HM Chapter 26

The "joker" was pinched between pale fingers and displayed in front of everyone.

Andre had drawn the joker once again.

Rabbit’s gaze lingered briefly on the joker, her lips pressed together, and she appeared excessively cold. It wasn't until Andre drew three cards that she abruptly closed her eyes, her expression somber.

—Stay calm.

Rabbit told herself.

This time, the chosen players were Yuan Yuxue, Glasses, and Curly.

Andre looked at them with a smile, seemingly contemplating for a few seconds before asking, “What is my favorite food?”

It was a rather vague question, but one that could be guessed repeatedly until the correct answer was found.

Curly, despite his reluctance to learn about Andre's preferences, lowered his head and began writing begrudgingly.

Yuan Yuxue also started writing, his first word being “cake,” followed by a list of common food categories, vague and generalized. After a brief pause, he added the word “human.”

Compared to ordinary foods, this seemed more fitting for a creature like Andre to consume.

Curly and Glasses had similar answers.

Andre half-leaned on his chair, looking leisurely at the long list of answers submitted. He tilted his head slightly upon seeing one word and said, “Correct answer.”

Compared to the tricky questions posed by other players, Andre's question seemed friendly, like a social activity to foster communication among friends. It even gave the impression that it was not difficult.

But this perception was utterly wrong.

Rabbit slightly raised her head, her jaw and neck forming a tight arc, her expression cold and wary.

If there were any restrictions on Andre, they were diminishing. As time dragged on, the inevitable conclusion was that Andre would eliminate all other players.

Another round of card shuffling and drawing ensued.

Before drawing, Rabbit closed her eyes, a sudden urge surfacing to draw that "joker." As this thought emerged, her fingers touched the sharp edge of a card, an intense and bizarre premonition sweeping over her.

She changed her choice, drawing the card next to it.

She placed it face down on the table without looking at it. When everyone finished drawing cards and the round table remained silent, Rabbit revealed her card.

The word "joker" reflected light slightly, the card surface gleaming.

The image of Andre on the card smiled at her.

The joker's timely appearance was like a catalyst, intensifying her thoughts countless times.

When she turned away, a flash of hesitation crossed her face. She quickly gathered herself and called on Spade A, Spade 7, and Spade 8 to answer a question.

Rabbit asked:

“After arriving at the villa, what was the first item Curly asked me for?”

This personal question stunned many players.

Only she and Curly should know the answer to such a private query.

Simultaneously, Captain, Gold, and Andre revealed their cards, representing the three chosen players.

Rabbit's heart raced as she saw the selected respondents. Her tight lips relaxed a bit upon seeing Andre but tightened again upon noticing Captain.

Gold seemed the most troubled, struggling to guess the answer—a vast range. She hadn’t paid attention to any conversations between Rabbit and Curly before the game began.

Andre, resting his chin on his hand, appeared unhurried.

Captain, however, should know the answer since Curly had borrowed the same item from him.

Non-bound red potion.

But at that moment, Rabbit stared at Captain intently.

Bound by the rules, she couldn’t give any obvious hints, just paled and subtly shook her head.

Do not answer.

Even if it meant elimination and punishment... as long as Andre was also eliminated, it would end.

The connection between Captain and Rabbit was different from others—they were comrades who had experienced countless missions together, their understanding unmatched by other players. So when Captain met Rabbit’s gaze, he paused briefly, then filled in his answer without hesitation.

Rabbit didn’t look at him again.

She knew her leader would trust her.

The answers were collected and displayed by the butler.

Gold’s lengthy response didn’t hit the mark and was the first player eliminated.

She sighed lightly, seemingly expecting it. She gave Rabbit a complex look but calmly stepped away from the round table.

Captain’s answer was unveiled—

He had written one word, “nightmare watch.”

It seemed highly credible.

But it was wrong.

Curly, stunned, quickly glanced at the leader.

