Death Game: Starting as a Trickster, Pretending to Be a God
Chapter 427: Manipulation and Deception
Stiller's acting skills existed in a superposition of being both good and terrible.
The terrible part mainly manifested in Stiller's complete lack of understanding of how to act—Lin Yu had just been silently criticizing this himself.
His opening was stiff, his backstory was contrived, his lines were abrupt, and with Old Zheng actively working against him, everyone in the Healing Station could see Stiller's "ulterior motives."
Even those two Barbarians were no exception.
However, Stiller's acting was also very good... good precisely because, as a Truth Corporation artificial human and modified human, Stiller could "cheat" when it came to expressing emotions.
He didn't need any "performance" component for his emotions, because Stiller could "manufacture" his own feelings.
Just like now, Stiller's voice trembled, his heart raced, and whether it was micro-expressions or body language... it was all genuine tension and unease.
It was as if he was truly recalling a terrifying fact that had just happened recently and had caused him immense shock.
This made even those who had previously sensed Stiller seemed to be saying these things on purpose, couldn't help but have a thought.
Could what he's saying actually be true?
After all, Stiller wasn't lying right now;he was telling the truth, and that didn't conflict with him intentionally saying these things.
He could very well be telling the truth with ulterior motives.
Even Fern, who hadn't paid much attention to the specific content of Stiller's words earlier, now couldn't help but seriously recall the details of what Stiller had just said.
"A red-skinned, four-armed monster... what the hell is that?"
"Something that could easily kill a Blood Rakshasa, and seemingly did it instantly and brutally... even if that Blood Rakshasa was weak, it could still participate in the Glory Festival. Converting that strength to a Player's level, it'd probably be at least between 'First-Tier' and 'Second Tier'..."
Thinking this far, Fern grew even more concerned.
"What exactly could it be... a beast? In my memory, the Black Marsh world doesn't have that type of beast!"
As for the intelligent races, that was even more impossible.
Fern might not know how many types of beasts existed in the Black Marsh world, but among the current major races of Black Marsh, not a single one had four arms!
Fortunately, however, there was a native resident of Black Marsh present, and a very well-informed one at that.
Namely... the person Stiller was currently questioning.
The fiercely burning Furnace Fire also fell into contemplation.
After a long while, the Furnace Fire spoke, its tone also somewhat uncertain.
"Hmm... just based on your description, I probably know what kind of existence you're talking about."
"But, that's impossible."
Stiller said anxiously, "What's impossible? What is it, tell me!"
Under Lin Yu's anticipation, the Furnace Fire uttered those two words: "Rakshasa!"
As it spoke, Lin Yu curled his lip.
The Furnace Fire really knew its stuff.
Of course, anyone in this world with a bit of cultural literacy knew that the Rakshasa's characteristics were red skin and four arms. After all, with the existence of the Blood Rakshasas as the "spiritual inheritor race," records of the Rakshasa hadn't faded into legend or been erased despite the entire race being captured.
It's just that in the Black Marsh world, having "cultural literacy" was indeed quite rare.
Take those two Barbarians, for example.
"What?! Rakshasas actually have four arms!"
"Do their four arms mean their two feet are also hands, and they walk on their hands, or do they have six limbs total, with feet still being normal?"
The two Barbarians began discussing in confusion.
The Furnace Fire couldn't help but turn toward them. "You two idiots, of course it's the latter! The Rakshasa have two extra arms growing from their backs!"
"But I can't blame you. Even many of the younger generation of Blood Rakshasas don't know this anymore... sigh, kids these days."
The Monster sighed a couple of times, acting all venerable.
But regardless...
The weighty significance of the two words "Rakshasa" now crashed down before everyone!
Even though, due to their long disappearance, not everyone understood this race that once dominated the Black Marsh world.
However... whether they were residents of Black Marsh or Players who had visited Black Marsh, they had definitely heard of them.
The fearsome reputation of the "Rakshasa," the strongest combat race that had almost established a unified empire in this mad world and enslaved all Humans, Beastkin, and Spiritkin, still resonated with deafening echoes even a millennium later!
With just two words...
it carried immense weight.
Whether it was worry, doubt, or even a hint of excitement, no one could avoid having countless thoughts about the Rakshasa.
This was easy to understand—it was like if one day the news broadcast the words "Dinosaurs have been revived." No matter what attitude people had toward dinosaurs, even if only one was discovered by chance, probably no one could completely ignore that news!
Lin Yu felt a small amount of 'Belief' flowing in—completely disproportionate to the level of attention this news was receiving.
But Lin Yu also understood. After all, even if official media reported "Dinosaurs have been revived," Lin Yu probably wouldn't believe it at first.
He wasn't afraid these people wouldn't believe;he was afraid they wouldn't care...
Watching Stiller and the Furnace Fire, who had now become the focus of everyone's attention, Lin Yu quietly gave Hannah a few instructions.
A few seconds later, over there, Stiller, who was about to continue his performance, paused for a moment, then looked at the Furnace Fire.
"Rakshasa? That's a race that disappeared from this world a thousand years ago. Are you sure?"
The Furnace Fire, looking at Stiller who was the one asking questions but now directly doubting it, grew a bit flustered. "Hey, would I mistake it?! Records of the Rakshasa have always been professional... moreover, moreover, I've even seen one!"
As the Furnace Fire spoke urgently, Lin Yu, off to the side, let out a breath.
"Phew..."
This Monster was definitely boasting.
He could tell now that having seen a Rakshasa was an outright lie.
Earlier, when this Monster claimed to be incredibly ancient, Lin Yu had been somewhat worried.
Now it seemed...
"It's possible its age is fabricated too."
Lin Yu, who had now started personally controlling Stiller using Hannah, immediately thought of more advantageous rhetoric based on this.
The next moment, Stiller's eyes flickered, then he spoke. "Is that so? But as far as I know... the Rakshasa have been gone for a very long time. They probably went extinct before you were even born."
"Nonsense, I've existed for ten thousand years..."
"Really?"
Stiller interrupted the Furnace Fire.
The Furnace Fire was speechless, then said, "A thousand years... a thousand years at least!"
Stiller remained silent.
The Furnace Fire sighed. "Fine, I'm only three hundred years old, but I really have seen a Rakshasa! That's not false!"
This time, before Stiller could refute it, even the Barbarian shouted out.
"Bullshit! Proper Rakshasa have been extinct for ages. Even the Blood Rakshasas haven't seen one in a thousand years."
The Furnace Fire grew more frantic. "That's just because you guys have seen too little! The Rakshasa are almost extinct—I really saw one, just a hundred years ago!"
Lin Yu smiled.
"This Furnace Fire is really so useful..."
He knew many people didn't believe him, but that wasn't important...
What was important was that the waters had been muddied.