"FUCK, another lunatic," Qiao Jiajin spat on the ground. "I feel like we'll all go crazy if we stay here for too long."

Qi Xia was annoyed by the old man's behavior.

"Are you okay, Qi Xia?" Lin Qin asked from the side.

"I'm fine," Qi Xia calmed himself. "These people can't stop me. I'm going to participate in the 'game.' You don't have to come with me."

"I'll go with you," Lin Qin said. "No matter what 'game' you're participating in, I'll go with you."

Upon hearing this, Qi Xia slowly stopped in his tracks. He turned around and looked at Lin Qin with a cold gaze.

This gaze was particularly icy, which frightened Lin Qin.

"W-What's wrong?"

"Lin Qin, what's your motive?"

"Motive?" Lin Qin asked in confusion. "Do I need a motive?"

Qi Xia stared into Lin Qin's eyes again and said, "Why did you approach me? No matter how I think about it, you should be with another group, right? The three of us and you are not on the same path, and we shouldn't be companions."

Upon hearing Qi Xia's question, Lin Qin simply smiled and said, "I've said it before, I'm interested in you. I want to know what you're thinking."

"I want to get out," Qi Xia said without hesitation. "I've said it many times. I want to go out and see my wife. She can't be without me. Do you understand?"

Lin Qin blinked and replied, "I understand."

"My wife's name is Yu Nian'an. She has suffered for me and endured hardships for me. She is my entire thought in this life. That's why I want to go back and find her. That's my whole idea. Is it clear enough?"

"Clear enough."

"Now that you know what I'm thinking, aren't you going to leave?" Qi Xia said coldly.

Lin Qin lowered her head slightly and thought for a long time before answering, "I'm sorry, for certain reasons, I still can't leave."

Qi Xia frowned and looked at Lin Qin. Although he didn't sense any danger or lies from her, he still couldn't see through Lin Qin's intentions.

"Suit yourself..." Qi Xia couldn't convince this woman, so he turned around and continued walking forward.

Qiao Jiajin followed Qi Xia and said, "Kid, we made a deal. You have brains, and I have strength. Let's cooperate."

"Do you have a reason to leave as well?"

To read the uncut version, go to [p𝘢wread.com].

"Yes." Qiao Jiajin nodded. "Although I don't want to die, I also don't want to sit and wait for death."

"Cooperation is not a problem, but let me make it clear first." Qi Xia glanced at Qiao Jiajin and continued, "We have no prior relationship. If there's only one person who can leave in the end, I won't hesitate to abandon you."

"You... Are you really that heartless?" Qiao Jiajin shook his head helplessly. "You're really unlikeable."

Upon hearing the conversation, Tian Tian silently lowered her head.

Each person seemed to have a clear goal.

But compared to them, what was she doing?

Suppose she really overcame all obstacles and left this haunted place.

Suppose she really returned to the real world and resumed her original life. Then she would once again live a dull life, embracing those filthy old men with enthusiasm.

In that case... "dying here" might not be a bad ending.

"What's wrong, Tian Tian?" Lin Qin asked.

"It's nothing."

Leaving the square, the group arrived at a street on the other side.

This street was different from the one with the convenience store. It seemed to be filled with small residential houses, with low and short buildings arranged in a staggered manner. It was unknown if anyone lived here.

After walking a few steps, the four of them saw another animal mask.

The person was standing at the entrance of an old room, with hands behind their back.

Qi Xia walked straight towards them.

Upon getting closer, they realized that this person was wearing a huge rat mask, emitting an unpleasant smell. However, this person had a small and thin figure, not as strong as the animal masks they had seen before.

Qiao Jiajin asked, "Rat of Human, right?"

The rat-headed person finally noticed the four people in front of them and smiled. They said, "I'm not the 'Rat of Human,' I'm the 'Rat of Human.'"

Her voice was pleasant, indicating that she was a girl.

This should be the first time the group encountered a woman under an animal mask.

"Damn it, you're really pushing it..." Qiao Jiajin said irritably, "I don't care what you are."

"The Rat of Human is the Rat of Human. It'll be troublesome if you get it wrong," the girl giggled and said, "It's rare for someone to visit me. Do you want to participate in the 'test'?"

Qi Xia looked at the house behind the Rat of Human and asked her, "What are the rules?"

"A test for rodents. One 'path' for a ticket," the Rat of Human, like a patient salesperson, gently introduced to the group, "It's hard for you to find a test with such low difficulty in other districts."

"So, what game is behind you?" Qi Xia asked again.

The Rat of Human turned around, pushed open the door, and walked in. It was a small warehouse."My game is called 'Warehouse Seeker'. There is a 'Path' in this room now. It is limited to one person to enter. If you find the 'Path' within five minutes, you win, and the 'Path' is yours."

Qi Xia felt something was off, so he asked, "What if we can't find it?"

"Can't find it?" Rat of Human chuckled, "If you can't find it... your ticket is voided, and you lose a 'Path'."

"Lose a 'Path'?" Qi Xia was taken aback, "Just like that?"

"What else could it be?" Rat of Human looked at Qi Xia with confusion.

What was going on?

Qi Xia furrowed his brows and thought carefully. A ticket was a 'Path', winning would gain a 'Path', losing would lose a 'Path'.

This game was discordant. It sounded like it wouldn't gain more 'Paths', nor would it result in death.

If so, what was the purpose of participating in these games?

"Isn't this a good opportunity?" Tian Tian said, "We can take this chance to participate and better understand our situation."

"But..." Qi Xia was still somewhat doubtful. What would winning this game signify?

"I can try first." Tian Tian turned back to Qi Xia and said, "It doesn't matter if I die."

"What kind of talk is that?" Lin Qin felt that Tian Tian's state was a bit off.

"Really." Tian Tian said calmly, "I just realized, whether I go out or not, there's no difference."

With that, she asked Qi Xia for a 'Path', and handed it to Rat of Human.

"Is this okay?" Tian Tian asked.

"Yes, I've received the 'Ticket'. The game will start as soon as you enter the room." Rat of Human nodded enthusiastically, "I'll reiterate the rules of the game. There is a 'Path' in this room now. If you find it and bring it out within five minutes, the 'Path' is yours."

"Okay, I understand." Tian Tian nodded again.

"Are you ready?" Rat of Human asked.

"I'm ready." Tian Tian nodded.

"Very well." Rat of Human said, "The game begins, good luck."

With that, he closed the door.