The players who had been locked back into the cage woke up one by one and found their grim expressions when they realized they hadn’t escaped and their health was less than half. However, not everyone was captured. The player wearing the tiger mask counted the number of people and gritted his teeth, “Seventeen escaped.”
Everyone turned to look at him, and someone asked, “How many were there originally?”
The player in the tiger mask replied, “Ninety-nine. I’m good at counting.”
Everyone nodded and fell into silence.
The escape of seventeen players made their situation even worse. Originally, there was only one rabbit person walking back and forth in the underground dungeon, but now there were two. The difficulty of luring them over to knock them out or kill them would increase significantly.
Although each person should have their own tricks, nobody wanted to act recklessly at the beginning of the game without complete confidence.
The mood of the players was not good, and the cell became particularly quiet.
And this silence made the sound of someone munching on a carrot in the corner even more grating.
Gradually, many people turned their heads to look at the wall corner next to the iron bars. The man wearing the black cat crescent moon mask was stuffing a carrot into his cat mouth, which looked quite amusing. As they watched, someone couldn’t control their rumbling stomach.
Hungry.
Strange, they couldn’t buy food cards from the system store before entering the game. Why did this person have carrots to eat???
In addition to the players in the same cell, the two rabbits pacing outside the iron gate occasionally glanced at him, their eyes fixed on the carrot in his hand. As the carrot became shorter and shorter, the two rabbit people stared more frequently.
Mo Yang stopped chewing on the half-eaten carrot.
Then he tried to put on a cute smile on his masked cat face and leaned forward to greet the two rabbit people.
“Big Brother Rabbit, when are we going to have our meal? I’m feeling a bit hungry.”
The two rabbit people quickly hopped over to Mo Yang, staring at the half-eaten carrot in his hand. “You only have one meal a day. Me and Rabbit Eight will bring you food later, and you have to fight for it.”
Mo Yang pulled the carrot back a bit. “Big Brother Rabbit, could you help me grab two portions? I can trade the carrot with you.”
The rabbit person squinted his small red eyes, looked at him, and finally nodded. “Fine, for the sake of your cuteness.”
Then he walked away.
Mo Yang happily put away the carrot. He walked over to Zhou Api and pretended to sleep next to him. Facing the wall, with Zhou Api blocking the view of other players, he stuffed the “Knockout Powder” Wan Mei had prepared into the carrot. When the rabbit person went to get the food later, Mo Yang suddenly stood up and waved the carrot, calling out, “Brother Rabbit Eight! Can you help me with something?”
The rabbit person named Rabbit Eight quickly hopped over, staring at the carrot. “What’s up?”
“I still have half a carrot here. If you don’t mind, I can offer it to Brother Eight. Can you help me grab two portions of food later? I’m not strong enough to compete.”
Rabbit Eight glanced at the carrot, his red nose twitching. Finally, with a wave of his paw, the carrot ended up in his mouth, and he gobbled it down. He grunted, “Fine, I’ll grab two portions for you… Huh? Why do I feel dizzy??”
Before Rabbit Eight could finish his sentence, he started to lean backward, but Mo Yang, acting swiftly, grabbed his collar and propped him against the iron bars, making it look like he was looking inside the cell.
Then, in front of the shocked players in the cell, Mo Yang skillfully searched Rabbit Eight, pulling out a pack of White Rabbit milk candies from his pants pocket. He then took out the cell keys he had retrieved earlier from his backpack.
At the moment the keys appeared, everyone’s eyes lit up, but Mo Yang raised his masked head and said to the players who had already gathered by the cell door, “I have shaky hands. If you crowd me and get caught, we’ll all be waiting for death together. Besides, there are rabbit guards outside the cell. Are you sure you want to be the first ones to go out?”
As he said this, the initially enthusiastic players backed off a bit, and Zhou Api quickly pulled boss Bai Wan, squeezing to the front. Mo Yang saw their dexterous handling of the keys and unlocking the door, their movements steady.
Click.
