Chapter 115
"Mr. Li, I have a question." Rick suddenly raised his hand. He had been observing the situation, and if the other party's stance was false, then he might as well go and collect his Oscar.
"Explain."
"If you're an ordinary person, why would you go against the church? The situation is clearly one of the strong and the weak."
Yuki still didn't admit his identity, fiddling with the cola can, lost in thought.
The bizarre situation of the old man's family, the disgusting black maggots, cannibalism, and that church that requires complete devotion.
A moment later, he had his answer.
"I hate this Yadu Town, everything about it."
Cooperation reached.
They don't need to support each other like the upperclassmen or Hayasaka Ai, nor do they need to plan for the future like Shiina Hiyori.
Because of the dungeon quest, Yuki, Rick, and the others decided to cooperate, which is the most common way in Reincarnation Game, especially in dungeons with faction divisions.
Yuki still firmly controls the narrative, after all, he is the strongest and most experienced.
'Finally, I feel like a boss.'
A satisfied smile appeared behind the gas mask. Since it was a role-playing competition, he needed to find teammates; even if they were a bit weak, they could still play a role.
Rick and his group, needless to say, needed the power of the Yuki to maintain their safety; otherwise, let alone the players and the church, the residents of Light Yadu Town alone would be enough to cause them trouble.
"The key now is to find the 'cultists' and figure out what their message is." Yuki interlaced his fingers and rested them on his chin. He saw Moon Bow instinctively turn to look at Pinto, so he shook his head slightly to stop her.
This almost invisible newcomer is certainly suspicious, but there are more subtle ways to uncover the truth.
"How to find it? Atour Town is very big, and it's not easy to find other players." The girl asked doubtfully.
"Of course we'll find them on foot! Everyone's pushing the plot forward, so we're sure to run into them if we go out for a walk."
"Prompt 3..."
"Note that He said 'please do not' rather than 'forbidden.' Night is not only a chance to catch one's breath, but also an opportunity to seek the truth."
Moon Bow and Rick paused for a moment, then nodded together.
During the day, the town's residents are everywhere, making it impossible to find clues. In other words, nighttime is the turn of the 'Undercover,' who need to gather clues at night to improve their mission rating.
"We're not in combat mode right now, are we?" Yuki suddenly asked again.
"Of course not, uh, you mean 'Undercover' clue 6?" Rick was smart and immediately realized.
[Undercover Tip 6: In non-combat situations, you have two opportunities to impersonate others and deceive them, lasting for five hours]
It was in combat mode before, but it couldn't be activated when the male homeowner came home because the living room was covered in blood; he's not blind.
"Okay, let's rest for a bit, then we'll set off. Rick, change your clothes, join a patrol, and then look for clues about the other players." Yuki quickened his pace, then looked at the girl:
"Moon Bow, come with me. Let's investigate this thoroughly, one in the open and one in the shadows."
This...
Rick absolutely didn't want to leave his room. Forget about the limited number of attempts; who knew if this hint would fool the townspeople? What if it was targeting the player?
"Fine, I don't want to just sit here and wait to die." Before he could object, the girl had already stood up. "We should at least try this suggestion to see if it works."
With his mouth gagged, Rick couldn't find an excuse and mumbled, "But what about Pinto? He can't get out, can he?"
"Let him stay home. If I'm not mistaken, you two should unlock your special abilities by now," Yuki said nonchalantly, seemingly uninterested in the newcomer who had messed up twice.
Yuki has already explained what the special ability is. The trigger conditions are different each time. For example, Bloodthirsty Red Moon requires passing the first night, and Demon Hospital requires passing the first floor. He doesn't know about this particular instance either.
But based on experience, it should be soon.
Rick's face lit up with anticipation. He desperately needed the ability to protect himself, and he happily went to change his clothes. The male owner was similar in build to him, so changing clothes wasn't difficult.
Yuki a glance with the girl, picked up the vase on the table and played with it. When he put it down, a pinhole camera was already hidden in the Petal.
