Chapter 1738: Chapter 999: Strike, Rookie Host! (Part 2)
Yang Xiao smiled wryly and shook his head, knowing the other party probably wouldn’t have the opportunity.
Nevertheless, the intimidation from the wrestler wasn’t entirely useless; at least now no one dared mention fleeing again, and from the earlier confrontation, Yang Xiao confirmed that there was something wrong with the wrestler’s body. He was also an Angel Envoy and already on the brink of backlash.
Worse than Tong Han, he couldn’t completely control his own actions.
In such a way, leaving this person in the team was like having a time bomb—such a person must be excluded as early as possible.
This wasn’t out of revenge; everyone knows Yang Xiao isn’t petty.
"Is there anyone here who is still unclear about the situation, and it’s their first time coming to such a world?" the blind elder scanned the crowd.
Seeing no one respond, the blind elder took a deep breath, switching to a more friendly demeanor to soothe the group: "Don’t be afraid, since we’re here, we’re all comrades, we will help each other, if anyone doesn’t understand something, just ask directly."
Upon hearing this, three more people shakily raised their hands from the crowd.
Seeing this, Yang Xiao sighed inwardly, realizing there were a total of five newcomers in this task, hence the reason for group elimination.
Of course, whether there were imposters among these five remained unknown.
The blind elder gathered the five together, explaining the mysterious aspects of this world and the dangers present.
Upon learning there were ghosts and real deaths, it was unsurprising that Sato Shouta cried again, and the two girls were also in tears, completely overturning their common understanding.
Yang Xiao also listened from nearby, clearly aware that this old man wasn’t so kind-hearted, he was trying his best to gain the trust of these "newcomers," securing goodwill and trust in advance, to select pawns for substitute deaths.
After this session ended, it was time for introductions. Sato Shouta was the first, claiming he had no job, purely living off his parents as a rich second generation.
The other girl who tried to escape with him was named Sakurai Miyuki, working in a nail salon in the Capital City.
Takeuchi Chie was also an employee with a nine-to-five job, while Yamada Kengohei ran a small tavern, and Takagi Sayo was a violin performer.
These five were all newcomers.
Remaining were 11 old players, including Kato Atsushi, a salesman on his second Nightmare task, and Nishimura Yuna, a lactation nutritionist, on her third task.
Dark-skinned and stern-faced Mr. Heize claimed to be gang affiliated and emphasized being a cadre, this was his fourth task, Yang Xiao noticed that a segment of his left pinky was missing.
Shibuki Naoko was a historian, with a gentle and peaceful demeanor, also on her fourth task.
A middle-aged man in an old suit named Mitsuo Takeda was a police officer at the rank of police inspector, on his sixth task.
The previously engaged wrestler named Takagawa Hideji was a retired freestyle boxer, claiming this was his fifth time.
Jiu Shan Sha Yue, using the alias Aragaki Sayoko, claimed to serve at a small shrine.
This basic position and initial clergy status mainly included cleaning, guiding, and preparing ceremonies, just right for Jiu Shan Sha Yue.
Oh, this was her fourth time.
Tong Han directly admitted being from Hua Country, coming here to find friends and inadvertently getting caught up in this Nightmare task, her third time.
Beiyu Ye blatantly used his name, claiming to be a native Japan local serving as a Martial Servant Officer in a regional shrine, Yang Xiao never imagined this thick-browed, big-eyed traitor could so readily turn into a Lord.
"And you?" the blind elder turned to Yang Xiao, only he remained to introduce himself.
Yang Xiao straightened his back, righteously reporting his identity to the crowd, recently arriving in Japan and currently interning as a host at a club, with good performance soon to transition fully, and the club manager very satisfied, calling him charming and promising—a plan to groom him to be the lead host.
Oh, he used to fight underground black boxers in Hua Country, fled to Japan due to trouble, relying on his physique and sweet-talk to coax the ladies into spending lavishly.
This was also his third time.
Upon hearing this, Tong Han pursed her lips, suppressing a laugh, while Jiu Shan Sha Yue and Beiyu Ye also couldn’t help but look up to Yang Xiao—a shameless fellow.
Though hosting is a legal business in Japan, it has some gray areas, and everyone was surprised by Yang Xiao’s candor, yet doubted his capabilities instead given his appearance and figure.
The blind elder introduced himself as Qingshui Cangjie, also a gang member, this was his eighth task.
"Are you...the boss of the Qingshui Group?" hearing this, Mr. Heize cautiously verified.
Qingshui Cangjie somewhat surprised, glanced at Mr. Heize, "You know me?"
"It is the boss Qingshui, my apologies!" Mr. Heize bowed respectfully facing Qingshui Cangjie.
By Mr. Heize’s attitude, everyone could tell Qingshui Cangjie was a significant figure with weight in the gang.
"Mr. Heize, since we’ve come here, let’s put formalities aside and strive together to survive as the only way." Qingshui Cangjie stated.
"Indeed! With you here, boss Qingshui, we are much more at ease." Mr. Heize maintained his respectful demeanor.
Then under Qingshui Cangjie’s arrangements, everyone prepared to draw lots for tonight’s assignment.
A total of 16 lots, numbered from 1 to 8, each number corresponds to two lots.
Qingshui Cangjie made the lots in front of everyone, then took one from each pair of numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, keeping them, mixing the remaining 11 lots, excluding the five newcomers, leaving 11 to draw lots.
Yang Xiao drew number 7, Tong Han number 5, Beiyu Ye number 2, and Jiu Shan Sha Yue number 1.
Upon seeing the number 1, Yang Xiao and the other three secretly expressed concern, this meant Jiu Shan Sha Yue would be assigned to night duty on the first floor, either at the service desk or as a security guard.
More tragically, Yang Xiao and Tong Han were too far from the first floor to help if anything happened, they could only look to Beiyu Ye being closest to sacrifice in critical situations.
"Alright, your turn." Qingshui Cangjie placed the remaining five lots on the table, letting Sato Shouta and the five newcomers draw, watching closely.
There’s no denying Qingshui Cangjie’s arrangements were very rational, assigning these newcomers with poor mental resilience to higher floors, eliminating the thought of escaping and avoiding trouble.
Besides, evenly distributing them also aims to reduce the old players’ mortality rate as much as possible.
Soon, results came out, Sato Shouta excitedly looked at his number, also number 7, on the same floor with Yang Xiao.
"Mr. Yang, we’re together!" Sato Shouta swore this was the happiest moment for him today.
Yang Xiao didn’t speak, simply smiled back, uncertain whether this was good or bad for Sato Shouta, especially in case of an unforeseen accident, Sato Shouta would be his substitute death.
More importantly, Yang Xiao was sure he could easily get Sato Shouta to open the door.
Newcomers lack an understanding of the sheer terror of the Nightmare World, unaware of the ruthlessness living under the fear of ghosts could turn fellow survivors.
Yang Xiao didn’t like the way Sato Shouta looked at him, filled with hope and trust, but people like Sato Shouta shouldn’t have extravagant expectations—they have no hope, no path to life, they have nothing.
It’s unknown when it began, but Yang Xiao started resisting others’ trust, especially the trust of those he recently met, because trust itself signifies responsibility—he doesn’t wish to disappoint those who believe in him, even if they’re merely dead people.
