Chapter 102 A Cunning Snake
Just as anticipated, the third game also passed without a hitch. Under Qi Xia's leadership, the group dangled from the ropes, suspended as they awaited the imminent arrival of Mortal Snake.
"Long time no see, everyone," Mortal Snake finally appeared, initiating a conversation with the gathered individuals. "I am Mortal Snake."
"‘Mortal’ my ass!" Qiao Jiajin erupted. "First Goat, then Dog, and now Snake? Believe me, I'm going to finish you off!"
"Please, let's not get too excited," Mortal Snake's voice remained calm. He glanced up at everyone before continuing, "You are in the final stage of the trial. I have a lever by my hand here. Once I pull it, you will descend safely, and no one will be hurt."
"Then can you pull it now?" Xiao Ran inquired.
"Well..." Mortal Snake smiled imperceptibly and spoke, "I will engage you all in a game. Your survival will depend entirely on your performance."
Upon hearing this, Qi Xia turned to the others and commanded, "No one speak; let me handle this."
Mortal Snake regarded Qi Xia with a curious glint in his eye, stepping closer, he continued, "Here’s a thought-provoking question: if anyone can unveil the correct answer within three attempts, I shall pull the lever and allow your descent."
"Listen attentively, everyone. Suppose you are gravely ill and stranded on a deserted island with two identical life-saving medications, each containing ten tablets. You know that you must take one tablet of each type every day to survive, but you accidentally mixed the pills up and can no longer distinguish between them. Assuming rescue will arrive in ten days, how will you manage your medication to stay alive during this time?"
Qi Xia furrowed his brow. The games designed by the Mortal Goat and the Mortal Dog had mirrored those from before, yet Mortal Snake had abruptly altered his question. This unexpected twist left him feeling unsettled.
"Um… do the tablets differ in color?" Xiao Ran ventured.
Mortal Snake shot her a cold glance and replied, "You have two chances left."
"Hey! Leng-mui?!" Qiao Jiajin shouted. "We only have three chances in total; don’t mess around!"
"I..." Xiao Ran lowered her head in embarrassment, her expression filled with sorrow.
In that moment, Qi Xia's perception of Xiao Ran deepened significantly; she not only considered herself infallible but also blithely disregarded the opinions of those around her.
"Qi Xia… what’s going on?" Officer Li asked him in a low voice. "Why has the question changed?"
"I’m not certain," Qi Xia replied, shaking his head. "But even during our last encounter, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something unusual about this Mortal Snake…"
"In what way?" Officer Li inquired.
"Well, despite our victory last time, Mortal Snake emerged unscathed," Qi Xia asserted with clarity. "Mortal Goat lost to us and met his demise, yet Mortal Snake survived. This discrepancy is undeniably perplexing."
"Now that you mention it… it does seem strange," Officer Li said, shaking his head. He realized this wasn’t the time to dwell on that issue and quickly shifted his question. "So do you have an answer now?"
This question, much like {Yes or No}, was a common logic puzzle. Qi Xia suspected that {snake} category games were likely of a {logical} or {intellectual} nature, which aligns with the cunning traits typically associated with snakes.
Noticing that everyone was focused on him, Mortal Snake also directed his gaze at Qi Xia and asked, "Do you know the solution?"
"Yes," Qi Xia replied, nodding. "The answer is to crush all the tablets into a fine powder, mix them thoroughly, and then divide the mixture into ten equal portions, taking one each day."
"Oh?!" Mortal Snake's eyes lit up with excitement. He discreetly pulled out a small notebook from his pocket, glanced at it, and murmured, "That makes sense…"
His voice was so low that one could barely make out what he was saying. Qi Xia couldn't shake the feeling that Mortal Snake’s demeanor was odd, as if he himself were unaware of the answer.
Moments later, Mortal Snake suddenly erupted into laughter, exclaiming, "Hahaha! You are truly interesting."
"Interesting?" Qi Xia’s expression hardened as a sudden realization struck him. He recalled that during their last instance, when he had deciphered the answer to {Yes or No}, Mortal Snake had laughed heartily and uttered the very same words.
"One moment; I’ll let you all down now." Mortal Snake pulled a lever, and everyone gradually descended to the ground.
"Everyone, congratulations on surviving {probation}," the snake-headed figure announced, his hands clasped behind his back as he stood next to the wooden door. "Open this door; a new world is awaiting you."
"Puk-gaai zai…" Qiao Jiajin approached aggressively, as if he intended to unleash all his pent-up frustration with {Mortal Goat} and {Mortal Dog} on {Mortal Snake} before him.
Mortal Snake turned around coldly, meeting Qiao Jiajin's aggression with an unmoving stare.
"Are you all lunatics?!" Qiao Jiajin shouted, stepping forward to grab the Mortal Snake's collar, "Wearing these strange masks, you all have tried to kill us again and again! I've got you in my grasp now!"
Mortal Snake scoffed and said in a low voice, "While you're still breathing, I suggest you release me immediately."
"What did you say?!" Qiao Jiajin raised his fist, ready to strike Mortal Snake's head with all his might, but was abruptly restrained by Officer Li.
"Qiao Jiajin, let it go," Officer Li urged. "Don’t bother with these lunatics."
With no one else willing to engage with Mortal Snake, Qiao Jiajin reluctantly retracted his hand, and under Officer Li’s guidance, everyone exited the room.
As Qi Xia stood at the back of the line, just about to step out, Mortal Snake suddenly spoke up. "Qi Xia, I eagerly anticipate our next game together."
Qi Xia jolted, frozen in place. He turned to confront Mortal Snake, his teeth clenched in determination as he inquired, "You all remember everything, don’t you?"
"Hehehehe…" Mortal Snake leaned in closer, his decaying mask swaying. "Why wouldn’t we remember? Everything here is so delightful! In the days to come, we’ll meet regularly like old friends, and you will answer all my questions."
Hearing these words, Qi Xia was engulfed by a profound sense of despair.
Indeed. In the days to come, he would meet with Mortal Snake regularly. The tenth day at {End Point} would bring annihilation, and with it, Qi Xia’s own demise. Yet, after dying here, he would momentarily return to reality, awaiting the enormous earthquake that would strike a day later, leading to his death once more.
Whether in {End Point} or the real world, Qi Xia found himself ensnared in a bizarre cycle, one from which he could never escape. His life spanned no less than a day and no more than ten. As long as this bizarre place remained, he could never return to his former life. These madmen had not only confined him to this realm indefinitely but had also erased Yu Nian’An from existence.
"Mortal Snake, you all will undoubtedly regret toying with me ," Qi Xia said coldly.
Without responding further, Qi Xia stepped outside to join the group. As he crossed the threshold, the familiar heavy scent hit him like a wave, stirring a sense of nausea within him.