The Genius Game - Chapter 44

Time in the secret room was excruciating, and she kept hearing the mechanical voice announce the decreasing health points of other nannies.

At regular intervals, the players’ health points would drop a portion. Of course, Jian Tanxi’s health points were also declining.

Now, it all came down to luck.

Jian Tanxi often drifted in and out of consciousness, feeling herself growing weaker.

It was hard for her to fall completely asleep, whenever she did, she would be lifted by the wind, tossed around, and often slammed into the wall, jolting her awake from the pain.

She remembered that in the first game she played, she had cleared the level by turning the clock forward.

But here, there was no clock, and she didn’t have a watch either.

Moreover, this time, her teammates weren’t with her, so turning the time forward on her end would be useless.

So, she had no choice but to endure.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when she suddenly found herself no longer in that room but in the Ou family’s backyard, the very place where she had first entered the game.

Her other teammates were there too, each looking utterly exhausted. Du Jiaojiao had even plopped down on the ground, unwilling to get up.

No one had the energy to speak.

Just then, the paper knight from before reappeared and said to them, “Congratulations to all players for clearing the game, The Pampered Young Lady. It’s truly surprising that you managed to get through such a difficult level. Your physical condition will be restored to its enhanced state, and you will receive game rewards. This time, the rewards include both abilities and items. How much you receive depends on your contribution points.

As per the usual rule, only you will know what you’ve obtained.”

Jian Tanxi felt her body improving, no longer as weak as before. It seemed her physical condition had indeed been restored.

A mechanical voice sounded in Jian Tanxi’s mind: “Congratulations, Player Jian Tanxi, for making the highest contribution in this game. You have obtained 2 abilities and 5 items.

Ability 1: 2D Grab. As the name suggests, you can grab an object from a two-dimensional plane into three-dimensional space, but it must be something that exists on Earth. For example, if a piece of paper has a printed image of a cola bottle, you can grab the cola into three-dimensional space and even drink it. Correspondingly, the cola on the poster will disappear.”

Jian Tanxi’s heart leaped with joy. This ability was simply overpowering.

The mechanical voice continued, “One additional note: you can only grab items that already exist on the two-dimensional plane. Items drawn temporarily do not count. Also, it can only be used three times per month.

Ability 2: Script Modification. You can verbalize an event that is currently happening and modify one word in it. For example, if an enemy is running toward you, you can say, ‘The enemy is running toward me,’ and change ‘running’ to ‘walking,’ making it ‘The enemy is walking toward me.’ The moment the modification is complete, it takes effect immediately, and the enemy can only approach you at walking speed. This greatly increases your chances of success.

Of course, I’m just giving an example. How you modify it is up to you. You can use this ability twice per game, but you cannot make overly drastic changes, such as turning ‘The enemy is alive’ into ‘The enemy is dead.’ That kind of modification is not allowed.”

Jian Tanxi couldn’t help but laugh but quickly suppressed it.

The mechanical voice went on, “In addition, your previous abilities have been upgraded. The Healing ability has been upgraded from 5 uses per month to 7 uses per month. The Mind Reading ability has been upgraded from 2 uses per month to 3 uses per month.”

Next, five items will be distributed.

Item 1: Four Good Person Cards. When used, say to the target, “You are a good person,” and they will instantly become 100% good and agree to one of your requests.

Item 2: A 40-meter-long blade. When activated by saying, “I’ll let you run 39 meters first,” this massive blade will automatically appear and strike the enemy. It can be used twice per game.

Item 3: Six Revival Pills. Their effects need no explanation.

Item 4: Full Moon Eye. An upgraded version of the “Crescent Moon Eye,” this permanent lighting tool emits light for half an hour when the central eye is pressed. It can be used three times per month and does not expire.

Item 5: Ten Sleeping Pills. Can’t defeat the enemy? Just put them to sleep.

All items have been distributed. Small items have been placed in your gray pouch, while large items are stored in your personal storage space. What if you don’t have a personal space? Then you’ll have to drag your 40-meter-long blade around everywhere.

Fortunately, you do have a portable space, saving you from that hassle. Awesome!”

Jian Tanxi could feel that his belongings had indeed increased.

After leaving the instance, he could find a quiet place to examine them slowly.

Meng Yuening took out her Companion Spray and gave it to Qin Man, saying, “Sister Qin Man, this is Companion Spray. Spray it on someone, and that person will team up with you for the next three instances. If you find your son, you can use it on him so he won’t be separated from you temporarily.

This spray can be used twice. I’ve already used it once, so there’s one use left.”

Qin Man was overjoyed and accepted the Companion Spray, then gave Meng Yuening a few pills in return, saying, “These two pink ones are Insect Repellent Pills, and these two blue ones are Healing Pills. They’re rewards I just received. I’m giving them to you.”

Meng Yuening didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted them directly.

Qin Man asked, “What are everyone’s plans next?”

Meng Yuening replied, “I previously used the Companion Spray on Jian Tanxi, so we’ll be teaming up for the next two instances and won’t be separated. As for what happens after that, we’ll take it one step at a time.”

