Chapter 57: When a Person Is Killed, They Die

Roloria nodded, feeling both pleasantly surprised and somewhat speechless. She was delighted that Ayuan was actually willing to help her quickly gather the crystals, so she could stay safely within the circle and simply wait for the time to exit. Yet she was bemused by Ayuan’s forceful tone and attitude, which seemed entirely at odds with her appearance. Who had ever seen such a little sweetheart in a white dress speak so boldly—and not as a joke?

“When do we start collecting? Now?” Roloria asked.

Ayuan turned, looking at her with confusion. “Don’t you want to start now?”

Roloria shook her head immediately. “Let’s go, then. But… all these people are inside the circle. We can’t make a move.”

Ayuan glanced around, inside and outside the circle. Those who possessed crystals were indeed within the safe zone; Roloria truly couldn’t act. They would have to wait until midnight, when this group would finally step out.

But… Ayuan wasn’t counted as a player.

Ayuan turned to Roloria, asking, “I’m not a player. If I act, it shouldn’t affect my brother, right?”

Roloria thought carefully before answering, “I can’t be certain. If you’re a part of Xiyan’s ability or something similar, the penalty for breaking the rules might ultimately fall on Xiyan.”

Ayuan pursed her lips, sitting on the ground in frustration. She didn’t want to implicate Xiyan, but she wanted to stay by his side as soon as possible. Xiyan had been acting strangely lately, and Ayuan was worried.

Time passed quickly; midnight soon arrived, and the crystals were about to refresh.

Ayuan told Roloria to stay within the circle, while she herself stepped outside the safe zone. People had already been watching her—not for any particular reason, but because Ayuan looked so young. Most, however, had witnessed her strength, so they merely watched, not daring to immediately target her.

Ayuan found herself alone, far from the safe zone, which stirred thoughts among the others.

Roloria didn’t understand why Ayuan wouldn’t let her follow—was it fear she might get hurt? She shook her head; Ayuan wouldn’t worry about her safety. If anything, Ayuan probably wished she’d perish here, since Roloria had “spoken rudely” to Xiyan.

“Dong…”

The clock struck twelve; the red crystals refreshed. Ayuan didn’t pay the leaderboard any mind, as she already had her targets. The moment those targets left the safe zone, Ayuan moved.

Her speed was so astonishing that Roloria didn’t even register what had happened until Ayuan had already dealt with the first target.

Ayuan’s hands were like steel claws—anyone she grabbed was as good as dead.

In no time, Ayuan eliminated three targets, and even managed to snatch a red crystal. The whole process left Roloria utterly dumbfounded, and she didn’t recover until Ayuan returned to her side.

“You… you…”

“Here, a red crystal. You have ten now, right?” Ayuan handed Roloria the crystal she’d seized.

Roloria took it, nodding dazedly. Blood stained the crystals—many lives must have been taken for these. She had never imagined she would one day reap the benefits of someone else’s efforts so easily.

Once sure Roloria had enough crystals, Ayuan returned to Xiyan’s side.

He had watched everything Ayuan did just now, yet his heart remained calm.

If someone is killed, they die. That’s all there is to it—survival of the fittest.

“Brother, we can stay here and wait for the time to run out!” Ayuan happily settled beside him, leaning against him.

“Mhm. You should rest well, too.”

Ayuan nodded, gradually falling asleep at Xiyan’s side.

Xiyan’s composure wasn’t truly calm, for outside the circle was even quieter. Those who had once fought fiercely now all stared at Xiyan—or, more precisely, at Ayuan.

This scenario was born from the Ninth Survival Zone. Only residents of the Ninth Survival Zone could enter; outsiders couldn’t. Thus, they had only a vague understanding of the survivors’ powers, and while the control panel offered some information, nothing compared to the shock of direct experience.

Ayuan’s strength completely changed their perceptions.

They looked at the bodies Ayuan had left behind—severed limbs, mangled remains—all victims of this little girl.

Terrifying beyond belief…

Those who still held crystals immediately rushed into the safe zone; the others had no further chance to compete.

At this moment, they realized that their previous battles were nothing compared to this.

Now, lacking any enthusiasm, everyone returned to the circle, awaiting tomorrow’s crystal refresh.

…

The days that followed were uneventful. Xiyan spent them talking with Ayuan and Roloria, eating instant noodles, with nothing else to do. Both he and Roloria had enough crystals; they just had to wait out the time.

Three days later, Roloria left. Before she departed, Ayuan made sure to remind her of her promise.

“Roloria, remember—you owe my brother a favor.”

Roloria’s fading figure involuntarily shivered. This wasn’t a reminder; it was a threat delivered at the moment of departure.

“I won’t forget…” Still, Roloria was someone who kept her word; she wouldn’t break her promise.

…

Now, only Xiyan and Ayuan remained, waiting for the seven days to end—a span neither too long nor too short. In these remaining days, Xiyan browsed the “Public Board,” reading about points, cards, and scenarios.

By now, Xiyan had learned much about this Survival Zone.

When the seven days finally ended, after midnight, Xiyan’s body gradually grew transparent and then vanished…

…

Suddenly plunged into darkness, Xiyan found himself back in the familiar forest.

He remembered bidding farewell to the River God here seven days ago—or rather, two minutes earlier, since in-game time passed differently.

“Ding…”

A notification sounded, and a system window appeared before Xiyan.

“Congratulations on completing the ‘Labor Is Glorious’ game.
Reward acquired: One yellow apple.”

Before Xiyan could even consider how he’d finished the scenario, another system message appeared.

“Eighteen minutes remain until the game ends. Please complete the game as soon as possible, or you will face punishment.”

Xiyan took out the blue apple, then the yellow apple in his other hand, looking left and right.

He tried placing them together, but it didn’t work. So he returned to the starting point—the place with the tray.

According to the game rules, he only needed to place the green apple marked with “Spring” there.

So Xiyan tried putting both apples on the tray.

After all, yellow plus blue makes green…