“Dissatisfaction?” Panshi keenly grasped the key point in Cheng Shuili’s words. “You mean that killing an attendant itself might trigger some hidden rule that is disadvantageous to us?”
“Exactly.” Cheng Shuili nodded, her gaze sweeping over the corpses of the attendants on the ground. “The Faceless Jester is the embodiment of the rules, and it must abide by them as well. But it is clearly pleased to see us violate those rules, or… infringe upon its taboos. Killing its attendants is very likely accumulating its dissatisfaction. When that dissatisfaction reaches a certain threshold, it might be able to bypass certain restrictions and act against us directly.”
This speculation was reasonable and made all the players break out in a cold sweat.
But soon, a player frowned and questioned: “If you knew that from the start, why did you still attack that attendant?! We only killed the impostors; up until now, among those present, only you have killed an attendant! And you were the one who knew.”
Cheng Shuili’s expression remained unchanged. She didn't even glance at him, simply asking: “Does anyone else have any questions?”
That plain face showed no panic at being questioned; instead, it carried a condescending sense of scrutiny.
A brief silence filled the air.
Under her gaze, the questioning player’s momentum involuntarily weakened, but he still stiffened his neck, seemingly wanting an explanation.
Hao Hao gripped her axe tightly, staring fiercely at the man with an expression that suggested she would attack at the slightest provocation.
Panshi’s brow furrowed, and he was about to step in to smooth things over.
Cheng Shuili spoke first. She stared at the guy who had jumped out and said only four words: “None of your business?”
These four words were like ice picks, instantly piercing the tense atmosphere.
The questioning player’s face flushed red instantly, as if his throat had been throttled; all his prepared rhetoric was stuck in his windpipe.
He opened his mouth, but couldn't make a sound.
The surrounding players were also stunned, not expecting Cheng Shuili to respond so directly, or perhaps even rudely.
But strangely, this unadorned toughness caused the wavering hearts of the crowd to instantly stabilize.
In such a precarious, desperate situation, a leader who is sufficiently strong and firm in will is far more reassuring than a pushover who tries to reason with everyone and please everyone.
Hao Hao almost couldn't help but laugh out loud; she quickly lowered her head, her shoulders shaking slightly.
She felt more and more that following this big boss was absolutely the right decision!
Panshi swallowed the words he had prepared to smooth things over. The corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly, finally turning into a light cough.
Kyle turned his head away and snorted, but he didn't say anything else.
Although he was arrogant, he wasn't stupid. He knew it wasn't the time for infighting, and… for some reason, Cheng Shuili’s “I’m like this, deal with it” attitude didn't actually make him feel much resentment.
In the end, it was the female member of Panshi’s team whose eyes lit up as she looked at Cheng Shuili and asked: “Then what should we do next?”
Finally, someone cared about this.
Cheng Shuili revealed a faint smile. Her gaze swept over everyone present, and she said clearly:
Cheng Shuili’s gaze swept over everyone present, and she said clearly:
“Next, we need to do two things. First, figure out what this so-called dessert time actually is and how to deal with it. Second…”
She paused, a cold light flashing in her eyes, “Attempt to overthrow the feast.”
“Overthrow the feast?” Kyle couldn't help but repeat. “How is that possible? That Faceless Jester is impossible to kill!”
“Who said anything about killing it?” Cheng Shuili retorted. “It is a rule monster; it cannot be killed by players at all. But when it violates its own rules, it will likewise be erased by the rules. What we need to do is force it to make a mistake.”
This information was like a stone cast into a calm lake, stirring up layers of ripples.
The light of hope reignited in the players’ eyes.
“How do we do that specifically?” Kyle asked in a low voice, his tone filled with unprecedented seriousness.
Cheng Shuili couldn't help but shrug her shoulders. “If I knew everything, what would I need you for?”
“You—!” Kyle was choked up again, but this time he didn't lash out, just irritably scratched his hair.
Panshi was even thicker-skinned than anyone; he actually nodded in deep agreement and said: “Indeed. If Crow could do it all by herself, this team dungeon would be meaningless.”
This flattery was a bit too obvious.
Players from other teams weren't familiar with Panshi and didn't think much of it, but the members of his own team looked at each other, their astonishment nearly overflowing.
When did their captain learn to be such a sycophant?
