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Gu Ze's words, laced with a hint of threat, made Sun Ming chuckle once more. His laughter was still sinister, reminiscent of a witch's cackle in a movie, filled with calculation that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it.
"Tsk, do you really think you have a chance between the Player and the Designer? I was involved in designing this game; I have the authority to activate certain mechanisms."
Unfazed, Gu Ze laughed as well, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
"Deluding yourself isn't a good habit. Just look at your pant leg."
Sun Ming reflexively glanced at his pant leg, where faint bloodstains and some blue marks remained.
"A person who leaves the team is useless."
Xu Nuan noticed the moment Gu Ze's words hit home; Sun Ming's expression twisted into a brief snarl before reverting to an emotionless mask, which seemed quite abnormal.
"Haven't you encountered other Designers or Players? We've had quite a few traitors in our team. I wonder how lucky you are—have you been ambushed by those who seem talented but have turned into lunatics?"
Xu Nuan instinctively thought of the silenced Wang Yiyun and looked at Sun Ming with increased intensity, eager to determine whether he had a gun or if, as she suspected, Game Base did not provide firearms and no one possessed them. That would clarify whether he was aligned with Zhang Xiao.
"We often fall victim to games created by those who think too highly of themselves but are actually delusional. I wonder if this counts?"
Gu Ze shielded Xu Nuan, maintaining a safe distance from Sun Ming while countering his moves and observing their surroundings. He noted there were no ambushes and no other sounds.
Sun Ming's expression twisted again into something fierce as he took a step forward, attempting to close the gap between them. Yet, he suddenly stepped back, as if that single step separated two worlds, his demeanor tense.
Xu Nuan instinctively sensed something was off about the forest they were in; it might be the mechanism that Sun Ming mentioned, isolating them from other areas of this level. However, given Sun Ming's anxious demeanor, it was clear he lacked the authority to activate any mechanisms and was trapped here.
This person is lying and trying to trick them into following him. Xu Nuan suddenly felt an urge to leave this place; she believed he was dangerous and that the forest posed risks as well. She should quickly leave with Gu Ze and regroup with the main team.
However, before she could express her intentions to Gu Ze, Sun Ming's intense gaze was already fixed on her, as if he intended to make a move.
"He has called all the Designers delusional, including Qin Yaojie. Aren't you angry?"
Here it was again! Another person who had come to know her through Qin Yaojie and thought she would make significant choices for him at any moment!
Were these people truly influenced by Qin Yaojie's accusations, or were they the terrifying men Wang Yiyun spoke of, or perhaps other conspirators?
"Ah, Qin Yaojie is the Designer of this game?"
For some reason, Xu Nuan suddenly lost interest in learning more about Qin Yaojie, especially when Gu Ze suddenly tightened his grip on her hand.
"He never discussed this with me; he disappeared before I entered the game, so I have no understanding of his situation."
As Xu Nuan paid attention to Sun Ming's reaction, she noticed a fleeting moment of surprise in his eyes. This made her suspect even more that Sun Ming did not learn about this from Qin Yaojie but rather that someone had deliberately informed these Designers of her existence. What could their purpose be?
Sun Ming's astonishment lasted only a moment before he began to thoughtfully glance back and forth between her and Gu Ze, revealing an expression of understanding. The slyness in his eyes made Xu Nuan feel extremely irritated.
"So you've forgotten your old love for a new one. What a pity! I originally planned to take you to meet Qin Yaojie for the last time; after all, his current situation is quite difficult."
The phrase "last time" struck Xu Nuan hard. Wang Yiyun's words echoed in her mind when she was sober: betrayal—someone had betrayed Qin Yaojie, leading to his difficult circumstances?
After pondering for just a few seconds, she realized this might be another lie meant to lure her into a trap. Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on Gu Ze's hand. Should she take this risk? Was she losing her mind? If it was indeed a risk, then Gu Ze must not go inside. Without Gu Ze's help, could she accomplish anything?
With turmoil raging in her heart, Xu Nuan struggled to maintain a calm and normal expression, trying not to provoke Sun Ming. However, her hesitation during those few seconds was enough for Sun Ming to sense something; after all, he was an expert in architectural design with a highly developed mind.
"Ah, you really know that Qin Yaojie is here. So, how about this: if you come over, I'll take you to find Qin Yaojie. If you wait too long, you won't get to see him."
Xu Nuan trembled slightly, feeling frustrated with herself for her lack of composure. She hadn't even figured out whether this was a trap yet, and she couldn't let Gu Ze take any risks. With Gu Ze's intelligence, he might think he could discern whether this was a scam.
"Nuan, what did you promise me?"
Before she could think of a strategy to extract information from Sun Ming, she heard Gu Ze, who was standing to his right front, ask this question.