The girl glanced at him and immediately understood what he meant.
Shhh.
Yuki made a shushing gesture, and before long, Rick returned, dressed in civilian clothes. Anyway, the Glock pistol was too small to hide in his pocket.
"Let's begin. We can just go out through the main entrance."
"Are you really going to do it?"
"Why are you dawdling like that, officer?"
Because even the police are afraid of dying.
Rick was so nervous his legs went weak, but Yuki and Moon Bow were hiding on either side of the gate, arrows nocked and knives in hand, providing some sense of security.
[Prompt enabled, remaining quantity 1/2]
A strange murmur arose. He took a deep breath, put the Walkie-talkie that Yuki had tossed to him into his pocket, then placed his hand on the doorknob and closed his eyes.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
He hardened his heart and, as if giving up on treatment, slammed the door open.
Squeak--
With the sound of pages turning, the torchlight shone directly on their faces, and three townspeople passing by the door stopped instantly, holding torches as they approached the house and stood by the fence, peering inside.
Rick's heart nearly stopped, and Yuki held his breath.
He observed that, apart from the townspeople's tireless and diligent patrols, there were no supernatural phenomena. So why couldn't players freely walk around the town?
Silence Yuki slowly raised his sword. He had no intention of using Rick as cannon fodder; he would intervene if things went wrong.
Before the enemy could warn them, they were all killed.
"Why are you so late? Keep up with the group, we're going to be busy tonight."
The middle-aged man holding the torch suddenly waved his hand, causing Yuki to pause slightly with his sword.
They treated me like one of their own?
Rick also looked bewildered. He didn't just stand there dumbfounded; 'Undercover' was a required course for every detective. So he slowly walked into the garden and tentatively asked.
"Find those people?"
"Yes, this is God's will." The middle-aged man nodded with a smile, his tone unchanged. "Under the cover of night, any outsiders still active are either criminals or thieves. Arrest them first, and kill them without exception if they resist."
So that's how it is. No wonder Mr. Li said the night was the 'Undercover' round.
Once Rick was certain the townspeople weren't lying, Rick eyes lit up, and his legs stopped trembling. He even felt a pang of regret for not combining clue three with the Undercover's clue six.
Can't these people distinguish friend from foe based on appearance? Logically speaking, there aren't many residents in the town, so they should all know each other.
Yuki silently watched the departing figure, and then he found another clue.
So that's how it is; the Undercover's abilities made the town unconditionally believe his identity.
"Looks like you guessed it all along." Yuki looked at the girl across the gate, who had already released her bowstring, her expression hidden behind her black helmet.
"Yes, but without you, I wouldn't dare to do it." The girl was very honest.
Every hint, every word, has its value. Analyzing the patterns requires intelligence, but putting those patterns into practice requires skill and courage.
Without Yuki's sword to oversee things, how could they dare to put it into practice? If something went wrong, wouldn't it be tantamount to suicide?
Efficiency comes with risk; strength determines everything.
"So, we're mutually exploiting each other. Oh, right, put this on first."
Yuki threw out his camouflage hood, turned around, took off his gas mask, and put on Tengu Mask, instantly covering himself completely.
"You... you're really cautious." Seeing that the man had taken several precautions, Moon Bow was somewhat impressed.
"Better safe than sorry, let's go."
Yuki chuckled, then rushed out of the room, hugging the fence as he moved through the gardens of the houses, where he could see the light of torches ahead.
He heard the conversation just now.
During the day, players who are outsiders are treated as honored guests and will receive a warm welcome from the townspeople. At night, regardless of their identity, they are all enemies, and once their whereabouts are exposed, they will receive a different kind of hospitality.
As for skills like invisibility, Conceal Presence, Demon Eye, they will definitely be useful, but bypassing the prompts on your own is definitely not that easy.
"Huh, someone's guarding this place."
"Keep your voice down. Those outsiders are cunning. Don't give yourself away."
A voice came through the earpiece, Yuki's heart tightened. He instantly raised his hand, and the girl behind him stopped immediately.
