Playing the Foolish Beauty in a Deadly Game - Chapter 49
The two watched Nelson leave from the position of the villa’s window. Suddenly, Yatagarasu placed the little calico cat on his head. He propped himself up with both hands, sat on the windowsill, bent one leg, and swung the other: “Did you live-stream when you were mating with him? The audience loves to watch, and I like watching you too.”
“No, that’s not possible. We can’t live-stream that,” Lin Qiao awkwardly interrupted. He really wasn’t heartless enough to broadcast something like that, and even if he agreed, Nelson wouldn’t, right?
Yatagarasu looked a bit disappointed: “This is a great opportunity.”
Lin Qiao continued to refuse: “How about you take this great opportunity?”
Yatagarasu hesitated for two seconds: “Sure, it’s fine with me. I said I’m stronger than Nelson.”
Lin Qiao was silent, Lin Qiao was shocked. He meant Yatagarasu and Nelson together, but Yatagarasu clearly had something different in mind. Lin Qiao didn’t really want to know the specifics of what the other was thinking, but Yatagarasu suddenly moved closer. He stared straight at Lin Qiao, slowly approaching as if to kiss him. Lin Qiao instinctively dodged, but Yatagarasu grabbed his arm. The other lowered his head, lifted Lin Qiao’s hand, and extended a forked tongue-like tongue to glide over Lin Qiao’s wrist. There was no lust in his eyes, only confusion: “You reek of your pets, and it’s getting stronger.”
Lin Qiao felt embarrassed. It turned out it was about the smell; he had thought… he was going to kiss him. Lin Qiao chuckled at his own narcissistic thoughts and let out a sigh of relief. He was really tired of this gay game and changed the subject: “Maybe it’s because I spend a lot of time with my pets. I often sleep with them.”
“There are evil spirits everywhere in this world. I can’t sleep without them.”
Lin Qiao realized the other was still holding his hand and pulled it back: “By the way, I don’t even know your name yet.”
“What should I call you? Yatagarasu is a bit inconvenient to say; it takes too long to pronounce.”
Yatagarasu was indeed distracted: “Orochi, you just called me Little Snake, and I like it.”
Orochi extended his forked tongue and licked the hand he had just grabbed Lin Qiao’s with, and he sounded a bit wronged when he said this. Lin Qiao took a deep breath: “Little Snake, I’m preparing to consume a lot of protection values in my next live-stream.”
“This doesn’t break our alliance. You need me as bait to attract other players. If I make a lot of protection value consumption, it will send a message to the outside world that I have plenty of protection values. To others, I’ll be a fat sheep.”
“The fifth-ranked player just contacted me. I want to see what he wants and I’m interested in his live-stream.”
Yatagarasu nodded in agreement. As soon as Lin Qiao opened the live-stream, he directly requested a video call with Dao Zhang. The moment he went live, the audience poured in, even more unrestrained than last time.
Mumu~: “Let’s see who’s live-streaming. It’s my darling wife. Wife, look at me. I’m positive and full of energy!”
Nan Sheng Bei Xiao: “Qiao Qiao, let me tell you a story about my brother. Never mind, it’s too long.”
One More Bite of Persimmon Cake: “Other people’s children can run all over the place, but my child has just been launched into Qiao Qiao’s belly. Boohoo.”
Lin Qiao pretended not to see and just waited for Dao Zhang to quickly connect the video call. But Yatagarasu read it out loud next to him, word by word, and after reading, he asked, “What does it mean? I don’t understand.”
Lin Qiao’s face turned red, and he whispered, “Actually, I don’t understand either.”
Yatagarasu didn’t quite believe it, but at that moment, the fifth-ranked Dao Zhang accepted the voice request, so he had to keep quiet. Lin Qiao pushed Yatagarasu away, letting him temporarily leave his camera’s view.
The fifth-ranked Dao Zhang was a bearded man whose age was hard to tell. His eyes were very bright, with the youthful vigor that young people have. But there seemed to be white hairs mixed in his hair, as if he were older. Yet his figure was tall, with a thin waist and long legs, which didn’t seem like an older person at all.
