Volume 27: Chapter 192: Narcissist's Cradle Arc - Part XX._Classroom of Doom

"And that makes it four..." She was not pleased whatsoever about the results "I've more or less figured out how the three others died, but there is something inexplicable about it... How can you consume the same liquids, which have fatal and damaging properties and still walk out of it alright?" She posed the question as she tapped her right fingers on the dark mechanical surface of the desk "Common theory says you can't. Science definitely says you can't; in other words, it would require a completely different and unique organism into a being in order to make it true. And that's saying a lot because you are a human being by all means... That is to say, you are not what you seem to be..." She strove for more conclusions of her own "I have to wonder if you know----or if... You are minimally aware, that you are not a being with the accordance... Maybe you're one of many but not quite?" She grinned "Seriously...!! Who are you----No... What are you...?!" Her ecstatic eyes traced all the way to Daniel's exposed image as the last round of the judgment round would begin.

Izayoi Akimiyashika and Stratos were no longer part of the game. Thus, 15 players remain, with the one at the center being Nasha Sana.

Basara, as always, commanded the tempo.

"Since this will be the last round, it means that the value of the claim will be doubled if right. However... It also means that the value will be doubled in the opposite way if it's wrong, so choose wisely. And there will be five minutes!" Basara told them "Oh thank God... I'm actually grateful for the time..." There was a consensus about it, to say the least "Double the value of the claim..." Lus pondered the value of her claim, should she get it right "......." And looked at Daniel transiently, though he had not his eyes on her "...He won't help me... He's dead set on the idea that I have to be useful and won't argue otherwise... I have to make something happen on my own, then..." Lus then started to think about her approach.

And then the final claim came.

"Nasha Sana is the member of a cult who has the doctrine of killing infants who are plagued with incurable diseases." The eerie claim was drawn "Weird shit..." Tateyana murmured "Go." The five minutes were at full display on the large upper screen all over the room as each second started.

There was, naturally, the utmost necessity to ascertain the truth about this claim.

"Hmm... Time to pull some strings..." Ikkiri drew a conclusion on her own and got up from her seat; going in the direction of one of the people with the maximum number of red lights on his choker, all the way to the west side "Sana, what are your terms?" Tatsu began to negotiate with her "........" Sana had given thought about this and how things could ultimately benefit her more "Remember, you currently have zero points. You will, at maximum, be awarded 5001 points, plus the point barrier breakthrough bonus. So long as Kuzan and Tateyana don't vote the same answer." Tatsu gave them a snark look "Hey man, I'm all down for that! But she actually wants to see me burn, so she did just that in the last round! Seriously, what's with you?" Kuzan was annoyed at Tateyana "IT'S BECAUSE YOU LIED, KUZAN!! AND THANKS TO YOU, TWO PEOPLE JUST DIED, YOU KNOW?!" She brought a true fact to the light.

Had it not been for Kuzan's deceptive tactics, Akimiyashika and Stratos would most likely be alive.

"But how dumb are you?" Kuzan's face grew abhorrent "What...?!" And Tateyana was in the mood to argue "I'm dead serious, Tateyana. You'd have to be dumb if you think that what I just did, doesn't entirely benefit us more." Kuzan told her "How so? You just killed them for the sake of it! ALL OF THEIR POINTS, GONE!! AND THE WORST PART IS, THEY DIDN'T GO TO ANYONE!! NOW WE'RE STUCK WITH THE DAMN SACK OF SHIT THAT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 2000 POINTS!! FUCK!!!" Tateyana kicked her desk's lower case "Not necessarily, no." Kuzan begged to differ instantly and caught her attention once more "What do you mean..." She was, undoubtedly, curious, but on guard nevertheless after what had happened "If he dies, then who is the lowest on the ladder?" He asked her.

Tateyana took a quick glance but kept also something else in mind.

"It's Sana... Best case scenario, she has 0 points... Worst case scenario, she has 5001, plus the additional points from the barrier breakthrough..." Tateyana's expression grew stern "No, that's wrong. The worst case scenario is; she gets the full effect of our contracts if we get the claim right, which would give her 10002 points. Add the bonus breakthrough that she gets from breaking the 4500 point barrier, which is 2500, and she will be seated at a grand 12502 points." She became shocked "Wh----" But Kuzan was not done "Now tell me, do you see my idea here?" The interest was starting to grow.

The waves of conversation didn't slow down as there were 4:38 minutes left on the clock.

"Tatsu, first of all-----" The negotiation commenced "That condition is off limits. Even for a single round. Absolutely not." Sana shut him down immediately in that regard "........" He maintained his blank expression "I want 5000 points." She made the demand "Sana, get real..." Tatsu was not pleased with her absurd words "I am serious. I have zero points and----" Tatsu interrupted her "You will get 5001 points from either Kuzan or Tateyana, very likely. The only chance that you don't is if they both get the claim wrong. It's a 25% chance... The chances of you getting the 5001 points from either of them is 75%. Don't fuck with me, make more reasonable demands." His intense and serious glance penetrated her very soul "......" And she gulped out of sheer nervosity "Fine... I want 2501 points then..." Sana demanded "........." Tatsu gave it some thought.

He looked at the ranking ladder and pondered very deeply.

"3500 and I get to have your turn in the execution ro-----" Sana detested the persistent attitude "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." Her cold rageful eyes told Tatsu everything he needed to know "........" Tatsu brushed his hair's right side "Alright. Under a condition, Sana. Should the answer be different from what you just said, you will have to give me those 2501 points back. Are you alright with the basis of this contract?" He proposed to her "Hold on-----are you implying that you want me to say out loud the right answer...?" She asked, skeptically "That is exactly what I'm proposing." And Tatsu didn't shy away from it "You----FUCKING MORON, LISTEN------" She took a deep breath "There is no way I'm telling you out loud what the right answer is because those TWO----" She pointed at Kuzan and Tateyana "IF THEY KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT ANSWER IS, THEY WILL VOTE THE OPPOSITE ANSWER AND MY GODDAMN CONTRACTS GO TO ASHES!!!" Sana couldn't stress it enough as she felt she was explaining something very obvious "That can be arranged." He told her "HAH?!" She was not liking this conversation one bit.

Tatsu sighed as he went more into detail about it, while Kuzan and Tateyana listened.

But he actually deemed the two of them crucial for his plan.

"I have a proposal for the two of you---a very temporary one." Tatsu looked at Kuzan and Tateyana "Hm?" Kuzan was interested "And what would that be?" Tateyana asked, though skeptical but Tatsu went right to the point "I want one of you two to vote differently from the other in order for Sana to win those 5001 points; and in return, I will offer the two of you, 25% of my points for each of your right claims for the next two hours." The proposal was made ".........." They started to consider it.

4:11 minutes remain.

"So it doesn't matter who?" Kuzan asked "Wait, it shouldn't be me! My points are lower than yours! If you don't agree, then I'll just vote the same as you!" Tateyana threatened Kuzan "Ahh..." Kuzan sighed "Tatsu, it's a nice deal. I'm in." Kuzan was all aboard "Wait, wait..." Sana had a saying in the matter at hand here "So, let me see if I got this straight-----in exchange for me telling you guys the correct answer out loud, which EVERYONE will be able to hear it-----Tatsu will give me 2501 points, and I will earn the contract of one of the two of you for sure... Which means 5001 points as well..." Sana tried to assert the facts "Yes, Sana. You will, for all intended purposes, by the end of this-----be with 10002 points. And all you have to do is just go along with it." Tatsu made it easier for her "Wait, wait! I never said I agreed, time out!" Tateyana intervened "LISTEN, THERE'S NO WAY I'M GIVING UP 5001 OF MY POINTS TO HER, WHAT THE FUCK?! KUZAN, MAN UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT YOU DID EARLIER BY BEING THE HERO HERE!!" Tateyana brutally demanded "........" But despite what one would think, Kuzan didn't outright deny it "Interesting... The merit is..." Kuzan gave it more additional thought to himself.

