On the second floor, 7 people are circled inside a room
Cozbi: "We should sleep now, one of us needs to stay on guard for 30 minutes before another replaces"
Cozbi: "I will be on guard first. You guys can sleep for now, next will be Nathan then Jean and we will keep doing this until it's morning"
Jean: "I'll also be on guard with you since I have trouble sleeping"
Miya: "Insomnia?"
Jean didn't answer but closed his eyes indicating that it was right
Cozbi nodded and said with a smile "Sure, it's better if there's someone else to be with in this kind of situation"
Contrary to the words he was saying, his thoughts were 'Great, I just have to be with someone that has insomnia'
"Alright then, you go to the left side I go to the right, if you find anything strange don't hesitate to tell me" Cozbi said as he looked at Jean
Even though he was smiling gently right now, his eyes are narrowed lightly as he thought while examining Jean's expression 'He doesn't seem to be lying about it'
"You guys can sleep now."
"Oh also, Jean don't open the door for anyone especially if you hear someone asking for help"
Jean glanced at him and raised one of his eyebrow in confusion that seemed to be asking 'What are you talking about?'
Cozbi noticed it and explained "I played this before and at midnight someone knocked on our door and kept asking for help...none of us opened the door but the moment one of my teammates shouted the knock on our door disappeared and suddenly everything went black...I don't exactly know what happened but when we woke up, he was gone"
Miya: "W-Who's gone?"
Cozbi said with frown on his face "Gerald...the one that shouted..."
Miya's eyes shook and lowered her head knowing what it meant
The rest also understood.
Whatever happened to that person, no one wants to experience or know.
After everyone fell asleep except for Cozbi and Jean, Cozbi thought 'Shit, I was planning on letting the monster enter this room And sacrifice one of them'
Cozbi looked at Jean and saw that he was not paying attention to him
Cozbi then took the opportunity to take a look at a blue screen that appeared infront of him
[Main Task: Kill everyone before the end of the game]
[Identity: Imposter]
Actually, Cozbi was planning on taking everyone's trust and steal their coins but he didn't expect that he would be the chosen imposter for the game
Now he needs to change some of his plans, instead he'll take their trust for both the coins and to also kill them
Cozbi smirked
Well, he doesn't particularly needs to kill all of them with his barehands
Why does he need to dirty his hands when he can just let the monsters kill them?
No one will accuse him since he isn't that strong of a player in the first place
He's just a mere E level player that went here after receiving some information exchanging with a high level player
It was said that new arrived players would be placed in this C level game and so he thought of taking advantage over them
He needs a lot of coins right now to pay his debt
And this is the perfect chance
But...
What he didn't expect was that there are 13 of them overall
He heard that it only contains 12 including him, so why did it change?
He didn't know why but suddenly a flash of memory appeared and he remembered the youth who had a scary pair of cold eyes
That youth's eyes held no emotion, those yellow-hazel eyes and sharp cat-like pupil was like looking at some insect
Cozbi secretly gritted his teeth as he thought 'Arrogant bastard, let's see if you can still have those kind of eyes after you encounter a monster and die!'
***
On the third floor of the mansion, inside of a room that has two large metal doors
Three strange large figures appeared from thick black smokes
It slowly started to form as six sharp red eyes checked the surroundings
Growl
After moments later, one of them formed it's shape like a human figure while the other two turned into giant dog like body
Those blood red eyes was lustful as it's pair of white fangs bared while saliva dripped from the corner of it's mouth
Contrary to them, the human figure has long black hair that is passed it's waist while wearing a white patient gown
It's body was deathly pale and so white that it shown through the dark room
It's lips were pale white aswell as if it would shatter from coldness
Finally, it's eyes were also blood red like the monsters but was just more lifeless and motionless under those long black eyelashes
But if you look closely, it was actually holding something that cradled on a white quilt
It was hard to tell at first glance on what it was actually holding, but the look of it's eyes were focused on the little thing it was holding
Moments later after it looked at the little thing in it's arms, it ordered "Scatter"
It's voice was very feminine and a little bit hoarse but still carried a hint of coldness
Growl
The monsters growled before it disappeared into the dark, leaving the human figure and the thing in it's arms alone
"Ngh, wahhhhhh!"
Just then, a sound of cry was heard coming from the little thing in it's arms
"Shush, shush, don't cry my little one, shall mommy sing a song for you?"
The human figure asked in a very gentle and loving voice contrary to her appearance
"Wahhhh~"
The little thing in it's arms who appeared to be a baby, still cried bit in an answering gesture
The human figure then sang
"Natsuhiboshi why are your eyes so red?"
"Because~ I had a sad dream last night"
"My eyes~ are red from the tears I shed"
"Swolling~ as I cried"
"Natsuhiboshi why've you lost your way?"
