The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 318: Review

“The first day, Green Tea, a wolf, was voted out.”

“The second night, the werewolves killed Electric Mouse, a villager. Ronnie checked X’s role, and White Tiger protected X.”

“The second day, Ronnie came out as the seer, while X, the alpha, exposed himself and took Ronnie with him.‘

“The third night, the werewolves killed Joker, a villager, and White Tiger protected Can, another villager.”

“The third day, Can was ostracized.”

“The fourth night, the werewolves killed no one, and White Tiger protected White Rabbit, a werewolf.”

“The fourth day, Green Snake, the hunter, was ostracized, taking Scarlet Fox, a werewolf, with her.”

“The fifth night, White Tiger protected Seven Shadow, a villager, and White Rabbit killed White Tiger.”

“The fifth day, White Rabbit was ostracized, leaving Vermilion Bird, the witch, and Seven Shadow, a villager, alive. The game ends with the good team winning.”

“Haha, what a good show.” Sir Zuo chuckled. “You may leave—ack, ack...”

He got into a coughing fit, taking Gao Yang by surprise.

Throughout the game, Sir Zuo had been the absolute authority in the Rune Cave, having everyone dancing on his palm like God, yet he showed such a weak side now.

Gao Yang clenched his fists. Good. You’re dead as soon as we get out of here...

Clack.

Suddenly, there was the sound of metal doors opening.

Gao Yang, Vermilion Bird, and Chen Ying jumped to their feet, turning around.

Click, click, click.

One after another, the metal doors opened, and at the same time, the gray fog permeating the prison dispersed quickly, revealing their companions in the cells; some were standing by the doors, some leaning against the walls, and some sitting on the beds cross-legged.

They were all alive!

Gao Yang’s jaw dropped, unable to say anything while tears welled up in his eyes.

He staggered and had to prop himself up with his hands on the stone table, gasping for breath as his lips curled into a smile.

“Hmph...”

He covered his mouth tightly, a hysterical growl bursting out of his chest.

The greatest joy in life was none other than recovering what one thought they had lost.

Sir Zuo!

You’re the most perverted, insidious, cunning, lowly, and insane observer!

But thank you, fucking thank you for giving them back safe and sound.

“Goddamnit, god fucking damn it!”

Wu Dahai was the first to cry out. He rushed out of his cell, choking, and grabbed onto Gao Yang while sobbing and laughing. “Gao Yang! I’m alive! I’m not dead! Hahaha, can you believe it? I’m still alive! It’s great to be alive, it’s fucking great!”

Gao Yang hurriedly wiped the tears off his face, feeling helpless for a moment. “Yeah, yeah. Thank heavens you’re alright...thank heavens...”

“You’re being embarrassing!”

White Rabbit walked out of her cell, throwing Wu Dahai a derisive glance, but her eyes were bright with joy.

“Shut up, you evil woman!” Wu Dahai turned around angrily. “Although I was kept in my cell, I could hear all of you. White Rabbit, oh Miss White Rabbit, the Academy owes you an award! You’re best actor material! Trying to fool my Yang Yang til the very end!”

Would you not call me Yang Yang? Gao Yang grumbled inwardly. We’re not that close.

“You think I want to be a wolf?” White Rabbit didn’t regret how she had played at all. “If you had gotten a wolf card, what would you do? Admit you were a wolf and waited for death? Even if you really planned to do that, would Sir Zuo allow it?”

Wu Dahai fell silent.

“I tried, but I was stopped,” said Scarlet Fox. He, along with White Tiger, Ronnie, and Can, walked up to Vermilion Bird and Gao Yang.

“Little Fox!” Vermilion Bird rushed to him, almost bursting into tears of joy.

“Elder Vermilion Bird, I’m sorry...” Scarlet Fox looked away, shamefaced.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” She held his hands before reaching up to touch his face like an adult would a child. “As long as you’re okay. It’s just a game. It’s not real. It’s over, all over...”

“Captain.”

