The clusters of balloons blocking the moonlight, the smiles on the dolls' faces, and the opening of this kind of performance game.
Perhaps Regan and Jin still couldn't connect William to all this. After all, the William in their memories was still that gentleman from before.
But Yi Chen and Lorien were different. They had witnessed the completion, witnessed the fusion of the clown and the actor.
Lorien tilted his head toward the top of the mall, toward the densely packed balloons clinging to the ceiling like abscesses and blocking the moonlight from seeping through.
"Just as I thought, he's here? William... He can even completely suppress my Moonification Disease. As expected of the Plague Lord. What exactly are you playing at? Why make everything so mysterious? Are you trying to test us, or avoid the gods' surveillance? Or are you really insane?"
Just as Lorien slowly lowered his head and looked at the doll riding a children's bicycle before him, the tape in the other party's mouth continued playing and explained the rules of the game.
"The name of the game is find me.
I'll give you a riddle. You can use it to determine my condition and location, then find me somewhere in the mall.
However, there are several strict requirements.
1. Once the game begins, you may no longer cooperate, including basic conversation or exchanging information through your minds. One person must remain alone while searching for me. If I discover anyone communicating or cooperating in secret, they will be immediately eliminated from the game.
2. I'm inside the mall and won't run around, but you only have one hour. If you can't find me within the time limit, it means the gap between us is too great, and you aren't qualified to meet me.
3. Damaging