Chapter 10: [Prisoner's Dilemma] A Stunningly Brilliant Logical Trap

As the mechanical sound ceased, two distinct clicks echoed from the doors of the "Battle & Peace Booths," as if locks were being disengaged.

The countdown restarted—ten minutes.

This meant the participants only had ten minutes to take part in the "Battle & Peace Game." After ten minutes, whoever had the lowest score… would die!

Yu Tu and Zhezhi stood up almost simultaneously, each heading toward a separate "Battle & Peace Booth," opening the doors without hesitation, stepping in, and closing them behind them.

Then, facing the two buttons inside the iron booth...

Both decisively pressed "Battle!"

A mechanical voice rang in both Yu Tu's and Zhezhi's ears:

"Tiezhu, you chose 'Battle,' and Zhezhi chose ''Battle'—this round, both lose 1 point. Current score: -1."

"Zhezhi, you chose 'Battle,' and Tiezhu chose ''Battle'—this round, both lose 1 point. Current score: -1."

Yu Tu wasn't surprised. From the very beginning, both he and Zhezhi knew the other was lying. Their target wasn't each other—it was someone else: the person with sharp hearing.

Yu Tu exited the "Battle & Peace Booth," exchanged a glance with Zhezhi, and turned back without hesitation to re-enter.

But then, something unexpected happened.

The booth lit up red. A cold, mechanical voice announced:

"Participants of the 'Battle & Peace Game' cannot be exactly the same within one minute!"

The sudden rule change caught both Yu Tu and Zhezhi off guard. According to their tacit plan, they were supposed to quickly go through 2-3 rounds to create psychological pressure on the others, forcing them to make mistakes.

Choosing "Battle" together results in losing 1 point per round—2 or 3 rounds would only cost 2 or 3 points at most;

However, once they applied enough psychological pressure, the rest would feel compelled to act. From an outsider's perspective, Yu Tu and Zhezhi's decisive and repeated participation would suggest they both chose "Peace."

And that guy with sharp ears—he would not only be under the same pressure, but he also overheard the supposed "peace" alliance between Yu Tu and Zhezhi.

His choices would become delicate…

But the one-minute lockout was fatal. Without the ability to apply continuous pressure, their plan would lose its bite. Yu Tu and Zhezhi exchanged a look—and instantly understood: there was only one choice left.

Yu Tu's expression flipped as he began shouting at Zhezhi:"You damn bitch! Didn't we agree to both press 'Peace'? Huh?! And you pressed 'Battle'! Filthy whore, you trash!"

Zhezhi retaliated instantly:"Motherfucker! Scumbag! Said one thing and did another! Didn't you also press 'Battle'? F off!"

"Fine! Then we die together!"

"Let's die together then! Being stuck with a bastard like you—my f***ing bad luck!"

"You all don't even need to play anymore! Just wait for the countdown to end. I'll take this slut down with me!"

...

Yu Tu and Zhezhi hurled insults at each other like mortal enemies, acting as though they were ready to drag each other to death!

Everyone frowned deeply. Judging by their performance, there were only two possibilities:

Both chose "Peace."

Both chose "Battle."

If it was the second, there was nothing to worry about—everyone else could just wait until the end.

But if it was the first… if the two chose "peace," then waiting meant death for the rest.

Logically speaking, it was impossible for two participants to choose "Peace" at the same time. Everyone knew that in this game, no matter what the other chose, picking "Battle" was always more advantageous to oneself, while choosing "Peace" only benefited the opponent.

Everyone had seen Yu Tu and Zhezhi's expressions. They were originally going to participate again, but the sudden rule prevented that—only after did they start arguing.

On the surface, this strongly implied they had both chosen "peace."

So, what kind of agreement had Yu Tu and Zhezhi made that led them both to willingly help each other?

Everyone was tense—but for different reasons.

———

Xingchen was mostly confused.

In Xingchen's mind, unless there was some external constraint, the Prisoner's Dilemma had no solution. His own contract item and the bunny-ear sleepwear technique weren't enough to make others fully let their guard down.

So at the start, everyone should've just waited for someone else to make a move. Only as the game neared its end would the pressure force someone to act and choose between him and Bunny Ears.

But Yu Tu and Zhezhi's decisiveness disrupted Xingchen's entire setup.

At the moment, Xingchen didn't feel threatened—just curious. What kind of agreement had Yu Tu and Zhezhi come to?

———

The most anxious one was Haozi.

Haozi knew the secret between Yu Tu and Zhezhi. He had a talent: Thousand-Mile Ear.

All of Haozi's confidence stemmed from this talent. That's why he was overly arrogant and hadn't even tried to hide it from the beginning.

His plan from the start was simple: stay neutral and survive!

Haozi never believed this game allowed for mutual "peace."

So originally, he just needed to do nothing and wait for others to mess up.

He'd helped Xingchen trick Yu Tu, so Yu Tu would believe Xingchen had a passive win condition;

He overheard Bunny Ears' talent—and was sure that she would definitely choose "Battle" in the final round.

