"A game?"
Ying's brow furrowed, a strange sense of panic welling up in her heart. She instinctively took a step back.
"Hehehe... that's right."
"The game is simple, a mere choice."
The Doctor walked up to the two of them, smiling as he explained the situation to Ying.
"These two are the most defiant... oh no, rather, the ones who most wish to participate in the game."
"I've always been kind to people. Since they have this desire, I must help them to the best of my ability."
The Doctor wore a gentle smile. If Ying hadn't already known his true nature, she might have believed his words.
"The game is very simple. I have three small knives here. As long as one side can stab this knife into the other's abdomen, that side wins."
After tossing the knives to the three of them, the Doctor waved his hand, releasing his control over their minds.
Yamamoto-aniki and Tanikawa Moe quickly regained their senses. Seeing the scene before them, they froze.
"Ying?!"
"Little girl?!"
"Hehehe... a touching reunion of friends~"
The Doctor didn't give them time to reminisce, continuing his speech.
"If they win, the other residents of Hibiki Village will be safe. If you win, you can easily proceed to the next level."
"With their strength, it will be but a blink of an eye for you."
After speaking, the Doctor maintained his faint smile, but his eyes were fixed on Ying, filled with anticipation.
"Then I declare, the game begins~"
As the Doctor's words fell, Tanikawa Moe and Yamamoto-aniki's bodies uncontrollably lunged towards Ying.
"Eh?! Wait... what is this... what's happening..."
Seeing herself rushing towards Ying with a knife, Tanikawa Moe cried out in surprise, trying to stop herself, but found it impossible.
"Run, little girl, that guy's controlling my body!"
Yamamoto-aniki growled. He recognized the person who had been beside him just moments ago. Although his age didn't match, he was certain that this was the same person who had suddenly attacked their village and captured all the villagers.
Damn it...
Ying cursed inwardly, intending to knock them both out to buy herself some time to think.
Sensing Ying's thoughts, a cold sneer flickered across the Doctor's lips, and he spoke directly.
"A reminder, even if they faint, their bodies won't stop moving. That's because it's not them controlling their bodies, it's me~"
Before Ying could react, the Doctor added.
"Oh, and if you try to attack me, I can't guarantee I'll keep my word about the other villagers' safety~"
Hearing this, Ying's pretty face grew even more somber. She knew all her ideas had been foreseen by him. He had anticipated that she wouldn't dare to gamble whether the person before her was a replica.
After all, unlike with the Harbinger, they didn't have the protection of an Executive title. In the Doctor's eyes, they were merely pawns who cost nothing...
Damn it...
Ying cursed furiously in her heart, backing away from them while desperately trying to find a way out.
It was impossible for her to kill them. Even if she wanted to sacrifice herself, this was only the tenth level. If she died now, what would happen to Paimon?
Even if she passed all the levels, there was no guarantee the Doctor would release Paimon. She truly had no capital to contend with him, and Lumine would undoubtedly be unable to bear this news, blaming herself entirely...
Damn it... is there really no good solution... a way to ensure everyone's safety...
Wait... if she remembered correctly, he only said that stabbing the weapon into the opponent's abdomen would win. He didn't say it had to be a kill...
But... would the Doctor really make such a low-level, trivial verbal mistake...
Seeing Ying constantly evading and showing no intention of fighting back, Paimon outside the screen felt a hint of anxiety.
"Why isn't Ying fighting back? Isn't her own life precious?!"
Hearing this, Paimon in the cage shook her head.
"It can't be helped. The host is always like this, valuing others more than herself. She can't stand by and watch innocent people suffer. Not only are they the host's friends, but even if they were strangers, she wouldn't be able to bring herself to harm them."
Lumine, who was locked in a fierce battle with Scaramouche, noticed Ying's predicament. Knowing Ying's personality well, she naturally grew anxious and wanted to quickly defeat Scaramouche and then apprehend the Doctor. However, Scaramouche was far more difficult to deal with than she had imagined, not so easily defeated.
After all, the Scaramouche Lumine faced was different from the replica; he possessed the complete Electro Gnosis. She herself had not earned the Gnosis's recognition like Ying and couldn't replicate her actions. Although she had a Gnosis given by Nahida, Nahida was, after all, the God of Wisdom...
Damn it...
Hold on, Ying, I'll finish them off soon...
Inside the Spiral Abyss...
A long time had passed since the game began. Seeing Ying constantly keeping her distance and refusing to engage, Tanikawa Moe and Yamamoto-aniki grew increasingly anxious, urging her.
"Ying, don't worry about us. His words can't be trusted!"
Yamamoto also earnestly advised.
"Little girl, everyone faces difficult choices. Your heart is too soft. Kindness is a good thing, but it can sometimes be your downfall. At times like this, perhaps you should try to change yourself."
"If you truly sacrifice yourself for us, we will feel immense guilt. Not to mention your family and friends."
Ying gritted her teeth, her hand holding the sword trembling slightly, as if struggling with something. Finally, her gaze gradually sharpened into a determined glint.
Seeing Ying's newfound resolve, Tanikawa Moe and Yamamoto-aniki showed relieved smiles. They closed their eyes, preparing to welcome the moment of their death.
At the same time, Ying casually stored her knife in her spatial inventory and stopped, standing still.
*Squelch...*
The sound of flesh being pierced was heard. The expected pain did not come, causing Tanikawa Moe and Yamamoto-aniki to snap their eyes open.
Looking down, they were met with a cute face bearing a smile.
*Squelch...*
As the blade was withdrawn, Ying's body swayed, nearly falling to the ground. Enduring the pain, she stood firm and then turned to face the Doctor in the distance.
"You... you really didn't intend... to kill me..."