After Fish finished devouring the dessert on her plate in big mouthfuls, Ka the Octopus also took away the empty plate in front of her, just like he had done earlier with Robin’s empty plate.
This meant...
Fish had cleared this stage as well.
She had successfully obtained the card that could "repair" five broken ropes and passed the dessert segment.
However, before moving on to the next person's dessert time, Fish spoke up.
"Octopus, can I use the card right now?"
Fish said seriously.
"Of course," Ka the Octopus nodded, "Are you sure you want to use it?"
"I'm sure. I don't want someone cutting me off and sending me out later... Even though it's random, since I broke so many ropes, the chance of repairing a few should be pretty high, right?"
Fish said with confidence.After speaking, she took out the card from her bosom and showed it.
"How do I use this?"
"Since you’re sure, it’s already been 'used'!"
Ka the Octopus said with a smile.
As soon as the words fell, the card in Fish’s hand turned into light particles and flew up into the sky, just like the Flavor Papers before!
Once the card completely disappeared, five ropes on the field restored their connections!
One on Fish’s chair.
Two on Radish’s chair.
One on Li Hua’s chair.
One on Mosin-Nagant’s chair.
Instantly, these people became considerably "safer."
The pressure maintaining the "balance" slightly eased.
Li Hua and Mosin-Nagant both returned to three ropes.
Old Radish also surged ahead, also reaching three ropes.
Fish returned to two ropes again.
Only Phantom was left unattended.
He sighed, "I really am just unlucky!"
Fish snorted in dissatisfaction, "Tch, even if I repair one rope, I’d just be equal to you."
Li Hua didn’t miss the chance to mock Phantom.
"This is what happens when you don’t accumulate goodwill regularly. Look at Senior Radish, kind to others, so even luck favors him now."
Phantom ignored Li Hua.
Old Radish felt a bit uneasy.
"That can’t be said so bluntly..."
Still, returning to the safety level of "three ropes" was a reason for Radish to be happy.
So...
Old Radish looked at everyone around the table.
"Since I’m lucky enough to be back at three ropes, how about I take the next turn for the game?"
As he spoke, Li Hua shook his head.
"No, I’ll go."
"After observing the two before me, Robin and Fish, I’ve noticed some pattern... If this pattern is correct, then passing this stage might not be that difficult after all."
Li Hua said solemnly.
"As long as I also fit this ‘pattern,’ you all can follow this plan from now on."
"Although the cards Robin obtained from the game made everyone suspicious, Fish’s card actually proves that... cards might also have content that is ‘positively beneficial’ to us as a whole."
"Considering that failing the segment will be punished, looking at the ‘total number’ of ropes, not completing guarantees a ‘-1,’ while completing can be positive or negative. With only two samples, it’s still limited, but for now, I recommend everyone try their best to complete the tasks."
"This is the better strategy from the perspective of ‘expected benefit.’"
After speaking, Li Hua pushed up his glasses.
Ignoring the reactions of the others listening to his words, Li Hua looked up at Ka the Octopus.
"Alright, esteemed Chef..."
"Now it’s my turn for the dessert segment."
Ka the Octopus nodded respectfully.
"No problem... As you wish!"
With that, the octopus once again began its dazzling operations.
Li Hua stared intently at him; the resin lenses of his tortoiseshell glasses reflected a bluish-green light.
Soon...
An exquisite dessert was placed in front of Li Hua.
"The dessert prepared for you is called ‘Lead-filled Dice.’"
"Anticipating your keen insight and guaranteed victory in gambling, dear Gambler sir."
Ka the Octopus said with a smile.
Li Hua nodded in thanks and pulled the plate in front of him.
Judging by the difficulty of finishing it, this should be the easiest so far.
Because on the plate were...
Six small, delicate dice.
Standard six-sided dice with red and blue engraved dots.
Li Hua lifted the plate without asking anyone for help.
He shook the plate, and the six dice clattered against the bone dish with a rattling sound.
After a moment, Li Hua released his grip on the plate.
Then, he raised his head and explained to the other players.
"I just activated my two basic abilities and observed the probability of the dice rolling high or low twice."
"The first time, three of the dice followed the normal probability distribution for guessing high or low."
"The second time, the other three dice... did not follow normal probability."
As he spoke, Li Hua pinched one of the dice from the plate.
"Based on the sound just now and the craftsmanship of Ka the Octopus when making it, combined with my ability..."
"The ‘Lead-filled Dice’ specifically refers to this one."
"So far, my process has been the same as the other two’s, using our ‘profession’ base abilities to gain some hints about the game."
After speaking...
Li Hua crushed the ‘Lead-filled Dice’ in his hand.
In an instant, ‘mercury’ burst out and dripped into the plate.
But judging by the sweet aroma, it was likely some kind of syrup rather than mercury.
The syrup finally solidified in the plate, with a small paper bundle floating inside.
Li Hua picked up the paper bundle and unfolded it.
"A hint has appeared."
Li Hua said, then read aloud the text on it.
"Remember the time you lost the most?"
After reading, he paused and squinted.
"I understand now."
Then, Li Hua hesitated not at all and smoothly flicked the dice on the plate.
In the end, the remaining dice on the plate became four fives and one six.
Afterward...
The dice cracked into halves, revealing five torn card pieces inside.
When put together, they formed a complete card.
Li Hua held the card in his hand.
Then, he spoke, "Alright everyone, so far, the processes of the three of us seem exactly the same."
"I need to confirm with Miss Fish—was your ‘most important’ moment happening inside a dungeon, where you were closest to death and many people around you died?"
Fish crossed her arms, looked up to the sky, and snapped, "None of your business, stop babbling."
Li Hua waved his hand.
"Sorry, no offense..."
Lin Yu interrupted Li Hua.
"You should be right. She’s showing a typical ‘defensive posture.’ Although she’s always prickly all over... this time it’s very deliberate."
Li Hua seemed to trust Fluoxetine’s judgment.
"Oh, then the pattern is completely correct."