The cell door opened for the second time. Mo Yang retrieved the keys and pushed the door open, then took a deep breath and lightly tapped the ground twice with his heel before immediately rushing out with Zhou Api and Wan Mei!
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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However, nineteen people were still caught and brought back, eleven of whom had their health points reduced to zero and died in the game, resulting in a game failure.
While Mo Yang quietly hid with Wan Mei and Zhou Api in the castle kitchen, inside a box filled with potatoes, they heard the system prompt.
[Current remaining players: 88. Due to the mass escape of the “Primitive” food group, the Black Panther Duke’s castle is now under martial law. Five patrol teams, Black Cat, Wolf Dog, White Rabbit, Yellow Ox, and Antelope, are continuously patrolling, with the Black Cat and Antelope teams as elite squads. The number of guards at the castle exit has doubled. Please continue your efforts to escape.]
Zhou Api gasped, “Eleven dead? This game is a bit too extreme, isn’t it?”
But Mo Yang was focused on another point, “We need to find a way to kill or defeat a Black Cat or Antelope. Otherwise, our final escape will also fail. The patrol teams should not exceed ten people, which means there are at most twenty elite enemies here. We still have 88 people remaining. It’s a tough situation.”
Zhou Api exclaimed, “You’re right, this game is really deceptive!”
Just as Mo Yang was about to speak, his mouth was covered by a slightly cold hand, and Wan Mei’s voice whispered in his ear, “Shh.”
Mo Yang tensed up, and then he heard the sound of conversation.
“Hey, those food items dared to escape. If they weren’t rare delicacies to be offered to Lord Duke, I would devour them one by one. Just thinking about their tender and juicy flesh makes me drool!
“Shut up! Even if those rare food items spoil, they won’t be given to you. Alright, Lord Duke wants Tomato Potato Beef Stew. Quickly bring that box of potatoes over! There are only five of us left in the kitchen now, so we need to hurry up and cook! I’ll go pick some tomatoes. Ugh, just thinking about those tomatoes that can fight back makes me want to cry. Why did those damn humans escape? Couldn’t they have obediently let us eat them!?”
As Mo Yang, Wan Mei, and Zhou Api crouched inside the wooden potato box, being effortlessly carried to the kitchen by an unknown animal person, they could hear the conversation clearly.
The castle kitchen was much larger than Mo Yang had imagined. There were only four people inside, two of whom were bear-like individuals weighing at least 200 kilograms each. The other two were monkey-like individuals with pointed mouths and cheeks.
“Alright, put the potatoes down. You two clumsy bears go prepare the meal for the Black Cat Patrol. Tom insists on having Honey Roasted Fish. Can you handle that? We’ll take care of Lord Duke’s Tomato Potato Beef Stew.” One of the monkey people spoke, and the bear people nodded in agreement.
While the two bear people went to the water tank to catch fish, the two monkey people approached the wooden box filled with potatoes. They opened the box and were greeted by a face full of mashed potatoes.
“Ptui! What’s this?!”
Before the two monkey people could say anything, Mo Yang swung the makeshift “hammer” made of cloth-wrapped potatoes and viciously smashed it against one of the monkey person’s head. At the same time, Zhou Api followed suit and knocked out the other monkey person, then the two of them swiftly tied up and gagged the two monkey people, burying them back inside the potato box.
However, Wan Mei, who disagreed, spoke up, “We should skin them and wear their hides to safely pass through the gates. Believe me, I can flawlessly peel a perfect monkey skin from head to toe.”
Mo Yang’s mouth twitched, “Are you trying to get demoted again? Didn’t the system remind you to care for NPCs and the environment? Have you forgotten all about it?”
Wan Mei sighed, “I just wanted to dissect them and see what kind of peculiar species they are. Are their brains and human evolution the same? They have animal-like appearances but walk upright and use tools. On the other hand, humans are scarce as food. If this is the background of another planet, what happened there? Could our Earth also end up like this in the future? Animals evolving collectively while humans stagnate?”
