Tang Mo took Luo Fengchengâs credentials with an astonished expression.
It was a metallic silver card with no photo on it and an electronic chip in the upper right corner. The left side of the card was simply engraved with three lines of words.
[Division: Shanghai Group A]
Tang Mo read the card and handed it to the other people. All six people read it before it finally returned to Luo Fengchengâs hands.
âWhy did you lie to us and say you were a game designer?â Li Bin asked.
Luo Fengcheng put the card away and lightly said, âEveryone has their secrets. You hid your ability. For you, the ability is important and special. My identity is a bit special. I didnât want it exposed at the beginning. Canât you understand?â
Luo Fengcheng looked around at everyone and continued. âYou donât have to doubt the authenticity of my identity. As you all know, this attack tower game started very suddenly. There was only three minutes from the black towerâs announcement to our entry. I wouldnât be able to prepare the card in advance in order to pose as a black tower researcher.â
Lin Qiao seemed to think of something. She was about to open her mouth when Luo Fengcheng looked at her and interrupted. âI donât have an ability to make a card in a short amount of time either. If I really had this ability, why would I make the identity card of a black tower researcher instead of a game designer? Then there would be no doubts and you might even trust me a bit.â
Luo Fengcheng blocked the crowdâs arguments.
Finally, he looked at Tang Mo. Tang Moâs face had no expression as he watched Luo Fengcheng calmly, but there was something in Tang Moâs eyes.
Luo Fengcheng continued, âDonât doubt that I am a black tower researcher. The black tower has been around for half a year. You should know that all tower researchers are protected and not allowed to contact the outside world. I have been studying the black tower in Shanghai during those three days and have no chance or need to kill someone. AndâŚâ Luo Fengcheng put his hands into his pockets. âIf I really want to kill someone, as long as there is a legitimate reason, I donât have to do it myself. Someone else will help me resolve it. In any case, I was protected by many people and couldnât kill anyone.â
The crowd shuddered at the words while Tang Mo kept watching Luo Fengcheng. He understood what the other person meant. Before the earth came online, there was discussions on the Internet about the white coat researchers of the black tower. They were really powerful researchers who were protected by the government. They collected frontline data and conducted research in private.
Putting aside the deep mountains, old forests and vast oceans, as long as the black tower appeared in the city, it would be located in the city centre. The country establishing an institute next to the black tower was tantamount to making themselves a living target and announcing to the world where their base was.
This online discussion had never been officially confirmed but many people were convinced.
Tang Mo believed that Luo Fengcheng was a black tower researcher. He had quietly used his strength to try and break the card. He didnât know what type of material it was made of but it didnât break at all. Please note that Tang Mo was now strong enough to pick up a car by hand. The fact that he couldnât break this card meant it was very special.
As Luo Fengcheng said, it was impossible to create such a card with an ability. The identity of a black tower researcher was too eye-catching. Right now, the stowaway would want to hide their identity and not grab attention.
The cook and the junior high student had blank faces but the other people no longer doubted Luo Fengchengâs identity.
If such a person wanted to kill someone, he wouldnât need to do it himself. It was very unlikely for Luo Fengcheng to be a stowaway.
Everyone needed to talk about what they did during those three days. Tang Mo and Li Bin were temporarily put to the side. Now it was Lin Qiaoâs turn.
âI remember that when the black tower issued the âearth is onlineâ announcement, I was in class. What type of class was it? Oh yes, it was the 15th day, a Wednesday. The first two classes on Wednesday are advanced mathematics. The black tower suddenly spoke so our lesson wasnât finished. All students returned to the dormitory while the school made an announcement for us to not panic and wait for further notice.â
Lin Chao carefully recalled, âActually, I am the black tower optimist. I like to play survival games. I have played all the survival games on the market recently. I didnât take the black tower seriously from the beginning. After returning to the dormitory, I chattered with my roommates for a long time about the black tower. Maybe we talked until evening? In any case, the school didnât allow any classes in those three days. I stayed in the dormitory for a long time. The cafeteria was shut for those three days. I ate takeaway and stayed in the dormitory.â
Li Bin asked, âIs that all?â
Lin Qiao continued thinking hard before shaking her head. âAll four people in my dormitory are locals of Shanghai but my father died very early. My mother went to Nanjing on a business trip. After the black tower accident, all three of my roommates went home the next day. I was alone in my dormitory. That morning, I got up and brushed my teeth. I had that the black tower released another message. I didnât know what happened until I turned on the computer to play games and found I had no Internet. Later on, I went to the dormitory next door to discoverâŚeveryone was gone.â
The female university student who was always acting brave now showed a bit of hidden fear. She gulped and tried to stay calm. âI was playing games in my dorm for those three days. I didnât kill anyone. Iâm really not a stowaway. After the accident I wanted to go to Nanjing to find my mother. I didnât expect to be pulled here before even leaving Shanghai. Please believe me, Iâm really not a stowaway!â
Li Bin nodded and looked at Tang Mo and Luo Fengcheng.
