Designate a murderer. Eliminate Zhang Yuanqing.
Hearing the notification in his ear, Zhang Yuanqing maintained a calm facade, but his mind raced with sudden clarity.
He had found it strange that the Instance had assigned him the role of Captain while simultaneously forbidding him from revealing his status or voting out the Traitor. What was the point of being Captain under such restrictions?
Now he understood: the Captain's true power lay here.
"My role grants me the power of elimination, and the Evil Class must possess similar means. That explains Riverlord's mysterious death. But my power requires completing the Main Quest to activate. The murderer's ability likely has conditions as well. What are they? They wouldn't just hand out an elimination slot for free." Zhang Yuanqing's mind raced.
"I've already reviewed the footage from when we entered the Instance and found nothing suspicious. The trigger for the murderer's elimination power must be subtle, known only to them."
Who should he eliminate?
Zhang Yuanqing's mental gears whirred at full speed as he swiftly narrowed his focus to three candidates: Xie Lingxi, Fire Fiend, and Xishi.
Among these three, he most wanted to eliminate the black long straight-haired girl.
Though she was a delicate beauty, the kind that evoked pity at first glance, Zhang Yuanqing couldn't resist the urge to target her after learning that the upcoming attractions included a Haunted House.
But this was just a momentary impulse.
"The old strategy guide doesn't mention any series, at least not in writing. This must be a change triggered by the increased difficulty of Jinshui Amusement Park. Xie Lingxi probably doesn't know either. With the S-rank spirit realm's difficulty, it seems no matter which attractions we choose, we'll end up in the Haunted House. There's no avoiding it; the order might just be different."
"We don't have enough information to pinpoint the culprit. It's half deduction, half guesswork, and the odds are slim. If we accuse the wrong person, we'll lose a teammate for nothing, putting ourselves at a disadvantage."
"But if we do nothing, I'll definitely be the next to die. Maybe I'll get lucky and expose the killer."
Caught in a dilemma, Zhang Yuanqing couldn't decide whether to take a risky gamble based on his instincts or play it safe and observe further.
Both choices carried their own risks.
Since he, as the Captain, couldn't make a decision, what was the Traitor—the double agent from the Evil Class—thinking at this moment? Zhang Yuanqing decided to approach the problem from a different angle:
"Their hidden quest is likely to kill someone, but we can't be sure if they know about the Captain's existence. Let's set that aside for now. The fact that I didn't observe any anomalies and the blindfolded strategy guide remains unchanged is a clear hint."
"The killer isn't stupid. He must know I suspect a traitor in the group. He'll likely proceed cautiously, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Figuring out when that opportunity might arise is crucial.
"My role is tied to a hidden quest, not the Main Quest. The killer also needs to consider that killing too quickly would increase his own risks in subsequent missions.
"Jinshui Amusement Park is an S-Rank Difficulty spirit realm. Zhang Yuanqing refused to believe that the Evil Class's mission was merely to reduce the team's numbers.
"If it were that simple, it wouldn't be S-Rank.
"Following this line of reasoning: after realizing they can't avoid the terrifying spirit realm missions, the killer is unlikely to kill frequently. He needs allies, cannon fodder, and someone like me, who has demonstrated some competence, would be a valuable asset.
"Therefore, the timing for killing me would likely be after completing the Haunted House, or possibly during it.
"Hmm, these are just my deductions, and they still need verification. I'll use the 'Underground Parking Garage' to test him. We have half an hour before the next mission. I'll use this time to gather more intel."
Having reached this conclusion, Zhang Yuanqing decided to relinquish his Captain's authority for this round.
"Damn it! In the end, I still can't avoid the Haunted House!"
On the plaza, the Fire Fiend, having received the Spirit Realm's notification, was on the verge of losing his composure. He glared at the delicate young woman, Xie Lingxi, and snarled, "Damn it! You're going to get us all killed!"
Xie Lingxi pouted, her voice trembling with grievance. "I... I didn't mean to. I didn't know an S-rank spirit realm would change like this. I've never been here before!"
The Fire Fiend tugged at his fiery red hair in frustration, cursing under his breath. "I should have never listened to your harebrained ideas! Now what? The Haunted House is bound to be incredibly dangerous. What did the old guide say? We need to discuss this."
Xie Lingxi shook her head. "I... I don't know. There are too many attractions in Jinshui Amusement Park. I only memorized some of them."
"You don't know? Do you think I'm an idiot? Are you treating me like a three-year-old?" The Fire Fiend exploded in fury.
"Why are you being so mean?" Xie Lingxi's eyes welled up with tears.
She looked about seventeen or eighteen, probably still a high school student. The Fire Fiend's outburst left her both aggrieved and innocent, on the verge of tears.
"Enough!"
The honest, good-natured middle-aged man, rarely assertive, stepped forward and halted their argument.
He calmly met the Fire Fiend's gaze. "No one could have predicted the changes in the amusement park's difficulty. This isn't her fault. Besides, the decision to ride the roller coaster was made by a group vote."
The middle-aged man's words were reasonable, but the Fire Fiend's temper flared, making him deaf to reason. He glared fiercely at the man.
"What's it to you what I say? Trying to play the hero here?"
"I'm not trying to be a hero. I just want you to shut up! If you won't shut up, I'll make you!"
A flash of malice flickered in the eyes of the seemingly honest and simple middle-aged man.
