INSIDER Chapter 73-74

As soon as they decided to run, the group immediately took off at a faster speed than when they had jumped from the tree.

After several fights and flights, the group began to find their roles naturally. Ro Qi led the way, sprinting quickly ahead, while the others followed closely behind.

“Why are we running now…?” Yuan Kejie asked breathlessly after a while, still running. “I think… we should watch them a bit more… to see what they turn into… Know your enemy… and you’ll be victorious in every battle!”

7 looked back at the giant tree and calmly explained, “The first skeleton has already jumped off the tree.”

In truth, those creatures that had grown flesh could no longer be called “skeletons,” but they hadn’t come up with a better term to describe them yet.

Yuan Kejie was shocked, speaking without gasping, “Jumped off the tree? What kind of move is that?”

Lu Chu, hearing their conversation, glanced back and frowned, “They’re jumping down in our direction.”

Everyone turned to look.

The moonlight grew brighter and clearer, revealing the outline of the giant tree more distinctly. The leaves at the top began to fall, and the bizarre skeletons clinging to the trunk were fully exposed under the moonlight. Those at the top were already covered in flesh and unnaturally smooth skin, and those below began to change as well.

The crimson flesh gradually covered the white bones, making the texture and veins visible up close.

The more bones that were covered in flesh, the more the creatures’ bodies transformed into something even more grotesque. Under the moonlight, their skin seemed to glow eerily.

They leaped down from the tree, heading straight for Lu Chu and his group.

Ro Qi, despite running out of breath, still threw a disdainful look at Song Gui behind them, “Can your luck get any worse?!”

Song Gui laughed humbly, “Maybe. Want me to try again next time?”

Ro Qi rolled her eyes.

“You guys… still have the energy to joke,” Yuan Kejie wailed. “We can’t keep running all night… won’t we… die of exhaustion?”

Lu Chu’s voice was firm and reassuring, “Keep moving forward. We’ll find a way.”

Not knowing how fast those creatures could move or if they were even coming directly after them, all Lu Chu and his group could do was get as far from the giant tree as possible. Fortunately, they had already put some distance between themselves and the tree, staying within a safe range for now. But they needed to find a place to hide quickly, or they would be too exhausted to keep running.

7 glanced at Lu Chu and exchanged a reassuring smile with him.

They needed a moment to rest and regroup. If they couldn’t find one, they would have to create it themselves.

Because 7 was determined to keep Lu Chu alive until the end. Not just the end of this “round,” but the end of the “rules.”

—

Elsewhere, the first flesh-covered, centipede-like creature that had leaped down the giant tree paused and wandered near the tree, as if waiting for something.

One by one, the skeletons at the top grew flesh and leaped down, densely covering the ground below in a wave of skin tones instead of the original bone white. The visual impact of their change in color was even more grotesque. The irregular number of arms growing from human-like bodies waved in all directions, causing a sickening sight.

The first creature stood in the middle, facing the direction Lu Chu’s group had fled, seemingly watching.

—

After running for a long while and confirming nothing was immediately following them, the group finally collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.

They had expended too much energy and could only lie there, panting. Only 7’s breathing remained steady.

Yuan Kejie, recovering her breath, couldn’t help but praise, “Qi Li, what path did you take? Amazing.”

Ro Qi glanced at 7 and respectfully clasped her hands in acknowledgment.

7 simply replied, “Practice makes perfect.”

Lu Chu, looking at 7, realized more and more how many life-and-death situations 7 must have faced to hone his survival skills.

7, noticing Lu Chu’s gaze, gave a slight nod.

Lu Chu felt slightly embarrassed but returned the smile, “Let’s rest and eat something to regain our strength.”

Everyone took out their food supplies from their backpacks, shared by Lu Chu, and then set up a small campfire to eat while staying vigilant.

Yuan Kejie brushed her hair aside and said, “Honestly, it feels like we’re in a movie.”

Except, in this movie, everything—the scenes, props, enemies, and even the threat of death—was all too real.

Everyone silently agreed.

“Speaking of movies,” Song Gui thought of something and looked at the group, “Do you know what’s the scariest part of a horror movie?”

Lu Chu, glancing at 7 and the others, stoked the fire, making it burn brighter and casting a soft red glow on his face. He smiled, “I’ve heard it’s when the movie ends with the words ‘Based on a true story.'”

Song Gui nodded, “Now, we are in that most terrifying state.”

Chapter 74: The Sixth Round

“Sadly, we are now the so-called ‘true story,'” Lu Chu smiled, “And I don’t think anyone will want to adapt it.”

