Chapter 1380 - 1347: Inside and Outside the Game

“It’s the first time I’ve encountered a ghost wanting to play a game with us. It seems like this ghost is quite unusual, possessing some degree of human consciousness.”

Arriving at the empty Peace Hotel, Ah Wei wasn’t nervous at all. Instead, he analyzed the situation with interest.

“This ghost is an anomaly, and such anomalies are rare. We’ve just happened to run into one,” Wang Shanshan said. “We just need to survive for thirty minutes in this hotel. Once the game ends, the ghost will adhere to the agreement, making it much easier for Yang Jian to deal with it.”

Ah Wei laughed, “Young lady, I think you’ve misunderstood something. It’s not Yang Jian trying to deal with the ghost; it’s the ghost trying to find a way to deal with Yang Jian. The fact that the ghost chose to engage in a supernatural game means it’s trying hard to avoid a direct confrontation with Yang Jian, which also means the ghost is at a disadvantage against him.”

“Only when facing an unbeatable enemy do you resort to such fancy tricks. If the ghost could kill Yang Jian, it wouldn’t need to bother with this, even if it’s following certain rules.”

“You’re right. In the previous encounter, we almost contained the ghost, which then rebooted, bringing the time back forty minutes, which is why this has happened,” Wang Shanshan said.

Zhang Wei chimed in from the side, “Aren’t we supposed to be playing the game seriously? How did we end up chatting?”

“Hasn’t the game already started?” Wang Shanshan replied.

“Why aren’t you getting into it at all? It’s making me feel really awkward,” Zhang Wei said, carrying an axe, looking around, and appearing like a Clown compared to Wang Shanshan and Ah Wei, who continued to chat as they walked.

Ah Wei smiled and said, “The ghost is already inside Peace Hotel; this is its territory. We don’t need to go looking for it. It will come to us, as the longer it takes, the worse it is for the ghost. Considering that the three of us are ordinary people, the ghost’s level of terror will decrease accordingly. If the ghost’s method of killing is terrifying, like instant death upon meeting or contact, then its actions will be limited. Conversely, if the ghost’s actions are bizarre, its killing method won’t be too excessive.”

“After all, the game should be relatively fair. If it’s excessively imbalanced, it loses the meaning of a game, and Yang Jian outside wouldn’t agree.”

At this point.

Ah Wei halted his steps, “So, the first step is to determine what aspect the ghost is emphasizing. Considering that the ghost hasn’t appeared yet, I believe that before revealing itself, it definitely wants to first reduce our number by one.”

“Moreover, we must consider, what kind of existence are we facing? Is it a real ghost, or is it just a ghost within this game?”

“Is there a difference?” Wang Shanshan asked.

Ah Wei replied, “Of course, there’s a difference. If it’s a real ghost, it can adjust the game’s difficulty at any time, greatly enhancing its level of terror. Winning this game would be difficult. However, if we’re facing a ghost that’s only part of this supernatural game and not a real ghost, then the level of terror won’t adjust, and our chances of winning are substantial.”

“The first step is to determine the ghost’s abilities, the second is to determine the level of its terror, and if we can grasp this information, the third step is to choose our game strategy,” Wang Shanshan said.

“Exactly.” Ah Wei nodded.

Wang Shanshan halted her steps, “So the first encounter is the most dangerous because we know nothing about the ghost, but we can’t avoid contact either. Instead of waiting passively, we might as well take the initiative. The lobby on this floor is spacious, so let’s wait for the ghost here.”

Looking around.

Although the surroundings were dark, some light still shone through the windows, allowing everyone to clearly see this spacious lobby through the dim reflections.

“This place is good; you can defend, escape, and have a wide view to avoid ambushes. If the ghost wants to kill us, it must appear in our line of sight,” Ah Wei said, agreeing with Wang Shanshan’s assessment.

“After all that talk, I get it. We’ll just stay put here, and confront whatever that ghost is head-on. Wang Shanshan, take this thing for self-defense, and leave the rest to me, Ah Wei,” Zhang Wei took the initiative to hand a golden pistol to Wang Shanshan while gripping an axe, on high alert.

The supernatural axe defied logic in weight, seemingly heavy, yet Zhang Wei held it effortlessly, feeling as light as a feather.