Captain should have known this question, but...

Eliminating teammates felt bad, and Rabbit’s heart sank. She quickly dispelled her negative emotions and looked at the third answer.

Andre’s answer.

He hadn’t written “nightmare watch,” but another item.

—“Non-bound red potion.”

A precise answer.

Rabbit instinctively stood up, her chair scraping sharply on the floor. She was indeed a bit rattled and blurted out, “How do you know...?”

“Miss Rabbit,” Andre’s smile finally widened. His arrogant, annoying noble demeanor was almost unrestrained, laughing with genuine pleasure, “In this phase, I am the omniscient deity.”

Andre held the Spade 8 card, kissed its surface, and said almost maliciously, “I can see everything you think.”

This revelation struck not only Rabbit but all players, casting a shadow over their minds.

...Cheating and openly admitting it, this was too absurd.

Glasses calmly watched the scene, adjusting his glasses.

Earlier, he thought Andre’s ability was merely to see other players’ answers.

Considering a “mind-reading” ability in a question-and-answer game seemed too overpowering, nearly ensuring victory.

From the start, this game was rigged with unfair odds, ensuring a predetermined winner. It was just a process.

Even Glasses couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anger at this game.

There was no chance of winning.

Under Andre’s provocation, Rabbit’s chest heaved slightly. After a few heavy breaths, she calmed down, fixing a cold and dangerous gaze on Andre.

She announced the results through gritted teeth.

“...Andre’s answer is correct, the others are wrong.”

Clearly, Andre could have displayed his overwhelming advantage from the start, crushing any will to fight. Yet, he chose to pretend he could only peek at answers, setting up Rabbit to eliminate her teammates herself.

Under such vengeful scrutiny, Andre relaxed in his chair, changing his posture. His straight-legged pants highlighted his slim, tall figure.

“What punishment should I give...” Andre seemed to ponder, then tilted his head slightly, his golden pupils fixing on Captain with undisguised malice, “Why don’t you take a walk outside the villa? Cool off, and come back after the game ends.”

The relentless snowstorm battered the villa’s windows and doors, the cold seeping through even inside.

It wasn’t just a walk.

The outdoor light barely illuminated half a meter of the snow, hiding unknown horrors. Those punished might return after the game or become one with the snow, their fate uncertain.

Captain stood up.

A man of few words, he patted Rabbit’s shoulder as he passed by.

Captain lowered his gaze, speaking calmly, “It’s just a game.”

“Let’s just play along.”

Captain and Gold left the villa. Although the players didn’t see them exit the main door, they all felt the rush of cold wind as if the storm had invaded, chilling the room.

Andre had someone take out the Spade 7 and Spade 8 cards from the deck. Only seven players were left in the game.

His mood seemed unaffected—or rather, it had heightened, revealing a mischievous smile.

“Let’s continue.” Andre said, “Who will draw the joker next?”

For a moment, no one at the round table moved.

Facing Andre’s cheating, the chance of victory seemed nil. The players were seething, even considering quitting to let the punished players return early.

This game was pure manipulation.

In the oppressive silence, Yuan Yuxue reached out and drew a card.

Just watching those hands calmed the others' anger somewhat.

“Progress is a circular process,” Yuan Yuxue suddenly spoke softly, his voice cold but rhythmic, like poetry, “This is just one of the inevitable setbacks.”

Even wrong choices help filter information, laying the foundation for victory. No one avoids detours.

Rabbit’s eyelashes fluttered lightly. Yuan Yuxue’s soothing voice penetrated her chaotic thoughts.

She realized belatedly... Yuan Yuxue was comforting her?

Rabbit mocked herself, feeling a sudden lightness. She, being more sensitive, could easily lose balance facing teammates' mishaps, even if Captain didn’t blame her.

Perhaps because he didn’t blame her, she felt more guilt.

Rabbit locked away that heavy burden.

Don’t let the newbie worry.