Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1293: Enemies Often Cross Each Other’s Paths

Chapter 1293: Chapter 1293: Enemies Often Cross Each Other’s Paths

Everyone looked at Lu Yi with curious eyes, wondering what good ideas this doomsayer could possibly have.

Lu Yi pointed to one of the paths, "I’ll go in front, everyone follow behind me. If there’s any danger, everyone should retreat immediately, don’t worry about me, and I won’t blame you for abandoning me."

Hearing these words, everyone was shocked and didn’t know what to say.

Gu Fan secretly admired him. Just now, the artificial intelligence Xiaolan had suggested that as long as everyone abandoned Lu Yi, they could find a way to survive, aiming to influence the hearts of the people. Because at the moment of crisis, everyone would be tempted to accept Xiaolan’s proposal.

Now, with Lu Yi assuming the role of self-sacrifice, he earned everyone’s admiration, and they could hardly bear to leave him behind.

"Okay, let’s do that. We few will take point and forge a path for everyone," Gu Fan stood up, showing his full support for Lu Yi.

Ouyang Jin also stepped out. At this time, he still chose to stand with Gu Fan and Lu Yi.

No one else had objections, though they felt somewhat guilty—always letting Gu Fan do the heavy lifting and thinking of their well-being.

Irina observed the expressions of Gu Fan, Lu Yi, and Ouyang Jin off to the side. She noticed that there wasn’t a hint of unease or panic, but rather a sense of resolve as if they were certain about something.

Irina then looked over the three paths, her brows furrowed, reflecting on the reactions of the three scouts who had come back earlier.

"Are all three paths safe?" Irina didn’t think the artificial intelligence Xiaolan would be that kind-hearted; there must be traps set up on the path.

Then, what if all three paths were dangerous? Irina didn’t think that the artificial intelligence Xiaolan would be bored enough to create one dangerous path for everyone to walk on versus making all three dangerous. In the end, traps would be set to lead everyone to their demise.

The most reasonable arrangement would be that one path was safe while the other two were dangerous.

But hadn’t all three scouts come back unharmed? Assuming she was the artificial intelligence Xiaolan, if she had used traps to take out the scouts, it would be equivalent to telling Gu Fan which path was dangerous and which one was safe, making this challenge too easy to solve.

Therefore, by putting herself in the shoes of the AI Xiaolan, she certainly wouldn’t activate the traps on the three scouts. Doing so would intimidate the main force from advancing.

"Wait a minute, could it be?" Irina glanced at Gu Fan and the others, secretly wondering if they’d also figured this out, which was why they chose a small number to walk in front, offering relative safety.

At that moment, Gu Fan said, "Groups of three, each group sets out with a ten-step interval. Keep the distance."

After hearing this, Irina admired Gu Fan even more. On top of thinking for himself, he didn’t forget about everyone else.

Thus, the trio of Gu Fan, Lu Yi, and Ouyang Jin took the lead, choosing the middle path. They proceeded steadily, without a hint of panic or nervousness.

As for who was the second group, Irina quickly followed with two members of the Hunter’s Guild, causing some displeasure among the others who felt the Guild was showing off.

In groups of three, setting out at intervals of ten steps, they advanced in an orderly fashion.

Some began to grumble, "Isn’t it better to have someone clear the path in front? Aren’t we safer that way?"

Others were concerned, thinking it best to keep up with Gu Fan’s pace and not fall too far behind.

After about fifteen minutes, Gu Fan, Lu Yi, and Ouyang Jin were the first to arrive at an empty space, connected by three different paths, including their own.

"Could it be that all three paths we saw earlier lead to this space?" Ouyang Jin was speechless. What did this mean?

Others also arrived one after another, then turned their admiring gazes toward Gu Fan—it turned out he had chosen correctly.

Irina came up with a stern face, "Gu Fan, you gambled right this time."

Hearing this, everyone was confused, "What do you mean, ’gambled right’? Could it be that Gu Fan randomly chose a path?"

In response, Gu Fan could only give a wry smile, "I’m sorry, everyone. I was indeed gambling. Before we set out, I didn’t know which path was safe."

"How could it be? Gu Fan, you randomly chose a path and led us on, aren’t you just setting us up?" Some people were disgruntled, but they couldn’t help but be curious, "But you still guessed right. Don’t tell me, you’re just extremely lucky, especially since you have a doomsayer by your side."

Now it was Lu Yi’s turn to explain, "The fact that the three scouts came back safe and sound proves one thing—the traps can be controlled by the artificial intelligence Xiaolan. If Xiaolan had used the traps to take out two of the scouts and only one came back, it would have told us which path was safe."

After hearing this, everyone had an epiphany. Yes, that would indeed be alarming the enemy.

Irina added, "Now, by proceeding in groups of three and keeping our distance, if something happens to the people ahead, the casualties would not be great. It also serves as a warning for everyone to retreat quickly."

"Believing that the AI sees us advancing in twos and threes, knowing she can’t annihilate all of us at once, she probably gave up on eliminating us here and let us all pass," Lu Yi had just finished speaking when the artificial intelligence Xiaolan appeared again, hands on her hips and her mouth practically pouting, clearly unpleased that her tricks had been seen through.

"Looks like I’ll have to set up the next trap with a larger coverage area. Even if you stretch the battle line, I can ensure not a single one of you escapes," Xiaolan said, looking at Lu Yi with contempt.

Gu Fan retorted, "This idea was Lu Yi’s, he was forced into it by you."

"Yes, yes, if you hadn’t made it so difficult for me, I wouldn’t have come up with such a non-solution," Lu Yi restrained himself this time, not flipping the bird but instead started to compliment, "Actually, you’re pretty good, too. If you’re willing, you could still activate traps. Even if you can’t wipe us all out, you could still kill a few."

To this, Xiaolan scoffed disdainfully, "You’re thinking too much. I just feel that since you’ve seen through it, there’s no fun in that. There’re still games to play, and I’m not in a rush."

"And also, can’t we turn enemies into friends and get along?" Lu Yi begged with a piteous face.

In response, Xiaolan snorted, "Wishful thinking. As long as you’re still breathing, I’ll fight you to the end."