There was more to this than what one would expect, in all likelihood.

"Is it really that bad if I am the one that forfeits those 5001 points? I currently have 62484 points. Minus those 5001, and I'm left with 57483. However, this means that I will have to vote correctly, which means that I will score. Since this round will give me double of the points, I would usually get, that means I will have the double of 192; 384. However, I have a 50%, so it's doubled---768, ultimately. Now, if I add up the other remaining points I will receive from the other contracts, that would be 288 from Tatsu, 192 from Tateyana, 192 from Arkalee and 192 from Yulia; 864 points in total. Stratos and Akimiyashika died, but for the sake of getting the low value players out of the way which will increase the value of the bottom players in return; it was necessary. In other words, I will win 1632 points from the claim and bonuses alone, so I am losing 3369 points, which will leave me at 59115 points. However, it's also important to add the fact that I will receive a 25% point share from Tatsu in the upcoming two hours..." He became completely immersed in his own profit world as he leaned back on his chair "The next round will contain 384 points per right claim. Double that, and it's 768, which is what I will receive per right claim. But if I take into consideration the boost... Tatsu in the next round, should he score correctly in the upcoming round; thanks to his 100% point acquisition boost, will receive 1152 points per right claim... If I take 25% of that, it's 288. Therefore he will actually only score 864 points and I will score 1056 per right claim. So, in order for me to successfully breakthrough the point barrier in the next judgment round, I need to correctly score 11 times in a row..." He sighed profoundly "Kuzan! What's gotten into you, hey!" Tateyana called out to him as they were awaiting for his approval.

But Kuzan had yet to think more as he dove deeper into his thought process.

"11 rounds is too much. The pacing is just slow... How can I fix that-----there is a simple solution to the matter, yes... The reason it comes down to 11 rounds is due to a simple factor and that is the 25% percentage. Let's hypothetically suppose that instead of 25% of his points, it's 50%... What is the result then... I already know that Tatsu will score 1152 per claim... Apply the 50%, which is 1152 by half and it's 576. So, per right claim, I will receive 1344 points... Now, in the next round, it would take me..." He made the precise calculation "9 rounds... So it only goes down by a slight margin... But it's better, and it earns more profit. No, I definitely profit here." He abandoned his own world and composed himself again "Tatsu!" He called out to Tatsu, who is a few meters to his left "I have a counter-proposal. Instead of 25%, I want 50%. However, only for one hour." He proposed "No." Tatsu instantly declined "I would be giving 75% of my points then, that's------" But Kuzan was not done "No, you'll be giving me the 50% and Tateyana will receive none." Tateyana became startled "HUH?!?!? THE FUCK, KUZAN?!" However, she was greatly misunderstanding something "Wait, wait! I have a better offer for you, which outdoes his 25%..." He turned to Tateyana "25% of my upcoming bonus points, what do you say?" A most unexpected proposal was made "Uh... what...?" Tateyana had no idea what to think about his proposal "........" Tatsu started to make the calculations as Kuzan said that.

Kuzan decided to explain the great deal to her and how it benefits her in the long run.

3:24 minutes remain.

"For my upcoming bonus points that I will receive from the barrier breakthough, it will be 15000, which is obviously a lot. If you take 25% of it, you get 3750 points." Tateyana became aware "And, uhh... I get that just by..." Tateyana was unsure what the application here was "It remains the same. The idea is the following: Instead of you receiving 25% of Tatsu's points per right claim, which are 288 in the next round-----you will receive 3750 guaranteed whenever I break the point barrier. And let me tell you something else: this benefits you more than what Tatsu is offering you, because the deal with Tatsu requires you to score correctly and I think you know just how random that can be..." Kuzan mainly looked at her eight red lights on her choker "........" And Tateyana couldn't disagree "Alright, Kuzan. I'm game." Tatsu was fine with the idea, as a matter of fact, even more than before "That's great, so here is how it will go----" Kuzan would then proceed to lay out the order of the contracts.

Which were the following:

Firstly, the contract between Sana and Tatsu: Nasha Sana will be awarded with 2501 of Hirakibo Tatsu's points, should he get the correct claim this round.

Secondly, the contract between Kuzan and Tatsu: In the upcoming judgment round, for every claim that Takeshi Kuzan gets right; 25% of it will be awarded from Hirakibo Tatsu's account to Takeshi Kuzan's account, but Takeshi Kuzan must vote correctly in this round.

And lastly, the contract between Kuzan and Tateyana: The next time Takeshi Kuzan breaks his point barrier; 25% of those earned bonus points will be transferred to Kaneta Tateyana's account, but Kaneta Tateyana must score incorrectly this round.

Thus, there was a mutual agreement and with that out of the way, there could be some progress.

"The true answer is yes." Not a single person in the room failed to capture her words "Kinda fucked up, no?" Kawahara pinpointed Sana "Think what you like. I won't go in depth about it, but it's the true answer. As you all observed, I have little to nothing to gain if I lie, so it's up to you whether you believe me or not." Sana left it at that.

2:49 minutes remain.

The votes were starting to be cast, however, they were admittedly cast at improbable times.

Kuzan has voted yes.

Tateyana has voted no.

Tatsu has voted yes.

Arkalee has voted yes.

Hyunda has yet to vote.

Yukishiro has yet to vote.

Kawahara has yet to vote.

Kanawari has yet to vote.

Hinagiku has yet to vote.

Hugo has yet to vote.

Yulia has yet to vote.

Daniel has yet to vote.

Ikkiri has yet to vote.

And as for Lus...

"Can we talk?" She had to use her crutches that Olivia had lent her earlier in order to get to the vending machine, where her target resides "Oh, Lus!!" She was eccentric and met Lus with a flashy smile, as she was trying to choose which choice was more economic "...." Lus found it weird that a girl was actually trying to purchase something from the vending machine "Ahhh---" And Ikkiri noticed it right away "It's cappuccino! Olivia only has black coffee and-----" She moved quickly to Lus' right ear and whispered it "I fucking hate black coffee sooooo muchhhhhhhhhhhhh...." Ikkiri's expression darkened "No, like seriously what's the appeal?! It's SO sour and not enjoyable AT ALL! You think so too, right?!" Ikkiri was looking for approval as she wanted to purchase her option "Oh yeah, totally. More like, I've never been a fan of coffee in the first place. Café au lait is more of my thing." Lus told her "Woooooow---" Ikkiri was stunned "That's actually a really good choice! I love the smoothness of it! You should definitely try cappuccino then!" Ikkiri recommended her but still didn't purchase anything "...Do you want one for yourself?" Lus asked her "Mhm..." Ikkiri tilted her head back and forth for a while "Yeeeeeeesssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh~~~" And Ikkiri didn't deny it.

The price for a cup of cappuccino, either low, medium, or full, was 100 points.

"Here you go..." Lus handed her the full cup of cappuccino just as Ikkiri had requested "Thank you~~" It came with additional mini sugar bags which Ikkiri didn't hesitate on pouring; the two of them "HMMMMMM~~~~!!!" Ikkiri took a long sip of it as it was lukewarm though slightly hot at it "You should try it too!" Ikkiri offered Lus the cup for a sip "I'll let you have the full pleasure." Lus showed courtesy "Hm, if you say so~" Ikkiri took another sip "Talk." Her voice turned cold suddenly and Lus knew she was serious too "You only got a single one wrong out of all the 15 claims... How..." Lus couldn't hide her interest "Hmmm, so you noticed, eh?" Ikkiri sipped once again and decided to adjoin her back to the entirety of the vending machine, where she could glance at the players on the faraway oval table "It's not normal..." Lus remarked "Yes, I know~" Ikkiri acknowledged "I never knew I had it in me until I was pushed outside of my comfort zone for wanting to know people for who they really are, but once you do----all you'll see is patterns..." Lus became rather intrigued "...Patterns?" She reluctantly asked "There's no person that doesn't have at least one. I have it, you have it; everyone has it." Ikkiri emphasized.

