Chapter 188: Beneath the Conspiracy! Throwing Oneself Into the Game!

The selection round will begin in 20 minutes; players who do not take a seat will lose their selection opportunity.

A low, hoarse voice spoke from the Minotaur's mouth, echoing throughout the dim stone chamber.

The air was thick with a strong smell of decay, tinged with a sudden whiff of putrid stench.

Linshuyu, illuminated by the bright Fire, fixed his gaze on the wall, staring at the already dried, mottled dark‑red bloodstains, and couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine.

She had imagined many possibilities, but never expected the final round to take place in such an atmosphere and setting.

And on top of that, this creature before us…

"Isn't that the Administrator? It's the referee now?" Zhao Huaillei asked, puzzled.

"You've seen it too?" Wang Ning asked curiously.

"Of course. In the initial prison it was responsible for maintaining order, as well as the Execution matters." Zhao Huaillei nodded.

"So… if we choose incorrectly, or fail to be chosen, we will face Execution?" Xu Yutong said gravely.

With those words, the four women fell into silence together.

They knew the brutal outcome of failing Clearance, yet seeing it with their own eyes inevitably sparked a hint of fear in their hearts.

They had been playing for three days, leisurely enjoying themselves for three days.

At one point they tossed their worries far beyond the clouds.

But reality ultimately dealt them a heavy blow.

It reminded them that this was always a slaughter feast masquerading as a date.

"If you're scared, give up early; don't waste the big guy's time."

At that moment, a low male voice suddenly came from behind the four women.

Turning back, they saw a tall, muscular man in a black tank top and shorts walking down.

His sharply chiseled, cold face showed no smile, and an oppressive aura radiated from his entire body.

"Tang Youning… you weren't burned to death?" Xu Yutong was startled.

"You're so eager for my death?" Tang Youning glanced down at her and said lightly, "If I die, where will you choose a partner?"

"So it was you who set the Fire!" Xu Yutong said angrily.

"What? Starting to worry about your lover now?" Tang Youning smiled, his eyes filled with mockery.

"I warn you not to get smug too early; we're at full capacity here, while you have only yourself on your side." Zhao Huaillei retorted coldly.

The damage from that blinding Flashlight last night was still vivid in their minds.

"Watch and wait."

Tang Youning didn't intend to argue; he strode forward, found his spot, and sat down.

"Player Tang Youning has taken a seat."

The Minotaur approached him, reached out, picked up the rusted Shackles, and locked them around his wrists and ankles.

Tang Youning tried extending his hand, finding that although his movement was hindered, he still had some range of motion.

The Shackles merely confined him to the area around his seat, preventing him from leaving.

"What are we waiting for? They won't come." Tang Youning said calmly.

"Really dead?" Wang Ning's eyes flickered.

"I saw it with my own eyes: one burned to death by the Fire, another jumped into a river and vanished; most likely both met a dead end." Tang Youning nodded slightly.

"What if it's just your illusion?" Wang Ning said.

Tang Youning didn't answer immediately, merely staring at the eyes beneath her silver‑framed glasses.

After a moment he retorted, "What benefit did he promise you? Why do you hope he stays alive?"

"Or perhaps you're too immersed in the role, and you two got tangled together?"

Feeling the three women's scrutinizing gazes, Wang Ning said coldly, "Clean your Mouth; a living person is obviously more valuable than a dead one."

"Is that so? Not a bad reason." Tang Youning smiled.

His smile carried an inexplicable hint, both mocking and pitiful.

"You planned to kill Huangfu Shu, and last night you plotted against two others; what benefit does that give you?" Linshuyu said with an unfriendly expression.

Obviously, Tang Youning's heinous actions provoked public outrage.

Although everyone present had blood on their hands to varying degrees, from a fundamental interest standpoint, no one wanted anyone to be harmed.

Now it's four versus one; no matter how they choose, they can only pick Tang Youning.

If a duplicate partner situation arose, there would be a fifty percent chance of being selected.

The remaining two, no matter how high their Performance Score, have only a dead end.

In their eyes, Tang Youning's actions were no different from digging his own grave.

"You consider yourself supremely clever, yet you never contemplate your own situation." Zhao Huaillei restrained the urge to ask for the truth.

Tang Youning's behavior was entirely self‑defeating and harmful to others.

A game that relied on discernment ending up depending on gambling?

Anyone would find that unbearable.

Moreover, with three boys dead, their path is cut off.

The towering, massive Minotaur before them had no such mercy.

Thinking of this, the four women felt both anger and resentment.

They almost wished to slaughter Tang Youning to vent their fury!

"Look how anxious you are; I was just making a small joke." Tang Youning chuckled lightly.

"Who has the leisure to joke with you?" Zhao Huaillei snorted coldly.

Tang Youning ignored them, looked toward the entrance and said, "Come out, stop hiding."

In the next moment, a faint rustle of footsteps arrived.

In an instant, the four women all turned their heads, surprise flashing in their eyes.

Xu Yutong's eyes instantly burst with Joy, awaiting the arrival with full anticipation.

Soon, a fresh face bearing a Spring‑breeze Smile came into view.

"Jiang Hua?!" Zhao Huaillei was greatly startled!

Linshuyu was equally surprised; she had clearly seen the other person burned to death last night.

But how…

"Good morning, everyone," Jiang Hua greeted with a shy Smile.

"You aren't…" Linshuyu opened her mouth, about to speak but stopped.

"I'm not dead; Brother Ning was just joking with me, thank you for your concern," Jiang Hua bowed slightly, with a bright Smile.

Tang Youning gestured toward the seat beside him and said, "Come sit, don't keep the Judge waiting too long."

Jiang Hua jogged over and sat down, then heard the Minotaur speak:

"Player Jiang Hua has taken a seat."

As soon as the words finished, the Minotaur skillfully fastened Shackles onto him.

Five minutes remained until the selection phase began.

"He actually didn't die, and that massive Fire yesterday…" Zhao Huaillei examined Jiang Hua, only to find not a single injury on his body.

Not even a trace of burn.

Tang Youning noticed her stunned expression and said, "You guessed correctly; last night was an operation targeting Su Yang, and you…"

"Got caught."

"You had long predicted he would set out?" Zhao Huaillei clenched her teeth silently.

"I never intended to take his life, but he chose his own death; who can be blamed?" Tang Youning sighed helplessly.

"You were acting, deliberately drawing him into the game?" Zhao Huaillei suddenly realized.

Tang Youning gave a slight laugh, neither confirming nor denying.

"No wonder… No wonder Jiang Hua didn't make a killing; you were waiting for me all along," Zhao Huaillei thought with growing dread, instinctively retreating half a step.

"You betrayed our original agreement, so from now on…"

Tang Youning lifted his gaze, his eyes growing cold, "It's time to pay the price."