Chapter 875: The Moment to Show Sincerity
After the host announced this, he disappeared from above the square, and then the lights of the entire Friendship Garden dimmed.
"So they're just leaving us here?" someone shouted into the air. "They said we were friends from afar, but at least give us a place to sleep."
Unfortunately, the production team didn't treat them like people at all. With the audience gone, all the behind-the-scenes staff also vanished without a trace.
In fact, the host had spent most of the day interacting with the audience and rarely paid attention to the participants.
Xu Huo walked to the edge of the square and tested the thickness of the wall.
Behind what appeared to be a thin layer of white paneling was actually a nearly solid partition space, about five meters thick. It seemed to be made of metal. Even if the inner paneling was destroyed, it would be difficult to directly penetrate this metal wall.
"Someone's been messing with this wall all day." Xiao Xianglin had also returned, looking much more disheveled. He had at least two serious injuries on him and appeared to have lost a lot of blood. Pressing one hand against his stomach, he spoke to Xu Huo and the others. "The host didn't care at all. It's probably hard to destroy with items, and even if we could, we can't leave anyway."
"Are you okay?" Xu Huo asked, noticing he had to pause to catch his breath mid-sentence.
"I'm fine." Xiao Xianglin said, then poured a Self-Healing Agent into his mouth. After a few gulps, he wiped his mouth. "This damn show is too messed up. It's clearly designed to make players fight to the death. How can friendship develop in a competitive environment like this?"
Xu Huo paused for a moment, then asked him, "Are you willing to be my friend?"
"Of course I am." Xiao Xianglin answered without thinking.
Xu Huo waited a moment and then asked, "Then are you willing to share friendship with me?"
Xiao Xianglin understood his intention. After a slight hesitation, he gave an affirmative answer.
"Unfortunately, it didn't clear." Xu Huo said without much surprise.
Xiao Xianglin smiled awkwardly.
"The difficulty of this Instance lies in not knowing the game's criteria for judging friendship." Shaka said. "Life-and-death bonds? Mutual honesty? Or a relationship where you'd trade your life for another?"
"Do we need to go that far?" You Si asked in surprise. "Then we might as well just declare the Instance failed."
"Maybe we're overcomplicating things." Xu Huo said. "Life-and-death bonds don't necessarily have to be mutual."
"You mean two people working together, and as long as I save someone's life, the other person gains my friendship?" You Si pondered for a moment, then added, "It's a pity that too few players chose to act together during the day."
Most players were leading Non-Players, following that female player's approach—protecting Non-Players to complete tasks. That was the normal way to gain friendship: first show goodwill.
However, several players who had done the same as that female player had already returned to the square, indicating this path didn't work.
"I think I get it!" Xiao Xianglin suddenly slapped his thigh. "No wonder the task I drew was cosmetic surgery. We were two players working together. If your method worked, players cooperating should have allowed someone to clear!"
"Don't get too excited. This is just a guess." Xu Huo said.
There are many ways to express friendship, but the Instance hint was "pure friendship."
If saving a life was all it took to clear, this Instance wouldn't be that hard.
"We'll find out in the next round." Xiao Xianglin was very excited. "I wonder who'll be drawn next. Tomorrow should have more players."
"The more I think about it, the more likely it seems! The real key to this Instance is probably helping others clear. Even if someone thinks of this method, who would be willing to let others clear first?"
Xu Huo understood his thinking. If it were feasible, the weaker side would actually have the advantage.
To clear this Instance, interaction between at least two people was necessary. First, killing someone definitely wouldn't gain friendship. Regardless of the angle, the stronger party would likely choose to help the weaker, and the rescued party would more easily obtain "friendship."
The premise was that this counted as the Instance's definition of "friendship."
"But right now, most people probably equate clearing with the final show score. Should we remind them?" Xiao Xianglin's mind was working fast.
"I suggest you first try it with a player before saying anything." Shaka said. "If it doesn't work, others might take it out on you."
Xiao Xianglin hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'll see tomorrow."
That's what he said, but after Xu Huo and the others settled down to rest, he left on his own.
"What an idiot. He's probably thinking of selling the clearing method for money." You Si glanced over.
Xu Huo closed his eyes to rest and said nothing. Shaka, who was meditating nearby, shook his head. "I hope he doesn't bring trouble on himself."
People kept returning until just before dawn. When the lights in the square brightened again, the remaining number in the square was two hundred and seventy-four.
Excluding those who hadn't been randomly assigned tasks in the first round, more than half of those who entered other venues to complete tasks had died.
"The final survival count for the first round of the Three-Color Competition is two hundred and seventy-four. Unfortunately, even while we were resting, many people still died in the adventure tasks." The host's figure reappeared above the square. His regret lasted only a second before he said with high spirits, "But fate is so wonderful. What's easily obtained might not be what you truly want. That's why on the path of friendship, so many people keep rushing forward. Time waits for no one. Let's begin our second round of the Three-Color Competition!"
Those whose teammates had died needed to be reassigned. Xu Huo was near the front, so his turn came quickly.
Walking to the big screen, he said to Player 64, "I'm choosing the white ball again this time."
If Player 64 also chose the white ball, it would be his turn to do the adventure task this round.
But if he chose the yellow or black ball, Xu Huo would still be the one doing the task this round.
Player 64 didn't speak. After standing behind the big screen, he first touched the black ball.
"What the hell!" someone cursed.
Xu Huo didn't even raise an eyebrow. He still chose the white ball.
When the selection results were announced, You Si couldn't help asking, "You knew he wouldn't choose the white ball, so why did you still pick it? Even if you'd picked black, it would have been his turn this round."
Xu Huo smiled, his words clear and distinct. "To make friends, of course you have to show sincerity. The white ball is my sincerity."
"Straightforward!" a player cheered.
Xu Huo's openness made Player 64 seem somewhat petty. Under the slightly peculiar gazes, he gave a forced smile. "You think this can buy people's loyalty? Save your hypocritical act for when you come out alive."
"It seems our guest 313 isn't very popular. Despite repeatedly showing goodwill, he hasn't received a response from his teammate." The host shook his head. "Let's see what task he'll draw next!"
"Tsk tsk, perhaps the path of friendship will be exceptionally difficult for him."
"The location guest 313 has drawn is the Aquarium!"
"The task is to color the Mutant Man-Eating Shark!"
(End of Chapter)