Wang Shanshan didn’t refuse and took the pistol.

This pistol couldn’t kill ghosts but could slow down a fierce ghost’s actions slightly, providing some usefulness.

Ah Wei had no weapon at hand, but he was unafraid because he knew ordinary weapons were just for comfort, while only Zhang Wei’s supernatural weapon could play a decisive role.

As expected.

Soon.

An abrupt sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the silent, empty building. It sounded like someone was running quickly, heading straight for them.

“The ghost’s action has started. Be cautious. Even though you are friends of Yang Jian, don’t expect him to save you if something really happens. Since you’ve chosen to participate in this game, you should have already made up your minds,” Ah Wei reminded the two again, strengthening their resolve to avoid retreat at a critical moment.

The hurried footsteps echoed through the lobby, and as ordinary people, they couldn’t tell where the sound was coming from, only knowing that the ghost was getting closer.

Fortunately, the three of them were not novices anymore. There was no panic, and no chaotic movements; they remained calmly waiting in place.

After the footsteps appeared for a moment, the ghost possibly realized it couldn’t disturb the three with such minor tactics and thus changed its tactics.

The noisy footsteps vanished.

A blurred figure, without anyone noticing, suddenly appeared at the entrance. It merged into the darkness, perhaps having stood there all along, unnoticed by the others.

The ghost began walking forward after appearing, without hiding itself, though its pace wasn’t quick, much like a normal person walking.

“That’s not good news,” Ah Wei frowned.

A ghost moving slowly suggested it kills fiercely, which was a terrible start, as the first encounter could likely lead to immediate casualties.

“Great timing, I’ve been waiting here for you. It’s late already, so let’s get this over with. Take this axe!” Zhang Wei rushed out, swinging the axe.

“Zhang Wei.” Wang Shanshan tried to stop him, but failed.

Ah Wei gestured with his hand, indicating, “Let him go. Someone must take the risk for the first contact. He has a supernatural weapon in his hand, enough to confront a fierce ghost. Since he’s making a move, we’ll observe the situation. Now is not a time for emotional decisions.”

Zhang Wei was extremely agitated, harboring a bellyful of fire, eager to release it on this ghost.

The ghost made no attempt to dodge and continued walking towards Zhang Wei, at the same steady pace.

As the ghost got closer, Ah Wei noticed the ghost was carrying something in its hand: a wooden stick, resembling a table leg, likely dismantled from some furniture. This piece of wood was blood-red, its lacquer vivid like fresh blood, remarkably striking even in the weak light.

“Is the ghost carrying a weapon because Zhang Wei has an axe?” Ah Wei speculated.

One human, one ghost; they’d already closed in on each other.

Zhang Wei swung his axe at the ghost’s head decisively, without hesitation. The ghost simultaneously raised its red piece of wood, striking at Zhang Wei, and didn’t evade.

“Not good, the ghost is trying to swap Zhang Wei.” At this moment, Ah Wei saw through the ploy, but it was too late.

“Bang!”

At this moment, a gunshot suddenly rang out, and Wang Shanshan chose to shoot at that instant.

The next moment.

Zhang Wei’s axe split open the ghost’s head in front of him, but he wasn’t hit by the red wooden stick. Instead, the red wooden stick was knocked away and fell to the side.

The ghost’s body fell heavily to the ground, motionless.

However, from the darkness beside him, another eerie figure slowly emerged. It bent over and picked up the red piece of wood from the ground, which clearly bore a bullet hole.

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“Another ghost? Isn’t this cheating?”

Zhang Wei was just about to feel smug, but he was taken aback when he saw the figure that appeared beside him.

“I made a mistake in my judgment before. This ghost isn’t very terrifying; its real danger comes from the red wooden stick in its hand. If we’re not hit by that thing, we’ll be fine. Now let’s move and snatch it away, and whatever we do, don’t let the ghost run off with it.”

Old Eagle fully understood after observing. This ghost’s movements weren’t slow; it was just pretending earlier.

Without any hesitation, he charged directly at the ghost.

“I’m good at this.” Zhang Wei once again grabbed his axe and rushed towards the second ghost.

