Chapter 19: The Salamander's Game

The staff member's expression changed abruptly, and he instinctively dodged. He quickly evaded Ye Luo’s attack, then seized Su Xiao’s fist in his grasp.

“What do you think you’re doing?” the staff member asked, his face darkening.

Ye Luo smiled faintly. “You’re a staff member—what could we possibly do? We’re just having a little fun with you.”

Su Xiao hurriedly nodded. “Yes, it’s just a joke. The two of us are just girls; we couldn’t really hurt you.”

He glanced at the two of them, snorted coldly, and said in a low voice, “I don’t appreciate this kind of joke.”

“Don’t worry—it won’t happen again,” Ye Luo replied.

Next time, it wouldn’t be a joke.

The staff member released Su Xiao’s fist and said coldly, “You only have one challenge left. Where do you plan to go for your final round?”

“Do you have any suggestions?” Ye Luo asked.

The staff’s lips stretched into a wider grin. “The Amphibian and Reptile House offers a higher chance of success.”

“I see. So that’s the most dangerous venue,” Ye Luo nodded.

The staff’s expression soured instantly. He said in a measured tone, “Staff in green uniforms never lie. Didn’t my warning help you pass the herbivore zone so smoothly?”

“Mm. That’s reasonable,” Ye Luo replied, waving her hand dismissively, but her manner showed no sign of belief.

The staff’s cheeks puffed up with anger.

Suddenly Ye Luo said, “The Amphibian and Reptile House may be dangerous, but I love a challenge most of all. For the final round, that’s where I’ll go.”

The staff member was momentarily taken aback, then showed a subtle smile. “You’ve made the right choice.”

Ye Luo turned to the others. “You all heard. The place I’m heading to is the most dangerous. For this next challenge, we’d better split up.”

“Boss, I…” Luo Yaonan was anxious; even if it was more dangerous, he still wanted to follow Ye Luo.

She glanced up at him, her face expressionless. “Can you follow me for a lifetime?”

Luo Yaonan was stunned, falling silent.

She was right. The boss had already led them through two venues; for this final one, it was time to rely on themselves.

“We’re six people now. Let’s split into two teams of three,” Ye Luo decided.

She pointed out two people directly. “Lin An, Sister Huo—if you’re willing, come with me. The three of us will act together. The other three will form the second group.”

Lin An’s eyes lit up, and he quickly moved to Ye Luo’s side.

See? Sister Ye was impatient with the others but took him along! It was an acknowledgment of him as her follower.

As for Huo Qianqian? She must have been brought along just to make up the numbers.

A flicker of surprise crossed Huo Qianqian’s eyes, but she nodded. “I’m willing.”

Ye Luo looked at the remaining three. “The three of you, go to another venue.”

They hesitated, especially Su Xiao, who gazed at Ye Luo with a look of reluctant longing.

But Ye Luo’s decision was firm. Once the groups were set, she left first with Lin An and Huo Qianqian.

She had her own reasons for this choice. Lin An and Huo Qianqian had to come with her. For the other three, splitting up might actually keep them safer.

The staff watched as the two teams headed down different branches. He looked first one way, then the other, and finally, as Ye Luo’s group departed, a strange smile crept onto his face.

The entrance to the Amphibian and Reptile House resembled a cave. The entire ceiling was made of glass, letting the blood-red moonlight pour down through it.

At the cave’s mouth, a staff member in a green uniform stood waiting.

He grinned widely. “Welcome to the most popular attraction in the Pet Paradise—the Amphibian and Reptile House. The creatures here are quite unique and will leave you enchanted. But beware, they’re mischievous and love to play games. If you receive an invitation to play, don’t refuse. After one hour, you may leave.”

Play games? With people, in a place like this? The mere thought was unsettling.

“Understood,” Ye Luo replied, stepping inside without hesitation.

Lin An and Huo Qianqian followed close behind.

After entering the cave, there was a stretch of complete darkness. Every breath seemed amplified in the inky blackness.

“Waaah, waaah, waaah…”

Amidst the silence, a baby’s cry suddenly erupted. At first faint, it grew louder and louder, until it was almost deafening.

Ye Luo felt something slick and slippery press onto her back.

The breathing behind her grew heavier.

Lin An’s voice trembled. “Sister Ye, what… what is that?”

Ye Luo remained calm. “Let’s just get through this part.”

Both Huo Qianqian and Lin An instinctively quickened their pace.

Once they emerged from the pitch-black tunnel, they found themselves in an indoor space fashioned like a jungle.

Lin An caught sight of the thing clinging to Ye Luo’s back, his pupils constricting sharply.

It was… it looked like a giant salamander, but besides its four legs, it had grown wings!

As soon as they stepped into the habitat, the salamander slipped off their backs, soared into the air, and began to chatter excitedly.

A chime sounded in their minds.

“The adorable salamanders invite you to play a game of Handkerchief Drop. Do you accept the invitation?”

“I accept,” Ye Luo replied, her voice cool.

Lin An and Huo Qianqian hastily agreed as well.

“Ding. Ye Luo, Lin An, and Huo Qianqian have entered the salamanders’ game: Handkerchief Drop.

Game rules:

1. Please form a circle with the salamanders.
2. There are two teams: the salamander team and the human team.
3. One player is randomly chosen to start the handkerchief drop. The handkerchief must be placed behind someone on the opposing team. After it falls, it will vanish at random. Only the person who dropped it knows behind whom it was placed.
4. The other team votes to guess who the handkerchief is behind. If the votes are tied, a revote is held until one person is selected.
5. If guessed correctly, the winning team can choose a member of the opposing team (or salamander) to be eliminated. If guessed wrong, the person voted out joins the opposing team.
6. When only two players (or salamanders) remain in either team, chase mode is activated.
7. The game ends when one team is completely eliminated.

The game will begin in ten seconds.”

A mechanical voice finished reciting the rules, and the countdown began.

When the countdown ended, a huge circle appeared in the middle of the habitat, with six seats spaced evenly around it.

The three salamanders picked their spots with practiced ease, then looked at the humans, urging them to choose.

The salamanders sat every other seat, leaving little choice for the humans.

“Sit wherever,” Ye Luo said.

The three of them took their places.

The game had begun.