The two people didnât disagree. Li Bin went to the next person.
The rich second generation Li Wen looked at Tang Mo and took a deep breath to ease his tension. He said, âOn the first of those three days, I went to Nanjing to find a friend to play. The next day, we were still playing. That day was mainly spent at the club. The next night, my dad called and told me to go home. I was too drunk that night to go back, so I decided to sleep. The next day, I drove on the freeway. I got into an accident and saw Tang Mo when I woke up. I didnât know anything about the blue tower. I was told by Tang Mo that I was rear-ended because the other drivers suddenly disappeared. Iâm not a stowaway. I never killed anyone.â
Everyone looked at Tang Mo.
Tang Mo explained, âThe first time I met him, his car was rear ended. But I donât know what happened to him.â
Li Bin frowned and said, âHow can you say such simple things? Speak in more detail.â
Li Wen made a bitter face as he thought for a moment. âIâm trying to think but I spend most of the three days playing with friends, drinking and not doing anything special. There is no need to talk about what we were playing. It is what we usually play. There is nothing to say other thanâŚdrinking? Playing? Well, my friends also brought a few female stars to play withâŚâ
Everyone stopped listening to Li Wenâs words, while Lin Qiao looked at him with disgusted eyes.
Li Wen spoke in his innocent manner. âHey, let me speak. The things we playedâŚâ
As Li Wen was speaking, Lin Qiao explained the current situation to the chef. The chef was particularly nervous after learning about the situation. He wiped the sweat on his head and stood straight. Once everyoneâs eyes were on him, he immediately said, âIâŚI was a cook. However, my boss became afraid after the appearance of the black tower half a year ago and ran away. I became unemployed. After that, I made a living by selling takeaway. In those three days, I did deliveries as usual. But because many people werenât a work, my list was less than usual. AlsoâŚnothing special happened. I just delivered food. I headed out for deliveries on the third morning and saw people disappearing on the streets. Then I was scared and headed home.â
Li Bin asked, âCan you speak more clearly?â
The cook anxiously wiped at his sweat. âI thinkâŚoh yes, I remember I was sent to two high-end communities. Jingan Temple was on one side and the guards didnât allow any bikes to enter. I had to walk in to deliver food. There was another one near the Peopleâs Square. The otherâŚwhat am I supposed to say? What would you like me to say? I will definitely tell you. I really didnât kill anyone! Iâm not a stowaway!â
The cook looked anxiously at everyone. Tang Mo looked at him thoughtfully and walked in front of the young girl.
Peng Liwen was standing beside Lin Qiao, timidly watching the other people.
Lin Qiao reassured her. âDonât be scared Wenwen. Just talk about what you did in those three days. The real stowaway wonât be able to hide their foxâs tail.â Lin Qiaoâs eyes looked between Li Bin and Li Wen and said, âJust speak.â
The young girl nodded and said in a small voice, âIâm not a stowaway. I didnât kill anyone. Like this sister, our school didnât allow us to go to school. I was taken home by my parents and stayed there. My father had to go to work. My motherâs job said she didnât need to go and she stayed with me at home. My mother was worried that I wouldnât be able to study in class and urged me to study hard. My mother taught me at home. From 7 to 11 in the morning, I studied language and mathematics. I took a nap at noon and started to learn English from 2 p.m. At six in the evening, my mum helped me with homework. And thenâŚâ
The little girlâs eyes turned red. âThen my mother disappeared on the third day. I didnât know anything. She just disappeared.â
Lin Qiao grabbed the little girlâs hand and comforted her.
