Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Blowing Your Nose Without Using Your Hands
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hold on, hold on a sec. Split up and search? What the hell does that mean?"
Baiyu jumped on my words the moment I finished speaking. Nick didn't look too thrilled either. Both of them were against the idea of splitting the team. Looked like I'd need to talk them into it.
"Don't just shoot it down—hear me out first."
"How am I supposed to not shoot it down? You're talking about splitting up. If one of us dies, mission failed. Got it?"
"Argh, just listen for once. Stop interrupting."
I scowled in frustration, and Baiyu shot Nick a look like, you gonna listen to this nonsense? Nick glanced between us, stroked his chin, and nodded.
"Let's at least hear him out. There must be a reason he wants to split."
"Hey!! You rotten-nosed bastard!!"
"Calm down, Chinaman. We can't just dismiss it without hearing the details. And you're always negative anyway. Take a breath and listen to the guy."
"Hah... this is insane."
Baiyu sighed in disbelief and shut his mouth. Finally, some quiet. With the mood settled, I started explaining.
"Listen up. First off, I know how to time travel. Right?"
"Yeah."
"And we've found the exit. Right?"
"Yeah."
"If some group snagged the seal ring before us, they'd have to come here. Only one entrance."
"Right."
"So, someone has to guard the entrance to block other teams. Someone else has to grab the seal ring. To win, we split up. And from what I've seen, you and Nick are both top-tier strong. Even separated, no other players are taking you down."
Nick and Baiyu were strong. That's why I wanted to separate them. Together, they kept me on edge, watching my every move. Especially Baiyu—he acted like he was onto something, and it pissed me off.
So, peel one away, stick him with me, then slip him the wine or make him read the book. Play my cards right.
Both together? I'd be the one in trouble. They hadn't shown their full power yet, and who knows what aces they're hiding. If one was 777, I'd be dead meat.
But one-on-one? I can handle that.
Tough against two, but one? I've got this.
"To keep watch for anyone trying to leave with the ring?"
"Exactly. They might snag it and bail, so we need a gatekeeper."
"Hm... go on."
"You two have the combat power, so one of you guards here. The other comes with me—we time travel with the grandfather clock and hunt the ring."
"Hmm... hold the fort till we get back, huh."
Nick pondered. He'd probably been thinking the same about rival teams grabbing the ring first, so he was warming up to it.
As Nick seemed agreeable, Baiyu pointed at the two gagged and bound captives.
"What about these two?"
"We take 'em on the time trip, obviously."
"Both?"
"Yeah. The clock only works with three or more. Bring both as spares—if one dies, we can still move. Like a spare tire for breakdowns. The bound one's abilities aren't sealed, unlike the gagged one, so he tanks if I get in trouble. Sound good?"
Nick nodded, on board. Baiyu still eyed me suspiciously—he hated splitting—but even he saw the logic.
"Alright, then between me and Chinaman, who stays to guard? What do you want, Chinaman?"
"What? I..."
"I'll follow your lead. Guarding Jojun while he hunts rings? Fine. Solo gate duty? Also fine."
"Hmm..."
Honestly, I didn't care who came. Whichever tagged along, I'd maneuver into a pinch, capture him, wipe his memory with the wine. Blank slate—feed him lies, drag him around, pretend he's a teammate. Then casually ask about class and luck stats.
If one turns out to be 777, memory-wiped... make him read Manti's Book and wreck him completely. Have the other slave candidates handle babysitting.
Manti's Book paralyzes you, but if allies are waiting outside, they'd rescue. If not, he croaks.
Even if comrades outside or other Good God followers save 777... a year frozen solid.
Wastes away stupidly, snaps out with no memories but his name, world's in ruins—no clue what to do, probably offs himself.
Of course, the second he escapes, Good Gods won't let 777 go. Like me for Evil Gods, he's their wildcard.
Memory gone, time frozen? Good Gods will fix him somehow.
Even if he breaks free faster, recovers... it buys time, screws them over.
Best part? Sticks it to those voyeur Good Gods. Kashnax is busting her ass blocking their gaze. Time I helped out.
I smirked inwardly at flustered Good Gods. Baiyu finally decided after agonizing.
"I'll go."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Hate being left alone. You stay, nosy."
"Hahaha... deal. I'll hold the gate."
Baiyu was coming with me. We ate, rested a bit. Checked my watch, headed to the grandfather clock.
"Let's go."
"Sigh... hey."
"What."
"Don't pull anything. I'm watching you."
"Pull what? Like I'm up to no good. You don't trust people, huh?"
"Hmph. I trust no one."
"Fine, whatever. Live like that, stress yourself to death early."
"Bullshit... that's how I've survived this long."
"Yeah, yeah. Let's move."
A day passed. I set the clock to 4:44:44. Our bodies warped to another timeline.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ —Crash!
A black hole ripped open in the ceiling, dumping Jojun and the others. Baiyu hit first, then Jojun on top. The two captives tumbled beside them in a heap as the hole sealed.
"Goddammit... why am I always at the bottom..."
Baiyu shoved Jojun off with a pained grimace.
He didn't trust Jojun one bit. Nick hadn't heard, but Baiyu's sharp ears caught Jojun muttering "call" while killing the hooked guy.
No normal classholder says "call" killing a human. Baiyu suspected Jojun was from Myriad Ghost Realm.
Just like Jojun had bluffed Nick into thinking he was from Pantheon of Gods.
"Urgh..."
"Ow..."
The gagged player could only groan in agony. The bound one rubbed his waist, standing. Baiyu dusted off and rose too.
"Mmph..! Mmph!!"
"What? Wanna be ungagged?"
"Mmph!!"
The gagged player gestured wildly at Jojun to remove it. Dropped in some unknown time, powers sealed—he was panicking. But Jojun shook his head: no dice.
The gagged player fumed. Baiyu stepped between, arm raised to silence them. Then whispered harshly.
"Quiet... everyone. I hear something."
Baiyu sensed it. Jojun shut up, listening.
—...Smells like humans.
—Grrr... more humans...
—Grah... fresh brains...
Squelching tentacles beyond the door.
Only Jojun understood—their chatter clear via Myriad Demon communion.
The others? The grotesque voices started corrupting their minds.
"Shit... something freaky behind that door... ugh."
Baiyu clutched his head in sudden migraine, sweating cold. Mentally cornered in seconds.
Jojun saw their paling faces, realized the timeline.
Only biped freaks pull mental attacks like this... future timeline. Screwed up... or opportunity? I've got Myriad Demon favor...
Jojun grinned wickedly.
Then sneezed huge.
"Achoo!!!"
"You crazy fuck!!"
Baiyu genuinely wanted him dead. He'd been holding his breath—all ruined by one psycho sneeze. Infuriating.
Worse? Jojun grinned sheepishly: "Sorry."
This bastard did it on purpose!!
Baiyu realized: deliberate sneeze to alert the monsters. Chills. Jojun was certifiable.
The door exploded. Tentacle beasts surged in.
Baiyu wanted to cry.
Should've stuck with Nick, he thought. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