The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 877: Paper, Scissor, Stone!

Mischievous Monkey splayed his right hand at Jing Ke as he rushed forward. Jing Ke sensed a tremendous energy surging from below. The ground beneath his feet splintered into spiderweb-like cracks.

Whoosh. A jagged stone spike erupted diagonally from the fissures, aimed at Jing Ke's chest. He twisted away, swinging his bone blades to shear through the projection.

Whoosh, whoosh. Two more spikes lanced toward him from different angles. Jing Ke leaped clear, but more earthen spears followed, elongating like stalagmites, stabbing at him while he hung suspended.

With nowhere to dodge, Jing Ke roared as white bone blades erupted from his joints. He transformed into a spinning top midair, slicing through the stone projectiles while using their remains as stepping stones, vaulting from point to point with deadly grace.

The earth-manipulated concrete proved no match for Jing Ke's bone blades. The stone spears shattered into countless fragments. Yet instead of falling, the rubble hung suspended in the air.

By the time Jing Ke noticed, the fragments had already encircled him like meteorites orbiting a planet.

Dammit!

He realized he'd fallen into a trap, but too late.

A brown light flashed through Mischievous Monkey's aged eyes as he clenched his right fist.

Crackle. The stone fragments converged on Jing Ke like a hailstorm.

He immediately channeled his energy to reinforce his bones, trying to shield himself from the assault.

But Mischievous Monkey wasn't aiming to wound. The rubble adhered to Jing Ke instead, weighing him down. He transformed into a stone giant far larger than his original size before crashing to the ground.

The assault wasn't over. Mischievous Monkey raised his left hand, unclenching and clenching it.

About a dozen stone spears shot up from the ground to encase the stone giant. More earth elements flowed in waves like liquid cement, layer upon layer. Within five seconds, a stone mountain stood before Mischievous Monkey, with Jing Ke sealed at its core.

A night wind rustled Mischievous Monkey's silver hair. His eyes held pity, tempered with quiet strength.

The old man drew a deep breath and extended his arms vertically, forming a tai chi circle—a charging stance unique to him.

Then he took a big stride forward, making an unreserved punch at the concrete mountain before him.

Level 6 One-inch Punch!

Mischievous Monkey had acquired a third Talent: One-inch Punch. It had reached level 4 with the Damage Rune Circuit lent by the Nine Scions, then advanced to level 6 in recent days.

One-inch Punch didn't merely inflict physical damage; it carried a hidden force that could shatter targets from within, similar to the tremors caused by War Tiger's Dragonslaying Giantsword.

His punch connected with the concrete mountain—a cage of earth elements he'd personally crafted. Rather than diminishing One-inch Punch's power, it amplified it.

He pulled back, releasing a long breath.

Clack—crumble—

A single crack split the mountain, spreading into countless fissures. The structure toppled, scattering into rubble. Inside, Jing Ke lay bleeding from every orifice, his skin darkened to an unnatural shade. Half his body remained buried under the debris.

Every energy pathway in his body had ruptured, his internal organs shattered. He was dead.

Mischievous Monkey gazed at the young man who had died by his hands. Though he'd long moved beyond the fear of death in this world, a quiet sorrow still settled in his heart.

Suddenly, a hand shot up from the ground to grasp his ankle. Mischievous Monkey didn't flinch.

White Rabbit's head emerged moments later, her baseball cap still firmly in place. "Are you ready, Sir Monkey? We're going to do it," she urged.

Though not everything had proceeded according to plan, events were unfolding toward their intended scenario. They continued following Nine Frost's deployment.

"Let's get started." Mischievous Monkey held his breath.

White Rabbit activated Intangibility and pulled him down into the bridge.

...

Yellow Lotus and Harvest Song remained locked in combat, with Harvest Song maintaining a slight advantage. First Firelord was about to support his teammate when he sensed movement from the side. He spun to find Thick Earth charging toward him.

"I bet your Talent's going to lose its effect!" Thick Earth shouted.

"Bullshit!" First Firelord cursed and squeezed the trigger.

Bang, bang, bang!

Thick Earth dove behind a concrete barrier. A bullet had grazed his arm—thankfully just a surface wound. The bullet's poisoning, weakening, and paralyzing enchantments hadn't yet taken effect.

First Firelord emptied his magazine. As he reached for a fresh clip, Thick Earth suddenly emerged, thrusting out his hand as if courting death.

Instead of firing, First Firelord found himself extending his right hand, unbidden.

Only then did he realize he was being forced into a game of rock, paper, scissors by some rule-based energy. He couldn't resist playing, his mouth moving of its own accord.

"Paper, Scissors, Stone!"

"Paper, Scissors, Stone!"

Two seconds later, First Firelord showed stone while Thick Earth revealed paper. Thick Earth's victory!

An invisible forcefield dissipated. First Firelord's Six Senses Judge Talent lost its effect on everyone in the area. Zhong He benefited most, regaining his sight instantly.

First Firelord seethed, knowing he'd fallen for the trap. He resumed shooting at Thick Earth, but his opponent had already ducked back behind the concrete barrier, refusing to emerge. First Firelord drew the secondary weapon from his waist holster.

Thick Earth’s Talent was Gambler, serial number 115, Support-type.

One of its abilities allowed the Talent user to establish a bet through speech. Once the other party responded, the bet was considered valid. They would compete through a coin toss, rock paper scissors, or any other means, with Thick Earth holding a 55% chance of victory.

If Thick Earth won, the bet's conditions would manifest.

While the Talent seemed overwhelming, it proved useful only in fringe cases where Thick Earth could challenge targets in moments of anxiety-induced carelessness. Normally, no one would respond if they knew his Talent or maintained even slight caution, preventing any bet from forming.

First Firelord raised his gun in fury and scanned the area, spotting Zhong He nearby.