Dr. Wan became more excited as he spoke, and it seemed like he was about to dissect the monkey’s brain in the next second. Mo Yang quickly tugged at the corner of his mouth, intending to step forward and stop him, but then the two bear people who were fishing appeared.
Three humans and two bears faced each other.
Bear person: “…”
Mo Yang: “…”
The bear people’s eyes gradually widened, and their mouths started to open rapidly.
Mo Yang acted swiftly, stuffing a huge potato into the bear person’s mouth, while Zhou Api pulled out a black hammer from his backpack and viciously smashed it on the bear person’s forehead. The impact was strong enough to cause significant damage, even though the bear person’s skull was tough. The other bear person turned around to flee, but Wan Mei, the curious researcher, stabbed him with a sharp dissecting knife.
The blow hit the central nervous system at the back of the bear person’s head. By the time Mo Yang and Zhou Api managed to deal with the first bear person, the unfortunate creature had its skull opened up, becoming the first subject for experimentation.
Zhou Api took a deep breath and quietly stepped back several paces.
Mo Yang: “…”
‘I think I need to seriously consider whether I should have a romantic relationship with this person. What if I wake up one day and find my skull opened up? Just imagining that scene is horrifying,’ Mo Yang thought to himself.
Even more horrifying was the fact that the bear person, whose skull had been opened up, was still alive, albeit paralyzed and unable to speak. Wan Mei nonchalantly put his skull back in place. He casually picked up a clean tablecloth and wiped the gleaming dissecting knife.
“Although their brains are small, the structure is similar to humans. They must have evolved.”
Mo Yang felt like he had nothing to say anymore, except to smile.
Then the system’s prompt sounded once again.
[Current player count: 82. One player successfully killed members of an elite squad. Two additional team members will be added. Please continue your efforts.]
“Goodness, who is so ** that they have already killed a group of elite squad members?” Zhou Api exclaimed. As Mo Yang stuffed the other two bears’ mouths and hid them away, they began preparing the meal.
“Never mind others, if one dies, two more will be added. We need to act quickly. You make the Tomato Potato Beef Stew, and Zhou Api and I will make the Honey Roasted Fish,” Mo Yang said.
Wan Mei raised an eyebrow, “Are you planning to make a dark dish and poison that cat squad?”
Mo Yang chuckled, “Hehe. Can’t I make an incredibly delicious roasted fish to make them drool?”
Wan Mei turned to peel the potatoes, expressing his thoughts through actions.
Although Mo Yang’s cooking skills were mediocre, and even terrible, when it came to fish-related dishes, he had some experience. The Honey Roasted Fish didn’t turn out to be a true dark dish, it still looked edible.
Compared to Wan Mei’s Tomato Potato Beef Stew, which had a bright soup and a mouth-watering aroma, the Honey Roasted Fish did look a bit like a dark dish.
Wan Mei suddenly exclaimed, “Oh!”
Mo Yang and Zhou Api turned to see that Wan Mei had finished a bowl of Tomato Potato Beef Stew and was nodding, “Come and taste it. Your strength will increase by 10 points within half an hour.”
Mo Yang was surprised. Eating a bowl of stew actually increased his strength. He silently envied and resented it.
Indeed, a chef can survive anywhere!
He turned to eat his Honey Roasted Fish, and his face immediately turned dark.
[Player Yang Heigou consumes “Poor Quality Honey Roasted Fish” and enters a “depressed state.” Agitation level +5.]
Zhou Api saw Mo Yang’s unhappy expression and decided to take a different approach. Instead of taking a bite of the roasted fish, he dipped his chubby hand into the honey jar and tasted the honey directly.
So, when Song Kefeng, with only 50 points of health left, rushed into the kitchen, what he saw was the Black Cat Detective, the clown, and the New Year pig happily eating, showing no signs of urgency or escape.
Song Kefeng felt that these three individuals were truly infuriating.
Before he could say anything, Black Cat Detective rushed over and shoved a piece of honey-roasted fish into his mouth.
Caught off guard, Song Kefeng took a bite of the fish, and then…
[Player Xiezhi consumes “Poor Quality Honey Roasted Fish,” health +20, enters a “depressed state,” agitation level +10.]
