The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 905: Nothing Wrong

“No, no, nonononono...that’s...that’s impossible...”

Qin You could not accept the terrible truth. Helpless and lost, he yelled, “Why could Gao Yang make a group attack? He cheated! It’s not fair!”

Liao Liao's hands fell to her sides. She expected to howl in rage, scream, break down, or beg for mercy—even lose her mind. Yet facing certain death, her mind merely blanked before a strange sense of relief washed over her.

She slowly looked up at the gray stone pillar witnessing the match and the now-obscured face.

"It seems that group attacks should have been allowed from the beginning. Clear Mirror changed the rules. Now that he can't hold on, the rules revert to the original..."

Qin You fell into stunned silence. Clear Mirror had been on their side; otherwise, they would have died to Gao Yang's group attacks long ago.

Liao Liao met Gao Yang's gaze with unusual calm. "You're smart, Gao Yang. How did I not think of that?"

Gao Yang's pale face was covered in injuries and blood stains. He looked at Liao Liao like a kindred spirit. "You and I are not that different. You lost because of one thing."

"What was it?" Liao Liao asked.

"I was backed into a corner. You weren't."

Liao Liao paused.

Ah, that's right.

In this "fair" match, Gao Yang had no teammates to rely on, while Liao Liao had many. Gao Yang hadn't become cornered; he had started in the corner, taking every step like a gamble, giving his all with clenched teeth.

Liao Liao, on the other hand, had four teammates, yet all of them were looking wildly different ways.

In fact, she had never had real companions. Risk-averse, she'd always moved one careful step at a time, living merely to survive. Though she'd given her best tonight, it paled against Gao Yang's desperate effort.

The crowned must carry the weight of the crown. Liao Liao only saw the truth of it now.

With newfound admiration for Gao Yang, Liao Liao smiled in acceptance. "Lesson learned."

Hum. The gray barrier returned, but it was no longer complete—holes spread across its surface like melting plastic film, and sound now passed freely through. Clear Mirror had truly reached his limit.

The thinking time was shortened to 120 seconds. Both Qin You's and Liao Liao's action lists grayed out, leaving them unable to pick any action. Their depleted energy forced them to rest next turn. They couldn't even dodge—they were sitting ducks awaiting slaughter.

"Gao Yang!" Qin You broke down, shouting at the broken barrier. "We... we don't have to go through with this! We can work together!"

"Liao Liao, we can, right?" He turned to her, hoping she would join his plea for mercy.

Liao Liao remained silent, derision flashing through her eyes. She feared death, yes, but when it came knocking, at least she had the courage to face it.

"Gao Yang! We only have to wait for Clear Mirror to die and the domain to dissolve! If you kill us, enemies might be waiting to ambush you outside. You may not survive in your condition. Don't kill us—once outside, we'll help you fight them!"

"Well now, he's being shameless..." Dr. Jia stroked his chin thoughtfully. "But he's got a point."

Gao Yang's response was coolly analytical. "Think about it, Dr. Jia. If we delay, they regain their actions next turn. Then they control our fate. Would you trust a man who betrayed his childhood friend?"

Dr. Jia fell silent. "Right. Better to just kill them."

"Gao Yang, you must trust me!" Qin You exclaimed. "I don't want to make an enemy out of you! I only did what I did because of Qilin's authority. I...I didn't have a choice! I was forced to do it! It hurt to get Nan Feng killed..."

He dropped to his knees with a thud and kowtowed like a madman. "I beg you, Gao Yang. Please forgive me as the bigger person and spare me. I promise. I promise I'll serve you like a slave. Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it. I'll be your loyal dog..."

"Qin You." Gao Yang's cold gaze fixed on him. "I know you aren't loyal to Qilin, and I know you did what you did to survive. What's wrong with wanting to live?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Qin You lifted his face, pathetic hope shining through tears and snot. "I, I only want to survive. I'm scared. I don't wanna die. Gao Yang, thank you, thank you. I knew you would understand a weakling like me..."

"But those you got killed only wished to live, too," Gao Yang cut in, his voice glacial. "What had they done wrong?"

Qin You's face froze. The ember of hope in his eyes died.

"Revenge must be exacted against the right person." Gao Yang leveled his Black Gold dagger at Qin You's face. "You should have seen this day coming."

"No, no... please. I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die here..."

Qin You slumped to the ground, fear and despair crushing his rationality. He scrambled backward until he hit the invisible barrier. There was nowhere left to go.

Moments later, he wet himself.

Liao Liao watched Qin You's humiliation with a sense of catharsis. At least she'd get one last show before her death.

She sat down slowly, awaiting her fate.

"I'll kill Qin You," Gao Yang told Dr. Jia. "Take Liao Liao's gun from her."

"Perhaps I can kill her," Dr. Jia suggested.

"With what? Your fist?"

Dr. Jia paused. Even with Liao Liao unable to dodge, his punch wouldn't kill her. Taking her gun was the better option—she wouldn't be able to use God of Firearms, and even after recovering some energy next turn, she'd pose little threat.

"Alright," Dr. Jia nodded. "I'll do as you said."

They selected their actions. The countdown ended.

[Thinking Time ends.]

[The seventh turn begins.]

"No, no... I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die... please spare me..."

Qin You sat prone, begging desperately as urine pooled beneath him.

Gao Yang began his turn. With his remaining energy, he chose the simplest way to kill.

He dragged his injured body forward, one step at a time.

"Don't, don't... don't come..."

Like death incarnate, Gao Yang's shadow crept toward Qin You, finally looming over his terror-stricken face.

"Mom! Where are you, Mom? Save me, save me..."

Gao Yang didn't waste energy crouching. He thrust his dagger through Qin You's right eye, burying the blade in his brain.

Qin You's pleas stopped. His body seized once before going limp.

Gao Yang stepped back, bloodied dagger in hand, his expression impassive. The revenge brought no joy.

"It's my turn!"

Dr. Jia rushed to the immobile Liao Liao, grabbing her gun with both hands and yanking it free.

Oof...

He landed on his bottom but kept his grip on the weapon. Scrambling up, he ran back to his position.

Hum. The gray barrier emerged, even thinner and more broken than before. The seventh turn ended.

Liao Liao raised her head slowly and smiled.