Cheng Shuili was also choked by Panshi’s sudden “righteousness.” She glanced at him, didn't reply, and instead shifted her gaze toward the guests and attendants who were still eating mechanically, pondering for a moment before directly assigning tasks.
“Panshi, take your people and keep a close eye on the real attendants and guests who are still eating. Record any subtle movements, especially the direction their eyes look or repetitive little gestures.”
“Kyle, your group has loud voices; go harass those impostors who look restless. You don't have to ask directly; just hover around them and discuss whether the dessert will be very sweet or what to do if you can't finish it, and observe their reactions.”
What does it mean to have loud voices?
A vein pulsed on Kyle’s temple, but looking at Cheng Shuili’s matter-of-fact way of assigning tasks, he forced his retort back down, just snorting heavily through his nose to signify his default.
Cheng Shuili didn't care if he was willing or not; her gaze moved to other teams, issuing tasks one by one like a dutiful NPC.
But no matter what she told them to do, it could be summarized in four words: find information.
The more you know, the greater the chance of survival.
The action was effective.
News came back from Panshi’s side quickly.
“Crow! I found something! Those real attendants and guests, every three minutes or so, their eyes will simultaneously and very briefly glance at the bottom left corner of the shadow behind the main seat! The frequency is very fixed! That is very likely the island-core passage the impostors mentioned!”
Perhaps.
But it wasn't very useful.
Finding a way to escape the island would only allow a small number of people to survive. Of course, the reason Cheng Shuili chose the path of “overthrowing the feast” was definitely not because she wanted to save these people.
It was because as long as everyone focused their eyes on this path, the matter of the attendant mark would be exposed sooner or later.
This was a necessary requirement for leaving the island, and almost all players would attempt to kill attendants.
And if too many attendants died… Cheng Shuili knew the consequences all too well.
Who is the person the Faceless Jester wants to kill the most right now?
Naturally, without a doubt, it is this Cheng Shuili who sent it local specialties!
Thinking of this, Cheng Shuili couldn't help but rest her chin in her hand again.
The Faceless Jester is really like the dog biting Lu Dongbin—it doesn't appreciate kindness!
Other players didn't bring it any gifts at all, yet she brought gifts, and the Faceless Jester still wanted to target her.
Cheng Shuili did want special treatment, but not this kind of special treatment.
Kyle also sent news quickly: “Those impostors! When they heard the word ‘dessert,’ a few of them clearly shuddered! We deliberately discussed how the last dessert was too cloying and we almost couldn't finish it, and one guy even dropped his fork! They definitely know something, and they are terrified!”
Terror…
Cheng Shuili captured this keyword.
For the guys who are trying to survive in the cracks of the rules by disguising themselves as attendants to feel terror, dessert time is definitely not just dining in the literal sense.
“Dessert is very likely not food, but… us.”
Cheng Shuili’s voice was icy as she voiced everyone’s subconscious speculation.
“Or, it is some kind of deadly ritual that requires our participation. The previous stages were following the rules for dining and mandatory dancing, so dessert time is likely the final, and most dangerous, screening or execution.”
Hao Hao suddenly spoke up, adding: “Don't forget, the guests are called Sacrificial Guests throughout the entire event.”
“In other words, we might be the dessert?”
Panshi’s expression was grave, and his voice involuntarily deepened as he spoke this speculation.
This conclusion made the surrounding temperature seem to drop by several degrees.
If “dessert” refers to the players, then the so-called “dessert time” is likely an inescapable slaughter or sacrifice targeting them.
“Sacrificial Guests… so we are the actual sacrifices.” Kyle spat out, his face ugly. “This damn place really doesn't have good intentions!”
“What do we do now?” The female member of Panshi’s team said, her voice trembling slightly. “If we are the dessert, then doesn't that mean we can only wait for death?”
Panic began to spread quietly like a plague.
Cheng Shuili, however, shook her head, her eyes remaining calm: “Not necessarily. A rule monster must abide by the rules; this is its greatest constraint, and it is our only chance. Dessert time is a stage, and it must have its specific rules and procedures. We are not necessarily food waiting to be eaten passively.”
She paused, looked around at everyone, and said in a resolute tone: “Remember, at this feast, we are guests first.”
