Chase Game

As everyone gathered around, Liu Hao read aloud the contents of his diary:

"March 22nd, sunny. I didn't catch any game today because my dog ​​is sick..."

"March 24th, sunny. Last night the moon had a reddish halo, which looked very eerie..."

"March 25th, the moon was still red last night, and my dog ​​showed no signs of getting better. How am I supposed to hunt without his help?"

Although it wasn't a professional hunting dog, just a Tibetan Mastiff, I still think it was better than most hunting dogs. Unfortunately, it got sick…

"March 27th, last night could no longer be called a red moon, it should be called a blood moon..."

"On March 28th, my dog ​​started acting really strange..."

That's where I left off in my diary. According to the calendar on the wall, if the crossed-out dates represent past dates, then today should be March 28th.

Liu Hao handed the diary to Li Qingping, then said, "Judging from this, the pursuer is very likely a Tibetan Mastiff?"

"Not necessarily, maybe it's this person..." Li Qingping narrowed his eyes.

Besides the diary, there was also a letter. While Liu Hao was reading the diary, Ling Yi casually took the letter, and Tang Yuebai asked, "What does the letter say?"

Ling Yi then addressed the crowd:

"That's our identity. In short, we are a group of outdoor enthusiasts who hike and climb mountains. We were able to stay overnight in this hunter's cabin halfway up the mountain with a letter of introduction from the village chief at the foot of the mountain."

In case of an emergency, fireworks will be lit at least ten times within an hour, with each lighting session lasting no more than five minutes, and people will be sent up the mountain.

In the context of a chase game, six people act as fugitives and need to set conditions to light fireworks to attract NPCs from the foot of the mountain to come up and help.

"So where are the fireworks?"

Du Hengbo asked the crucial question.

"Outside the house."

Ling got up and walked to the door, where a note and a map were posted. After reading them, he read the rules aloud.

Each player can only enter and exit the safe house once. After each entry or exit, there is a five-minute lockout period during which no player can enter or exit.

Note: If the second phase is successfully initiated, players who have already died will not be able to participate.

Ling Yi guessed that completing the task of lighting the fireworks within an hour was a prerequisite for unlocking the second phase of the game.

The map marks the locations of the fireworks, a total of twelve, scattered throughout the forest. Each location can only be lit once.

In other words, while evading their pursuers, the fugitives had to set off fireworks at these locations at least ten times.

After listening to the rules, Tang Yuebai muttered, "This feels a bit like a game where you repair electric motors..."

Du Hengbo, who was standing to the side, stroked his chin and thought for a while, then surprisingly smiled and said:

"In this type of ABA (Asymmetrical Competitive) game, teamwork and time management are especially important."

Ling Yi knew he was right, but the game didn't provide them with any means of communication or timing.

However, Du Hengbo said this with a smile.

[Player Du Hengbo invites you to join the team. Accept/Decline]

Li Qingping, Liu Hao, and Tang Yuebai all nodded with smiles. Ling Yi and Zhang Qiang were taken aback for a moment, but they also agreed.

"Hello, hello, is my microphone working?"

"Sure, no problem!"

The sound of Du Hengbo and Liu Hao talking came directly into Ling Yi's mind, and he clearly saw that neither of them opened their mouths.

He thought of something, so he tried to "speak" without moving his mouth.

"Zhang Qiang?"

"Holy crap, that's amazing! It even has a timer! Dude, are you a cultivator...?"

Zhang Qiang quickly mastered this technique.

"It's just the effect of my skill; this makes everyone's movements much easier."

"The skills and items are indeed incredibly diverse," Ling Yi thought to himself.

However, this makes it so convenient.

Normally, there is a five-minute lockout period each time a player enters or exits. If two or three players are outside at the same time and want to come back but happen to be caught in the lockout period, then they really have nowhere to turn for help.

With communication and timing resolved, the only remaining issue is how to arrange the specifics.

"Brother Ling Yi, what are your thoughts?"

While everyone was lost in thought, Li Qingping suddenly asked Ling Yi a question.

Ling Yi did indeed come up with two tactics, and he just happened to mention them.

One tactic is the "bait tactic," where some skilled players with many items and a knack for escaping are responsible for attracting the pursuers, creating an opportunity for other players who are "not so agile" to set off fireworks.

It could even be taken to an extreme, with only one person specifically responsible for lighting the fireworks.

This tactic is aggressive and risky, and Ling Yi doesn't really like it.

Another more reliable tactic is "split action," where multiple players disperse simultaneously, forcing the pursuer to chase only one of them.

This tactic requires a clear division of labor and coordination of entry and exit times from the safe house to avoid being unable to return during the lockout period.

But regardless of the tactic used, there is a priority and an unavoidable problem.

Since skills become ineffective after a player dies, Du Hengbo, who provided team voice chat and timers, was uncontroversially placed last.

He should only be brought on as a last resort; this is a priority that must be taken into consideration.

And the unavoidable problem is—

Who went out first?

This isn't a question of courage—"dare"—but rather a question of ability—"can do it."

The first bird to stick its neck out will be subjected to a five-minute solo chase by its pursuers.

If the second fugitive fails to survive five minutes, he will face being chased alone for another five minutes.

This created a vicious cycle of the Calabash Brothers rescuing their grandfather.

Ling Yi was confident he could hold out for five minutes, and he was prepared to be the one to take the lead.

But at this moment, Li Qingping stepped forward and said, "Then let me be the first one to go out."

Several people turned their gazes to Li Qingping, who snorted and said, "What, I'm the captain, don't you believe me?"

Li Qingping may seem unserious, but when it comes to getting things done, he's anything but careless.

Ling Yi thought for a moment. Li Qingping was the captain and had a foundation of trust among the group. Even if he got an S rating in the first game, he could not escape the status of a "newcomer".

People will subconsciously feel that you lack experience and ability, so they will not entrust you with important tasks.

Even if Ling Yi said he was confident he could last five minutes, probably not many people present would believe him.

Since Li Qingping is confident, there's no harm in letting him go.

He also had a "time reduction card" on hand, which he would use to reduce the time it took to lock the door if Li Qingping couldn't last five minutes.

He shared his idea, and it was approved. As a result, the order in which everyone left the house was determined.

Li Qingping 1, Tang Yuebai 2, Ling Yi 3, Liu Hao 4, Zhang Qiang 5, Du Hengbo 6.