TDU Chapter 318
Chapter 318 The Evil Snake’s Unveiling
"Ah...?" Chen Junnan paused to think, then suddenly understood.
When the iron ball was set to drop, if the answer wasn't {True} but rather {False}, then the ball would shift one position to the right.
The death target would also alternate between {even} and {odd} positions.
"Superstar... I never realized you were this good at math."
Yun Yao sighed. "I didn’t expect your mathematics to be this bad."
Chen Junnan felt fortunate to have Yun Yao present, their minds complemented each other almost perfectly. He supplied the ideas, and she filled in the details. With their combined efforts, the full structure of the game was finally becoming clear.
Until the next occurrence of the {Fall Question} with the answer {False}, all those in {odd} positions would be under the constant threat of death, while all the even numbers would remain absolutely safe.
"So that's how it is...wonderful," mused Chen Junnan.
"Wonderful...?" Yun Yao was taken aback. "Chen Junnan, did you not completely understand my explanation? You’re part of the {odd-numbered} spots, you are currently in danger of dying.
"Me, die?" Chen Junnan feigned surprise, then replied with casual indifference, "Oh... thanks for the reminder."
"You—"
"Superstar, there are many things I fear, but death isn’t one of them," Chen Junnan interjected. "In this {End Point}, I’m ready to die at any moment."
"But this is a {life-staking wager}!" Yun Yao exclaimed. "If we die, we just die, but if you die, you vanish completely."
"It’s fine," Chen Junnan said with a yawn. "It’s all the same. Losing to a {Terrestrial-grade} in a wager just means I exist in a different form; I’ll still be part of {End Point}."
"You even know that?" Yun Yao asked, surprised.
"This young master knows plenty," Chen Junnan chuckled. "Don’t stray from the topic. What’s the question this time?"
"Just like you said, it’s a string of random words again, completely meaningless," Yun Yao replied helplessly.
"Alright, got it," Chen Junnan remarked. "Leave the rest to me."
“Do you want to choose {True} or {False}?” Yun Yao asked.
“What do you want me to choose?” Chen Junnan countered.
“I don’t know,” Yun Yao replied. “For my own safety, I’d prefer the answer to be {True} this time. That way, the girl to my right would die, but I’d be safe for the next few rounds.”
“Yes, that’s the right choice.”
“But I won’t interfere with your decision,” Yun Yao added. “You are the {stake initiator}. With the iron ball constantly hanging above the {odd-numbered}, you’re in far more danger. If you want to shift the answer to {False} to trigger a parity switch, I completely understand.”
“Is that so…?” A smirk tugged at Chen Junnan’s lips. “Then I know what to do.”
“Mm…” Yun Yao should have hung up at that point, but she kept the receiver pressed to her ear.
“What is it, superstar?”
“Chen–Chen Junnan…” Yun Yao spoke softly. “I don’t really know the girl beside me. I’m not that invested in whether she lives or dies. But I have a feeling… a strong one. The next one to die might be you—”
“Okay okay, stop right there…” Chen Junnan quickly shook his head. “Jie, can you not jinx me out of boredom? Say something nice, will you?”
“But… I really do have that feeling.”
"Stop stop stop." Chen Junnan shook his head like a rattle drum. "With such a warm appearance, how do you manage to say something that cold? You think I’d refuse to change my answer just to save you? You’re way too naive. Better hang up now."
He hung up without another word, then turned back and selected {False}, picked up the phone, and dialed Xu Qian, his movements smooth and decisive.
Indeed. This time, he couldn’t choose {True}. Even if it meant Yun Yao would be safe, he absolutely couldn’t choose {True}.
The call connected.
"Qian jie."
"I'm here, go ahead."
"Someone’s about to start a killing spree. If {True} is chosen this round, the deaths will become unstoppable." After a short pause, Chen Junnan added, "You come up with this round’s question. Your goal is to make the person after you choose {False}."
"An unstoppable killing spree…?"
"Yes." He nodded. "No need for more words. Just remember: choose {False}."
"I… understand," Xu Qian replied hesitantly before hanging up.
Although Chen Junnan had done everything he could to sway the answer toward {False}, he knew the odds weren't in his favor.
A few minutes later, the screen flickered as usual.
"The verdict for this round—{True}."
{BOOM——!!}
The sound was close, like it had gone off right in front of him.
{1}, the anxious female, was dead.
This was the twelfth question, and yet it felt as if everyone had already grasped the rules. Though it was only the second day, this game was full of unusually clever players, three people had already died before the halfway mark.
Now the {odd} and {even} numbers had split into two opposing camps. If the {even}-numbered players could stay united in the rounds to come, it was entirely possible for them to wipe out all the {odd}-numbered ones.
"It’s going to be a—" Before Chen Junnan could finish his sentence, a sudden flash of insight seemed to streak through his mind.
It was at this moment that Chen Junnan finally understood where Qi Xia’s brilliant insights had come from. It seemed that ever since he chose to {stake his life}, his intelligence had noticeably increased.
‘Ole Qi… it’s because you don’t have a {Reverberation}, isn’t it? That’s why every death feels like a real death to you… That’s why you always tread so carefully.’
A smile appeared on Chen Junnan’s face. He had figured it out, the real position of the Terrestrial Snake.
The answer was simple: why had the {even} positions suddenly become so powerful?
Every answer had gone their way, meaning the {even} players now outnumbered the {odd}.
In the two previous rounds, {-2} and {3} had died, theoretically reducing each side by one. The balance between {even} and {odd} should have remained the same.
But ever since Terrestrial Snake joined the game, that balance had shifted. The {even} side had grown stronger.
With this realization, Terrestrial Snake's position was completely confirmed.
Chen Junnan rose to his feet, turned to face the wall to his left, and a wicked grin tugged at the corners of his lips.
"So… you were this close to me all along?" His hand slowly pressed against the wall, eyes glinting with growing fervor. "Tell me, which of us… will be the one to remain here forever?"
On the other side of the wall, Terrestrial Snake turned as well, facing to his right. Though he had never answered a single call since entering the room, never once revealing his position, he could distinctly feel a chilling killing intent emanating through the wall.
He too placed his palm flat against the wall, as though meeting his opponent through the barrier. The two men stood, separated by a single wall, yet locked in a silent confrontation.
"Punk…" Terrestrial Snake growled through clenched teeth, "you’re far too dangerous. I absolutely cannot let you survive."
TL Note: Rant goes here ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)
