As soon as Player 5 finished speaking, the candle flame flickered immediately, settling steadily in front of Player 6.
Player 6 didn't waste any time and stood up directly.
She was still wearing the same capable-looking sportswear, but the originally clean fabric was now covered in large patches of black soot and ash. Her face was also smudged with dirt, making her look a bit disheveled.
However, she didn't seem to care. She raised her hand to casually wipe her cheek, adding a few more black streaks with her fingertips, though it didn't diminish the sharpness in her eyes at all.
"First, I'll respond to what Player 2 said earlier."
Player 6's tone was flat, devoid of unnecessary emotion, and she got straight to the point.
"There's nothing much to explain. I simply didn't trust a one-sided account from you alone. After all, everyone's safety is at stake; it's never wrong to be cautious."
"So, after everyone left, I did indeed climb back up to check once more."
"In the fireplace flue, there were indeed ten empty spots for hanging keys. Other than that, there was nothing else."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across everyone present before adding.
"Furthermore, I'll add one more thing. Those keys aren't small. If they were hidden in a pocket, there would definitely be a noticeable bulge."
"None of us have a place on our bodies to hide a key, including Player 2. So, it's certain that Player 2 hasn't hidden any keys."
"In that case, those four keys have indeed disappeared." Player 6's tone grew a bit more solemn.
"Whether they were destroyed by the game rules or secretly hidden by the Anomalies, I don't know."
"I can only remind everyone to keep a close eye on clues related to the keys in the future. Don't let the Anomalies find a loophole."
Having finished with the matter of the keys, she continued, "Regarding today's vote, I have no objections. Let's deal with Player 9 first, and we can slowly filter through the remaining suspects later."
"According to Player 2's plan, either Player 2 will be killed by an Anomaly tonight, and we can use the clues to find the last Anomaly..."
"Or Player 2 remains safe and sound, and tomorrow he can continue providing us with information he's peeked at. Either way, the situation is very favorable for us."
Pausing, she stated frankly, "Oh, right. My identity is also that of an Ordinary Civilian. I have no special abilities."
"Like Player 5, I've survived this long entirely based on my own judgment."
"Next, I'll explain something I'm sure you all remember: during the first day's voting, I also claimed to be the Lost Soul."
Her tone carried a hint of openness, along with a trace of pride that was hard to detect.
"When it was my turn to speak then, more than half the people had already gone, but in the entire hall, only that clown Player 3 had said he was the Lost Soul."
"But I felt right then that Player 3 was clearly just messing around. I couldn't say whether he was a good person or an Anomaly, but he definitely wasn't the Lost Soul."
As Player 6 spoke, she glanced at Ren Yi, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.
"I was a bit anxious at the time, fearing the real Lost Soul might be too timid to stand up, causing us to lose the leader position. That's why I chose to claim the role."
"I know some people will say this isn't like a normal game—that being in the hot seat means you're more likely to be targeted by Anomalies and more likely to die."
"They'd ask... how could you dare to do that?"
At this point, Player 6 gave a cold laugh, her tone carrying a hint of defiance.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I'm just that kind of bold person. Rather than cowering and waiting for death, I'd much rather take the initiative to stand out."
"Just like Player 3 said." She spread her hands.
"I'm just a weak and powerless Ordinary Civilian. If the Anomalies take a liking to me tonight, they're welcome to come and kill me. I have nothing to fear."
Ren Yi rubbed his nose.
Why are you copying my lines?
"As for why I later gave up the Lost Soul claim, it was because Player 7 and Player 9 both came forward to claim the identity. I felt my previous actions were no longer necessary."
Player 6's tone softened slightly, carrying a trace of frustration. "Originally, I planned to wait until the last moment to give it up and see everyone's reactions..."
"But who knew that idiot Player 10 would actually believe my claim?"
"I had no choice but to reconsider and give it up early to avoid misleading everyone."
She looked around the room and said firmly, "That is all. I've explained my entire thought process clearly, without any concealment or selfish motives. I hope everyone stops making baseless speculations about my intentions."
"Alright, enough talk. Now, let's invite 'Mr. Anomaly,' Player 9, to perform his sophistry for us."
Player 6 spoke the last sentence with great vigor.
She sat down directly, looking coldly at Player 9 with a gaze full of disdain.
The candle flame moved again, and this time, it was finally the turn of Player 9, who was being pointed at and stared down by everyone.
By now, Player 9 had long lost his previous confusion and timidity; he was in a state of total hysteria.
"It's not me! I'm not an Anomaly! You're all wronging me!" Player 9 started off by screaming at the top of his lungs, his voice hoarse.
"I'm the Lost Soul! I really am the Lost Soul! I've been saying I'm the Lost Soul since the first day! Why won't you believe me?"
He clutched his hair, his eyes fixed on everyone present, his tone filled with resentment and anger.
"Think about it! If I were an Anomaly, why would I claim to be the Lost Soul? Why would I put myself in the hot seat? Am I crazy?"
"I know you all suspect me now and want to vote me out, but let me tell you, you're wrong! You're dead wrong!"
He suddenly snapped his head up, his eyes filled with despair, yet carrying a hint of eerie certainty.
"Go ahead and vote for me! Push me out! I guarantee you'll regret it!"
"When the time comes, the Anomalies will kill you all one by one! You'll all die! You'll all pay the price for today's decision!"
Ren Yi sat in his seat, watching him calmly, watching the three candles in front of the man slowly go out one by one.
With each flame extinguished, it meant Player 9's speaking time was decreasing, until the last candle went out completely. Player 9's voice stopped abruptly, like a duck whose neck had been squeezed shut.
Player 9 slumped onto the floor, his eyes hollow as if all his strength had been drained, forced to silently endure the cold and suspicious gazes of the crowd.
The candle flame continued to move, reaching Player 10.
However, Player 10's reaction was not much better than the hysterical Player 9.
As soon as he started, his face was full of rage, his eyes fixed on Player 5 as if he wanted to swallow her alive.
"You little girl, what right do you have to slander me?" Player 10 shouted, as if competing with Player 9 to see who had the louder voice.
"How could I be an Anomaly? You're so young, yet your heart is so malicious that you'd dare to slander a good person!"
The truth was, the things he said had very little substance.
Ren Yi sat to the side, watching him, falling into a brief moment of contemplation.
Come to think of it, he had never considered whether there were any newbies among the participants in this game.
During the first round of speaking, Player 1 had initially thought Player 7, Zhang Qiuqiu, was a newbie and had specifically explained the game rules to her, fearing she wouldn't understand.
However, looking at it now, if there really were newbies, they probably hadn't spoken up about it.
After all, that's how Infinite Flow novels are written—the protagonist enters at the start and doesn't reveal their newbie status, instead quietly observing from the side...
Eventually reaping the benefits while others fight... or something like that.
As for Zhang Qiuqiu? She was an Anomaly, for heaven's sake. Let's not even discuss her.
Rate on N.U.
