Pass, pass!
“Time’s up.”
The fat guard slammed his spear down onto the ground with a bang. Hearing the noise, everyone immediately looked up, their expressions mostly filled with confusion and uncertainty. They glanced at the fat guard and then quickly at the people around them. On some faces that were clearly less fat than others, a shade of iron color had already appeared, trembling slightly.
Xiong Jiabao also raised his head, scanning the others, but his attention remained fixed on the fat guard.
With a wave of his hand, the fat guard suddenly summoned a dense array of ropes from the ceiling, three corresponding to each seat, their ends hanging just above their heads, brushing lightly against their hair, swaying gently.
The dozens of fat people in the room were puzzled and looked up at the ropes, only to see them suddenly come to life, slithering down like snakes. One wrapped around their waists, another coiled around their thighs, and the last formed a golden hoop, tightening around their heads.
“What the hell is this?”
“What are they trying to do? Are they going to hang us?!”
Unease filled everyone’s hearts, and scattered questions arose, lacking confidence. But the fat guard ignored them, changing his gesture and thrusting the spear heavily into the ground again. The bang sounded like a signal, and the ropes began to move again, slowly tightening.
Xiong Jiabao was not spared either. He felt the rope around his waist tightening more and more. Even with the inflatable outer skin, he was nearly gasping for air. The realistic swimming ring was pressed deeply into his flesh, leaving a mark until the rope could no longer tighten. Xiong Jiabao’s face turned red, nearly fainting, when suddenly it loosened, and he was yanked back up to the ceiling.
The ropes around his thighs and head loosened, although they still dug into his flesh, they were much looser compared to before.
Xiong Jiabao had been worried that the outer skin would burst and expose him, so he stubbornly held back his voice. However, the others had no such concerns, and painful groans rose and fell!
These fat people had long been burdened by their own flesh, making it difficult to move, let alone resist. When faced with danger, they could only sit and wait for death. Although the outlines of humanity were still vaguely visible, they were no different from pigs ready for slaughter.
Xiong Jiabao watched this scene, feeling a chill in his heart.
It was not sympathy for these people; they were merely NPCs, not deserving of sympathy. He was afraid because he saw his own reflection in them.
In the eyes of others, did he look the same as them? Like a pig, oblivious to its impending doom, gorging itself, waiting to be slaughtered?
He couldn’t help but shiver. Just then, the remaining two ropes finished measuring and rose back to the ceiling, disappearing from sight. He looked up and saw the fat guard with a serious expression, his hands moving, muttering something. Soon, the vanished ropes reappeared abruptly above him, swirling around his head, forming a peculiar tornado.
Upon closer inspection, each rope varied slightly in length; some were longer, some shorter. The fat guard stared intently at the snake-like, entwined ropes, then pinched his fingers and pulled out the longest one, holding it in his hand.
The magic faded, and the other ropes lost their life, all falling to the ground.
The fat guard didn’t even glance down, waving his hand again, and another batch of ropes flew up, spinning and gliding in the air, constantly comparing their lengths. Some were particularly short and were knocked to the ground by other ropes before the fat guard could handle them.
This batch of ropes was clearly shorter than the previous ones; they were likely the ones measured for their leg circumference.
Xiong Jiabao was almost entranced. He had never seen anyone use magic. Even though he had entered this utterly unscientific game and encountered ghosts, he had never seen magic so fantastical. It was truly eye-opening!
Of course, he was able to enjoy this spectacle because he felt secure. The others were not as confident, especially those around Xiong Jiabao, who turned to look at his size, feeling the urge to flee. However, their large bodies pressed down on their legs, making it impossible to run…
The fat guard picked out another rope.
The third batch was even shorter; this was the one measured for head circumference. The others realized the fat guard’s intention and held their breath nervously, some even clasping their hands in prayer, desperately hoping to be the last victor.
Xiong Jiabao’s heart also hung in the balance. He had no issues with his body; thanks to the inflatable skin, he had successfully inflated his size enough to crush everyone. But his head was the one thing he couldn’t disguise. To avoid looking too out of place, he had been eating vigorously these past few days, trying to make his head appear larger.
The results were decent, but if only looking at his head, there were still a few others in the room whose heads were comparable to his, even slightly surpassing him. Xiong Jiabao did not have absolute confidence in victory.
However, from another perspective, he was fortunate to have made some progress. If he had been complacent upon receiving that item and had not continued to eat to fatten his face and head, he would have discovered a significant discrepancy between his body and head measurements during the measurement, and he would undoubtedly have been exposed.
There were no bugs to exploit; he could not let his guard down for a moment.
This game had laid a web of traps, meticulously designed to send chills down one’s spine.
The fat guard selected the last rope and then placed the three side by side, checking the numbers attached to the other end. He raised his head, his gaze landing accurately on Xiong Jiabao. Seeing him staring nervously, not daring to blink, the fat guard smiled at him, causing Xiong Jiabao’s heart to stop.
“Number one hundred,” the fat guard called out loudly, “what’s your name?”
