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Who would have thought that not long after saying that, he would take a fall himself and die faster than anyone else?

Although 154 knew roughly what had happened, he still asked You Huo to confirm it in a businesslike manner. "You kicked him?"

You Huo lowered his eyes to look at him and said lazily, "My leg was numb, and I couldn't keep my balance. I stumbled."

Everyone: "..."

Stumbled, my ass.

154: "Isn't that excuse a little half-assed?"

You Huo: "Did I make the rule about not damaging the tableware?"

154: "No."

You Huo: "Did you give birth to this uncoordinated Hunter A?"

154: "..."

Faced with such cold sarcasm, Invigilator 154 felt a little overwhelmed. He turned to find someone even more sarcastic to bail him out, only to discover that 922 was the only one beside him. Their boss hadn't come to inspect the body at all.

Seeing the invigilator lose focus, Yu Wen worked up the nerve to ask, "Uh... Hunter A broke the cup, and he died all on his own. Could you not count it as a violation for my brother?"

Beep, beep, beep-

Before 154 could open his mouth, three violation alerts sounded in the room.

It was the first time all three invigilators had been warned at once.

No one in the room had heard that sound before, and they were a little confused.

Yu Wen looked around for its source and asked warily, "What is it now?"

922 reassured them, "Don't be nervous. It's just the exam

system

urging us to hurry up and administer the punishment."

Everyone fell silent for a moment and grew even more nervous.

Someone else spoke up. "Then... could you let me take his punishment for him?"

Everyone turned to look. It was Yu Yao.

She held up her slender, pale hand like a student trying to get the teacher's attention in class. Up close, her hand could be seen trembling, but her gaze remained resolute.

Unfortunately, the invigilators passed right over her.

The system urged them twice more.

The two invigilators walked through the crowd to You Huo.

The others wanted to follow, but hesitated, not quite daring to.

Partway there, 154 glanced back at them, and everyone who had wanted to move was rooted to the spot.

922 was less serious when he spoke to You Huo. Since the other examinees couldn't hear him, he rattled off whatever came to mind. "It's not that we want to make trouble for you. To tell you the truth, when we got the violation notice, 154 missed a step on the stairs, I dropped my beef on my foot, and the boss was playing with a bird and nearly twisted its head off. None of us wants to punish you, really. Who's that supposed to be torture for? Don't sneer. I've noticed you have a particular problem with our boss."

You Huo's gaze swept over Qin Jiu, then snapped back, as though even looking at him hurt his eyes.

922 shook his head. "You really do have some nerve."

Bigshot You was unmoved.

922 went on, "The rules were written plain as day on the question wall: no damaging the tableware. Yes, you didn't actually pick up the cup and smash it yourself. If you had, you'd be the one lying stiff on the floor right now. But if the cup gets smashed and the question dies, while you get off scot-free... even I'd be pissed if I were the system."

"An indirect cause is still a cause." 922 touched his neck.

When the system had issued its warning earlier, that little red light on him had been hidden beneath the ends of his hair.

922 paused, then said to You Huo, "This is already the result of the system's fair assessment."

You Huo straightened up.

"What are you doing?" 154 asked warily.

You Huo looked to be around 185 centimeters tall, a good deal taller than 154 and about the same height as 922. But whenever he stood straight and looked at someone, he always gave them the feeling that he was looking down on them. Even 922 was no exception.

You Huo gave them a casual glance. "Did I say I refused the punishment?"

922: "Then why are you standing here posing with your arms crossed?"

You Huo moved his lips. "I was being polite and letting you finish."

The two invigilators: "..."

If they'd had guns, they would have fired.

You Huo set off.

As he passed through the crowd, Old Yu grabbed him. "You're really going?"

You Huo frowned instinctively.

He had always hated skin contact, especially when it came suddenly and without warning. But Old Yu was genuinely worried, so he endured it for two seconds before pulling his hand free. "One more time won't make a difference."

This is my third time going in. What's there to be afraid of? he thought.

It's just that little building. I've been locked up in solitary, swept up bloody water, and seen all the bones and scraps of flesh. What else could it possibly come up with?

Besides, no matter how annoying the punishment is... even if it means staring at No. 001, it's only three hours.

Clinging to the last of his patience, he waved at Old Yu and headed for the door without looking back. "The punishment will be over after a nap."

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice rang out.

"Mr. Hmph, who never learns his lesson-"

You Huo stopped in the doorway. Holding the doorknob, he looked to his left, expressionless.

Qin Jiu stood there, leaning on the back of the sofa and playing with a leather whip... no, a long leather cord.

He drawled, "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

You Huo faced him for a moment, then finally moved his lips. "To get reincarnated. How about I wait for you so we can go together?"

Qin Jiu gave a short laugh, his voice deep. "I'm flattered, but you don't have to go that far."

You Huo frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, right." Qin Jiu turned toward the room. "Where's our other invigilator? Did you forget to tell him what this punishment involves?"

You Huo looked at 154, unsure whether to believe him.

154 pulled out another slip of paper and read, "According to the rules, an examinee who commits three consecutive violations during a single exam will become a special subject. An invigilator will supervise him on-site throughout the exam and keep him under close observation."

Everyone: "..."

For some reason, the invigilator sounded deeply pained.

154 glanced at You Huo and continued reading, "The examinee will also be deprived of the right to choose on one occasion."