Deceitful Game

Chapter 109 The Night Watchman and Snow White

Today, Mingper is increasingly understanding the mechanism of mental anchors.

Mingpo had originally planned to sweep away the broken ashtray when she went out this time.

But to my surprise, after exiting the game, the ashtray, which had shattered into pieces, returned to its original state and was back on the table. Furthermore, the pliers and screwdriver in Mingpo's pocket were also back in their original positions.

In other words, everything "belonging to Mingpo" was reset after he left the game. Just like the wine he took out of the wine cabinet, the amount of wine he drank was restored to its original value after he left the game.

Mingpo hasn't figured out why Ai Shiping's Coke is becoming increasingly scarce.

It's possible that he entered Mingpo's game, so his own anchor point wasn't updated; it's also possible that consumables aren't being replenished. However, Ai Shiping has now obtained high-level chips at the Sun's Pseudo-Gold level.

Next, that guy will be participating in the promotion game... which is a game he has to participate in alone.

They will soon find out the specific rules.

After going downstairs, Ai Shiping looked around for a while and said in a low voice, "I really don't feel any danger anymore."

Mingpo nodded without replying.

"Let me teach you how to contact other con artists first."

He pointed to the subway station and explained to Ai Shiping some common sense among charlatans: "For example, if you want to go to other districts, the most convenient way is to use public transportation. But remember, although you are a ghost now, we are ghosts with physical bodies, and you can't pass through the subway when the doors close..."

Unsurprisingly, the world has changed somewhat again this time.

But the changes are not many.

If Mingpo didn't have such a good memory, she might have mistaken this subtle change for an illusion.

Mingpo's pupils contracted slightly.

He could clearly see that there were significantly more charlatans in the subway station than before.

Moreover, many people are genuinely "new at first glance"—that kind of bewilderment and excitement can't be faked.

Clearly, they had only just learned that the con artists would exchange information, sell intelligence, and treasures in the subway station.

The saying goes, "From small things one can know great things"... There must be many more charlatans who are unaware of this. They have no organization or friends, and they all stay holed up in their hideouts, afraid to venture out. These charlatans are certainly more numerous than the former.

...There is no doubt that the number of charlatans is increasing rapidly.

The entire deceptive game gradually spiraled out of control.

For a fleeting moment, Mingpo even doubted her goal—to wipe out all the Deceivers. Could she really do it? The rate at which the Deceivers were increasing, if reduced solely by the game, would likely result in more losses than gains…

Thinking of this, Mingpo suddenly paused, her steps faltering slightly.

He seemed to understand something.

No wonder there are organizations of charlatans from the Realm of Slaughter who hunt down other charlatans in the real world.

Could it be that their goals are aligned with mine in some way?

It's all about reducing the number of charlatans... though the goal might not be to end the game of deception, but rather to hunt for bargaining chips, seek revenge, or reduce hidden enemies, or perhaps even to find the "shrine of Dionysus." But in the end, it's not all bad...

Just then, inside the subway station.

"…Huh?"

A tall, slender girl who was going up the stairs saw Mingpo walking down the stairs as she passed by, and she made a slightly puzzled sound. She turned her head slightly, pushed up her sunglasses, and carefully looked at his back.

This girl had long, straight black hair that reached past her waist, a well-proportioned and slender figure, and an astonishing height—1.8 meters tall without shoes, which would be considered tall even among men, let alone a girl.

She wore a long trench coat with a fur collar and sunglasses. Her lower body was covered by jeans for easy movement.

The girl's companion noticed that she had suddenly stopped, so she took two steps back, glanced warily at Mingpo's retreating figure, and whispered, "What's wrong?"

"It seems to be... someone I know."

She shook her head: "Maybe they've mistaken me for someone else."

"Don't let your guard down, Night's Watchman."

Another girl shook her head and warned, "In the Deception Game, acquaintances and friends are also terrifying. In fact, the closer the relationship, the more terrifying it is. Because they might know how you died... and that could get you out of the Deception Game."

"The scariest thing is that this behavior might not even be malicious. The other person might genuinely be thinking 'it's for your own good' and kick you out of the game of deception. I've seen people like that before... I have a friend who was kicked out of the game for this reason." "...Okay, I understand. Thank you, Snow White."

The girl known as the "Night Watchman" nodded, but still did not move.

The girl beside her, known as "Snow White," was at least two heads shorter than her. She was probably less than 1.55 meters tall. Walking side-by-side, they looked like a mother with her daughter… you couldn't tell from their appearance that the shorter one was the elder. Seeing the Night's Watchman staring intently at Mingpo, Snow White turned around and gave him a serious once-over.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Mingpo, who was waiting for the subway, turned her head slightly.

Snow White was startled the moment he turned around.

Her and the Night's Watch were instantly enveloped in a misty fog, concealing their forms.

She grabbed the night watchman and ran a few steps uphill, away from Mingpo's gaze.

She lowered her voice: "Be careful, don't go over there... That's the stench of the Slaughter Domain, and it's quite strong."

"Huh?"

The night watchman paused for a moment.

"It's fine with other people, but you should especially avoid running into acquaintances from the Slaughter Domain."

Snow White's eyes were filled with disgust and vigilance: "Be especially careful of the deceivers in the Realm of Slaughter... even if they are acquaintances you know."

"I've already told you, titles are mentally corrupting, and the title of 'Domain of Slaughter' is the most corrupting. Even if someone was a good person before, if they get the title of 'Domain of Slaughter,' it means they're no longer trustworthy—they'll go insane soon. Don't become material for his title advancement, Night Watchman."

"I see."

The Night's Watchman pursed his lips and said in a low voice.

"……Why."

Snow White sighed: "I knew you didn't take it to heart. You must try your best to restrain your compassion and sense of responsibility, Night's Watchman. You must be aware of your 'true thoughts,' for excessive kindness is also a form of spiritual pollution from the title. If you cannot control yourself, you will only become a slave to the title."

"The Domain of Slaughter..."

Suddenly, the Night Watchman asked, "Is it really impossible to control oneself? Just like we all have to control ourselves from the corruption of titles... Can't the Domain of Slaughter also control itself?"

"Perhaps."

Snow White frowned, her tone becoming stern: "But you'd better not gamble, Sister Shiyue. Don't develop this kind of wishful thinking. You'll be the captain sooner or later, so you'd better not have too much sympathy for those outside our camp... because by then, our lives will be in your hands. Now that I'm watching you, when you lead us later, are you going to put us in danger just to help others?"

"……I see."

Shi Yue, whose title was "Night Watchman," nodded and sighed: "I was just thinking... other people might not be as lucky as me, to encounter a fair host during the rookie stage and to be able to join a reliable organization as soon as they leave the rookie stage."

"How many Deceivers will die at this stage? They may have had enough talent... but died inexplicably due to lack of information and bad luck. If they had a mentor or a captain to guide them, they might not have gone mad."

"A talent that hasn't been realized isn't a talent at all. There's never a shortage of geniuses among those who deceive the world; we've all fought our way out of round after round of being nurtured like worms."

Snow White said softly, "Some were blinded by the power they gained, became arrogant because of their increased wisdom, or went mad by their desire to kill... There were also those who were misled by the 'goodwill' that arose from the title of the Domain of Virtue and inexplicably sacrificed themselves. There were even quite a few 'great philanthropists' who dragged their teams into self-destruction."

"I have seen far too many charlatans like this. Every companion who is still somewhat clear-headed is a precious treasure."