Chapter 63: Mold: The Peeker

"Dear audience members, there is no halftime break in this stage! The tense and thrilling gauntlet is about to kick off once again!"

"The players who lost the previous round have already exited the arena, and the four factions have sent out their newest competitors!"

"Just who are the newcomers, and can they bring glorious victory to their teams?"

"Please look at the big screen!"

Inside the Wolf's Den.

The passionate shouts of the two commentators echoed throughout the venue.

The four teams that suffered defeat in the previous match had all dispatched fresh candidates.

"The God Slayers have sent out Crow! Hahahaha, Gail really messed up. They didn't dare to send out their other trump card, so they're letting Crow test the waters first?"

"With such a luxurious lineup last round, I thought the Wolf Pack would slaughter everyone, but I never expected them to get beaten up this badly."

"Crow had great synergy with Number 7 last time! I wonder if those two can team up again this match. I'm really looking forward to it!"

Discussions buzzed among the crowd.

Inside the virtual space at this moment.

Four players logged into their virtual pods.

All twelve people were now gathered around the round table.

"Audience members, all players have made their preparations, and the game is about to begin!"

"The shadow of the wolf emerges, the wise man is king."

"When night falls, please close your eyes!"

The lights in the arena instantly went out.

The bustling noises of the crowd also plunged into a sudden silence.

Everyone looked expectantly at the screen in the very center of the arena.

[The shadow of the wolf emerges, the wise man is king.]

The game setup for this match is the Peeping Tom.

The rules of the game are now introduced as follows:

The match adopts the massacre-by-faction rule.

If the wolves eliminate all commoners or all special roles, the wolves win.

If the good players lynch all wolves, the good players win.

The roles included in this game are—

4 wolves, 4 special roles, 3 ordinary villagers, and 1 Peeping Tom.

Wolves include: 4 ordinary wolves.

Special roles include: Seer, Witch, Hunter, Guard.

Every night, the Seer can check whether a player's identity is good or wolf.

The Witch possesses one bottle of poison and one bottle of antidote. She can only use one bottle per night and cannot save herself throughout the game.

When the Hunter is killed by wolves or banished, he can flip his card and designate a player to shoot. If poisoned, he cannot trigger his ability.

The Guard can protect a player from being killed by the wolves each night, but cannot protect the same person for two consecutive nights. If the protected person is simultaneously guarded and saved by the antidote, that player is eliminated.

The Peeping Tom chooses a player to peep at starting on the first night. Their win condition matches the peeped target. The Peeping Tom does not know the identity of the peeped target, and the peeped target does not know they are being peeped at.

Regardless of whether the Peeping Tom peeps at a wolf or a good player, the Seer's investigation result will always show up as a good player. If the Peeping Tom chooses to peep at a wolf, all wolves are eliminated and the Peeping Tom also fails. If the wolves choose to win by slaughtering commoners, the Peeping Tom must also be eliminated.

Speaking time is 180 seconds, and last words are 120 seconds.

I am, I am peeping at you.

[Identity cards are now being distributed.]

As the judge's voice fell.

In the virtual gaming space.

An identity card appeared out of thin air on the table in front of Wang Changsheng.

Another performance was about to begin.

"A Peeping Tom setup, huh."

Wang Changsheng silently placed his hand on the identity card, pondering in his heart.

The Peeping Tom setup heavily tests analytical thinking.

For both wolves and good players, they must figure out who the Peeping Tom was actually peeping at in the dead of night.

The wolves need to know if the Peeping Tom is peeping at them.

The good players do as well.

And the Peeping Tom themselves must determine which faction their peeped target belongs to, and who else is in that faction.

Blindly following the peeped target would undoubtedly be a very foolish move.

For example, if one peeps at a wolf, but pushes other wolf companions of the peeped target to be eliminated.

Or if one peeps at a good player, but that good player stands on the wrong side, causing the Peeping Tom to mistakenly believe they are also on the wolf team.

Then the number of wolves instantly becomes six.

In that case, the wolves only need to arbitrarily kill someone to directly hijack the game.

Of course, this is a rather extreme scenario.

However, the Peeping Tom card undoubtedly tests a player's operational skills immensely.

Yet, Wang Changsheng simply did not care about any of this.

Through his card-flipping clairvoyance ability.

He could know everyone's identity on the very first day.

However, aside from being useful when he played as the Guard or some more special role that required action on the first night, this skill was almost never needed for other identity cards.

Because he also possessed the Helmet with a Hole.

He was able to know the night movement trajectories of all players.

It was just that in this Peeping Tom setup.

Combining these two skills made them immensely useful.

He didn't need to care at all about who the Peeping Tom was.

If he was one.

Then he could instantly know his faction.

If someone else drew this card, he could also know who they were peeping at.

