Chapter Ten: The Hunter's Game

Yes, when did we become like this?
For the sake of survival, we resort to any means, disregarding brotherhood, ignoring the lives of others—how are we any different from machines?
I cast a deep look at Dou Min, then slunk back to my seat in embarrassment.
"Wow, you’re quite a beast—a real werewolf," Li Zijian mocked me from the side.
"Very good, very good. Lin Yao is excellent. We’ll take you along for the next game," the Ghost King added fuel to the fire, making my already foul mood even worse.
"The next game will be tonight at midnight. Zhao Wenhao, Lin Yao, Zheng Xicheng, Chu Yao, and Wei Xinghe will participate."
"Wow, playing games at night—that’s a first..."
"Thank goodness I’m not chosen. In this pitch darkness, you can’t see a thing..."
"Who wants to come watch the show with me..."
"I’ll go, I’ll go!"
I knew that randomly choosing people for the game would inevitably cause unrest, but what could I do? It was utterly useless.
With that thought, I grabbed my backpack and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Li Zijian tugged at my bag.
"Just getting ready..."
Seeing I was the first to leave, the others followed suit.
"What’s going on?"
Qian Xiaozhen, the police officer, blocked the doorway and coldly addressed me.
I pointed at my phone and gave him a look; he instantly understood.
I slipped out of the classroom, planning to head home first.
"Hey!"
Someone suddenly called out to me. I turned and saw it was Zheng Xicheng.

"You were pretty impressive last time, huh? All swagger and bluster. Just wait and see."
With that, Zheng Xicheng and his cronies descended another staircase.
I knew that before a fight, threats always get thrown around, so I shouted after their retreating figures,
"Don’t let me catch you!"
Whether they heard me or not, I didn’t care, and left.
After reaching home, I took a shower, ate a bucket of instant noodles, and collapsed on the sofa, pondering my next move.
I’d heard Zhao Wenhao was Zheng Xicheng’s henchman, so the two would surely collude during tonight’s game.
Then there was the only girl, Chu Yao—our class’s model student. Her voice was lovely, her looks and figure outstanding, adored by everyone. But having her play this game would be nearly impossible.
The last was Wei Xinghe from Class Two. He seldom spoke and had no dealings with me.
As I thought, I glanced at the white stick and small stones nearby, along with the willow leaf I hadn’t used today.
I picked up the stick and stones, wondering if they were somehow connected.
No sooner had I thought this than the two stones, as if attuned to me, flickered a few times like breathing.
I was stunned by the sight, but what happened next was something I’ll never forget.
The two stones floated from my palm, hovered in midair, and before I could react, shot toward the stick, adhering firmly to its tip.
It was as if someone had placed two stones atop a stick—utterly magical.
My mouth hung open in amazement; I never imagined such fantastical things would happen to me.
I touched the stones; they felt cold, seemingly useless.
Unable to figure them out, I set them aside.
There didn’t seem to be anything else I could prepare.
I set an alarm for eleven, then lay down and fell asleep.
That night, I had yet another unusual dream.
In the darkness, a white sphere slowly rotated, with wisps of white smoke drifting from it...
Only when the alarm sounded did I awaken from the dream. This time, it felt different—I could sense I was dreaming, but somehow not.

Never mind, I glanced at the group chat: everyone was chatting idly.
I changed into black clothes and pants, didn’t take my backpack, but instead tucked the white stick and knife at my waist for easy access.
Just as I was about to head out, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Is this Lin Yao?"
"Yes."
The voice on the other end was sweet; it had to be Chu Yao, the girl chosen for tonight’s game.
"Can you help me?"
"Why me?"
"You’re kinder than the others..."
Her words left me speechless; I could only agree.
We arranged to meet at the school gate. After hanging up, I called a ride and hurried to school.
At exactly eleven thirty, I arrived. From afar, I saw a girl wearing cropped pants, flat shoes, a tight top, her hair in a ponytail, with delicate features.
"You’re early," I said, walking toward her.
"Not really. Everyone’s already here—you’re the last," Chu Yao replied, head down, softly.
As I entered the school, the gates slammed shut behind me, startling me.
"Students, you’ve heard of the game of tag, right? Tonight, we’re playing tag."
The Ghost King’s announcement was like the Book of Life and Death: it seemed someone would die tonight.
"Game rules: I will randomly select a hunter. The rest are prey. The hunter must kill a prey within half an hour. Prey cannot fight back. If the hunter fails within half an hour, he will be punished and a new hunter chosen. If the hunter succeeds, he continues as hunter. There are random tools hidden around the school, but only the hunter can open the toolboxes."
"The game begins!"