Chapter Fourteen: The Killing Game (Part Two)

Game Rules

1. Number of Players: 9
Killers: 3
Detectives: 3
Civilians: 3

2. Only one killer acts each day. Each killer independently chooses their victim. There is no discussion platform for the killers, and a killer cannot target another killer. The right to kill is passed on in sequence; every day, a killer may choose to kill one person.

3. The three detectives are revealed on the first day. Detectives have the privilege to consult with each other, but their identities remain hidden in the discussion channel. Each evening from 8:30 to 9:00 PM, detectives are granted access to a private consultation channel. After discussion and unanimous agreement, the detectives may investigate one person per night, with the result shown only as “Killer” or “Not Killer.” If they fail to act in time, it is considered a forfeiture for that round, but the game continues.

4. Game Hours: The game runs each day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The rooms are automatically locked before 8:00 AM and after 8:00 PM.

5. Killer Action Time: Each day from 7:00 to 7:30 AM is reserved for the killer's action. If the killer does not select a victim within the allotted time, they are considered to have abandoned the game and are eliminated.

6. Voting Time: From 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, all players must cast anonymous votes, one per person, using fingerprint verification. If any player fails to vote by the deadline, the entire group is deemed to have failed. To vote, simply touch the avatar of the suspect; votes cannot be changed. The player with the most votes is eliminated. Results are announced at 6:00 PM each day.

7. Victory and Defeat: If all civilians and detectives are killed or eliminated, the killers win. If, after three days, all killers are eliminated, the civilians and detectives win.

Beneath the rules was a card with a labyrinthine, intricate pattern. Luo Hanya gently tapped the card open and was startled to see the word "Detective" scrawled in blood-red across it. The background featured an elegant black cat, and as soon as the card was revealed, the computer screen went black and would not turn on again.

Luo Hanya sat in silence for a while, then found a piece of paper and a pen in the room and began analyzing the game. After some thought, he realized that the role of detective would be the most challenging. Although detectives seem to have the advantage in numbers, their success depends entirely on unity. If they can cooperate from the very first night, share information, and investigate suspicious individuals, victory for the detectives and civilians should be simple. But could the game truly be so straightforward? In the face of one hundred million dollars, who could truly trust the others?

Luo Hanya also realized the game could last no more than three days. According to the rules, the killer can eliminate one person per day, and each day’s vote eliminates another. That means two people are eliminated each day. If, at the end of the third day, a killer still remains, a new killer emerges on the fourth day, who then kills again, ensuring victory for the killers. Thus, the crucial point is whether all the killers can be found within three days.

A sudden snap broke Luo Hanya’s concentration. He frowned, searching for the source of the sound, and discovered the door had been opened at some point—the sound was the door swinging open. He glanced at his watch. It was already 8:00 AM; the game had begun.

Luo Hanya opened the door and stepped outside. He found himself on the third floor, which had five rooms. There were two rooms on each side of the staircase, and his own room faced the stairs directly.

After a moment’s consideration, Luo Hanya noticed someone emerging from another room. The man was about 1.85 meters tall, seemingly in his thirties, dressed in a sharp suit. His crew cut and square jaw gave him a stern look; his eyes, though not large, emitted an intimidating gleam. His footsteps were steady and resolute, exuding an aura of authority that inspired respect from afar. Luo Hanya intended to greet him, but as he extended his hand, he hesitated. He realized, with a start, that this man was the same person he had seen being violent in yesterday’s video. A chill of fear ran through him at the sight of this cold-faced man. However, the man seemed utterly unconcerned, shooting Luo Hanya a frosty glance and brushing past him with a dismissive snort before heading downstairs, leaving Luo Hanya frozen at the landing.

“Well, well, trying to ingratiate yourself with a cold fish? Do you really want to be friends with Mr. Rapist?” A flippant voice sounded behind Luo Hanya. Already frustrated, Luo Hanya snapped, “And who the hell are you? Mind your own business!”

“Hah, you’ve got some nerve, kid. Remember who I am—everyone on the street calls me Bloodhand.” The voice had taken on a menacing edge. Luo Hanya was startled. He turned to see two men standing before him, one in front and one behind. The speaker was clearly the man in front, about 1.8 meters tall, perhaps thirty years old, with short red hair and a casual outfit. A scar marred his once-handsome features, and his expression hovered between a sneer and a smirk. His eyes, though seemingly indifferent, concealed a hint of madness. If this man was a wild beast, then the one behind him was a timid rabbit: barely 1.7 meters tall, delicate features, dressed all in white—a fresh-faced student through and through.

Bloodhand and Luo Hanya sized each other up. Luo Hanya was the first to extend his hand, offering a polite smile and introducing himself according to his assigned identity. “My name is Han Ya Luo, a detective. If I offended you earlier, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

A strange smile appeared on Bloodhand’s face. He raised an eyebrow and replied, “So, Han Ya Luo, is it? Well, let’s say we’re acquainted now. The kid behind me is my little brother; just call him Little White.”

The bashful youth called Little White seemed caught off guard by the mention. He stammered, “H-hello, Brother Han.”

Luo Hanya found Little White quite likable. After all, in real life, he himself was only newly come of age. Smiling warmly, he nodded, then invited Bloodhand to join him in the downstairs hall. Bloodhand agreed without hesitation.

When Luo Hanya, Bloodhand, and Little White reached the first-floor hall, six people were already present. An elderly butler in a small suit was setting out a fragrant breakfast. Four women sat together at a table, enjoying their meal, while the cold-faced man sat alone at a table to their left, silently drinking coffee.

Seeing the three approach, the five reacted in various ways. The cold-faced man continued sipping his coffee, unperturbed, while the most mature and striking woman among the group rose and strolled over. “Hello, gentlemen. I’m Wang Yue. Shall we have a chat?” she said with a smile. Luo Hanya had no objection, and Bloodhand brought his brother over as well.

After some mutual introductions, Luo Hanya gained a preliminary understanding of everyone’s identities. The beautiful Wang Yue, about 1.7 meters tall, wore a cheongsam and sported voluminous curls. She was a secretary. Slightly shorter, dressed in a yellow skirt, with light gray shoulder-length hair and a gentler demeanor, was Li Xin, a doctor. The remaining two were high school students: proud Wang Hui, with twin ponytails and a white tracksuit, and Liu Shanshan, always smiling gently, in a pink dress with long hair cascading down her back.

Bloodhand simply stated he was a gangster. Little White, too, was a high school student. The greatest surprise was the cold-faced man: his name was Tan Yue, and he was a famed hero policeman, renowned across several provinces. He’d reportedly spent ten years undercover in an international drug lord’s organization and ultimately brought down the whole syndicate. When Tan Yue introduced himself, Bloodhand snorted with derision, “So a rapist can be a hero cop, too?” Tan Yue was furious, and if not for the intervention of the group, a fight might have broken out.

After breakfast, the group discussed the game rules, but no one revealed their true identity. Then Li Xin remarked, “Aren’t there supposed to be nine of us? Where’s the last person? Did the killer eliminate someone already, and they just left?”

The others shook their heads; no one had seen anyone else come downstairs. Exchanging glances, they decided to check the missing person’s room. Luo Hanya, unbothered, trailed behind as the group went upstairs.

He had barely reached the door when a chorus of screams from the women made his blood run cold. He hurried forward, only to be confronted with a grisly sight: a pool of blood and scattered pieces of flesh. All their faces turned pale as the system voice finally sounded:

Main Mission Triggered: End the killing game. Ensure at least four survivors.