Looking at Chi Ting's virtual panel, it could be seen that his total vote count was 2 votes.
The first vote came from Tan Haobo, who left with hatred. The second vote added today was likely from the ghost whose hands were broken by him.
From all aspects, this seemed to be full of anger and revenge. But was it really just that, or was it a way to warn him?
The others were basically immersed in the fear of failing the vote. They didn't notice the conversation between Chi Ting and Wen Weng.
Yue Ren was intrigued and looked over. "Someone voted for you again?"
Chi Ting nodded.
Seeing Wen Weng's happy demeanor after surviving the disaster, his brow furrowed a bit. Finally, he couldn't help giving a happy yet angry sigh. "I always feel that I am being targeted."
He thoughtfully stroked the strange stone on his chest.
Vaguely, he could feel other eyes looking at him silently.
To be precise, they weren't just looking at Chi Ting but also at Dong Zai.
The two of them were holding the handkerchiefs for the game tonight.
Just last night, all the players were still avoiding the possibility of the handkerchief falling on them. But this time, they had apparently realized that one the night when the voting failed and the number of marks was doubled, the person with the qualifications to choose was the one who truly had the initiative.
Among the remaining people, Wen Weng and Fei Ying had already received one layer of jealousy mark. If the two layers of marks fell on them tonight, it meant they would be completely 'driven away' from here. In other words, tonight's two handkerchiefs could only be thrown to Yue Ren and Tu Shuhuai, two players without marks, to ensure everyone's safety.
Everyone knew this truth, but they also knew that this might not be the final result.
In fact, what really trapped players in this instance was often human nature, not ghosts.
However, human nature was the most difficult existence to overcome.
It was just like Fei Ying at the beginning. She clearly knew what would be the best choice, but after actually starting the game, she still couldn't overcome the fear in her heart.
Fear prevented her from throwing the handkerchief to Tan Haobo, the revealed ghost, despite it being the most beneficial act for the team. Instead, she chose Wen Weng, who was the easiest to win against.
As for Wen Weng, he already knew Fei Ying had a mark on her body but his first reaction wasn't to accept it willingly but to catch up with her. He didn't consider that Fei Ying would face the high-risk situation of having two marks if she failed in the game.
Facts proved that when people were truly facing life or death, their instinct was always to consider themselves.
Tonight, the players failed the vote. The one who got the handkerchief would receive two layers of the jealousy mark.
In a situation where it wasn't confirmed that they would successfully pass the next round of voting, neither Fei Ying nor Wen Weng could open their mouths and ask Tu Shuhuai and Yue Ren to willingly accept this potentially fatal handkerchief.
After all, having zero marks could keep these two people relatively safe in the next two rounds. With only the last two suspected targets left, a stable and safe clearance could almost be guaranteed for them. They had no need to risk their lives for the other teammates they just met in this instance.
Unknowingly, Fei Ying tightened her grip on her dress.
At this moment, she saw that Wen Weng couldn't help opening his mouth. "Brother Dong, I really don't want to die yet. Tonight, can you…"
He couldn't help glancing at Fei Ying. His voice became lower and lower, but it was still enough for people next to him to hear clearly. "Look, it has been proven that I am a real player. If I am driven away because of this, what will happen? You will be the one who killed me. You don't want to be a murderer, do you?"
At his age, he already looked very humble when he called out 'Brother.'
Fei Ying's face turned even paler when she heard this. She looked at Dong Zai out of fear that he would agree.
After all, if he decided not to choose Wen Weng then the danger to the rest of them would be much greater.
Dong Zai was silent, but judging from his expression, he clearly enjoyed the feeling of holding the power of life and death over others.
He smiled and met Wen Weng's trembling gaze. "Okay, don't be so nervous. Don't worry, I already know how to choose."
Fei Ying asked in a low voice, "Can you tell me who you will choose?"
Dong Zai glanced at her. As he smiled, the scar on his face trembled slightly and made his smile look a bit ferocious. "It isn't good to say it now, right? If that person knows, what if they are waiting to catch me? I also have one layer of marks on my body. I don't want to be driven out because I failed the game with three layers."
