Aperitif, Cup Scramble

A'yu's reaction was exactly what Lin Yu expected.

He had noticed before that although A'yu's eyes held wariness and apprehension towards him, it was nothing compared to the malice she displayed when facing Li Hua...

The deputy minister of this "Marauders" did not seem to harbor any obvious or direct hostility towards her.

It's actually easy to understand...

After the forum announced the permanent expulsion of the three organizations, besides adopting a somewhat "official" stance in characterizing them as "heretical" or "Heretical Path" groups...

In effect, this also provides these three organizations with a natural "alliance".

Despite the selfishness of the "Marauders," the maverick nature of the "Freedom Alliance," and the fact that the "Psychology Society" is a bunch of lunatics among lunatics.

But if they really encounter "Order" together...

In all likelihood, they will tacitly join forces to take down the people who uphold "Order" first.

Sometimes Lin Yu couldn't help but think that the "forum" action even seemed a bit like "raising a treacherous snake."

But no matter what...

Lin Yu is now taking "Fluoxetine," and can be said to be enjoying the benefits of this "natural ally."

Just now, Li Hua, who had remained Unmovable as a Mountain and as steady as an old dog, finally spoke.

"What, are you trying to blatantly break the Game Rules?"

"In Instance where 'Deity' might be involved... are you all willing to increase your chances of death just for the sake of pride?"

After Li Hua finished speaking...

Lin Yu was prepared and immediately said with a smile, "However, what that Octopus just mentioned was the 'Banquet Rules'..."

"Is a self-introduction session, where no food has even been served, considered part of the banquet?"

"It even left on purpose—it's almost as if it deliberately gave us time to kill each other!"

As Lin Yu spoke, A'yu burst into laughter.

"That makes sense, Nail Sister! I like that way of putting it!"

"Gambling addict... wanna try your luck with a bet?"

Seeing Lin Yu fanning the flames and A'yu looking on with great interest, Li Hua spoke in a cold voice.

"Are you kidding me? I don't gamble!"

He then took out a black Advertising Board slightly larger than a tablet computer.

A line of hastily written words quickly appeared on the Advertising Board.

"The probability of being punished after killing each other is now 100%!"

"I activated the Gambler's ability," Li Hua said coldly. "This [Advertising Board] is used to publicly display a known 'information'... you've heard of it, haven't you?"

"So, Fluoxetine, your reasoning is Error. The self-introduction segment is also part of the banquet—and the Octopus's departure might even have been a sting operation."

After Li Hua finished speaking, Lin Yu and A'yu both showed expressions of disappointment.

Mosin-Nagant spoke up again with a smile.

"It seems it's better to avoid a life-or-death struggle!"

The "hunter," who had just drawn his weapon faster than anyone else, spoke as if nothing had happened.

"It's so nice that everyone is getting along so well!"

"I love these Cooperative Instance... Even if everyone's organization has different stances, we can still conquer the Game together!"

"The Magician" Qianhuan popped his head out from under the hat.

He couldn't help but speak up after hearing Mosin-Nagant's remarks.

"Hey, Gold Medal Hunter Uncle... are you worried that we'll die in the Instance and lose a lot of bounty, right?"

Upon hearing Qianhuan's words, Mosin-Nagant spoke again in a kind manner.

"Yes, you have nine million, A'yu has nine million six hundred thousand... and Fluoxetine, thirteen million."

"I have a family to support."

Mosin-Nagant spoke, Lin Yu put away his gun and shook his finger.

"To correct you, the bounty offered by the Hunter Society should be 15,250,000."

This number wasn't something Lin Yu made up.

Because he did indeed go to the Hunter's Association APP and read all the posts offering bounties for Fluoxetine, adding up every single one.

A'yu jumped off the chair and sat back down, holding two flintlock pistols in her arms as she spoke.

"Hey, Mosin-Nagant, how about we go outside and give it a try?"

As she spoke, Mosin-Nagant waved his hand.

"No, no... You are the vice minister of the 'Marauders,' while I am all alone. If you weren't alone and didn't give me the chance to ambush you, how could I dare to lay a hand on you?"

The conversation at the dinner table remained tense and fraught with tension.

However, everyone had already put away their weapons, and although there was some tension in their words, they wouldn't actually start a fight.

Li Hua also breathed a sigh of relief.

And just after everyone "Leng Jing down"...

An octopus-shaped Octopus fell from the sky.

With a splash, it plunged into the pool, clutching a bunch of opaque bags on its eight tentacles.

"Whoa—everyone! I'm back!"

After looking around with its long, narrow eyes, the Octopus smiled and spoke.

"Ah... it seems you all have a good exchange!"

"It's a banquet, the most important thing is that everyone is happy."

As it spoke, the Octopus "Ka" pulled six glasses out of the pool.

"So... everyone!"

"Next, please enjoy your 'Aperitif' —please take your own glasses!"

"Aperitif, and I can understand if some guests don't want to drink... However, guests who don't drink are considered a 'disappointment' by the host."

"Anyone who spoils the fun will have a 'rope' cut off from their seat!"

After the Octopus "card" finished speaking...

It tossed all the glasses high into the air.

Almost instantly, everyone present realized what was happening...

Seven Player, six cups!

At least one person will inevitably be punished!

Although direct Player -versus-player combat is prohibited in this Instance, it is still a "competitive" instance!

Lin Yu also realized this.

"This is really disadvantageous."

He had a bad feeling about this.

The "assassin's" abilities are of little help in stealing the cup.

And the Item in his hand...

[Infallible Revolver], [One-sentence Lie Detector], [Tooth of Prophecy], [Tongue of Deception], [Fear Torch], [Chat's Supplies], [Fear Lens], [Multi-tool Screwdriver], [BBE-300], [Safety Helmet (White)], [Bone Crusher]...

There are also [Profession Item: Mask] and [Profession Item: Counterfeit].

None of the above-mentioned items combined could help in grabbing the cup.

No, [Tooth of Prophecy] and [Tongue of Deception] are indeed useful, but Lin Yu them here.

"Is it all about quick reflexes now?"

While Lin Yu was pondering, Mosin-Nagant had already taken the initiative.

He took out his Dog Whistle and blew it loudly, and a small hunting dog appeared out of thin air.

The dog leaped high into the air, easily snatched a cup from the table, and handed it to Mosin-Nagant!

The number of cups in the air...

Five of them have arrived!

This means that the competition has become even more intense!