Quill and Rocket Raccoon decided to head to a newspaper office not far from Central Park, New York. This decision was entirely based on instinct, without meticulous consideration. In fact, it seemed as if the duo didn't possess the ability to deliberate thoroughly.
Perhaps they had encountered so many dangers during their wanderings that they could face this catastrophic disaster with a relatively relaxed attitude. At least, Quill seemed relaxed enough to be disturbing.
The reason for their action this time was that they had found nothing in Central Park, New York, but found the corpse of a newspaper stand owner nearby and a card of a journalist from the newspaper office on him.
The card indicated that the newspaper office was not far from here. In order to solve the question of whether society was panicking, Quill and Rocket Raccoon decided to go to the newspaper office. After all, many journalists from small newspaper offices are like hyenas - if there is no chaos, they will create it. If there is a bit of disorder, won't they exaggerate it instantly with their reports?
After arriving at the newspaper office, the two easily found the archive room and began rummaging through the pile of files.
However, disappointingly, this seemingly not too famous newspaper didn't spread rumors like some unscrupulous news channels. It appeared that they were a media outlet focusing on tourism, so it was no wonder they were situated near Central Park, New York.
A large portion of their reports were about New York region travel information. They seemed to be in collaboration with many travel agencies as the newspaper was filled with their advertisements. After rummaging for a while, all they found were several useless tourist site introduction details.
Quill stared at a sample copy of one of the magazines, checked the date, and said, "Didn't we see a perpetual calendar at the entrance when we came in? Judging by the release date of this magazine, until four months ago, this newspaper office was still functioning normally. All the corpses on the street have been there for at least three months. With only a few days left until the end of the world, how could they still find time to report on travel information?"
Quill was utterly confused. At this moment, Rocket Raccoon called out loud. He jumped down from atop the file cabinet, holding a tabloid in his hand, which he handed to Quill.
Quill browsed the information in the newspaper but found nothing significant. Then he looked at the date and yelled out, "Two months ago???"
If doomsday had occurred three months ago, how could there be an exquisitely printed and beautifully crafted tabloid from two months ago?
Quill covered his eyes and tried his best to figure out a theory with his somewhat dull brain: "We saw a corpse on the street, which might have died three months ago, and it's lain there ever since, unmoved."
"In other words, three months ago, the situation had worsened to the point where there were bodies everywhere on the street, and yet no one cared. The people must have known doomsday was upon us. After all, who could miss the bodies lying all over the street?"
"Knowing that doomsday had arrived, they still didn't hide at home but instead went to work at the newspaper office and even printed a travel tabloid? During all the years I was not on Earth, has the human race developed to the point of being so mad?"
"Could it be that they were published by the people trapped in the newspaper office for their own entertainment?" Rocket Raccoon suggested a possibility. He said, "I've met some people hiding in Doomsday Shelters in the past. They did everything possible to entertain themselves, to prevent going insane from solitude."
"How long were they hiding in the shelter?"
"Probably several decades."
"But doomsday only broke out a few months ago. How strong would someone's heart have to be to instantly adjust their mentality and start entertaining themselves after months of city destruction and bodies scattered all over?"
Rocket Raccoon fell silent. Clearly, Quill had convinced him. He believed that no intelligent being could be that oblivious.
It would be possible to find something entertaining after hiding for several decades. But they'd only been a few months into hiding, and in an unsafe environment. How could they have the peace of mind to write long paragraphs of elegant text praising the scenery? If they had that kind of willpower, shouldn't they have survived till today?
"Too strange," Quill sighed, took a breath, and then said, "There are many mysteries here, but I firmly believe there must be a key. Maybe it's in these documents."
After he finished speaking, he started searching again. With nothing else to do, Rocket Raccoon joined him. Approximately ten minutes later, Quill stopped moving. Rocket Raccoon jumped onto his shoulder, staring at the newspaper Quill held in his hands.
This was not a tabloid, but a full edition newspaper. Although this newspaper wasn't serious in nature, it evidently contained more information. Quill's gaze focused on the notice in the center of the header.
"Clarification by White Rose Travel Agency: The rumor that a self-harm pact occurred in a youth tour group we undertook last month is completely false. Tourists slipped and fell down a cliff at the scenic area by accident, which caused six people to be injured. They have all been sent to the hospital for treatment. According to the ruling by the New York State Court, our agency does not need to take responsibility for negligent supervision. Below is the sentencing…"
After Quill looked at the photo of the court ruling published in the newspaper, the meaning was clear: six tourists on a tour organized by a travel agency had got injured. However, since the incident occurred because they disobeyed the arrangement of the travel agency by going out for a hike at night and rolled down the mountain, the travel agency was not held responsible.