Death Game: Starting as a Trickster, Pretending to Be a God

The next night.

After catching up on sleep at home during the day and making some preparations, Lin Yu returned to Tycoon’s abandoned restaurant.

Lin Yu’s ”disguise” had now reached a higher level.

He had purchased several new phones, bought some anonymous prepaid SIM cards, and acquired several virtual numbers.

After registering new social media accounts with these numbers...

Lin Yu made an attempt...

For some reason, while under the effects of [False Face], he could even register new forum accounts!

This discovery surprised Lin Yu.

”Could it be that the forum’s verification system uses facial recognition through the camera?”

Though he didn’t understand the mechanism, since it worked...

Lin Yu considered it a good thing.

Armed with brand new social media accounts and forum IDs, Lin Yu arrived at the abandoned restaurant again.

This time, however, before he could go upstairs, someone called out to him.

”Hey!”

Lin Yu turned to see a classic silver minivan parked by the roadside - the kind famously produced by a domestic automaker.

This vehicle seemed rather unbefitting of Tycoon’s status - whether as the second son of Qingsheng Group or as the leader of [Jiang’an Hall].

Yet there was no mistake - Tycoon’s solemn face appeared behind the rolled-down rear window.

”Old Yao, right? You’re punctual!”

Lin Yu put on an obsequious smile as he addressed Tycoon.

”Damn, boss! You came in person today!”

”What’s the test mission? Though I’ve only cleared seven instances, I’ve got some skills!”

”Just tell me what to do - I’ll go through fire and water without hesitation!”

Lin Yu thumped his chest confidently, then added:

”And boss, don’t judge me by my [Thief] class - I’ve actually turned over a new leaf. It’s just that [Death Game]’s evaluation criteria might be... a bit problematic.”

Lin Yu perfectly played the role of an unreliable person trying too hard to appear reliable.

Tycoon scrutinized Lin Yu carefully, stroking his chin.

”Relax, Old Yao. As the saying goes, if you suspect someone, don’t employ them; if you employ them, don’t suspect them. Since you sought out our [Jiang’an Hall], it shows your trust in us...”

”And naturally, I trust you too!”

Tycoon declared solemnly, making Lin Yu appear even more moved.

”Great! Let’s start the test - I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”

Tycoon cleared his throat: ”Well, the test is really just a formality.”

He then produced three silk pouches.

”Now, you’ll open these three pouches from left to right in order, and follow the instructions inside.”

”You might need to pay some... not-too-exorbitant costs...”

”But don’t worry, it definitely won’t exceed what you can handle!”

”After completion, return with whatever you obtain, and the mission will be considered accomplished!”

Tycoon explained seriously.

Lin Yu nodded and accepted the pouches.

”I guarantee mission completion!”

He then opened the first pouch.

”Go to 115 Jiuhuai Street, East Bridge District, Jiangcheng. Find the person wearing black uniform there. After finding them, open the second pouch.”

Reading the contents, Lin Yu nodded slightly.

”Seems I need to make contact first?”

Without hesitation, he hailed a taxi to the address on the note.

The location wasn’t far from Tycoon’s restaurant - the taxi ride took only about 20 minutes.

Lin Yu paid the driver in cash, pocketing the change as he stepped out.

Seeing the bright signage beneath the number 115, Lin Yu couldn’t help but comment:

”Why is this a McDonald’s?”

As for the person in black uniform...

Looking inside, Lin Yu noticed the counter staff all wore black uniforms.

Could Tycoon’s organization members be McDonald’s employees?

Maintaining his guard, Lin Yu pushed the door open and entered, then opened the second pouch.

”Approach the black-uniformed personnel. After they initiate conversation, read the words on the back of this note.”

Holding the note carefully, Lin Yu approached the cashier.

”Need to exchange passphrases too...”

Lin Yu muttered as the cashier greeted him first.

”Hello, may I take your order?”

The cashier smiled.

Lin Yu flipped the note and read aloud:

”’Hello, I’d like a Big Mac meal, upgrade the Coke to large no ice, to go’... Huh?”

Finishing the words, Lin Yu looked puzzled.

What kind of secret code was this?

The cashier maintained his smile: ”Will that be all?”

Lin Yu opened the third pouch: ”Make payment. Return with ’acquisition’.”

Reading this, Lin Yu fell silent.

What exactly was going on here?

Still, he paid for the meal in cash.

In the end...

Lin Yu received a paper bag containing a Big Mac, fries, and a large Coke.

Was the challenge that Tycoon’s people would ambush him on the return trip?

Lin Yu grew suspicious, but ultimately...

Nothing happened.

The taxi returned him uneventfully to the domestic-brand minivan, paper bag in hand and confusion on his face.

”What the hell?”

Lin Yu handed the bag to Tycoon, who - despite his seven-figure net worth and polished businessman demeanor - eagerly took out the burger and took a big bite.

”Delicious! I’ve been craving this for so long!”

Tycoon declared with satisfaction.

He then tore open a ketchup packet, squeezing half directly into his mouth before smearing the rest on his burger.

Between bites of burger, fries, and gulps of Coke, his mouth stuffed full, Tycoon gave Lin Yu an approving look.

”You’ve done well, Old Yao - you passed!”

”Welcome to [Jiang’an Hall]!”

Lin Yu looked dumbfounded: ”That’s it?”

Tycoon seemed surprised: ”What else? Did you think it’d be more complicated? We’re not like [Order] with their grand responsibilities, nor those sneaky groups like [Psychological Society] or [Free Alliance]!”

”Sure we have rules, but we can always kick you out if you break them later.”

Speaking between bites, Tycoon pulled out his phone.

”Come on, brother, scan this QR code - I’ll add you to our [Jiang’an Hall] group.”

Lin Yu nodded, taking out his new phone from his pocket and unlocking it.

Tycoon’s sharp eyes noticed the phone’s newness: ”Hey, newest FruitPhone model? Where’d you get it?”

Lin Yu paused, then replied: ”Boss, with that tone I thought you were about to advertise one of those phone recycling apps!”

Tycoon laughed heartily: ”True enough! Now scan this.”

Just as Lin Yu was about to open WeChat to scan, Tycoon interrupted.

”Wait, Old Yao, not that app.”

”It’s the ’forum’ app.”