2:17 minutes remained on the clock.

"Sana's pattern isn't an easy one, but frankly, her motivation is what made all the answers easy to read. Now tell me; what do you think Sana's motivation here really is, Lus?" She posed the impending question "To win enough points where she isn't put at the bottom." Lus replied "Yes, that's a very obvious one, right? I mean, Sana has made a contract that has depleted her from her points to Kuzan, but it looks like it's not going to matter that much, so there is a chance that she might end up at the bottom regardless------just kidding..." Ikkiri pointed at the ranking ladder where the contracts were at full display "Sana is bound to receive 5001 points from Kuzan and 2501 from Tatsu. In total, she will be seating at whooping 10002 points." Ikkiri told Lus "Yes, I'm aware. So her motivation was points, after all----that's how you deducted the answers...?" Lus still didn't understand "Huh? No, of course not. How could I?" Ikkiri questioned "Well..." Lus didn't actually know the answer and was hoping for one.

Ikkiri took the final sip of her cappuccino and then proceeded to toss it to trash can adjoined to the vending machine on the left side.

"Her motivation, I said. What is her motivation for winning points, I asked myself..." Ikkiri made a serious expression "It wasn't her motivation for points that seemed wrong, but rather----how easily she accepted everything... You'd think she didn't think through enough but... I had a hunch and that hunch turned out to be true." Lus gulped "What hunch..." Ikkiri giggled "The truth is, Sana doesn't care about the points at all! There really is only one thing that's on her mind........." Their eyes traced all the way to the oval table, where the individual lies "By the way, Lus... There's something I've been meaning to discuss with you and I think it benefits us both..." Nobody would hear the details of this conversation until later on.

It's a simple yes or no, in theory.

Add the fact that Sana has deliberately told everyone the right answer, it becomes more and more obvious as to what the answer should be.

"She wouldn't lie..." Yulia's right hand trembled severely as she was indecisive between which decision to vote for "But...!! She wants me dead, so she might have actually lied?! It's absurd, but it adds up, doesn't it?! She won't gain any points but I will die! She wants me dead because I am impersonating her friend! I can tell just from the cold looks in those eyes... She wants me to die...!!" The answer became elusive more than ever as his steps grew closer to her "I am dead if I get the wrong answer...!! And the only way to get the right answer is to trust what Sana told them, but I just--------" The steps stopped amidst her inner turmoil.

The silence for that split second felt like it belonged to them, as Yulia felt paralyzed.

However, her head started to rotate upwards as she saw his face clinging to the top of her chair.

Their eyes met transiently.

"You could have said something..." Daniel's expression was saddened by that fact "I------" She was somewhat stunned still from the way Daniel was looking at her with his black eyes "Yulia... This is a matter of life or death for you and you don't even think about relying on me, the only person who actually cares for your well-being... Why?" He solemnly asked her "........." She felt nervous but at the same time, unaware of how to properly respond "...What's the right answer then...?" She asked "The one that doesn't get you killed." Daniel told her "Which is?!" This time, she exulted herself "Ahhh... You..." Daniel went to her right side and sat on the empty seat which was previously Rayazaki's.

Yulia came to notice that Daniel didn't have arms. No, she already knew from their first encounter, but she wasn't completely aware nor did it take the full time to process it.

It crept her.

"What's your story?" Daniel asked her "Huh...?" She was somewhat nervous "Come on now, I'm not going to hurt you, Yulia-----don't look at me with those frightened eyes..." Daniel drew closer to her face "All I want is your well-being, and so... It's a given that I want to know everything about you, including how you are standing right in front of me after I held you dead with my two arms..." Daniel's expression grew serious as Yulia became even more nervous "But-----that can come later. Right now, we have a bigger issue in our hands, don't we?" Daniel acknowledged that there should be a priority in this case "Yes, you----are not the Yulia that Sana knows. She is consumed with the idea that you have to die and luckily-----or not-----for her, you have 10 red lights on your choker. Which means there is a 50% of your head flying across the room. Now, knowing this, how do you think we should solve the matter here, Yulia?" He graciously smiled at her, switching from his previous hard expression.

She figured that in order to access the truth of the matter faster, that she should not argue and go along with Daniel's words.

Thus, she began to slowly relax in his presence.

"I... I don't know... I don't know what to think anymore...! She wants me dead but I don't know just how far she's planning to go for that ambition! Like, yes, it makes no sense for her to forfeit all that she has to gain in order to kill me, but at the same time...!!" Yulia grabbed her hairstrands as she began to demonstrate paranoia and breathing rather raggedly "Hey, look at me..." Daniel demanded as his face mirrored hers "You don't have to stress it... I know it's a matter of life or death, but everything is going to be alright, Yulia. So, breathe..." Yulia began to control her breath a bit, but she was still scared "In and out..." Daniel was patient with her "There, like that... Damn...!! If only I had my hands I could feel your face..." Daniel showed an apologetic and tormented expression "I'm sorry......" His expression emitted further grief as he was showing signs of wanting to cry "You-----Er, Daniel..." She called his name for the first time "!!!!!" His eyes widened "Can you continue...? As you said, we could talk later, so shouldn't we prioritize, you know..." Yulia was hoping he would get the message "I'm sorry, you're completely right, Yulia! I shouldn't have wasted your time like that, my bad." Daniel closed his eyes as he apologized.

Yulia was surprised by how respected she was in the presence of Daniel, who she believed to be an obsessed creep for the most part.

"The simple truth is; there is no way to determine the right answer." Yulia was staggered "You can draw infinite theories about Sana and what the right answer is, but it's just 50%. Yes, Sana loses a lot and most likely will die shortly after if she lied about the answer, but that would lead you into believing that the real answer is no. But on the other hand, even if you vote no, there is an equal 50% chance that Sana foresaw that you'd vote no and thus, the answer is the simple yes, in which case she ultimately not only benefits from the points, but you die. It could be argued to be the best possible scenario for her..." Daniel deduced "Then it's yes...?!" Yulia tried to guess it "Usually, yes. However, I think she foresaw my interference, so you need to add the fact that she put a countermeasure to my words to you, which is why I believe the answer to ultimately be no, since it goes against the previous guess." Yulia understood "So, you see, it's really 50/50%. I'm not a hero who knows the right answer but I think it's yes, because Sana would foresee all of this. There's the argument for the answer to be no by that same logic, but I don't think she considers me that smart, honestly." Daniel admitted and Yulia began to grow terrified now that Daniel had told her the truth of the matter.

0:48 seconds remain.

"Which is why I came up with a simple solution to this matter myself." Daniel looked extremely resolved "If you die, then I die as well." Yulia was perplexed "Um, WHAT?!" Daniel adjoined his head to Yulia's "The radius of the detonation is around 60-70 centimeters, from my observation. Should I be this close to your choker, then there's no doubt about it, I will die." Daniel reinforced "This---This guy plans to die with me in case I get the wrong answer?! What the fuck is wrong with him?!" She rapidly grew nervous again "No, no, I need to know the answer somehow, I------" Her thought process was interrupted "Nobody else will want to go near you. They fear that they will catch the damage from the explosion, Yulia. It's sad to say, but nobody else will die with you. If you die, you die alone----despised and ignored by the rest. Just like all the others have died, nobody will care for your death..." Yulia's eyes widened as the time on the clock was running out "I already voted my answer. It was yes." Daniel told her, still with his head adjoined to her right side of her head, near her waterfall braids.

0:27 seconds remain.

