Chapter 7: To Kill is the only option!
After escaping the room, John mined a few more stones. When the time was up, he deposited his stones and pickaxe, heading toward his cell with a relieved expression. He never imagined his plan would succeed so smoothly.
"I truly got lucky today," John murmured as he approached his cell. But just as he was about to enter, a rough voice called from behind.
"Save your food from now on and give it all to me if you don’t want me opening my mouth."
John frowned, a chill running down his spine as he turned. Behind him stood a middle-aged man with a bushy beard and long hair. Though thin like the other prisoners, his gaze was sharp, piercing John with intensity.
John’s frown deepened. "You’re trying to blackmail me?" he asked.
The man chuckled. "No, I’m just trying to survive. Without enough food, I’ll die one day."
"So you’ll steal my food and let me die instead?" John retorted, glancing around to confirm the corridor was empty since they were the last to arrive.
In a few minutes, Fatmaster would lock all the cells from outside.
"You’ll die anyway when I tell Fatmaster you entered his room," the man said with a smirk. "Better to give me your food from now on. That way, you avoid Fatmaster’s torture."
John narrowed his eyes. Hunger had drained all compassion from this man. Though John could survive without food by assimilating Qi, he refused to be blackmailed.
He knew giving in would lead to more demands, and he wanted no part of that.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed his racing thoughts, searching for a solution.