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

Late at night, in the luxurious hotel suite.

On the sofa before the floor-to-ceiling window, Shen Bingmiao sat with her legs crossed, swirling a glass of red wine before taking a sip of the liquid inside.

”Ahhh—this iced cola really hits the spot.”

Shen Bingmiao sighed contentedly, then turned her gaze to Lin Yu perched on the sofa armrest.

”So... my dear ace...”

”Weren’t you practically applying for poverty-stricken student grants last semester? Why are you suddenly booking expensive suites and ordering like crazy from the executive lounge?”

Facing Shen Bingmiao’s questioning, Lin Yu broke out in cold sweat.

Having been a ’Fraudster’ for so long with formidable acting skills, he could probably deceive even his sister Lin Zhao if she walked in right now.

But Shen Bingmiao was different...

Lin Yu had zero confidence facing her.

Because Shen Bingmiao knew Lin Yu’s ”acting” and ”background” too well.

Attempting an improv performance that could fool her would be harder than deceiving a god again.

And most importantly...

Shen Bingmiao’s curiosity knew no bounds.

Even if he made up some excuse, she’d probably investigate using her own methods when he couldn’t provide answers.

”Can I not answer?”

Lin Yu looked at Shen Bingmiao with sincere eyes.

”Absolutely not. I swapped shifts to be here,” Shen Bingmiao rolled her eyes. ”As our drama club’s star actor and my beloved junior, if you suddenly come into unexplained wealth, it’s my duty to get to the bottom of this before you go astray.”

She paused momentarily.

”Though judging by your spending habits... you might already be down that crooked path. Now I can only try damage control and guide you back!”

Shen Bingmiao’s expression turned dead serious.

Lin Yu raised his hands in surrender: ”President, don’t make it sound like I’m committing crimes...”

Shen Bingmiao pressed on: ”Then immoral activities?”

”This luxury suite... you’re not actually selling your looks, are you?”

”Those who trade on beauty lose favor when youth fades, my dear ace.”

Lin Yu grew even more exasperated.

”What nonsense is this, senior? Why do you always assume the worst?”

”I just made some small investments recently and want to enjoy life a little!” Google seaʀᴄh NoveI-Fire.ɴet

Seeing an opportunity, Lin Yu quickly offered an explanation Shen Bingmiao couldn’t easily verify.

Before she could scrutinize his words, Lin Yu deftly redirected the conversation:

”Speaking of which, senior... why are you here anyway?”

”It’s a school day today. What are you doing working at such a high-end place?”

Shen Bingmiao downed the remaining cola in her wine glass.

”Funding our club activities, you idiot!”

”Do you know our annual budget is only five thousand? Yet you keep demanding more realistic props for your plays—props cost money, genius!”

”If I didn’t work at upscale places like this, how could I afford your three productions per semester?”

Her angry tirade gradually softened:

”Don’t feel too guilty though. I am genuinely interested in mixology...”

Observing Shen Bingmiao’s act, Lin Yu rested his chin on one hand and nodded slightly.

”I see... not really.”

He sighed.

”President, while you excel as playwright, stage manager, critic, agent, and even troupe owner, your acting skills are strictly supporting-role material from late-night TV dramas.”

”Do you really think your clumsy performance and flimsy excuse could hide your nervousness from me?”

Lin Yu fixed his gaze on her. ”So what’s your real purpose here?”

Cornered by Lin Yu’s counterattack, Shen Bingmiao pursed her lips and looked out the window.

”Let’s compromise,” she said with exaggerated flair. ”We’ll both keep our little secrets.”

”Fine by me, but stop sounding like some flirtatious side character hitting on an extra,” Lin Yu retorted wearily.

”Your understanding is much appreciated...”

Shen Bingmiao stood, placing the glass aside: ”And if you really earned that money legitimately... I’m happy for you.”

”Your sister would be proud too.”

At the mention of Lin Zhao, Lin Yu froze momentarily before nodding slowly.

”I know, president.”

”See you at school tomorrow then.”

Shen Bingmiao headed for the door.

Watching her leave, Lin Yu finally relaxed slightly.

He’d managed to bluff his way through!

Personally, Lin Yu didn’t want Shen Bingmiao involved in his ’Death Game’ affairs.

Given her boundless curiosity and initiative, she’d likely get herself killed.

Especially after learning how the Psychological Society evaluated and eliminated ”ordinary people”—Lin Yu deliberately minimized contact to keep Shen Bingmiao off their radar.

After all, Shen Bingmiao perfectly embodied both ”genius” and ”madness” simultaneously.

Of course...

Lin Yu had wondered if Senior Shen might already be a ”player.”

But after his first dungeon, he’d tested this theory.

Attempting to discuss the ”Death Game” or even thinking about sharing his experiences with her proved impossible—consistent with non-player characteristics.

Thus, Lin Yu concluded his senior hadn’t been dragged into that despair-filled ’Death Game.’

Just as Lin Yu reached this conclusion...

The little octopus Hannah, silent on his shoulder until now, finally spoke through their mental link:

”Whew... she’s finally gone!”

”Director, that woman terrifies me...”

”It’s like she...”

As Lin Yu prepared to reassure Hannah with something like ”Senior doesn’t bite”...

Shen Bingmiao suddenly stopped at the door.

She spun around abruptly, facing Lin Yu with a radiant smile.

”Ohhh—my dear junior, my beloved Lin Yu...”

”A thought just occurred to me.”

She strode back into the room, stopping directly before Lin Yu.

Then...

Shen Bingmiao’s red lips parted:

”Could it be... you’re a player of the ’Death Game’?”