"The Mine Rat game is simple. As you can see, I have eight bowls and eight mine rats in my hands."

"Before each round begins, I will place two mine rats into two bowls, one mine rat into four bowls, and leave two bowls empty—after that, I will shuffle all the bowls and number them."

"In each round, you can ask me the total number of mine rats in any two bowls, compare the number of mine rats between any two combinations of bowls, ask if the number of mine rats in any two bowls is equal, or ask about the difference in the number of mine rats between any two bowls."

"You can only ask one of the above questions per round, for a total of three questions. I will definitely give accurate answers, and then you need to choose any one bowl—an empty bowl means you win."

"One mine rat means I win."

"Two mine rats... means a draw for that round."

After the skeleton finished speaking, it detached its bone arm that was operating the lever, letting it continue to shake the control rod on its own.

Algae spoke with displeased sarcasm: "What a fair rule. We only have a one in four chance of winning, while you have a fifty-fifty chance."

Before the skeleton could speak, Fern poked Algae.

"Stop embarrassing yourself already!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Algae looked at Fern: "Aren't you on my side?"

"We are on the same side, that's why I'm reminding you. This rule is advantageous for us. Don't let this bag of bones change it," Fern lowered her voice. "You're right, but that's if we were just guessing randomly—we'd have a one in four chance... With three questions, even in the worst-case scenario, we can eliminate two bowls that would guarantee a loss for us. And as long as we want to, securing a draw is very easy."

As Fern was speaking, the skeleton spoke again: "Hey, hey, I can hear you."

Algae scratched her head: "Why can the worst case also eliminate two guaranteed losing options?"

"It's normal you don't understand. After all, you're an Enforcer priest. Leave this situation to me," Fern looked at the skeleton sitting cross-legged. "As long as this guy isn't cheating, it can't beat me... And I think, since it's gone to such great lengths, there really is no need to cheat."

After all, they were in a dream constructed by someone else. If the goal was simply to kill them, why not just have this skeleton collapse the tunnel or send some monsters to attack them?

"True. This kind of carnival game trick is right up your alley as a 'Fraudster'," Algae placed her hand on Fern's shoulder. "Then I'll be responsible for watching to see if it cheats!"

The skeleton laughed: "Ladies, I'm completely honest and never cheat."

As it spoke, it placed the eight bowls upside down on the board in front of it.

Then...

The skeleton used the hand still attached to its torso to pull out two mine rats from under two bowls and then tossed them under two other bowls.

"Well then—the game begins."

As the skeleton spoke, its single hand began moving the eight bowls.

Surprisingly, the skeleton's speed reached a nearly terrifying level!

There wasn't even a gradual acceleration process. The moment its hand started moving, the eight bowls instantly turned into blurs.

The sound of metal bowl rims scraping against the iron plate of the mine cart floor kept ringing out, densely, like stir-frying.

Watching this scene, Fern couldn't help but marvel.

"These mine rats seem quite resilient. Their fur must be very tough."

If ordinary rats were moved at this intensity, they'd probably be shaken to pieces by now!

After lifting the bowls, you might find those rats evenly smeared on the inner walls.

Algae also chimed in with a complaint.

"Not only is their fur tough, but their willpower is also strong... these little guys stubbornly refuse to make a single sound."

"Maybe they just can't vocalize?"

Fern added.

After about ten seconds or so, the skeleton stopped its hand.

The eight bowls were arranged in a row from left to right. The skeleton spoke again in its sharp voice.

"Ladies, begin asking questions and making your choice—starting from my left side is number one, all the way to my right side is number eight!"

"Hmm... I see," Fern stroked her chin while looking at the bowls, then spoke, "Then let me ask, what is the total number in bowls seven and eight combined."

"The total number of mine rats in the two bowls seven and eight is three."

Hearing this, Fern's eyes curved into a smile.

"Wow, hit the jackpot! It's actually three!"

Even Algae reacted now.

Three means that bowls seven and eight must be a combination of two and one.

"I'd like to ask, compared to the total of bowls two and three versus the total of bowls seven and eight, which side has more?"

As Fern asked, the skeleton immediately replied: "The number of mine rats in these two groups of bowls is the same."

"Ah-ha, now we can confirm that there are no empty bowls among these four bowls."

Fern said with a giggle, looking at Algae: "How about it? We still have one question left, but we've already increased the probability of picking an empty bowl to fifty percent."

"Now... we can use the last question to gamble a bit."

She said, then asked the final question.

"I'd like to ask, what is the difference between bowl number two and bowl number one?"

The skeleton looked at Fern with surprise.

"Your strategy isn't the optimal solution, but your luck is good... The difference in the number of mine rats between these two bowls is two."

Fern said with a smile: "Sometimes you need a little luck—then this time I choose bowl number one."

The skeleton lifted bowl number one—that bowl was indeed empty.

"Congratulations on winning this round. Now starting... your mine cart will accelerate."

As the skeleton spoke, the detached hand beside it that was shaking the lever sped up.

"Clang!"

The cart the skeleton was on crashed into the cart Fern and Algae were in, then started pushing their cart to accelerate!

"Screech—"

The rails beneath their feet let out a sharp scream, and the speed gradually doubled.

Algae also chimed in with a complaint.

She said optimistically. Algae pursed her lips: "Then you could just win three times and drag out each round a bit—it's not like this guy will rush you."

"If you put it that way, we might as well drag out one round for twelve hours," Fern pouted. "But didn't you hear what that bag of bones said earlier? At the final stage, there's someone commanding it who will play a new game."

"I believe Moss will definitely find the guaranteed winning method for this game. And if Grass can persuade Moss, the two of them might have already reached the final stage by now."

"The next game might not be a type Moss is good at—without knowing what Grass is good at, it's better for us to hurry over as soon as possible!"