Qin Man nodded, glancing at Jian Tanxi and Meng Yuening with a hint of reluctance.

She wanted to continue teaming up with Jian Tanxi and Meng Yuening, but the Companion Spray had only one use left, and she had to save it for Qu Chen, as he was more important to her.

Still, she didn’t know if she would be able to find her son after leaving.

Qin Man walked over to Jian Tanxi and said, “Tanxi, we’re parting again… I hope we’ll have a chance to meet next time.”

Jian Tanxi nodded, “Yes, next time it’ll be you and Xiao Chen teaming up with me. I’m looking forward to it.”

Qin Man felt a mix of sadness and anticipation, saying, “I hope so.”

Du Jiaojiao said, “I’m going to look for my boyfriend after we leave.”

Meng Yuening remarked, “Zero people asked you.”

Du Jiaojiao: “…”

Shen Kexin looked at everyone and said, “Teaming up with all of you this time was very enjoyable… If fate allows, let’s meet again next time.”

Wang Juanhua added, “This instance was way too dangerous. I really hope the next one is kindergarten-level difficulty.”

The Knight interjected, “That’s impossible. Also, one of the game rewards is an ecological sphere for 400,000 people. Jian Tanxi, do you want it?”

The Knight asked Jian Tanxi first, likely because he had made the greatest contribution and had priority in deciding.

Jian Tanxi naturally took the eco-sphere and stored it in her personal space.

Then, the knight announced, “Game over. The teleportation channel is now open.”

Jian Tanxi felt she hadn’t fully recovered yet, but she was about to be teleported. This time, she had no idea where she would end up.

However, she knew she and Meng Yuening wouldn’t be separated for now, which gave her some peace of mind.

At least she had a friend by her side.

Meng Yuening was clever and efficient, making her a great ally.

When the light returned to her vision, Jian Tanxi found herself in a hospital, with Meng Yuening still beside her.

The two of them sat on the floor for a while to rest before starting to talk.

Jian Tanxi asked, “How did you manage when you were locked in the storage room during the dungeon?”

Meng Yuening replied, “It was bearable. The storage room was cramped, had no air conditioning, and we only got one meal a day. We just toughed it out. Ding Zelan sometimes brought us some food. What about you? Was the Wind Blade Room terrifying?”

Jian Tanxi briefly described the Wind Blade Room and explained how she had cleared it.

A flicker of fear showed in Meng Yuening’s eyes. “I had no idea the Wind Blade Room was such a dangerous place. If you didn’t have the ‘Unmovable as a Mountain’ ability, you might have died as soon as you entered.”

“Exactly. Let’s go find something to eat first.”

Both of them were weakened from the ordeal of the previous dungeon.

The hospital had a small convenience store where they found instant noodles. Jian Tanxi used her Boiling Kettle to heat water, prepared the noodles, and they had a satisfying meal.

Just then, a beautiful blonde girl walked in and asked, “Can that little kettle of yours boil water? Could you help me heat some water for my noodles? I haven’t had hot food in a long time.”

Jian Tanxi nodded. “Sure.”

The blonde girl happily approached, pulled out a pack of instant noodles from her bag, and said, “Just boil water for this, please.”

Jian Tanxi poured some mineral water into the Boiling Kettle and started heating it for her.

Suddenly, Jian Tanxi sensed something wrong and instinctively stepped back. Meng Yuening also leaped aside.

The blonde girl’s ten fingers transformed into daggers, her left hand striking at Jian Tanxi, her right hand at Meng Yuening.

This must have been her ability.

Fortunately, Jian Tanxi and Meng Yuening moved quickly and avoided injury.

Without hesitation, the blonde girl charged at Jian Tanxi. The daggers formed from her fingers could even extend, leaving Jian Tanxi with little room to dodge.

Still holding the Boiling Kettle, Jian Tanxi opened the lid and splashed hot water at the blonde girl.

The blonde girl tilted her head and dodged the water.

Meng Yuening ran to the cash register, picked up the cash machine, and hurled it at the blonde girl.

The blonde girl raised her left hand, using the daggers to block. The daggers clashed loudly with the cash machine, slicing it into several pieces.

Jian Tanxi drew her Cosmic Triangular Prism and attacked the blonde girl.

The Cosmic Triangular Prism was extremely hard, and when it collided with the blonde girl’s daggers, cracks appeared on them.

The blonde girl screamed in pain as the ten daggers reverted to fingers, now all bloody and immobile.

Seeing this, she quickly rolled away, attempting to flee.

Meng Yuening threw an Insect Ant Pill at her.

The blonde girl dodged swiftly, and the pill missed its target.

But Meng Yuening’s special ability was 100% throwing accuracy. Previously, it only worked on the first attempt, but now her ability had strengthened, her first three throws were all perfectly accurate.

As a result, the insect pill seemed to have a mind of its own. No matter which way the blonde girl dodged, the pill followed her trajectory.

Before long, the insect pill struck the blonde girl. Overwhelmed with agony, she writhed on the ground, completely losing any thought of escape.