"Should I go support them? I can enhance my speed and guarantee no one notices me."
Seeing how anxious Jian Yi was, Xie Qin knew that if he did not do something soon, the great precognition specialist on their team would be unable to resist charging over herself.
"Thank you."
Jian Yi knew where she fell short compared with the others. She was the least skilled at anything geared toward actual combat.
Xie Qin nodded at Jian Yi, then looked at Lu Renyi as though he wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lu Renyi looked baffled. If Xie Qin wanted to go, then he should go. He was a grown man; surely he did not need someone to hold his hand and accompany him.
"Don't forget to protect Jian Yi. Ke Qi was wandering around in front of us just now, and he's very interested in you. Remember to stay away from him. He isn't normal. If he goes crazy, he might drag both of you down with him."
Was that really all?
Lu Renyi thought Xie Qin's gaze held complicated emotions and did not look at all like concern for their safety. But after asking Jian Yi, he still found nothing strange, so he could only set the matter aside for now.
The dread in Jian Yi's heart swept through her entire body. She paced back and forth uneasily, but they could not remain standing here forever.
Once Lu Renyi saw the three red dots meet on his watch and begin moving toward them, he took Jian Yi to try their luck outside the Grand Elder's lounge. If fortune favored them, they might learn when the Grand Elder would come by.
Jian Yi happened to need something else to distract her. She obediently followed behind him, the two exchanging one sentence after another as the atmosphere grew much lighter than before.
"Xie Qin said you ran into Ke Qi just now. Did he say anything strange again?"
"Nothing much. We encountered him right around when you were running all over the place and then suddenly stopped. He glanced at Xie Qin's watch, saw that you were beside the Grand Elder's lounge, and explained it to us."
"Xie Qin said Ke Qi deliberately separated the four of us who were there."
Since Ke Qi knew where Lu Renyi had been at the time, that meant he had mastered the layout of this floor, perhaps even the entire building.
As for the claim that Ke Qi had "deliberately separated the four of them," Lu Renyi was more inclined to regard it as the product of Xie Qin and Ke Qi's long-standing mutual hostility.
The only question was why Ke Qi was so interested in him that he had even gone out of his way to mention it in front of Xie Qin and the others.
Lu Renyi considered Ke Qi an unpredictable element prone to exploding. While chatting idly with Jian Yi, he asked the System how the original plot was supposed to unfold.
"Was Lin Shubei originally the one Ke Qi was supposed to find interesting? I haven't stolen the protagonist's screentime, have I?"
The System was also worried about that. But after checking the plot outline and character settings, it relaxed and reassured Lu Renyi while it was at it.
"Ke Qi is the last person to become part of the protagonist's group. Although he works with the other members several times along the way, he never associates with them."
"He doesn't truly open up until the entire protagonist's group enters the selection camp and survives several life-or-death ordeals. His current attitude toward you, Host, is merely that of someone who has found an entertaining toy. There's no need to worry."
The corner of Lu Renyi's mouth twitched. What a fine reason not to worry. Was he supposed to be grateful that someone regarded him as an entertaining toy?
Still, since the System had said so, Lu Renyi set the matter aside for the moment. As long as Ke Qi did not suddenly cause a scene and affect his performance, it was fine.
When Lu Renyi reached the corner, he caught Jian Yi in time and prevented her from stepping directly into view of the two guards.
Once Jian Yi saw that Lin Shubei and the other two were slowly moving toward them, she no longer felt uneasy. Lu Renyi pulled her aside and quietly warned her what to watch for. She listened obediently, then leaned against the wall after he finished and waited for the opportunity he had mentioned.
The wait dragged on. Jian Yi grew bored and suddenly recalled the hesitant look Xie Qin had given Lu Renyi before leaving, along with the question Lu Renyi had abruptly asked.
"Brother Lu, why did you suddenly bring up Ke Qi just now?"
Lu Renyi had sensed someone approaching and was about to plant a psychological suggestion that would make them leave, but Jian Yi's words suddenly interrupted him.
Lu Renyi was not angry. He merely found it strange that Jian Yi had returned to this subject. Even if she wanted to chat out of boredom, should they not discuss something that interested them both?
"Why ask that all of a sudden?"
"I just think the atmosphere among you, Xie Qin, and Ke Qi is fascinating. Xie Qin and Ke Qi have never gotten along since childhood."
"And although we haven't known one another long, I don't think someone with your personality would devote much attention to a person for no reason, Brother Lu."