Gently lifting the identity card.

Wang Changsheng glanced at it and then closed it back down.

"What a pity, I didn't get the Peeping Tom."

Wang Changsheng sighed inwardly.

In special setups.

If one draws a special identity card.

As long as the operations are proper, the score bonuses can be ferocious.

"Still, this card is passable. It's just that if the speaking skills aren't good, it's way too easy to get pushed out."

[When night falls, please close your eyes.]

After everyone had flipped through their respective identity cards.

The judge's magnetic voice sounded once again.

A thick, eerie bronze mask appeared on the face of every player.

At the same time, the judge's voice echoed outside the arena.

"All player identities confirmed. This game adopts the perspective of Number 1, the Hunter."

Number 1 was the Seer from the previous game.

Yet this time, he only drew a Hunter card.

He was the number-six guy from the Insanity Supreme team. Compared to the other members, he wasn't all that unhinged.

And following the victory in the previous round, their team's rating had surged upward once again.

Upon returning, Brother Pure Jade and Sister Jade Foot both heavily rewarded him with team-exclusive perks.

However, when the audience learned that they could only follow the perspective of a single Hunter for the remainder of the match, they all wailed in agony.

"No way, what is there to watch from a Hunter's perspective? Doesn't that basically make him a useless commoner!"

"Exactly, why didn't they let us watch the Peeping Tom directly? Isn't the whole point of this setup to watch the most special role for it to be interesting?! At least let us see a wolf's perspective!"

"I'm actually going to barf. I don't want to watch the number-six guy! Everyone on this team is a lunatic!"

The spectators outside protested in succession.

However, the spectator perspective was drawn at random.

It could not be changed.

Inside the virtual space at this time.

[Peeping Tom, please open your eyes.]

"Please select the target you wish to peep at."

Number 6, Xia Bobo, slowly opened her eyes.

Her gaze immediately landed on Wang Changsheng.

Although Wang Changsheng's debut time was short.

He reached the peak right upon debut.

Three games, two scores of 10, and one score of 6.

Such terrifying strength made him stand out like a dark horse in this national tournament.

Xia Bobo couldn't help but notice him even if she wanted not to.

Pondering for a moment, she finally raised a number.

[The target you wish to peep at is]

[Number 7]

[Please close your eyes to confirm]

Listening to the judge's recitation, Xia Bobo couldn't help her cheeks turning red.

What kind of ghost role is this...

It makes her seem like some kind of weirdo.

[......]

[Wolves, please open your eyes.]

"Please choose your target to eliminate."

The Guard chose to guard no one.

The Wolf Pack opened their eyes.

Confirming the identities of their teammates.

Wang Changsheng hurriedly stared wide-eyed as well.

Through the hole in his helmet, he looked at the four wolves.

Speaking of Peeping Toms.

This right here was a true peeping tom.

The masks of Numbers 4, 8, 10, and 12 vanished.

Among them, Number 4 was a new contestant from the Wolf Hunting Operation, named Battle-Axe.

Number 12 was a new contestant from Nightfall—Like a Dream.

Number 8 was a commoner from the previous match, a contestant named Ghost from the Myriad Monsters Kingdom.

Number 10 was the Witch from the previous match, and also Morning Star from "Universe," the team ranked first in this national tournament.

After the four wolves opened their eyes.

Number 10, Morning Star, looked at his three wolf companions and almost felt dizzy enough to pass out on the spot.

Both Number 4 Battle-Axe and Number 12 Like a Dream were replacements sent up by wolf teams that had lost their matches previously.

Aside from Number 12 Like a Dream, whose strength within Nightfall was considered top-tier.

Morning Star only had a vague impression of that Number 4 Battle-Axe.

"Sigh, the teammates this match are a bit hard to handle..."

Number 10 sighed inwardly, but quickly perked up.

Number 4 Battle-Axe: "Who should we kill? How about we hack this Number 7 to death first?"

Number 8 Ghost: "Should we hack Number 7? But I haven't read any role out of him."

Number 4 Battle-Axe: "His identity was hidden really well in the previous matches, guarding the Witch and poisoning a wolf on the first day, which shows he has deep research into divination. We can't judge him purely based on his divination patterns! I think we definitely need to kill Number 7. What if he's the Witch? Or, seeing how dazzling his performance was in the previous matches, the Guard might shield him directly, and a Witch on the outer positions might save him. I think all of that is very possible!"

In the previous match, the Soul of War from their team had been beaten to a pulp by the good players led by Wang Changsheng.

He hadn't swallowed that anger yet. Since Number 7 wasn't on his faction, he naturally had to subject him to endless targeting.

Their wolf team was bound to win this match!

Both Number 10 and Number 12 hesitated somewhat.

