In Hua Ru’s plan, it was more suitable to ally with someone like Number 1, Zhou Wei, because he had already seized the right to speak ahead of time.
For example, he was the one who initiated and hosted all the players’ self-introductions—this was done at his urging, so everyone instinctively regarded him as the leader, which was very important.
Of course, aside from his authority, he didn’t seem like a particularly dangerous person. Compared to Number 10, the uncle, and Number 3, the detective, he was far less intimidating.
After all, this was a game that leaned more toward battles of wits than brute force.
While combat ability was useful, intelligence was far more valuable here.
For instance, Number 10 had managed to avoid the killer’s night on the very first evening just by making a speech.
Hua Ru wanted to kill him now, but she definitely wouldn’t act on the first night.
Number 10 had packaged himself as a scapegoat for the killers, so they wouldn’t be foolish enough to eliminate that shield. This was the power of intelligence.
On the other hand, Number 15, who looked the strongest physically, was more suitable to be killed off on the first night.
Right now, there were still four killers left.
As the numbers dwindled, it would only get harder to deal with Number 15.
If, in the end, there was only one killer left, neither Hua Ru nor Yelena would be able to defeat Number 15 head-on, unless they had a weapon convenient for killing, like a gun.
So, the truly dangerous players were intelligence types like Number 10 and Number 3.
As for the physically strong players like Number 15 and Number 1, they weren’t dangerous at this stage of the game.
Hua Ru recalled the words once spoken in the QQ group by the ‘Fortress Lieutenant Communications Officer’. Although that guy had tricked her, he had also told many truths.
Characters who were tall and imposing like that were easily targeted.
Anyone daring to play such a role was either showing off or truly formidable.
Returning to the initial question: how should she respond to Number 10 uncle’s invitation to form an alliance?
Her best option was still Number 1, not Number 10.
But who knew, maybe Number 10 had some follow-up plans? Staying close to someone like him might let her spot actions unfavorable to the killers ahead of time.
He might even be a police officer, deliberately using a reverse strategy to keep people from guessing his identity.
But getting too close to someone like that was truly dangerous.
Number 12, Xukes, and Number 7, Ragnar, were also very uneasy, casting glances in this direction from time to time.
In their eyes, Number 9 and Number 14 were weaklings—maybe just a few words with Number 10 would be enough to expose them.
Just then, Number 3, Qian Min, suddenly walked over. This was definitely unexpected.
“Hey, what are you guys talking about? Is anyone interested in exploring the second floor with us?” This self-proclaimed detective wore a faint smile, making it impossible to guess his thoughts. He pointed at the two people behind him and continued, “We’re planning to explore the second floor in a bit. Would any of you like to join us?”
“Young man, what’s your name again?” Number 10 uncle blocked the way, lighting a cigarette and exhaling a cloud of smoke.
“Qian Min. Qian as in money, Min as in people.” He adjusted his glasses, his gaze landing first on Hua Ru and Yelena, then shifting to Number 8, the chubby guy, and finally settling on Number 10 uncle.
“Brother Qian, why don’t we call everyone to explore together later? Are you planning to have just the three of you go? If there’s anything good upstairs and you find it first, wouldn’t that be unfair to the rest of us?”
Uncle raised his voice on purpose so everyone nearby could hear.
This drew the attention of several players, including Number 1, Zhou Wei, who all looked over.
…
Hua Ru finally understood the situation.
She, Number 14 Yelena, and Number 8 Huang WaiKai had all been seen as fools by Number 3—he was here to poach members!
Qian Min’s opening words were just a pretense, trying to lure them in.
But Uncle was very alert, immediately seeing through his intention, so he stepped in to block Qian Min’s attempt and even loudly exposed their scheme, making other players start to resent Number 3’s selfishness.
Seeing the looks from the others, Number 3, Qian Min, could only leave in frustration.
Once he was gone, Uncle used his left index finger and thumb to snuff out the burning cigarette.
Though everyone was still chatting, 10th Liu Qingzhu’s words kept echoing in their minds. Maybe there really was some “treasure” on the second floor.
Finally, after half an hour, Number 1, Zhou Wei, gathered everyone together to explore the second floor as a group.
By then, most people had already formed their own alliances.
The largest group, naturally, was led by Number 1, Zhou Wei, and had six members: Numbers 1, 2, 4, 11, 13, and 16. Number 2, Zhang Huiran, had indeed been brought in.
What were they planning—were they really going to protect Number 2 to the end? Why? Was it worth it?
Next was the group led by Number 10, Liu Qingzhu, with four members: Numbers 8, 9, 10, and 14.
Then came Number 3, Qian Min’s team of three: Numbers 3, 12, and 15.
Lastly, Number 7, Ragnar, led another trio: Numbers 5, 6, and 7.
Although there were no killer teammates in the largest group, that wasn’t a problem. Number 7, Ragnar, could obviously control those two people, so those two votes were in the killers’ hands.
At a critical moment, the three small teams could secretly combine their votes without anyone realizing, and knock anyone from Zhou Wei’s team out of the game.
Hua Ru regretted it a little—regretted acting weak, which cost her the right to speak. If only she could be a strong leader like Zhou Wei, Number 10, or Number 3, she could decide anyone’s fate.
Now, playing the role of a weakling, she couldn’t act too aggressively in public, so she could only follow Number 10’s vote or whisper a few words in private.
When the four groups gathered together, no one mentioned forming alliances, but everyone had already developed a preliminary sense of team spirit.
They instinctively avoided talking to outsiders and preferred to chat and bond with their own group.
Following Number 1, Zhou Wei’s suggestion, everyone began exploring the second floor.
The second floor wasn’t actually complicated. It had a circular corridor that wrapped around the whole building, with rooms spaced at intervals.
Each door was numbered from 1 to 16—clearly corresponding to the players.
However, there was also a staircase leading to the third floor, but it was locked with a combination lock.
The lock had only three digits, but the code was made up of letters instead of numbers.
With 26 letters in the English alphabet, guessing the code was nearly impossible.
Next to the lock floated several lines of white text: Killers, Police, and Civilians each have three chances to enter the code.
After three mistakes, players of that faction will no longer be able to use this lock.