Chapter 56: The Curtain Falls on the Parrot's Sorrow

The anti-AFK mechanism Wen Xishu spoke of arrived even earlier than expected.

In the office floor, filled with numerous and massive items, a sweet laughter suddenly rang out. This laughter should have been pleasant, yet it came in an extremely eerie way...

There were no other living things in the entire office besides the three of them; Park Yingshuang only felt as if this laughter had landed on his scalp, making his hair stand on end.

He felt a bit cold.

This was not a cold on a mental level, but rather the actual temperature was indeed dropping.

Having had the speed-run of the previous two stages by Wen Xishu, Park Yingshuang and Zheng Zai both began to analyze the situation in a professional manner.

It was just that the results of their analysis left the two in completely different mental states.

They both guessed that the key lay in the phrase, "Trustworthy, entrust your back."

Zheng Zai’s thought was: Brother Wen has saved me several times; my life was given to me by him. He is absolutely trustworthy and absolutely someone to whom I can entrust my back.

Park Yingshuang, on the other hand, was thinking: Zheng Zai harbors hatred inside; he hates the high-level officials of the bunker. Wen Xishu also knows my identity...

I am a beauty, at least, but Wen Xishu’s attitude toward me is completely different from his attitude toward Zheng Zai... They don't consider me a friend at all, nor do they consider me one of their own.

Both found the key, yet neither found the method to interpret it.

The temperature continued to drop, and the laughter showed no signs of stopping. If the temperature continued to fall, this office would become an ice cellar in the true sense of the word.

Wen Xishu discovered something wrong:

"Interesting. The previous anomalies could be eliminated—either by hiding or by recording bad deeds... So how should this anomaly be eliminated? If this laughter doesn't stop, I fear all three of us will freeze to death here."

Wen Xishu quickly realized one point—"Trustworthy" and "entrust your back," could these be two different hints?

This was not a repetition of words to boost morale, but two different pieces of information.

First, find a trustworthy teammate... and then choose to entrust your back?

The laughter continued, and under its influence, the breath of all three turned to frost. The temperature had dropped far too severely.

But the laughter only grew louder, showing no signs of ceasing. The chill seeped into their bones, beginning to affect the consciousness of the three.

Wen Xishu could barely hold on, maintaining clarity and thought, while the other two, though still conscious, were unable to think of how to break the deadlock.

Wen Xishu said:

"Zheng Zai, Park Yingshuang, if you want to live, do as I say."

"Next, the three of us will stand back-to-back, maintaining a posture where all three are leaning against each other."

Zheng Zai and Park Yingshuang actually realized it too; although the laughter was sweet, it brought a lethal chill.

The two were relatively convinced by Wen Xishu’s words—Zheng Zai could be said to be absolutely convinced—so he immediately chose to entrust his back to Wen Xishu, leaning against him.

Park Yingshuang was only a beat slower; seeing that Zheng Zai was in no danger, she immediately pressed against them as well.

The backs of the three soon pressed together.

To Wen Xishu’s left was Zheng Zai, and to his right was Park Yingshuang. The three stood back-to-back, forming a triangle.

When the three huddled back-to-back, the laughter indeed vanished. But this chill did not disappear.

[It’s so cold... but it doesn't seem to be getting any colder, Brother Wen is so reliable. I really want to go back to the bunker.]

[Does this count as being saved? Hey, why can't I speak...]

[Wait, this is Park Yingshuang’s voice!]

When the back-to-back formation was complete, Wen Xishu immediately discovered that the three were in a state of being unable to move.

He was still wondering how the theme of betrayal would manifest when he suddenly heard Zheng Zai’s voice.

Zheng Zai’s inner thoughts from just a moment ago were transmitted to Wen Xishu’s mind, word for word, unchanged.

Zheng Zai was also very confused at this moment; he couldn't speak his inner thoughts because he simply couldn't open his mouth.

And on the other side, Park Yingshuang’s inner thoughts were transmitted to Zheng Zai.

[Why is it still so cold...]

[The laughter seems to have stopped. Did Wen Xishu find that item? He is so capable, he should be able to find the item, right?]

[As long as this stage is passed, I can go back. After I go back, I will absolutely never come to the Tower of Anomalies again!]

[Wait... this is his voice. Wen Xishu’s voice!]

Yes, Park Yingshuang heard Wen Xishu’s inner voice. The content was as follows:

[Just as I guessed, it’s correct. Entrusting the back is in the physical sense. So, will the theme of betrayal also manifest on the back?]

[Backstabbing... it wouldn't really mean growing spikes on the back, would it? If that’s the case, that would be quite fun.]

[The current situation seems to be testing our level of trust. Hmm... wait, I can hear Zheng Zai’s voice.]