"There's no way this is all you want with your life, right? I don't know what you've been through but you have shown the spirit and willingness to do whatever it takes to come out on top----even going as far as committing disgraceful acts..." Daniel's voice became bitter for a while "But still, it's you, Yulia. You never give up, to the very end. My one and only immortal. With you, anything is possible. So don't worry, even if you die, I will be right there alongside you. You won't die alone, because I love you, Yulia..." He secretly whispered the words that nobody has ever said to Yulia in her whole life prior to this.

Yulia didn't know how to answer to those words, but there was a certain feeling blooming inside her sheltered heart.

"What is this... Nobody has ever told me all these words... Not even... my parents, not once..." Her expression became saddened as she could not control the tears that were coming out of her eyes "I'm so happy I can't stop crying, why... I didn't come here to receive these words, I just came to play the game and free myself but why do I feel so warmed up inside my heart...?!" Her heart began to throb faster and faster "He-----loves Yulia. Daniel, loves Hikaru Yulia. I am... Yulia. So..." She began to advance her right finger forward "That's it... Nice and easy, take your time, Yulia..." Daniel encouraged her as her right index finger began to travel faster to the ultimate destination.

0:13 seconds remain.

"There we go. Ah----don't worry though... If we do die, then it's not just us that will die, hahah..." Daniel cast an eerie smile "....?" Yulia didn't really understand what he was trying to say "Close your eyes, Yulia." Daniel closed his eyes "And count with me, our possible final seconds..." Yulia began to close her eyes "Seven---six----" Daniel initiated the countdown on his own "I don't want to die. I hate this game and how it pins everyone against each other but... If I do live, then..." Yulia opened her eyes transiently and looked at Daniel's face "-----Four----three-----" And realized something.

0:00 seconds remain.

Time is up.

"AHHHHH HOLY SHIT, FUCK, FUCK!!!" Still not used to the sudden outburst from the explosion, Tateyana got instantly frightened "WHO THE FUCK DIED NOW?!" Arkalee asked the question but her eyes traced back to the one person who had not been given a single chance to shine whatsoever.

His body remained on that same chair that he was in, but his head was sent flying across the room. Not a single person felt sad that the new player who was bought in the last round-----Hugo-----just died.

There was, however, cause for commotion was the ranking ladder updated and the judgment round came to a swift end.

> 1 - Kuzan (59115/70000 points) [Has a 50% point boost acquisition for the upcoming three hours] [In the upcoming judgment round, for every claim that Takeshi Kuzan gets right; 25% of it will be awarded from Hirakibo Tatsu's account to Takeshi Kuzan's account] [The next time Takeshi Kuzan breaks his point barrier; 25% of those earned bonus points will be transferred to Kaneta Tateyana's account]

> 2 - Hyunda (40514/45000 points)

> 3 - Hinagiku (22324/25000 points) [In the upcoming hour, Mayabashi Hinagiku will earn 50% of Rikishima Ikkiri's bonus points earned from breaking her point barrier]

> 4 - Kawahara (20140/25000 points) [For the next hour, whenever Hirakibo Tatsu wins a point, 50% of it will be transferred to Ryousuke Kawahara's account]

> 5 - Tatsu (18306/35000 points) [Has a 100% point acquisition boost for the rest of the day] [Kitsuya Arkalee's turn will be under Hirakibo Tatsu's control in the execution rounds until this day is over] [For the next four hours, whenever Kitsuya Arkalee breaks her point barrier; 100% of her bonus earned points will be transferred to Hirakibo Tatsu's account] [For the next hour, whenever Hirakibo Tatsu wins a point, 50% of it will be transferred to Ryousuke Kawahara's account] [In the upcoming judgment round, for every claim that Takeshi Kuzan gets right; 25% of it will be awarded from Hirakibo Tatsu's account to Takeshi Kuzan's account]

> 6 - Lus Sera (17792/25000 points) [Lus Sera's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over] [Every time Lus Sera scores correctly, the points earned will be doubled (this effect stacks), however, should she score incorrectly more than three times, she will die.] [Scored correctly 2 times] [Every time Rikishima Ikkiri gets a right claim, 50% of it will be transferred to Lus Sera's account]

> 7 - Kanawari (17324/20000 points) [Has a 50% acquisition boost for the rest of the day]

> 8 - Ikkiri (15324/20000 points) [Rikishima Ikkiri has a 75% point boost acquisition for the rest of the day, but should she get a claim wrong, the 75% point boost acquisition will become a 75% point boost acquisition in reverse and will only change back when she gets a claim right (should she fail to get it right three times in a row it will not go back] [In the upcoming hour, Mayabashi Hinagiku will earn 50% of Rikishima Ikkiri's bonus points earned from breaking her point barrier] [Every time Rikishima Ikkiri gets a right claim, 50% of it will be transferred to Lus Sera's account]

> 9 - Tateyana (14862/20000 points) [The next time Takeshi Kuzan breaks his point barrier; 25% of those earned bonus points will be transferred to Kaneta Tateyana's account]

> 10 - Arkalee (14791/15000 points) [Kitsuya Arkalee's turn will be under Hirakibo Tatsu's control in the execution rounds until this day is over] [For the next two hours, whenever Kitsuya Arkalee breaks her point barrier; 50% of her bonus earned points will be transferred to Hirakibo Tatsu's account]

> 11 - Daniel (12024/15000 points) [Has a 50% point acquisition boost for the rest of the day] [Lus Sera's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over] [If a claim is correctly guessed five times in a row, the sum total of the points of those five claims will be added]

> 12 - Yukishiro (11300/15000 points)

> 13 - Sana (10002/15000)

> 14 - Yulia (8436/10000 points)

"Don't read it, just accept it. There's no time." After chanting the contract verbally, Daniel told Yulia that and Yulia decided to accept it without a second thought "How----did Hugo die...?!" Sana blurted that out, unable to understand what exactly had happened "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S TIME ON ROUND!!" Basara clapped his hands in the air as the tension grew.

Upon accepting Daniel's contract, there was a minor yet relevant change in the ranking ladder as it was updated yet again.

> 2 - Hyunda - (40514/45000 points)

> 3 - Hinagiku (22324/25000 points) [In the upcoming hour, Mayabashi Hinagiku will earn 50% of Rikishima Ikkiri's bonus points earned from breaking her point barrier]

> 4 - Kawahara (20140/25000 points) [For the next hour, whenever Hirakibo Tatsu wins a point, 50% of it will be transferred to Ryousuke Kawahara's account]

> 7 - Kanawari (17324/20000 points) [Has a 50% acquisition boost for the rest of the day]

> 9 - Tateyana (14862/20000 points) [The next time Takeshi Kuzan breaks his point barrier; 25% of those earned bonus points will be transferred to Kaneta Tateyana's account]

> 11 - Daniel (12961/15000 points) [Has a 50% point acquisition boost for the rest of the day] [Lus Sera's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over] [If a claim is correctly guessed five times in a row, the sum total of the points of those five claims will be added] [Hikaru Yulia's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over; and Daniel Lead will receive half of the bonus points Hikaru Yulia receives the next time it happens]

> 12 - Yulia (12501/15000 points) [Hikaru Yulia's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over; and Daniel Lead will receive half of the bonus points Hikaru Yulia receives the next time it happens]

> 13 - Yukishiro (11300/15000 points)

> 14 - Sana (10002/15000)

"WHAT?!" Sana couldn't control herself as she saw Yulia no longer in the same boat as before "TSK...!!!" Sana decided to try and turn the tides "GET YULIA ON THE BOTTOM AGAIN, SHE'S WORTH 12501 POINTS AND THOSE 24000 AS WELL!!! I'M NOT WORTH IT!!!" Sana shouted the message across the room and Yulia became frightened "S-She's right!! I am worth so much more that it wouldn't make any sense-----!!" Yulia came to the terrifying conclusion "Hmm..." Kuzan gave it some thought "She does have a point. In terms of merit, killing Yulia is the optional way to go about it. But... It's not just you, Sana, it also takes more points to get Yukishiro out of that position too..." Kuzan emphasized as Sana became horrified "No-----This----This isn't how it was supposed to go... HOW DID HUGO NOT VOTE YES!?" The much needed answer was saught out by her.