However, the second ghost slowly retreated at this moment, its figure hiding in the darkness.

When Zhang Wei and Old Eagle charged forward, they found no trace of the ghost in the darkness ahead, as if it had vanished into thin air.

“Gone?” Zhang Wei was momentarily stunned.

“It can disappear into the darkness, which means the ghost’s movement speed is very strange and can appear beside any of us. Not good, Wang Shanshan is in danger.” Old Eagle suddenly realized this and turned his head sharply.

At this moment.

A cold human-like silhouette quickly appeared behind Wang Shanshan, simultaneously raising the red wooden stick.

“Bang!”

Just then, Zhang Wei fired his gun again, hitting the wooden stick directly, knocking it away without causing any harm to Wang Shanshan.

“Is it really this bold? Sneaking up on me, Ah Wei, doesn’t it know I’m known as the Dual-wielding Gunslinger? My Gun Trembling Technique isn’t just for show.”

Zhang Wei’s marksmanship was precise, and he was very confident, not worried about hitting Wang Shanshan at all. After the gunshot, Old Eagle rushed out.

Old Eagle’s target wasn’t the ghost but the red wooden stick that had been shot away by Ah Wei.

Even the ghost knows to recover this thing first. Old Eagle naturally understands its role. As long as they grab it, the ghost loses its most terrifying killing method, making their chances of winning much higher.

“What an unexpected individual.” Old Eagle thought to himself, gaining newfound respect for Zhang Wei.

Because very few ordinary people can achieve this level.

However, the ghost’s actions didn’t stop because of Zhang Wei’s gunshot.

Having lost the red wooden stick, the ghost still attacked Wang Shanshan. A pair of cold hands reached out from the darkness behind her and grabbed her by the neck, quickly dragging her into the darkness.

Wang Shanshan’s body was suspended in mid-air, her legs unable to touch the ground, struggling desperately, but it was to no avail. The intense suffocation almost causing her to pass out.

“Save the teammate.” Zhang Wei immediately reacted, wanting to save her, but it was too late.

His speed wasn’t enough.

However, Old Eagle had already reached Wang Shanshan’s side, and at this moment, Old Eagle had two choices: either save Wang Shanshan or grab that red wooden stick.

Two choices.

“The ghost wants to trade Wang Shanshan’s life with me, that’s why it didn’t break her neck right away.” Old Eagle thought quickly, immediately realizing this.

Without any hesitation, he charged heavily into the darkness behind Wang Shanshan.

The ghost was hit, released Wang Shanshan, and disappeared.

Then, a hand reached out from the darkness beside them, grabbed the red wooden stick on the ground, and disappeared into the darkness again.

“Well done,” Zhang Wei praised Old Eagle vigorously.

“Cough, cough.”

Wang Shanshan touched her neck, her breathing gradually easing: “If you had taken that red wooden stick just now, we would have won. Saving me wasn’t a good idea. With your ability, you can surely see this point, otherwise Yang Jian wouldn’t have chosen you.”

“Yang Jian’s purpose in choosing me wasn’t to win but to take care of you,” Old Eagle said calmly. “If necessary, I can die, but you guys can’t.”

If he were still a courier, he would definitely go for the item instead of saving people.

Zhang Wei said, “Don’t talk like that. Even if we call it a tie just now, there’s still plenty of time, and this game is still going on. With my recent performance, the one who’ll eventually win will surely be us.”

“I hope so,” Wang Shanshan said coldly.

Since it’s already happened, there’s no need to say anything more. They should just face the upcoming situation.

Meanwhile.

Outside the Peace Hotel, Yang Jian hadn’t left. He had been standing still for quite some time, but he wasn’t idle during this period.

Because under his feet, at some unknown moment, a pool of water had emerged, cold and deep, submerging his feet.

Not just this area, but the nearby streets, roads, shops, buildings… almost half of Dachang City was covered by a layer of water, and this range was still expanding.

Yang Jian’s purpose at this moment was simple: he wanted to use the water from Ghost Lake to lock down the entire Dachang City.

To stop the ghost’s movements.

As long as Zhang Wei, Wang Shanshan, and Old Eagle inside the Peace Hotel hold on for some time without losing, this game will be his victory.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com

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