His words instantly cleared the heavy atmosphere in the hall.
The surprise on everyone's faces was gradually replaced by joy.
Indeed, this was an excellent solution.
After all, it wasn't them who would be dying. If Player 2 was willing to use his own death to bring about the end of the game, everyone was naturally happy to see it happen.
But... such a thing shouldn't have been stated so openly.
No one could tell how much of Player 2's words were a genuine desire for self-sacrifice and how much was a hidden calculation.
Ren Yi sat in his seat, his fingertips tapping lightly under the table as a playful glint of thought flashed in his eyes.
If this really was his plan, he wouldn't have needed to say it publicly. He could have just communicated privately with his chosen "roommate" and executed it silently.
According to Player 2's deduction of the situation, if the Anomaly was truly foolish enough to insist on killing him tonight, its identity would inevitably be exposed, and the game would end immediately.
In that case, regardless of the outcome, it would be a shot worth taking—wouldn't that be more beneficial for him?
But unfortunately, it seemed that "voluntary sacrifice" was still a difficult thing to actually commit to.
So, did he announce this plan out of selfishness, because he was afraid of actually being killed?
Or did he have other schemes, intentionally setting this trap to lure the Anomaly in?
Ren Yi didn't mind giving his opponent some credit.
Judging from Player 2's speech—stabilizing the situation and dominating the rhythm—this seemingly young Peeper was definitely not as simple as he appeared.
Ren Yi's mind was racing when Player 2 suddenly spoke again.
A single sentence instantly focused everyone's attention on Ren Yi.
"By the way, regarding Player 3's identity, I'll mention it here: he is a Poison Apprentice."
Player 2 looked up, his gaze fixed directly on Ren Yi. His tone was flat, yet it carried a hint of hidden meaning.
"At least... that's what he said himself."
Ren Yi's finger tapping the table came to an abrupt halt.
Well, that was a bit presumptuous.
Although he had been considering whether to proactively reveal his identity as a Poison Apprentice to establish himself in the good faction, he hadn't expected Player 2 to beat him to it.
And he certainly hadn't expected Player 2 to add such an ambiguous disclaimer.
He had never directly told Player 2 that he was a Poison Apprentice.
He had only claimed to be one once, during the first night when he stayed in the same room as Player 4, using it to scare him while they were acting.
Player 2 obviously knew because of his Peeper ability.
Therefore, Player 2's decision to say this now was definitely not just to protect Ren Yi.
After all, while Ren Yi now had Player 2's "good person certification," in the eyes of the others, he was still a secondary suspect.
After a moment's thought, Ren Yi understood the subtext of that sentence.
Translated, it was simply: "If there are other Poison Apprentices on the field, you can claim your role now."
Is he starting to suspect me?
Ren Yi understood clearly.
From Player 2's perspective, there were two deaths last night.
One was Zhang Qiuqiu's original body, Player 7, who was brutally beheaded—something Player 2 had seen with his own eyes through his ability.
The other was Player 8, Lu Zihan, who had turned into a stone statue. That was most likely the work of a Poison Apprentice's poison.
A Poison Apprentice's potion must be used in person to be a guaranteed hit on an Anomaly. It couldn't be that the Poison Apprentice poisoned someone from a distance, or that his hand slipped and he accidentally poisoned himself, right?
So, in Player 2's view, the Poison Apprentice must still be present.
By pointing out Ren Yi's "self-claimed identity" now, he was forcing the real Poison Apprentice to reveal themselves.
If another Poison Apprentice stepped forward later, they could confront Ren Yi directly, putting him in the hot seat and forcing a re-evaluation of his identity.
This Player 2 was indeed quite clever to have thought of this way to test him.
Ren Yi looked up and met Player 2's gaze. Instead of showing panic, he flashed a grateful smile and toyed with his fingers casually, as if he had long expected him to say that.
"Alright, that's all. My speech is over."
Player 2 scanned the room, observing everyone's expressions. He found nothing unusual.
Except for Player 9, who had been trembling before but was now glaring at him with a face full of resentment and rage.
Clearly, Player 9 was full of indignation and anger at being labeled an "absolute Anomaly."
As soon as the words fell, the candle flame in front of everyone flickered again. Finally, it settled steadily in front of Ren Yi.
"Well, now that my dear Chosen Peeper has vouched for me, I'll speak plainly."
Ren Yi stood up with a smile, his tone light and cheerful, looking every bit like a good person who was genuinely happy that someone had guaranteed his safety.
He cleared his throat, and the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a perfectly measured amount of gravity and fear.
He began to speak, describing the "truth" of what had happened last night.
However, he replaced all of the original Player 11's actions with his own.
"After it got dark yesterday, I knew the Anomaly would come out to hunt," Ren Yi said in a low voice.
"As a Poison Apprentice, I have a potion that is a guaranteed hit on Anomalies. Since I knew the Anomaly would be active, I couldn't just sit and wait for death."
"So, I took the initiative to go out and keep watch in the banquet hall."
"As you know, given the layout of this space, if the Anomaly doesn't kill someone in an adjacent room, it must pass through the banquet hall. This is their necessary path."
At this point, Ren Yi's body trembled slightly, and a look of genuine fear appeared on his face, as if he were reliving that eerie scene from the previous night.
"It wasn't that blue-black, twin-bladed teleporting Anomaly I saw on the first day..."
"After all, that should have been Player 12, who was already sealed."
Ren Yi gave a self-deprecating laugh and rubbed his nose.
"Come to think of it, I might be the only one who has seen two different Anomalies while they were still alive."
He paused and continued.
"That Anomaly looked like a twisted mass of mist."
Ren Yi's eyes drifted as if he were recalling the details, his tone full of wariness.
"It was deathly pale all over, like solidified souls. From its cloud-like body hung countless thin, sticky tentacles. Just looking at it made my head throb with pain."
Yes, indeed. Regardless of black or white, this was what Lu Zihan looked like now.
He mercifully bestowed the image of his own True Form upon the poisoned Lu Zihan, allowing him to wear his "clothes."
Across the table, Zhang Qiuqiu was appearing to listen with rapt attention.
At the same time, she slowly posted a question mark in the group chat.
【Zhang Qiuqiu: Lu Zihan, you're a cloud now.】
【Lu Zihan: Huh? What?】 Lu Zihan replied instantly.
【Zhang Qiuqiu: Aren't you playing a game? How do you have time to reply to me?】 Zhang Qiuqiu was a bit confused.
【Lu Zihan: Don't even mention it! Whoever wants to play that game can have it!】 Lu Zihan's tone was full of indignation.
【Lord Cha: It's fine.】 At this moment, Lord Cha suddenly chimed in.
【Lord Cha: After you get beaten up a few more times, you'll be able to hit them back. Keep it up, little brother.】
Rate on N.U.
