The empty street was filled with a cold, gloomy atmosphere.
Over these days, the police had been swarming everywhere investigating.
And coupled with the fact that many people had indeed died under the blade of the crazed Ghost-Face Killer, almost every villager avoided going out unless absolutely necessary.
But there was one exception.
A team of three.
The one leading the group was holding a hamburger.
The other two had expressions like they were desperately holding in their poop.
Li Shuaixi looked at Yujin's back, then glanced at the yellow-haired Fei Hao beside him.
He muttered softly, "Why do I feel like something's off? Is he really taking us to farm points?"
"I also feel something's wrong, especially that guy named Chu Xuan."
"When he watched us leave the police station, I swear that cold stare felt just like that rich brat I bullied once."
"Stop talking nonsense… Should we just run?"
"Run? Run where? What if we run into the other teams? Then we're dead for sure!"
Just as they were talking, Yujin suddenly stopped walking.
"We're here."
Hearing his voice, the two lifted their heads.
And in that instant, their blood turned cold.
Standing ahead were several people dressed clearly in Eastern—Japanese—style clothing.
Beside them stood a group of strangely dressed Westerners.
There was no need to think.
These were obviously the other two Teams.
"I brought them," Yujin said, spreading his hands.
"But don't rush."
"If you want this round of horror scenario to end smoothly—without taking a huge loss—you'll have to stick to the agreement."
Hearing that, Li Shuaixi panicked.
What agreement?
What is he planning to do!?
Miyata Kuraki, the captain of the East Sea Team who had once faced Yujin before, gave a slight bow.
"Captain of the Central Continent team, my East Sea Team will keep its word. If you're truly willing to hand over your two teammates to me, our team's score will rise to a relatively healthy level."
"Of course, being 'healthy' doesn't mean we won't take a loss. But that loss will be ours alone, and has nothing to do with your team."
As Miyata Kuraki spoke, the two standing behind him—Tanaka Jūsuke with the Three-Blade Style, and Kozumi Masao, whose body had been strengthened like Toguro's—both deliberately avoided Yujin's gaze.
It seemed even their own team hadn't reached an agreement internally.
Right now, they were simply hoping to receive two "free" heads.
On the other side, the North Polar Team was stunned to see Central Continent team and East Sea reach an agreement so quickly.
Yujin spread his hands.
"Then, North Polar Team, you should also hand over two members for the East Sea Team to kill. That way, all three of our team scores will be nearly the same. None of us will lose too much, we'll all get kill rewards, and the ones sacrificed are just newcomers."
The moment he said this, Li Shuai-xi and Fei Hao exploded!
"Y–You! You bastard! How can you sell me out!?" Li Shuai-xi roared, pointing at Yujin's back.
He had barely finished shouting when Yujin's shuriken embedded itself in his leg.
"You two dare say one more word of nonsense, and I'll let them start killing immediately. No room for negotiation."
Li Shuai-xi's eyes were full of hatred, while the yellow-haired Fei Hao beside him was already scared stiff.
Yujin looked up.
The East Sea Team was already in negotiations with the North Polar Team.
"North Polar Team! Central Continent team has shown full sincerity. Why haven't you handed over your members yet?" Tanaka Jūsuke shouted.
"Hand them over!"
Miyata Kuraki, however, played the good cop.
"Even the North Polar Team needs time to discuss who will become this round's sacrifice. Don't rush them."
Seeing the East Sea and North Polar Team being so easily divided by Chu Xuan's plan, Yujin couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
Thankfully, Chu Xuan was on their side.
And this was only Chu Xuan's first step.
He definitely had more to come.
A safe, peaceful return? That was never Chu Xuan's style.
Unless he pushed everything to maximum benefit, he would never stop.
With such a rare team battle, if he didn't kill at least ten people, he wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
As expected, when asked to offer members who would be punished upon returning, the North Polar Team refused.
It wasn't because they were attached to their newcomers.
They simply didn't trust the East Sea Team at all.
They suspected that handing over their members would just mean giving away precious points for nothing.
At that moment, Chu Xuan—who had been eavesdropping through the communicator—finally spoke.
"You may begin."
The moment his voice faded, Yujin unfolded his Ukaku wings!
"East Sea Team! The North Polar Team isn't cooperating. We'll take their newcomers' points first, then talk about cooperation! I'll hold back their captain!"
As soon as he said this, the North Polar Team was stunned, while the East Sea Team's eyes lit up!
Such a good opportunity?
Their captain, Gonniel, instantly exploded with rage!
Back and forth, he had been clearly outplayed.
They had helped the Central Continent team fight the East Sea Team back then, and now the East Sea Team was helping them fight themselves?
Why was it always the North Polar Team who ended up injured?
Dick Brooks behind Gonniel slapped his forehead.
"We've been tricked! We should have handed them over!"
But now it was too late.
Earlier, giving up just two people would have been enough, but now it was unstoppable.
Seeing Yujin, Gonniel rushed straight toward him, while Miyata Kuraki charged directly at the North Polar Team team.
As for the remaining three—Tanaka Jūsuke with his three-sword style and Masao—they were beyond impatient.
After all, the reward points and side-story progression from defeating the other team members were all in their hands!
Just as the North Polar Team team scrambled in panic and the East Sea Team team was about to wreak havoc, Yujin in front of Gonniel suddenly vanished, leaving only a faint afterimage behind.
"W-Where did he go?!"
Before Gonniel could comprehend what happened, a piercing scream erupted from the back of the East Sea Team team.
Yujin had locked Ikumi's arms tightly, the tip of his tail aimed directly at her temple!
Such a sudden turn of events made both the North Polar Team and East Sea Team teams freeze on the spot.
"You! You! Ahhhh!" Miyata Kuraki stomped furiously, "You scoundrel! You betrayed us!"
Yujin's nose greedily brushed against Ikumi's hair and ear, a lustful expression on his face.
"You can keep the newcomers, but I'm taking her with me first."
****
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