Doomsday Wonderland Vol. 12: New Game Launch [Complete]

1444: What They Got From Advaita

"Ah, I see now," the volunteer outside the game said, with a tone reminiscent of an audience member who finally witnessed the conclusion of a detective film. "Since everyone has no doubts about the game's outcome, please gather at the entrance within thirty seconds after I say 'start'."

Chen Hanwu gasped. "Wait, everyone? Right now? But—"

"Don't worry. As I've explained, the Money Tree segment will only begin after you exit the mall. To provide everyone with a fair starting opportunity, everyone must head to the entrance and depart at the same time," the volunteer said. As if anticipating their questions, he added, "If you think it's safer to stay inside, I suggest you think again. Remember, you only have thirty seconds."

Thirty seconds, not enough time for Advaita to make a move and head there.

Lin Sanjiu jumped up and nudged Silvan, signaling towards his team. "Take the injured girl with you. I haven't asked—"

"Start!" the volunteer announced.

"Go!" Lin Sanjiu shouted, sprinting towards the entrance. Unexpectedly, Silvan quickly followed, as swift as a golden leopard. She caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help expressing her surprise. "What about the girl? Aren't you going to help her?"

Silvan shook his head and gestured the number "three". Lin Sanjiu remembered: the third member of their team, the round-faced girl, had not been injured. Carrying an injured person shouldn't be a problem.

Having settled his teammate, it was her turn to make things right.

"Chen Hanwu, we won't touch you," Lin Sanjiu said while running. "Just go!"

Chen Hanwu had been sincere in playing the game all this time, yet she had colluded to make him lose. She couldn't let him to be turned into a Money Tree.

"Do you mean it?" the dark-skinned young man said uncertainly. Within a few words, they were all nearing the mall's entrance. Lin Sanjiu, following his voice, could already see his silhouette. As the volunteer and the mall's entrance came into view, Chen Hanwu slowed down.

"Can't you see? From the beginning, our target has only been Advaita!"

Both she and Silvan halted their steps next to the volunteer. Just when Lin Sanjiu thought she was the first to arrive, Advaita appeared from behind the volunteer's shoulder. Even the volunteer seemed startled by Advaita's stealthy approach.

She still had that calm and cool demeanor, but there seemed to be a stiffness around her eyes and brows, suggesting concealed anger.

"Don't fight," the volunteer instructed dutifully. "Once you're in the parking lot, you can engage as you please."

A flustered Chen Hanwu arrived. He dared not approach Advaita, nor Lin Sanjiu and Silvan, choosing instead to stay on the periphery of the group. With the last footsteps, the volunteer checked his watch and nodded. "Time's up."

Silvan suddenly lunged from beside Lin Sanjiu, causing her to squint, her heart skipping a beat. He knew they couldn't start fighting yet, so why— Lin Sanjiu then realized the reason.

The round-faced girl had come empty-handed, alone.

Silvan grabbed the girl's shoulder. Lin Sanjiu couldn't see his expression since his back was to her, but the round-faced girl looked taken aback. Her face paled as she responded to Silvan's unspoken question, "I... I didn't have enough time..."

"One member of Silvan's team hasn't arrived," the volunteer said. "She will be trapped inside this mall forever."

"What do you mean?" Lin Sanjiu said. "We can go get her—"