The Creatures that We Are

"I believe I'm the most likely to be attacked by Gao Yang. He's been targeting the weakest one every turn to ensure a kill. I made my own judgment, but I didn't think I could convince you. I'm making choices for the final victory, too!"

"Bullshit! You cowardly pig of a teammate!" Liao Liao snarled. "You piece of trash becoming an Elder? What a joke!"

The words hit a nerve. Qin You flushed red with humiliation and anger. "Are you in any position to preach? You have six Talents, yet you insist on staying in the intelligence department. Who's the bigger coward here?"

"Yes, I fear death! I'm too scared for the frontline! But at least I won't sell out a teammate!"

"Ha, easier said than done! Had you been the one Gao Yang threatened, could you have stayed calm?"

"Hahaha! Now they're squabbling among themselves!" Dr. Jia relished their discord. Taking his turn, he rushed at Sir Jiang and kicked him in the chest. The old pride monster raised his prosthetic arm to block, but without support, he crumpled to the ground, his disfigured face unreadable.

As Liao Liao and Qin You continued their argument, Gao Yang watched them coolly. Though he didn't know Qin You personally, the man's actions revealed his nature. After all, he had betrayed even his childhood sweetheart, Songstress.

That was why Gao Yang had targeted him with the threat, betting on Qin You choosing self-preservation. Someone so self-serving would always push risk onto others unless cornered. Fortunately, the gamble paid off.

Nico's turn came and went without action.

As the domain's loading time stretched longer, Gao Yang seized the moment to address Qin You in a hoarse, derisive voice. "Qin You, do you know why Songstress chose Ghost Horse now?"

Qin You jerked as if shot. His mouth twitched.

"Were I her," Gao Yang enunciated each word, "I would've picked a hero over a snake, too."

Qin You trembled, his expression darkening. Seconds passed before he growled, "Gao Yang! Say what you want! You can't use Fire Punch next turn! You'll be the one to die!"

“And I’ll live. I’ll live until the end and pen the epic of victory. I’ll stake you, the Malediction, on the pillar of humiliation, and you’ll be spat on for generations to come!”

“Haha, hahahaha!” Qin You laughed out loud. “I’ll be the last one laughing! Not you!”

Hum. The gray barrier descended and blocked out Qin You’s voice.

The fourth turn ended. Now entering the 180-second thinking time.

Gao Yang dropped to one knee and held onto his chest and side with each hand, trying to slow the blood loss.

In the domain, injury worked differently than in reality. One’s physical condition should continue to worsen after getting injured. For example, the blood loss should be reflected on the red bar. The hit points should be dropping.

But it didn’t work like that in the turn-based match. Gao Yang’s HP bar remained the same, and Sir Jiang was able to hold onto his life despite his terrible condition.

It was due to the power of rules inside the domain. Once they left, the power would lose its effect.

It meant that even if someone had some hit points left in the domain, once the domain dissolved, and their injury was reflected in the real world, ruled by natural law, they could die instantly.

Worst-case scenario, they could critically injure each other in the domain and all die once outside.

Gao Yang calmed himself and continued to strategize.

In the next turn, Liao Liao and Qin You would certainly try to kill him. They had no other choice.

The same was true for Gao Yang. He needed to eliminate either Liao Liao or Qin You to survive, but his confidence wavered.

"Gao Yang," Dr. Jia said, "don't attack next turn. Protect yourself."

Gao Yang paused. He had considered that option. "Why?"

"Sir Jiang can still move," Dr. Jia said.

Gao Yang frowned.

"I kicked him earlier. You saw that."

"What, did you fix him like a machine?" Gao Yang's face remained impassive despite the joke.

"No, but his prosthetic arm remains flexible. It isn't broken," Dr. Jia said with pride. "The arm can still execute one move. Though using it will certainly kill him, do you think he'll care?" ℝＡℕổᛒĘṦ

"No." Gao Yang's eyes darkened. "He'll use it for sure."

"That's why." Dr. Jia shrugged.

Gao Yang calculated: Sir Jiang will use the arm for his final move, while Liao Liao and Qin You will give everything to kill him.

Gao Yang had three methods of defense to choose from:

One, dodge with Teleportation. Second, armor himself with Absolute Defense. Third, use an Absolute Barrier.

The first option would cost him less energy, but the risk was high. The second option would provide him with greater defense but cost more energy, and it might not shield him from all damage. The third option would 100% protect him, but it would cost a great amount of energy. Even if he could still move the next turn, he wouldn’t be able to use any skills.

"I know what you're thinking, Gao Yang," Dr. Jia said. "Don't hesitate. Use Absolute Barrier. In your condition, even at full strength, you might not survive my invention."

"Confident, aren't you?"

Dr. Jia arched an eyebrow. "I'm just a humble little genius."

Gao Yang nodded. "Alright, I'll trust you this once." Then a thought struck him. With time running short, he said quickly, "Wait. Sir Jiang must know you'll warn me about the arm. He might guess I'll choose defense and rest instead, saving his attack for the following turn."

"True," Dr. Jia replied. "But consider why he wouldn't wait. I invented that cybernetic arm. They know I could have left a backdoor—look how they fell for that mud ball with Parry. What if I powered down the arm? Sir Jiang would lose his final chance."

"When facing approaching death, people feel an urgent need to fulfill their last wish. Even a second's delay becomes torture."

Gao Yang nodded, convinced. Then another possibility occurred to him. "What if Sir Jiang decides to kill you instead?"

It made sense. Killing Dr. Jia would prevent the Nine Scions from acquiring him, with a higher chance of success.

Dr. Jia smiled slightly. "Possible, but unlikely."

"Why?"

"The old man trusts my inventions," Dr. Jia chuckled. "He's dying, and he believes in the weapon. He'll make it count."

Gao Yang nodded.

Dr. Jia glanced at the dead parrot. "If Sir Jiang does kill me, though, take care of Parry. It should come back to life just fine."

"Okay."

"That bird's noisy, picky with food, makes a mess everywhere, destroys the furniture, and mocks people constantly, but it has many good points. For example..." Dr. Jia licked his lips. "For example..." He scratched his head. "Well, I mean..."

"I promise you," Gao Yang said. It was time.

[Thinking Time ends.]

[The fifth turn begins.]

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