Can and Ronnie came up to Gao Yang. Can’s voice was soft, and her eyes were red. She tried her best to swallow her sobs. “I thought, I thought...”

“That you’d never get to see me again?” Gao Yang had regained his composure as their captain. “How many times have you said that, Can? Stop it. It\'s a bad omen.”

“Yeah!” Can nodded vehemently, breaking into a beam.

“Good work, Ronnie.” Gao Yang turned to Ronnie. “You were brave.”

“I didn’t play, well.” Ronnie was still blaming himself. “I shouldn’t have checked, X the second round. He had to, be a wolf. I wasted, a chance...”

Gao Yang assured him with a smile, “You played well for a new player.”

He extended a hand. “Here.”

Can and Ronnie put their hands on his.

When there were so many people around, all three of them were feeling a little shy, so they whispered quietly, “May the odds be with us.”

Gao Yang turned to find Qing Ling staring at him with an unreadable look.

He paused, suddenly timid. He was overjoyed that she was alright, but for a moment, he couldn’t find the words to say to her. He smiled instead.

Gently, he threw the Twin Bracelet back to its owner.

Qing Ling caught it and put it back onto her wrist, her gaze piercing. “Hey, why did you vote for Scarlet Fox rather than me? How did you know I wasn’t a wolf?”

“My hunch,” Gao Yang admitted. And his trust in her, of course.

Qing Ling’s eyes glinted. “If you had voted for me, I would’ve shot you.”

“Huh?” Gao Yang smothered a laugh. “I was confirmed to be on the good team by the seer, the absolute gold water. Even if I did make the mistake of voting you out, you shouldn’t kill me. That would be a wrong move.”

“Anyone could vote for me.” Qing Ling coldly turned away, her long hair whipping. “But not you.”

Because we never betray each other.

Gao Yang added silently with a smile.

“Ahem.” Playing nonchalance, Vermilion Bird came up to Gao Yang and slapped him on the back hard, making him jump.

“Seven Shadow, my boy, you’ve got something going on with Green Snake.” She smirked. “Speak, did you two get back together secretly? Oh, the rotten smell of love in the air. I caught it from a mile away!”

Gao Yang said wryly, “We’ve never been a thing. There’s no getting back together.”

“That’s, that’s right,” Can chimed in hurriedly. “Don’t say nonsense, Elder Vermilion Bird.”

“Elder Vermilion Bird, I don’t hate you, but I’ll never forgive you.” Vermilion Bird imitated Gao Yang in an exaggerated manner. “Green Snake didn’t have to die...”

“Sister Xia, please stop! Please!” Gao Yang begged with his hands pressed together. “Please let that go. I’ll serve you like a loyal dog.”

“Ha!” Vermilion Bird raised an eyebrow. “I’m not gonna take it personally. Were I to make the choice again, I’d still save Little Fox, and I know you’d save Green Snake.”

She sighed softly. “Fate can be cruel and force us to make an impossible decision.”

“Let’s hope we never run into such a decision,” Gao Yang prayed earnestly.

“Let’s hope that.” Vermilion Bird nodded.

Chen Ying was beside herself as well. She grabbed Green Tea and Joker with each of her hands like an old mother and her two adult sons. “Thank lord, you’re both alright. That’s good. Or I wouldn’t know how to face everyone...”

“Green Tea, my heart sank when I saw that you were a wolf. I thought either you or Joker would have to go, but I didn’t expect both of you to...”

Green Tea smiled with a deep sense of relief. “Yeah, thankfully it was only a game. I’ve lied many times in my life, but never to my companions, never like tonight. To be frank, it was quite difficult for me...but I didn’t want to die. My little brother is still so young...”

Chen Ying offered, “You did what you had to, Green Tea. Don’t blame yourself.”

Joker numbly pulled his hand out of Chen Ying’s grasp; he wasn’t used to Chen Ying’s open show of affection, and he disliked unnecessary physical contact.

“Ah.” Chen Ying realized she had been acting inappropriately. “I’m sorry.”