The experiences of the three teams were now clear to everyone.
Winifred's gaze swept across the faces of the group. "I think everyone has probably guessed it by now. Those things that attacked us are most likely the former victims of this camp."
Hearing the words "former victims," the players' expressions darkened once more.
After all, according to the instance background the slovenly man had told them, there were over ten thousand victims on this island!
Over ten thousand supernatural beings...
"They don't actually want to kill us; they just want to drive us away," Daisy said calmly, arms crossed. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have survived until now."
Gessalin chimed in, "And the eliminated players haven't died."
In an instance, failure usually only comes with death.
"So here's the question," Winifred said with a slight frown. "Why do they want us to leave?"
"Perhaps because we are nuisances," Yurien murmured, toying with his silver coin. "Our intrusion has disturbed their eternal slumber."
The group fell silent for a moment.
What an impeccable reason.
To the supernatural beings within the camp, they were indeed a bunch of unwelcome guests.
"However..." Winifred chuckled lightly. "I don't think that's the real reason."
If it were that simple, things would be easy. But they were currently participating in a mixed-team competition.
"So there must be something else we've overlooked," Daisy said thoughtfully, tapping her finger lightly on her arm. "The reason they're trying to drive us away might be the key to this instance."
"Before the second round of challenges begins, we should take the opportunity to search this camp more thoroughly," Winifred suggested after a moment of contemplation. "We might have missed some useful information."
Kuxia suddenly shook her head. "I don't think we need to continue with these so-called challenges."
After all, from the current perspective, the show/production team's challenges seemed to do nothing but further enrage the supernatural beings, offering no help in clearing the instance.
"Not necessarily," Winifred said, pointing meaningfully towards the surveillance camera in the corner. "The fact that we can still stand here right now is precisely because we are still participating in this 'challenge.'"
Kuxia was taken aback for a second before understanding dawned on her.
Right. The only reason they could enter this camp was because the show/production team needed to record their challenge content to attract viewers.
Seeing that she had grasped the point, Winifred continued, "Okay, everyone. The camp is large. Let's try not to spread out too much."
Then, his tone grew slightly more serious.
"For now, cooperation comes first."
——
The makeshift medical station was situated far from the bonfire and main activity areas. A sign crudely cut from waterproof tarp hung outside the tent, bearing the hastily scrawled characters for "Medical Station."
The interior was spartan, almost hastily arranged. The three eliminated players lay side by side on a few camp beds.
Buriman casually stopped a passing medical staff member. "Forgive my rudeness, but could you spare a moment? I'd like to inquire about the condition of those three contestants inside."
The person, once stopped, showed no displeasure and instead nodded. "Of course. What would you like to know?"
Buriman's gaze fell on Dana. "It's been quite a considerable amount of time. Has the first contestant who was brought here still not regained consciousness?"
The medical staff member shook his head regretfully. "No, they haven't. Their bodily functions are intact, but their consciousness is in a deep state of slumber. Conventional methods cannot wake them."
"To be more precise," he paused, seeming to choose his words carefully, his voice lowering slightly, "it's more like their consciousness is trapped by something, making it very difficult for them to break free and become alert."
Buriman noticed a hint of worry between the man's brows and understood that he too had likely heard stories about this island and was feeling apprehensive.
"I see. Thank you for your explanation."
After watching the medical staff member leave, he walked to the bedside, leaned over, and observed the state of the three with bated breath.
Just as the man had said, their chests rose and fell rhythmically, their skin tone was normal, even somewhat ruddy, as if they were immersed in an extremely peaceful dream.
After observing for a while, Buriman straightened up and left the tent.
In his view, these three were already finished.
So what if they weren't dead? Lying there half-alive was no different from being dead.
Suddenly, his footsteps halted.
"Hmm?" Buriman looked towards the shore not far away, where the boat they had arrived in was quietly moored.
He stared at it for a long moment, murmuring softly, "The boat?"
...
[Our Bear Nation player won't fall like this! Polina will definitely stand up again! (ip Bear Nation)]
[Hey, looks like your warrior decided to hibernate at the worst possible time (ip Cross Nation)]
[Shut your mouth, you despicable scum! She will wake up! (ip Bear Nation)]
[Need to lend you a pillow? Looks like she's sleeping pretty soundly (ip Cross Nation)]
[By the Mother River, please bless your child, let him awaken! (ip White Elephant Nation)]
[The souls of us White Elephant Nation people have been baptized by holy water, pure and clear, unsuited for this filthy game (ip White Elephant Nation)]
[Your holy water? I heard it can cure all ailments. Seems ineffective, at least it hasn't cured your self-awareness (ip Hans Nation)]
[Watch your words! The Mother River will surely bless our contestant! (ip White Elephant Nation)]
[So lively here, munching on melon seeds.jpg (ip Hua Nation)]
[The live stream comments during mixed-team competitions are always more interesting, especially when everyone gets worked up, hehe (ip Hua Nation)]
[Isn't the Hua Nation player's attitude towards Buriman overly dismissive? For the sake of collective survival, shouldn't a temporary cooperation be the consensus of all rational minds? (ip Rice Nation)]
[I've said it before, Hua Nation people are as arrogant as their country (ip Prettyland)]
[Dismissive? Our master Xu Xi very politely declined. You really don't know how to use words properly. (ip Hua Nation)]
[Is that so? Perhaps our etiquettes differ. I apologize for my inappropriate phrasing, but your player's decision still puzzles me. (ip Rice Nation)]
[Puzzled is the right reaction. How does that saying go? Geniuses are lonely. (ip Hua Nation)]
[Oh, a very philosophical statement. I agree. (ip Romantique)]
I can't, that person earlier, could you at least try to be a bit more subtle with the deception? (ip Hua Nation)
[Can these players who have lost the ability to act be considered to have failed? (ip Windmill Nation)]
[No! They are not dead! (ip Maple Nation)]
[Why not? What's the difference between them now and a piece of breathing wood? (ip Coffee Nation)]
[Fighting, unnie! You must come out victorious! (ip Kimchi Nation)]
[Please don't die, Kuxia! (ip Kangaroo Nation)]