When he spoke, his voice was extremely hoarse: “Hello, Qiao…”
He didn’t really want to say the “sauce” part, so Lin Qiao kindly said, “My name is Lin Qiao.”
Dao Zhang changed his words: “Hello, Lin Qiao. Maybe you’re wondering why I’m looking for you? We can talk online.”
As soon as Dao Zhang finished speaking, Lin Qiao saw a young and decent-looking man appear next to him. Only the man had dark circles under his eyes and forced himself to come over, saying, “Finally, Qiao Sauce agreed?”
Just one glance, and Lin Qiao felt the hostility the young man had towards him. Dao Zhang introduced, “This is Bian Yi, a new player.”
When Dao Zhang said this, there was no other meaning, but unfortunately, the man named “Bian Yi” next to him had a flash of dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Lin Qiao noticed the hidden contradictions between Dao Zhang and Bian Yi, but he didn’t point it out: “What do you want with me?”
Dao Zhang explained, “Have you watched our recent live-streams?”
Lin Qiao had noticed and nodded.
Dao Zhang smiled, “I’ve seen your live-stream. It was great. Your use of the spirit board gave me a lot of inspiration at the time.”
“So I came up with a live-streaming plan, which is to exorcise ghosts.”
It’s more like gambling with ghosts with one’s life. The specific method is: Dao Zhang selects one person from the audience with the highest affection value, and then goes offline to the location specified by the other party.
This is a very dangerous act because the location specified by the evil spirits in the live-stream is often their own habitat. In other words, it’s their own territory. Dao Zhang going there is like entering the other party’s home court.
Live-streaming at the specified haunted location means either Dao Zhang dies at the hands of the ghost or the ghost dies at the hands of Dao Zhang.
When Lin Qiao buried the little orange cat, he had heard from the NPC that the higher the affection value of the player, the better the sacrifice for the evil spirits. It not only means good taste but also high energy. The evil spirits who invest the most will naturally get the most energy in return.
Dao Zhang is using himself as bait, gambling with his life to gain affection values.
Lin Qiao may seem like a pretty face, a little fool, but he’s not stupid: “Why choose me?”
“There are players who don’t live-stream and just hunt players from the opposing faction. How can I be sure you’re not luring me there to kill me?”
Bian Yi spoke up: “You can come or not. Our Dao Zhang is ranked fifth in affection value.”
“Inviting you here is giving you face. We don’t even kill pets, let alone people…”
Dao Zhang frowned and stroked his beard: “Bian Yi, I told you we’re seeking cooperation.”
Bian Yi, whose thoughts were exposed, apologized: “Got it, you guys continue.”
Lin Qiao couldn’t determine whether Dao Zhang and Bian Yi truly had a conflict or if one was playing the good cop and the other the bad cop. However, Lin Qiao was very interested in their proposal; he needed to consume protection values.
Perhaps sensing Lin Qiao’s hesitation, Dao Zhang continued to persuade: “It’s natural to have concerns. We’ll select the audience member with the highest affection value from our two live-stream rooms.”
“We can’t control the audience in our live-streams, so we won’t be able to predict where the location will be. This way, there won’t be a possibility of setting up traps in advance.”
At this point, Dao Zhang hesitated. Although they couldn’t predict the location in advance, different transportation methods could still cause one to arrive earlier and the other later. So Dao Zhang added: “When we go to the designated location to live-stream, we can leave our pets behind. This way, we won’t know if we’re from opposing factions.”
“Currently, the announcement of the passing line seems to be for screening the number of participants. If there are too few people or the values are too high, it will be detrimental to all players.”
“So, as long as one isn’t stupid, they won’t attack someone from the same faction.”
Lin Qiao had considered everything Dao Zhang said, but he pointed out the most critical issue: “Affection values are attractive to evil spirits. If we gather together, it will become very dangerous.”
