“D*mn it, another lunatic.” Qiao Jiajin spat on the ground. “I feel like if we stay here too long, we’ll go crazy too.”
Qi Xia was unsettled by the old man’s words.
“Qi Xia, are you okay?” Lin Qin asked.
“I’m fine.” Qi Xia steadied himself. “These people won’t stop me. I’m going to participate in the ‘game.’ You don’t have to follow me.”
“I’ll go with you,” Lin Qin said. “No matter what kind of ‘game’ you enter, I’ll go with you.”
Qi Xia stopped in his tracks and turned back to Lin Qin, his gaze cold and piercing.
This look sent a chill down Lin Qin’s spine.
“W-What’s wrong?”
“Lin Qin, what’s your motive?”
“Motive?” Lin Qin repeated, puzzled. “Do I need a motive?”
Qi Xia stared into Lin Qin’s eyes again and said, “Why are you sticking with me? Logically, you should be with the other group. The three of us have nothing in common with you. We shouldn’t even be teammates.”
Lin Qin simply smiled and said, “I told you, I’m very interested in you. I want to know what’s on your mind.”
“I want to get out,” Qi Xia replied without hesitation. “I’ve said it many times—I need to get out, to see my wife. She can’t be without me. Do you understand?”
Lin Qin blinked and answered, “I understand.”
“My wife’s name is Yu Nian’an. She’s suffered for me, endured hardship for me. She is my entire reason for living. That’s why I must go back to her. Is that clear enough?”
“Crystal clear.”
“Now that you know what I’m thinking, are you still not leaving?” Qi Xia said coldly.
Lin Qin lowered her head slightly and, after a long moment of thought, replied, “I’m sorry, but for certain reasons, I still can’t leave.”
Qi Xia frowned as he studied Lin Qin. He didn’t sense danger or deceit from her, but he still couldn’t figure out her purpose.
“Do what you want…” Seeing that reasoning wouldn’t work, Qi Xia turned and continued walking.
Qiao Jiajin followed and said, “Liar, we had a deal—you’ve got the brains, I’ve got the strength. We work together.”
“You have a reason you must get out too?”
“Yes.” Qiao Jiajin nodded. “I don’t want to die, but I also don’t want to sit here and wait for death.”
“I don’t mind working together, but let me be clear.” Qi Xia glanced at Qiao Jiajin. “We have no personal ties. If only one person can make it out in the end, I won’t hesitate to abandon you.”
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“D*mn… Do you have no loyalty at all?” Qiao Jiajin sighed. “You’re really not a likable guy.”
Listening to the conversation, Tian Tian quietly lowered her head.
Everyone seemed to have a clear goal.
But compared to them, what was she doing?
Even if she somehow managed to escape this nightmare…
Even if she returned to the real world and her old life… She’d still be stuck in the same miserable routine, embracing those disgusting old men for money.
Thinking about it this way… Maybe dying here wasn’t such a bad ending.
“Tian Tian, what’s wrong?” Lin Qin asked.
“Nothing.”
Leaving the square, they arrived at another street.
Unlike the one with the convenience store, this area was lined with small residential buildings, tightly packed and low-rise. It was unclear whether anyone lived here.
After walking a bit further, the group spotted another animal mask.
This figure stood at the entrance of an old house, hands behind their back.
Qi Xia walked straight toward them.
As they got closer, they realized the person was wearing a massive rat mask and gave off a foul odor. Unlike the previous masked figures they had encountered, this one was frail and thin.
Qiao Jiajin asked, “You’re the ‘Rat Man,’ huh?”
The rat-headed figure finally took notice of them and chuckled. “I’m not a ‘Rat Man.’ I’m a ‘Human Rat.’”
The voice was soft and pleasant—it was a woman.
This was the first time they’d encountered a female wearing an animal mask.
“D*mn, do you really care that much about the name?” Qiao Jiajin scoffed. “Like it makes a difference?”
“Human Rat is Human Rat—get it wrong, and that’ll be a problem.” The girl giggled. “You’re lucky to have come here. Do you want to take on a trial?”
Qi Xia looked at the house behind her and asked, “What are the rules?”
“The ‘Rat Trial’ requires a ticket—one ‘Dao’ per entry.” Human Rat’s tone was warm, like a patient shop assistant. “You won’t find a trial this easy anywhere else in the city.”
“So what’s the game?” Qi Xia asked again.
The Human Rat turned, pushed open the door, and stepped inside. It was a small warehouse.
“My game is called ‘Warehouse Dao Hunt.’ Inside this room, there is one ‘Dao.’ Only one person can enter. Find the ‘Dao’ within five minutes, and you win. The ‘Dao’ is yours.”
Qi Xia felt something was off. “And if we don’t find it?”
“If you don’t?” The Human Rat let out a giggle. “Then you lose your entry fee—one ‘Dao’—just a small loss.”
“A lost ‘Dao’?” Qi Xia frowned. “That’s all?”
“What else would happen?” The Human Rat tilted her head.
Something felt wrong.
Qi Xia thought carefully. One ‘Dao’ to enter, one ‘Dao’ if you win. Lose, and you only forfeit the fee.
This setup was odd—there was no chance to gain extra ‘Dao’ or risk their lives.
Then why participate?
“Isn’t this a good chance?” Tian Tian spoke up. “We can join and learn more about our situation.”
“But…” Qi Xia still felt uneasy. Even if they won, what would it mean?
“I’ll try first.” Tian Tian turned to Qi Xia. “Even if I die, it doesn’t matter.”
“What the hell kind of talk is that?” Lin Qin frowned.
“It’s the truth,” Tian Tian said calmly. “I just realized—whether I escape or not, it makes no difference.”
With that, she took a ‘Dao’ from Qi Xia and handed it to the Human Rat.
“Is that all?” Tian Tian asked.
“Yes, I’ve received the ticket. The moment you enter, the game begins.” The Human Rat nodded. “Let me repeat the rules. There’s one ‘Dao’ hidden in the room. Find it within five minutes, and it’s yours.”
“Got it.”
“Are you ready?” the Human Rat asked.
“I’m ready.” Tian Tian nodded.
“Good.” The Human Rat smiled. “The game begins. Good luck.”
With that, she shut the door.