"I'm searching~ for a child who's gone afar"
"He can't~ be found though I search all day"
"My sad dreams come once more~"
With that lullaby ended, the child finally quiet down as it fell asleep rubbing it's head towards it's mother's arms.
Finally, the room fell silent as only the sound of blizzard storm was heard
Those lifeless eyes of the human figure turned towards the two metal doors as she slowly took steps forward
Behind her, the footsteps left a trail of bloods.
***
Eru was just casually leaning against the wall in the middle of the corridor of the second floor while reading his novel's plot
Throughout reading the novel until chapter 18, he was able to find some informations he could use as an advance
Actually, the real purpose of this game was much more simpler than one could think
That is if they are strong or have enough strength to defend themselves though
Eru checked his watch and saw that it was 12:41am
It's almost 1am, the time of the start of the very game
Just then, Eru heard a faint voice.
- Natsuhiboshi why are your eyes so red?
- Because~ I had a sad dream last night
'Singing?' Eru thought as he scrolled on his phone again searching for something
After reading some parts of the novel, he thought 'So that's it huh?'
He hid his phone in his pocket as he walked to the right side of the corridor before finally stopping at infront of the 4th door of the 8 overall doors in the corridor
Eru went inside and found that the room is much more smaller but much more clean compared to Samur's and Cozbi's room
The room had a one person bed with white sheet and a soft quilt covering it along with a red circle rug beside it
Other than that, there was only some boxes and nothing more
But Eru prefers things like this, plain and simple
'But still, let's organise some of it as a "guest" would arrive' He thought as he walked up and opened the boxes seeing if he could find something useful
Alas he wasn't able to find anything as it only contained some arts supplies
'Seemed like the previous owner likes to paint' He thought and quickly stack the boxes placing it to the corner of the room
After finally arranging everything, the room looked much more cleaner
He looked at the watch again and saw that it was 12:47am
'Just some few more minutes'
Thinking of this, he sat down the bed and heaved a tired sigh
It's only been the first day and yet it's tiring already, Eru wanted to quit so that he can just go back to having a simple slacking life
But, aslong as he would be able to pay his debt towards his old acquaintances and would be able to see them again, then...
'It's fine'
Eru then suddenly thought of a certain line he wrote in the novel
['I could have endured the darkness, if I hadn't seen the light']
"..." 'What the hell? Am I even in the dark in the first place?'
This was a sentence he himself wrote in the novel was something he never understood
Actually he only heard it from the leader of their group, also one of the protagonists in the novel, the very main to be precise
That person was the one that gathered all of them, that person also has the brightest smile, but that person also had the saddest past
Because of this, that person then told him
- If only I haven't met you guys then you probably won't be involved in this complicated situation...I also wouldn't have been to nice to actually let him live
- Why do you always think about going back to the past before you met us?
- Eru, this is the third time you asked me this question you know?
- It's because you never answered it.
- You brat! *Sigh* Well, I don't also actually understand it, but you have heard about my past right?
- Hm
- All along, I grew in the darkness with nothing, that's when I found light that bringed me warm
- I could've endured darkness, if I hadn't seen the light
Years has passed and yet until now, Eru could still not understand this
This is also one of the questions he wanted to ask that person if they ever meet again
Creak
Eru then heard something and quickly came back to his senses
Looking down at his watch, he was surprised to see that it was already [12:59am]
Seeing this, Eru stood up and walked towards the door
He stopped before the door and waited
Tik
Tok
Tik
[1:00am]
Whimpers
A sound of crying and whimpering was then heard outside the door
"H-Help...please...help..."
A voice of a woman was heard as slowly sound of feet being dragged forcefully
It stopped at a door and knocked as it once again pleaded
"Help-...anyone...please...anyone..."
No one answered at the door she knocked, after some few more times of knocking and pleading, she walked over to another door which was Cozbi's room
Knock!
Knock!
"Help, please-...help, open the door...anyone, please..."
Growl
Suddenly, there was a sound of dangerous growl from the left side of the corridor
The woman trembled as she knocked much more louder this time and screamed
Bang!
Bang!
"Please-! Open the door...anyone please!"
Inside the room, Jean closed his eyes and gritted his teeth not wanting to hear any of this anymore
Cozbi watched this with amuse as he thought 'Oh? Even though i already warned him that it's dangerous and to not be fooled he still couldn't help but feel guilty...'
'What a fool'
'If you want to help, then go ahead either way you'll die and that's save trouble for me'
Bang!
Bang!
"Please help! Please...they're coming!"
Just as Jean was about to get his courage and help, a voice cold interrupted
"You're nosiy"
The voice doesn't seem to be angry, no, it doesn't seem to care at all but for some reason it felt cold that even the woman stopped the knocking and froze on the spot
She turned her head slowly around to see a youth that has his door opened wide while looking at her calmly
Eru then said as he turned around "Aren't you gonna come in?"