Dao Zhang continued to persuade: “That’s why I chose you. My affection value is higher than yours. When we’re together, I’m the one who’s more at risk.”
“Of course, don’t misunderstand. I’m not a patsy. There’s another, more important reason I chose you: you’re very popular with the live-stream audience.”
“Although your current ranking is twenty-ninth, now dropped to thirtieth, I’ve carefully watched your live-streams. You live-stream for much shorter periods than other players.”
“Compared to the first-ranked Nelson, who goes to great lengths to charm the audience, you just sit there, drink some water, smile, and get teased by evil spirits to survive the first round.”
“I don’t think this is just pure luck. Before deciding to live-stream with you, I’ve already been to several locations designated by the audience.”
“Generally, the audience in the live-stream will be the evil spirits from their own city. I believe the evil spirits in my city will welcome you very much. To get you to my city, they will definitely invest a large amount of affection values in my live-stream.”
Lin Qiao couldn’t help but laugh: “With the fifth-highest affection value, you can still come back safely from the place designated by the evil spirits.”
“You’re not worried about your own safety at all, or do you have the ability to ensure your own survival? But do you think I have the ability? Or will you protect me, not afraid that I’ll hold you back?”
Lin Qiao swore that he didn’t mean anything else by this statement, but it still provoked Bian Yi, who was next to Dao Zhang.
Bian Yi turned his head and said: “What do you mean? Who are you calling a burden?”
Lin Qiao quickly retracted his sharpness. He frowned, his beautiful eyes unwavering as he looked at Bian Yi: “I didn’t mean to insult you.”
Bian Yi became even angrier: “I’m straight! Don’t even think about doing anything to me. No matter what, I’ve followed Dao Zhang through thick and thin, almost losing my life to survive. I’m upright and decent. What about you? All you know how to do is flatter the ghosts…”
Dao Zhang slapped Bian Yi, and it was quite a heavy hit: “Are you never going to shut up?”
Bian Yi’s eyes turned red, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he apologized to Lin Qiao: “I’m sorry. I’m afraid that after Dao Zhang talks to you, he’ll ignore me.”
After speaking, he glanced at Dao Zhang. Lin Qiao understood that this Bian Yi was playing mind games.
Dao Zhang lit a cigarette and took half a drag: “Last chance. If you annoy me again, you’re out.”
Bian Yi, not getting the promise he wanted, looked pale and muttered in agreement.
Dao Zhang felt that after this incident with Bian Yi, Lin Qiao would likely not cooperate with him. After all, no one wants a new, unreliable teammate in their group.
Just at that moment, Yatagarasu leaned over: “Agree to him.”
Dao Zhang was stunned, his cigarette falling from his mouth as he pointed at the screen: “Lin Qiao, is that Yatagarasu next to you?”
Lin Qiao nodded: “It’s him. Have you met in this dungeon?”
Yatagarasu kills enemy players to gain affection and protection values. If Dao Zhang and Yatagarasu had met and not died, it would prove that Dao Zhang was also from the Meow Meow Religion faction. Clearly, Dao Zhang had also realized this and thought that Lin Qiao, who hadn’t been killed, was likely from the Meow Meow Religion as well.
Dao Zhang spoke: “That’s good. I guessed Yatagarasu would go to you, either to kill you or use you as bait.”
“If that guy is with you, you can rest assured to cooperate with me.”
Dao Zhang then thought, if Lin Qiao was Yatagarasu‘s bait, then whether Lin Qiao went or not would depend on Yatagarasu‘s nod.
So Dao Zhang said: “There are quite a few players lurking in our two live-stream rooms now. If we cooperate, it’s like forming an alliance.”
“At this moment, the opposing faction is likely to come and take advantage of us while we’re busy fighting the evil spirits, reaping the benefits.”
Dao Zhang tempted: ” Yatagarasu, are you interested? Is this bait big enough?”
Yatagarasu nodded and confirmed: “Big.”
