A villainous girl created by paranoia

Killer...

Wait, how many killers are there? Does the rule explicitly state that there are four killers?

Thinking of this, I mentally activated the system's task panel, carefully read through the rules, and discovered...

There is no mention anywhere that this game involves four killers or four survivors, meaning there could be sixteen killers.

Thinking of this, I immediately perked up and turned to look at the still somewhat dazed Sheng.

Ling's departure must have been a huge blow to Sheng, especially since Ling had so heartlessly put a knife to his neck.

But now is not the time to concern ourselves with such matters, because we might be able to resolve the conflict between the three of us very soon.

But... if I'm wrong... if only Ling and I are the killers, and only Sheng himself is a survivor...

Based on my understanding of life, it is very likely that life will take all the survivors with it to their deaths.

What should we do? Should we say something?

I guess I should just say it... What if, what if I guessed right?

After taking a deep breath, I turned to look at Sheng, and at that moment, Sheng also turned to look at me. Then we both said in unison.

"Um, Sheng, actually I am..."

"Um, Sakura, actually I am..."

Almost simultaneously, we both stopped, looked at each other, and then smiled in unison.

"Hahaha, really, what's going on? You big liar."

"And you're talking about me? Sakura, aren't you a big liar too?"

"So, Ling is also a big liar, a stupid and dumb liar. I'm really impressed by you guys."

Without saying a word, we share an unspoken understanding; with just half a sentence, we know what the other wants to say.

If someone were born here, even though that giant block of ice usually doesn't show any expression, it would still be able to laugh in this situation.

The joyful atmosphere didn't last long, because we both knew that our laughter was missing something—Ling, who wouldn't laugh out loud but would laugh along with us.

Sheng's expression gradually became serious, and I also gradually composed myself.

"Sakura, let's go find Ling, find him, and explain the situation to him."

"Ah."

I nodded emphatically, affirming Sheng's words.

A cheerful smile returned to Sheng's lips, and he said with a grin.

"So, where can we find Ling?"

I know that Sheng is asking a question he already knows the answer to, because we all know Ling too well, so we know his every move perfectly well.

"That silly, spoiled boy would probably be hiding in some corner crying if it weren't for the two of us."

This is not a metaphor or a joke... He is the kind of guy who would really hide in a corner and cry, and he is also someone who is afraid of being alone.

After confirming our search strategy, we set off to find Ling. We found her quickly, but not in a dark corner, and she wasn't crying with her knees drawn up to her chest. Instead, she was in an open field... getting beaten up.

In a desolate open space, two people were engaged in a fight... no, it was less of a fight and more of a one-sided beating, with the one beating Ling being...

That head of long, silver hair with a metallic sheen... there's no doubt, the person beating Ling right now is none other than Hanamiya Karen.

In an instant, I wanted to rush up and help Ling out of the predicament. Of course, I knew that I was no match for Hua Gong Ke Lian. The four-dimensional attributes of the three of us were at the level of ordinary teenagers. How could we possibly defeat Hua Gong Ke Lian with such low four-dimensional attributes?

But I have a gun. As long as Hanamichi Karen's physique isn't an A-level Iron Man, my submachine gun can still kill her.

However, when I tried to leave, Sheng stopped me.

I know that Sheng wouldn't stop me from saving Ling for no reason; he must have discovered something.

"Survived? What happened?"

Sheng didn't look at me, but nodded towards the open space.

"Look over there."

Following the direction of his nod, I saw a little white-haired girl standing to the side, arms crossed, shaking her leg and watching the show. Who else could that little girl be but Lily?

Seemingly growing impatient, Lily spoke to Hanamichi Karen in an unfriendly tone.

"Hanamiya, I don't remember you being so weak that you couldn't even handle a high school student, do I?"

???

That tone? That behavior? Is this really Lily?

What shocked people even more was that, upon hearing Lily's words, Hanamiya Karen's body visibly trembled slightly, giving Ling, who was in grave danger under Hanamiya Karen's blade, a chance to escape immediately. After rolling around on the ground a few times, he finally stood up in a disheveled state.

Seeing this, Lily raised her eyebrows in displeasure and then said in a cold tone.

"Hua Gong, what are you doing? Are you letting him have sex?"

Hanamichi Karen didn't say anything, but instead raised her katana again and slashed at Ling. Ling could only dodge or evade in a sorry state, because he simply couldn't keep up with Hanamichi Karen's speed.

Seeing that Hanamichi had completely crushed Ling, Lily still had a very dissatisfied expression, and then she began to mutter to herself.

"Hua Gong is pitiful. Don't forget how you begged me to team up with you. Now that I'm teaming up with you, you're not doing anything right. Is that okay? That's not good."

And you actually tried to betray me. If those eighteen idiots hadn't been unable to understand your whispers, would I already be the one being targeted and killed?

