Chapter 276: Zodiac Rules
"Is that kid getting beaten to death... what does that have to do with me?"
Brother White Goat stared coldly at Uncle Tiger, his gaze making people a bit afraid.
"Brother Goat, you know what the Earth-level 'Zodiacs' around here are like," Uncle Tiger said. "That kid can't earn any 'Dao,' she definitely won't last more than a few days."
"How do you know she can't earn 'Dao'?" Brother White Goat said. "Someone who can put on a mask—how could they be an ordinary person?"
"But..."
Uncle Tiger seemed to find it suspicious too. After a pause, he turned to ask me, "Little Mouse, how did you put on your mask?"
"I..."
Seeing everyone staring at me, I could only tell them everything that had happened today, step by step.
After they heard my story, their expressions changed.
Uncle Snake was sobbing uncontrollably.
Only then did I realize that although he had an unpleasant smell, he was actually a very kind person.
"Are those people even human..." Uncle Snake sniffled. "Tomorrow I'll chop their bodies into meat paste and make meatballs for you to eat... boohoo..."
I take back what I just said—he still seems really weird.
"Eat them yourself," Uncle Tiger said grumpily to him. Then he turned to Brother White Goat. "Brother Goat, you heard it too. This little girl's reason for becoming a 'Zodiac' is different from all of ours. Can you bear to watch her die..."
Brother White Goat didn't speak, but Uncle Black Goat cut in.
"Human Tiger, have you gone mad?" He slowly stood up. "Do you know why we are 'Zodiacs'? With all this overflowing sympathy, when will you ever be able to sign a contract?"
"If I became as emotionless as you, that would be true madness," Uncle Tiger said angrily. "Even if we can kill anyone we want, does that conflict with helping a child? Does this kid deserve to die?"
"Whether she deserves it or not, she's already wearing the 'mask,'" Uncle Black Goat said. "If she can't bear the consequences, she'll live more miserably than anyone. You can't just burden us with extra baggage because you miss your own daughter, can you? I think Brother Goat is right—if she's going to die eventually anyway, it's better to let her go now."
"Let her go, your mother!"
Uncle Tiger roared and was about to lunge forward when Brother White Goat lightly tapped the table.
In that instant, all four table legs snapped, and the food on the table began to topple over. I felt so sorry for it—I wanted to reach out and catch it, but there was no way. A clattering sound rang out as plates and bowls shattered on the floor.
Brother White Goat slowly lifted his eyes to glance at the two uncles and said, "Did you two eat something filthy? You want to throw hands in front of me?"
As soon as he said that, both men's bodies trembled.
"S-sorry..."
"It's our fault, Brother Goat..."
The two uncles immediately lowered their heads, looking as if they were terrified of Brother White Goat.
How strange—Brother White Goat's voice sounded as soft as a goat's, yet everyone was scared to death of him.
"Th-then..." I said quietly, "Please don't argue because of me, uncles. It's all my fault. I'm full now, so I'll be going. Please don't fight over me..."
"Little Mouse, don't talk," Uncle Tiger said, pressing down hard on my head with his hand. "I didn't bring you here just to give you a full meal."
"How about this..." Brother White Goat thought for a moment and said, "Little Mouse, if you agree to a few conditions, I'll consider whether I can take you in."
"T-take me in?" Though it was my first time meeting these people, I really did want to stay.
They were completely different from anyone I had ever met.
Maybe it was because they gave me food the moment I arrived?
If not for this meal, I might have starved to death.
"Little Mouse, what I'm about to tell you are the rules that everyone must follow after becoming a 'Zodiac.' We call them the 'Zodiac Rules,'" Brother White Goat said. "If you fail to follow even one, you will be directly killed by a 'Divine Beast.'"
"Ah... I..."
"First: Never abandon your 'Zodiac' identity, except in death."
"Second: Never take off your mask, except in death."
"Third: Never reveal your real name, except in death."
"Fourth: 'Zodiacs' never 'Reverberate.'"
"Fifth: 'Zodiacs' never 'Flee.'"
I didn't fully understand, but I nodded anyway.
So does that mean I've become a 'Zodiac' now? I put on the rat mask, so I'm the rat among the 'Zodiacs'?
"Next are the rules for designing games..." Brother White Goat started to say something but paused. "Little Mouse, you probably don't have a 'Game' right now, do you?"
"G-game? I..." My mind was totally blank, and I really had no idea how to answer.
"I'll give you tonight," Brother White Goat said. "Go and design a 'Game' for me."
"Design a game..." After hearing that, I thought I sort of understood. "Um... I've only ever played sandbag toss and hopscotch, so I..."
Before I could finish, Uncle Tiger immediately covered my mouth.
"Little Mouse, don't talk nonsense. I'll explain it to you later."
"Sandbag toss and hopscotch...?" Brother White Goat showed a faint smile. "If those are your answers tomorrow morning, I'll personally throw you out of here."
"Huh?"
Seeing how respectful everyone was toward Brother White Goat, I didn't dare say anything more.
Brother White Goat slowly stood up, glanced at the uncles, and said, "I'm going to read. See you at breakfast tomorrow."
He pushed open the door and walked out. The three men inside finally let out sighs of relief and sat down slowly on their chairs.
Seeing that no one was talking, I could only bend down to pick up the broken plates on the floor.
These plates looked really good quality, but they were all shattered. Such a waste.
"Little girl... stop cleaning," Uncle Tiger said to me. "I suggest you think about the 'Game' instead."
"But these plates are broken—what if you uncles step on them later..."
"That's not your concern!" Uncle Tiger grabbed me. "Little Mouse, you need to understand: if you want to survive here, Brother Goat's help is crucial! He's different from the other 'Earth-levels.' You..."
"I think you're overthinking it," Uncle Black Goat shook his head. "How ruthless is Brother Goat? He's just looking for an excuse to drive this kid away without being obvious about it."
I didn't know what to do, so I just looked at Uncle Snake.
Uncle Snake winked at me, then stood up and walked over to Uncle Black Goat.
"What are you doing?" Uncle Black Goat asked.
"Old Goat, old Goat..." He reached out and massaged Uncle Black Goat's shoulders. "I don't care what Brother Goat's real intentions are. I only know he told this kid to design a game. You're the smartest one in this room. How about helping this child out?"
"Help her? Why should I?"
"If you don't help her..." Uncle Snake gave a mischievous smile. "Then tonight I'm going to hug you and never let go."