The game had ended. The Inspector stood outside the hotel, waiting for the surviving players to emerge —

The woman cradling an infant from Room 202. Willard from Room 204. The effeminate man from Room 402. And Zhu Shu and Bai Youwei.

The Inspector’s expression was calm as he looked over the group. At last, his gaze skimmed past Bai Youwei’s face, and inexplicably, he felt a faint toothache coming on…

“Announce the results already.” Bai Youwei rubbed her knee through her skirt. “I’ve missed several days of face masks because of this. I’m in a hurry.”

The Inspector: “……”

Ever since her legs healed, this woman had become more and more brazen. How was it that no one could rein her in?

How was it?

Why?

She’d passed yet another game. Fortunately she was only an outside assistant this time — even if she won, there was no reward at all…

“Hey, are you crashing?” Bai Youwei grew impatient, furrowing her brows as she looked at the Inspector. “Really? Crashing and freezing during the settlement phase? How broken can you get?”

The Inspector’s gaze darkened slightly. He replied coldly, “Please do not compare an Inspector to such low-end electronic products.”

Bai Youwei blinked, mildly startled, then argued back, “Well, that’s only because you were behaving like a low-end product just now, so naturally I’d get the wrong idea.”

The Inspector’s expression grew even colder. He opened his mouth to retort — thought better of it — and closed it again.

Fine.

He wouldn’t bother arguing with her. The Labyrinth Battle was the important matter at hand. Besides, as an Inspector, how could it stoop to bickering with a player over who got the last word?

The Inspector turned to face the remaining players, elegantly straightened his collar, and announced calmly:

“This battle officially concludes. Final settlement will now commence.

Total players: 16.

The victor is the player from Room 301. All other players have been eliminated.

Each eliminated King loses 5 puzzle pieces. Each eliminated subject loses 1 puzzle piece.

Of these, the puzzle pieces held by the 3 deceased players will be recovered by the system…”

Since Bai Youwei was an outside assistant, neither rewards nor penalties applied to her, so she didn’t bother listening. She yawned and lazily stood beside Zhu Shu.

The expressions on the other three players were all quite ugly.

Their mood at this moment was even worse than Robert’s, because they had clearly been just one step away from victory.

The game had already failed. Now, whatever was said or done — it was all too late.

Willard studied Bai Youwei thoughtfully.

Bai Youwei noticed his gaze, turned to look at him, and furrowed her brows. “What are you staring at?”

“Are you a King or a subject?” Willard’s expression was calm. “To be summoned into a game as an outside assistant, you must be a subject, correct? Your allied forces seem somewhat weak. Why not come and be one of my subjects — how does that sound?”

Bai Youwei was surprised. “You want to recruit me?”

Willard gave a slight nod. “I have ample puzzle pieces for the next game, and enough items for you to choose from. You might as well consider it. In the Doll Game, combining strengths is the wise move.”

Bai Youwei smiled contemptuously, withdrew her gaze, and said lightly, “A defeated opponent — what standing do you have to recruit me?”

Willard’s expression changed abruptly, his eyes darkening.

He could face almost anything with equanimity — except being regarded as a “loser.”

“No one has ever beaten me twice.” Willard’s voice had turned ice cold.

Bai Youwei said carelessly, “Two times still isn’t enough for you? As for me… I haven’t lost a single time so far.”

Willard: “……”

The Inspector watched these two with a slight frown. It was still in the middle of the settlement, and these two were already trading barbs with each other — they had absolutely no regard for it whatsoever.

Duty demanded it proceed. The Inspector opened the square portal entrance and announced, “The passage back to the rest hall is now open. Players may leave at their own discretion.”

Bai Youwei exhaled softly.

Finally over.

“Let’s go~” She stepped toward the glowing square, sighing, “I can finally go home and take care of my legs.”

—