The other players also knew that what he said was the truth, but they still couldn't help wanting to guess the answer.
Naturally, the hesitant gazes also fell on Chi Ting.
Regarding this, he spoke very frankly. "Don't worry, I definitely don't want anyone to be driven away."
These words entered their ears, and Fei Ying and Wen Weng sighed with relief.
Tu Shuhuai glanced his way. It was hard to tell what her mood was, but she didn't say much.
After Chi Ting answered like this, he suddenly thought of something. Just as he turned around, he heard Yue Ren say something before he could speak. "I know you don't intend to pass it to me."
Chi Ting asked, "Do you know who I want to pass it to?"
"Probably." Yue Ren leaned back against his chair calmly and smiled slightly. "I would choose this as well. After all, it is quite interesting. However, you still have to pay attention to safety."
He paused when he finished speaking. The curve of his mouth became a bit wider. "But your intention of not wanting me to be in too much danger has been conveyed. At least, I feel very good now."
The sentence without any context made a question mark slowly emerge in Chi Ting's mind.
Did he want this man to not be in too much danger?
It seemed that he really didn't want Yue Ren to be pushed to the edge of the excessively dangerous red line due to two layers of marks. After all, this would most likely cause everyone in this instance to be on the verge of being wiped out by a madman.
Chi Ting thought about it like this and didn't deny it. He naturally thought of another situation.
He glanced at Dong Zai and said to Yue Ren, "By the way, if Dong Zai passes the handkerchief to you tonight…"
Yue Ren raised an eyebrow slightly. The smile on his face gradually gained a deep meaning. "You want me to let him go and not chase him?"
Chi Ting looked at him in an amused manner. "If I don't want you to do so, will you really not chase him?"
"That isn't necessarily the case. Why don't you give it a try?"
It was a tone that was clearly frivolous and full of ridicule. When it entered his eyes, Chi Ting was slightly startled.
His gaze stayed on Yue Ren's expression. He couldn't tell if it was true or not. He was silent for a moment before saying, "No, I hope you can act according to your choice."
This time, Yue Ren was a bit surprised. He also gave a special reminder. "Captain Chi, the current situation is that Dong Zai will definitely die if he fails the game. But in the current situation, I can stack two more layers. At best, it is estimated that I will see the ghost with severed hands at night. Even so, aren't you going to try your best to appeal to my kindness?"
As he spoke, he looked at Chi Ting several times as if to confirm whether the person in front of him was a fake. "This type of irrelevant approach doesn't seem like your style."
"What type of style do I have in your eyes?" Chi Ting was a bit puzzled when he heard Yue Ren say this. "Dong Zai's life or death depends on fate, and your life or death also depends on fate. Tonight might indeed be safe for you, but I can't guarantee that no one will die due to the two layers of marks in the next few days. If such a thing really happens, who will be able to bear this responsibility?"
Yue Ren touched his chin and thought about it. "It makes sense."
"It is certainly nice if you are willing to do it once, but it must be that you really want to do it, not because of my wishes." Chi Ting stopped talking here and slowed down his tone slightly. He made a final summary. "In the final analysis, everyone can only be responsible for their own lives. Respecting every choice is my consistent style."
"I seem to understand." Yue Ren laughed silently. He paused before asking one final question. "What if these choices don't feel acceptable to you?"
Chi Ting thought about it for a while before saying, "It depends on how unacceptable it is. If it is at the level of Li Hou in the Love Apartment, you should've seen the result."
He looked at Yue Ren and smiled slightly. "My subjective consciousness might not be absolutely correct, but everyone has the right to make their own choices. I respect that. But at the same time, I should also be able to make my own choices."
Yue Ren sighed sincerely. "…It is really a thorough implementation of the equality of all beings, Captain Chi."
Chi Ting shrugged in a noncommittal manner. "Thank you for the compliment."
Just then, there was the sound of footsteps in the distance.
The door opened, and the familiar figure of the rabbit appeared in front of everyone again.
