Chapter 100: Saya, Conflict, and the Hunter's Death

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Her long hair reached down to her waist, flowing white robes billowing softly, barefoot all the way, with a gentle smile. The mysterious girl Saya, with her sleek black hair and white dress, was accompanied by a massive white hound that had appeared without anyone noticing. Together, they gave off an aura of extreme purity.

This pairing brought a soothing balm to the other contestants’ hearts. Even Makoto Ito felt a mischievous impulse, as if wanting to pin her beneath him.

However, among them, one person stood out in stark discord.

That was Hao Ren, his jacket soaked with cold sweat.

Hao Ren was cunning and knowledgeable; his otaku expertise far surpassed Makoto Ito’s shallow fascination with merely attractive humans.

The girl with two strands of hair fluttering behind her like wings was named Saya—the heroine of the “Saya’s Song” dimension, a demonic goddess capable of making the entire world bloom.

Why would such a formidable character appear in a low-level player’s dungeon?!

Wait, was she even a player? What was the mastermind thinking?

Noticing Hao Ren skulking along the corridor wall, Saya cast a pitying yet extraordinarily beautiful smile toward our hapless protagonist, drawing the scornful glares of the other men.

If Hao Ren hadn’t earlier absorbed the battle memories of Phantom Sea, he’d probably have wet himself by now.

Back then, he’d immersed himself too deeply in “Saya’s Song,” leaving haunting scars from its grotesque scenes.

No! I must stay calm! Calm!

Hao Ren hypnotized himself, spiraling into mental chaos, becoming one of those who frequently pressed “XX” in panic.

His trembling legs made it impossible to walk upright, so the giant white dog carried him forward by his collar all the way.

“Little White, you can’t eat that big brother, or you’ll get a strange illness, and your crotch will itch,” the smiling girl taunted relentlessly.

“Who the hell are you calling the source of STDs!” The man’s fury instantly overcame his fear; Hao Ren angrily slapped the dog’s head and dodged aside.

His little companion had never been corrupted—how could it suffer such humiliation?

The suddenly attacked Little White was furious, crouching low on all fours, baring its teeth in a battle stance. Its whole body writhed, emitting a surreal pink glow.

Hao Ren wouldn’t back down either; he crouched, fists clenched, enveloped in a white aura—his “Entanglement” technique forming a protective shield.

Most contestants knew at least a little about Nen abilities; some had even trained in them.

Judging by Musashi and Yano’s wary expressions, they likely regarded Hao Ren as a genuine opponent.

“Sure enough, a nen beast! And quite intelligent! If she hadn’t mastered Nen early on, she probably devoured the unlucky Nen-using contestants in the previous two tests,” Hao Ren’s eyes scanned around as his mind raced.

The girl licked her lips, pure yet enticing, stirring Makoto Ito’s dark desires.

But Hao Ren seemed to hear the wailing of lost souls at her lips.

This strange intuition was a trait of the Lingguang Wave Technique.

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How many people had this girl consumed to attain such formidable Nen powers?

Saya, if you’re this strong, does your family know?

“This narrow corridor is probably disadvantageous to me. Then, strike first!” Hao Ren positioned his right hand’s index and middle fingers like a sword pointing at his nose, beginning to chant silently.

“Darkness, annihilation, blazing purge...” Fifteen sacred words, tangible as if encircling his sword-like fingers.

A surge of Nen whipped up fierce winds, causing the watching contestants to retreat.

Thankfully, this wasn’t hostile Nen aimed at them; otherwise, several would have fallen.

“What an astonishing amount of Nen! He was still a rookie who didn’t even understand Nen in the previous two tests,” Director Riber, overseeing dozens of surveillance screens during the third phase, crushed his documents in disbelief.

“Hmm? What is that Nen?” Irumi and Xiso, assigned together for the challenge, looked up simultaneously.

Nearby, a twisted body pierced with countless rounded pins was casually tossed aside.