The little girl sobbed for a moment. Her face was pale and her voice was hoarse. âBefore my mother disappeared, she told me the night before that I shouldnât be afraid. As long as I am good, she will be fine. My motherâŚmy mother is gone.â
She could no longer hold back her tears.
The two girls among the seven people, Lin Qiao hugged the young girl and kept comforting her.
Li Bin looked at the two girls and frowned. He opened his mouth but didnât say anything. Tang Mo spoke up, âLi Bin, it is your turn.â
Li Bin nodded and talked about his own experience. âI work in a PR company, responsible for marketing and planning. After the black tower incident, my company didnât take a holiday and continued to work. I personally opposed the black tower and wanted to ask for leave. But this time, there was a big project and my boss didnât agree. I could only continue working. I was pulled into a black tower game the next day. The black tower game was calledâŚâ Li Bin paused for a long time before speaking with a strange expression, âIt is called âThe sheep is so cute. Why do you want to eat it?ââ
Li Bin looked up at Tang Mo. âYou should understand it. I was suddenly pulled into a strange place. I didnât do anything at all. The black tower announced the start of the game and told us a few bizarre rules. I was dragged into the game with three strangers. After the four of us entered, we ended up dressed in a sheep costume. The black tower said that we were playing hide-and-seek in a maze with a wolf. If caught, we would be eaten. We needed to find the egg at the exist of the maze before we were eaten. That was the only way to beat the wolf and win the game.â
This game seemed too childish. Li Bin reluctantly bowed his head. âThe four of us decided to separate when we entered the maze. Since there was only one wolf, we would have a greater chance of surviving. Later on, I heard the screams of two people and estimated that they were eaten by the wolf. I ran quickly. But I couldnât find the mazeâs exit. I also felt that the wolf was very close to me. It quickly caught up to me. Then the black tower suddenly announced that the game was over. My other companion had found the egg. I didnât know what was going on. I won and went back to the company⌠I always wanted to tell other people about it but I donât know why, I couldnât say anything about the game. People in the company thought I was late because I slept in. But I couldnât explain. I was too scared to go back to work. I planned to drive back to my hometown the next day. I didnât have time to go home before everyone disappeared.â
Li Bin looked up at Tang Mo. âWas it also like this with you? I couldnât tell anyone else. I really couldnât say anything!â
Tang Mo shook his head. âI just finished the game when everyone disappeared.â
Li Bin urged, âI really am an official player.â
Luo Fengchengâs indifferent voice was heard at this time. âIn fact, there was something missing from the words I previously said. It isnât only accidental killers who react when their crimes are exposed. Any killer, even one who conspired to kill another person, would have a special reaction when their killing is talked about.â
Li Binâs face changed at Luo Fengchengâs interruption. âWhat do you mean? I really am an official player, not a stowaway. The stowaway is obviouslyâŚâ
âHe doesnât mean you.â The person who interrupted was Tang Mo.
Luo Fengcheng looked at Tang Mo and said, âAny killer will have subtle changes in their expression when the big mole talked about the definition of a stowaway. Only two types of murderers will remain indifferent. The first is anti-social murderers. They donât think that murder is wrong or abnormal. The second type is naive murderers. They might be too young or ignorant and donât know what they did. Therefore, even if they are exposed, they wonât have too big of a psychological burden.â
Tang Mo nodded slightly. âIn fact, before you said the first sentence, I doubted you. However, my heart didnât want it to be you.â
The tall and handsome young man walked in front of the two girls and leaned down to look at the younger one.
âThe first sentence you said exposed your identity. But you are only 15 years old. Who did you kill? Why did you kill someone?â
Li Bin shouted, âYes, she is the stowaway! I just discovered it.â
Lin Qiao released the hand of the young girl and quickly moved far away from her.
The young girlâs eyes were full of tears. She stepped back in fear and whimpered. âI didnât. I wasnâtâŚI didnât killâŚIâŚIâŚâ
âYou are the stowaway.â Tang Mo declared calmly.
The author has something to say:
Tang Tang (Sugar Sugar): There is only one truthâYou are the wolf! Everybody, vote with me! She is the winner!
Fu Wenduo: âŚă I want to appear, I want to appear, I want to appear. ă