Volume Two, The Devil’s Game Chapter Eight: This Is a Livestream

The Kind-hearted Man: “Hey, I just came over from another stream. I heard this fool attacked the wood-element warden with light energy. How is he? Is he dead yet?”

The Kind-hearted Man: “Whoa! What’s going on here?”

I’m a Husky: “I have no idea either, they suddenly became like this.”

Sweetheart Yiyi sent a smiley face. “I saw it. When the warden was casting that illusion, there was a ring glowing on Lu Yi’s hand, and a purple, curved screen appeared in front of him. I think he probably has some kind of item that protects against psychic attacks.”

Handsome Rascal sent a surprised emoji. “Sis, you actually saw it so clearly! I was just lamenting that I didn’t get a chance to spoil that cute boy myself.”

I’m a Husky: “Yiyi, what kind of demons are you and your sisters?” He followed with two drooling emojis.

Sweetheart Yueyue sent a coquettish laugh emoji. “Guess.”

The Kind-hearted Man sent a snorting emoji. “So what if he didn’t fall into the illusion? You think the warden’s just going to stand there and do nothing?”

Sweetheart Yiyi giggled. “Funny you say that, but the warden really did just stand there for a while.”

The Kind-hearted Man exclaimed, “How is that possible?”

Black Phosphor sent a mischievous smirk emoji. “I think Yiyi got it a bit wrong. Lu Yi does have decent defensive gear, but its effect is probably to reflect psychic attacks. That explains the state the two of them are in.”

Sweetheart Yiyi said, “Wow, you’re amazing. Now that you mention it, that makes sense. Lu Yi was confused by the floral scent so he’s still a little out of it, but the warden got hit by her own illusion reflected back at her, so she’s just standing there too.”

The Kind-hearted Man gave a wicked grin. “So now it’s a race to see who wakes up first. I don’t think Lu Yi is one of the top five in terms of composure, so he’ll definitely be slower than the warden. Plus the warden’s already suffered a few setbacks at his hands—she won’t be treating him so gently next time. I bet Lu Yi’s about to get torn apart by her.”

Sweetheart Yiyi shook her head emoji. “I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it! Lu Yi has such strong nerves, and the sea of flowers has stopped for a while now. Without the warden interfering, he’ll wake up first.”

Sweetheart Yueyue nodded. “That’s right. I think Lu Yi will wake up first too.”

The Kind-hearted Man grinned slyly. “In that case, let’s make a bet. If you lose, you girls meet me offline. If I lose, I’ll send you a gift.”

Sweetheart Yueyue sent a head-shake emoji. “No way, I don’t like fire demons—they’re too hot.”

Black Phosphor sent a bouncing emoji. “I’ll take that bet. If you lose, tip a gift right here in the stream. If I lose, I’ll meet you in person.”

The Kind-hearted Man sent a cold sweat emoji. “What kind of tribe are you from, being so eager?”

Black Phosphor winked. “Take a guess.”

The Kind-hearted Man: “Fine, you’re on.”

As the discussions in the stream gradually died down, something new happened to both Lu Yi and the warden. The struggle on Lu Yi’s face became more obvious, and the warden’s peaceful, serene expression finally changed as well.

After a bout of dizziness, Lu Yi finally snapped out of it. Looking around, he realized he was inside a gigantic flower.

At the same time, he spotted the warden standing not far away. Lu Yi immediately raised his hands, alert, but soon noticed that the warden wasn’t moving at all.

“What’s going on?” Lu Yi muttered in confusion, but as soon as he spoke, he saw the purple ring on his hand.

“Violet Moon Spirit Glass Ring,” he whispered. The truth was obvious: the ring had reflected a psychic attack, revealing itself in the process. The warden had been ensnared by her own illusion and was now frozen in place.

Gazing at the warden opposite him, a sudden idea struck Lu Yi. “They say wardens can’t be destroyed, but that doesn’t mean they can’t die, right? Maybe now’s my chance, while she’s still unconscious.”

But after quickly assessing his own strength, he dismissed the thought. He had acquired black magic, yes, but he hadn’t yet mastered any concrete attack techniques. Besides, considering all the seasoned players out there, if someone like him could kill a warden so easily, the mission would be far too simple.

Other than black magic, and discounting the four rings he wore, all he had left were the Wind Pendant and the Demon Hunter’s Dagger.

The pendant had no offensive abilities, and as for the dagger, he glanced at the warden—there was no sign of black magic or demonic aura about her. Using the demon-hunting blade would likely be pointless.

“Better move the battlefield. Too many flowers here—easy for the warden to exploit the environment.” As he said this, his eyes fell on the flower basket slung over the warden’s arm. A bold idea sparked: what if he just took it?

Without further hesitation, Lu Yi dashed over to the warden, grabbed the flower basket, and leaped down from the gigantic bloom. Picking a direction, he sprinted away.

Black Phosphor burst out laughing. “Kind-hearted Man, come on, time to send that gift!”

