Chapter 96

An old tungsten filament lamp hung in the center of the room by a black wire, casting a dim glow.

The tranquil atmosphere spread through the room like ink droplets in clear water.

As the clock on the table pointed to "twelve," a deep bell sound echoed from afar.

The ten people around the table suddenly woke up, staring at the bizarre scene.

Qi Xia's eyes widened as he looked at the familiar scene, his heart racing like a thousand galloping horses, unable to calm down.

He's back.

Everyone is back.

The goat-headed figure still stood among them, emitting a unique scent of decay and musk.

Although Qi Xia had expected to return, he felt only despair when he sat down at the round table again.

"Good morning, Nine." The familiar voice of the goat-headed figure rang out again, "I am glad to see you all here. You have been asleep in front of me for twelve hours."

Qi Xia took the opportunity to quietly observe the familiar faces, noticing that their reactions were the same as when he first met them.

Qiao Jiajin stared blankly at the goat-headed figure and asked, "Who... are you?"

Upon hearing this question, Qi Xia furrowed his brow.

What's going on? Could it be that no one remembers what happened before?

If that's the case, why do I still remember?

"Since you all have this question, I will introduce myself to the Nine..."

Just as the goat-headed figure was about to wave his hands and speak, Lawyer Zhang said, "There's no need to introduce yourself. I advise you to stop your actions. I suspect you have detained us for over twenty-four hours, which constitutes 'unlawful detention.' Every word you say now will be recorded and used as evidence against you."

Qi Xia looked at Lawyer Zhang in confusion, then at Doctor Zhao.

It was his turn to raise a question.

Sure enough, Doctor Zhao spoke up, "Wait a moment...

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How do you know we've been detained for 'twenty-four hours' when we just woke up?"

"What's going on..." Qi Xia's lips moved slightly. These people seemed to not recognize each other, repeating the same words and actions as before.

Everything seemed unchanged, as if it was just starting over again.

Lawyer Zhang explained to Doctor Zhao with a haughty air, drawing the attention of the others.

Indeed, in Qi Xia's memory, Lawyer Zhang's initial behavior was very suspicious. She was using every opportunity to assert her dominance, which was likely a protective color under her calm exterior.

After her explanation, everyone fell silent.

The silence lasted for several seconds.

Qi Xia felt a bit strange. Last time, someone seemed to have said something at this moment, but this time no one did, so the subsequent events did not occur.

This disconnection between reality and memory left Qi Xia very puzzled.

"You may have noticed that there are ten people in this room, yet I call you 'Nine.'"

"Shut up... I don't care how many people are here, I advise you to be sensible!" Qiao Jiajin said fiercely, "You might not know the consequences of messing with me, but I will take your life!"

Qi Xia suddenly thought of something and turned to look at the young man on his right.

It was a face both familiar and strange.

The tenth person in the room, whom Qi Xia had only seen once.

He still wore a bizarre smile as he looked at everyone.

Since Qi Xia had already been through this once, he understood a bit more.

Those with such smiles were almost always "original residents." Could this tenth person just be a filler for the goat-headed figure?

The goat-headed figure walked to the young man and placed his hand on the back of his head.

Qi Xia was startled and quickly turned his face to the other side.

Last time, the young man's brain matter splattered on his face, and he did not want to experience that warm sensation again.

There was a dull thud as the young man's head burst open on the table.

At the same moment, a bell sound echoed from afar.

This bell sound made Qi Xia suddenly realize something.

This man who had just died might not be an "original resident" but a "resonator"!

But why did he act so呆滞? Why was his role so absurd?

"The reason I prepared ten people is to use one of them to make you quiet," the goat-headed figure said, shaking the blood off his hand.

Lin Qin instantly screamed, just as she did last time.

Qi Xia should have realized this earlier. They heard the bell sound when they woke up, indicating that at least one person had "resonated."

When the young man died, the bell sound rang again, ending the "resonance."

If it happened once, it could be a coincidence, but the young man died twice with the bell sound each time.

He must be a "resonator."

As Lin Qin's scream abruptly stopped, the goat-headed figure laughed strangely:

"Very good, Nine. It seems you have all quieted down. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the 'goat-headed figure,' and you are the 'participants.'"

"I have gathered you here to participate in a 'game' to ultimately create a 'god.'"

This time, Qi Xia was not shocked by the death, so he focused entirely on the goat-headed figure's explanation.

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But the others fell silent again.

Qi Xia had forgotten who spoke at this moment, only remembering that someone asked the goat-headed figure what kind of "god" they were creating.

But why didn't he speak?

"Are you not curious about what kind of 'god' we are creating?" the goat-headed figure looked at everyone blankly.

"Say it or don't!" Qiao Jiajin gritted his teeth and snorted, "Do you expect me to submit just because you killed someone in front of me?"

"Fine..." the goat-headed figure shook his head and said, "We are creating a god like 'Nüwa,' who can fulfill all our desires! A great mission awaits this 'god'!"

Looking at the silent crowd, the goat-headed figure sighed, "You are so uninteresting, no questions?"

The girls were clearly terrified, and Qi Xia looked at the remaining men.

Officer Li stared at the goat-headed figure with a serious expression, just as he did last time.

Doctor Zhao and Han Yimo were trembling after seeing the death, their faces showing fear.

Qiao Jiajin, however, wore a look of disdain, his unique expression.

Seeing no one speak, Qiao Jiajin's anger flared. He was not afraid of the goat-headed figure, unlike the others.

"Shut up, 'Seal of the Gods,' right? If we win your game, you'll make us gods? What if we don't win?"

"If you don't win..." the goat-headed figure looked at the blood on his hands, his tone somewhat dejected, "It would be a great pity..."

"Pity for whom?" Qi Xia suddenly spoke up.

The goat-headed figure turned to look at Qi Xia, his eyes cold.

"Pity for this world."

"Pity for this world?" Qi Xia was taken aback, feeling as if he understood something but with more questions in his mind.

In other words, if a 'god' is not created, the greatest loss will be for the 'End of the World'?