Zhou Cries for Zhong

Zhou Yue’s spawn point was a crowded plaza.

Playing for the first time, he was incredibly nervous, standing awkwardly among the throng of people, his gaze darting around.

"Any decent folks here willing to trade sincerity for sincerity?"

Just then, Zhong Yi’s booming voice cut through the noise.

Zhou Yue, as if spotting a lifeline, immediately raised his hand and rushed forward without hesitation. "Old Zhong! Me! Pick me!!"

Zhong Yi led Zhou Yue away, spouting meaningless chatter to avoid drawing attention.

"You wanna trade sincerity with me? Get inside."

Zhong Yi pointed to the entrance of a shop.

In Demon Slayer, as long as someone was within line of sight, they could hear conversations.

So, stepping into an enclosed building was the perfect way to talk in secret.

"Old Zhou, your acting is way too stiff!" Zhong Yi complained the moment they entered.

"Not everyone’s a natural-born swindler like you," Zhou Yue shot back.

"First, I’ll teach you how to strike… The moment you see someone, spam the attack skill. That way, as soon as they’re in range, you’ll automatically swing."

Zhong Yi began his tutorial.

"Got it!" Zhou Yue nodded earnestly.

"Shit! Shen Yan’s eavesdropping outside—we’re exposed! Kill him, quick!!"

Zhong Yi suddenly spotted half of Shen Yan’s head peeking through the doorway and immediately gave chase.

"Old Zhong, I’m coming too!" Zhou Yue’s blood boiled with excitement.

Damn, just getting his demon identity and already a target?

Talk about perfect timing!

"Brother Shen, warm me up with a little spar!"

Shen Yan’s role was [Constable], and he carried a blade.

But one blade couldn’t hold off two demons. After one strike, he’d be locked in cooldown, leaving him no choice but to flee.

As he ran, he frantically spammed his attack skill.

If anyone got within range, he’d at least take one down with him—that way, he wouldn’t die for nothing!

Just then—

Around the corner—

Zhou Qiaoling wandered by, looking utterly listless.

"Miss Zhou!! Run!! Both of them are demons!!!"

Shen Yan shouted while sprinting, his attack skills firing wildly without a target.

To his shock, Zhou Qiaoling didn’t retreat—instead, her expression lit up with excitement.

"What? Demons!?"

Her eyes gleaming, Zhou Qiaoling dashed forward with quick, eager steps.

Her role was [Scout].

She’d been waiting for the perfect moment to show Zhou Yue just how thrilling Demon Slayer could be!

Talk about perfect timing!

Seeing Zhou Qiaoling charge instead of flee, Zhong Yi frowned.

"Your girl’s probably armed—prepare to clash blades! One each—kill them and we win!"

Zhong Yi barked orders.

"Ha! Blade clash? Leave it to me!!"

Zhou Yue, invigorated, kept spamming his attack skill even without a locked target.

"Damn it, Miss Zhou, don’t—"

Just as Zhou Qiaoling got too close, Shen Yan yelped in alarm.

He’d been spamming his attack skill too, and as he tried to warn her—

Snap!

Zhou Qiaoling stepped right into Shen Yan’s attack range and was instantly cut down.

And because of the [Constable]’s mechanic—killing a good player meant dying alongside them—

One strike, two lives.

Zhong Yi froze mid-step, stunned by the sudden turn.

And in that split second of hesitation—

He, too, stepped into Zhou Yue’s maximum attack range.

Snap!

Another life reaped.

Staring at Zhong Yi’s corpse, Zhou Yue blanked.

He’d been ready to carve out glory side by side with Zhong Yi—who could’ve imagined…

He’d be the one to cut him down?

Overwhelming grief crashed over him, regret tearing at his heart.

"AHHH—!!"

Zhou Yue roared, his surging spiritual energy forcibly disconnecting him from the game.

Eyes bloodshot, he clutched his face, wailing in anguish.

"Old Zhong!!"

"Ah…"

"Old Zhong!! AHH—!!"

……

"So you’re saying Shen Yan killed Zhou Qiaoling, and then Zhong Yi killed Shen Yan, resulting in a double death?"

During the voting phase, the entire room fell into stunned silence after Zhou Yue’s explanation.

None of them were newbies. They quickly pieced together the scenario:

Shen Yan was a [Hero], Zhong Yi was the [Constable], and Zhou Qiaoling was also a good role.

"In that case, Brother Zhou must be innocent."

"Hard to say… If someone else claims [Hero], they might be bluffing."

"Bluffing? Did you see how hard he was crying just now??"

"Honestly, I almost thought Brother Zhong really died…"

"That level of acting? Impossible!"

"Let’s just skip the vote."

……

Under the sympathetic gazes of the crowd, Zhou Yue was baffled.

Well…

Maybe Zhong Yi’s death wasn’t so bad?

Somehow, he’d become the undisputed innocent in everyone’s eyes.

‘To honor Old Zhong’s will… I must win!’

Zhou Yue steeled his resolve.

He wouldn’t let Zhong Yi’s sacrifice be in vain!

Already, he was plotting his next moves to turn the tide.

‘My role is [Skinwalker]—I can shapeshift into others…’

After careful consideration, he realized the brilliance of his ability.

By mimicking others, he could mislead the group, obscure his movements, and find the perfect moment to strike!

Zhou Yue respawned in a cowshed, a smirk curling his lips.

His eyes burned with confidence.

"Old Zhong, watch over me from the heavens!"

"I won’t let your death be for nothing!"

As a demon with blood already on his hands, he no longer felt like a rookie.

Zhou Yue ran through simulations in his mind, envisioning every possible outcome.

Footsteps approached from around the corner.

"Target locked."

His finger hovered over the kill command, ready to strike.

The [Gatekeeper of the Mystic Heaven Sect], oblivious to his fate, turned the corner.

"In an illusion realm like this, where luck means nothing… I! AM! INVINCIBLE!"

Zhou Yue laughed wildly as he unsheathed his crimson-black blade and swung—

In an instant, the [Gatekeeper of the Mystic Heaven Sect] collapsed into a lifeless heap…

Only for two familiar faces to burst out of his stomach.

Mu Yawen: "Thanks for saving us, Senior Brother Zhou!"

Guo Yunwen: "Wait… Why does Senior Brother Zhou have a blade!!?"

Zhou Yue’s grin shattered.

"GODDAMMIT!!"

"WHY DID I JUST KILL A [GLUTTON]!?"