Playing the Foolish Beauty in a Deadly Game - Chapter 65

The usually gentle and steady big dog unexpectedly revealed a side that was unlike his usual demeanor. He seemed to crave more excitement and continued to taunt, “It’s useless to be envious, after all, he will never kiss you. Poor deceiver.”

“***” Nelson, for the first time, lost his composure and burst into a string of expletives, lunging at Doberman 08 to attack. His movements were swift and powerful, the force he wielded was immense, and it was unclear which monster prototype from which scenario he had used, but it was definitely higher in level than the NPCs in this scenario.

The Doberman didn’t dodge; more precisely, he didn’t intend to. Instead, he took the hit head-on. Due to their close proximity, he managed to snatch the explosive prop from Nelson’s mouth before Nelson could react. At the same time, the Doberman was injured and fell to the ground, spitting out blood. He clenched the prop in his palm and then stood up again.

The prop was a metallic, beetle-like round object. When not activated, it was stable and of great research value to the NPCs of this world.

Nelson stood on higher ground, looking down at the Doberman and said, “You don’t think I only had enough points to exchange for one, do you?”

With that, he produced another one, seemingly mocking the Doberman’s “heroic sacrifice” to grab the prop as futile.

But the Doberman’s true objective had already been achieved. The remaining enforcement team members arrived. They hadn’t seen the standoff between Nelson and 08; they only saw 08 being “beaten up.”

The Woof Woof Church representative, through the surveillance equipment worn by the enforcement team, clearly saw the additional prop in Nelson’s hand and immediately became anxious.

“The sacrifice Nelson is suspected of having an explosive prop in his possession. The level of danger is incalculable. It is recommended that the enforcement team immediately move away.”

The Woof Woof Church representative was reluctant, but others persuaded her, “If Nelson starts a live-stream later, we won’t be able to catch him anyway. Besides, didn’t we find out that the Meow Meow Church’s black cat young master brought back a white cat?”

“That white cat is the fiancée of the Meow Meow Church’s young master. They didn’t participate in the capture of Lin Qiao because they were holding a wedding ceremony.”

“Could there be such a coincidence? The identity of that white cat is suspicious. What could be more important than capturing Lin Qiao? What are those Meow Meow Church guys thinking?”

A flash of inspiration struck the Woof Woof Church representative: “Is it possible that the Meow Meow Church isn’t ignoring Lin Qiao, but they believe the white cat is Lin Qiao?”

The remaining dogs were stunned, unsure of the situation. Both Doberman 08 and the black cat young master were the closest beings to Lin Qiao, and both sides would be monitored when the human representative and the Church verified the situation.

So here comes the question, if there is a Lin Qiao with Doberman 08 and another Lin Qiao with the black cat, which one is the real one?

The Woof Woof Church representative closed her eyes and said helplessly, “Order the enforcement team to retreat and stop chasing. We must not provoke the sacrifice Nelson.”

It was an unavoidable situation. If they sacrificed a large number of team members, destroyed numerous buildings, and caused human casualties and chaos, only to find out that the white cat from the Meow Meow Church was the real Lin Qiao, then all their efforts would be in vain.

But if the white cat was indeed Lin Qiao, the sacrifices made by the current offerings, Yatagarasu and Nelson, as well as the enforcement team’s Doberman 08, would be too great. Especially Doberman 08; if he had colluded with Nelson to take Lin Qiao away, then they would be accomplices. Nelson wouldn’t have attacked so fiercely; of course, there was the possibility of a “bitter meat plan,” but the Woof Woof Church representative had no evidence.

The enforcement team at the confrontation site received orders to retreat. They all looked displeased, thinking it was too lenient to let Nelson go. However, the dogs were absolutely obedient and loyal to the Church, always following orders without question.

As they left, they didn’t forget to support 08 and even growled menacingly at Nelson as they turned back. Watching the dogs move away, Nelson seemed to realize something. His gaze fell on the retreating figure of 08, and he sneered, “There’s a saying in Z country… Loyalty and righteousness are hard to reconcile, and a greedy dog will end up dead.”

The Doberman, who was walking away, twitched his ears slightly. Having experienced ear cropping, his hearing was several times better than that of other dogs. He could hear Nelson’s words but chose not to respond.

Nelson didn’t pay much attention to Doberman 08. In his view, 08’s behavior was laughable and pitiful. Unable to make a decisive choice in difficult situations, he would inevitably end up in a tragic situation.

Nelson quickly chased after the direction Yatagarasu had left, transforming back into his human appearance along the way. The terrifying red eyes and strange patterns disappeared, and his fangs were retracted into his mouth.

Nelson caught up with Yatagarasu, or rather, Yatagarasu had intentionally waited for Nelson’s arrival. However, there was also a Daoist priest waiting beside Yatagarasu.

After the players met, they found a relatively safe place, avoiding all surveillance and crowds, as well as any cats or dogs.

Near the city where the Daoist priest was from, there was a scenic area that hadn’t been opened to the public due to ghostly rumors, making it a good spot.

The Daoist priest reminded, “Staying here isn’t a long-term solution, but we can stay for ten days or so. All four of us are in the top five, and our chances of winning are much higher if we stick together.”

