[Modeling in progress…]
[A risk assessment is being generated based on the host's current strength…]
[Player Evan: About to surpass the "Intermediate Danger" threshold]
Evan stood quietly in the dimly lit train corridor, completely merging into the role assigned by the dungeon. His every movement carried a refined politeness, as if he were a well-educated gentleman stepping onto the stage of a mystery drama.
Removing his hat gently,
placing it respectfully over his chest,
he leaned forward slightly, giving the little girl in front of him a courteous bow.
Repeating his earlier line, he spoke warmly:
"I'm going to buy all the apples you have."
Lucas, who had been standing nearby, lifted his gaze and casually examined Evan from head to toe. Evan noticed Lucas's attention, and in response he flashed him an easy grin—confident, composed, and subtly challenging.
■ Group Stage Live Broadcast Room — Real-Time Commentary
"Damn, Evan already found the clue in Car No. 9?"
"I rewinded the footage—he noticed the little girl boarding the train the moment she appeared. He watched her silently for at least ten minutes before approaching."
"As expected of Evan, a veteran famous for his terrifying brainpower!"
"So the question is… who's going to get the apple?"
"Lucas is the biggest dark horse of this entire Thriller Tournament, but Evan is a well-known strategic player. This battle is definitely unpredictable."
"Let's see who solves the puzzle first. Everyone knows the side mission isn't really about buying apples."
"I don't know why, but I have this feeling Evan might actually overturn the moment he meets Lucas…"
"Same vibe here… that Lucas kid feels dangerous."
Their heated discussion filled the livestream, but the players inside the dungeon remained completely unaware.
Evan, not knowing Lucas's true identity, had no intention of entering direct conflict. His decision to buy all the apples wasn't impulsive—it was calculated. A step in a larger solution.
■ Evan's Status Panel
[Player: Evan]
[Life: 459 — (Strong self-protection and survivability)]
[Stamina: 427 — (Depleted yesterday, currently recovering)]
[Strength: 673 — (Exceptional physical ability, restoration ongoing)]
[Luck: 80 — (High luck enhances overall performance)]
[Brainpower: 101 — (Incredible intelligence bordering on inhuman)]
[Spirit: 169 — (Above human range; recovering from prior drain)]
[Skill: Perfect Points]
His stats were frighteningly balanced.
A player with both high luck and brainpower was nothing short of a nightmare for any dungeon.
■ Apple Negotiation
The little girl's face lit up when Evan offered to buy everything she had. Yet, she hesitated, stealing a nervous glance toward Lucas.
"But… this gentleman also wants to buy apples."
The girl and Evan turned to Lucas simultaneously.
Evan watched Lucas carefully, already predicting his next move. He had planned exactly what to do if Lucas chose to compete with him over the apples.
But Lucas simply smiled with harmless gentleness.
"Since this gentleman wants to buy all the apples, you should sell them to him."
Evan froze.
It was too easy. Suspiciously easy.
That unreal sense lasted only a moment before Evan deduced the reason:
"He hasn't figured out the second half of the side quest. He thinks buying the apples isn't enough to save the little girl, so he gave up willingly."
Relieved, the little girl skipped happily toward Evan, holding her bamboo basket out proudly.
"Sir, these are all the apples I have! Each costs one copper coin. So, please give me eleven copper coins!"
Evan smiled kindly, rummaging through his suit pocket and handing her a handful of coins.
But just as he reached to take the basket…
The little girl tightened her grip, refusing to let go.
"Sir! You gave me too much! I only need eleven!"
She carefully counted the coins, returned nine, and declared with a serious expression:
"An apple can only be exchanged for one thing. That's the rule."
Evan accepted the refunded coins and this time the girl finally released the bamboo basket.
Ding!
[System prompt: Player Evan has sold all apples for the little girl. Side Quest progress: 50%]
Evan's eyes sparkled.
"Just as I thought. You don't need to eat the apples at all. Buying them completes half the mission."
He lowered his voice:
"Then the remaining half must be…"
The little girl clutched her coins and smiled brightly.
"Sir, please taste one! My apples are the freshest and sweetest!"
Evan didn't move. Instead, he casually tossed the basket full of apples aside.
Then his cane—previously resting harmlessly on the ground—rose and pointed straight at the little girl.
The girl blinked, confused.
"Sir? What are you doing?"
Lucas instinctively stepped back. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Niya retreating quietly, carrying the box containing her daughter Hathaway's body, moving to a safe distance.
Only after they were far enough did Lucas return his gaze to the strange confrontation.
■ Evan's Weapon Awakens
The cane Evan held was not a cane at all.
At its bottom was a hollowed-out mechanism—an abyss-black muzzle.
[System prompt: Object recognized (only inanimate objects can be recognized)]
[Player may select an object (Zhao Qianzhao) for perfect point infusion]
[Skill usage will drain mental value; the stronger your spirit, the lower the consumption]
"Add one point."
A faint mechanical pulse rippled across the cane.
Suddenly—
A searing light ignited inside the hidden muzzle.
Every attribute of the weapon surged toward its limit.
Damage and destructive ability instantly broke through its original tier.
BOOM!
A bullet shot out, warping the air around it from sheer force.
The little girl didn't even scream.
The bullet pierced between her eyebrows, exiting through the back of her skull in a spray of crimson mist.
Her body collapsed limply onto the icy train floor.
The cane in Evan's hand shook violently, beginning to disintegrate piece by piece—burning itself out from the overwhelming surge of perfect points.
Evan simply dusted off his hands with a piece of folded toilet paper.
He looked down at the fallen girl and whispered with chilling calm:
"Well… now she didn't die from freezing. She died because I killed her."
He gave a satisfied, almost proud smirk.
Evan was a terrifying player—not because he was cruel, but because he was utterly rational. He would do anything necessary to perfectly clear a mission.
--------------------------------------------------
270+ chapters available in patreon🔥🔥🔥🔥
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------