"What the hell are you talking about! Are you really that eager for me to die?" Lord Cha's tone was as indignant as ever.
"I'm an Anomaly, not some fragile human. How could I die that easily? I'm just sealed, not dead!"
【You can still send messages while sealed? That's impressive,】 Zhang Qiuqiu replied in the chat. 【So, you're trapped in there now. Is it uncomfortable?】
【Tell us, how does it feel?】 Ren Yi asked, seeing that Lord Cha still seemed full of energy.
【It's pitch black. I can't see a thing. Aside from browsing the web, I can't do anything else,】 Lord Cha's message dripped with resentment.
Ren Yi couldn't help but laugh. He replied: 【What do you mean 'aside from browsing the web'? Isn't being able to use the internet enough? Be content. Once again, let's thank the Anomaly Web boss for the thoughtful service.】
【... You've got a point. I can't even argue with that.】 Lord Cha completely broke down, sending a face-palm emoji before going silent. He had likely decided to just rot away inside his seal.
Just then, the Silence Rule suddenly lifted. However, the banquet hall, which had been deathly silent, remained that way as everyone fell into an eerie hush.
Then, yesterday's sequence repeated itself. The utensils on the table suddenly clattered as they were overturned by an invisible force. The curtains were abruptly pulled back, and piercing sunlight flooded the hall, making everyone's eyes sting.
This time, however, the situation was a bit awkward. Everyone was staring at each other with wide, unblinking eyes. No one looked away, each person deathly focused on observing the reactions of others.
Clearly, Player 11's claim that "Anomalies don't blink" had been seared into everyone's minds. They were all trying to find a flaw in the others, resulting in a room full of people staring like lunatics.
Now, no one in the room was blinking. They looked like a collection of stiff wooden puppets.
Ren Yi couldn't hold it back any longer and let out a low chuckle.
This makeup was truly a godsend. He didn't have to restrain himself; his exaggerated Jester's grin masked his true emotions perfectly.
He looked up, scanning the room with a playful tone. "I say, aren't we all being a bit silly?"
As soon as he spoke, Player 2, the child Peeper, looked at him with a dead-serious expression.
"Player 3, I've personally vouched for your innocence. I hope you play well. Don't let my sacrifice go to waste."
Ren Yi arched an eyebrow and gave Player 2 a mock gesture of surrender, followed by a meaningful look.
Regardless of whether Player 11 was the Poison Apprentice, she hadn't exposed herself yet. From the perspective of Player 2, the Peeper, Ren Yi was the only "confirmed innocent" and the person he believed to be the Poison Apprentice.
Thus, the meaning behind Ren Yi's look was clear: Understood. I'll make sure to 'poison' the right people.
As for how Player 2 interpreted it, that wasn't Ren Yi's concern.
Time was short. After the Silence Rule was lifted, they only had a limited window to move. Ren Yi didn't plan on chatting with the others. He turned and headed toward his original room.
He needed to get back quickly and discuss tonight's plan with his companions.
But halfway there, he heard footsteps behind him and a soft call: "Player 3, wait a moment!"
Ren Yi turned around and was stunned—it was Player 2.
Before he could speak, Player 2 looked up with a serious little face. "I want to sleep in your room tonight."
Ren Yi: "???"
Kid, there's something seriously wrong with you.
He quickly searched his mind for how a human should react in this situation... Right!
Ren Yi immediately took two steps back. His Jester makeup remained exaggerated, but for the first time, a look of genuine horror flickered in his eyes.
His expression practically screamed: Even though you saved my life today, you can't be serious!
"No, wait, what are you thinking?!"
Seeing this, Player 2 quickly waved his hands to explain. "What's inside that head of yours? I didn't mean it like that."
Ren Yi didn't reply. He took another two steps back until his back hit the wall.
Player 2's mouth twitched. He had no choice but to explain patiently.
"It seems like the rooms didn't decrease in number today. I feel like I'll be safer if I stay with you."
Ren Yi instantly understood. The subtext was clear: You're the Poison Apprentice, so you have the ability to protect yourself if an Anomaly shows up. I'll live longer if I follow you.
But Ren Yi definitely couldn't stay with him.
The situation at night was unknown. There was a high probability he would need to go out and take action. If he stayed with Player 2, he wouldn't be able to move at all.
Moreover, the Locksmith would most likely use his ability on Player 2 tonight. If that happened, Ren Yi would be locked inside the room and wouldn't even be able to open the door.
As for killing Player 2 tonight, Ren Yi felt it was still up for debate.
First, Player 2 had been completely hoodwinked by him and considered him a confirmed innocent. Keeping him alive allowed them to use his Peeper identity to confuse the other good players. Killing him now would be a waste.
Second, based on his knowledge of the Locksmith's ability, killing Player 2 would require being in the same room. Once he acted, if the Locksmith stepped forward tomorrow and claimed he had locked Player 2's room, Ren Yi's identity would be instantly exposed.
As for whether the Locksmith would try to out-predict his predictions and lock someone else instead of guarding Player 2, Ren Yi didn't dare gamble. Their goal was to slaughter the town; they couldn't afford to take any risks.
However, Ren Yi was currently struggling to find a reason to refuse Player 2's request.
After all, staying with Player 2 meant getting protection from the Locksmith. For a normal person, there was no reason to refuse.
Wait... he wasn't a normal person.
Realizing this, Ren Yi decisively shook his head and spoke bluntly: "No."
Player 2 looked confused and pressed further. "Why? It's safer for both of us if we're together. I can ensure you don't get killed by an Anomaly tonight."
Ren Yi looked up, his tone flat but carrying an air of finality. "I'm going out."
The subtext was simple: I'm using my poison tonight. I'm going out to kill.
Indeed, while everyone else was thinking of hiding in their rooms to save their lives, this "madman" was planning to take the initiative and go looking for trouble with the Anomalies.
Player 2 fell silent. Seeing the determination in Ren Yi's eyes, he knew the man's mind was made up. He didn't push further, simply nodding and whispering, "Alright then."
With that, he turned into a nearby room and closed the door.
Ren Yi watched his back, let out a sigh of relief, and continued toward his own room.
Upon returning, Ren Yi immediately noticed a difference.
In the safe room without a key, the light was much dimmer. The airtight, sealed sensation from yesterday had faded significantly.
He could clearly feel a ghostly cold wind whistling through the cracks in the door and windows, carrying a bone-chilling frost.
But as an Anomaly, Ren Yi didn't need to worry about such things.
He linked to the Anomaly Web and opened the group chat.
【Alright, everyone. Let's discuss.】
【Who are we killing... tonight?】
Rate on N.U.