The instance continued to advance. It was only tonight that the players felt the pressure from the jealousy mark so clearly for the first time.
Under the extremely depressed atmosphere, only the voice of the rabbit was left. "Good evening, my dear friends. It is finally time for the pleasant game again. We are going to have two rounds of handkerchief throwing tonight. I am really looking forward to it!"
As he spoke, he glanced at Dong Zai and Chi Ting respectively. "Then let's first determine who will play the first round of the game. In order to ensure the fairness of the game, the player participating in the second round should leave the handkerchief to me for safekeeping for the time being."
"Me, me! I will go first!" Before Chi Ting could say anything, Dong Zai had already stood up.
Chi Ting was as leisurely as ever. "Then I'll take the second round."
He temporarily put the handkerchief in the hands of the rabbit gentleman.
The rabbit gentleman gave a final gentle reminder. "Please note that the person passing the handkerchief in the second round won't participate in this round of the game. Please be careful not to throw the handkerchief behind him. Now, the first round will officially begin!"
The moment these words came out, the surrounding lights suddenly dimmed.
In the silence, the familiar sound of the children's song sounded again.
"Throw~ throw~ throw the handkerchief~ gently put it behind the child.
Don't tell them, everyone.
Catch them quickly, catch them quickly…"
The moment the lights dimmed, Dong Zai had already noticed the little girl who suddenly appeared in his seat in the darkness.
Even though it wasn't the first time he saw Dong Zai, he still had an indescribable feeling of eeriness when he was glanced at by such hollow and dull eyes.
He took a deep breath and started to walk slowly around the round table, silently casting his sights on his target tonight.
Now among the four solo players, it had been determined that Wen Weng wasn't the ghost hiding among them. The suspicion was concentrated on the other three.
Even though Dong Zai wasn't sure whether he was a ghost or not, assuming that the last ghost wasn't him, then there was a high probability that it was Tu Shuhuai.
It was known that ghosts could see during the handkerchief throwing process. Dong Zai wasn't a fool. He wouldn't risk his life for the life or death of those two weaklings. Therefore, it was absolutely impossible for him to throw it to Tu Shuhuai. As for the other Yue Ren, who didn't have a mark on his body—just look at the reaction of the NPC. In some respects, this guy might be more evil than the ghost. If he really provoked this time, it was probably the same as sending himself to death.
These were all things that Dong Zai had already thought about a long time ago.
Regardless of whether he was a player or a ghost, he didn't want to be 'driven out.'
If he was a player, he would try his best to clear the level and leave. If he was a ghost, just step on the corpses of these people to win. Since he died in the instance a long time ago, why could anyone else leave alive?
Dong Zai was worried that he was a ghost, and he didn't want to be voted for in the next round. Therefore, he wouldn't commit the taboo of harming Wen Weng, whose player identity had already been confirmed, and arouse suspicion for himself.
At the same time, he was worried that there was no ghost hidden in his body. This was why he wouldn't throw the handkerchief at Tu Shuhuai, who was most likely the ghost. He also wasn't overconfident in provoking Yue Ren, whose strength was unknown.
In this way, the only option left was…
Dong Zai walked slowly like this, and his cold gaze fell on Fei Ying, who didn't know what was about to happen.
Looking at the anxious expression on the girl's face, there were no ripples in his heart.
He used to be a pig butcher. Then once he entered the instances, it wasn't like he had never killed anyone. The biggest feeling that this place brought to him was that the weak would be eliminated in the instance sooner or later. It should be an honor that they could help the other players bear the pressure of two jealousy marks before they were eliminated. At the very least, it was considered to be the best use. Wasn't this natural?
After leaving the instance, he would remember to help burn a few sticks of incense.
Dong Zai thought like this and came behind Fei Ying. Then he slowed down unnoticeably.
As the handkerchief in his hand fell silently, the cold and ruthless curve of his mouth gradually became clear.
However, in the next second, the smile on his face completely froze.
In the darkness, he saw the girl, who was supposed to be sitting there unaware of anything, suddenly turn her head.
