“I’ve won, haven’t I? ” Soldier No. 2’s gaze passed over Wager, whose face was twisted with impatience at the doorway, and fixed on the corridor beyond.
“Face me! ” Cuckoo’s sharp shriek rang out. “You’re under arrest by me, and I’m the one who wins! “
Soldier No. 2 cast it a sideways glance. Clearly, this creature had been lurking somewhere on him all along—perhaps in that document pouch he’d tossed behind himself.
— “According to the rules, you’ve now secured a complete upper hand and can declare your victory at any moment. Yet this new visitor seems to have a different opinion to voice. “
“That’s right, I am the final guest tonight. ” Little Bird shifted its feet, its round, gem-like eyes reflecting Soldier No. 2’s figure moving toward it—then, in a flash, the figure charged, sword thrusting.
Shh!
Cuckoo unfurled its wings and in an instant circled the room. The card on its beak glowed with faint, thin lines, as if some living creature’s form was sealed within.
“Stop right there! If you dare attack me again, I’ll release my backup! “
A stifling, ominous aura diffused through the room. “What is that? ” said Karl, who had finally come running back, staring at the commotion inside. Wager’s face was full of agitation: “I don’t know either. “
Then they heard the sound of hurried footsteps running on the staircase.
Yang Zicang arrived, his face filled with anxiety.
“You lost, you bastard! So this is your brilliant idea for snatching this floor from me! ” Wager’s hands, like phantoms, gripped Yang Zicang’s shoulders. Yang Zicang slapped them away and looked urgently into the room.
The bird they had seen last time in the Sub-etheric Realm was now in the room, being chased by the man he had brought in, who was swinging a sword while the bird squawked loudly.
“You’re not even afraid of this?! “
“Bring it out, ” Soldier No. 2’s eyes were filled with bloodlust. “I’d love to see just how strong those heretics sealed in Number Four really are. “
The lines on Little Bird’s card grew searingly hot.
｛I, the Great Quadrilateral, sense the aura of a Defender once again.｝
CRASH— A deafening roar echoed as the lines on the card expanded violently, forming a solid translucent forcefield suspended beneath the ceiling. Inside it appeared a spotted monster, its claws crossed over its chest, its body covered in bulging muscles, and a pair of meaty horns growing from its head.
The monster standing in the forcefield raised its eyes, glanced at Soldier No. 2 in the room, then swept its gaze over the rest of the chamber, and further beyond, to Yang Zicang and Wager outside.
An overwhelming aura exploded outward.
“Once he’s dead, I’ll be free, right? ” the Defender said, its gaze locking onto the soldier below.
“That’s right, defeat it, and this room is ours! ” Cuckoo flapped its wings twice, then shot to the doorway, tilting its head to gaze at the completely unrecognizable Yang Zicang. “Ha, I thought this would be fun, but it turns out they’re just some hotel rooms. What were you hiding last time, loser? “
Yang Zicang squinted, staring at that despicable thing as it tilted its head in provocation.
Several explosive booms rang out in the room. The creature, more stout than a man, caught Soldier No. 2’s attack with a single grasp and batted it back. With each punch thrown, the room seemed torn apart by a storm, sending sheets and wall decorations flying as rubble.
Their figures clashed with lightning speed. Yang Zicang estimated that such speed was already approaching his own maximum, but he doubted his agility could match theirs.
“Hey, loser, how exactly are we supposed to trigger the bidding? ” Little Bird flapped its wings and tilted its head, asking.
Yang Zicang tightened his squint, glaring at it. Had Soldier No. 4’s hand really reached in here like that?
Between the two inside, no matter who won, his control over this place would wane—possibly plummet to zero.
“I’ve lost the qualification to bid this round, haven’t I? ” Yang Zicang turned to the copper horn on the corridor wall.
— “That’s right. As a regular, my personal advice is for you to start backing off now and prepare for the bidding response. “
Taking advantage of Little Bird’s chaotic dodging of attacks in the wind, Karl tugged on Yang Zicang’s sleeve and pulled him a couple of steps aside. “President, do you have any plan? “
Wager clenched his fists and walked over.
“How are you going to make up for our agreement, you bastard? “
“I suggest we figure out a way to bring him into the Sub-Ether Space? ” Karl said.
“It’s impossible to open the Sub-Ether Space at the Fee Hotel Inn—at least not for ordinary guests. ” Wager took a deep breath, suspicion never wavering from his gaze toward the man before him.
Suppressing his anger, he said, “The situation inside is special now. I can’t drive them away anymore. “
Xue Qi and Hua Mi also ran up. They had both heard the commotion, and after quickly catching up, Hua Mi’s face turned deathly pale.
“This is no longer about how to solve this problem. With them inside, how do we leave? “
“We’ll just have to hide in the basement tavern first and then figure something out. “
“No need. ” Yang Zicang fumbled through the model on his chest for that object. “When they come out, I’ll have a way to deal with it. “
-｛Distributor May·Valkyrie observes my present life experience.｝
A flurry of distributors’ signal beacons sounded.