The eccentric annoying voice found her way to Sana.

"Didn't expect that DID YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU?!" Ikkiri began to hysterically laugh in her face "YOU------" Sana's expression grew bitter and resentful "Ahhhh really, all I had to do was convince him that he had to vote no and that was all it took. I convinced him that your aim was to kill Yulia and that by that logic, you had actually lied to the whole world as you didn't care for points, but the truth is, none of that was true. What you were really looking for was Hugo staying alive so he could take the bullet for you, weren't you? That's why you ACTUALLY had to tell the truth in this round! There was NO possible way of hiding it, HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Ikkiri laughed once again "FUCKING BITCH!!!" The emotions grew bitter and bitter "Seriously... Ikkiri managed to deceive him that far...?!" Tateyana was surprised "That's not the only thing that happened apparently..." Kuzan had taken note of Ikkiri and Lus, who now had a contract bound to each other.

Regardless, Basara didn't have all the time in the world.

"TAKESHI KUZAN!! NOT ONLY DID YOU MANAGE TO OVERTHROW HYUNDA, BUT YOU AMASSED A LEAD SO ABSURD THAT YOU CLIMBED OVER 50000 POINTS!! And for that alone, there is a bonus reward that is gifted to you for that milestone, in addition to the usual reward..." Basara enticed Kuzan "OH?!?!?" And he couldn't hide his child-like excitement "Use it at your leisure." The usual reward of being able to kick a player from the execution round was attributed, but as well as an extremely good one that could potentially be a game changer.

Which was: Takeshi Kuzan will be the first player chosen by the skull in the upcoming execution round and he will have the option to select two options, which----if they cost points, will be halved.

"HUUUUUUUUUUUUUH!??!?!?!?" Tateyana dropped her entire jaw "WHAT DOES IT SAY?!" Hinagiku wanted to know and although Tateyana looked at her, she was so utterly speechless that she could not say another word "Oh... MY... GOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!" Tateyana continued to be melodramatic as Kuzan accepted the rewards without a second thought, with a malicious grin on his lips "This'll be fun....!!" The advent was at hand.

But that was not all.

"AND NOW FOR THE BOUNTY, LOW AND BEHOLD!!" As Basara chanted those words, Sana's bounty was presented to the rest of them.

> Target: Nasha Sana.

> Points earned from her death (collectively): 768 points.

> Points earned from her death (individually): 1536 points.

> Bonus reward: A 50% point acquisition boost.

"That's kinda neat, not gonna lie..." Kawahara murmured "Oh no, Sana. It looks like you are at your death's door now!" Hyunda told her "It---shouldn't have been like this...!!!" Her paranoia was starting to kick over as her bargain didn't ultimately pay off.

----------------------------------------

With no contract offered to Sana, she would not have her shackles removed whatsoever, as she is the target of the execution round.

In this rare scenario, what actually happens is that-----the target of the execution round, will have the highest of the red lights that a player previously had, that is still alive. In other words, Sana has ten red lights on her choker, just as Yulia had.

"SPIN THE SKULL!!!" Basara ordered but the skull would have its destination already preordained "I'm speechless..." Skan admitted to the rest "Same here..." Krale agreed "And that's how it should be! Good entertainment like this doesn't come every day, does it now?!" Erigaisi brought forth a strong point.

But Andrea felt like this was the correct time to address an issue that she believes should get fixed.

"It's not a problem that I am having trouble with-----but I can't imagine that every single viewer can keep up with all the points and what's going on in-between." She looked at Erigaisi "It's not enough to know that you win 192 points per round, which was the case in the last judgment round-----there were far too many additional points. For example, it would be great if we could know just how many points a player will win if they break their barrier. In addition to that, it would tremendously help if there was a notification near the player that tells us how many points they have earned." Andrea was thorough "Oh, I know." And Erigaisi was aware that this was an issue "So why..." Andrea could not comprehend "Business, my dear! Everything you just said is available for those who pay the premium features! Otherwise, there is no such comprehension. And there are MANY MORE AVAILABLE FEATURES! Pay 50$ right now and you can acces-------" Andrea brutally sighed as Erigaisi's propaganda tired her "Please just let us see through those lenses..." Andrea was not in the mood to argue "What's wrong? Not in the mood for some basic calculus?! It's really simple, isn't it?!" Erigaisi saught the opinion of others.

But not even doctor Hwan wholeheartedly agreed.

"It's an unnecessary hassle! Hurry up and let us see it, damn it!" He demonstrated his anger "You people are BORING!! BUUUUUUU!!" Erigaisi started to boo them but also gave the signal to one of the staff members, in order for a new enhanced ranking ladder to appear "Ok... Now that's much better!!" Seok agreed "Damn right!" Bryce expressed himself but got a mean side glance from Andrea "Language, Bryce... Learn to behave... Don't think that just because president August isn't here that I will overlook it..." Bryce felt shivers down his spine "Yes, ma'am...!!" Andrea resumed her vigilance now to the execution round.

As always, it landed.

"SURPRISE, SURPRISE, IT'S DIPSHIT KUZAN!! WHO COULD'VE FORESEEN THIS EVENT?!?!?" Basara was unusually enthusiastic with his dark sarcasm "What did I do to deserve that..." Kuzan felt mocked "Hush..." Tateyana gave him a deadly glare, but to Kuzan, there were more important things at hand "Oh God...." Yulia still couldn't believe it; she felt like her heart was about to leave her body during the last judgment round and the interval between that and the execution round "Breathe... It's all right now." Daniel calmed her down "I was----I was so scared, oh my God----" She took a long deep breath and looked at Daniel's eyes with dazzling eyes "But you came through for me, you saved me... I----" Daniel smiled at her "Of course I would. I love you, Yulia." Making the most innocent smile of them all, Daniel captured her heart "........" Her mouth opened slightly in the midst of the daze "I... I think I'm in love... with this guy..." Yulia's new found sentiments would start to blossom at a rapid pace.

Kuzan, on the other hand, opted to forfeit 100 points and thus, the wide sea of options appeared before him, with some additional interesting ones.

> 1 - Forfeit 25,000 points, double the points you earn from breaking a point barrier (this only applies if you've killed five players through the game's mechanics)

> 2 - Nasha Sana's right arm will be cut off in exchange for 4 of her choker's red lights (+2500 points)

> 3 - Transfer half of your points to Nasha Sana in exchange for a 25% point acquisition boost for the next three hours.

> 4 - Nasha Sana's choker's red lights will be depleted by three but her right and left shoulders will be clobbered with a warhammer ten times (+850 points)

> 5 - The fire skull will be spun at the cost of 1000 points (you will be excluded from the round)

> 6 - Forfeit all of your points, your point barrier will be reset; furthermore----if you score five claims correctly in a row, the sum of those claims will be added to your account.

> 7 - Nasha Sana's points will be increased by 50% in exchange for 6 added red lights to her choker.

> 8 - You will be awarded 3200 points, but will start the next round with 9 red lights.

> 9 - Forfeit any multiples of your points (x192) and add the same number to Nasha Sana's choker's red lights.

> 10 - Nasha Sana's both feet will be cut off in exchange for four of her red lights (+5000 points)

> 11 - Nasha Sana can forfeit 11000 of her points in order to terminate the round; if you see this option, say out loud "11".

> 12 - Forfeit 10,000 points, your rewards will be doubled for the rest of the day.

