069 Game Over

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I watched Carbonhead anxiously, afraid that he might impulsively choose to challenge Zheng Wei to a one-on-one daredevil game. From Carbonhead’s attitude toward Zheng Wei earlier, it was clear how eager he was for this battle, as if only such a fight could affirm his status as the “God of Killing.”

However, I noticed many suspicious points in their conversation.

Who is Carbonhead’s brother? As far as I could recall, Carbonhead had never mentioned having a brother, and back then, it was obviously Carbonhead who obtained the Ace of Diamonds. Why did Zheng Wei say the Ace was in his brother’s hands?

Throughout these battles, Carbonhead almost never used the Ace of Diamonds. I remembered him carrying another card after returning from the Phoenix, but that card never showed up again after we were reassigned to new classes.

Carbonhead pondered for a moment, then fixed his gaze on Zheng Wei.

“I choose truth.”

“What are your playing cards?”

The question Carbonhead chose this time was clearly aimed at Zheng Wei, because in previous games, Sumu and Zheng Wei had promised not to lie, and we already knew the suits of most of the other players.

“The Ten of Hearts,” Fatty Qian said indifferently. So far, Fatty Qian and I were the safest; we’d hardly participated in any of the games.

“The Two of Spades.”

After I announced my card, Sumu with the Four of Spades and Hu Xing’er with the Five of Hearts also revealed their cards in turn.

“I don’t know what card…” Zheng Wei was the last one left. He shrugged and pulled out the card he’d used before.

This time, I clearly saw the design on the card.

“The Jack of Clubs.”

Combining this with Zheng Wei’s previous actions, I could more or less guess his ability.

The Club Knight, Shadow Ghost.

That explained all the strange phenomena that had occurred: using a shadow double to take the hit from the wooden spikes, appearing past the finish line by traveling through the Pumpkin Man’s shadow, and detaching his shadow from the ground as a force under his control.

It seemed Zheng Wei’s mastery of his ability far surpassed any of ours.

I’d thought I was already doing well in wielding my Mirror Spirit as both shield and weapon, but compared to Zheng Wei, I was still lacking.

Zheng Wei didn’t seem to care that I’d figured out his ability. He even deliberately showed us the other side of his card.

Because the face of every card represented the ability, while the back showed the suit.

When in use, we always covered the face and only showed the back to others.

But Zheng Wei paid no mind to this, perhaps because he had absolute confidence in his power.

“The Shadow Ghost?”

Sumu and Hu Xing’er also caught a clear look at Zheng Wei’s card, and both seemed surprised.

For some reason, seeing the front of Zheng Wei’s card suddenly brought to mind something I’d read in a book at the library. I remembered that I hadn’t understood the first three sections of that book, but just now, a page flashed vividly in my mind.

“Shadow Ghost, Club Knight.”

“Abilities: Shadow Stealth, Shadow Manipulation, Shadow Double.”

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I couldn’t explain why I suddenly remembered this, but perhaps when this ordeal was over, I should discuss it with Lin Wan.

For now, though, the most pressing task was to finish this round of Truth or Dare.

After Zheng Wei answered, the mirror finally displayed, “Truth accepted for this round.”

“Next game host: Lin Zijian.”

Naturally, I chose truth for the round, and my question was simple:

“Would you sacrifice yourself to protect someone else?”

Although this round passed successfully, the result was still chilling—every single person, without exception, chose to refuse. It really proved that old saying: “People are inherently selfish.”

The last round of Truth or Dare fell to Fatty Qian, who continued his previous style with another truth question.

“Do you like eating chicken drumsticks?”

Faced with such a foodie’s question, everyone, without exception, chose “yes.”

When the last person finished answering, the mirror displayed that we had all cleared the game, and immediately the door to the dance studio swung open.

The seven of us who remained were granted the right to survive.

This trial was relatively humane—out of eight people, only one died. The survival rate was much higher than in the last class game.

Once we were sure the trial had ended, we wasted no time in leaving the dance studio. I didn’t bother with Carbonhead or Fatty Qian.

But as soon as I stepped out, I saw a familiar figure—a school uniform, and for once she’d tied her hair in a neat ponytail.

As soon as she saw me emerge from the dance studio, she leapt into my arms.

“Han Xue?”

Before I could react, I felt my chest grow damp, and then I heard Han Xue sobbing.

I teased her, “Hey, why the tears the moment you see me?”

“Was my handsomeness too much for you?”

Han Xue giggled at that, playfully punching my chest. “You’re so vain.”

“I was so worried. None of them went with you this time. Some brothers they are.”

She pouted, a little annoyed that Lin Wan, Chen Hao, and the others hadn’t accompanied me this time.

I pointed behind me. “Wasn’t Carbonhead there?”

Just then, Carbonhead walked past, but he acted as if he hadn’t seen me at all—didn’t even say hello.

“He…”

Han Xue tugged at my sleeve and whispered carefully, “He’s changed.”

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“He’s really scary now.”

Han Xue seemed very wary of the current Carbonhead, even though he’d saved us several times right in front of her.

I put my arm around Han Xue’s shoulders and reassured her.

“Don’t worry.”

“No matter what, he’s still my good brother. I trust he wouldn’t hurt me.”

After briefly telling Han Xue what had happened in the dance studio, I urged her to return to the dorm.

Han Xue was a little reluctant. “Aren’t you just going to talk to Lin Wan? Can’t I listen in?”

It took some effort to convince her I wouldn’t do anything dangerous before she was reassured enough to leave.

Actually, my place was just a corridor away from hers; if she really insisted on coming, there wasn’t much I could do.

Once Han Xue was gone, I cleared my throat and spoke toward the bushes behind me.

“Heard enough? Come out.”

A round figure emerged from the bushes, his flesh wobbling as he moved, giving off an oily impression. Who else could it be but Fatty Qian?

The fat on his face was all bunched up, and judging by his expression, he seemed angry.

The reason was obvious enough—on his very first day at school, Fatty Qian had made it clear he liked Han Xue.

But Han Xue didn’t have the slightest interest in him; understandably, most people wouldn’t be attracted to such a greasy fellow.

Still, Fatty Qian chased after her relentlessly. Apart from not pestering her inside the dorm, he would pretty much tail her whenever she stepped outside.

Annoying as he was, I had to admit Fatty Qian had protected Han Xue several times—he wasn’t an easy person to mess with.

Moreover, his abilities were highly effective against ghosts, so he was certainly capable of protecting Han Xue.

Han Xue had often complained about Fatty Qian to me, but since he’d never really crossed the line, I didn’t intervene.

Besides, having admirers only proved Han Xue’s charm.

The thought made me a little smug. Although Fatty Qian saw me as his rival in love, I never took it seriously.

At least because of this, Fatty Qian was still on our side.

I chatted with him for a bit about Han Xue’s likes and dislikes, laying the groundwork for his next round of relentless pursuit.

After sending Fatty Qian off, I took out my phone and messaged Lin Wan on WeChat, asking to meet at the library.

With this trial over, at least we’d have a few days of peace.

My investigation should continue.