Kaidan Game Train: Abide Rule or Die!
Chapter 1164: The Unlucky Ones are Always the Passersby

Chapter 1164: Chapter 1164: The Unlucky Ones are Always the Passersby

"Using the lives of everyone on this plane to exchange for that playing card." The Magician said with a smile.

Xu Hou looked at him without much expression, raised his right hand, and made a "please" gesture.

The Magician smiled again, "If that’s not enough, I can give the people on this plane a choice."

"I’ll inform them in advance about what’s going to happen to this plane, and then tell them that the reason this disaster is happening is because you boarded this plane. If anyone stabs you, they can leave alive. If it’s a child who stabs you, their whole family can leave alive."

Xu Huo laughed instead after hearing this, "You think I don’t care about others’ gratitude, but care immensely about their hatred."

"Not necessarily," the Magician responded. "Those who give without expecting a return often care most about hostility from the ignorant. Only hostility from the ignorant can destroy their sense of accomplishment in saving others from calamity."

Xu Huo chuckled, "Those who are truly willing to give selflessly without limits are incredibly rare in this world. The kind-hearted people you describe might become extremely cold after feeling betrayed."

"Another point, for your hypothesis to hold, there’s one premise: that I wouldn’t kill."

"This game can also be played in reverse—whoever dares to kill you, I’ll save them."

"How about that?"

Their eyes locked, and both sides understood the other wasn’t joking. By this time, the plane was already very quiet. Since the two of them hadn’t intentionally concealed their conversation, this exchange had been under the attention of others ever since they finished breakfast. When the Magician threatened Xu Huo using the lives of everyone onboard, the pilot had already sent a distress call to the ground, the flight attendants had returned to their seats, and all the other passengers had fallen silent, including two children.

"So it’s us bystanders who are unlucky." A man wearing a pink suit, sitting next to the two of them, took off his sunglasses and stared at them. "Could you please consider the feelings of us innocent bystanders?"

Xu Huo and the Magician both turned to look at him.

The pink suit man immediately raised his hand, "I know I’m definitely no match for either of you, but if you absolutely must go head-to-head, could you pick a safer, harmless way? Like maybe whoever kills a hundred death-row prisoners first, or whoever collects a hundred Cannibal Player IDs? Or go to the Special Defense Department; lots of people there. Why do you insist on dragging us ordinary folks into this mess?"

The Magician looked very displeased, but Xu Huo laughed, "Perhaps it really is just bad luck."

After laughing, he turned to the Magician and said, "Why don’t you consider changing the item for trade? I agree with what you said: equitable transactions are the core of how the world operates. Since it’s an equitable trade, you also need to offer something I need."

"Next time, please refrain from making threats." He added, "Otherwise, you may lose your chance to make the trade."

By now, both of them had almost fully gauged the other’s capabilities. In terms of raw strength, the Magician surpassed Xu Huo in all aspects, but superiority doesn’t equate to an assured victory. The fact that Xu Huo could still confront him head-on after days of continuous use of Psychic Power was already a testament to his strength—while his Spirit Evolution depth might not have reached the Magician’s level, his mastery and sustained practice were astonishing. Unless his Psychic Power was completely depleted, the Magician wouldn’t be able to achieve an absolute advantage.

And so, they entered a stalemate.

Xu Huo managed to remain calm and composed mainly because the Magician didn’t have a method to completely trap him.

The Magician was clearly aware of this too, but he also knew that if he backed down, obtaining that playing card would become nearly impossible.

Eventually, the Magician left.

Just as quietly as he had arrived.

The plane remained silent for a long while, except for the sound of Xu Huo flipping through his book. After about three minutes, the man in the pink suit leaned over to greet Xu Huo, "Bro, let’s get acquainted. My name is Song Xiaohua. Here’s my business card. I’m a professional agent with the Fatty Cat Gamer Economic Company."

Xu Huo glanced at the name on the card, "The little greedy cat next door?"

Song Xiaohua looked slightly embarrassed but quickly managed to compose himself, "It’s company policy. Everyone who joins has to use their in-game nickname."

"Bro, I noticed you’re good-looking, calm under pressure; coincidentally, our company is looking for a high-IQ and cautious Player star. Are you interested?"

"Not interested," Xu Huo placed the business card face-down on the small table.

"Bro, don’t be like that," Song Xiaohua said quickly, "Aren’t you even curious about the benefits? Our company offers amazing perks, and we can turn you into a widely admired Hero figure. Once you’re famous, Player Organizations and the Special Defense Department will fight to recruit you. Money and power will be at your fingertips; beauty and charm will be all around you. When you return to Zone 014, it’ll be like heaven—no need to walk anywhere; you can have people carry you in and out of doors, flaunting your status wherever you go!"

Xu Huo listened politely before responding, "Isn’t this kind of work dangerous for your company to undertake?"

Song Xiaohua seemed momentarily stunned, probably because no one had ever asked such a question after hearing this pitch.

But Xu Huo spoke seriously, "I suggest you change your profession. First, this job might delay your ability to complete instances. Work can be avoided, but instances cannot; prioritize your life and safety. Second, your company’s ambitious goal of creating Player Heroes will soon be unacceptable to the Special Defense Department. Unless a Player’s strength forces them to compromise, I doubt such individuals would be tempted by the benefits you just mentioned."

After thinking for a moment, Song Xiaohua asked, "Why would the Special Defense Department target entertainment companies? Are Players not even allowed to find jobs?"

"It’s not about targeting Players who find jobs," Xu Huo said flatly. "It’s about cracking down on anyone who stands out. Those who make waves in any form are on their list of targets until the Special Defense Department’s power is stable enough to control the situation. Only then will civilian Players experience greater freedom."

Song Xiaohua seemed dubious but still whispered, "Bro, do you know something secret?"

Xu Huo turned his phone screen towards him, "Internet gurus predicting trends."

Song Xiaohua chuckled, then dismissed it with disdain, "You believe their rumors? If they were really so impressive, they wouldn’t be stirring up hype online."

Amid this chatter, the plane was already nearing its destination. Xu Huo stood up and headed to the restroom, with Song Xiaohua trailing persistently behind.

Once the restroom door closed, neither side could see the other anymore. However, Song Xiaohua continued his relentless persuasion from outside. Despite his dry mouth from talking, there was no response until the security Player onboard came over, cuffed his hands with a special pair of handcuffs, and asked him to cooperate with an investigation, informing him at the same time that Xu Huo had already left the plane long ago.