God's Imitator-Chapter 494: Advantageous Identity

The ’Farmer’s Walk,’ ’Hermit Judgment,’ and ’King’s Judgment’ under the same rules presented two completely different scenarios.

All players instinctively pressed the button only in the last two seconds, thus the time appeared quite ample.

Although the physical stamina was rapidly declining, since the distance of each stage was also shortening, all players were able to complete it smoothly without triggering the spikes on the mechanisms due to overtime.

However, this situation changed in the latter part of the third stage.

Gao Jialiang was still in a relatively rear position, which allowed him to see the situation ahead more clearly.

Cai Zhiyuan was still maintaining a certain lead, but his speed clearly slowed down compared to before, either due to exhaustion or some other reason.

But Song Xiao, who wasn’t far behind initially, suddenly began to accelerate!

Although still carrying the heavy mechanism, Song Xiao’s pace noticeably quickened, indicating he had reserved some energy earlier.

Gao Jialiang was startled: "He wants to seize the advantageous position!"

Playing like this creates such a risk.

In the ’King’s Judgment,’ Ding Wenqiang outran all players, leaving them far behind, so there was no suspense in him finally obtaining the title of ’King.’

The other players, even if they wanted to overtake at the last moment, simply couldn’t do it.

But in this game, because time is quite ample, the top three or four players actually retained some stamina.

If they suddenly burst forth at the last moment, it might indeed be possible to seize the first place and obtain the advantageous identity for themselves.

This game is called ’Hermit Judgment,’ so the advantageous identity is also referred to as ’Hermit.’ Although it’s unclear what the relationship between ’Hermit’ and ’King’ is, at least the game rules confirm: the ’Hermit’ can decide who enters the prison cells, while ’Spectators’ can only passively accept.

These prison cells obviously carry the risk of death.

More importantly, this rule overlaps with the ’Super Authority Player,’ creating unpredictable consequences.

According to the game rules, if the Super Authority Player doesn’t enter any cell, they will directly face an instant death penalty.

Similarly, entering a certain cell, the Super Authority Player will endure more severe punishments, while ordinary players’ punishments will be more lenient.

Even if one is 100% certain they are not the Super Authority Player, being forcibly placed in a dangerous cell by the ’Hermit’ is still quite unacceptable.

Moreover, no one can be 100% sure they aren’t the Super Authority Player.

What if it’s yourself?

If so, if you can’t obtain the identity of the ’Hermit,’ and the ’Hermit’ never arranges for you to enter a cell, it’s a dead end.

Or if the ’Hermit’ intentionally arranges for you to enter an already dangerous cell, the danger level will exponentially increase, still leaving a slim chance of survival.

So, in the end, although everyone knows obtaining the advantageous identity might lead to new traps, it’s not so easy to just give it up.

Because once you give up, it’s equivalent to handing over the initiative, and your fate is no longer in your own hands.

The more people suspect themselves of being the ’Super Authority Player,’ the more they will care about this point.

...

After a brief hesitation, Cai Zhiyuan started to accelerate as well.

He obviously also retained energy and was wary of such possibilities.

Their footsteps alternated, persistently pressing each other.

This shocked Gao Jialiang; he almost felt like collapsing on the spot, every muscle in his body drained, yet these two could still walk so quickly.

Ultimately, it was nearly impossible to discern with the naked eye who between the two crossed the line first.

[Cai Zhiyuan has obtained the ’Hermit’ identity. Please swipe for verification to continue the game.]

Following the confirmation of the game rules, Cai Zhiyuan ultimately was a step faster.

All players were gasping for breath, utterly exhausted.

Cai Zhiyuan glanced at Song Xiao, who had suddenly made a last-minute move against him, with a complex expression but said nothing in the end.

Clearly, he had hesitated, contemplating whether to hand over the advantageous position of the ’Hermit,’ but was ultimately driven by his body’s instinct, snatching the advantageous identity in the end.

The players looked toward the formal game grounds. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

In the central area was a noticeable glass cabinet, but inside it was no longer a crown and golden scepter symbolizing the King’s identity rather, it housed a ’Cane’ and ’Lantern’ representing the Hermit.

Cai Zhiyuan stepped forward, extending his wristband towards the verification area.

With a "click," the glass cabinet unlocked.

Subsequently, new rule explanations appeared on the large screen within the venue.

[In the venue, there are six different prison cells, each corresponding to a different punishment.]

[All cells are initially in an unlocked state and can be entered freely, but each cell can only allow one player inside.]

[As ’Hermit,’ you can choose to use the ’Lantern’ in your hand to light the way for everyone.]

[Players other than the ’Hermit’ can seek the Hermit’s assistance before entering a cell. The ’Hermit’ can confirm the danger level of the current cell for that player using the lantern.]

[For players directly linked to the cell contents, entering the corresponding cell, the danger level will be significantly reduced.]

[Conversely, it might also be greatly increased.]

[After the ’Hermit’ uses the ’Lantern’ to verify the danger level, the lantern will produce a certain level of vibration, perceptible only to the ’Hermit.’]

[The ’Hermit’ can choose to report it truthfully or choose to conceal it.]

[The ’Hermit’ cannot use this function on themselves, nor can they verify additional dangers potentially faced by the ’Super Authority Player.’]

[The ’Hermit’ may also use the ’Cane’ in their hand to forcefully place a player into a specific cell, but only once is allowed.]

[After all six cells are assigned and used once each by six players, the ’Super Authority Player’ will reveal their identity and exercise their privilege, at which point the game will end.]

[As ’Hermit,’ you should not require any advice.]

[Now, please make your choice.]

From the game rules, ’Hermit Judgment’ shows more differences from ’King’s Judgment.’

Although there are still 6 cells, initially, they are all unlocked, and the ’Hermit’s’ privilege changes compared to the ’King.’

Moreover, this time there’s no injection of a slow-acting poison or time restriction on the game.

Theoretically, as long as the players are willing, they seem to be able to linger a long time.

Furthermore, the cells no longer have the variability of multiple uses; as long as 6 out of 7 players each enter a cell and complete a game once, it counts as passed.

After some consideration, Cai Zhiyuan, holding the lantern in one hand and the cane in the other, made a round of the venue to inspect the conditions of all cells.

The other players silently followed behind him.