Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the previous round, from the frog’s arrival to its departure, it took exactly 3 minutes and 15 seconds.
This time, it only took 47 seconds.
Why has the time shortened?
Is it because the frog was injured, so it retired early? If it were so, that would mean Shen MO had succeeded in buying us an extra two and a half minutes to breathe.
Peaceful silence lingered for a moment, slightly dissolving the frozen atmosphere in the cave. Those hiding in the muck tentatively lifted their heads, as did those in the shellbugs. Everyone looked around
…Were they really safe?
Tan Xiao was the first to rise, scanning his surroundings, “The ball? Does it still count if we find it now?”
“The ball was buried in the muck when the frog burrowed in just now” interjected a young man near Hui Ge.
Tan Xiao recognized him, he was thin and tall like Hui Ge, with a small head, large ears, long limbs: they called him Monkey.
There was also a shorter one, nicknamed Spiky. Straining his neck, Tan Xiao asked curiously, “Where’s Spiky?”
The look on Hui Ge and Monkey’s faces turned sour.
Tan Xiao belatedly realized he had voiced out a foolish question, his expression temporarily stilled.
When someone can’t be seen under such circumstances, what other reason could there be besides being eaten by the frog?
It wasn’t just Spiky who was eaten.
A middle-aged woman tearfully complained, “I knew I should not have crawled out of the shellbugs. What’s the point of searching for the ball, isn’t it just like seeking death… If it weren’t for us helping you search for the ball, my Old Wu wouldn’t be dead…”
Fatso on the other side chimed in, “The frog appeared so quickly, there was simply no time to hide. You guys sounded so honorable, talking about ‘unity and cooperation’ but in reality it’s just so you can feel heroic while using us as living targets!”
Those words were indeed malicious.
Bai Youwei coldly raised an eyebrow, her darkened gaze fixating on these people.
When she was in danger, these weaklings only pretended to be asleep. Even if they died here, they deserved it. What right did they have to blame others?!
“What the hell do you guys have in your brains? Shit?!” Tan Xiao exploded, leaping forward and cursing, “I risked my life searching for that ball just to be a hero? You dare to say that again?!”
Fatso remained silent, and the woman wept softly.
Enraged, Tan Xiao pointed at them and shouted, “You dare to say it was to help US find the ball! If you didn’t search for the ball, you think you could still survive?! Let me tell you! Without the ball! None of us can escape! We’re all waiting for death! ”
He saw Chang Weicai muttering in a corner, anger rising. He roared, “Old man! What are you mumbling?! Are you saying it was our fault those people died?
Teacher Chang jumped in fright, hastily waving his hands and saying, “No, not at all! There… There will be sacrifices, due to the frog’s sudden appearance. Our initial plan was sound, there were no issues. If we were to hold someone accountable, it should be the frog and this game that bear full responsibility. Everyone’s lost someone, it’s understandable to be emotionally volatile, it’s understandable, understandable….”
After a pause, he added politely, “I was just calculating the time. Because the frog appeared and left quickly this time, I wanted to calculate the time…” “Did you finish your calculations then?” Tan Xiao impatiently asked. Teacher Chang shook his head, embarrassed, “No… I did not…”
Tan Xiao furrowed his eyebrows even deeper, “Aren’t you a teacher?!”
Teacher Chang replied, “I teach Chinese Literature.”
Tan Xiao was speechless.
At that moment Shen MO, who’d been silent the whole time, finally spoke, “The frog did appear and disappear quite swiftly this time. If the same thing happens the next time, our original plan will no longer be applicable.”
His voice was serene, indifferent, completely unaffected by the accusations made earlier.
Tan Xiao scratched his head, exasperated “This frog is like a lunatic, who knows when it’ll be quick! When it’ll be slow!”