God's Imitator

Chapter 494: Advantageous Identity

With the same rules for ‘Farmer’s Walk,’ ‘Hermit Judgment’ and ‘King’s Judgment’ presented two completely different situations.All the players spontaneously pressed the button only in the last two seconds, so time seemed quite ample.

Although stamina was rapidly declining, since the distance of each stage was also shortening, all players could complete it smoothly without triggering the spikes on the contraption due to overtime.

However, this situation changed in the latter half of the third stage.

Gao Jialiang was still in a relatively rear position, so he could see the situation ahead more clearly.

Cai Zhiyuan still maintained a certain lead, but his speed had obviously slowed down compared to before, whether because his stamina was exhausted or for some other reason.

But Song Xiao, who originally wasn't far behind him, suddenly began to speed up!

Although he was still carrying the heavy contraption, Song Xiao's pace clearly quickened, which meant he had conserved some stamina before.

Gao Jialiang couldn't help but be startled, "He's trying to seize the advantageous identity!"

Playing this way would create such a hidden danger.

In ‘King’s Judgment,’ Ding Wenqiang had ridden far ahead leaving all players behind him, so there was no suspense about him ultimately obtaining the "King" identity.

Even if other players wanted to overtake at the end, they simply couldn't do it.

But in this game, because time was ample, the three or four players at the very front had actually all conserved some stamina.

If they suddenly burst forth at the last moment, it was indeed very possible to seize first place and secure the advantageous identity for themselves.

This game was called ‘Hermit Judgment,’ so the advantageous identity was also called "Hermit." Although it wasn't clear what relationship "Hermit" had with "King," at least from the game rules it could be confirmed: the "Hermit" could decide who entered the prison cells, while "Spectators" could only passively accept.

These prison cells would obviously carry death risks.

More importantly, this set of rules would stack with the ‘Super Authority Player’ taking effect, producing unpredictable consequences.

According to the game rules, if the Super Authority Player didn't enter any prison cell, they would directly suffer immediate death penalty.

Similarly entering a certain prison cell, the Super Authority Player would suffer more severe punishment, while ordinary players' punishment would be more lenient.

Even if one could 100% confirm they weren't the Super Authority Player, being forcibly arranged by the "Hermit" to enter a dangerous prison cell was still something difficult to accept.

Moreover, no one could 100% confirm they weren't the Super Authority Player.

What if they were?

In that case, if they couldn't secure the "Hermit" identity, and the "Hermit" never arranged for them to enter a prison cell, it would be a dead end.

Or if the "Hermit" deliberately arranged them into a prison cell that was already dangerous, the danger level would be super doubled, still a near-certain death.

So in the end, although everyone knew that obtaining the advantageous identity might face new traps, they might not really be able to give it up so decisively.

Because once they gave up, it was equivalent to handing over the initiative, and their fate would no longer be in their own hands.

The more someone suspected they were the ‘Super Authority Player,’ the more they would care about this point.

...

After brief hesitation, Cai Zhiyuan also began to accelerate.

He had clearly also conserved stamina and was guarded against this possibility.

Both sides' footsteps alternated, tightly biting at each other without letting go.

This shocked Gao Jialiang greatly. He wanted nothing more than to lie down on the spot. Every muscle in his body was drained, yet these two people could still walk so fast.

In the end, with the naked eye alone, it was difficult to tell who crossed the line first.

[Cai Zhiyuan has obtained the "Hermit" identity. Please swipe your visa to continue the game.]

After confirmation by the game rules, in the end it was still Cai Zhiyuan who was one step faster.

All the players were panting, exhausted enough.

Cai Zhiyuan looked at Song Xiao who had suddenly challenged him at the end, his expression somewhat complex, but ultimately he said nothing.

Obviously, he had once hesitated, considering whether to yield the advantageous "Hermit" identity, but in the end was still dominated by his body's instinct and ultimately seized the advantageous identity.

The players looked toward the official game venue.

In the central area was a prominent glass cabinet, but inside it no longer held the crown and golden scepter symbolizing the King's identity. Instead, it had become the "staff" and "lantern" representing the Hermit.

Cai Zhiyuan stepped forward and extended his bracelet to the visa-swiping area.

With a "click," the glass cabinet unlocked.

Immediately after, new rule explanations appeared on the large screen in the venue.

[In the venue, there are six different prison cells, each corresponding to different punishments.]

[All prison cells are initially in an unlocked state by default and can be freely entered, but each prison cell can only accommodate one player.]

[As the "Hermit," you can choose to use the "lantern" in your hand to illuminate the path forward for everyone.]

[Players other than the "Hermit," before entering a certain prison cell, can seek help from the "Hermit." The "Hermit" can use the lantern to confirm the danger level that player faces in the current prison cell.]

[Players directly related to the prison cell's content will have their danger level significantly reduced when entering the corresponding prison cell.]

[Conversely, it may also be significantly increased.]

[After the "Hermit" uses the "lantern" to verify the danger level, the lantern will vibrate to a certain degree, which only the "Hermit" can perceive.]

[The "Hermit" can choose to tell the truth or choose to conceal it.]

[The "Hermit" cannot use this function on themselves, nor can they verify the additional danger the ‘Super Authority Player’ might face.]

[The "Hermit" can also use the "staff" in their hand to force a player to enter a specific prison cell, but has at most 1 opportunity.]

[After all 6 prison cells have been assigned 6 players and each used once, the ‘Super Authority Player’ will be revealed and exercise their privilege. Afterward, the game will end.]

[As the "Hermit," you shouldn't need any advice.]

[Now, please make your choice.]

From the game rules, ‘Hermit Judgment’ presented more differences from ‘King’s Judgment.’

Although there were still 6 prison cells, they were all in an unlocked state from the start, and the "Hermit's" privileges had also changed compared to the "King."

Moreover, this game didn't inject slow-acting poison, nor did it limit the game time.

Theoretically speaking, as long as players were willing, it seemed they could drag it out for a long time.

And the prison cells also no longer had the variation of multiple uses. As long as any 6 of the 7 players each entered a prison cell and completed the game once, it would be considered passed.

After considering for a moment, Cai Zhiyuan held the lantern in one hand and the staff in the other, walking around the venue in a circle to examine the situation of all the prison cells.

The other players also silently followed behind.