“Xiong, Xiong Jiabao…” Xiong Jiabao was overjoyed and quickly reported his name.
“Come with me.” The fat guard waved at him and then walked out of the room.
Xiong Jiabao naturally wanted to hurry and follow, but his body was too heavy, and even standing up from the chair was a struggle. How could he keep up? Fortunately, the fat guard quickly realized this and turned back, waving his spear at Xiong Jiabao. Suddenly, Xiong Jiabao felt his body lighten, and he floated up with difficulty. However, perhaps the fat guard’s magic was insufficient, or perhaps he was just too heavy; he did not leave the ground immediately, only lifting his buttocks a centimeter off the chair, swaying precariously, almost falling back down.
The fat guard raised his hand to adjust his helmet, leaned in to check Xiong Jiabao’s body, muttering something under his breath. The spear whirled like a fan, and Xiong Jiabao was suddenly propelled into the air.
The sudden sensation of weightlessness hit him, and unable to maintain his balance, Xiong Jiabao flipped in the air, his head accidentally crashing down. His head throbbed painfully, but the fat guard nodded in satisfaction, spear in hand, exiting the room. Xiong Jiabao felt as if an invisible string was pulling him, and he involuntarily floated outside.
Looking down, Xiong Jiabao abandoned the thought of calling the fat guard to help him correct his posture. The only thought in his mind was to get out quickly; otherwise, those fat people left behind could devour him with their eyes!
He moved his limbs and quickly slipped out the door, leaving only half a foot still inside.
Suddenly, a frenzied, high-pitched scream erupted from within, the stench of blood so thick it seemed to dye the air red. Xiong Jiabao dared not look back, pushing off with all his strength to completely exit the room. The door closed behind him, sealing off the tragedy.
Although he had passed this stage, just thinking about how he almost became one of them sent chills down Xiong Jiabao’s spine, a wave of fear washing over him.
The fat guard leisurely led him to stand before the gluttonous demon lord.
Seeing the gluttonous demon lord again, Xiong Jiabao had almost transformed, but the demon lord had not changed much, still eating incessantly. His body was slightly fatter than before, but it was not very noticeable.
The gluttonous demon lord swallowed what was in his mouth, glanced at Xiong Jiabao, took another bite of beef, and mumbled through his food, “This is more like it; you passed!”
Xiong Jiabao let out a long breath.
……
When Li Yougen was brought back before the jealous demon lord, he had completely lost his mind. His clothes were tattered, the expensive white shirt almost torn into shreds, his body covered in dirt and filth. He clutched a blood-stained chainsaw, its sharp spikes still clinging to bits of flesh and bone. His eyes bulged, bloodshot, and as he staggered forward, he looked like a deranged killer.
“Sir, he actually completed the mission!” The short, fat guard knelt before the jealous demon lord, disbelief written all over his face. “The killer axe Houston, Edward Scissorhands, the chainsaw demon Gaine… all were killed by him. Additionally, there was Eagle Claw Xico and…”
The short, fat guard reported a string of names, “These five people are also dead; he exceeded the mission!”
The jealous demon lord sat high on his throne, cradling a delicate, beautiful maid in his arms, carefully observing Li Yougen. Initially, he was somewhat pleased when the fat guard mentioned the completion of the mission, but as he listened further, his brows gradually furrowed…
“Now that’s commendable courage…” he said, his tone trailing off with an ambiguous note, his eyes revealing no emotion.
Li Yougen glanced at him, then suddenly threw the chainsaw away, as if waking from a nightmare, just realizing what he had done. He crouched down, holding his head, and began to cry uncontrollably!
“I, I killed someone! I killed someone! Ahhh! Help! Help!”
The short, fat guard was startled by him, looking at him in confusion, unable to understand how Li Yougen, who had just been so imposing, suddenly broke down like this. Hadn’t he already killed people? Eight at once, no less! Even he had been shocked; this guy had been terrifyingly calm the whole way through. Why was he only breaking down now?
Was his reflex arc too long?
The short, fat guard blinked and suddenly looked at the jealous demon lord on the high seat, noticing that the demon lord seemed to relax his brows, even revealing a hint of a smile at Li Yougen’s cowardice.
He suddenly realized, his cheeks twitching slightly. Just as he was about to remind the lord, a sudden sweetness of chocolate filled his mouth. Remembering the previous chocolate bars, he hesitated for a moment and ultimately chose to remain silent.
“Alright, don’t be afraid. You completed the mission; I agree to let you join. Phis, take him down,” the jealous demon lord softened his voice.
“Yes!” The short, fat guard bowed deeply, then stood up, turned around, and, with his back to the jealous demon lord, gave Li Yougen a suggestive wink. “Come with me!”
Li Yougen covered his face, his head bowed, looking both timid and ridiculous, trembling as he followed Phis out of the hall, almost tripping along the way.
However, in his unseen eyes, there was nothing but numbness and cruelty; there was no trace of fear left.
—Once hands are stained with blood, they can never be washed clean.
