The reason people in the urban district were willing to take turns entering games was because the assessment unit provided strategies.

— With strategies, games were still risky, but the odds of clearing them were high, and clearing a game meant obtaining items. That was why people cooperated with the organization’s rules.

But when it came to games with high mortality rates and no strategies — who would willingly go in?

If no one went in, the game would drift toward populated areas, and the hard-won peace of the urban district would be shattered. People would once again lose the shelter they’d worked so hard to maintain.

“Who is next in rotation for Game 21? Just send those people in.” Someone in the crowd muttered.

The 23 games surrounding the urban district were all covered on a rotating basis — Game 21’s hide-and-seek game was no exception.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Professor Song swept his gaze across the room and said, his face expressionless, “Every person who entered Game 21 last week was turned into a puppet. Same the week before. Same the week before that… If this continues, the clear conditions will never be met, and sooner or later it will be your turn, your turn, or your turn… it will be every single one of our turns! That is precisely why I believe dealing with this game requires pooling together the most capable people at the base right now! Raising our clear rate is the only way to guarantee everyone’s survival!”

When he finished, every person in the room fell silent, exchanging glances with one another.

The logic was sound. But who would take point?

…Though that wasn’t quite right either — many people had already taken point. It was just that they had all died.

Someone raised their voice: “We understand what you’re saying, Professor. But this hide-and-seek game is no ordinary business. You think highly of us — you say we’re the most capable people at the base — so I’ll be presumptuous enough to say this: if all of us ‘most capable people’ die inside this hide-and-seek, do you think this base will have any hope left?”

Chu Huaijin stepped forward. “There’s no need for anyone to rush to a decision. The reason we invited you here today is not to force you into a game, but to work together toward a solution. After all, we’re losing time by the day — in one week… no, in six days, if no one has cleared the hide-and-seek, we will likely have no choice but to evacuate.”

But after evacuation — what games would they encounter? No one knew.

The twenty-odd games surrounding the base right now looked like a small number, but every one of them had been secured at the cost of bloodshed. That was the foundation of their stability.

Were they really going to abandon all of this stability, worked for so painstakingly, because of one game?

Chu Huaijin read the expressions of everyone present and spoke again: “Of course, I hope someone will step forward voluntarily to shoulder this responsibility. I know that aside from your assigned missions, you privately organize your own teams to enter other games. Now all the strongest people at the base are gathered in this room — a united front is more reliable than any strategy. And high-difficulty games tend to come with high-value items… How does everyone feel?”

Silence again.

After the silence had stretched on for a moment, Professor Song spoke:

“To whoever makes it out of the hide-and-seek alive, I am willing — in my own personal name — to gift eight puzzle pieces.”

The room erupted in murmurs.

“They’re used puzzle pieces, I know, but I’m also aware that someone has offered 10 puzzle pieces in exchange for an item that can guarantee the holder’s physical safety for 36 hours.” Professor Song said gravely. “Think about it — if you can gather just 2 more puzzle pieces, you could get your hands on that high-level item. And I trust that collecting 2 more puzzle pieces is no great difficulty for any of you.”

Some of those present directed appraising looks toward Bai Youwei.

Bai Youwei responded openly: “That’s right — if you want to exchange puzzle pieces, you’re looking for me. My decoy doll can absorb all damage on behalf of its user for 36 hours. Give me 10 puzzle pieces and it’s yours. But~ I won’t accept counterfeits~”

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