Having learned from his previous experience, he dared not activate his Demon Eye. He looked ahead with his naked eyes and, by the light of the torch, saw a person lying on the walls on both sides of the alley.
He was like a human gecko, quietly and silently hidden in the night, turning his head back and forth, wary of his surroundings.
Damn it, there really were hidden sentries.
Yuki's eyes twitched, and he immediately took out a thermal imager and put it on his head, but he couldn't see any figures on the wall at all, proving that the monster attached to the townspeople had formed a barrier, blocking infrared signatures.
How insidious...
No matter how careful you are, you'll still get caught without the Demon Eye. Moreover, the Demon Eye can't be kept active for long, as that will trigger a passive reaction. The Yadu Town is extremely dangerous at night, so you can't just wander around aimlessly.
"Luckily, I have Undercover agent who can act as a guide."
Yuki thought to himself that he was quick-witted, made a gesture behind him, gripped the sword in his backhand, and crept up the wall.
He slowly pressed himself against the corner of the wall, pinpointed the other person's location, simulated the frequency of the other person's head movements, bent his knees, and suddenly jumped.
It leaped from the spot, reaching a height of four or five meters. The sound of its clothes rubbing against the air made the 'gecko' instantly turn its head and instinctively put the brass whistle in its chest into its mouth.
Before it could even open its mouth to blow, Yuki's knife had already plunged into its chest, and his other hand covered its mouth.
Waaah.
The scent dissipated quickly, and the patrol team ahead turned around. By the light of their torches, they could vaguely see their companions still clinging to the wall.
"Let's go, let's continue."
They turned and left, Yuki on the wall released his grip, tossing the body down so the girl could hide in the bushes.
Having Undercover agent to guide you isn't very useful; the key is—
Who is he leading the way for?
Chapter Ten: Someone's Fishing
Undercover can't accomplish anything on their own; throughout history, successful cases have always involved strong support.
If the police force is incompetent, Undercover are basically like meat buns—gone and never to return. Even if an individual is exceptionally capable, it's a three-year wait followed by another three years.
"But if the support is strong enough, it can play a strategic role."
Yuki used these two 'Undercover' to his advantage, and as their understanding grew, Rick no longer needed to risk exposing himself by questioning them.
Ta-da.
Tap the Walkie-talkie twice to indicate the presence of a 'gecko'. After Yuki, Yuki can observe carefully and spot it with the naked eye in advance.
Da da da.
Three taps indicate a landmine. Some townspeople will bury themselves in their gardens, leaving only their heads exposed. If a player thinks they have strong stealth abilities and accidentally steps on it, their invisibility skill will probably be useless.
Geckos on the walls, landmines in the garden, and hidden sentries on the rooftops—the town, which is peaceful and harmonious during the day, is more secure than the Jail at night.
Without exceptional stealth skills, it would be nearly impossible to move an inch.
But having someone lead the way makes a difference. As long as they receive a warning, they can bypass the obstacle in advance. If they really can't bypass it, they can assassinate the target together with Moon Bow.
The latter's longbow has been upgraded, and when paired with armor-piercing arrows, it is both fast and silent. Moreover, as a veteran player, his willpower is not an issue.
Call out.
An arrow streaked across the night sky, striking a sentry hidden on the rooftop. Caught off guard, the sentry was struck in the neck and rolled down the hill. Before he could even cry out, a gleaming longsword was already waiting downstairs.
The blade pierced the head, and Yuki reached out and grabbed the corpse, throwing it behind him. The girl caught it and stuffed it into the bushes in the garden, erasing all traces of its existence.
Yuki was like a highly efficient killing machine; this was already his tenth target. After taking care of him, he didn't stop but caught up with Rick's pace ahead.
On this Mugetsu night, although it wasn't exactly a free-for-all, it still gave them a significant advantage. Guided by the 'Undercover,' they traversed several city blocks, constantly gathering intelligence.
'The possessed monsters conceal their presence, thus weakening their combat abilities and rendering them virtually defenseless.'