Song Kefeng’s mood became extremely complicated.
Song Kefeng’s health increased by 20, but his agitation increased by 10. So, is this Black Cat Detective trying to harm him or help him? With only 50 health points left, Song Kefeng gritted his teeth and finally said, “Thank you.”
Mo Yang took three steps back in shock.
‘What the heck? Has Song Kefeng lost his mind?’ Mo Yang thought. Despite the fish being so unappetizing, Song Kefeng actually thanked him?
“Um, it’s alright, you’re welcome. Do you want more? There’s still some left,” Mo Yang said.
Then Mo Yang saw Song Kefeng’s conflicted silence for a moment, followed by a nod. “Give me another piece… Although it doesn’t taste good, my health is still low, so it’s not safe.”
Mo Yang picked the most charred and blackened fish for him.
Song Kefeng: “…”
Does this Black Cat Detective dislike him? After taking a bite of the fish, Song Kefeng smelled the tantalizing aroma coming from the other side. He looked over to see the clown with an afro hairstyle wearing a white lab coat skillfully and elegantly grilling fish. The fish had a golden color, a mixture of aromatic sauce, and looked incredibly delicious.
After the clown finished grilling and turned to face him, he took a small bite of the fish, producing a satisfying crisp sound. Song Kefeng felt a surge of overwhelming malice and mockery directed toward him.
Then, the Black Cat Detective bounced over excitedly, saying, “Give me a bite! Give me a bite! It smells incredibly delicious!”
The clown in the white lab coat smiled knowingly, holding the fish that he had taken a bite from, looking at the Black Cat Detective, and then glancing at Song Kefeng.
Song Kefeng: “…”
Not only does Black Cat Detective probably dislike him, but this clown in the white lab coat also clearly considers him an enemy!
Zhou Api sympathetically glanced at the dejected Song Kefeng and patted his shoulder. “Brother Song, don’t mind them. They are always like this. You’ll get used to it.”
Heh, as if I could ever get used to it!
Then Song Kefeng saw the clown in the white lab coat standing by the kitchen door, vigorously fanning the beautifully golden grilled fish. In less than a minute, a fully human-like cat-headed person in a uniform sneaked in and exclaimed, “Where’s the fish? I smell the aroma of grilled fish! I want fish!”
Before he could finish his sentence, the Black Cat Detective and the New Year pig, armed with a hammer and a Tang knife, launched an attack.
The cat-headed individual hesitated for a moment, then spat and kicked the New Year pig aside.
“An unevolved pig dares to compete with me for food! Stay away! And you, where did this crescent moon cat come from? Are you planning to fight me one-on-one?!”
The crescent moon cat, Mo Yang, responded, “Yes, let’s have a fight, and the winner gets to eat that grilled fish. The loser eats the fish over there.”
The black cat looked at Mo Yang and Zhou Api’s grilled fish with immense disdain.
“Let’s fight then! I, Tom, won’t lose to a little cat like you!”
Five minutes later.
Tom was lying on the ground, defeated.
Mo Yang, who was stepping on his back, was overwhelmed with excitement. He couldn’t believe that he had finally let out all his pent-up frustration after being tormented by his research-crazed boyfriend before.
But before he could revel in his victory, his mask suddenly opened on its own, and an arrogant voice sounded: “I’ll destroy you on behalf of the moon!”
Mo Yang froze.
Oh my god.
I finally remember where I’ve seen this mask before! Ahhh!
Ahahah
Thank you for your translation 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Wait a friggin minute. I thought Song and Mo Yangyang’s cat masks are the same? They both have the moon on the forehead right? But Song Kefeng said he recognized the same mask as Mr. Bao, Detective Black Cats?? I AM CONFUSED. 🐽
They’re from the same show. The detective has Detective Qing mask with a silver moon on it that lights up while MC has a black cat mask with the same moon that lights up
let us pray for his sanity 🙏
Lol, suddenly i want to shout “make up!!!!!!” Lol thank you