dark eyeshadow, and tons of accessories.

She even found an open-ended metal ring and clipped it onto her septum to fake a nose piercing.

'To be honest, she didn't quite understand how this strange fashion trend had become so popular.'

'A ring through the nose.'

'It was just too weird.'

'Even among the Beastmen, only a few tribes had a tradition of body piercing. The only other place she'd seen it was on cattle.'

'Didn't get it, but respected it.'

The reason for the disguise was that, while not exactly a public figure, she was well-known enough in the city to be easily recognized on the street.

Besides, many bands had been invited to the Demon Shadow Festival. Some had composed soundtracks for the Shadow of Evil films, while others were there to perform live.

As a result, many music fans with a similar look had flocked to Deepwater City.

There was also a significant overlap between music lovers and fans of Shadow of Evil.

Elsa's look didn't stand out at all here; in fact, it would make it easy for her to infiltrate groups with a similar style.

'Now *that's* what you call professional!'

And so, El-Undercover-Punk-Girl-Limited-Edition-Look-sa arrived at a bar near the city's largest hotel.

Many tourists liked to come here for a couple of drinks after returning from the Demon Shadow Festival grounds, just to kill time.

In other words.

They would rather kill time in a bar than go and explore anywhere else.