> 13 - Forfeit 2,500 points; target one of your classmates----they will be swapped with Nasha Sana as the execution round's target (Nasha Sana can forfeit 1250 points in order to nullify this)

> 14 - Forfeit points (5,000 per player in this case), buy a new player for every quantity of 5,000 points you forfeit; furthermore, whenever they die, you will be crowned as their killer and you will be awarded with their respective points upon their deaths.

> 15 - Transfer your points to an individual in your class (minimal point input: 5000)

> 16 - Nasha Sana's legs will be cut off in exchange for all of her red lights (+5600 points)

> 17 - Earn 8,000 points; if Nasha Sana doesn't die in this execution round, ten red lights will be lit up on your choker in the upcoming judgment round.

> 18 - Forfeit 1,500 points, decide the number of rounds within the next judgment round.

> 19 - Forfeit half of your points, remove one contract of your choice among the players.

> 20 - Nasha Sana's nose will be cut off for 4 of her choker's red lights (+2500 points)

> 21 - Forfeit 5,000 points; target one of your classmates, for the rest of the day they will receive a 50% point acquisition decreasement boost.

> 22 - Nasha Sana's chest will be cut off for 7,500 points.

> 23 - Nasha Sana's lips will be sealed for the entire day in exchange for all of her choker's red lights (+4000 points)

> 24 - Forfeit 6,000 points and select one of your classmates that has been previously been through a judgment round of their own; they will be the target of the next judgment round.

> 25 - Forfeit 3,500 points to buy a new player into the game (they will start with the same points as the lowest ranked player, but with -50 points instead)

> 26 - Forfeit 25,000 points, target one of your classmates and for the next round, you get to determine how many red lights can be lit up from their choker.

> 27 - Nasha Sana's both eyes will be stabbed three times each with a knife in exchange for all of her choker's red lights (+3600 points)

> 28 - Claim 2000 points (this only applies if someone died in this round)

> 29 - Forfeit 3000 points, you will be absent for the next two rounds (you will receive 250 points + the points of the lowest ranked player when you return)

> 30 - Deplete red lights from Nasha Sana's choker by acquiring points for her (1 red light = 192 points)

> 31 - Forfeit 30,000 points, choose the next five players who will be chosen by the skull this round and place them in any order you so desire.

> 32 - Nasha Sana will be awarded with 5000 points but every time her choker receives a red light, it will be 2 instead of 1.

> 33 - Nasha Sana's fingers will be cut off in exchange for 3 of her choker's red lights (+1550 points)

> 34 - Players above 20,000 points cannot participate until you reach 21,000 points (this only applies if you have killed two people via the game's mechanics)

> 35 - Forfeit 2200 points to end the round, in which case, you will be awarded with 1800 points.

> 36 - For the rest of the day, you will receive a 25% point acquisition boost in exchange for 3 of Nasha Sana's choker's red lights.

> 37 - If there are less than 10 players currently, claim a zone that's between the 10th to the 7th, for free.

> 38 - Earn 10,000 points; you cannot participate in execution rounds for the rest of the day.

> 39 - Earn x2000 points up to the number of times a body part of yours has been removed via the game's mechanics.

> 40 - Forfeit 5,000 points and you will be granted access to see all of the possible options within the game; only you will be granted access, however.

> 41 - Earn the points that the players who previously played this game had all to yourself, as long as they weren't killed by another player (this only applies if you've killed two players through the game's mechanics)

> 42 - Forfeit 50,000 points, target one other player, they cannot adjust their point barrier until the end of the day.

> 43 - Nasha Sana will be injected with poison cyanide in exchange for 2 of her choker's red lights (+1500 points)

> 44 - Nasha Sana will receive a 50% point acquisition boost for the rest of the day in exchange for her calves and forearms.

> 45 - Target one of your classmates; earn half of their points thus reducing them from the extraction (this option is only available if you have killed someone via the mechanics of the game)

> 46 - Forfeit points that you own to place a bounty on one of your classmates (if you kill the person with that said bounty, you will earn double the number of what you forfeited)

> 47 - Forfeit 7,500 points and target one of your classmates; for the next four hours, that individual will not die.

> 48 - Forfeit 5,000 points, if Nasha Sana is killed this round, you will gain a 50% point acquisition boost (in case you already have one, the percentage is summed)

> 49 - Forfeit 30,000 points, target one option and it will be removed for the whole day.

> 50 - Earn 50,000 points (this only applies if you've killed 6 players via the game's mechanics)

> 51 - In the next round, forfeit any number of available points to you in order to be in control of the input numbers of the participant, in which case, the forfeited number becomes the input number.

> 52 - Nasha Sana will be awarded points equivalent to the highest current score (+2000) but the next round's individual's choice will be not under their control (their points will be used randomly and the option choice as well).

> 53 - Forfeit 10,000 points; adjust your point barrier.

> 54 - Forfeit 2,500 points and switch with the individual that's currently being executed (you will be awarded with 2000 points as an added bonus).

> 55 - Nasha Sana will be granted 50,000 points but will be the target of the next execution regardless of the outcome of the subsequent round.

> 56 - Forfeit 75,000 points, whenever you lose points, you point barrier will automatically adjust to the closest number possible within the point barriers.

> 57 - Forfeit 6,000 points and select an individual besides yourself, to be granted immunity for today.

> 58 - Forfeit 35,000 points, all other players besides you, count as two players.

> 59 - Nasha Sana will suffer an instant death penalty, but you will become the target for execution in the next round though you will be awarded all of her points.

> 60 - Forfeit 8,000 points in order to get priority knowledge on who will be chosen for the next round of judgment.

> 61 - Forfeit 100,000 points, any option that is used by you cannot be used by other players for the rest of the day, furthermore, if you have killed at least two players through the game's mechanics, you will win 50,000 points

> 62 - Forfeit 10,000 points to take a permanent leave for the day (you will be awarded 8,000 points in return).

> 63 - Forfeit 10,000 points in order to acquire a new player to take your place (in which case, every point the player obtains will be transferred to your point account and you are free to take a day off, but if the player dies or hits the total points of 0 points; you will be forced to return to the game as soon as possible)

> 64 - Nasha Sana's spine will be removed for 30,000 points.

> 65 - Target one other player, their turn in the execution rounds until this day is over, will be under your control (this only applies if you've killed three players through the game's mechanics)

> 66 - Nasha Sana will be awarded 25,000 points but she must name ten parts of his body that she wishes to dispose of.

> 67 - Target one of your classmates, they can forfeit 10,000 points to nullify this, otherwise they will be the target for the next execution round regardless of rankings (this only applies if you have killed someone via the mechanics of the game)

> 68 - Forfeit 3,200 points and select one of your classmates; if they don't kill someone via the game mechanics in four hours, they will die.

> 69 - Forfeit 30,000 points, choose the next five players who will be chosen by the skull this round and place them in any order you so desire.

> 70 - Forfeit 45,000 points to kick someone permanently from the game, besides you.

> 71 - The first five rounds of every judgment will earn you the correct point quota, regardless of the answer (this only applies if you have killed 2 people via the game mechanics).

> 72 - Forfeit 15,000 points, you can choose the claims that will be used in the upcoming judgment round as well as apply a rule of your own.

> 73 - Forfeit 75,000 points; absorb all bonuses and effects all to yourself, your classmates will be awarded 37,500 points each, but they will have their respective bonuses and effects depleted.

> 74 - Forfeit 10,000 points, for the next three hours, your choker's red lights cannot be lit up.

> 75 - Forfeit 130,000 points to transfer classes.

> 76 - Select up to five of your classmates; earn half of their points combined but they must be below 20,000 points (this only applies if you have killed three people through the game's mechanics)

> 77 - Forfeit 15,000 points, target one of your classmates; they cannot accept contracts in the next five hours.

> 78 - Select one of the zones (from the 10th to the 7th) and claim it (this only applies if you've killed five people through the game's mechanics)

> 79 - Forfeit half of your points; the skull will be spun again but you won't be excluded from the round.

