Fish's reaction was within Lin Yu's expectations.
He had previously noticed that while Fish's gaze held wariness and apprehension toward him, compared to the pure malice she showed when facing Li Hua...
This deputy head of the Marauders didn't seem to harbor obvious or direct hostility toward him.
It was actually quite understandable...
After the forum announced the permanent blacklisting of three organizations - aside from officially labeling them as "heretical cults"...
It had inadvertently created a natural "alliance relationship" between these three groups.
Although the Marauders were selfish, the Free Alliance acted unconventionally, and the Psychological Society was full of utter lunatics...
If they actually encountered Order together...
There was a high probability they would tacitly cooperate to take down Order first.
But regardless...
Now that Lin Yu was Fluoxetine, he could enjoy the benefits of this "natural alliance."
Just then, the ever-calm and steady Li Hua finally spoke up.
"What, are you trying to openly violate the game rules?"
"In a dungeon that might involve 'deities'... you'd really increase your death probability over petty conflicts?"
After Li Hua finished speaking, Lin Yu, fully prepared, immediately responded with a smile:
"But that octopus just mentioned 'banquet rules'..."
"Does the self-introduction session before any dishes are served count as part of the banquet?"
"It even deliberately left - almost like it reserved this time specifically for us to kill each other!"
As Lin Yu spoke, Fish burst into laughter.
"Well said, Sister Nail! I like that reasoning!"
"Hey Gambler... want to make a bet?"
Seeing Lin Yu fanning the flames and Fish's enthusiastic response, Li Hua coldly interjected:
"Don't be ridiculous, I won't gamble!"
He then took out a black signboard slightly larger than a tablet.
Messy handwriting soon appeared on the signboard:
"The current probability of punishment for killing each other now is 100%!"
"I've activated the Gambler's ability," Li Hua said coldly. "This [Signboard] publicly displays a known piece of 'information'... you've heard of it, right?"
"So Fluoxetine, your reasoning is wrong. The self-introduction session is indeed part of the banquet - that octopus leaving might even be entrapment."
After Li Hua finished, Lin Yu and Fish simultaneously showed disappointed expressions.
It was Mosin-Nagant who cheerfully spoke up again:
"Seems like fighting to the death isn't the best option!"
The hunter who had drawn his weapon faster than anyone just moments ago said as if nothing had happened.
"Peace and harmony are wonderful!"
"I love cooperative dungeons like this... even with different organizational allegiances, we can still conquer the game together!"
The Magician Phantom emerged from his hat.
Hearing Mosin-Nagant's words, he couldn't help but comment:
"Oh, gold medal hunter uncle... are you afraid we'll die in the dungeon and you'll miss out on all those bounties?"
Mosin-Nagant responded kindly again:
"Exactly. You're worth nine million, Fish is nine point six million... and Fluoxetine, thirteen million."
"I've got a family to feed, you know."
As Mosin-Nagant spoke, Lin Yu put away his gun and wagged his finger:
"Correction, the Hunters' Association bounty on me should be fifteen point twenty-five million."
This wasn't a random number - Lin Yu had actually checked every Fluoxetine bounty post on the Hunters' app and added them all up.
Fish also jumped down from her chair and sat back, cradling two flintlock pistols:
"Oh ho, Mosin-Nagant, wanna try me outside later?"
Mosin-Nagant waved his hands:
"Wouldn't dare... as deputy head of the Marauders, if you don't isolate yourself or give me a chance to ambush, how would I dare move against you?"
The table conversation remained full of tension.
But everyone had put away their weapons - though the verbal sparring continued, actual fighting was off the table.
Li Hua also sighed in relief.
Just as everyone "calmed down"...
The octopus Ka descended from above.
Holding several opaque bags in its eight tentacles, it plopped into the pool.
"Ho—everyone! I'm back!"
After surveying the room with its elongated eyes, the octopus cheerfully announced:
"Ah... seems you've all had a lovely chat!"
"A banquet should be joyful, after all."
Then Octopus Ka pulled out six glass cups from the pool.
"Now then... everyone!"
"Please enjoy the 'pre-dinner drinks' - make sure to grab your own glass!"
"The pre-dinner drinks are crucial. I understand if some guests don't wish to drink... but teetotalers are considered 'party poopers' by the host."
"Party poopers will have one of their seat ropes cut!"
After Octopus Ka finished speaking...
It tossed all six glasses high into the air.
Almost instantly, everyone present reacted...
Seven players, six glasses!
At least one person would definitely be punished!
Although this dungeon prohibited direct PvP, it was still a Competition-type!
Lin Yu also realized this.
"Really disadvantageous," he thought, sensing trouble.
The Assassin ability wouldn't help in grabbing glasses.
Looking at his available items:
[Guaranteed-Hit Revolver], [One-Statement Lie Detector], [Teeth of Prophecy], [Tongue of Deceit], [Fear Torch], [Chate's Supplies], [Fear Lens], [Multi-function Screwdriver], [BBE-300], [Safety Helmet (White)], [Bone Crusher]...
Plus [Class Item - False Face] and [Class Item - Counterfeit].
None of these would help in grabbing a glass.
Well, the [Teeth of Prophecy] and [Tongue of Deceit] could be useful, but Lin Yu hesitated to waste them here.
"Guess it's down to quick reflexes?"
As Lin Yu pondered, Mosin-Nagant was already making his move.
He blew a dog whistle, summoning a small hunting dog from thin air.
The dog leapt high, easily catching a glass midair and delivering it to Mosin-Nagant!
The number of remaining glasses...
Now dropped to five!
Meaning the "competition" just got fiercer!