Seeing this, Zhang Yuanqing knew it was time to intervene. He quickly stepped forward, placing himself between the two men, and said with a smile, "Calm down, calm down. If you keep arguing, half an hour will be gone before we know it. Uncle, do me a favor and wait until we clear Jinshui Amusement Park. I'll treat you to drinks. Fire Fiend, find me after we leave the Spirit Realm. I'm from Guangzhou, and our white-cut chicken is the best—tender, juicy, and incredibly flavorful."
His lighthearted banter and playful demeanor diffused the tense atmosphere.
The Fire Fiend and the middle-aged man seized the opportunity to back down, letting the matter drop.
The group of six followed the signs, leaving the plaza and venturing into the brilliantly lit amusement park.
A cool breeze drifted through the air, and the pitch-black sky stretched above like an endless curtain of black swan down, devoid of stars or moon.
The amusement park's dazzling lights were the only source of illumination in this world.
An empty roller coaster roared along its tracks; the pendulum ride and pirate ship swung relentlessly; and the carousel turned slowly to cheerful music.
Driverless bumper cars crashed into each other across the arena.
The atmosphere abruptly shifted from fairytale-like fantasy to something sinister.
Throughout the journey, no one spoke. The team's atmosphere was oppressively silent and rigid, with each member maintaining a careful distance from the others—neither too close nor too far.
Clearly, they had understood my subtle hints and begun to suspect Riverlord's death. Now I would have to probe them one by one. Sigh, it's so troublesome having to conceal my true identity. Zhang Yuanqing no longer cared if his Captain status was exposed.
Because it didn't matter.
Given the opportunity, the Evil Class members would kill him without hesitation.
He strode over to Xie Lingxi and asked:
"Sister Lingxi, are you a high school student? Where are you from?"
"I'm from Jiangnan Province, Brother Wang Tai. I'm a senior this year."
"What a coincidence! I'm a student at Jiangnan University. Let's exchange phone numbers. After we clear Jinshui Amusement Park, I can tutor you with your homework and give you one-on-one private lessons."
"Okay, okay!"
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Why are you asking?"
"If you have a boyfriend, it wouldn't be convenient for me to give you private lessons."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Sister Xishi, what do you do for work?"
"I'm a nurse, you know."
A nurse? The kind who wears a uniform and gives injections? Zhang Yuanqing put on an expression of deep admiration.
"I have the utmost respect for the angels in white."
Xishi's eyes shimmered with a seductive glint as she purred, her voice dripping with insinuation, "Actually, you don't need to respect me so much. I prefer men who are wilder, rougher, who take complete control of me."
Zhang Yuanqing paused, then grinned. "Let's sleep together sometime."
He then approached "Ashamed Father" and casually asked, "Uncle, do you have a daughter?"
The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes and grunted in affirmation.
Curious, Zhang Yuanqing pressed, "Your relationship with her must be terrible, right?"
The middle-aged man's kind face instantly darkened. "None of your business," he said coldly.
"Sorry, sorry."
Zhang Yuanqing quickly distanced himself from the man and caught up with the red-haired youth ahead. The youth was gaunt, with small, sharp eyes and sharply angled eyebrows that gave him a restless, crude air.
After a few compliments from Zhang Yuanqing, the Fire Fiend grinned, finding the young man's words pleasing and willing to chat.
When Zhang Yuanqing asked for his opinion of his teammates, the Fire Fiend replied bluntly:
"These teammates are all a bit off. The little girl acts pitiful the whole time, and the busty woman seems easy, but when I asked her if she wanted to go down for a quickie on the roller coaster platform, she completely ignored me. And that old guy looks the least trustworthy."
As he spoke, the Fire Fiend glanced back at the energetic young man, Great Sage, Heaven's Equal, who was fawning over Xie Lingxi, his face twisted with disdain.
"That guy's just a useless egg. Brother Wang Tai, you're the only one in this group I like."
"You flatter me, Fire Fiend. I think you're the most reliable one here too."
Finally, Zhang Yuanqing approached the energetic young man in loafers and tight pants. "Great Sage, can I have a word with you?"
The Great Sage, Heaven's Equal cast one last reluctant glance at Xie Lingxi before following Zhang Yuanqing to the side.
"What's up?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the socially adept young man.
"What do you think of those two girls?" Zhang Yuanqing grinned.
The Great Sage glanced at Xie Lingxi. "Pretty, with a nice, perky butt. Just a bit flat-chested."
Then he looked at Xishi. "Big chest, round hips, but she's kind of aloof."
As for the Fire Fiend and the middle-aged man, the Great Sage considered the former too hot-tempered and difficult to get along with, preferring to keep his distance. The latter was quiet and reserved, but occasionally offered surprisingly good advice.
Zhang Yuanqing suddenly lowered his voice. "If I die, do everything you can to take out that old guy. He's an Evil Class."
The Great Sage was visibly startled, his eyes widening slightly. He instinctively opened his mouth to speak, then quickly clamped it shut, his expression turning wary and cautious.
Ten minutes later, the group arrived at the western side of the amusement park's Underground Parking Garage, stopping at the entrance ramp.
Through the downward slope, they could see the garage illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights, revealing rows of dust-covered cars parked in orderly rows.
The garage was eerily silent.
Zhang Yuanqing turned to Xie Lingxi, speaking on behalf of the group:
"What's the strategy for this level?"