“So you’ve always been this ruthless, kid?” the Slacker Dog asked.
“You flatter me again, boss,” the Mole replied with a fake smile. “Compared to all of you, I’m practically a saint. You guys are the real monsters who deserve to rot in hell.”
“If you keep running your mouth…” The Slacker Dog shook his head. “That collar around your neck will never come off. I’m the *Earth Dog*, yet here you are, forced to wear a collar in the game. Doesn’t that bother you?”
The Mole’s fake smile faded as his expression turned cold. He stayed silent for a long time.
“Dog, the reason I’ve exposed myself for the first time in years and thrown myself into this storm is precisely because I want this collar gone,” the Mole said darkly. “This team is full of holes. If we want even a sliver of hope for success, we need a brilliant strategist.”
“You mean yourself?”
“Of course,” the Mole nodded. “I don’t think I’m any dumber than the other three, so I’m the perfect fit for team leader.”
The Earth Dog lowered his voice and leaned in. “You do realize who the chosen leader has to work with, right…?”
“Who?” The Mole turned his head. “Isn’t it the Money-Losing Tiger?”
“It’s the White Sheep,” the Earth Dog whispered. “Are you sure you can match wits with him?”
“Uh…” The Mole stiffened slightly. “Just to confirm—*that* White Sheep?”
“How many sheep are there in the *Endgame*?!” The Slacker Dog frowned. “There are only two above *Earth Rank*, and one of them is standing right in front of you.”
“My god…” The Mole finally grasped the gravity of the situation. “I thought this was just the Money-Losing Tiger’s impulsive scheme to wreck everything… But it’s actually the White Sheep’s plan?”
“Now you know.” The Earth Dog remained indifferent. “If it were just the Tiger’s idea, why would I even bring you into this?”
The Mole hesitated. “If that’s the case… my petty tricks won’t cut it. I don’t have any ties to the White Sheep, but most of the *Earth Rank* games here were designed with his involvement…”
“Exactly. That’s the problem,” the Earth Dog whispered again. “If this were just the Tiger’s rebellion, I’d never join. But if it’s the Sheep’s plan? The odds just skyrocketed.”
“But didn’t the White Sheep ascend to *Heaven*?” The Mole still didn’t understand. “About a month ago, didn’t we watch him walk off the train? How is he already leading a rebellion?”
“Like I told you yesterday…” The Earth Dog sighed. “There’s probably no path to *Heaven* here.”
“You only told me there’s no path to *Heaven*—you didn’t say the White Sheep failed!” The Mole’s expression twisted. “So what is he now? *Human Rank*?”
“He’s a *Participant*,” the Earth Dog answered. “Just an ordinary one, active in the *Endgame* again. You know him—even without his memories, he’s still *him*. Wherever he goes, he stands out…”
“Hold on…” The Mole raised a hand to stop him. “What’s his name?”
“Qi Xia.”
Hearing those two words, the Mole froze—then slowly nodded, as if everything suddenly made sense.
“In that case… I can’t avoid this storm either.” The Mole stood up and glanced at the four still locked in combat.
The Black Sheep and the Earth Horse were evenly matched. Though the Horse was physically stronger, the Sheep fought smarter, using tools and weapons to hold his ground without falling behind.
The Earth Tiger, however, wasn’t faring as well. The Earth Pig had been an *Earth Rank* for decades, while the Tiger had just been promoted. Their combat experience was worlds apart.
In the short time the Slacker Dog and the Corporate Rat had been talking, the Earth Tiger’s face was already bleeding—a chunk of flesh torn open, crimson staining his fur.
“You son of a bitch…” The Tiger gritted his teeth. “Looks like you really aren’t leaving today…”
The Earth Pig opposite him was panting too—this fight was tougher than he’d expected.
“Are you *seriously* a newbie…?” the Pig asked. “Or are you just faking it? Surrender now, and I’ll make your death quick.”
“Fake *this*,” the Tiger snarled, rolling up his sleeves and wiping blood from his face. “The only person on this whole damn train who could make me submit is gone. Even if the *Celestial Dragon* himself stood in front of me and shattered every bone in my body, I’d *still* never yield!”
“Stubbornness won’t keep you alive…” The Pig unbuttoned his suit jacket and tossed it aside.
The Tiger did the same. Now in just their shirts, they stepped forward.
The next second, their hands clashed—an impact like a car crash.
The floor beneath them shattered. Food scattered everywhere was blown away by an invisible shockwave.
A clash between *Earth Ranks* was no ordinary brawl. Any *Participant* caught in the crossfire would die instantly.
The Pig had underestimated the Tiger. Despite being new, his combat skills were terrifying—possibly the strongest among *Earth Ranks*, second only to himself and the Earth Dragon. The worst-case scenario for an *Earth Rank* was someone with real-world fighting experience, and this towering white-furred Tiger was likely a trained boxer.
Gritting his teeth, the Pig shoved the Tiger back, then resorted to dirty tricks—eye gouges, groin strikes—using his agility to stay just out of reach.
Seeing this, the Mole exchanged a glance with the Earth Dog, who nodded and stood, heading for the door.
Outside, dodging stray attacks from the Black Sheep and the Earth Horse, he opened it.
A crowd of *Zodiacs*—*Human* and *Earth Rank* alike—stood waiting, at least a dozen of them.
Their expressions were uneasy as the door swung open.
“Teacher Earth Dog…” A female *Human Snake* spoke up. “What’s going on in there?”
“Too much drinking, too much fighting,” the Earth Dog replied. “Keep it quiet, everyone. If word gets to the higher-ups, we’re screwed.”
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