The Crimson Game Chapter 19

I was about to figure out how to treat Tank's wound when the bamboo forest suddenly went silent.

The bamboo spears stopped attacking. Players stopped moving, looking around.

After confirming there was no more danger, someone shouted: "Look at those orbs up ahead!"

"Quick! Let's grab them!"

Several people rushed forward.

Only our trio remained.

I crouched down, pouring all of the ghost bride's universal healing salve onto Tank's wound.

Tank was a real man—he bit down hard and didn't make a sound.

The salve was miraculous—the bleeding stopped instantly.

The girl said nothing, turning to collect the bamboo spears scattered on the ground.

Me: "Girl, what are you doing?"

She just kept picking up spears silently.

I told Tank: "I'll go check on her. You wait here."

The girl collecting spears kept her head down, her bangs covering most of her face.

I grabbed her outstretched hand.

"Girl, who are you?"

She paused, slowly lifting her face. Her eyes peered through the gaps in her bangs, staring at me. This version of the girl sent chills down my spine.

"Jake, I won't hurt you."

Seeing I had no intention of letting go, she frowned. Her small, upturned nose wrinkled like a little wildcat about to lose control.

Right now I stared at her unblinkingly. "You want to kill me too?"

Girl: "Jake, I don't want to kill you. But don't push me!"

The atmosphere grew colder.

"For God's sake! Are you two done yet? Your boy Tank is dying over here!"

Tank forced himself upright, shouting at us.

The girl's expression had already recovered—back to the fragile, helpless girl who needed protection.

I pressed my lips together and followed behind her, carrying bamboo spears.

"Crash—" The spears clattered to the ground.

Girl: "Jake, let's use these to make a sled to drag Tank."

Tank sat on the ground, calling out: "You're an angel, little sis. You really care about your Tank."

I turned to look at the players getting closer to the orbs, cursing under my breath.

If only one orb remained, what would happen to us? Would two people be killed?

The makeshift sled was quickly assembled.

I used the fine silk thread the girl had received from the ghost bride to bind the sled tightly.

While the girl inspected the sled, I leaned down and whispered in Tank's ear: "Watch that girl."

Tank's eyes widened in confusion, but seeing my serious expression, he quickly rolled his eyes around and gave me a slight nod.

That girl's silk thread really was treasure.

Despite being extremely thin, it was incredibly strong.

The girl and I each took a side, dragging Tank forward like huskies in the snow.

I grimaced. "Tank, you really need to lose weight!"

Tank sat on the sled, holding his thigh, looking at the girl's flushed face.

"Little sis, after the game ends, Tank'll buy you 999 roses."

I glanced subtly at the girl beside me. The thread cut bloody grooves into both our shoulders.

The girl seemed genuinely committed to helping us win together. I shook my head, forcing myself to stay calm and joke around.

"She might not even want them! Tank, how are you gonna thank me?"

Though I knew our chances of escaping were slim, right now only our belief could sustain us.

Tank said shyly: "How about I give you a kiss?"

I ignored him.

When we were about sixty feet from the stone table, the girl collapsed from exhaustion.

Who was this girl really? If she wanted to kill us, she'd had countless opportunities during the game. What was she hiding?