“As long as we maintain this identity, the Faceless Jester cannot arbitrarily put us on the dinner table. It must find a reasonable justification, or guide us into violating a rule that allows us to be transformed into dessert.”
These words were like an adrenaline shot, temporarily stabilizing the hearts of the crowd.
Just then, melodious bell chimes suddenly echoed across the island.
Clang—Clang—Clang—
Every player’s heart tightened.
On the high platform, the ghostly figure of the Faceless Jester emerged once again.
It didn't speak immediately, just swept across the entire venue with that featureless face, as if it were counting something.
When its gaze swept over the corpses of the attendants on the ground, and paused slightly on Cheng Shuili in particular, an invisible, cold pressure seemed to fill the air.
“My dear, distinguished guests…” the Faceless Jester spoke, its voice still carrying that exaggerated cheerfulness, but if one listened closely, one could detect a trace of… anticipation that was hard to perceive.
“It seems everyone has had a rather… active rest time. The fun of a feast lies in participation, doesn't it?”
It tilted its head slightly, its hollow face seeming to face the direction of Cheng Shuili.
“To thank all the guests for your… enthusiasm, for the next stage, we will officially enter dessert time!”
The lingering sound of the bell was still vibrating in the air, and the Faceless Jester’s words were like cold chains, wrapping around every player’s heart.
“Dessert time…” a player muttered in a daze, their face turning deathly pale.
The figure on the high platform spread its arms in an embracing gesture, its voice becoming increasingly high-pitched and joyful: “The rules are simple! In ten minutes, I will randomly select one lucky guest to share dessert with me! And the selected guest needs to… personally make the dessert!”
Personally make it?
The players looked at each other, a deeper chill rising from the soles of their feet.
As these sacrificial guests, what would they use to make dessert?
The Faceless Jester seemed to see through their confusion, turning its smooth face toward Cheng Shuili’s direction, its cheerful tone mixed with an indescribable malice: “The materials for making the dessert are, naturally… part of the feast. For example, certain… impurities that are too active, or even disrupt the harmonious atmosphere of the banquet.”
As soon as its words fell, a small area around Cheng Shuili instantly cleared, leaving only Hao Hao still standing in place.
Cheng Shuili: “…”
All the players’ gazes landed on her, either implicitly or directly.
Panshi and Kyle’s expressions changed drastically as well.
The Faceless Jester was practically spelling it out!
It was borrowing a knife to kill someone!
It wanted to use the other players to get rid of this “thorn in the side” who constantly provoked the rules and killed attendants!
“Of course,” the Faceless Jester added slowly, its fingers pointing casually at the players below the platform, “it could also be anyone else present. After all, the fun of a feast lies in the surprise, doesn't it?”
Random selection, but the materials were specifically targeted at the disruptive Cheng Shuili.
This appeared random, but in reality, it placed Cheng Shuili in opposition to all the other players.
If the selected person was not Cheng Shuili, then in order to survive, that lucky person might have no choice but to take action against her!
If the person selected was Cheng Shuili herself…
Then she would have to face the bizarre rule of making dessert, as well as the possibility of other players kicking her while she was down.
“What a poisonous scheme…”
Panshi cursed under his breath; this was practically putting Crow on a roasting spit.
Yet Cheng Shuili herself seemed as if she hadn't heard the target that was almost explicitly named; she even lifted a hand to stroke her chin, muttering to herself thoughtfully: “Making dessert… materials are impurities… so that’s the use of accumulating dissatisfaction.”
Still targeted.
Her previous killing of the attendants had indeed enraged the Faceless Jester and reached a certain threshold, allowing the Faceless Jester to prioritize setting her as the target using the rules during the dessert time stage.
But it didn't stop to think.
Among the players, who would have the courage to make a move on her?
To be selected is death; to move against her is death; to violate the rules is also death.
The toughness and decisiveness that Crow had displayed made her level of terror nearly equal to that of the Faceless Jester; as for who the selected player would choose to attack…
It was probably a fifty-fifty toss-up.
Hao Hao moved nervously closer to Cheng Shuili, holding her axe in front of her, vigilantly scanning the flickering eyes of the surrounding players: “Big boss Crow…?”
Cheng Shuili gave her a look that said ‘don't worry.’
The ten-minute countdown began.
Rate on N.U.