[So that’s it, I understand. Park Yingshuang, you’re listening, right? Is my voice reaching you?]

This inner thought of Wen Xishu suddenly gave Park Yingshuang a fright.

And at this moment, the inner voice Zheng Zai heard was this:

[This monster reacts too quickly... have I established a connection with him? He can hear my voice, and I can hear his voice?]

[No, maybe it’s not like that... then what about that pervert Zheng Zai? Whose voice is he hearing?]

At the same time, Zheng Zai’s inner voice was—

[Monster... is she talking about Brother Wen? This woman really doesn't know what’s good for her.]

[Sure enough, I’m a pervert in her eyes... What will Brother Wen think of me?]

Zheng Zai’s psychological reaction was naturally heard by Wen Xishu as well.

Wen Xishu was amused:

[This situation is truly interesting. By the way, Park Yingshuang, I’ve saved you so many times, and you call me a monster? Haven't you thought that this inner voice transmission is a voting mechanism?]

This sentence was transmitted to Park Yingshuang without change.

Park Yingshuang was greatly shocked:

[He can hear my inner voice too? What voting mechanism?]

Zheng Zai: [Brother Wen can also hear Park Yingshuang’s inner voice? I can hear it anyway... what the hell is a voting mechanism?]

Wen Xishu had completely sorted out the logic.

The effect of the three standing back-to-back was the ability to hear inner voices. The transmission path of the inner voices—

Wen Xishu’s transmits to Park Yingshuang, Park Yingshuang’s transmits to Zheng Zai, and Zheng Zai’s transmits to Wen Xishu.

Wen Xishu said: [Zheng Zai is indeed a trustworthy partner, Park Yingshuang.]

Park Yingshuang was stunned for a moment:

[Why is he telling me this? He actually sincerely believes in Zheng Zai? He really is a monster, actually believing that pervert. Wait, I can't think like that.]

[He will hear my voice!]

These words were transmitted to Zheng Zai.

Zheng Zai’s expression turned gloomy:

[I don't want to eat people, and I don't want to eat people! Mentally, I am not a monster! I have already put an iron mask on myself!]

Zheng Zai’s words were transmitted to Wen Xishu. Wen Xishu said:

[Park Yingshuang, do you think there is a hidden story behind Zheng Zai’s father’s case?]

Park Yingshuang wanted to hide her inner thoughts, but this was a technical skill; suddenly trying to force oneself not to think about certain things only made one think about them more.

[Why is he so concerned about Zheng Zai? I don't know much about his father’s affairs either. What is he planning? Is this what you should be thinking about now? Hurry up and take us out of here!]

[Also, hurry up and explain what a voting mechanism is!]

After hearing this, Zheng Zai felt a bit moved:

[Brother Wen... he really wants to help me! This woman, it’s a waste that I always thought she was pitiful.]

[So she only treats Brother Wen as a tool in her heart? Although I don't know what a voting mechanism is either, if I could speak, I would absolutely not let Brother Wen tell you!]

Wen Xishu was now in an extremely focused state:

[A voting mechanism? Park Yingshuang, you’re concerned about this? I’ll tell you then.]

[Simply put, after the inner voice exchange session ends, if we have no barriers or grudges against each other in our hearts, we might have a short period of time to move. To find the item that needs to be purified.]

[However, regardless of whether we do or not, I suspect there will be a session to make a judgment on the inner activities of the three just now.]

[Do you guess what this judgment is? Park Yingshuang, I’ll ask you a question: after you return to the bunker, which officer do you intend to report me to?]

Park Yingshuang was stunned, subconsciously falling into the trap.

If Wen Xishu had asked whether she would report him, Park Yingshuang probably wouldn't have thought of her superior in her mind.

But Wen Xishu asked which officer she would report him to. The first thing Park Yingshuang thought of was, who else could it be? There are only...

But when she realized she couldn't think of that lord, that lord’s name had already been converted into an inner voice.

[Damn it, this woman actually wants to report Brother Wen? She really is a running dog of the bunker!] Zheng Zai was suddenly filled with anger.

Wen Xishu said:

[One must learn to precisely control one’s own thoughts. Park Yingshuang, the game is about to end. I actually gave you many opportunities... If you were a bit smarter, or a bit more sincere, you could have seized the opportunity.]

The game was indeed about to end.

The time was two minutes.

The three had been back-to-back for two minutes; in just two minutes, Wen Xishu had already figured out Zheng Zai and Park Yingshuang.

This was a confession session.

The beauty of this confession session was that it presented a feeling of Rock-Paper-Scissors.

Wen Xishu was the first to sort this out, and also the first to utilize this transmission mechanism.

Of course, one cannot kill just by relying on inner voices.

