Chapter 141
Chapter 141
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief the moment Xiao Huai reappeared.
Brilliant golden light glittered across the sea. Coming back to the present, the Mad Hatter looked toward the aggrieved sea rabbit in the water.
Its mouth had been burned bright red, its button eyes looked ready to fall off, and the three-legged crow’s claws had raked wounds across its body.
The Mad Hatter pressed a tongue against the inside of one cheek, a faint crease between the brows betraying impatience, but still beckoned elegantly to the sea rabbit.
The creature slunk over and bent low, humbly begging forgiveness.
The Mad Hatter raised a hand and touched one rabbit ear. With a splash, the sea rabbit transformed into a wooden carving.
The Mad Hatter slipped the carving into a pocket and muttered, “It even let food escape after it was delivered straight to its mouth. It still needs more work.”
The Mad Hatter raised those eyes toward Xiao Huai. A slight smile curved those lips, no longer mad or mocking, but carrying a trace of something genuine.
“Congratulations to the player for winning this game.” The Mad Hatter formally placed the left hand before the waist and bowed like a gentleman.
As if receiving an order, every balloon and toy in the sky scattered in all directions, filling the air with the vitality of confetti released at a concert.
[Mr. Mad Hatter’s game has ended. Congratulations to the victorious players. Removing players from the world…]
The system notification appeared.
Seeing it, the players finally released the breaths they had truly been holding.
The pointer transformed back into a cane and returned to the Mad Hatter’s hand.
One by one, the players dissolved into fragments and disappeared.
Xiao Qian covered the tattoo on his left arm and quickly pulled his sleeve down. Whether Xiao Huai had noticed or not, he was the first to leave the Mad Hatter’s world.
Xiao Huai’s body also began to fade. The Mad Hatter stood on the sea and walked slowly toward the horizon.
After every other player had disappeared and Xiao Huai was the last one about to leave…
He called out, “Mad Hatter, thank you for the Survival Coins you tipped me back then. And this was an excellent performance.”
The Mad Hatter froze. Praise like that was deeply appreciated…
Nothing pleased the Mad Hatter more than hearing that a performance had been excellent.
Head held high and face turned slightly aside, the Mad Hatter watched Xiao Huai from the corner of those curved eyes.
“Xiao Huai, whether you obtain a gold coin or not makes no difference. There is only one way for you to leave the game-”
The Mad Hatter turned fully toward him.
Two words came slowly. “Kill someone.”
Kill someone, then become a vampire.
Steal the gold coins held by human players.
That was the most efficient way to escape.
Xiao Huai’s thick black lashes trembled. His voice drifted farther and farther away, until the Mad Hatter heard only a quiet reply.
“Mm.”
As the word fell, Xiao Huai disappeared.
The Mad Hatter stared at the place where he had vanished. A slow shake of the head followed. “Did you truly understand?”
One hand reached out. The sun at the horizon was replaced by a full moon, and night swallowed day.
“If you really do it, what will happen?”
Tainted blood would be like ink spilled on white cloth. No matter how fiercely one scrubbed, the stain would never disappear.
* * *
Xiao Huai could barely remain upright even with You Lin supporting him.
When he appeared in the hall covered in wounds, everyone froze.
Three hours had passed since they entered the game. Time flowed somewhat differently inside the world beyond the door.
In any case, far more people now crowded the hall than had been present that morning.
Many of them recognized Xiao Huai. After all, he had caused an enormous commotion on the first day.
“Damn… What happened to his hand?”
Not only were three fingers missing from one hand, the wound on his left arm was terrifying.
As they marveled at his injuries, a man suddenly lunged at Xiao Huai with such speed that he nearly became a blur.
Everyone was still stunned by Xiao Huai’s condition. No one had time to understand what was happening.
The man bared sharp fangs and charged at him like a lunatic, clawing the air.
And he was not alone. One, two… more joined him.
They were not human, but vampires.
The two vampires nearest the door no longer bothered hiding their identities and rushed in as well.
“Kill him and take his gold coin! Then we can leave! Once we’re out, there’ll be nothing left to fear.”
Killing a player might bring a curse, but if murder allowed them to leave the game…
Then who gave a damn about a curse?
Xiao Huai was gravely injured and could barely stand. He was also a human player known to possess a gold coin.
How could such an irresistible prize be placed among a crowd of vampires without being attacked?
Even if they did not care about his coin…
The sweetness of his blood was something no vampire could resist.
You Lin swept a cold glance over them.
With a thunderous boom, the vampires charging Xiao Huai were hurled backward by a powerful force.
Black wings spread wide. You Lin stood beside Xiao Huai, sheltering him beneath them, while crow feathers transformed into razor blades that sliced through the air.
As though warning them that one more step would condemn them beyond redemption.
The vampire players froze, completely dumbfounded.
When had Xiao Huai met someone so powerful?
What kind of outrageous supernatural ability did this player possess?
He could turn straight into a birdman? And deal that much damage?
Xiao Qian emerged from the crowd and looked at Xiao Huai.
The moment their gazes met, Xiao Qian gestured toward the exit.
No words were necessary. Xiao Qian left the hall, while You Lin escorted Xiao Huai after him.
Once that strength had been displayed, no one dared cause trouble so easily.
You Lin could exist in this instance for only one hour. Once the hour ended, he would leave.
The other players did not know that. As long as they knew You Lin existed, they would not dare provoke Xiao Huai in the future.
Xiao Huai entered Xiao Qian’s room, while You Lin stood guard outside.
Xiao Qian took out a bottle of sugar cubes, opened it, and handed it over.
Xiao Huai glanced at the bottle and accepted it, but did not eat.
“What is it? Afraid they’re poisoned?” Xiao Qian noticed. “You never worried before. Why are you suddenly afraid?”
Xiao Huai said nothing. He slowly ate a sugar cube. His wounds began to heal, and the severed fingers gradually grew back.
Xiao Qian looked out the window. “You could have died back there.”
His voice remained even, but his furrowed brows betrayed him.
“Everyone dies.” Xiao Huai leaned lazily against the bed and breathed softly.
“But you shouldn’t.” Xiao Qian turned back. “You shouldn’t die so easily in a fourth-floor instance. You’re my customer.”
Xiao Huai suddenly laughed. “Does a game companion really care whether the customer lives or dies?”
He was right.
A game companion was responsible for guiding a customer through an instance, but if the customer sought death and actually died, who else could be blamed?
A dead customer could not complain. Only those who survived contributed to a game companion’s reputation.
Xiao Qian stared at Xiao Huai for three seconds, his frown deepening. A faint sigh slipped out with his breath. “When did you figure it out?”