Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 95: The Beginning of Phase Two of the Mission

"Damn it," Liu Xing muttered to himself, not expecting Village Chief to resort to such underhanded tactics behind his seemingly benevolent facade.

"Village Chief, we're just here to find someone, not to fight. Why are you having the villagers carry so many weapons?" Liu Xing forced a composed smile and asked.

Village Chief chuckled, extinguished his cigarette, and replied seriously, "Oh, you still don't want to tell the truth at this point?"

Frowning, Liu Xing responded, "Village Chief, what do you mean? I was just speaking casually earlier. Are you suspecting us?"

"Yes, I am suspecting you! I suspect you killed that foreign volunteer and intend to frame Earth Dragon Village for it," Village Chief raised an eyebrow and sneered.

Hearing Village Chief's accusation, Liu Xing sighed inwardly, realizing that they had made a grave mistake, putting themselves in a perilous situation.

Shi Ying, anxious, stepped forward and questioned, "Village Chief, we were telling the truth. Why would you doubt us? We have no reason to kill Tang Tai!"

Village Chief scoffed and pointed at Shi Ying, saying, "Your words are just one side of the story. I suspect that you had a conflict with the foreign volunteer last night, killed him in a fit of rage, and now want to blame it on us, Earth Dragon Village. Your excuse is flimsy, and you even mentioned an earthquake, one as small as the size of a single house. Who do you think you're fooling?"

Liu Xing and the others exchanged glances, unable to respond. The events they had experienced were too bizarre, and if someone had told them the same story, they would also find it hard to believe.

Seeing their silence, Village Chief became even more arrogant. He pointed at Shi Ying's chest and said, "Hmph, now you're scared, aren't you? If you don't want others to know about your actions, you shouldn't have done them. Tell me honestly now, besides killing the foreign volunteer, did you also kill the father and son from the Tang family? If you only killed the foreign volunteer, we'll hand this matter over to the police in the County Town to deal with you. But if you also killed the Tang father and son, it becomes Earth Dragon Village's concern, and we'll have to resort to our own justice."

Liu Xing, realizing the dire situation, had lost his temper. He was surrounded by villagers holding weapons, all strong middle-aged men in their thirties. He knew they stood no chance in a physical confrontation.

"Village Chief, we really didn't lie. There was indeed a strange earthquake that led to Tang Tai's accidental death, and then Tang Zilin and his son disappeared along with Tang Tai's body," Liu Xing continued to plead, although he was aware of the futility of his words.

As expected, Village Chief dismissed Liu Xing's explanation as nonsense. Annoyed, he shook his head and addressed the villagers eyeing them hungrily, "Hmph, it seems you've made up your minds not to drink the toast and eat the forfeit. Don't blame me for not giving you a chance. Zhang San, take them to the ancestral hall and then gather the villagers there. I'll publicly interrogate these three murderers."

Upon hearing Village Chief's words, Liu Xing, though tempted to resist, understood the futility of it when he saw the eager villagers around him. He realized the situation was beyond their control. So, Liu Xing obediently surrendered.

After all, Liu Xing had no desire to engage in combat with so many villagers and risk being beaten to death.

Mo Jin and Shi Ying grasped the same understanding and remained in their positions, allowing the villagers to bind their hands with hemp ropes.

As for Liu Xing, Village Chief personally took charge of escorting him, and in Village Chief's hand was an added shotgun.

"Village Chief, please handle that shotgun carefully. We wouldn't want any accidents," Liu Xing expressed concern.

Village Chief sneered and retorted, "If you can't come up with a good reason or reveal the whereabouts of the Tang father and son, then you'll truly face the consequences today. Now, move."

Under the escort of numerous villagers, Liu Xing and his group began their journey towards the ancestral hall. Liu Xing understood that the sacrificial ceremony was about to be held prematurely.

At this moment, KP Snail's voice, filled with amusement, echoed in Liu Xing's ears once more, "Alright, the second phase of the promotion game is officially underway. Those who have realized the dire circumstances, knowing that being taken to the ancestral hall would be a life-or-death situation, now have the opportunity to escape Earth Dragon Village. Players are free to leave if they can."

"Oh, by the way, just a side note, because the Earth-boring Demon Worm has devoured Tang Tai's body, breaking a quarter of the seal, it will start attacking players every five minutes, ten minutes from now. However, players can delay its attacks by driving vehicles. So, good luck to all of you." KP Snail couldn't resist delivering an even more despair-inducing message to Liu Xing and his companions.

"Vehicles? There are no vehicles here," Liu Xing couldn't help but mutter to himself. Since entering Earth Dragon Village yesterday, he hadn't seen any vehicles.

However, as fate would have it, right in front of the ancestral hall, Liu Xing and his companions spotted a tractor.

Liu Xing and his companions exchanged glances, knowing that this was a life-or-death moment.

"KP, I'm going to use the item 'the world' now," Mo Jin suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm, didn't expect you to be willing to use such a valuable item, but it makes sense. If you can succeed in this second promotion game, you'll receive a significant points reward and numerous additional benefits. So, go ahead. You have two minutes for communication," KP Snail remarked with some surprise.

As KP Snail finished speaking, Liu Xing felt that everything around him had come to a complete standstill, including the cigarette ash a villager had just flicked, suspended in mid-air.

Time had frozen!

Liu Xing hadn't expected the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall to incorporate JoJo references, naming an item that could pause time "the world."

"Alright, without further ado, we only have two minutes for communication now. Since I've used this precious item, I naturally intend to make the most of this promotion game," Mo Jin said in a determined tone.