"You could say the rest of us are different because we formed a team, but Ke Qi has constantly tried to deepen his connection with you one-sidedly. You reject him every time, Brother Lu, but you haven't ignored his existence."
"You even asked about Ke Qi just now. So I think you must be interested in him too, Brother Lu, right?"
Lu Renyi sighed helplessly. He had long known that Jian Yi was perceptive, but the fact that she had observed him so carefully still made his heart pound.
He had failed to conceal himself properly. Everything had gone so smoothly for so long that it had lulled him into making such a serious mistake.
He did not know whether this segment would appear in the comic. If he now possessed the freedom to alter part of the plot, he could not continue relying solely on the plot.
Lu Renyi even thought of the look Xie Qin had given him, which he had deliberately ignored just now. If Jian Yi could notice, perhaps Xie Qin could too. Had that look meant Xie Qin thought Lu Renyi was deliberately playing push-and-pull with Ke Qi?
"It would be amusing if he caught us talking about him behind his back."
Jian Yi smiled and played dumb. She simply stared at Lu Renyi without speaking. Lu Renyi first checked whether their surroundings were safe. They were still inside the trial ground, after all, but the Grand Elder was not on this floor. For now, all they could do was wait.
"I wouldn't say I'm interested in him. I only find his ability rather interesting."
Jian Yi did not know what Ke Qi's ability was and looked at Lu Renyi in confusion.
"Is he psychic-type too?"
"No. His ability resembles Xie Qin's in that it can alter his own state. But instead of enhancing a particular part, it lets him conceal himself inside shadows, move freely, slip through all kinds of gaps, and reach anywhere."
A mutation-type ability.
Jian Yi nodded as though she understood, though she still failed to grasp what Lu Renyi found interesting about it.
"Because it's strange. There are two currents of ability energy inside him. I sensed them when he suddenly approached us during the test that day. So his ability to change his body's form and hide in shadows to move freely should be the combined result of two abilities."
"So Ke Qi is a dual-ability holder?"
"But his psychic power has only one fluctuation pattern."
Jian Yi did not immediately understand what Lu Renyi meant. Only after thinking it over carefully did she realize something was wrong.
"How is that possible? Each ability corresponds to one fluctuation pattern in a person's psychic power. If he were a dual-ability holder, his psychic power fluctuations would definitely resemble two separate patterns pieced together."
Their textbooks emphasized this point because it helped people determine whether they possessed multiple abilities.
After all, abilities needed to awaken, but psychic power existed from birth. Under external interference, some people who should have awakened multiple abilities might fail to do so. If they possessed two psychic power fluctuation patterns, they could freely try methods of awakening their abilities.
But Jian Yi had never heard of someone like Ke Qi, whose situation was reversed. Using an ability required the dual support of physical fitness and psychic power. Without the corresponding psychic power, how could Ke Qi possess two abilities?
"If you're that curious, why not ask me in person? Perhaps I'll feel charitable and tell you."
Ke Qi's voice came from above them. When the two looked up, they saw him sprawled across the windowsill, poking his head out and watching them mockingly.
It was Jian Yi's first time talking about someone behind their back and then being caught by the person in question. Her face instantly reddened, and she hid closer to Lu Renyi. Lu Renyi understood at once. Jian Yi clearly had too little experience gossiping about people behind their backs. After a few more occasions, her skin would thicken.
Lu Renyi positioned himself in front of her and automatically ignored the System's accusation that he was corrupting the protagonist's group.
"Long time no see. We were just talking about you, and you appeared the next second. It seems we're remarkably in sync."
Lu Renyi spoke intimate words with an expressionless face. The scene became so strange that Jian Yi did not dare raise her head. She silently prayed for Lin Shubei and the others to hurry over. She could not be expected to stand beside the crossfire alone.
But contrary to Jian Yi's expectations, Ke Qi showed no displeasure at Lu Renyi's insincerity. He merely studied them for a moment, then told them to wait.
Not long afterward, Ke Qi openly walked out of the Grand Elder's lounge under Jian Yi's stunned gaze. He even thoughtfully blocked the guards behind him from paying attention to them.
"I didn't expect Student Lu's psychic perception to be so keen. You could tell how many psychic power patterns and abilities I possess merely by being near me."
Ke Qi leaned against the wall, wearing the infuriating smile Lu Renyi knew so well. From the moment they met until Ke Qi tried to recruit him, Ke Qi had always used that expression when speaking with him.
