INSIDER Chapter 68

Before the sky had completely darkened, the group quickly overcame numerous obstacles and was about to reach the tower.

Lu Chu couldn’t help but think that if this was just the standard level of the game, requiring such frantic running, he couldn’t imagine how they would handle it with increased difficulty.

As they got closer to their target, they could vaguely see through the trees and buildings the open door of the nearby tower. The tall, black tower seemed to have some sort of enchantment; even though monsters roamed aimlessly around it, they wouldn’t enter through the door.

“Come on, guys, just a little faster, we’re almost there!” Song Gui shouted encouragingly as he kicked away a monster lunging at him.

After the frantic run and breakout, 7, Luo Qi, and Qian Zhen appeared more relaxed compared to the others. 7’s breathing was even steady. Song Gui and Lu Chu had a thin layer of sweat on their foreheads but seemed unfazed. Only Yuan Kejie was panting heavily and drenched in sweat, but she didn’t say a word, determined not to slow the others down, giving it her all to keep running.

Calmly directing the group, Lu Chu finally led them to the front of the tower.

7 and Luo Qi swiftly dealt with the monsters near the tower, then guarded the entrance as the others went through. Once the rearguard, Qian Zhen, rushed into the tower, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Inside the tower was eerily quiet, completely isolating the chaotic roars of the monsters outside. Despite the door being open, no sound penetrated. The group stood catching their breath.

As they rested, the door of the tower slowly closed, and in the center, a table with six chairs gradually rose.

Seeing this, Lu Chu looked at 7.

At the start of this “game,” there had been only five chairs. Now there was an additional one, likely due to 7’s specific “rules.” As expected, being part of the top ten rules seemed to grant more privileges.

The group exchanged glances before placing their backpacks down and taking seats.

Once seated, the middle of the table began to sink, revealing a square game board with various floating icons and symbols above it. Simultaneously, a die appeared next to each of them.

Song Gui, recovering from earlier, picked up his die and said, “Luo Qi already rolled. Who’s next?”

Knowing this game round didn’t involve her, Luo Qi took out a whetstone and began sharpening her shovel.

The others looked at each other in silence.

This life-sized board game had fifty-two squares, each more densely packed with dark icons as they progressed.

Rolling now was different from the first time—everyone knew a die had six faces. Initially, a roll would likely land on one of the first six squares, with only the second square showing a skull. The rest were ordinary.

Currently, they were in the third square area. From the fourth square onward, the next six squares were labeled: one, two, and three were ordinary, the fourth had a pink heart, the fifth had two skulls, and the sixth had one skull.

Yuan Kejie asked, “A skull indicates a dangerous event. What about two? What’s the difference?”

Lu Chu succinctly replied, “The difference between normal difficulty and hell difficulty.”

Yuan Kejie looked at her die, worried, “Let’s not…”

They wanted to roll far to reduce the number of turns but also avoid dangerous spots.

Qian Zhen suggested, “Roll a four?”

Lu Chu studied the board, then said, “Actually, rolling a four is a good choice, but I think it’s best to roll a six. While a six has a skull, the later squares are more densely packed with danger, some forming continuous lines. This means we’ll inevitably land in danger zones later, so encountering one now can serve as practice.”

He added, “But let’s avoid hell-level danger for now. So, rolling four or six is best, even one, two, or three, as long as we avoid five.”

7 nodded in agreement.

Song Gui rested his chin on his hand, “So, who’s rolling?”

Lu Chu suggested, “Draw straws.”

The group agreed.

Lu Chu took out several wooden sticks, tying a string to the end of one, then shook them in a cylinder.

Excluding Luo Qi, the five drew sticks, with Song Gui drawing the one with the string.

Song Gui smiled, tossing and catching the die, “Here I go.”

He threw the die.

It clattered on the table, rolling and spinning.

Everyone held their breath, watching intently. Even Luo Qi paused her sharpening, her face serious.

The die finally stopped.

Yuan Kejie gasped.

Song Gui leaned back, smiling bitterly, “Well, that’s rough.”

Luo Qi snorted, “Loser.”

Lu Chu, seeing the five, sighed, “Feels like hitting the jackpot.”