Bian Yi’s face turned even paler. He had just been mocking Lin Qiao, saying that the other was useless and only knew how to flatter evil spirits.
But in reality, he was clinging to the fifth-ranked player and feeling smug, mocking that live-streaming with Lin Qiao was a favor to him.
As a result, Lin Qiao ended up clinging to the second-ranked player and was protected by the second-ranked player.
Bian Yi’s face burned with shame, and at the same time, he was very scared.
He was actually very jealous of Lin Qiao. He followed Dao Zhang to the haunted places for live-streaming, risking his life and hanging by a thread.
He claimed to be upright, but in reality, he was extremely envious of Lin Qiao.
He was always in danger, yet he kept lagging behind. Lin Qiao, on the other hand, was just a bit more good-looking. He only needed to be teased by evil spirits a few times, or even just live-stream for a few hours, and his ranking would be better than his.
Seeing Yatagarasu getting close to Lin Qiao, Bian Yi felt uncomfortable. He thought it was unfair that Lin Qiao could just spread his legs, lie comfortably, and be protected.
Lin Qiao agreed, not because of Yatagarasu‘s coercive command, but because it was Lin Qiao’s own decision.
Sure enough, both Lin Qiao’s live-stream room and Dao Zhang’s live-stream room began to receive frequent tips of affection values.
The top five had very high affection values, so Dao Zhang only moved up one place. It was unknown whether he would be pushed down when the next passing line was announced.
Lin Qiao’s live-stream room rose quickly and had already reached the top ten.
Lin Qiao didn’t really want to go to Dao Zhang’s city, so he whispered to the live-stream audience, “Didn’t some viewers say they wanted to meet me?”
“But I’m about to head to the opposite city. I might die there, get eaten by other viewers.”
“You won’t get to eat me then,” Lin Qiao said with a smile. “Won’t you feel regretful?”
Next to him, Yatagarasu suddenly spoke up: “He could go meet you wearing cat ears. I think that would be adorable.”
“Since you have high affection values, you can specify the location. Then you can touch his butt,” Yatagarasu continued.
Lin Qiao was stunned, looking at Yatagarasu with a complicated gaze. The young man seemed innocent, yet he spoke so boldly.
When the deadline arrived, Lin Qiao’s live-stream room gained the right to specify the location.
Good Moon, No More: “It’s me, it’s me! Hahahahaha. Come on, 458 Chaotian Road, Dawn Middle School. Qiao Qiao, wear your school uniform and cat ears, and wait for me~”
ceil384: “I’m going too, hehehe, hehehe.”
Will the Coconut Be Eaten?: “It didn’t say only one ghost could go. Let’s all go! I hope Qiao Qiao’s little body can handle it. First this way, then that way.”
Lin Qiao clenched his fists nervously, suddenly thinking of something. He was an illegal immigrant; he couldn’t die.
So would he just keep getting eaten, never finishing?
Dao Zhang was live-streaming and connecting with Lin Qiao, so he couldn’t see the messages on Lin Qiao’s live-stream screen.
Lin Qiao warned, “I think it’s dangerous. Let’s be careful this time, Dao Zhang.”
Bian Yi muttered, “He’s probably just scared.”
Yatagarasu glanced at the rankings and affection values, which seemed fine, so he set the time for tomorrow night and had Lin Qiao close his live-stream.
Yatagarasu‘s forked tongue caught something in the air: “You’re nervous. Don’t be. Nelson, that fool, is protecting you.”
“Nelson is the Deceiver, right? What a stench.”
Lin Qiao was startled: “How did you figure that out?”
Yatagarasu pointed to his tongue: “Although players forget what happened after leaving the dungeon, players like me have our own ways of recognizing people.”
“I can taste and smell. If someone has harmed me, my memory may fade, but my body, sense of smell, and taste can remember.”
“The same goes for things I like.”
“The fool is definitely watching your and Dao Zhang’s live-streams. The Deceiver won’t let you die until he achieves his goal.”
