Zhou You lowered his eyes and spoke.
"Could you explain in more detail?"
Before Desert North Mad Blade could answer, someone nearby took offense.
"Boy, watch your tone. He's still..."
But Desert North Mad Blade waved a hand with a genial smile.
"Don't be so stiff. I rather like this sort of thing. Young people should have a little recklessness in them."
His words were perfectly amiable, yet a strange gleam shone in his eyes.
...For some reason, Zhou You suddenly felt his backside clench. He shifted uneasily in his seat, putting a little more distance between them.
Then Desert North Mad Blade continued.
"I already explained the reason. As for the specifics... this place has become something utterly chaotic and unknowable—everything follows the Inn's rules. And that sheet you were given only covers the basics. Everything else has to be tested with human lives..."
Zhou You understood at once.
"So you're recruiting all these people to use us as cannon fodder to test the rules?" Desert North Mad Blade hurriedly waved his hands.
"Don't put it like that. It's mutually beneficial, mutually beneficial—so, Nine Heavens Star Killer, are you joining us... or not?"
Zhou You fell silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
Desert North Mad Blade laughed, drained the last of his drink, and left with his men.
But before leaving, he suddenly slapped his forehead, turned back, and offered a reminder.
"Oh, right. Almost forgot. There are a few more things I should warn you about."
Zhou You gestured for him to continue.
"First, several other groups are trapped in this Inn besides us. But they're different from us. Some even think they can only escape this damned place if they kill enough people, so watch yourself."
"Second, don't put too much trust in the companions this