6: Chapter 6: Maybe the person is dead, and we don't have to pay back the money.

After reconfirming the potential risks of the hidden rules, Gu Changming decisively abandoned the idea of immediately making a fifth attempt.

By the fourth time, those things were already able to distinguish the noise he created. Gu Changming wasn't sure if those things would become even "smarter" during the fifth time—the time he could obtain the breaker.

He needed to go back and think it through, to be more fully prepared.

For instance, he could look for locations where it was easier to create loud noises and that provided more cover for evasion, or prepare some remote-controlled sound-emitting devices to increase his safety margin.

Returning to the vicinity of the residential complex, the streets were even quieter than before.

Walking to the ground floor of his building, he pressed the elevator button. The button didn't light up, and the elevator didn't move.

A power outage.

Gu Changming wasn't surprised by this. With all of human society at a standstill for a day and a half, the various systems maintaining the city's operation were bound to be under immense pressure; a localized power outage was perfectly normal.

He turned toward the stairwell. The corridor was very dark, with only the green safety signs emitting a faint glow. He lightened his steps, walking up floor by floor.

Just as he was about to reach his own floor, extremely faint, cautious footsteps came from above.

Gu Changming immediately stopped moving, his body leaning slightly into the shadows of the wall as he looked up.

A familiar figure was slowly walking down the stairs.

It was Su Wan.

She saw him too and was stunned for a moment, a hint of pleasant surprise appearing in her eyes.

She stopped on the steps, quickly pulled her phone from her pocket, and began tapping on the screen.

A moment later, she turned the glowing screen toward Gu Changming:

[You were out for so long? Are you okay?]

Gu Changming's face remained expressionless; he simply shook his head to indicate he was fine.

Then he stepped aside, signaling for her to pass first.

Su Wan shook her head and didn't move, lowering her head to type again.

[The power is out. Do you have candles at home? If not, I'll give you some.]

Gu Changming gave her a curious look, then naturally reached out and took her phone.

[Where did you get candles?]

Su Wan took the phone back, lowered her head to type, and soon held up the screen:

[I plan to go to that convenience store from yesterday to look. If I find any, I'll bring a few back for you too.]

Gu Changming's brow furrowed imperceptibly. He took the phone again, his typing speed a bit faster:

[The convenience store probably won't have candles now. Go get some high-proof liquor and make an alcohol lamp. Use a bowl or a cup, find a cotton wick, and it'll last for a while.]

Su Wan's eyes lit up, and the look she gave Gu Changming was filled with undisguised admiration.

How had she not thought of that?

Meeting her sparkling eyes, Gu Changming was somewhat speechless. He took the phone and added: [No need to bring any for me, I have some at home.]

Well, he didn't actually have any at home, but he didn't need them either.

He would rather stay in the dark for a night than have her come over and trouble him again.

Su Wan nodded obediently and turned to walk down two steps, but then suddenly remembered something and quickly turned back.

[Do you have any cash?]

Gu Changming's expression became even more puzzled, his eyes conveying the question: What do you want that for?

Su Wan continued typing to explain: [We took things from that convenience store yesterday without paying. Since I'm going there now, I'll leave the money while I'm at it. That way, it won't count as stealing.]

As for the money for the glass, she would compensate for that later.

Looking at her serious expression, Gu Changming pursed his lips, for a moment not knowing what to say to her.

Since this Assessment descended, things like money had basically become waste paper.

He shook his head bluntly, indicating he had no cash.

A flash of disappointment crossed Su Wan's face, as if she were worried about being burdened with the crime of theft once social order was restored.

Gu Changming took her phone again and typed a few lines:

[There's no power now anyway. Even if you pay, the cameras won't record it, so it's useless.]

Su Wan froze, seemingly only just realizing this point.

Gu Changming typed again:

[Look on the bright side, maybe the convenience store owner is already dead, so there's no need to pay the money back.]

Su Wan stared blankly at Gu Changming, her eyes filled with a bit of confusion and helplessness.

Gu Changming pursed his lips. On the rare occasion he made a joke, she actually failed to understand his humor.

He said no more, stuffed the phone back into her hand, walked past her, and continued upward.

...

Not far outside the residential complex, in a quiet alleyway.

Li Jianbin squatted in the shadows of a corner, his greasy hair hanging down, his eyes darting around like a rat's.

However, there was no one in sight at the moment. Just as his legs were going numb from squatting and he was becoming impatient, a figure finally entered his vision.

It was a middle-aged man in his thirties, wearing an ordinary jacket, hurrying along with his head down.

Li Jianbin's eyes lit up, and his breathing quickened slightly.

He immediately emerged from the shadows, lightened his steps, and quickly approached the man from behind.

When the distance closed to three or four meters, Li Jianbin suddenly spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough:

"Hey!"

The middle-aged man's body stiffened, clearly startled by the sudden sound, and he subconsciously turned his head toward the source.

The moment he turned!

Li Jianbin lunged forward, took a sudden stride, raised his foot, and kicked the man's abdomen with all his strength!

"Urgh!"

The middle-aged man never expected to be attacked. Intense pain instantly swept through his body, and he let out a painful, short cry, his body uncontrollably doubling over like a shrimp as he staggered backward.

Having succeeded in his strike, a sinister smile of triumph flashed in Li Jianbin's eyes. Without hesitation, he quickly jumped back to put distance between them, as if avoiding something terrifying.

Almost the second after he retreated.

Thump!

A dull sound!

The man on the ground's body suddenly exploded, a mist of blood filling the air as debris splattered everywhere.

Almost simultaneously, that cold notification tone rang in Li Jianbin's ear right on time:

[Successfully triggered and completed 'Sound Pressure Coverage' 3 times.]

[Congratulations, you have obtained the title: Observer.]

Hearing the prompt, wild joy instantly surged onto Li Jianbin's face, and he clenched his fists tightly.

Just as he thought! It was exactly as he guessed!

These titles like 'Self-Saver' and 'Observer' were the ratings for this damn Assessment!

And that 'Sound Pressure Coverage' was a rule that could be used.

He had figured out the rule—when he made a sound, as long as someone else nearby also spoke and their voice was louder than his, they would be judged as the target of the attack.

And he would be able to survive.

Speaking of which, he had that unlucky woman at home to thank for discovering this.

After her reminder, he found another unlucky bastard to test it on and found that he also didn't die.

By now, after killing only three people, his title level had risen again.

The corners of his mouth curled up. He wouldn't stop here; he was going to continue!