The woman was momentarily stunned before entering hesitantly
With a 'clack' sound, the door closed and everything fell to silence
Jean and Cozbi were completely shock as they both froze on the spot
'Did someone else let her come in?'
Cozbi was also surprised but it quickly disappeared as he thought 'Looks like there's another idiot'
'Well, whoever that idiot is dead now'
"S-Someone just-" Jean stuttered in disbelief
Cozbi: "Well, it's his fault for being a fool, they should know that in such a situation things like this could be dangerous"
Jean stared at him with disbelief but still couldn't retort and eventually both went to go on their guard once again.
On the other hand, Eru sat on the bed while the woman was still standing still by the door, holding a baby in her hands
The woman had deathly pale skin and white cold lips that seemed to have no life in it
Her eyes also was lifeless as she stared at him with some hesitation
She thought 'He-...no, he's just a fool'
'Unfortunately, he will die now-'
"So" Eru interrupted the woman's thought as he said nonchalantly "What can you give me in return for letting you in?"
The woman had her eyes wide for a moment as she said with a stunned voice "What...?"
Eru said in confusion (although not shown in his tone or face)
"I asked what can you give me in return for letting you in?"
"..." The woman was left utterly speechless not knowing what to answer in this kind of situation
This was not exactly the first time someone opened the door for her but this was certainly the first time someone asked for a return from her, afterall, from her appearance what could she give?
It was really questionable on what she could give since she barely have anything to offer
But then she remembered that this person was supposed to die and so instead stayed quiet
Eru stared at her for some time before his eyes seemed to turn darker than usual
"You have nothing?" Eru asked in a calm manner but this just made the woman flinch
She thought 'Just what is up with this new player?!'
"If so, then what about you do me a favor?"
At first it seemed to be asking but in actuality it was more of an order, as if refusing and answering 'no' is not possible
The woman slowly raised her eyes underneath her long dark eyelashes and met with Eru's eyes
Eru: "You see, I have someone that I want to get rid of, but I don't want to be the one to act to do so and dirty my hands. That's why, I thought you could do it instead"
The grip of the woman on the baby in her arms tightened slightly as she said with gnash teeth "And why do you think I can do that?"
Eru: "I already know you can but not with your barehands"
The woman was silent before asking with a threatening voice "What makes you say that?"
Eru: "Because you're the one that's controlling those monsters"
The woman didn't answer but her gaze turned cold as the temperature in the room that was already cold turned more colder
Eru felt as if ice were stinging his body but didn't flinch as he still calmly stared at the woman
The woman's face was now hard to see as she has her head down
Woman: "What makes you think I would help you when you already know my ability?"
Growl
Sounds of growling was heard as slowly 2 figures from the dark emerged as it's red eyes and fangs bared towards Eru
Eru then thought 'System'
[System999: Yes host? What?! Oh no, you have to run host or wait, you have an ability right? I saw it in your profile so-]
'I don't need to use it, I just need you to exchange my coins to block the sounds for the constellations'
[System999: How did you know about that?]
Eru contemplated on what to answer before he said in his mind 'I'm not a new player so I already heard about it from some experts'
[System999: Ohhhh, yeah I forgot about that, so how many coins would you like to exchange?]
[System999: 50 coins has a limit of 5 minutes, 100 coins for 10 minutes, 200 coins for 30 minutes, and finally 500 coins for an hour]
'Can you disconnect for a moment?'
[System999:....Uhm sure host]
With the sound of system999 disappeared, Eru then took out his phone from the pocket
The woman frowned and asked "What do you think you're doing?"
Eru: "Gonna call someone"
'Or something' Eru wanted to say but didn't
"Just give a moment and you would finally find what you've always wanted"
The woman frowned even more at this words as she cautiously observed Eru ordering the monsters to attack if he does anything suspicious
As Eru placed his phone on his ear he said "It's me"
- [Need anything?]
Eru then whispered "Is it possible to have coins right now?"
- [It is but you need to repay it later]
Eru nodded and said "500"
- [Are you sure you don't want to save it for later?]
"I can later 'play that' and I would receive plenty"
- [Alright if that is what you want then]
- Ding!
- 500 coins have been transferred to player Eru Frost
- [Is that all?]
"It is, I'll end the call now"
Beep
After finishing talking, Eru made eye contact with the woman as he said "System, Exchange my 100 coins"
[System999: Understood]
With that, the view of the constellations were blocked and they couldn't help but frown
This was the second time it happened to them, they might go complaine to the system bureau head
But Eru doesn't care.
Eru then heaved a sigh as he said "Don't you want freedom for both you and your baby?"
The woman jolted, trembling she said "What..."
Eru then said in a firm voice "I can free you aslong as you do as I say"
"Afterall, that was what you longed for, you wanted to go back to the past and change your regret right?"
"Unfortunately, I can't bring you back to the past, but I can free you from this game along with your baby"
"Afterall, you regretted it and hated yourself"
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Because you weren't there when your baby died"