Chapter 26 – You want to save someone? I'll hack you dead!
When Player 6 finished speaking…
Player 5 quietly nodded to himself, endorsing his Wolf Teammate's latest statement.
Today the Wolf Team is forcing a vote on Player 2—no exceptions!
As long as no Hunter sits behind me, as long as no Hunter sits behind me…
[Player 7, please speak.]
It was Wang Changsheng's turn.
He chuckled softly.
His languid gaze settled on Player 6 beside him.
Just that one look.
Player 6's heart clenched with dread.
It can't be this unlucky, right?
Surely not… Both Player 6 and Player 5 stared wide-eyed, glued to Wang Changsheng's mouth.
But the next second.
Their worst fear came true.
"If you're the Hunter, then what am I?"
Wang Changsheng said with a smile.
Before he could add another word—say, leave the sheriff badge for the Seer—
"Self-Destruct!"
Player 6 chose to Self-Destruct on the spot.
Pfft!
Wang Changsheng almost burst out laughing.
He was roaring with laughter inside.
Player 4, the real Hunter, opened his mouth, then shut it again.
Though he kept a straight face, he was howling inwardly.
"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!"
"Player 7, I love you!"
"You are my god!!!"
[Player 6 has chosen Self-Destruct.]
"Players, compose your expressions. Night falls; the self-destructed player may designate a kill before leaving."
[Night falls, please close your eyes.]
[Guard, please open your eyes.]
"Choose the player you wish to protect."
The mask on Player 8 vanished.
She looked troubled.
"Yesterday's Peaceful Night means the wolves struck my shield; tonight they'll definitely slash the Seer, so this round I'll…"
After thinking, she chose to guard no one.
[The player you protect is]
[No guard]
[Confirm and close your eyes.]
The Judge's rich, solemn voice rang out, grave against the eerie night music.
Player 8 closed her eyes; the heavy mask re-appeared.
Wang Changsheng, watching, nodded.
Guarding no one tonight was correct.
The wolves can't possibly strike her.
If they concede tomorrow, no harm done.
If they keep fighting, tonight's no-guard could mean another Peaceful Night tomorrow.
Still, Wang Changsheng figured the wolves would fold.
Hidden behind his mask, he shifted his gaze through the helmet's wide hole to Player 5.
[Werewolves, please open your eyes.]
"Choose your target to kill."
The announcement sounded again.
The last lone wolf opened his eyes.
The instant his mask lifted, Player 5 spun and glared daggers at Wang Changsheng.
Damn this guy!
How could he hold the Hunter card?!
Player 6's instant Self-Destruct had been right.
But it changed nothing.
Three Villagers and four Gods remained.
Only he, a single wolf, was left.
No way to turn the tide.
"Fine—I'll outer-positionslash that damned Guard!"
Player 5 clenched his teeth, abandoning the idea of killing the Seer.
Killing the confirmed Seer
scored far less than correctly sniping a hidden God in the outer positions.
His gaze slid from Player 10 and Player 7 to Player 4.
"Hah—you're either Guard or Witch. Witch, you die. Guard, you're probably no-guarding tonight, huh!"
"You want to save someone? Today I'll hack you dead!"
Player 5 wouldn't strike Player 7 for revenge.
If the Hunter shot him tomorrow, Wang Changsheng would gain even more points.
He refused to let Wang Changsheng profit another ounce.
He signalled the Judge.
[Your kill target is]
[Player 4]
[Confirm and close your eyes.]
The mask snapped back.
Player 5 closed his eyes.
Wang Changsheng, peeking from the side,
nearly laughed himself sick.
"He thinks Player 4 is the Guard?"
Had it not been night and he couldn't move,
Wang Changsheng would have been dancing.
[Seer, please open your eyes.]
"Choose the player you wish to inspect."
The mask on Player 10, Beard, disappeared.
Complex emotions flickered in his eyes.
He had slipped up this game.
He should have listened to the Golden Water and voted 5 to test 6, or vice-versa.
But as the Seer
seeing someone withhold the sheriff badge vote
irked him.
So voting to eliminate 9 wasn't wrong per se.
Only his badge flow had turned messy.
From a Seer's view, though, it was understandable.
"I'll check 4. The badge flow wasn't altered; I declared 7-4, I can't change it now."
Beard sighed inside.
He'd wanted to check 2 or 5 instead.
But an outer-position Confirmed Kill tonight would mean he'd be slain and unable to pass the badge tomorrow.
Good Guys would assume he'd checked 4
and boot him at once.
He couldn't muddle the Good vision.
After careful thought
he held up four fingers to the Judge.
[The identity of the player you inspect is]
[Golden Water]
"Sigh, Golden Water as expected."
He shook his head and closed his eyes.
[…]
When the Judge finished the remaining steps,
[Dawn breaks.]
The masks on everyone faded like phantoms into the void.
[Last night Player 4 died.]
[No last words.]
Player 4 opened his eyes, stunned to be the kill.
Surprise spread across his face.
The Good Guys were equally dumbfounded.
The Seer holding the badge wasn't attacked?
Was the wolf conceding?
Player 5 savoured the shock on Player 4's face.
Sweet satisfaction.
"You wanted to save people? I'll hack you dead before I fold!"
With only himself left, the game was hopeless.
He planned to Self-Destruct and concede once the Judge reached the speech phase.
[Do you wish to use your skill?]
Player 4 frowned.
He glanced around.
His mind raced.
Yesterday the wolf who Self-Destructed—Player 6—had joined Player 5 in attacking 2 and 8,
even 12.
Only he, Player 4, had been spared.
They must have realised he was the Hunter.
So why knife him now?
He couldn't fathom it.
But his gaze locked on Player 5,
who waited leisurely for the Judge to continue.
"Forget the rest—this Player 5 has long deserved to die."
Time to decide was short.
He opened his palm toward the Judge.