Chapter 9: Violation

Yan Jiayu muttered quietly, "Evil begets evil."The heavily made-up woman examined the teeth of the two bodies on the floor. "Their teeth are completely intact." She then pretended she would check others' teeth as well.

"Enough already, it was just talk, not serious," He Yang said with a curl of her lips to the middle-aged woman who had already stood up ready to show her teeth, then glared at Li Fei. "Satisfied?"

Li Fei snorted coldly and began searching the corpses, finding nothing useful before cursing and retreating to a corner. This was normal—most players were transported onto the train unknowingly, carrying few or no personal items.

"The dead are gone. Let's focus on resting while we can," Professor Han said. Arguing over whether the dead players were Bloody Players held no meaning since they couldn't possibly kill Xu Huo or Li Fei. First, success was unlikely, and second, no one could guarantee the remaining players weren't Bloody Players. Fewer people meant higher risks.

Xu Huo took Li Fei's former spot near the light switch. The heavily made-up woman sat opposite him. "I believe you. What else do you know? Tell me, and we can cooperate."

"Information for information," Xu Huo replied.

She typed a line on her phone, shielding the screen, then showed it to him: "Bloody Players enhance their physical abilities by eating humans. The more they eat, the greater their appetite."

This aligned with Xu Huo's speculation—Bloody Players would maintain their predatory instincts. After a moment's thought, he powered on his own phone, which he'd turned off last night to conserve battery, and typed: "Bloody Players have limited trait growth."

This was also his hypothesis.

During his fight with Chen Yi, he'd noticed his speed had improved dramatically, far surpassing his pre-boarding capabilities—likely due to his trait "Legs That Never Tire." If Bloody Players could rapidly gain physical prowess, they must lack in other areas; otherwise, "Dimensional Rift" might as well be renamed "Corruption Game."

Professor Han was insightful—games meant for humans needed mainstream values that aligned with human ethics and morals.

As for whether traits were truly limited, he wasn't certain.

The woman's expression darkened briefly after reading his message before she asked whom he suspected of being Bloody Players.

Li Fei and the middle-aged woman were prime suspects, as was the elderly man.

Among the others, Xu Huo hadn't spotted Yan Jiayu during last night's chaos. Now he noticed her breathing and footsteps were unusually light.

Perhaps a trait, perhaps evolution. She couldn't be ruled out as a Bloody Player.

More puzzling was the ponytailed student who'd testified for him.

Chen Yi had actually been standing beside him yesterday, while she'd been on the opposite side of the door, yet she'd unhesitatingly supported his account.

Moreover, she'd shouted right before Chen Yi attacked and emerged unscathed afterward—an oddity.

Meanwhile, the female student tremblingly showed her phone to Professor Han and He Yang, both of whom grew grim after reading.

Finding little substantive progress in their exchange, Xu Huo concluded the woman knew little about the train's inner workings and lost interest in further conversation.

Soon, lunchtime arrived.

The attendant, indifferent to the corpses and bloodstains, handed menus to those in the first row.

The situation mirrored yesterday's—players had to purchase at least one drink. Professor Han bought the elderly man a glass of water, which he again shared with Yan Jiayu, both mixing it with biscuits.

As the wealthiest in second class, Xu Huo ordered a meat dish and rice for 800 White Bills, then handed the attendant 1,200 split into 1,000 and 200. "The head chef's skills are exceptional. This small token conveys my appreciation. Please deliver it for me."

The attendant's previously stiff expression brightened as he pocketed the 200. "Your sentiments will be conveyed."

Yesterday this same attendant had refused Li Fei's group, yet now accepted tips for the chef. The system worked—who knew what benefits might follow? Enough to spark envy.

For a fleeting moment, Li Fei even considered detaining the attendant for interrogation.

But he quickly abandoned the idea when commotion erupted from third class—a player was hurled from the train over the cliff edge. Before his screams faded, the announcement blared:

"Third-class player 'Number One Under Heaven' has been ejected for attacking an attendant."

After three repetitions, the unharmed attendant returned to second class with clear displeasure.

Li Fei didn't dare meet his gaze; the middle-aged woman looked equally cowed. Fortunately, the attendant left without further incident.

"They really will throw you off..." Yan Jiayu murmured.

Others stared silently at the bottomless scenery beyond the windows.

After becoming Evolvers, their enhanced physical abilities inevitably inflated egos. Yesterday most might have treated this as a game—even the nighttime bloodshed was somewhat expected, since Evolvers fighting wasn't new.

But the attendant's intervention delivered a harsh truth: despite their newfound strength, they remained powerless against game entities.

This meant game rules were absolute—and deadly.

"Someone's money just went down the drain," Li Fei sneered, motives unclear.

Xu Huo ignored him, watching the front door instead.

Professor Han and He Yang moved to relocate the corpses.

"Separate them," Xu Huo suggested. "Two near the back door, one at the front."

Professor Han immediately understood and sighed, but complied.

Post-lunch fatigue set in, everyone resting with closed eyes.

A knock came—a player from the forward carriage.

Li Fei's group tensed while Xu Huo calmly opened the door. "Yes?"

A weary Nie Xuan jerked his chin. "Come talk?"

Xu Huo stepped out, closing the door behind him, and offered a cigarette.

Nie Xuan declined.

"Six dead in first class," he stated bluntly. "Bloody Players and Ordinary Players are probably one-to-one."

Xu Huo nodded slightly, unsurprised. "Three dead here—two Bloody Players. Also, their appetites grow progressively."

He lit the cigarette himself before adding, "Bloody Players gain physical abilities and healing quickly, but likely have trait limitations."

Nie Xuan shook his head. "Bad luck—four Ordinary Players died on my side."

After a pause, he produced a gold business card. "Contact me after disembarking, if interested."

"Good salary?" Xu Huo asked randomly.

Nie Xuan flashed a figure. "Ten thousand."

"No wonder you use gold cards." Xu Huo pocketed it casually. "Why not move to second class?"

Nie Xuan gave him an appraising look. "Players only board the Preliminary Trial Train once, but not all who disembark receive tickets for the next station."

Tickets.

Xu Huo's eyes sharpened.

Nie Xuan left it at that and returned to his carriage.

Xu Huo leaned against the door, finishing his cigarette before reentering.

Just as he stepped inside, the rear doorbell rang.

A sinister-looking man with vicious eyes stood outside.

"If we don't open it, he can't enter," the frightened middle-aged woman near the door stammered.

Professor Han looked and exclaimed, "There's a disabled player!"

"Open it and ask," Xu Huo said, moving toward them.

"No!" Li Fei grabbed the handle first. "Third class was a bloodbath yesterday—how did a disabled person survive? They might be stronger than us! What if they force their way in?"

"There are nine of us," Xu Huo said dismissively. "I want to see if entering another carriage triggers penalties."

Li Fei stared incredulously. "Are you insane?"

Survival was paramount—why care about rule-breaking consequences as long as they stayed safe?

"Let's vote," Xu Huo said. "I say open it."

"I agree," Yan Jiayu chimed in immediately. "They might genuinely need help. One should be kind-hearted. Even if they're Bloody Players, we outnumber them."