This is the Tower of Anomalies, where every stage can result in death, and Wen Xishu had already guessed that after the inner voices were heard, there would be a session used for settlement.

He guessed correctly.

At this moment, the prompt had already appeared.

[Having experienced the backstabbing, you must have found someone truly worthy of trust. May your friendship last forever.]

[Please silently recite the names of those you trust in your heart. Each person may recite several names, but you cannot recite your own name.]

[If your name does not appear in anyone's mouth, you will be eliminated.]

As soon as this prompt appeared, some were overjoyed, while others were in despair. The three of them also regained their ability to move at this instant.

Wen Xishu had actually guessed that there would be such a round the moment he heard the inner voices.

It was the so-called scoring round.

In fact, he truly did not trust Zheng Zai and Park Yingshuang, but he did not dwell on this point at all. Some things, as long as they aren't put on a scale, only weigh four taels.

Once they are put on a scale, even a thousand catties won't hold them down.

If one dwells on trust, it will ultimately lead to a situation where no one can trust anyone.

When the other party hears the question "Is he worthy of trust?", they might develop an equal amount of suspicion.

At times like this, one should shift their attention elsewhere.

Park Yingshuang knelt down:

"Recite my name! Give me another chance! Give me another chance! I trust you all, I am worthy of trust!"

She finally realized that she wasn't dying because she wasn't honest enough, but because she wasn't honest enough... and was stupid.

After knowing that inner voices could be transmitted, she should have immediately shifted her attention to think about other things!

Wen Xishu shook his head:

"It's too late, the voting has already ended."

The gurgling sound of flesh squirming came, Park Yingshuang's eyes instantly became bloodshot, and her entire face turned abnormally red due to suffocation.

With a snap, she could no longer speak, because a giant flesh spike had grown out of her back.

She had now become a "backstabber" in the true sense of the word.

Wen Xishu did not look back, and he said:

"Zheng Zai, thank you for your trust. We can return to the bunker now. Congratulations on surviving the Ghost Tower challenge."

Park Yingshuang died just like that, the flesh spike on her back looking like a sharp blade that had pierced through her.

Zheng Zai stared in a daze, then immediately reacted:

"No... don't say that. Thank you too. I think she definitely didn't recite our names. If you hadn't recited my name either, in this final round... I would have died, right?"

Wen Xishu nodded:

"Yes, if I didn't recite your name and you didn't recite mine, we both would have died."

"This game judges whether a person is worthy of trust through inner voices, and at the same time... hands one's own right to life and death over to others."

"Resentment is actually mutual. If you don't give others a chance to survive, others might treat you the same way."

Zheng Zai sighed:

"Fortunately... fortunately we are teammates, and I didn't let her harm you."

At this time, Wen Xishu had already climbed onto an office desk. Although the items in this scene were huge, Wen Xishu was a parkour expert after all, so climbing up was not a problem for him.

He found the item that needed to be purified: the group photo. Tang Rui had mentioned this graduation photo, and it was placed on her desk.

He touched the photo and decisively purified this item.

Zheng Zai had been a little worried, but as the prompt appeared in his mind, he felt completely relieved.

[Congratulations on successfully surviving the trial 'Sorrow of the Parrot' and participating in all scenes. You are about to return to the Guide to receive your mission rating and rewards.]

This was the prompt in Zheng Zai's mind. Zheng Zai let out a long sigh of relief and suddenly felt very tired.

Although this tower climb went smoothly, he knew that several parts were actually very dangerous. It was all thanks to Wen Xishu.

He decided that after returning to the bunker, he would definitely find a way to see Wen Xishu and express his gratitude. If he received any supplies or rewards this time, he would be willing to give them to Wen Xishu.

Wen Xishu did not know about Zheng Zai's good intentions. He also received a prompt at this moment, but it was different from Zheng Zai's.

[You have purified all items, and each item was found by you. Obtained special item [Letter from the Outside · Tang Rui]. This letter contains special items; go to the Guide to view them.]

[Favorability with Ghost · Tang Rui increased to 100.]

[Your frequent exploration of the Ghost Tower and your high completion rate have attracted the attention of more than one special existence.]

[Ghost · Gemini favorability +1, Ghost · Virgo favorability +1.]

[Unlocked recruitment conditions for Slaughter · Tang Rui. Favorability with Slaughter · Tang Rui increased to 100.]

[You have completed the 'Sorrow of the Parrot' series of missions. You are about to head to the Three Towers Guide to obtain your mission rating and check rewards.]

The watch began to shrink, as if biting into Wen Xishu's hand. At this moment, the world in Wen Xishu's eyes began to shake, and that familiar feeling arrived.

He and Zheng Zai disappeared at the same time.

(End of chapter)