> 80 - Pick one of the options above and apply it to yourself, in which case, all rewards go to you instead.

> 81 - Choose any of the options prior and apply it to any of your classmates (this only applies if you've killed ten people through the game's mechanics)

> 82 - All of Nasha Sana's choker's red lights will be increased (even the final one) but you must choose a body piece that you wish to forfeit (+2,500 points)

> 83 - Instantly kill Nasha Sana (you must have claimed at least one zone)

> 84 - Forfeit 30,000 points; target one of your classmates, they count as two players.

> 85 - Forfeit 10,000 points; no new players can be bought in the next two hours.

> 86 - Forfeit 10,000 points, if you are chosen to be the target of the next judgment round, you may vote as well.

> 87 - Forfeit 9,000 points, you will gain knowledge of the answers to every claim in the upcoming judgment round.

> 88 - Target the most recently bought new player; adjust their point barrier to any number you desire that isn't above the highest score in half.

> 89 - Forfeit 12,500 points; if the current target for the execution round dies, the round will begin once more and the target for the execution round will be the lowest ranked player (this only applies if you've killed three people through the game's mechanics)

> 90 - Forfeit 10,000 points; you may choose two options instead of one for the rest of the day and therefore use the remaining other option subsequently (this only applies if you've killed two people through the game's mechanics)

> 91 - Forfeit any number of your points and target one of your classmates; that individual's points cannot go higher than the total amount of the points you just forfeited for the next two hours.

> 92 - Forfeit 20,000 points; contracts cannot be formed in the upcoming hour.

> 93 - Absorb 25% of the total collective points from all the individuals playing to your account (this only applies if you've killed one person through the game's mechanics)

> 94 - Forfeit 3,000 points; earn the right to kick someone in the next round (only one time)

> 95 - Earn half of the combined points of all your classmates but you can no longer kill any player (this only applies if you've killed seven people through the game's mechanics)

> 96 - Forfeit 1000 points in order to extend the time limit right now to 3 minutes (you can pick another option afterwards)

> 97 - Forfeit 25,000 points, every time you kill a player, you earn double their points.

> 98 - Forfeit 12,500 points; any player below you will receive a 50% decreasement boost for the next two hours.

> 99 - Forfeit 10,000 points; every time you score correctly, the points will double (this effect stacks), however, should you score incorrectly more than three times, you will die.

> 100 - Every time a player dies, half of their points will be transferred to you (this only applies if you've killed two people through the game's mechanics)

The question whenever someone forfeits this many points always arises no matter the circumstance.

"He has two options... What does he want to do...?" The fate of the round could entirely be decided already just by his whim alone "...If Kuzan decides to kill me, he will break his point barrier... I'm done for...!!" Sana thought to herself as she grew even more nervous by the second "Not only that, but I can't skip this round because I don't have 11000 points...!!" She noticed "Hmm..." Kuzan already had a few ideas in mind, as there were only fifty seconds left to go.

The long-term profit is not something that must see when they are face to face with overwhelming grand quick-term profit.

However, he knew how to mitigate that temptation.

"Sana has 10002 points, so if I kill her, I win those. Furthermore, add the 1536 to the equation and I receive 11538 points, which if I summed to my current 59115 points; is 70653. The bonus points from breaking the barrier are most likely 20000. Therefore, I will be at 90653 points, which is a lead that towers everyone. And thus, I will be 409347 points away from my goal. In a sense, I'm ahead so much that it's not even worth comparing. Logically, I should just kill Sana and enjoy the benefits. I'm sure the bonus reward which is the 50% point acquisition boost will turn into a 100% acquisition boost which will enhance my progress even further. Right. How simple, so I should just do that..." Kuzan lowly laughed "OR SO A LOSER WOULD FUCKING THINK!! There is no point in having a massive lead if it means that it can be thrown into disarray just out of a revenge's whim!!!" Kuzan looked to Tateyana, Tatsu, Arkalee, and the others.

The singular conclusion was far too obvious.

"It is obvious what they are thinking. They want me to get more points so they can choose the option to swap me for whoever is at the center. Tatsu controls Arkalee's turn, not to mention his own. Bro controls Lus and now Yulia's turn, as well as his own. The likelihood of bro getting a turn is significantly higher than the rest by that margin... That's right... It doesn't matter how high your lead is if you get swapped in the long run. Accumulate all you want, if you are swapped, you are done for. That's how even a useless human like Tateyana was able to get out of her bad situation; all because Rayazaki got swapped which led to his death. But that ends now. No more unfair swaps. I WILL SET THE WINNING TRAJECTORY TO MY VICTORY, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!!!" Kuzan became authentically decisive.

A single short breath was all it took out of him.

"THE FIRST OPTION WILL BE OPTION 49!!!!!!!" Kuzan's command immediately demanded everyone to look at option 49 "Option 49?!" Lus was alarmed "That bastard...! He's playing to win... He doesn't give a shit about immediate compensation..." Kawahara's expression darkened "But I'm curious... Which option will he..." Hinagiku pondered quite deeply as the turmoil amongst the players rose.

Option 49 reads as the following: Forfeit 30,000 points, target one option and it will be removed for the whole day.

It is also important to notice that due to the fact that Kuzan broke the milestone of 50000 points, he was gifted with the ability to select two options instead of one. In addition, the options that cost points, will be halved in their cost terms.

"THE OPTION THAT I WILL ERASE IS OPTION 13!!!!!!" For a while, as everyone looked at option 13, the option started to slowly fade away from the ranking ladder and the numbers started to adjust "Wait, that's the option that allows you to swap the target of the execution round for another player!!!" Arkalee became alarmed "AHHHHHHH FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!" Tateyana expressed extreme anger at Kuzan's actions "......" Daniel's expression also darkened and Yulia took a quick notice of that "...Were you planning on swapping him...?" She gently asked "Yes, I was. But now it's all for naught. Kuzan... I didn't think he would be able to think this far. I suppose I'll have to take him serious now." Daniel composed himself.

But it wasn't just Daniel that had this thought.

By erasing this ability, it effectively meant that Kuzan's point kingdom was something that couldn't be toppled by a mere cheap sequence like the option that allowed Kuzan to be swapped with Sana.

No.

In order to threaten Kuzan's reign, a more in-depth set of strategies would have to be created; that much they came to realize.

"But... It's still 15000 points. Usually, it would cost 30000 points, but it's halved now... He took a significant hit!" Yulia cracked a smile "I wouldn't celebrate just yet, Yulia." Daniel warned her "Sure, he has 44115 points right now and his point barrier is 70000, but he still has another option left..." Daniel added "!!!" Yulia had forgotten about that already "Then is he going for the kill?!" Yulia offered her suggestion "No." Daniel instantly denied it "Killing Sana will give him 10002 points as well as 1536, which together sum to be 11538. It's not enough to break his point barrier." Daniel argued "I------I see..." Yulia was mildly impressed "...Daniel's actually smart, huh? He doesn't strike me like all the others, for some reason... I feel like he has a cool head on his shoulders..." Yulia's eyes dazzled.

And as for Kuzan's second option, the one he would choose would be...

"OPTION 53 WILL BE MY SECOND OPTION CHOICE!!" As per usual, the eyes would follow his words "........" Tatsu's expression became annoyed as he saw the option that was chosen "Of course..." Yukishiro found the option only natural "Hey, I'm in the lead again." Hyunda noted as Kuzan was forced to forfeit 5000 of his points "It would cost him 10000 points to select that option but the fact that it comes at half the cost is just...!!" Hinagiku couldn't help but think that this was all extremely calculated "This guy----might just win this whole thing..." She dreaded the thought.

Option 53 reads as the following: Forfeit 10,000 points; adjust your point barrier.

