Chapter 212 The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

Chapter 212: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

"Huh?"

Due to his innate nervousness around strangers, Zhang Yibu had been staring at the ground, mentally steeling himself, ever since he entered. Only now did he look up, joining the other players in gazing at the "girl" in the single armchair.

But the person was clearly an acquaintance.

Even though she was in pajamas, with disheveled hair and a weary expression, and her features seemed even more attractive than their last meeting, Zhang Yibu still recognized her as Su Bai, the son of his mother's friend!

This was his Brother Su Bai!

Not only was Su Bai an "acquaintance" from Zhang Yibu's real life, but he was also the one who had stepped forward when they faced a desperate situation on Bus No. 444, using his mysterious and terrifying abilities to guide them through the novice mission—an unimaginably powerful player!

In Zhang Yibu's mind, he could still vividly recall Su Bai transforming into a terrifying ghost bride and, with a mere wave of his hand, dispatching the white qipao ghost.

"Ah..."

Just as Zhang Yibu was about to speak, he noticed the look in Su Bai's eyes as they opened and glanced his way. Naturally more prone to nervousness than others, Zhang Yibu also possessed a more sensitive intuition.

Even without Su Bai uttering a single word, Zhang Yibu could sense from his gaze that he didn't want him to say too much.

So Zhang Yibu immediately fell silent.

Compared to the room full of strangers, Su Bai was not only an acquaintance but also his benefactor and an object of his admiration and worship. Whatever Su Bai wished him to do, he would comply within his capabilities.

Moreover, Zhang Yibu was likely the one among them who understood Su Bai's strength the most. No matter how high Yue Zhengqing and the woman in the black nightgown ranked on the leaderboard, in Zhang Yibu's heart, none could compare to Su Bai, who had been inhumanly powerful even during the novice mission. The moment Zhang Yibu recognized Su Bai, the surge of security he felt was enough to dissipate the nervousness of being surrounded by strangers.

Zhang Yibu wasn't yet very powerful. The reason he had survived until now was his growing clarity about what he should and shouldn't do.

"Do you two know each other?" Yue Zhengqing still noticed the boy's unnatural expression and his earlier hesitant murmur.

"We... cleared the novice mission together." Zhang Yibu knew he wasn't good at lying, so while observing Su Bai's expression, he offered this sole piece of information.

Seeing Su Bai close his eyes and go back to sleep, Zhang Yibu knew he hadn't said anything wrong and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, another one ranked in the three thousands?"

Having gone through the novice mission together meant Zhang Yibu and that "girl" had similar levels of experience.

Aside from Yao Qing's unique ability to prophesize in dreams, Yue Zhengqing couldn't find a single player among them who could fight alongside him as an equal. The only one who might possess considerable combat ability among the remaining players was likely the seemingly unapproachable woman in the black nightgown.

Realizing this, Yue Zhengqing found himself unable to relax.

"And you, miss? Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Just as with the bespectacled girl earlier, after learning that the sleepy "girl" in the armchair was also a newcomer, Yue Zhengqing completely lost interest in any further information and turned his attention to the woman in the black nightgown on the opposite sofa.

"What, worried I'll hold back Mr. Yue, ranked 561st on the leaderboard?" the woman in the black nightgown said, without directly answering Yue Zhengqing's question. "Rather than self-introductions, I find the rules and introduction of this 'Mirror Apartment' game more interesting. If the administrator hasn't set any traps this time, then neighborly harmony might be the key to clearing the game."

"To be honest, when everyone is a stranger, it might be easier to feign harmonious coexistence," the woman in the black nightgown said with a somewhat malicious smile, looking at the players who had just introduced themselves. "But after learning about each other's abilities and so-called rankings, comparisons, arrogance, and suspicion arise between people, leaving little harmonious atmosphere in this small lounge."

"Of course, for convenience, you can call me Sang Sang, or Miss Sang." Sang Sang ultimately didn't reveal any more information about her abilities, and even the name "Sang Sang" was of questionable authenticity.

"If you put it that way, it seems like those of us who honestly introduced ourselves are already at a disadvantage," Yue Zhengqing said, his face showing undisguised displeasure.

"Get rid of that unpleasant expression on your face," Sang Sang said, crossing her arms and coldly staring at Yue Zhengqing. "The safety period the game gave us won't last long. Something will probably happen soon to make us leave the lounge. I hope everyone remembers that after the safety period ends and before we know more clues about clearing the game, we must maintain neighborly harmony in the apartment."

"To be honest, there are still many uncertainties in this game. Assuming we are already residents of this apartment, we must find out everyone's specific addresses. So please stay alert. Aside from maintaining neighborly harmony, don't do anything unnecessary. Competitiveness and arrogance will never help us tiny humans win the Nightmare Game."

Hmph.

Qin Yuxuan simply watched Miss Sang's "performance" from the sofa, observing as Yao Qing and Sister Meng around her began to look at Sang Sang with trusting and admiring eyes. He knew that although Yue Zhengqing had wanted to take on the role of leader in this game from the start, that position was gradually shifting to Sang Sang.

This was only natural.

Although for a lone player like Qin Yuxuan, who enjoyed toying with others and even the game itself, who the leader was didn't matter at all. But for ordinary players like Yao Qing and Meng Zhi, who lacked confidence in clearing the game, the leader could even determine their life or death.

When choosing a leader, these ordinary players were gambling with their lives.

If Sang Sang hadn't appeared, Yue Zhengqing, who likely possessed fire-related abilities, was indeed the seemingly strongest player on the surface. Even without much leadership charisma, he would have been enough to become the leader.

Sang Sang, however, ranked higher on that lousy leaderboard, and her words and actions were not as frivolous as Yue Zhengqing's. Even though Sang Sang kept her abilities secret, her calm demeanor and more guiding statements were enough to make others believe her abilities were likely no weaker than Yue Zhengqing's.

But...

What did any of this have to do with Qin Yuxuan?

Taking advantage of the moment when almost everyone was looking at Sang Sang, Qin Yuxuan's body trembled uncontrollably with excitement, and his face revealed the triumphant smile of a hunter who had locked onto his prey.

Neighborly harmony?

For someone with mental control abilities like him, this game was truly... too interesting!

Hahahahaha—

Just as Qin Yuxuan was getting carried away with overconfidence, the "girl" who had been repeatedly dozing off for some reason opened her eyes and happened to catch sight of Qin Yuxuan's expression of reckless joy.

*The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.*

What Qin Yuxuan likely never imagined was just how many "orioles" were in this game, or what else might be lurking behind the "oriole."