[The Joker: Trigger-based Neutral]
[Note: If you lose while playing games with him, you will die...unless he cannot beat you!]
[Weakness: Not obvious.]
[Objective: Wants to revive his family business.]
[Known ability: Has X-ray vision when eyes are open.]
This is the data on The Joker.
Zhao Yi understood why The Joker always seemed able to perfectly predict other people's rock-paper-scissors moves. He wasn't guessing at all. He was cheating using his abilities.
But Zhao Yi didn't expose The Joker because it wouldn't have done any good.
The third round of rock-paper-scissors began. According to Xiang Weshan's information, The Joker was sure to choose scissors this time. So if Zhao Yi wanted to win, he had to choose rock.
The other teammates didn't speak up, even though they clearly knew what was going on. They understood that Xiang Weshan's words were not necessarily reliable.
In their eyes, Zhao Yi was their greatest guarantee of survival in this game. If even a weirdo like Zhao Yi couldn't figure out The Joker's weakness, then they were basically doomed.
Zhao Yi didn't rush to play rock-paper-scissors. Instead, he stared at The Joker and asked, "Someone told me before we came here that you would choose scissors in the third round. Is that true?"
The Joker smiled and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you the rules of this game. But I really like you, so I can give you a little hint. In the third and sixth rounds, I will always choose a fixed hand sign and won't change it, but I can't tell you what it is."
Zhao Yi nodded. "That's enough."
He put his hand into the black cloth.
The Joker also put his hand into the black cloth.
Everyone held their breath and focused on the scene in front of them. They were so nervous that they could even hear their heartbeats!
This was Zhao Yi's perfect chance to defeat The Joker!
So what did Zhao Yi choose? Rock?
The mechanical arm slowly lowered and picked up two pieces of black cloth, causing everyone's hearts to race.
Suddenly, the black cloth was pulled up violently!
The Joker had chosen paper, while Zhao Yi had chosen scissors!
Zhao Yi won!
"Congratulations, Mr. Zhao Yi!" The Joker seemed very happy. He also extended his left hand's fingers and put them into the cutting machine. The blade fell, and his fingers along with black blood splattered out!
"It seems like...that guy outside deceived you," The Joker said, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping the blood off his hand elegantly.
Zhao Yi nodded. "Yes! I'll make sure to retaliate...reward him."
His teammates rolled their eyes at his slip-up.
The Joker curiously looked at Zhao Yi, who had lost two fingers but still didn't show any signs of panic. "Are you so sure...that you can walk out of here alive?"
Zhao Yi shook his head and asked, "So how can you be sure that I cannot walk out of here alive?"
The Joker chuckled.
Zhao Yi extended the index finger of his right hand, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Mr. Joker, it seems you enjoy gambling, don't you?"
The Joker hesitated for a moment and nodded.
Zhao Yi continued, "Then let's add a new twist to this game."
"What twist?" asked the Joker.
"Well... let's talk about it later."
The two continued playing rock-paper-scissors.
In the fourth round, Zhao Yi lost.
In the fifth round, Zhao Yi lost.
In the sixth round, the Joker lost.
In the seventh round, Zhao Yi lost.
In the eighth round, Zhao Yi lost.
In the ninth round, Zhao Yi lost.
By the tenth round, Zhao Yi's left hand had only one middle finger remaining, and his right hand had only the index and middle fingers.
Seeing Zhao Yi's hands covered in blood, the Joker showed a look of regret.
"Mr. Zhao, it seems you made a mistake in choosing which fingers to cut."
"With the fingers you have left, I'm afraid you can only play scissors or rock."
Everyone looked at Zhao Yi's hand, falling into silence.
The Joker was right. If Zhao Yi had chosen to leave three fingers on his right hand, he could still play paper.
But now, he only had the index and middle fingers on his right hand.
When Zhao Yi spread his fingers, it was scissors, and when he clenched them, it was a fist.
He had lost the option of playing paper.
This meant that the Joker had already secured victory!
According to the rules, if both players had the same move in rock-paper-scissors for three consecutive rounds, the Joker would win.
In other words, as long as the Joker played "rock" three times in a row, Zhao Yi would lose!
The people sitting next to him, Fang Bai, Bai Shuiji, and Liu Han, all turned pale, with cold sweat on their foreheads!
Once Zhao Yi died, it would be their turn next!
Tian Tian was still playing with her tattered teddy bear, occasionally letting out a laugh, completely indifferent to the outcome of the game.
Zhao Yi's face still wore the same smile, without any signs of panic.
Only his face had turned pale from blood loss.
In a calm manner, he said to the Joker, "Mr. Joker, do you remember when I said earlier... that we should add some fun to this game?"
The Joker replied, "Of course I remember!"
"Mr. Zhao, this is the final round of our game, and although I really like you, rules are rules... However, if you can come up with an idea that doesn't violate the rules but adds fun to the game, I will let you choose a way of dying that you like after the game ends!"
Zhao Yi spoke eloquently, "Let's make a bet."
"What kind of bet?" asked the Joker.
"A bet that I will win the next round."
The Joker burst into laughter.
"Sorry, Mr. Zhao Yi, I don't think you quite understand your current situation..."
"With the way things are for you now, you can't possibly win against me."
Zhao Yi continued, "This bet comes with a condition... I want you to close your eyes."
"If I win... you owe me a favor, something within your capabilities."
"And if I lose, not only is my life yours, but I will also give you something!"
With that, Zhao Yi took out a Pandora's Box from his inventory, carried over from the last dungeon!
...
[Item: Pandora's Box (imitation)]
[Quality: Blue]
[Description: Ding ding! This is a Poké Ball, you can use it to capture your own Pokémon... Haha, I'm just kidding! It's actually a gift, even though it's just a replica, many supernatural beings still appreciate its craftsmanship. If you give it to non-human units, it will greatly increase their goodwill towards you!]
[Note: The supernatural beings inside the box have been cleared by the system. Opening the magic box again will have no effect.]
...
Upon seeing this box, a glint of possessiveness flickered in the clown's eyes.
After a moment of silence, the clown replied,
"No problem, Mr. Zhao Yi."
"I'm willing to make this bet with you."
Zhao Yi smiled and tapped the table, saying, "You can open your eyes only after the black cloth is lifted."
"Any objections?"
The clown shook his head.
A treasure given is not to be wasted.
Given Zhao Yi's current condition... even without his insight ability, he couldn't possibly lose.
"Well then, Mr. Clown... I'll let you decide the first move in this game of Rock-Paper-Scissors. Then, reach into the black cloth and close your eyes," Zhao Yi said.
Without hesitation, the clown clenched his hand into a fist and reached into the black cloth, closing his eyes.
After three silent seconds, Zhao Yi's voice rang out once more.
"I'm ready too, Mr. Clown, please have your device lift the black cloth."
The clown snapped his fingers.
A mechanical arm lifted the black cloth covering their hands.
Then, the clown slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze fell on Zhao Yi's hand, and his eerie smile froze on his face.
"Sorry, Mr. Clown."
"I've won."
Zhao Yi grinned.
His three teammates shivered.
The hand lying quietly on the table was covered in blood... and was unmistakably missing its fingers!
Because he had no fingers... Zhao Yi threw paper!
While the clown threw rock.
In the tenth round, Zhao Yi... won!