Chapter 50: Captain's Authority

 Chapter 50: Captain's Authority 

Both Hebo and him were very proactive, setting the pace, analyzing, and taking control, as if they were the leaders of the team.

Now Hebo is dead, and the next target is undoubtedly him.

On the other side, Xishi said anxiously, "There's only one minute left, make a decision quickly. What's next? Keep your eyes closed or open them?"

Xie Lingxi hesitated slightly and suggested, "How about we vote?"

Fire Demon said loudly, "I choose to open my eyes. I don't want someone's head rolling into my arms again or having our own people's heads mysteriously taken off. By keeping our eyes open, we still have a chance to figure out the rules."

Xishi looked at Zhang Yuanqing with hope in her eyes. Seeing that he didn't speak, she said, "I also think it's better to keep our eyes open. The feeling of closing our eyes is too terrible."

Guilt-ridden as a father, Zhang Yuanqing remained silent for a few seconds, then said, "I agree..."

Xie Lingxi added, "I agree too."

Monkey King saw the situation and knew that his vote wouldn't make a difference. "It seems I have no choice."

Keep their eyes open? If the roller coaster murder rule has changed, that's fine. But if it's as I suspected, and the evildoer is the one doing the killing, have you all considered the consequences of keeping your eyes open... Zhang Yuanqing's heart sank.

He almost revealed the truth about the existence of undercover agents in the team, but Ling Realm gave a hint to hide their identities.

This was not only to protect the evildoer but also to protect the captain. After all, this wasn't a game where everyone knew there were wolves from the start and needed to find them.

Hiding their identities was obviously a balancing mechanism for the instance. Revealing it recklessly could trigger a punishment mechanism.

But he couldn't let them continue like this because he couldn't afford to lose.

He thought of a way, but the risk was significant... Zhang Yuanqing no longer hesitated and said in a deep voice, "Is there a possibility that if, I mean if... if the rule of closing our eyes hasn't changed, have you all considered the consequences? In the last round, only one Hebo died, and there are two rounds left. Even if everyone dies now, two more people will die at most. Choosing between annihilation and losing two people, do I need to say more?"

The group fell silent, and the situation became tense.

Seeing no one arguing, Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "I have another solution."

Xishi's face lit up, "What is it?"

"Select one person to stay on the platform and observe, while the others continue to keep their eyes closed on the roller coaster. This way, we have someone with eyes observing, and those on the ride don't have to take risks, avoiding the danger of a total wipeout."

The group was stunned, Fire Demon frowned, feeling annoyed, "And who's going to stay behind on the platform?"

"I have one more solution," Zhang Yuanqing said.

Xishi's face showed delight, "What is it?"

"Select one person to stay on the platform and observe, while the others continue to keep their eyes closed on the roller coaster. This way, we have someone with their eyes observing, and those on the ride don't have to take risks, avoiding the danger of total annihilation."

The group was stunned, and Fire Demon furrowed his brow tightly and said irritably, "The instance information indeed didn't say that we must experience the facility together, but it also didn't say we can do this. You should know that this means there are risks."

Ling Realm won't explicitly tell you all the rules and let you proceed step by step; it's not that easy. For example, the information given is to team up, but it won't tell you what happens if you don't team up. Maybe it's okay, or maybe leaving the team means death.

"I know," Zhang Yuanqing said slowly, "So I will take on this risk and stay behind."

After saying that, he stared at his teammates intently. At this moment, whoever opposes his plan might be the murderer.

"I have no objections."

"I don't have any objections either."

"Young man, we rely on you."

"Wang Tai, be careful."

No one opposed.

The murderer is smarter than I expected... Zhang Yuanqing sighed helplessly in his heart as he loosened his seatbelt and stepped out of the roller coaster.

If there is a risk in staying behind, then the murderer can effectively kill two people in this round. In a situation where most people agreed, going with the flow was a wise move, so the murderer is very clever.

But for Zhang Yuanqing, staying on the roller coaster would mean certain death.

At this moment, the countdown ended, and the roller coaster at the bottom made a "thud" sound and slowly started moving.

Zhang Yuanqing was tense all over, alert to any possible danger around him while keeping a sharp eye on the slow climbing roller coaster.

Sound couldn't give feedback, but the visual images could. As long as the murderer dared to kill, he would immediately trigger his old illness and expose the culprit.

He didn't believe that the murderer could kill with just thoughts, as it wouldn't fit the balance mechanism.

The roller coaster reached the peak and suddenly rushed downward, experiencing free fall, and Xishi on the ride let out a short scream again.

"Rumble..."

Under Zhang Yuanqing's gaze, the roller coaster raced on the undulating steel track. Two minutes later, it slowed down and returned to the platform.

As soon as the roller coaster stopped, the members on board immediately opened their eyes, looking around nervously.

"No one died, no one died this time..." Xishi exclaimed in surprise.

The others showed joy on their faces, and the tense expressions relaxed.

Xie Lingxi blinked her beautiful eyes and asked with a smile, "Did you observe anything?"

The team members immediately looked at Zhang Yuanqing with expectant eyes.

As expected, the one killing isn't the rule; it's the murderer... Zhang Yuanqing hinted subtly to his teammates.

Since the rule of keeping their eyes closed hasn't changed, then how did Hebo die? Use your brains and think about it.

Upon hearing this, the team members fell silent, deep in thought. In the next five minutes, they remained unusually quiet, with no communication or discussion. Then, under Zhang Yuanqing's gaze, they completed the third round.

"Phew, it's over..."

Xishi couldn't wait to undo her seatbelt, jumped out of the roller coaster with long strides, and escaped. Zhang Yuanqing glanced at her and, after the rest of the team left the roller coaster, smiled happily, "It's my turn now. Please wait here for a moment."

...........

The roller coaster slowed down and stopped on the rooftop platform. Zhang Yuanqing unfastened his seatbelt and joined the other waiting teammates. Stepping on the concrete ground, he suddenly felt a sense of relief and exhaustion as if he had just survived a great calamity.

Finally, they completed an amusement ride, losing only one teammate, which was still within a manageable range. Sigh, it was so close to total annihilation; it was too difficult, this S-class mission is too difficult... Zhang Yuanqing felt mentally exhausted.

When he saw the exhausted expressions on his teammates' faces, he felt more balanced.

At this moment, Zhang Yuanqing received a prompt in his mind from the instance:

【You have completed the starting mission (Roller Coaster). You have successfully activated the "Heart-Pounding" mission series. The facilities in this series are: Roller Coaster - Underground Parking Lot - Haunted House (Dark Marriage) - Detective Deduction Hall. Please proceed to the second location within half an hour.】

Haunted, Haunted House... Upon hearing the prompt in his mind, Zhang Yuanqing's face stiffened instantly. Xie Lingxi, Xishi, the middle-aged man, Fire Demon, and Monkey King, their smiling expressions faded gradually.

The roller coaster was a part of the "Heart-Pounding" series, and it contains a Haunted House!! Zhang Yuanqing turned to look at the little girl with long black hair.

At the same time, he received another prompt in his mind:

【Ding, you have successfully led the team to complete a mission. You have one opportunity to exercise the captain's authority. Please point out the evildoer hidden among your teammates, and the designated individual will face elimination!】

【If no decision is made within thirty seconds, it will be considered as giving up this opportunity.】

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