Xiso glanced at Irumi, who shook his head, indicating ignorance.

“This Nen... resembles that of the old lady who once dealt me a heavy blow,” Xiso pondered.

In terms of sheer Nen volume, Hao Ren now wielded nearly half his peak at Phantom Scar—a terrifying figure nearly rivaling Xiso’s current total Nen.

That previous life was not lost in vain.

The white giant dog opposite staggered back two steps, instincts telling it that one touch from those sword-like fingers would be fatal.

Indeed, Hao Ren was now deploying “Radiant Purification Curse,” an ability capable of dispelling others’ Nen beasts, Nen energy, and Nen weapons—a so-called Nen removal technique.

As a Nen beast, Little White could not help but fear it.

“Little White, stop!” The girl’s gentle command halted the dog’s transformation, returning it to her side.

“Reminder: If any team members are lost, you cannot proceed,” Director Riber seized the moment to reiterate the rules, urging restraint.

“That’s right! You two, don’t act rashly. Isn’t it better to get along? What do you all think?” Sensing tension, Dongba stepped forward to mediate.

Makoto Ito was the first to nod in agreement; others gradually showed friendlier expressions.

Whether sincerity or pretense was another matter.

The girl cast a deep glance at Hao Ren and led the way forward.

Hao Ren retracted his Nen from his fingers back into his body, controlling it with ease—a hallmark of the Lingguang Wave Technique.

Their rivalry was sealed.

After some walking, the nine arrived at a spacious room. In the center stood a round table surrounded by nine plush armchairs, each numbered.

“Welcome to the game room. Please sit in the seat matching your number. You must complete a cooperative game; otherwise, the door to the next passage will not open,” Director Riber’s voice echoed once more.

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One by one, they took their places.

The nine were spaced neither too far nor too close, allowing clear views of everyone’s expressions. Each had a deeply recessed screen before them, hidden from others’ sight. To the side of each screen were nine buttons, their functions unknown.

“Now, let me introduce the game you will play next.”

“Hunter’s Kill.”

Hunter’s Kill:

Nine participants divided into two teams: Assassins and Merchants.

The Assassin team consists of two assassins who know each other’s identities and work together to eliminate the Merchants. Each night, they jointly select one character to assassinate.

The Hunter is one player who can protect one character per night from assassination but cannot protect the same person two nights in a row, nor themselves.

The Seer can divine the identity of one character each night.

The Doctor holds one poison and one antidote. When a team member is eliminated, the Doctor may use the antidote to revive someone or poison to kill a character. Both items can only be used once, and not simultaneously. The Doctor may poison or heal themselves.

The Merchant team consists of four members: the smooth operators.

The game alternates between day and night phases.

During the day, the Exile Council votes to banish one suspected Assassin. Each meeting lasts five minutes, after which all discussion is forbidden. If a tie occurs, a one-minute extended discussion is held. The player with the highest votes is banished.

At night, Assassins choose one Merchant to assassinate; the Seer divines one player’s identity; the Hunter protects one; Merchants can vote on a suspect.

When the numbers of Assassins and Merchants become equal, Assassins win. If all Assassins are eliminated, Merchants win.

Currently, contestants have 68 hours, 24 minutes, and 31 seconds left to clear the tower. They may wager up to 60 hours to participate in the game. All participants must first pay 10 hours, which are stored in the central device.

When a player is banished or poisoned, they must pay 20 hours forcibly. Upon victory, the winning team splits the stored time evenly; the losing team loses 50% of their remaining wagered time.

Those who lose time are forced to rest in single rooms within the tower. Only after their time is replenished can they attempt the tower again.

If players choose to continue to a second round after the first game ends, a vote can be held. The majority rules. Players opting in must pay their remaining wagered time.

This game tests participants’ eloquence, reasoning, and psychological resilience. No special abilities or violence are allowed. Any rule violations result in immediate failure.

“The rules are now explained. The first round officially begins.”

The screens flickered to life.