Riverlord and Zhang Yuanqing had both been highly proactive, setting the pace, analyzing the situation, and maintaining control, effectively serving as the team's leaders.
Now that Riverlord was dead, Zhang Yuanqing was undoubtedly the next target.
Meanwhile, Xishi said urgently, "We only have one minute left. We need to decide quickly—what's the plan? Keep our eyes closed or open them?"
Xie Lingxi tentatively raised her hand, suggesting nervously, "How about we vote?"
Fire Fiend boomed, "I vote to open our eyes! I don't want any more heads rolling into my lap, or our own heads being mysteriously severed. If we open our eyes, we might have a chance to figure out the rules."
Xishi glanced at Zhang Yuanqing with hopeful eyes. When he remained silent, she said, "I also think opening our eyes is better. The feeling of keeping them closed is just too awful."
Ashamed Father paused for a few seconds before agreeing, "I concur."
Xie Lingxi added, "Me too."
Seeing the consensus, Great Sage, Heaven's Equal knew his vote was now meaningless. "Looks like I don't have a choice."
Open your eyes? Zhang Yuanqing thought, his heart pounding. If the roller coaster's killing rules have changed, that's one thing. But if my suspicion is correct—that evil individuals are behind these killings—have you considered the consequences of opening your eyes?
He nearly revealed the truth about the traitor in their group, but the Spirit Realm had warned him to conceal his identity.
This was both to protect the evil-doer and to safeguard the Captain. After all, this wasn't some real-world game where everyone knew from the start there was a wolf among them that needed to be found.
This was a hastily formed team. Why would they believe anything he said?
Concealing identities was clearly the Instance's balancing mechanism. Revealing it rashly could trigger penalties.
Yet he couldn't let them continue down this path. They couldn't afford to lose.
I have an idea, though it's risky. Zhang Yuanqing steeled his resolve and said firmly:
"What if—and I mean if—the rule about closing our eyes hasn't changed? Have you considered the consequences? In the last round, only the Riverlord died. We still have two rounds left. At worst, two more people will die. Total annihilation versus two deaths—the choice should be obvious, right?"
Silence fell over the group, the atmosphere thick with tension.
Seeing no one object, Zhang Yuanqing breathed a small sigh of relief and immediately continued:
"I have another idea," Zhang Yuanqing said.
Xishi's face lit up. "What is it?"
"We can select one person to stay on the platform and observe while the rest of us continue riding the roller coaster with our eyes closed. This way, we have someone watching without putting the others at risk, avoiding the danger of a total wipeout."
The group paused, startled. Fire Fiend frowned deeply, his voice tinged with irritation. "The instance information doesn't explicitly state that we must experience the ride together, but it doesn't say we can split up either. You should know what that implies—risk."
The Spirit Realm never spells out all the rules for you, allowing you to follow them step by step. It's never that easy.
For example, the instructions might say to form a team, but they won't tell you what happens if you don't. Maybe nothing, or maybe leaving the team means certain death.
"I know," Zhang Yuanqing said slowly. "That's why I'll take the risk. I'll stay behind."
He fixed his gaze on his teammates, daring anyone to object. At this moment, anyone who opposed him would be the murderer.
"I have no objection."
"Me neither."
"Little brother, we're counting on you!"
"Wang Tai, be careful."
No one objected.
The murderer is smarter than I thought, Zhang Yuanqing sighed inwardly. He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the roller coaster.
If staying behind carried risks, then the killer could effectively eliminate two people this round. With the majority agreeing, going with the flow was the wisest course of action. The killer was undeniably clever.
But for Zhang Yuanqing, while staying behind was risky, remaining on the roller coaster meant certain death.
Just then, the countdown ended with a thump as the roller coaster slowly began to move.
Zhang Yuanqing tensed, his body coiled like a spring. He scanned his surroundings for danger while his sharp eyes remained fixed on the slowly ascending roller coaster.
Though sound couldn't provide feedback, visuals certainly could. If the killer dared to strike, he would immediately trigger his old ailment, exposing their identity.
He refused to believe the killer could kill with mere thoughts; such an ability would violate the principle of balance.
Reaching the peak, the roller coaster plunged downward in a free fall, Xishi let out another short, startled cry.
Rumble rumble rumble
Under Zhang Yuanqing's watchful gaze, the roller coaster roared along the undulating steel tracks like a dragon. Two minutes later, it slowed and returned to the platform.
As soon as the roller coaster came to a stop, the riders snapped their eyes open, their faces taut as they frantically scanned their surroundings.
"No one died! No one died this time!"
Xishi exclaimed in delight.
The others' faces lit up with joy, their tense expressions relaxing.
Xie Lingxi blinked her beautiful eyes and asked with a smile, "Did you observe any phenomena?"
The team members immediately turned to Zhang Yuanqing, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Just as I suspected, the rules aren't the killer—it's the murderer, Zhang Yuanqing, he thought.
"I didn't see anything," Zhang Yuanqing said, subtly hinting to his teammates.
Since the rule about keeping your eyes closed hasn't changed, how did the Riverlord die? Use your brains.
Upon hearing this, the team members fell silent, deep in thought.
For the next five minutes, the group remained unusually quiet, without any communication or discussion. Under Zhang Yuanqing's watchful gaze, they completed the third round.
"Phew, it's over!"
Xishi eagerly unbuckled her seatbelt, her long legs carrying her off the roller coaster in a near-escape.
Zhang Yuanqing watched her go, then waited for the remaining teammates to disembark. He grinned cheerfully.
"My turn now. Everyone, please wait here for a moment."
The roller coaster slowed to a stop on the rooftop platform.
Zhang Yuanqing unbuckled his seatbelt and joined the waiting team members.
As his feet touched the concrete ground, he suddenly felt a profound sense of relief and exhaustion, as if he had just survived a major ordeal.
Finally, they had completed one entertainment activity, with only one teammate lost—still within manageable limits. Phew, we almost wiped out the entire team. This is too hard. S-Rank Missions are just too difficult, Zhang Yuanqing thought wearily.
When he saw the equally exhausted expressions on his teammates' faces, he immediately felt more balanced.
At that moment, Zhang Yuanqing received an Instance Notification in his mind:
[ You have completed the initial mission (Roller Coaster). You have successfully activated the "Heart-Pounding" mission series. The entertainment facilities in this series are: Roller Coaster → Underground Parking Lot → Haunted House (Ghost Marriage) → Detective Reasoning Hall. Please proceed to the second location within thirty minutes. ]
Ghost... Haunted House? Hearing the notification, Zhang Yuanqing's face instantly stiffened.
Xie Lingxi, Xishi, the middle-aged man, Fire Fiend, and Great Sage, Heaven's Equal slowly lost their smiles as well.
The Roller Coaster was part of the Heart-Pounding series, and that series included a Haunted House! Zhang Yuanqing abruptly turned to look at the black long straight-haired girl.
Simultaneously, he received another notification:
[ Ding! You have successfully led your team to complete a mission. You now have one opportunity to exercise your Captain's authority. Please identify the evil-doer hidden among your teammates. The designated individual will be annihilated! ]
[ If you do not make a selection within thirty seconds, you will forfeit this opportunity. ]