Yang Zicang, his coat torn and shredded, stood at the doorway, watching the chaotic battle scene inside the room. At the same time, he silently memorized their combat techniques. These were the true battle experiences with those possessing formidable strength.
Suddenly, another heavy thud rang out as the Defender’s fist, like a speeding millstone, smashed into Soldier No. 2’s heel—the very spot Little Bird had nudged—instantly tipping the scales of the evenly matched battle.
“Ow, that hurts! ” Cuckoo scurried aside like a rat in a blur, continuously pecking at its twisted wing. The others outside watched as Cuckoo’s deformed body rapidly recovered, faint fluorescent light emanating from within.
It’s the glow of the Sub-Ether Space!
“Come on, we’re about to win! ” chirped Little Bird, whose feathers had already mended.
Soldier No. 2 suddenly thrust its hands forward to block the other’s arms. Both sides’ muscles bulged in a contest of strength, the stalemate renewed. “None of these people belong here—this is a gang-up! I protest! “
The few outside watched in shock, clearly realizing the opponent understood some of the inn’s rules; this was a meticulously pre-planned scheme.
“Heh. You’ve only yourself to blame for trusting so easily, hero, ” Wager sneered, his gaze fixed on Yang Zicang’s grim expression.
— “After review, the panel finds that the protest is valid.“
“Protest invalid! ” Little Bird hopped around, shouting back with defiance. “I reject it! “
A group of plump, fluffy rats rubbed their eyes as they waddled down the stairs, stumbling sideways and forming a messy line from a certain pathway.
Upon noticing the ruckus inside through the doorway, they all jolted in fright. Pointing dramatically at the cracked walls and battered floor inside, they burst into an intense chorus of “squeaks. “
“—Countdown five seconds before start. ” A voice came from the brass megaphone.
The dejected mice stood in a row and leaped in unison.
“Leave here quickly. ” Yang Zicang said to the several people beside him. Both ladies nodded and, feeling uneasy, ran downstairs.
“In a few seconds, he’ll be able to bid on this room! ” Gronch Wager gritted his teeth.
Yang Zicang calmly looked inside. According to his current timing sequence, he had only one chance to make this happen.
POP, POP!
The wool-threaded mice leaped again in unison.
“Ah, ah, what should I do! ” Little Bird spun frantically in the air. “Has our strength dropped from being sealed for too long, Cuckoo? Hurry, open your Spots! “
“Hah, why should I lay down my life for you fools! “
The Defender’s arms gradually turned fiery red, while Soldier No. 2’s limbs emitted a scorched black hue.
“I might have an idea, ” Yang Zicang shouted from outside. Hearing this, the dazed mice paused briefly and looked up. “Little Bird, let’s form a temporary alliance. Then you’ll count as a member of my team. “
Cuckoo’s eyes flickered rapidly.
“Not bad, good scheme. That way, all I need is for this big fellow to take you down for me. Do you agree, Private No. 1? “
“Screw off! ” growled the Defender.
WHOOSH!
From the carpet outside, more sounds of jumping footsteps came.
“—Within deuces counting seconds. “
“I agree! ” yelled Little Bird.
“—Good. Then you have already failed. “
“Yay… Huh? “
With a booming roar, Soldier No. 2 suddenly erupted with a surge of immense energy force, sending the grotesque creature suppressing him flying. The man dusted off his clothes, turned his head to look at the few people at the door, and a faint smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.
“Excellent, Mr. Yang Bucheng. From here on out, this is my domain. “
The force field on the door began to weaken.
Wager heard the sound emanating from the Key; in ten seconds, he would be able to start expelling those in the room back outside. But he had already earned the right to bid for this room at any time.
Glancing sideways at the monster now temporarily isolated by the force field behind him, the man walked step by step to the doorway, and in a faint tone, he whispered softly to Wager:
“I’ll kill you right now. “
Yang Zicang stepped directly in front of Wager, who was trembling with rage in every limb.
“I’m your opponent. We’re not finished yet. “
“You? ” Soldier No. 2 let out a loud laugh. “You couldn’t even withstand one of my all-out attacks. “
“Three seconds left, my ass. ” From behind, Wager, his entire body enveloped in a black mist, his eyes emitting two rings of light, said, “I hope you can redeem your mistakes now. “
Three… two, one—
The moment the force field shattered with a crack, Yang Zicang’s entire being suddenly ripped open with tearing surges of sound from every fissure plaguing his body!
His pupils became blood-red, and his visage twisted like that of an Asura.
“You’re the one who should die! ” His jaw unhinged, the roar ripped from his throat in a choked snarl.
｛I’ve found the “Labyrinthine Uprising “.｝
{…jiongding the… }
In Soldier No. 2’s stunned expression, it was as if countless phantom bullets and shells came crashing in. When he snapped out of his daze and looked down at his chest, that arm—now devoid of any intact skin—was pressed against it. A strange, disorienting sense of numbness spread and extended from there, slow and expanding.
“You… ” The body crashed to the floor with a resonant thud. In that same moment, Little Bird had already “shwoop ” shot across to the far end of the room and vanished.