That was Haozi's plan: go with the flow, wait, and win passively!

But the secret between Yu Tu and Zhezhi had now given him a new worry— 

If what Yu Tu and Origami said was true, then everything was about to change.

Yu Tu and Origami had already formed a team;

And Bunny Ears, once she used her talent and chose "Peace" with either King Kong or Tyrant just once, that secret would be exposed! Bunny Ears would naturally form a team with the other person, and the two would support each other to ensure they tied for first place!

Same with Star: King Kong and Tyrant, he gets one, Bunny Ears gets the other;

In that case, it would form three teams: Yu Tu and Origami, Bunny Ears and Tyrant, Star and King Kong—at most, King Kong and Tyrant might swap places.

Mouse never thought he would be chosen by Bunny Ears or Star. Up until now, he'd always been the one discarded, never picked—always.

So once again, he was the odd one out!

The other six, to ensure they could tie for first place and get more exchange coins, would definitely opt for mutual wins and choose "Peace."

In that case, if he did nothing, he'd end up with the lowest score and be the one to die!

Mouse's face turned deathly pale. He now had only one move left—before Bunny Ears or Star discovered the secret, he had to immediately pull Yu Tu or Origami into his fold and break up the team formations of the other six!

Moreover, Mouse had to complete three rounds of the game and score 33 points in order to survive;

Even if he accounted for one betrayal, he needed at least two successful rounds—21 points for himself, snatching 12 points from another.

In Mouse's view, if the "11-point" rumor was true, the game had shifted from who loses the least… to who wins the most.

He really wanted to take action immediately—but he didn't have the courage.

There was still worry in his heart: what if Yu Tu and Origami were setting a trap to bait him?

And also a bit of wishful thinking: what if Bunny Ears didn't choose "Peace" with her man on the first try? As long as Bunny Ears or Star chose betrayal in the first round, then he'd be safe. No need to take a risk!

———

Bunny Ears was unwilling to give up:

She had a talent that made her invincible in this game, so she was never worried about dying.

But having finally encountered game rules that favored her—was mere survival really her only goal?

She'd slept with so many people—even that ugly Mouse—could she really resign herself to just surviving, and not aim for first place?

Earlier, she had overheard Yu Tu and Origami's conversation behind the door. The rules on the wall were indeed very vague. At first, Bunny Ears had doubts.

But Yu Tu and Origami's behavior had made it clear—the 11-point reward for mutual "Peace" was real!

Now the problem was, if Yu Tu and Origami kept going unchecked, they'd rack up the highest score—55 points.

She at most could match them, and would need to drag along Tyrant or King Kong to tie the score. If Star joined too, that would be six people tied for first!

That wasn't in Bunny Ears' best interest!

So for her, the best move was to break the balance between Yu Tu and Origami, and keep the 11-point trick a secret among just three people.

As long as she interrupted Yu Tu and Origami midway, why would they continue choosing "Peace"?

Even if Yu Tu, with Origami's help, managed to reach 55 points,

She could still team up with others, like Tyrant, and complete the remaining rounds to match that 55.

In the end, they'd tie for first, and Origami—knowing she had no chance at winning—would she really risk it all just to help Yu Tu win?

And even if Origami tried to find a new partner—would anyone else agree?

The only 100% guaranteed way to win first place was to break Yu Tu and Origami's bond! Even if unexpected things happened later, the worst outcome would still be six people tied for first!

Of course, there was always one final possibility: the 11-point reward was fake, and Yu Tu and Origami were just putting on a show.

But Bunny Ears didn't believe Yu Tu and Origami could act with such perfect synergy. She believed the 11-point rumor was true—otherwise, why would they be so quick to keep entering the game?

Even if she was tricked—she had a backup plan!

Thanks to her talent, she could still grab 10 points from King Kong, Tyrant, or even Mouse. Not only could she guarantee her survival—she'd still have a shot at first place!

So, for the sake of winning—Bunny Ears had to act immediately!

No matter whether the 11-point reward was true or false, as long as she completed one round with Yu Tu, she'd maximize her chances of getting first place!

That was the move most in line with her interests!

———

While Mouse was still battling himself mentally, and Star was about to ramp up others' trust in him…

The most unburdened of them all—Bunny Ears—made her move first!

She walked straight up to Yu Tu, grabbed his hand, and said, "Brother Tie Zhu, Sister Origami already got a round ahead of me, it's my turn to have you~"

Yu Tu stared at Bunny Ears in shock—he'd been aiming for Mouse, but the one who delivered herself to him… was Bunny Ears.

He felt her finger tracing "11" on his waist—and he understood. The shadow at the door earlier had been Bunny Ears!

Bunny Ears looked at the stunned Yu Tu, completely unhurried. Yu Tu had no reason to refuse her. In everyone's eyes, they already had something going on. Doing one "Peace" round together wouldn't be suspicious at all!

Plus, if Yu Tu completed a round with her—he might be able to ditch Origami and claim first place alone. 

Yu Tu had no reason to refuse!

After all, profit comes first!