The four wolves discussed for a moment before finally reaching a consensus, choosing to place the kill on Number 7.

"Heh, you're going to hack me?" Wang Changsheng amusedly thought. "Doesn't matter, I'm not afraid at all!"

[Your target to eliminate is]

[Number 7]

[Please close your eyes to confirm]

[Seer, please open your eyes.]

"Please select the target you wish to inspect."

The mask on Wang Changsheng's face gradually faded into the void.

That's right, he had drawn the Seer card this match!

This was why he wasn't fazed at all by the wolves attempting to kill him.

He saw that the Guard had chosen to guard no one.

Then the Witch would inevitably use her antidote for him.

With this silver-water connection established.

He would be able to forge a close bond with the Witch to the greatest extent!

Of course, the Witch might also wonder if he was a wolf self-stabbing to fake an antidote save.

That would depend on his speech.

Serving as the Seer this round.

He could no longer slash through the wolves with his hand-of-god abilities like in the previous rounds; he could only move other good players with his speech.

Looking around the circle.

Wang Changsheng thought about it and ultimately decided to get this Number 4 Battle-Axe kicked out on the first day.

You still took the lead in trying to kill me?

Then I'll directly hand you a wolf investigation result!

[The target you wish to inspect is]

[Wolf]

[Please close your eyes to confirm]

[Witch, please open your eyes.]

"Player Number (Number 7) was eliminated tonight. Do you wish to use the antidote? Do you wish to use the poison?"

Number 11 opened his eyes at that moment.

Seeing the news of the death.

Crow raised an eyebrow.

A hint of interest flashed across his lean face.

"Heh, did this guy provoke public outrage? Getting hacked on the very first day—is it because he has enemies, or could it be..."

A sharp glint flashed in Crow's eyes. He stroked his chin, thought for two seconds, and finally gave the judge a thumbs-up.

[The target you choose to use the medicine on is]

[Number 7]

[Please close your eyes to confirm]

[Hunter, please open your eyes.]

"Please confirm the status of your skill."

Number 1号 stealthily opened his eyes to check the status of his skill.

He could shoot.

Only then did he contentedly close his eyes again.

[Dawn has broken.]

The light in the virtual space gradually grew bright.

The masks on everyone's faces vanished.

Everyone began observing each other's expressions and demeanor.

[Sheriff election is now starting. Players wishing to run, please raise your hands.]

[A total of 8 players have entered the sheriff race this game. The players running are Numbers 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12.]

[Based on the venue timing, Player Number 5 will start speaking. Player Number 6, please get ready.]

Number 5 was 9000 from Wolves Fight in the Wild, also known as Nine-Thousand.

In the previous game, he was just a commoner who only spoke for one round.

So this round, he really didn't want to repeat the scenario of the previous match.

Winning felt uncomfortable if you didn't do anything.

So as soon as it started, he chose to enter the sheriff race.

Yet he hadn't expected to be the first one to speak.

"Number 5 speaking. I'm a good player. I only entered the sheriff race because the wolves self-destructed like crazy last round, and I didn't even get a chance to speak. It made me so angry I had to enter the race this time, thinking I could at least comment on things, only to end up speaking in the first position."

9000 rubbed his temples.

He looked rather helpless.

"Well, let me just briefly share my read on people. I feel Number 6 isn't great, Number 10 looks like he's about to claim Seer, and besides that, Number 7 glanced at me before putting on his helmet—no idea what that means, I'll listen to him later. I'll pass."

[Player Number 6, please begin your speech.]

Number 6 Xia Bobo glanced sideways at Number 5.

This guy called her bad.

And also called out her peeped target, Number 7.

Instinctively, she felt a lot of hostility toward Number 5.

So when it was her turn to speak.

She directly claimed Seer.

"Number 7 is a gold water. For my sheriff-line flow, I'll first check Number 5, and then check Number 11 in the audience seats."

Wang Changsheng listened to Xia Bobo's speech.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

With this kind of speech, if the other person were a wolf, he could stage a counter-claim and nearly beat her half to death.

Yet he couldn't do that.

Because Number 6 was someone who had chosen to peep at him in the dead of night.

In other words, they were on the same faction.

Even if Number 6 claimed Seer, he had to acknowledge her.

And since Number 6 was the Peeping Tom, her handing out a gold water—even if the gold water counter-claimed—wasn't all that strong in terms of persuasion.

Therefore, he could only half-doubt her.

Good players would also take Number 6's Peeping Tom persona into consideration.

"My psychological journey for checking Number 7 was very simple. His plays as Guard and Witch were so dazzling that I really wanted to know what role he was this time, so I checked him. It turned out he was a gold water, and I was quite happy about it, because that probably means he drew Witch or Guard again and can lead me to victory once more."

"Just lying flat to get score, I'm quite happy."