The short, hilted sword slipped from Yang Zicang’s sleeve. Behind him, Wager stared in astonishment as the wielder lifted the blade—whose faint ripples shimmered dull—and held it suspended between Soldier No. 2’s vacillating, muddled eyes.
The White Shadow Though-Dragon extended out from his body. This time, it gritted its jaw, gave a fierce wrench, and tore out a bizarre, vaguely humanoid pattern-form entity. A massive hole yawned in its chest, wherein a shifting iridescence—energies of five colors—writhed unsteadily around it.
“Who allowed you in here? ” asked Yang Zicang, whose chest also held the same blurred, faint dark-light glimmer. “What is Bai Yuxian’s mission? “
{I… will… never… tell… you that. }
“What else are your people conspiring here about! ” Wager imitated him from behind.
{Ha, nor… will I tell… you… who else works now. }
Even in this state, the psi-being before him still resisted letting its thoughts spill out about the organization’s secrets.
With a softthud, the emotionally indifferent Yang Zicang drove the blade into the forehead of Soldier No. 2. Suddenly, his gaze caught the seam between the scalp and the hair.
A faint, fine stitching scar was hidden among the roots of the hair.
If the two hadn’t been temporarily connected by the power of the “Perplexing Uprising, ” Yang Zicang might never have noticed this subtle anomaly.
He crouched down to examine it, then stood up with a sigh.
No wonder it was so strong—the Navy gentleman he’d known before had likely died long ago.
-｛Distributor Loki Tata Mingqi expresses “astonishment ” and wishes to purchase that Glowlight.｝
As his consciousness began to blur, Yang Zicang retracted the “Perplexing Uprising. ” It turned into a form of pure nothingness energy and merged back into the ring on his chest. But in that haze, he vaguely sensed the shape of a small, indistinct vinyl record emerging on his chest.
｛I invested 10N into the Kiki-brand Double-sided Golden Skull Gem Pendant.｝
｛The Kiki-brand Double-sided Golden Skull Gem Pendant begins cataloging my brand-new life stories.｝
｛After careful selection, I prioritized cataloging the moment most worthy of remembrance.｝
-｛Glowlight: Repelling the powerful enemy that invaded the inn｝
“Which of you wants this Radiance?” Yang Zicang said, as if to the air. “Name your price—this is about the inn’s Radiance.“
｛Distributor Loki. Tata Mingqi expressed, “I want it.“｝
Yang Zicang ignored him.
｛Distributor February. Di’an offered a bid of 200%.｝
｛Distributor April. Odyssey offered a bid of 150%.｝
｛Distributor May. Valkyrie offered a bid of 200%.｝
The mutant humanoid monster in the room had vanished. Wager activated his Clover Seal but found nothing.
“That bird seems to still be here,” Wager said, somewhat wistfully, as he once again caught a glimpse of the bottom card of the person before him.
“Oh, I really am still here,” a figure flashed by, barely there, gone in an instant.
Yang Zicang’s gaze gradually cleared. A faint ripple stirred where Little Bird had just manifested.
“It should be able to enter the sub-etheric force field here too.“
“You guessed right, Cuckoo,” a voice suddenly came from the card paper on the bedside table. It stared at the two “B” letters on the card. “Now I can show you my full name, Cuckoo!“
The paper didn’t move, but it tapped twice, making a crisp sound and the sheet trembled.
“You don’t seem at all worried that you’re trapped in here,” Yang Zicang said with a sneer, staring at it.
The mice, so frantic they were racing in circles along the baseboards, scuttled right through the doorway and into a room mired in disaster.
Little Bird turned its head strangely, “Why worry? I can just hide on any one of you and leave, you know~ “
“You! ” Wager pointed at the bird.
“If you threaten me, I’ll have my little soldier No. 1 punch you twice. “
“Squeak squeak, ah ga squeak!!! “
Karl said from the side, “Mr. Wager, are you leaving now? “
“Lea… ” Wager wanted to curse a few times but held back. He glanced around, then looked at Yang Zicang, and spoke into the speaker on the corridor, “What do we do now, Manager WhitPeara? Is this guy’s bidding story still valid? “
There was a moment of silence from the speaker.
— “Valid. However, because of your agreement, even in a bidding, the agreement takes precedence. So this bidding experience is no longer usable. “
Cuckoo raised its head in shock, “What are you talking about? What agreement?! “
“Don’t you understand? It’s the agreement that this experience is already useless! “
Yang Zicang, holding the business card, instantly accelerated, ramming into a velvet-gray mouse that had just been frantically running toward the door.
｛I am the “Trajectory Master “!｝
This black shadow rushed like the wind before Cuckoo, lunging a hand at it.
Little Bird soared disdainfully into the air.
With a slap, Yang Zicang’s palm met the spot where it had just taken off from.
The little cuckoo hanging upside down from the ceiling wore a sinister smirk, craning its neck as it looked down at the explosion-like room below. “My foolish, running-around ingrate, Yang Zicang, Cuckoo~ “
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