Especially since you actually doubted I wasn't a survivor? Are you going to give me a good beating if I don't find the teammate sensor in the airdrop? Are you getting cocky?

Upon hearing Lily's words, Hanamiya Karen paused for a moment before cautiously replying.

"Miss Lily...I...I dare not."

"Hmph, you know best whether you dare or not. What use are you besides your useless violence? Don't you have a brain? Are you happy to let two teammates die? Let me tell you, now there are only the two of us left as survivors. You have to be my tool and block votes for me when necessary."

After kicking Ling away, Hanamichi looked at Lily with a somewhat subtle expression. I could clearly see a pleading look in her eyes, and a trace of... murderous intent.

"Ha, what kind of look is that? If you really die for me, I'll cover all your gambling dad's money and your mom's medical bills."

Upon hearing this, the murderous intent and pleading in Hua Gong's pitiful eyes vanished instantly, replaced by boundless joy.

"Miss Lily...you will keep your promise, won't you?"

"Hehe, I will naturally give you what I promised, but you must also handle your affairs for me efficiently."

After saying that, Lily pointed to Ling, who had secretly gotten up and was preparing to slip away.

Hanamichi Karen once again transformed into a silver streak of light and shot towards Ling. Seeing this, Ling hurriedly raised his sword to defend, but Hanamichi Karen's strength was far beyond what the frail Ling could withstand.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing...

Although the two knives collided, Ling was sent flying by the powerful impact. He scrambled to his feet and struggled to resist Hua Gong's pitiful and fierce attacks.

And me? At this moment, Sheng and I are struggling to process Lily's astonishing words.

First of all, I've seen through some of Lily's inner self. Everything she did before was just a facade, a pretense, a way to deceive, and a way to lull others into a false sense of security.

Secondly, there's Hanamiya Karen... This person usually appears so clever, resourceful, and composed, yet she's just Lily's puppet.

Furthermore, Lily also said that Hanamiya Karen is good for nothing except violence, which means that Hanamiya Karen's intelligence rating is not high, at least not Lily's intelligence rating is not high.

Either Hanamichi Karen's intelligence was feigned at Lily's behest, or Lily thought Hanamichi Karen was stupid and her intelligence rating meant nothing to Lily.

There are also some miscellaneous pieces of information.

For example, Karen Hanamichi has a gambling father and a hospitalized mother, both of whom need money. It is very likely that Karen Hanamichi signed some kind of contract with Lily to work for her.

Moreover, when Tinghua Gong Kelian first introduced herself, she said that she was an A+ level player and had a teammate, which didn't seem like anything at first glance.

But think about it carefully, if there really were such a character, and if you were that character, wouldn't you be extremely grateful to Hanamichi? So grateful that you'd want to kill her.

This isn't protection at all; it's telling people to find that teammate immediately. This is blatant betrayal.

Another piece of good news came from Hanamichi Karen: at least we know that there are only two survivors left, and one of them is a puppet like Hanamichi Karen.

If we vote to kill Lily tonight...

We won! We killers have absolutely won!

--split line--

Gentlemen, I may update after midnight from now on, so I suggest you don't wait for updates during the day.

Chapter Thirty: Who is the Killer? (Part Six)

[Sakura's Perspective]

Putting aside the issues of the survivors Hanamiya Karen and Lily, Ling is now almost brought to tears by Hanamiya Karen; look, tears are glistening in the corners of his eyes.

"Should we continue to watch him?"

Sheng shook his head.

"Let's wait a little longer and see what other useful information Lily can come up with that could decide the outcome of the battle."

Although I was anxious, I suppressed my impulse and watched the three people on the open ground from a distance.

"Alas, it's a real shame that your tool has died."

I know you're not very bright, so I, in my great compassion, will explain to you why you died.

First of all, you need to know that we have just killed one of the three members of the student group. Given their relationship, killing one of them will definitely provoke the anger of the other two members.

In other people's eyes, I was with you, and I was following your orders. In other people's eyes, you instructed me to kill this guy.

Therefore, the two students will definitely blame you. Plus, given your outrageous behavior these past two days, the others will also vote for you.

Putting everything else aside, Zhao Botian from the "getting beaten up" group will definitely vote for you. Of course, there's also a possibility he'll vote for General Bai, but the chances of him voting for you are much higher.

Hanamichi Karen didn't respond to Lily's words, but just kept attacking Ling. If it were Sheng, he would have started to sow discord by now, but Ling wouldn't; he's just a fool.

"However, you can try to resist. Let me tell you this: if I die, your parents will be thrown into the Jade Zero Sea that very day."

"Poor Hanamichi, you'd better figure out what to do."

After saying that, Lily stopped talking and instead stared coldly at Hanamichi Karen, who was frantically releasing water.