Lord Cha clearly hadn't known about Zhang Qiuqiu's ability. It was only after Ren Yi explained it clearly that the realization finally dawned on it.
【Holy crap, that's so underhanded!】
Zhang Qiuqiu slowly typed a question mark into the group chat.
【Uh, I mean, that ability is way too powerful! Our Board Game Club has a worthy successor!】
Lord Cha immediately backtracked, not forgetting to verbally include Zhang Qiuqiu in "our" Board Game Club.
Theoretically, Zhang Qiuqiu's Possession ability could produce an extremely unique effect in this game of Anomaly Kill, serving as a hidden trump card.
However, in terms of actual execution, Zhang Qiuqiu would still have to leave her room and enter another participant's room to make eye contact.
If the Peeper was watching her, it would be hard to avoid suspicious scenarios like "Number 7 left her room and died that night" or "Number 7 entered someone else's room and died instantly on the spot." People would likely figure out her identity.
It was clear that the wills of both worlds had reached a tacit understanding here.
The game rules could impose various restrictions, but the effects of the Anomalies' abilities could not be directly revealed through the rules.
Yet, the opposing world's will had clearly left a back door. Settings like "clues to abilities exist within the manor" were designed to break that restriction.
That being said, these participants were only on the second speech of the first round, and they had already started to suspect the truth?
【But how did they figure it out? Even I, Lord Cha, didn't know, so how do they?】
In the group chat, Lord Cha posted a soul-searching question.
【Did someone forget to turn off their cheats last round?】 Lu Zihan replied instantly.
He was implying they were using some kind of exploit.
Ren Yi felt a bit helpless.
【The rule restrictions are there; they definitely can't cheat. They shouldn't have any extra clues yet.】
It seemed they had run into some pro players. This was going to be a tough game.
Player 1 looked like he had stepped into a huge pit at the start, but he was clearly thinking through the situation seriously. The kid, Player 2, had even clearer logic.
But there were more urgent matters at hand.
Ren Yi sent a message in the group: 【Monitor, it's almost my turn to speak. Should I do it, or you?】
He meant, "Should I claim to be the Lost Soul, or should you?"
It was time for a counter-claim. In a game like this, the Peeper might stay hidden, but how could the Anomalies not claim a role?
If they didn't... where would the fun be?
The four of them were positioned as Player 3 (Ren Yi), Player 7 (Zhang Qiuqiu), Player 8 (Lu Zihan), and Player 12 (Lord Cha).
Based on the speaking order, Ren Yi was the first among them to speak. Theoretically, the one who claimed a role early would find it easier to gain everyone's trust.
However, Zhang Qiuqiu's position wasn't bad either, and she might be able to use her Possession ability to pull off some tricks or create an opening.
【No, no, don't claim it. I will.】
Zhang Qiuqiu took full responsibility.
Very well. Since the class monitor wanted to show off, then he naturally had to...
Claim! Of course he had to claim!
Was this a joke? They were playing Anomaly Kill. Whoever didn't claim a role was a coward!
Ren Yi's mindset was exceptionally relaxed. To put it bluntly, he had been dragged into this by Lord Cha and forced into the role; he had no psychological burden whatsoever.
Alright, jokes aside, Ren Yi had his reasons for doing this.
【I think I should try to claim it for you first,】 he said in the group.
【I feel like this mechanic of voting during the first round of speeches is a bit too simplistic.】
【I'll test the waters for you.】
【If I feel like something's wrong, I'll say I was just joking at the end. It won't affect you.】
This series of maneuvers left the other two in the group dazed.
Lu Zihan sent a confused emoji: 【Stool, what kind of chaotic move is this?】
Lu Zihan felt like his perfectly normal best friend had suddenly gone unhinged.
【You don't understand,】 Ren Yi said succinctly.
【I am role-playing the strongest type of character in this game...】
【The Chaotic Villager!】
While they were chatting, Player 2, the kid, analyzed a few more points.
Finally, he left a comment saying he was speaking too early to have much information and would vote based on the speeches that followed. After saying his piece, he blew out the candle in front of him, ending his turn.
Next was Ren Yi. He stood up with a flourish, his gaze scanning all the players around the round table with disdain. He cleared his throat and began.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, all eyes on me!"
"I am the one and only true Lost Soul of this game."
Just as he made a deliberate pause to let everyone digest the information, something unexpected happened.
The cluster of dim yellow flame on the candelabra in front of him suddenly turned a ghastly green with a soft whoosh.
This sudden change choked the next sentence right back into Ren Yi's throat.
He looked at the candle in silence, then spoke tentatively.
"Just kidding. I'm actually not."
With a whoosh, the candle turned back to its original yellow.
"Fooled you. I actually am."
The candle jumped back to green again.
Ren Yi paused, his lips slowly curling into a playful smile.
Next, he didn't even speak. He just repeatedly thought "I am" or "I am not" in his mind.
Consequently, everyone at the table watched in silence as the candle in front of him flickered back and forth, turning yellow one moment and green the next.
Sitting across from him, Lu Zihan looked at Ren Yi's smiling face—covered in white face paint with a long red line drawn across his mouth with lipstick—and his expression gradually turned to one of horror.
He couldn't help but message the group chat.
【Lord Cha, look at what you've done!】
【The game just started, and you've already driven Stool insane!】
On the other side, Ren Yi reached out with great interest and touched the flickering flame.
Only then did he notice that, at some point, a pair of thick white gloves had appeared on his hands.
This damn game's "costume and makeup" department was quite thorough.
He just didn't know how effective this round's performance was or if it would convey the "persona" he had assigned himself.
"Ahem, sorry about that. There was a little glitch." Seeing that the flame had no temperature and caused him no harm, Ren Yi showed a look of slight disappointment.
It seemed the candle was just a small prop that could be controlled by one's intent.
Right now, turning green served to indicate "I am the Lost Soul."
He wondered if claiming another identity would turn it a different color.
Scared me for a second. I almost thought it was a lie detector.
"Back to the topic. Where was I? Oh... the Lost Soul."
"Those two audience members earlier seemed very worried that the Lost Soul would be afraid of death and wouldn't dare to step forward."
"Sorry to say, but your worries were unnecessary. Haven't I arrived?" He raised his hands in a wide gesture, looking completely fearless.
"Ahem, let's be serious." Ren Yi reined in some of his playfulness.
"I'm the third speaker, and no one has stepped up to challenge me yet, so there's not much to argue about with you all."
"I'll just follow the logic of the previous two and do some casual analysis."
"The first two speakers had their own ideas, but they were mostly hung up on these safe rooms."
"I get what Speaker 1 meant. He thinks the rooms might actually be safe, and giving us all keys on the first day likely means it'll be a peaceful night."
"Speaker 2 said that Great Anomalies with special abilities among the Anomalies will create complex situations."
"And the Anomalies' nightly kills might not be as simple as killing whoever they want; there might be conditions or restrictions."
"If you ask me, there's no need to think that deeply for now." Ren Yi thinned his lips, flashing what he thought was a gentle smile.
"After a couple of nights pass and a few people die, won't we know everything?"
Rate on N.U.