Sweetheart Yiyi chimed in, “That’s right, keep your word!”

The Kind-hearted Man was not pleased. “Hmph, that warden’s useless—imagine waking up slower than a human.”

Black Phosphor giggled. “Enough talk, hand over the gift!”

The Kind-hearted Man: “Black Phosphor, how about I just give the money to you?”

Black Phosphor: “Trying to make yourself memorable, are you?”

The Kind-hearted Man sent a nodding and drooling emoji. “Exactly, exactly.”

Black Phosphor sent a shy emoji. “I think there’s a better way.”

“What is it?” the Kind-hearted Man pressed.

“Put your name at the top of the livestream’s tip leaderboard!” Black Phosphor cackled.

“That’s right! If you’re not on top, I’ll probably forget you in a heartbeat. But if you are, maybe I’ll remember.” Sweetheart Yiyi added a smiley at the end.

“You’re all mocking me!” The Kind-hearted Man sent a fire-breathing emoji.

“Fire demon’s gone berserk!” I’m a Husky sent several dog-head emojis.

“No, not at all. You have to believe me, I’m just laughing, seriously.” Sweetheart Yiyi insisted.

“So, Kind-hearted Man, are you sending the gift or not?” Sweetheart Yueyue egged him on.

“It’s just a gift. You think Lu Yi will get away with this? If he hadn’t taken the flower basket, maybe the warden would let him go. Now it’s do-or-die.” The Kind-hearted Man sent a cold sneer emoji.

“I’ll send him this gift.” The Kind-hearted Man finally said.

Meanwhile, in the illusion, the warden started to sense that something was wrong. A sudden surge of power erupted from her, and she snapped out of the illusion.

She looked around—Lu Yi was nowhere to be seen. “Ran away? If talking doesn’t work, next time I’ll just—” She reached for the flower basket on her arm, only to find it gone.

Her expression changed instantly. “Damn it!”

She sensed the situation, then leapt down from the flower, charging after Lu Yi in the direction he’d fled.

As Lu Yi sprinted madly, he suddenly heard a notification: “Kind-hearted Man has gifted the streamer Lu Yi a grave. What are you standing around for? Get in—there’s only one spot in this exclusive space.”

Lu Yi almost stumbled. Thinking back, he realized the voice came from his headphones.

What was this? A gift? A gift introduction? What a terrible omen—a grave, meant for the dead.

“Wait, does this game have live streaming? Could these tips affect the final rewards?” Lu Yi glanced around. Since no one was nearby, he didn’t really care.

If only he knew how much reward points this gift could be exchanged for. Thinking this, Lu Yi smiled and imitated streamers he’d seen before. “Thanks to my loyal supporter for the gift—boss, you’re generous.”

“Hahaha, I’m dying!” Black Phosphor sent a table-thumping emoji.

“Come on, keep those gifts coming, don’t stop!” Sweetheart Yiyi encouraged mischief.

It was easy to imagine: Kind-hearted Man, the fire demon who’d never believed in Lu Yi, had reluctantly sent the gift after losing the bet and being egged on by the others. Of course, he was furious, even wishing misfortune on Lu Yi. But now, hearing Lu Yi call him “boss” and “supporter,” his anger only grew.

“Argh! I’m so pissed off. Warden, hurry up and tear Lu Yi apart!” You could almost feel his rage in every word.

“Bro, calm down, have a seat—let’s have a bet too, dog-head, dog-head.” Of course, this was I’m a Husky.

“Get lost!” Kind-hearted Man replied curtly.

Lu Yi finally reached a familiar place after running hard. Looking around, he saw all the traps and barricades he’d set up were still there, and breathed a sigh of relief.

He sat down slowly, massaging his arms and legs. After all, it had been a bout of intense exercise. He still had some stamina left, but his body was tired.

But as Lu Yi rested, the warden was steadily closing the gap between them.

What’s in this flower basket? The warden, when she has it, seems to have an endless supply of flowers to throw. Lu Yi thought he’d try to investigate it.

“Bound item. Cannot be used. Properties unknown.” That was the concise message the city gave Lu Yi.

Lu Yi rolled his eyes. All that effort for nothing.

But then he thought again—maybe not for nothing. As long as the basket was in his hands, the warden’s attacks would definitely be weakened, making things safer for him and his teammates.

“I guess I’ve contributed to the team after all.” Suddenly, he smacked his forehead. Oh right, the livestream. He should liven up the chat. After all, when he thanked that person before, he hadn’t received a reply; from what he could tell, the headphones only relayed gift notifications.

With that, he raised the flower basket. “Brothers, I’ve observed that so far, the warden’s moves include throwing flower branches, smashing with the basket, hand chops, and summoning vines to bounce or boost herself.

The most dangerous move is smashing with the basket, and the most disruptive is her ranged flower branch attack.

That’s why I took the basket. If she can’t call it back from a distance, then we’re all much safer. Kind-hearted Man, and all you brothers, don’t you think I did the right thing?”