Officer Li didn’t look at Qiao Jiayin but instead turned to Qi Xia and asked, “There’s something I need to ask about Han Yimo… Did you leave something unsaid earlier? What does Han Yimo’s death signify? And what’s the meaning behind that sword?”
Qi Xia narrowed his eyes, studying Officer Li carefully. “Officer, your expertise lies in criminal investigation, while mine is in deception. Isn’t it strange for you to consult me about a case?”
Officer Li lowered his head helplessly. “We’re stuck in this godforsaken place—how could ‘criminal investigation’ possibly be of any use now?”
After a brief silence, Qi Xia decided to share the clues he had pieced together: “Officer, all I can say is… Han Yimo might have recognized that sword.”
“Recognized it?” Officer Li frowned, then nodded thoughtfully. “You mean he’d seen it before?”
“That’s not the issue you should be focusing on,” Qi Xia said. “You should be more concerned about your own predicament.”
“What do you mean?”
Qi Xia sighed and turned to leave, but Officer Li grabbed his arm.
“Don’t go. What exactly is my ‘predicament’?”
Lin Qin covered her mouth and leaned in to whisper in Officer Li’s ear, “Since Qi Xia won’t say it, I will. There are two things you should be careful about.”
“Two?”
“Yes. First, the only person here who could easily lift that massive sword is the deranged female shop assistant—she’s incredibly strong. In other words, if Han Yimo was indeed murdered, she’s the prime suspect. You should leave this place as soon as possible.”
Officer Li nodded grimly. “And the second?”
“Second, your so-called ‘teammates’—they don’t seem very trustworthy.”
Officer Li’s lips trembled slightly, as if something had occurred to him.
On his side now were Xiao Ran, an emotionally unstable and seemingly unintelligent kindergarten teacher; Zhang Chenze, a lawyer who cared only about gains and losses; and Dr. Zhao, who had once confronted him and was notably self-centered.
If the four of them faced a life-or-death trial, could they really trust each other?
After a long internal struggle, Officer Li finally spoke. “Qi Xia, regardless, I’ll use the convenience store as a base and explore the surrounding areas. If you have any information… you can come to me for an exchange.”
Qi Xia neither agreed nor refused, giving him a faint glance before walking away.
The others, unsure of what to say, followed.
Officer Li stared at their retreating figures for a moment before returning to the convenience store with Dr. Zhao and Xiao Ran.
He knew all too well that the four outside might be more reliable in a crisis—but they were out collecting “tokens,” which meant they were courting death.
Following them wasn’t safe either.
For now, the only way to survive was to secure a stronghold and plan carefully.
——
Qi Xia led the group forward until they soon arrived at the plaza where they had first appeared the day before.
He wanted to confirm one thing: the deafening toll of the bell he had heard that morning.
Just like the day before, a massive electronic screen stood at the center, with a bronze bell suspended above it.
When Han Yimo was stabbed, that bell had rung.
Lin Qin blinked and spoke up. “I think I’ve heard the bell ring several times…”
“Several times?” Qiao Jiayin paused. “When?”
Lin Qin’s pupils flickered slightly as she recalled. “Do you remember… when we first woke up in that room, and the man whose skull was crushed by ‘Human Sheep’? When he died, I think the bell rang then too.”
Tian Tian seemed to understand. “So… does the bell ring every time someone dies?”
The others nodded, agreeing that this was likely the correct interpretation—the bronze bell seemed like a death knell, announcing the toll of the dead.
“No,” Qi Xia shook his head. “The corridor we passed through had at least a thousand rooms. While we were in the ‘game,’ people were dying in other rooms too. If this were a death knell, we wouldn’t have heard it only twice.”
“Then…” Tian Tian conceded his point, but that left the question—what *did* trigger the bell?
“Huh?” Lin Qin looked up at the screen and noticed it was blank. “I remember there was a line of text here yesterday.”
The others looked up—the words had indeed vanished.
“Something about an ‘echo’…” Qiao Jiayin rubbed his chin. “I echoed calamity?”
“‘I heard the echo of calamity,'” Qi Xia corrected.
“Ah, right…” Qiao Jiayin nodded. “But what does that mean?”
Qi Xia shook his head.
This wasn’t something they could simply guess—their understanding of this city was far too limited.
What was “calamity”? What was an “echo”? And who was the “I”?
“Forget it. Let’s check somewhere else.”
Qi Xia turned to leave but suddenly froze.
Before him was a withered, grinning face.
The face had appeared behind him at some point and was now staring directly at him.
Qi Xia’s pupils contracted as he quickly stepped back.
The others were equally startled—before them stood an emaciated old man, standing on his tiptoes, his body bent like a dead tree.
“I’ve figured it out…” The old man smiled, revealing his single remaining tooth. “The question you asked me—I’ve got the answer!”
Qi Xia felt a chill down his spine under the old man’s gaze. “Are you talking to me?”
The old man licked his cracked lips. “Young man, I know the answer now! It’s ‘gamble your life’! As long as you stake your life, everything will fall into place!”
He reached out with grimy nails, trying to grab Qi Xia.
“We’re so close to getting out! All you have to do is bet your life…”
Frowning, Qi Xia stepped back again. Though he didn’t understand the old man’s words, the repeated insistence on taking his life was deeply unsettling.
“Hey, old man, who are you?” Qiao Jiayin asked skeptically. “Have you met Qi Xia before?”
The old man’s expression shifted as he turned to Qiao Jiayin.
His face twisted with confusion as he asked, “You don’t recognize me?”
“Why should I?”
A heavy silence fell. The old man’s clouded eyes darted back and forth before he finally seemed to realize something. “I see… You’ve… already met ‘Heavenly Dragon’…”
“Heavenly Dragon?” The four exchanged glances.
“No hope…” The old man shook his head and slowly turned away. “We can’t fight him… We’re lost here forever… No wonder the ‘Zodiacs’ have returned…”
Muttering to himself, he walked away, his silhouette steeped in desolation.
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