“And I won’t let you die either.”
“Um, the smell of your pets is stronger now.”
Lin Qiao pondered for a moment, furrowing his brows slightly, and nodded obediently: “Then I’ll go upstairs and take a shower to see if the smell will disappear. There’s food in the fridge, and pet food as well. Help yourself.”
Lin Qiao couldn’t smell anything on himself, but the black cat and Doberman had been following him, so there might be a scent.
When Nelson arrived, Lin Qiao had just finished his shower, and they met downstairs.
Nelson was accompanied by a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, robust in build, wolf-like in appearance, but with much gentler eyes.
Lin Qiao’s Doberman was sizing up the other dog, its gaze strict.
In Lin Qiao’s eyes, his own Doberman was still the most attractive, with its broad chest, straight back, and large paws.
Sensing that Lin Qiao’s affection for him hadn’t changed because of the new dog, the Doberman gradually relaxed and approached the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog in a friendly manner.
The black cat, on the other hand, looked down on the two dogs, then jumped up to Lin Qiao’s side, stood up, and extended its paws.
Lin Qiao bent down to hold the black cat, which wrapped its arms around Lin Qiao’s neck and licked his wet hair.
The black cat proved through its actions who Lin Qiao’s favorite was.
Lin Qiao now felt a bit of a headache seeing Nelson, but he didn’t show it. At this moment, Nelson still teased: “Brother, did you take a shower just to wait for me?”
Lin Qiao looked at Nelson’s face, which showed no signs of a lie, and nodded: “Yes.”
Nelson moved closer and threw the black cat down: “Then I won’t eat anything first. I’ll eat brother first.”
Yatagarasu poked his head out from the kitchen, frowning: “If you don’t want to eat, Lin Qiao still needs to eat.”
Nelson still had the look of an “innocent young man who doesn’t know what to do for the first time,” and went along with it: “Then brother should eat first. It’ll be tiring later.”
Lin Qiao looked at the other’s act. He was clearly panicking but still acting recklessly.
Lin Qiao wanted to say something but stopped himself. He admitted defeat: “I thought about it. Aren’t you a high school student? You’re still young and growing. It’s not good for your body to get involved in these things too early.”
Nelson was silent for a moment, as if he had done a lot of mental preparation, but then nothing happened, and he felt a bit lost: “Does brother regret agreeing to me?”
Lin Qiao looked at Nelson with a grievance, hoping this guy wouldn’t push his luck too far.
Yatagarasu was willing to give a step down, but would he give one to Lin Qiao?
Yatagarasu poked his head out from the kitchen again: “Actually, you don’t want to sleep with Lin Qiao. I don’t know why you insist on doing this.”
Nelson realized something and weakly defended himself to Yatagarasu: “I like brother…”
Nelson hugged Lin Qiao, looking straight into his eyes.
“Brother, I’m the Deceiver. I know that if I don’t confess this, I’ll never gain your trust.”
“From the first moment I saw you, I felt like I had seen you somewhere before.”
“This isn’t some cheesy pick-up line. In a horror game, using love to deceive someone is foolish.”
“Everyone is deceitful, all for the sake of profit. No one would believe a player saying they like someone, saying they’re willing to give their life.”
“Because love in the dungeon is forgotten once you leave. Who would want their heartfelt affection to turn into a tragedy?”
Nelson’s voice was muffled, but he still smiled: “I didn’t dare tell brother my identity. I was afraid that no matter what I said, you wouldn’t believe me in this situation.”
“When brother called himself an idiot and agreed to sleep with me, I was angry.”
“Nelson and I only have this dungeon, can only spend one dungeon together. I wanted to get brother, but I was also very sad.”
Nelson seemed to have shed his original brightness, still carrying a shadow of cheerfulness, but much more mature: “A person full of lies, no one will believe his truth. I deserve this outcome today.”
“If brother doesn’t believe my words, then believe my actions. I’ll make brother number one. No one can take away brother’s number one.”
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