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

Chapter 57: Invitation, Deception, Betrayal

Although Lin Yu had never heard the name ”Heavenly Artisan” before—since he rarely checked the forumʼs bounty section—he was familiar with the organization called ”Marauders.”

It was one of the three organizations banned from the forum, sharing equal notoriety with the ”Psychological Society,” the insane group that had killed him.

When April exclaimed about Heavenly Artisanʼs deeds, it became clear that Iron Uncle—no, this ”Heavenly Artisan”—was also a formidable figure.

Killing other players in real life was considered a ”violation” unanimously agreed upon by all players!

Though there were no courts or police among the players, the largest organization ”Order” and its ”Game Masters” essentially served as judicial and law enforcement bodies.

Anyone who used in-game abilities to commit crimes in reality would be publicly wanted on the forum once discovered by Order.

Moreover, Order members would unconditionally hunt down those wanted ”violators” both in-game and in reality!

After Heavenly Artisan revealed his identity, his expression was no longer as calm as before.

He sighed, looking at the now-alert and wary Unforgotten, April, and Number Eight with a shadowed expression.

”This is exactly why I had to conceal my identity.”
”Although I joined the Marauders, I donʼt indiscriminately kill innocents in cooperative puzzle games... If youʼd treated me like this from the start, the game wouldʼve been difficult to proceed.”

After speaking, Heavenly Artisan turned his gaze to Lin Yu.

”I actually admire you, Nine Waters... To be honest, your composure exceeds my expectations.”

Lin Yu shrugged nonchalantly.

”No, I just never considered you a good person from the beginning.”

Although in this game, this self-proclaimed ”Iron Uncle”—Heavenly Artisan—had worked hard to play the role of a kindly old man...

But...

A guy who survived ten dungeons being a nice person?

Highly unlikely.

While there were naive lucky survivors in this game—

Like Chen Zhuo.

Or that ”Number Eight” over there—probably a genuinely timid mouse.

But ”Iron Uncle” was definitely no saint.

Ultimately, his acting just wasnʼt good enough.

At least, not good enough to fool Lin Yu.

During the second dungeon, his poorly concealed indifference toward human life while pretending otherwise almost made Lin Yu laugh.

However, Lin Yuʼs calm demeanor instead provoked hearty laughter from Heavenly Artisan.

”Haha, I really like you!”

”With your ʼSoldierʼ profession and that powerful pistol item... Youʼre perfect material for the Marauders!”

Lin Yu shook his head.

”Iʼll have to decline. Iʼd like to keep accessing the forum for a while longer.”

As he spoke, Heavenly Artisan laughed.

”No problem. Change your mind? Feel free to contact me anytime.”

After Heavenly Artisan finished speaking,

The Crow-Man tossed him a key.

”Caw caw, you may now leave the dungeon.”

Heavenly Artisan caught the key in surprise.

”Oh? I can leave now?”

The Crow-Man nodded.

”Caw caw, of course!”

Heavenly Artisan smiled.

”Fine then, my presence was making everyone uncomfortable anyway.”

With that, he walked toward the door at the end.

He opened it and stepped into a blinding white light.

The door closed and locked again, as a new key materialized in Crow-Manʼs hand.

Watching him leave, April and Number Eight simultaneously exhaled in relief.

”That scared me to death!”

Number Eight said, still shaken.

Lin Yu glanced at him and shook his head. ”What were you afraid of? Iʼm an armed Soldier. Even if heʼs wanted, do you think he could kill you all right in front of me?”

Number Eight gave Lin Yu a strange look. ”Brother Nine Waters, even with your strong profession and item... That ʼHeavenly Artisanʼ is a ʼPromotedʼ player—one who completed Promotion in just ten dungeons and got invited by the Marauders! In a fight, you probably wouldnʼt stand much chance!”

Lin Yu could tell Number Eight was being diplomatic.

Promotion again...

What exactly was this ”Promotion”?

Lin Yu was puzzled.

But before he could inquire further, April chimed in.

”Right, his bounty is worth eight thousand credit points...”

Hearing this, Lin Yu froze.

”How much?!”

”Eight thousand points.”

April said seriously.

Lin Yu suddenly felt his eyes grow hot.

Eight thousand points... wasnʼt that eight hundred thousand RMB?!

Capturing him could get his sister a whole new storefront!

Even if not for his sister, saving that amount would mean not worrying about ”finding a job” for years after graduation—he could keep acting in the plays he loved!

Lin Yu instantly felt regret.

Had he known earlier, he wouldʼve tried to kill the guy in the dungeon.

Unforgotten couldnʼt help adding, ”Do you even check the forum? ʼHeavenly Artisanʼ is the hottest bounty post recently!”

Lin Yu shook his head. ”I told you, I just cleared my first dungeon. I havenʼt figured everything out yet.”

Hearing this, Unforgotten looked stunned.

”Wait, you really only cleared one dungeon? I was planning to use you to challenge the second statement as a lie!”

Lin Yu spread his hands. ”Feel free to test me if you donʼt believe.”

”Not necessary,” Unforgotten said, then smiled at April and Number Eight. ”But you two better hurry, or I might steal your confirmed ʼlieʼ!”

”The Crow-Man said not everyone might pass... Some of these five statements could be truths mixed in!”

At this, April and Number Eightʼs expressions changed again.

Lin Yu also watched them with interest.

Frankly, after the Crow-Manʼs statements, these two had shown the most troubled expressions.

Something very interesting was definitely about to happen between this couple.

Just as Lin Yu predicted,

Prompted by Unforgottenʼs warning,

April and Number Eight gritted their teeth and spoke simultaneously:

”I choose number four!”

Their voices overlapped perfectly.

The Crow-Man looked at them and laughed heartily.

”Interesting! State your reasoning—the young man was slightly faster, so youʼll speak first!”

The fourth statement the Crow-Man had made earlier...

Was: ”Between the two of you who know each other, neither has ever betrayed the other.”

April and Number Eight stared at each other, their expressions grim.

April spoke in a low voice.

”Say it—how did you betray me?”

Number Eight paled, biting his lip as he spoke.

”I... A-Yao, Iʼm sorry. That night during finals week last year when I told you I was pulling an all-nighter at the library...”

”I actually went to see my ex-girlfriend.”