TDU Chapter 73: Infiltrator

Chapter 73 Infiltrator

‘Infiltrator?’ Qi Xia pondered carefully, struggling to comprehend the meaning of this identity card.

If an infiltrator lurked among the four of them, then logically, their identity should remain concealed. Yet, Terrestrial Dog had permitted everyone to inspect each other's identities from the outset and even allowed them to swap cards. What kind of game was this, then?

"Would any of you like to exchange identities?" Terrestrial Dog asked from the front desk of the hotel.

Qi Xia cast a wary glance at the cards clutched in everyone's hands, a sense of unease settling over him.

How could they ascertain which identity held the most significance without any inkling of what the impending game would involve? If the {Infiltrator} role was designed to sabotage team cohesion, then Ole Lu was certainly a fitting candidate for that card.

Unsophisticated in approach, Qi Xia surmised that managing Ole Lu wouldn't pose too great a challenge.

But what exactly did the {Correspondent} and {Recipient} roles entail?

"Qi Xia, let's swap," Lin Qin said, extending her {Recipient} card forward. "I may not fully understand the meanings of these identities, but from the literal sense, the {Correspondent} comes first, and the {Recipient} follows. If I'm the first one, at least you'll have some room to maneuver as the {Recipient}."

Qi Xia considered Lin Qin's point and found it reasonable.

He indeed needed to serve as a {contingency}.

"Alright, let's exchange."

The two exchanged cards, with Lin Qin becoming the {Correspondent} and Qi Xia the {Recipient}.

"Um..." Ole Lu looked lost as he held his card. "Th—This card..."

Qi Xia patted his shoulder and said, "Ole Lu, no matter what the {Infiltrator}'s mission entails, just focus on your role. Remember, we are a team, and it's important to think critically when necessary."

Ole Lu nodded, his understanding ambiguous. Qi Xia then shifted his focus to Zhang Chenze.

She was fixated on her {Hostage} card, her clothes damp, and Qi Xia could easily imagine the chill seeping into her skin.

"Zhang Lawyer, are you alright?" Qi Xia inquired.

"This {Hostage} card..." Zhang Chenze murmured, her lips barely moving. "Could it be the sort of hostage that’s {trapped in a fish tank}?"

Qi Xia contemplated her question earnestly and nodded. "That’s certainly a possibility. Would you like me to swap with you?"

"No need..." Zhang Chenze shook her head and forced a smile. "Perhaps you all lack the experience I have; it's better for me to take on this {Hostage} role."

Noticing the facade of strength on Zhang Chenze's face, Qi Xia hesitated on how to persuade her. Finally, he said, "Don't worry; I’ll be able to save you."

"I'm not concerned about my situation; I just hope you won't hurt yourself in the process."

With their identities established, the collective turned to find that the opposing team had also completed their card exchanges.

The green-haired, blonde, and bald members of the opposing team held the identities of {Correspondent}, {Recipient}, and {Hostage}, respectively, while the sole girl among them took on the role of {Infiltrator}.

She appeared discontent with her identity, as though it had been thrust upon her by someone else against her will.

"Now that both sides have chosen their identities, please line up," Terrestrial Dog said with a beaming smile. 

Qi Xia was momentarily taken aback; he noticed that when Terrestrial Dog smiled, the muscles in his entire face moved, making it seem as if he didn't just wear a dog mask but had a real dog's head.

"First, let the player who drew the {Infiltrator} step forward," Terrestrial Dog gestured in a {beckoning} manner.

After a moment of contemplation, Ole Lu and the girl stepped forward. 

"Let's give them a round of applause!!" Terrestrial Dog then clapped his hands enthusiastically.

Everyone remained still, quietly listening to Terrestrial Dog's self-satisfied applause echoing in the room.

"First of all, I want to congratulate you both for drawing the identities with the highest survival rate in this game."

"Highest survival rate?" The two frowned in unison.

"That's right. From now on, due to your special identity as {Infiltrator}, you will be able to act within the opposing team," Terrestrial Dog explained, gesturing as he spoke. "You have two ways to complete your mission: first, you can perform your role as an {Infiltrator} well, helping the original team to victory and ensuring their survival. Second, you can abandon your original team and help the current team win. If, at the last moment, the team you are with is willing to accept you, you may survive under the new identity."

Ole Lu processed this information for a moment and then asked, "So, we're not just {Infiltrators}, but rather {Double Agents}? Meaning that no matter which team we help, as long as they win, we win too?"

"That's correct. As long as the new team is willing to accept you, you win," Terrestrial Dog said with a smile while nodding.

Qi Xia sensed a loophole in the rules and asked, "But why have two infiltrators? Wouldn't one opportunist be enough?"

"Great question," Terrestrial Dog nodded. "This is actually the most interesting part of this game. If a new team wants to accept that {Infiltrator}, they must abandon their own {Infiltrator}. In other words, a team can have at most four members, and it's impossible for both {Infiltrators} to join the same faction."

After hearing this, Qi Xia's expression darkened. 

Indeed, nothing that happened here was according to plan.

So, {Infiltrators} could betray their teams?

Before Qi Xia could say anything, Ole Lu turned around and asked, "Punk Qi, you guys aren’t going to abandon me, right?!"

Qi Xia stared into Ole Lu's eyes for a moment before responding, "What about you?"

"What good will abandoning you do me ah?! I paid four {Dào} for all your admission!" Ole Lu said anxiously. "The winning team gets five {Dào} each, plus all the loot from the losing side, right? But you guys are practically broke, and only that lawyer has a couple of {Dào}. If I help the other side take you out, I’d be lucky to gain five {Dào}, which means I’d only end up with one {Dào} for all that effort."

Qi Xia nodded and replied, "It’s crucial that you grasp this. I will not abandon you."

"Then it’s a deal, ya hear me?" Ole Lu said, gripping Qi Xia's hand. "I’ll do my best to make a mess for the other side and help you guys win."

"Wait a moment," Qi Xia said, pulling Ole Lu closer and whispering, "There are several important matters I must discuss with you."

…

On the other side, the girl, also a {Infiltrator}, looked troubled after hearing the rules. She approached her green-haired boyfriend, with an unwilling expression and said, "What should I do? I have to go to the other team?"

"Don't worry, babe," The green-haired man replied, wrapping his arms around her waist. "It's just going through the motions; those weaklings couldn’t possibly win against you."

"You’re not planning to ditch me in the process, are you?" she asked.

"What kind of nonsense is that? Do I look like I want that old man instead of you?" The green-haired man pulled her closer, their faces almost touching. "In certain aspects, you’re way more important than him."

"How shameless…" 

After that, the two embraced and began kissing without a care for their surroundings.