"Phoenix, Hundred-Tempered Steel..."

Lin Yu chewed on these two names, feeling somewhat surprised.

"I always thought given Radish's character, he wouldn't have any enemies."

Old Zheng let out a meaningful laugh.

"Hahahaha, then you're completely mistaken... The 'Death Game' isn't some place where being kind to others guarantees everyone gets along happily."

Lin Yu stroked his chin.

"Sounds like you know some hidden secrets."

The light in Old Zheng's neural pathways flickered rapidly.

"It's not exactly hidden secrets. Simply put, in an ultra-large survival dungeon with twenty-five players, Radish was the sole survivor."

"Including the 'Player Mutual Aid Association' members who entered that dungeon with him, all twenty-four others died."

"Radish himself felt extremely guilty, claiming it was all his responsibility—although most people chose not to blame him, some couldn't accept this fact."

"Hundred-Tempered Steel lost two close friends and key members of the 'Mountain and Sea Association' in that incident, while Phoenix... lost her lover."

"Since then, Hundred-Tempered Steel, despite being an 'Order' administrator, has had minimal interaction with the positive organization 'Player Mutual Aid Association'."

"And Phoenix... she actually attempted to attack Radish directly, though she failed."

Listening to Old Zheng's words, Lin Yu nodded slightly.

He recalled Radish Grandpa's demeanor during the few times he mentioned the past at the [Mad Banquet Beyond Heaven]... which seemed to match what Old Zheng was saying.

If it was really this level of grudge, it would indeed be sufficient motive for murder.

Even though it's been a year already...

But hatred has always been the hardest emotion in the world to fade away. Even after countless times telling your heart to let go and move on, it's like mold on spoiled food—tear off the surface layer, and in a few days it will cover everything again.

To be fair, Lin Yu put himself in their shoes.

If after a year passed, there was a perfect opportunity to take down Fluoxetine, he would definitely take it.

Of course...

This scenario only exists in theory.

Because Lin Yu doesn't plan to let Fluoxetine live for a year—judging by his current promotion speed, once he reaches the Third Tier himself, he can try to make his move.

"But it's still a bit strange. Hundred-Tempered Steel is one thing... but if Phoenix holds such a deep grudge against Radish, why would Radish dare to come here?"

Lin Yu raised another question.

Old Zheng explained to Lin Yu: "Because the circle of high-level players... to put it bluntly, is small enough to count on one hand."

"In my time, there weren't even one hundred Third Tier players, and now... probably just over a hundred."

"The more powerful ones, those with organizations, mostly have connections with each other. If you worry about encountering enemies, you wouldn't be able to participate in any events."

"Furthermore... Radish brought those two from his organization, Lotus and Cassia Seed, precisely to prevent such incidents."

Old Zheng spoke confidently.

Lin Yu nodded: "It seems we still need to focus on these two people tomorrow."

Stiller, who was nearby, stroked his chin and spoke: "Based on the current information, I actually think the possibility of 'Phoenix' being the murderer is smaller."

Lin Yu yawned: "Why? Didn't she even make an attempt once?"

"But she failed," Stiller said calmly. "Motivation is secondary here. She failed even when the victim likely wasn't specifically guarding against her. This time, as the 'host,' she's definitely being watched more closely."

"Attempting to commit the perfect crime would be extremely difficult."

Listening to Stiller's analysis, Lin Yu nodded.

"That makes sense."

Hearing Lin Yu's agreement, Stiller was about to analyze further when he suddenly fell silent.

Because Lin Yu had already fallen into a deep sleep.

...

Darkness.

Cold.

Lin Yu climbed up, finding himself on a desolate, dark plain.

He was only wrapped in tattered white linen, with piercing cold that felt like fine needles stabbing at the vulnerable areas of his skin. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

His feet stepped on rough ground, black sand grains flowing backward with the subtle wind.

"Where is this? It's not another memory-erasing dungeon, is it?"

Lin Yu shook his head, quickly dismissing this possibility.

"No... my memory is continuous. I should have fallen asleep."

"So, is this a lucid dream?"

He looked around and soon spotted a light in the darkness.

A firefly-like glow flickered in the distance.

Lin Yu hesitated for a moment, then chose to walk toward the direction of the firelight.

He felt clear pain coming from the soles of his feet, almost unlike a dream.

Lin Yu grimaced in pain.

"Why can't I wake up?"

Sensing the abnormality of this "dream," Lin Yu didn't retreat because of the pain. Enduring the discomfort, he slowly approached the source of the light.

It was a lantern hanging at the entrance of a wooden cabin, swaying back and forth, dim yet warm.

The cabin door was half-open. Lin Yu stepped onto the wooden steps and pushed open the somewhat worn wooden door.

Behind the door, Lin Yu saw a simply furnished small room.

Animal head specimens, fireplace, bronze candlesticks, single bed, round table, and two chairs.

It resembled a hunter's mountain cabin.

And at this moment, a black-haired man wearing a ghost mask and wrapped in a cloak was sitting in one of the chairs, facing the doorway.

He was fiddling with a stack of purple-black cards in his hands.

The man looked up at Lin Yu and spoke in a low voice: "Welcome, guest."

Lin Yu looked at the ghost-masked man before him, narrowing his eyes.

"A Player... Is this your [item]? The ability to pull people into dreams is quite powerful."

His thoughts raced rapidly.

Radish's death showed no external injuries—he died in his sleep.

And there was something like "curse" energy involved in his soul.

So...

"Are you Radish's murderer?"

As Lin Yu spoke, the other person chuckled lightly.

"Don't be too fixated on the case before you... I am not the murderer."

"I can indeed weave and invade dreams, but I don't have the ability to kill people within dreams."

Hearing the other's words, Lin Yu frowned.

The other was wearing a ghost mask, so he couldn't tell whether this mysterious person was speaking truthfully.

But before Lin Yu could continue probing, the other spoke again.

"However, if you're really concerned about the truth, I can give you some hints—on the condition that you play a game with me."

"Although I'm not the murderer, I am the murderer's 'accomplice.'"

As he spoke, the other flashed the golden cards in his hand.

"What do you think, guest?"

Lin Yu looked at this mysterious character, scanning the cards in his hand.

There were only ten in total, probably not playing cards.

"Fine, I accept."