"...I remember."
Xu Nuan paused before answering, feeling disappointed inside. Did this mean Gu Ze thought it was a trap and that she shouldn't take the risk?
But she couldn't accept missing out on what could be a genuine lead right in front of her. This was a world filled with both truth and deception; to obtain something real, one had to be mentally prepared for the possibility of being deceived.
"So I'm going with you. No more talk about 'let me go first' or anything like that."
"Gu Ze?"
Xu Nuan was startled by Gu Ze's words and looked at him in surprise. Unfortunately, Gu Ze only offered her a profile view and smiled at the expressionless yet subtly curved lips of Sun Ming.
"Be honest with us; you're the traitor, aren't you?"
After asking, Gu Ze pointed a finger at several disheveled spots on Sun Ming's body.
"Only an escapee would look so disheveled. If you escaped from the team, is it really okay for you to lead us over there? Or are you acting under orders?"
Xu Nuan felt a chill run down her spine as she glanced at Sun Ming, only to find the same look of surprise on Sun Ming's face, her eyes darting away. Suddenly, it dawned on Xu Nuan that Sun Ming was affected by Gu Ze's words. Who, then, was the one who had instructed Sun Ming to take them away? Was it worth the risk?
The already quiet Forest fell into a deeper silence.
Xu Nuan and Gu Ze patiently waited for Sun Ming to respond. During this time, Xu Nuan had many questions she wanted to ask Gu Ze, but every time the words were on the tip of her tongue, she couldn't bring herself to speak. Gu Ze pretended not to notice her hesitation, seemingly determined to follow Xu Nuan wherever she went.
After a long pause, Sun Ming finally spoke.
"That guy made a miscalculation. He never expected that such a formidable person would be by this woman's side. His emotional tactics won't work on you."
Seeing a hint of softness in Sun Ming's expression, Xu Nuan suppressed her mix of hope and anxiety, fear and unease, and asked, "Who is he? How much of what you said earlier is true?"
Sun Ming shrugged and stepped forward fearlessly, discarding a dart to show she meant no harm. "According to our agreement, I can't reveal his name. All I know is that he sent me here to wait for you and then take you to Qin Yaojie. My mission would be complete after that. As for how he lured you here and why there's an extra man involved, I have no idea."
"What I'm saying now is all true. I managed to defeat both of you without any weapons; there's no reason for me to lie at this moment."
Xu Nuan took a hesitant step forward but immediately felt Gu Ze pulling her back slightly. Confused, she wondered if Gu Ze didn't trust Sun Ming's words after all.
"Only what I'm saying now is true," Gu Ze's voice carried a cold edge, yet Xu Nuan noticed he wore a smile.
"Then how much of what you said before was true? Also, is there a purpose behind bringing me to that man? What benefit do they gain from meeting?"
"Your thoughts are truly meticulous," Sun Ming exclaimed, continuing.
"I'm sorry, but according to our agreement, I can't answer the last two questions. As for the first question, it's true that what you said about Qin Yaojie is dangerous. In fact, some of the First Batch of Players are currently under attack by a large number of Zombies. They can no longer hold out. I managed to escape but was caught by that person, and I had to help him complete this task in order to leave safely."
Is what Sun Ming said true or false? Xu Nuan's mind raced. After entering this game, she found herself doubting many things, taking a long time to think before making decisions, always feeling that those around her were deceiving her and that she was living in a conspiracy.
Indeed, Sun Ming was right; as long as Xu Nuan and Gu Ze teamed up, Sun Ming would have no way to escape. At this moment, in order to obtain the information she wanted, she could certainly be ruthless in forcing Sun Ming to reveal the truth. From the current perspective, Sun Ming had indeed made a wise choice.
Habitually complicating and conspiratorial in her thinking, Xu Nuan was engaged in an internal struggle and found it hard to make a decision. Meanwhile, Gu Ze calmly made the decision for her.
"We will follow you, but let me make it clear: if you have any ill intentions, I won't rest until I take a hand or a leg from you."
As Gu Ze spoke, he smiled gently, which meant he was serious. Gu Ze naturally exuded an air of authority; he usually kept a low profile as a gentleman but now displayed his imposing presence, which was quite astonishing. At least a hint of fear flashed in Sun Ming's eyes.
As Gu Ze agreed, he also led Xu Nuan closer to Sun Ming, who raised her empty hands and turned to walk ahead.
"This forest is actually a Maze. If you follow me, you'll reach your destination. But let me warn you upfront: I will take you in, but I won't bring you out. What happens to you afterward is not my responsibility."
"That's only natural; we will take responsibility for our actions. I hope you will do the same. You should know that anything can happen in this game."
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