( 18 )

The rooster hanging from the door once again turned its neck and looked out the window while crying out.

Three invigilators walked over through the snowstorm. A chill rushed through the cabin as soon as the door opened.

Familiar scenery. Familiar people.

The faces of the old, weak and sick people in the room had all stiffened.

154's face was even more stiff: "We've received another violation notice."

He pulled out a note and said: "The notice said that an examinee——"

"A cute and obedient examinee who will never learn to behave." Qin Jiu added teasingly while taking off his gloves.

154 looked at him incredulously.

"Got a problem?" Qin Jiu raised his eyebrow.

154: "...…..No."

He was wondering how blind he must be to see "cute and obedient" on You Huo.

But the one who spoke was his boss. Only he had the authority to bullshit.

You Huo stood against the wall with his arms folded as he looked coldly at Qin Jiu.

Qin Jiu looked at him with a hint of a smile at his lips. With the warm glow from the fire stove between them, he nodded back in greeting.

That act was very gentlemanly yet his expression was filled with jest.

154 was afraid that a certain invigilator and a certain examinee would start a bloody battle right then and there, so he quickly said with a stern expression: "———-A certain examinee violated the examination rules causing the questions main subject——-"

922: "That is, the hunter."

154: "...….to die on the spot. Situations like this are rather rare———–"

922: "Unheard of."

154: "...…We need to do a thorough investigation. I hope all of you can give us an explanation."

922: "This mainly refers to a certain examinee."

154 closed his eyes.

His boss was constantly instigating hatred while his colleague had something wrong with his brain.

He calmed himself down and then expressionlessly stored away the note. He said to everyone: "Where is Hunter A?"

The examinees in the room parted like the sea to reveal the long dining table and the large pile of cloth lying next to it.

The invigilator moved closer to examine it only to see that it wasn't cloth but a long, black coat. The coat was old and frayed and the edges of it was trimmed with black bear fur. It exuded a foul odour.

Hunter A who had fallen was facing down and was covered by the coat.

Using the professional ethics of an invigilator, 922 turned the Hunter A's body over.

Whilst Hunter A was still alive, his face was already very pale and after he had died, it had turned a little more gray. With his face turned to one side and his eyes widened, he still maintained a terrified expression. His mouth was like a cracked open hole and his lips were bright red.

922 sternly took a step back and, whilst no one was watching, he rubbed his hand on 154's coat.

154: "...….."

He restrained the urge to roll his eyes and bent down to examine the body.

Hunter A's thick fingers were still holding the bottom of the wine glass. The rest of the glass had already shattered and were scattered across the ground.

The notice of violation that they had received said that Hunter A had said: "Everyone in the room who breaks any of the tableware will be severely punished."

This was the same as the requirements for the exam. It was originally set up for the examinees.

But who would've guessed that soon after he said that, he would shatter one himself and die faster than anyone else.

Although they were generally aware of what may have happened, 154 continued to act professionally. He looked at You Huo and confirmed: "You kicked him?"

You Huo lowered his eyes to look at him. He lazily spoke up: "My legs were numb so I staggered a bit."

Everyone: "........"

As if you staggered.

154: "Don't you think that excuse is a little far-fetched?"

You Huo: "Did I set the rule that the tableware can't be broken?"

154: "No you didn't."

You Huo: "Did you give birth to that uncoordinated body?"

154: "........"

The other party was both cold and ridiculing. Invigilator 154 felt that he could no longer go on and turned around wanting to find someone tougher to take over only to see that only 922 was next to him. Their boss didn't move to look at the body.

Seeing the invigilator in daze, Yu Wen mustered up his courage and asked: "Um...The glass was broken by Hunter A himself. He died also because of his own actions. Can you not count this as my brother violating the rules?"

'Beep, beep, beep————'

154 had not yet spoken up when three rule violating reminders were heard.

At the same time, the three invigilators had received a warning. This was the first time for that to happen.

The people in the cabin had not heard this noise before and didn't know what was going on.

Yu Wen looked around for the source and asked vigilantly: "What's happening?"

922 reassured him: "Don't worry. It's just the examination system urging us to hurry up with the punishment."

Everyone fell silent. They became even more nervous.

Another person said: "Then...then can I be punished instead?"

Everyone turned to look. The one who spoke was Yu Yao.

She raised her thin pale hands like a student trying to get the teacher's attention. If you looked closely enough, you could see that her hand was slightly trembling, but her eyes were determined.

Unfortunately, she was completely ignored by the invigilators.

The system again urged them two more times.

The two invigilators walked through the crowd over to You Huo.

The others wanted to follow but they were hesitant and didn't dare.

This was particularly the case when 154 stopped halfway and glanced back at them. Those who had wanted to move stopped in place.

Facing You Huo, 922's words were not so serious. He took the opportunity when the other examinees can't hear him to ramble: "It's not because we want you to come. I'm telling you, when we got the notice 154 skipped a step, I dropped my meat and boss almost twisted off the bird's head when he was petting it. We all don't want to punish you. It's true. Who's really the one being tortured ——– Stop sneering. I can see that you have some special opinions about our boss."