Lin Qiao was placed on the ground by Yatagarasu. The surrounding tree shadows swayed, and the place was filled with a heavy, eerie atmosphere. The high “likes” values of the group quickly made the ancient building they were in feel cold and gloomy.

The building resembled a Taoist temple, with a grotesque tree and a main hall containing more than ten coffins, all covered in dust.

Feeling the ghostly presence, the Daoist priest continued, “If the haunting here is severe, the NPCs will know where we are. I’m curious, what did you guys do to offend the NPCs so much that they came after you with such a big fuss?”

Since seeing Lin Qiao again, Nelson had been silent, staring at him with a look of deep affection and nostalgia, wanting to get closer but not daring to, like a wronged little wife, which made Yatagarasu want to roll his eyes.

Yatagarasu moved Lin Qiao behind him and then raised his chin at Nelson, saying, “What are you looking at?”

Lin Qiao, feeling uncomfortable under Nelson’s gaze, shifted his attention and explained to the Daoist priest, “The NPCs found out that I am a contestant from two factions and that I used a prop to arrive in the scenario a day earlier than you guys.”

“So… they think I am an NPC who can turn pets into humans.”

The Daoist priest quickly understood the situation and realized that Nelson was the one who exposed Lin Qiao.

The Daoist priest completed Lin Qiao’s statement: “So those NPCs captured you to study your special qualities? After all, you’re a player and a sacrifice; you’re not really considered a human life.”

If it weren’t for Lin Qiao’s quick thinking, his identity cover-up would have been a problem. The Daoist priest’s words made Lin Qiao feel uneasy, but he noticed that Nelson didn’t expose him, didn’t mention his turning into a cat.

The Daoist priest pondered thoughtfully, and Lin Qiao continued, “My current body is a prop; my real body is somewhere else. I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you where it is.”

The Daoist priest didn’t mind. After all, everyone had been tricked by Nelson, and it was normal not to say it in front of him.

However, after hearing this, Yatagarasu’s eyes widened in shock. He didn’t expect that the person he had been guarding for so long was actually a “decoy prop.”

When was the prop used? How come he didn’t see Lin Qiao’s real body leave? Wait, Yatagarasu remembered a little white cat when they left the school…

Yatagarasu’s expression darkened. If Lin Qiao had already been assimilated into a cat, then he would be completely part of the script, unless Lin Qiao had an immunity prop.

Yatagarasu’s expression grew increasingly gloomy, but he wasn’t angry about being deceived. After all, in Yatagarasu’s view, Lin Qiao’s willingness to reveal this now was a sign of trust.

Moreover, ever since they got into the Church’s car and left the school, Lin Qiao hadn’t had the chance to speak about these things.

Thinking this way, Yatagarasu felt quite pleased. Didn’t Lin Qiao confess voluntarily when they were only with the players?

The young man, Yatagarasu, had a small pink mole on the tip of his nose, and all his thoughts were written on his face.

After Lin Qiao finished speaking, the Daoist priest also stated his purpose. He simply wanted to form an alliance, nothing more.

Yatagarasu, on the other hand, purely wanted to be with Lin Qiao, but he phrased it as: “I also want to join the group.”

Lin Qiao, Yatagarasu, and the Daoist priest all looked at Nelson, who was “gazing affectionately,” the Fraudster who had tricked everyone present.

Lin Qiao mustered up the courage and asked, “Why did you hijack the car?”

In Lin Qiao’s view, Nelson’s behavior was utterly irrational. Nelson was the one who made Lin Qiao suspicious to the Church, and now he was the one trying to take Lin Qiao away from the Church. Such capriciousness was truly unfathomable.

Nelson wanted to explain something but couldn’t utter a single word.

The Daoist priest whispered beside him, “I also find it very strange. After realizing we were tricked at the school, I went back to find him.”

“At that time, he already regretted it, and his face was very long,” the Daoist priest approached Lin Qiao and complained, “If someone didn’t know better, they would think this person has a split personality, acting on a whim.”

Lin Qiao hid behind Yatagarasu and continued to look at Nelson, sticking his head out.

Nelson let out a bitter smile but didn’t answer directly. Instead, he said, “I know you are a prop decoy, and I also know where your real body is.”

“When your dog deliberately let me hurt him to make the Church retreat, I knew there was something off about your identity.”

Lin Qiao’s focus, however, was on something else: “Did you… hurt Doberman? Is his injury severe?”

Nelson’s lips instantly drooped. He adjusted his cuffs and rhythmically tapped the ground with his cane, looking somewhat uneasy: “I exchanged for explosive props in the system, and I could only get three.”

“Your dog took one, and I still have two.”

“If I throw one into the city center, the Church representative chasing you will be punished. She’s a dog, and her reckless pursuit of players will cause dissatisfaction among humans.”

“I didn’t do that because… I’m a good boy.”

Yatagarasu let out a “huh” in mockery, and Nelson continued, “Your dog can’t protect you. He’s an NPC in this world, and it’s impossible for him to both preserve his own kind and protect you.”

“He’s very greedy, and he will eventually harm you and himself.”

“I’m different from him; I will protect you.”

Lin Qiao felt as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world and muttered, “It was you who revealed my abnormality to the Church…”

Nelson covered his heart and said, “Yes, it was me.”