Song Gui shrugged, “That’s definitely not something to be happy about.”

Yuan Kejie, munching on a biscuit, said, “Honestly, if I survive, I’ll turn our glorious deeds into a novel, then a movie, and be famous forever.”

Song Gui raised an eyebrow, “Survive to where?”

Yuan Kejie ate another biscuit before continuing, “Back to where I came from, of course.”

Lu Chu looked towards 7, who was standing watch outside, leaning against a tree and keeping an eye on their surroundings. Sensing Lu Chu’s gaze, 7 turned and nodded to him. This silent exchange, this almost unspoken agreement, was their unique bond, offering reassurance.

For Lu Chu, returning to where he came from was almost impossible. The peaceful town he remembered was nothing more than an illusion, subjected to the “rules” that dictated its destruction and rebirth, like a dream collapsing when he awoke.

Lu Chu knew he had lost his way and had no idea where his path would lead. He avoided thinking about what would happen after this endless maze concluded. Maybe for others, their motivation to survive was returning to their world, where their family, friends, and familiar surroundings awaited them. But for Lu Chu, uncovering the truth behind the “rules” and the “rounds” was his goal.

Looking into 7’s determined eyes, Lu Chu felt a hint of an answer to the question he had never dared to ask: what would happen after it all ended? This vague answer stirred an emotion within him, like ripples in a clear lake, leaving a warm, tickling sensation in his heart.

This feeling might be hope.

With this thought, he smiled softly at 7.

—

Meanwhile, Yuan Kejie was already imagining a brighter future. Song Gui and the others listened for a while, but soon lost interest. Eventually, Ro Qi stood up and climbed a nearby tree to rest. Qian Zhen silently finished his food and leaned against a tree to doze off.

Song Gui laughed heartily, ignoring Yuan Kejie’s monologue, and said to Lu Chu, “Let’s rest a bit too, Lu Xiao Chu.”

Yuan Kejie threw a stone at Song Gui’s back in frustration, “You commoners.” Then she stopped talking, quickly ate her food, and found a flat spot to rest.

Lu Chu looked at the group, thinking this might make a great story.

—

Lu Chu sat down next to 7, leaning against the tree.

7 didn’t need to rest; he just stood there, vigilant, keeping an eye on the giant tree’s direction.

Those multi-armed creatures seemed invincible. As skeletons, they were already formidable, and now, covered in flesh, they looked even more fierce and grotesque.

Lu Chu closed his eyes and said quietly, “We may need to leave immediately after a short rest. The mutant skeletons could chase us at any moment.”

The others nodded or softly acknowledged, then continued to rest.

—

The night air was cool, and the moonlight was clear and bright. A faint breeze stirred Lu Chu’s hair. He frowned slightly, opening his eyes and straightening up.

He looked cautiously in the direction they had come from.

The others, sensing his alertness, immediately opened their eyes.

7 stood in front of Lu Chu, while Song Gui asked cautiously, “Are they coming?”

They all knew what he meant. To confirm, Lu Chu listened for a moment longer before quickly strapping on his backpack and saying, “We need to run. They’re coming fast.” He pointed in a direction.

Everyone quickly grabbed their backpacks and ran in the direction Lu Chu indicated.

Song Gui sighed, “We’ve been running all day.”

“And whose fault is that?!” Ro Qi rolled her eyes, “If you could find their weak spot, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

Song Gui waved his hand, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Lu Chu said, “From the sound, there’s a river ahead. We don’t know how wide it is, but it’s the safest direction, so we must swim across. Can anyone not swim?”

Ro Qi nodded, “I can swim.”

Song Gui: “Me too.”

The others confirmed as well.

“Good,” Lu Chu smiled humbly, “I can’t.”

Song Gui stumbled, nearly falling, while everyone else looked at Lu Chu in shock.

Yuan Kejie asked, “What do we do?”

Lu Chu remained calm, “Sorry, I’ll learn quickly.”

He never had the chance to learn to swim while blind. In the last round, he didn’t have time to practice this skill.

7 said softly, “I’ll teach you.”

Lu Chu nodded gratefully.

After a while, they heard the sound of the river.

Running from the edge, the clear sound of flowing water indicated it was close. Lu Chu reminded everyone to be alert and quickened their pace.

Soon, they reached the riverbank, hearing the rapid current.

—

The river was about twenty meters wide, with a strong current. Lu Chu couldn’t determine its depth.

7 took his hand and asked softly, “Are you ready?”

Lu Chu looked at the river and the dark forest on the other side. He tightened his grip on 7’s hand and nodded.

“I trust you.”

7 smiled, “Let’s go.”