Chapter 58: Underworld Emergency
Clang—
The deafening toll of a bell rang out. Xia Feng looked up.
"The free trade phase has concluded. Please remain calm. We will now begin the basic predation phase."
The masked man in the black top hat smiled as he spoke, tossing the 37-sided die into the air. Black and white light swirled as it spun.
Snap—
The die landed: {19}
"How fortunate~" The masked man snapped his fingers and gestured invitingly toward Player No. 19. "Starting with No. 19, the player may choose the direction—forward or reverse. Best of luck to you all."
With that, his figure flickered and vanished.
The basic predation phase had begun.
One by one, the players took turns launching their predations. Xia Feng observed that most of them were practically blind in the early stages, meaning they had gathered very little intel.
For instance, when No. 14 attacked No. 3, the predation failed. Not only did No. 14 lose 4 life points, but they also wasted a predation card.
Xia Feng shook his head, idly picking at his fingers out of boredom—until it was No. 11's turn to strike.
Since No. 19 had chosen a counterclockwise order, No. 11's predation came before his own.
To Xia Feng's surprise, No. 11 waved a card at him mockingly before slotting it in with a jeering laugh. "I prey on No. 10."
Xia Feng's dark eyes narrowed slightly. So this bastard actually has three of my serial number cards in his hand! First, he traded one with me, then used a basic predation, and now he's using the last one to hunt me in reality.
How efficient. Xia Feng's lips curled, unfazed.
After all, the Ace Black Card's identity was no longer useful—with only 9 life points in total, it wasn't worth much.
[No. 11 preys on No. 10—Predation successful.]
A low, solemn announcement echoed from all directions.
[No. 11 gains 4 life points. No. 10 loses 4 life points. Due to No. 11's {Game Skill Card—Sting}, No. 10 must lose an additional 2 life points before launching predation.]
Xia Feng glanced at his remaining life points.
[Life Points: 5]
Not ideal, but nothing critical. He tapped his panel and chose to forfeit his predation turn.
Player No. 11 seemed to have amassed a hefty sum of life points. Pity we can't trade them now—otherwise, I'd gladly hand over another four points to him.
Before long, the basic predation phase ended. Xia Feng noticed the edges of the round table suddenly glowing as countless violet light patterns gathered beneath his feet, converging into a teleportation array.
[Now entering the Real Hunting Stage. May the Underworld favor you with fortune!]
As the solemn proclamation reverberated in his ears, the blinding light seared into his vision. Just before the world dissolved, Xia Feng caught No. 11 dragging a thumb across his throat in a taunting gesture.
Then—
The surroundings shattered into fragmented pixels, surging toward him.
Like hurtling through time and space, countless pixelated streaks whipped past, streaming ahead and behind him in a dizzying blur.
In that fleeting disorientation—
His feet hit solid ground. Xia Feng steadied himself, scanning the area. He was back in the teaching building.
Looks like he's wearing it.
Buzz—buzz—buzz—
His phone vibrated incessantly with notifications.
Xia Feng checked the screen, puzzled. All the messages were from Mushroom.
[Mushroom Hates Potato: HELP! Feng, I need you!]
[Feng? You there? Answer me!]
[Where'd you go? Did you fall into the toilet?!]
[Did you ACTUALLY fall in??]
[Hello? HELLO?!]
[Help, this is serious—I'm gonna die if you don't answer!]
[Reply as soon as you see this or I'm REALLY dead!]
(End of Chapter)