Kaidan Game Train: Abide Rule or Die!
Chapter 381 Capturing the Traitor

Chapter 381: Chapter 381 Capturing the Traitor

"Welcome to this new game event, I am the game designer for this occasion—Veyson Meni, and I am honored to host this game today,"

The white-haired man with the snake mask said, "I believe that the old friends who came here today all know that the Rongxin Group’s game themes always focus on fitting with real replicas, dedicated to creating a game world in the virtual universe. Many players have called our games ’iron man’ games, as there are no elements other than fighting and killing to make the heart race."

"Making the heart race is not difficult? Transform me into a beautiful woman, and I guarantee that two-thirds of the men here will have their hearts racing. Or if I were thirty years younger, perhaps I could make the ladies present blush with charming red."

Laughter erupted in the hall, and after it subsided somewhat, the white-haired man continued, "But I am not a person who is overly concerned with appearances, as my beautician can attest."

More laughter followed.

"To prove this point to everyone, I have devised this extraordinary palace night tour."

"Being here, many of you might have already guessed what this event is about, and yes, it’s about prayer."

"According to Rongxin’s annual data, one-third of those who come to try the replica games are players, trapped in games that only end with death, constantly on the move, yet compelled to enter the simulated replicas to increase their survival rates. Their hardships and stress are something we can never fully understand."

"For most of us, these are just inconsequential simulation games, but for them, they might be repeated experiences of surviving."

"We are able to live in such a peaceful and serene world, and certainly, players have contributed to that. In support of players, Rongxin donates a large amount of supplies to the government every year, and also hires players within the group. But the power of one person or one company is insignificant; there should be more people offering friendly sympathy to players."

"While I was planning this simulation game, I learned that a group of players from Zone 011, who went to develop resources in a high-risk game world, all died. They left no corpses, not a word for their families waiting for them..."

"I am willing to donate to the players!" a man with an elephant mask exclaimed loudly, "Sponsor them with potions and props!"

With someone taking the lead, several others successively proposed donations.

"Thank you all. I’m sure the players who have sacrificed would be grateful if they knew this after death, and your sincerity will surely receive positive feedback," the white-haired man said. "Before we start the night tour, I propose that we pray for their next lives."

He projected a pulpit in front of him, flipping through a non-existent book, and prayed devoutly:

"Even as brutality and evil consume the light;"

"Even as slaughter and base deeds contaminate the world;"

"We shall never submit to the darkness;"

"Take up arms, chant holy songs, and drive the enemy back into their filthy lairs;"

"The enemy is strong, do not be timid, the enemy is cruel, do not compromise;"

"The gods shall bless every warrior, and the new day will guide both the deceased and the living on the path of hope!"

Veyson Meni’s prayer seemed to move those present; with each sentence, more joined in the prayer, their voices soaring to the dome, and when he said, "We salute our warriors," a golden-white glow showered down from the dome, illuminating everyone.

Xu Huo looked at those people with their heads raised and eyes closed as if bathing in sanctity, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips—he now understood the purpose of those murals.

Guests entering the simulation game couldn’t use props, but the game venue might be another story. There could be some power at play within this game, judging by how hyped every single person was. The nocturnal palace wandering was a sham, the true intent was brainwashing through proselytization.

"Are these people down here alright?" someone not far away voiced their doubt, "Aren’t they here just to play the game? Why are they preaching now, what’s the meaning of this? Was our money spent in vain?"

At that moment, Veyson Meni on the podium waved his hand, and a sacrificial altar appeared behind him. He raised his hands high and said, "God blesses us, and we should reciprocate. Who is willing to sacrifice themselves here and serve God in another world?"

The noisy hall fell silent.

"For God, shouldn’t we offer our loyalty?" Veyson Meni seemed oblivious to the unusual glances around him, the snake eyes on his mask staring straight ahead, not looking at anyone, yet as if he was looking at everyone.

Soon, someone wearing a Black Wolf Mask moved forward in the crowd.

"Here is our sacrificer!" Meni led the applause, and thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

Xu Huo’s expression darkened slightly. The one in the Black Wolf Mask was the person who had deliberately approached the fox earlier. They had bumped into each other in the crowd just moments ago, and now the Black Wolf was volunteering to be sacrificed?

He wasn’t the only one who found it strange. The fox and hyena began to slowly retreat backwards.

The people at the rear pushed forward, and as the two didn’t stand out much, the incident occurred the moment the Black Wolf laid on the altar. Seeing the Short Golden Sword in Meni’s hand, the Black Wolf suddenly sprang up and leapt off the altar, running into the crowd!

Holding the Sword, Meni sighed and then announced loudly, "The disloyal must repent to God, bring him back."

He didn’t order anyone in particular, but the moment his words were out, guests reached out to stop the Black Wolf with shouts and jeers, as those who participated in the nocturnal palace game began to willingly join in the coerced sacrifice.

The Black Wolf was pinned to the altar, crying out in terror, "I don’t want to be sacrificed! Let me go!"

Meni looked at him with pity, "Young man, everyone must take responsibility for their actions."

The Black Wolf tried to argue, but someone next to him covered his mouth, "Anyway, it’s not like you’ll really die..."

The Short Golden Sword severed the Black Wolf’s head, blood flowing over the altar, with the people below cheering.

Meni raised the Black Wolf’s head high, "I have just received an oracle from God. There are still traitors here, the blood of the betrayers will guide me to them!"

Blood from the altar started to flow, converging into thin snakes that snaked down the podium and into the crowd.

The guests parted ways, and among those blood streams, two were chasing after the fox and the hyena, who knocked people aside as they ran. Someone excitedly shouted, "Catch them! Deliver them to the altar!"

The hall’s guests joined the frenzied chase, following the blood trails out. Some from the second floor also eagerly followed.

Veyson Meni, the orchestrator, disappeared from the podium with a dance step, reappearing in a corridor of the Tongli Grand Hall the next second.

This made Xu Huo give up the thought of tracking the fox. He followed Meni down from the upper floor, but upon entering the corridor, found the man already gone. With paths branching on either side, it was unclear which way he’d gone.

After leisurely passing two intersections, Xu Huo caught a glimpse of a figure flickering in the distance. He quickened his pace, but that person was waiting at the corner and confronted him directly. A pair of purple pupils showed under the gold filigree Butterfly Mask, "Why are you following me?"