Chapter 190: The Western Players' Schemes?
...
[Recording Successful]
[Current Rules Recorded: 4/6]
"It was correct?"
Seito was momentarily surprised, but his expression quickly returned to its usual calm. In his mind, the probability of that rule being right was only about 40%. However, the fact that it worked proved his hypothesis was on the right track!
When a man and a woman touched and were simultaneously eliminated, there were two conventional interpretations.
[Physical Contact]
[Opposite-Sex Contact]
Both were standard guesses. But since neither was correct, judging by the trigger mechanism he had just witnessed, it could only be an issue of proximity.
Fortunately, the rule wasn't overly pedantic. If it had been a rule that relied on extreme word-play, Seito figured he would have to find someone to cooperate with. After all, an individual only had three chances for trial and error. In a scenario where the rules were completely hidden, teaming up to clear the stage was the most logical path.
"I've used one attempt now."
Seito still had two trial-and-error chances left. He couldn't afford to waste them; he needed to observe the surrounding players first. With that thought, he began scanning the crowd.
A short while later...
Even though some players hadn't guessed the rules, they weren't idiots. They knew enough to maintain a distance from others. As long as they kept their distance, even if they couldn't guess the specific rule, they wouldn't be eliminated.
Pop!
Suddenly, a player near Seito was eliminated.
"How did that guy die?"
"No idea. Did he trigger a rule?"
"I wasn't paying attention!"
The surrounding players were startled, frantically questioning each other. But because the death was so sudden and eerie, no one could pinpoint what had triggered it.
Unlike the others, Seito had seen it clearly. That player had died because they frowned.
As for why they would frown even after the rule was made public? It came down to subconscious habit. Most people instinctively knit their brows when faced with a difficult problem. It was a common reflex.
The player had triggered the rule inadvertently and was thus eliminated.
Seito withdrew his gaze and continued to observe. There were still many players left, and among them, plenty of clever minds. Some, like him, had likely guessed the fourth rule. Others only held the initial three. And it was highly probable that some held crucial unique rules they were keeping to themselves.
"Guild Master!"
As Seito was deep in thought, a voice called out. He turned to his right to see a player three spots away, dressed in a sharp black suit, waving excitedly at him.
At the same time, other players began to notice him.
"It's the Top player Sei!"
"Sei is here too! Should we try to party up with him?"
"Forget it. In an event like this, you have to rely on yourself in the end."
"What do you know? If I give my three trial-and-error chances to him, I might get a chance to join The Fatui after the event!"
"Damn, brother, you're pretty bold~"
"Heh, The Fatui has plenty of members in this game. Why would he need your attempts?"
The players' whispers naturally reached Seito's ears. He swept a glance over them, noticing many eyes fixed on him, but he remained silent.
Teaming up was fine, but only with his own guild members. This event was a pure battle of wits, meaning Seito's usual raw power advantage wasn't as dominant here.
However, a smaller advantage didn't mean he couldn't use his abilities. He could simply kill every other player, but that would be a waste. He still needed these players to act as canaries to trigger the remaining rules.
As for why he wouldn't team up with the general public? Two reasons.
First: If he teamed up with random players, he couldn't guarantee that someone wouldn't try to take him down with them just to eliminate a top-tier competitor.
Second: Although the game hadn't explicitly stated it, this was the first round of the third event. There were over a billion applicants, with ten thousand players per match. The system's primary goal was clearly mass elimination. Therefore, there was almost certainly a hidden rule limiting the number of survivors. If they didn't thin the herd early, how long would it take to determine the top ten?
"Kuang, test if [Walking] is a hidden rule," Seito called out to one of his guild members.
"You got it!" The player with the flamboyant nickname immediately began the test. He took several steps until he was exactly one meter in front of Seito. "Guild Master, walking is fine."
"Good. Let's move," Seito nodded, leading Kuang away.
Seeing this, the other players also began to move, though everyone instinctively maintained their distance. Seito and his companion moved to the edge of the activity zone where the crowd was thin, ensuring they wouldn't be overheard.
"What was your initial rule?" Seito asked, glancing back at the crowd.
"Frowning," Kuang replied.
Seito went quiet, deep in thought. No one had died in a while, which meant they were at a stalemate regarding the remaining hidden rules. From the current situation, the last two rules were likely difficult to trigger.
"Guild Master, why don't you sit and rest for a bit? I see those guys over there sitting down without any issues," Kuang pointed to a group of players.
Seito looked over and saw that he was right. He sat down cross-legged. Just as he settled, his guild member spoke again.
"Guild Master, those Western players seem to be grouping up."
Seito looked over. The players in the distance had split into two distinct factions: the Eastern players and the Western players. The Westerners seemed to be in a heated discussion, frequently glancing in Seito's direction.
"They aren't planning to eliminate you, are they, Guild Master?" Kuang muttered.
A smirk played on Seito's lips.
"Get ready to record the rules."
....
Thank you for reading.