The uneasy expression she had just a moment ago was gone, replaced by a sneer full of resentment.
The moment their eyes met, a stinging sensation immediately spread over Dong Zai's head.
Almost out of survival instinct, he ran away with stiff limbs.
However, he soon heard footsteps behind him.
It followed him like a shadow, almost close to his ear. He couldn't get rid of it no matter what.
Ghost! Fei Ying was actually a ghost?!
Dong Zai shouted and ran hysterically, but gradually fell into more complete despair. He found that the others didn't react at all, as if they couldn't hear his screams.
His mind emptied. It seemed that only the empty chair was left in his field of view.
Seeing that he was finally about to arrive, ecstasy was about to emerge in his eyes when a bone-chilling cold suddenly came from his wrist.
Fei Ying's breathless voice came from behind him. "C-Caught you."
Dong Zai looked desperately at the message that popped up on his virtual panel.
The handkerchief transfer failed. The two layers of marks tonight were left on his body.
[Jealousy mark 3/3]
[Hehehe, you are so pitiful. You are going to be driven out by the ghost!}
There was a snap, and the surrounding lights came on again.
The others vaguely hear the chase. At this time, they were a bit accustomed to the light suddenly coming on. Then they saw Fei Ying holding Dong Zai tightly with a pale face.
The vacant seat was just a stone's throw away from them.
As if she finally realized that she had succeeded in chasing, Fei Ying lost her strength in a daze and fell straight to the ground.
Tu Shuhuai had already guessed what happened. Her expression was very subtle when she looked at Dong Zai. "You said you knew how to choose. Were you referring to Fei Ying?"
Dong Zai seemed to finally emerge from his stunned state.
He looked at Tu Shuhuai in a daze but felt that the other person's words seemed to come from a distant time and space. It seemed like it took a long time for it to fall into his ears.
He felt that the distinct chill on his wrist had completely subsided at some point.
The moment he lowered his head and saw Fei Ying, it felt like he should've screamed. However, his reaction was so slow that even the movement of opening his mouth was as slow as slow-motion playback.
After noticing something strange about himself, Dong Zai's uneasy feeling became stronger and stronger.
He took two steps back. At this moment, he vaguely saw Fei Ying smile toward him as her back was turned to the others.
The expression that only he could see was very similar to how he looked not long ago. It was cold, sarcastic, and without any mercy.
Dong Zai frantically wanted to reveal the true face of the ghost, but this body seemed completely out of his control. No matter how hard he tried, he only felt that everything in the world seemed to be moving away from him little by little.
Obviously, he was standing there very clearly just a moment ago. But at this moment, he felt that there was a very thick wall between him and the others.
Gradually, even his vision turned into a colorless black and white.
Immediately afterward, Dong Zai watched as the colorless world in front of him started to be dotted with strong color blocks one after another.
It was bright and scary, like the color of blood.
Dong Zai knew that he should escape and accuse, but he couldn't make himself do any actions at all.
At this moment, only the bone-chilling cold was extremely clear.
"Hey, are you okay?" Tu Shuhuai didn't hear Dong Zai's reply for a long time after she finished speaking. She faintly felt that something was wrong.
She frowned and was about to step forward to ask when she saw Dong Zai, who had been frozen there, suddenly tremble with stiffness.
The burly man seemed to feel an unbearable pain. His entire expression gradually became distorted from the initial numbness.
Tu Shuhuai suddenly took a few steps back cautiously. She didn't forget to drag Fei Ying, who had fallen to the ground.
It was as if there was something swelling inside Dong Zai's face. It caused him to fall heavily to the ground while struggling with convulsions.
Finally, there was a banging sound.
Under everyone's eyes, Dong Zai's head exploded in a bloody mess.
The blood splattered thickly on the nearest empty chair. The whole ground bloomed with a shocking red stamen.
All that remained in the meeting hall were gasps and screams.
Even Chi Ting let out a low 'ah.'
This was the force majeure punishment that he saw when he first came to this unlimited world. He hadn't expected to see it again in this instance.