Wear a mask long enough, and even you would believe it was your true face. Lu Renyi was not in the mood to save every suffering soul. He lied and prepared to leave with Jian Yi. If Xie Qin came over and saw Ke Qi standing with them, who knew what strange notion he might form this time?
"I was simply a little nervous when you approached me. My perception may not have been accurate. Perhaps I sensed it wrong."
"You don't deny having strong psychic perception, but instead claim nervousness to compensate for the flaw in your answer?"
Ke Qi's words carried another meaning. He was clearly stalling to prevent them from leaving. Both Lu Renyi and Jian Yi saw through his intention. Jian Yi lost the embarrassment of being caught and her expression turned cold.
"Are you trying to delay us until your teammates arrive?"
"We're opponents right now, so of course it's better to reduce your numbers when possible. And if I'm not mistaken, Xie Qin and the others should be coming soon, right? Do you think he'll do something out of character the moment he sees me and get eliminated on the spot?"
Since Ke Qi said so, Xie Qin's personality probably really would drive him to do it. Lu Renyi and Jian Yi stood around the corner with Ke Qi blocking the front, so the two guards could not see anything unusual. But if Xie Qin arrived and shouted, he would unquestionably attract attention.
Lu Renyi had no intention of revealing his full strength. If he directly planted psychological suggestions in the two guards so their actions went unnoticed, the others would inevitably become suspicious.
Lu Renyi considered how to make Xie Qin keep his mouth shut when he arrived. Ke Qi did not look as though he intended to leave, while Jian Yi and Ke Qi continued trading barbs beside him, neither willing to yield.
"You really enjoy acting. It's just a mission inside a trial ground, yet you're talking about staying in character."
"Life is a play. I didn't expect you to be incapable of understanding such a simple truth. How innocent. Your family must have protected you well. You even blushed after I caught you just now."
It would have been better if he had not mentioned it. Now that he had, Jian Yi thought her earlier embarrassment over gossiping behind someone's back had been utterly unnecessary. If she had known, she would have insulted him a few more times.
"This is the Grand Elder's lounge, isn't it?"
Lu Renyi raised a hand and pulled Jian Yi back just as she was about to move close enough to Ke Qi to enter the guards' field of view.
"Didn't you spend quite a while in the Fifth Elder's lounge over there? Why are you asking me this? If you want to wear down my patience, find a different method. Don't be so stupid."
Lu Renyi ignored Ke Qi's cutting tone and continued asking questions.
"You can enter and leave the Grand Elder's office at will, so your position must be high. Your clothes look somewhat similar to the guards'. Are you the Grand Elder's personal guard?"
Ke Qi grew slightly impatient. He remembered running into Lu Renyi before, so why was there any need to ask something so obvious?
But before he could answer, Lu Renyi began speaking on his own.
"Your patience isn't as good as it appears. Merely asking you two questions with obvious answers made you impatient. Is that because no one treated you patiently in the past?"
"You seem flamboyant, but every time you speak, you make small movements as if distracting yourself. Why do you do that?"
"Because you don't want contact with people, yet you're forced to interact with them. Distracting yourself prevents you from attacking someone out of impatience."
"But you insist on pretending to be easy to get along with. You look interested in me, but every word you say is testing my true strength. You're afraid..."
Before Lu Renyi could finish, Ke Qi drew the dagger at his waist and attacked. Lu Renyi stood motionless, watching the dagger stop before his eyes as he quietly completed his sentence.
"You're afraid I'll discover some secret about you, aren't you? For example, the origin of your abilities."
Lu Renyi did not think Ke Qi would attack him. Lin Shubei and the other two had already arrived. When they saw Ke Qi move against Lu Renyi, they would not stop to wonder why the group had gathered here. They would think only of stepping in to stop Ke Qi.
The disturbance was slight. To the guards, it sounded like nothing more than the "small commotion" Ke Qi had warned them to ignore. He was the Grand Elder's favored subordinate, and without a concrete reason, they did not have the courage to defy him.
Ke Qi looked at Lu Renyi's smiling face. He knew that expression well. The only difference was that this time, the expression had failed to appear on Ke Qi's own face.
"Curiosity killed the cat. As for a mouse, it should show even less unnecessary concern. Be careful, or one day you'll sink into a shadow and never escape."
"Likewise. Be careful a shadow doesn't entangle you one day."