Since the cost is at half, Kuzan had to forfeit 5000 points, which puts him at 39115 points, with the closest point barrier being the 40000 point barrier.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?! HE'S JUST GOING TO CLIMB TO THE TOP SO EASILY AGAIN, FUCK!!" Arkalee expressed her anger "AND NOW WE CAN'T EVEN SWAP HIM FOR WHAT HE DID, ARGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" She was showing signs of extreme delirium "I hate to agree with a lunatic like her, but... His future is looking extremely good... No, he has a 50% point acquisition boost and that contract with Tatsu which gives him 25% of the claim's points from Tatsu to Kuzan, should he correctly score..." Lus gulped "Hypothetically speaking, should he score correctly in the next round, the points he will earn from that claim alone will be-------" Hinagiku, who is just a seat away from her to her right, where Daniel is still away from, answered for her "960 points." Lus turned her head to the right side "...And all it takes is another right claim for him to break the point barrier..." She added.

By now, it was clear that Kuzan was decently respected and someone to look out for due to his drive.

However, the target at the center, was completely unscathed by this entire ordeal and thus, now that Kuzan had finished exerting his rightful power of choices, it was time to move on.

Basara wasted no time whatsoever.

"SPIN IT, SPIN IT, SPIN IIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!" With bursting eccentricity, Basara excited the crowd even further as Sana's life was trending on the very edge "By the way, I forgot to ask, but when do you plan on progressing the story?" Yukishiro asked, knowing the full script "Whenever I get the chance, but for that to happen, two things need to happen." Hyunda didn't actually disclose what those two things were to Yukishiro "Rest assured, you are a vital piece to my script in my absence. It goes without saying that your presence will need to be memorable beyond just words." Yukishiro blushed immensely as she felt flattered "I am most honored..." Her heart pounded faster and faster "Yes... Omega's script... It will be achieved, no matter the sacrifices..." She exhibited a sinister grin as the skull would slow down on its track.

And eventually, it landed, now that Kuzan could not no longer be chosen.

"Oh would you look at that... ARKALEE, YOUR TURN!!!" Basara loudly announced "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! DAMN IT, HOW?!?!?!?" Arkalee demonstrated tremendous hate for the selection "........" Tatsu had an extremely annoyed expression at the moment "Now, what will you do, Tatsu?" Kuzan lowly spoke "Will you admit that your investment was a mistake and try to win or will you persist?" Kuzan posed the question and Tatsu deeply sighed as he forfeited 100 points.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

The same sea of options appeared with a few additional ones and some old ones out of the loop.

"Tatsu... If you end the round, I will do it. I will give you my turn for the whole day, just end the round, right here and now!!" Sana realized the dread of the situation "It's not that I don't want to, but there's just no better option right now, so no." Tatsu rejected her "WHAT?! AFTER ALL THAT TALK!?" Sana became supercilious "Shit, he's going for the kill?!" Tateyana pondered as Tatsu went straight for the one option he had in mind "OPTION 15!!!" Tatsu loudly declared.

Arkalee began to shake vigorously and formed an expression filled with unfiltered rage.

"I'LL KILL YOU TATSU!!!!! YOU FUCKING FUCKER, DON'T YOU FUCKING DAAAAAAAREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! RAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" The guards had to instantly restrain her, despite the fact that Arkalee has no arms, from behind.

Option 15 reads as the following: Transfer your points to an individual in your class (minimal point input: 5000)

Tatsu's input was 14983 points, which Arkalee owned.

"And to whom will you transfer those points?" Basara asked as Arkalee had her mouth covered, but was dying to kill Tatsu "All to me!" Tatsu proudly told "And so it is!" Basara allowed it to proceed and thus, the transfer was made, which revealed the newly updated ladder, with some interesting new features for the players to observe.

> 1 - Hajime Hyunda:【40514/45000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 15,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th and 9th】━【Number of players killed: 1】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago】

> ----------------------------------------

> 2 - Takeshi Kuzan:【39115/40000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 14,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th and 9th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Lost 100 points, 1:46 minutes ago; Lost 5,000 points, 1:04 minutes ago; Lost 15,000 points, 1:25 minutes ago】

> Contracts:【Has a 50% point boost acquisition for the upcoming three hours】━【In the upcoming judgment round, for every claim that Takeshi Kuzan gets right; 25% of it will be awarded from Hirakibo Tatsu's account to Takeshi Kuzan's account】━【The next time Takeshi Kuzan breaks his point barrier; 25% of those earned bonus points will be transferred to Kaneta Tateyana's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> 3 - Hirakibo Tatsu:【33289/35000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 12,500 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 1,152 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 576 points due to the contract with Ryousuke Kawahara which awarded Ryousuke Kawahara with half of Hirakibo Tatsu's claim's points, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 288 points due to the former contract with Takeshi Kuzan that stated that at the beginning of every judgment round, during the prior judgment round, Hirakibo Tatsu had to give 288 points to Takeshi Kuzan; Won 14,983 points because Kitsuya Arkalee transferred those points to Hirakibo Tatsu's account】

> Contracts:【Has a 100% point acquisition boost for the rest of the day】━【Kitsuya Arkalee's turn will be under Hirakibo Tatsu's control in the execution rounds until this day is over】━【For the next four hours, whenever Kitsuya Arkalee breaks her point barrier; 100% of her bonus earned points will be transferred to Hirakibo Tatsu's account】━【For the next hour, whenever Hirakibo Tatsu wins a point, 50% of it will be transferred to Ryousuke Kawahara's account】━【In the upcoming judgment round, for every claim that Takeshi Kuzan gets right; 25% of it will be awarded from Hirakibo Tatsu's account to Takeshi Kuzan's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> 4 - Mayabashi Hinagiku:【22324/25000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 10,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 2,000 points due to the contract with Rikishima Ikkiri which awarded Mayabashi Hinagiku with half of Rikishima Ikkiri's bonus points earned from breaking her point barrier which were 4,000, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 5,000 points from breaking her 15,000 point barrier, 6:45 minutes ago】

> Contracts:【In the upcoming hour, Mayabashi Hinagiku will earn 50% of Rikishima Ikkiri's bonus points earned from breaking her point barrier】

> ----------------------------------------

> 5 - Ryousuke Kawahara:【20140/25000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 10,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 576 points due to the contract with Hirakibo Tatsu which awarded Ryousuke Kawahara with half of Hirakibo Tatsu's claim's points, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 5000 points from breaking his 15,000 point barrier, 6:45 minutes ago】

> Contracts:【For the next hour, whenever Hirakibo Tatsu wins a point, 50% of it will be transferred to Ryousuke Kawahara's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> 6 - Lus Sera:【17792/25000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 10,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Lost 5,000 points upon making a contract with Rikishima Ikkiri, 8:01 minutes ago; Won 1,536 points, 6:45 minutes ago】

> Contracts:【Lus Sera's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over】━【Every time Lus Sera scores correctly, the points earned will be doubled (this effect stacks), however, should she score incorrectly more than three times, she will die.】━【Scored correctly 2 times】━【Every time Rikishima Ikkiri gets a right claim, 50% of it will be transferred to Lus Sera's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> 7 - Gayakirima Kanawari:【17324/20000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 7,500 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 768 points, 6:45 minutes ago】

> Contracts:【Has a 50% acquisition boost for the rest of the day】

> ----------------------------------------

> 8 - Rikishima Ikkiri:【15324/20000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 7,500 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 5,000 points upon making a contract with Lus Sera, 8:01 minutes ago; Won 4,000 points from breaking her 7,500 point barrier, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 2,000 points due to the contract that states that Rikishima Ikkiri, upon breaking her point barrier, will transfer half of those points to Mayabashi Hinagiku, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 864 points, 6:45 minutes ago】

> Contracts:【Rikishima Ikkiri has a 75% point boost acquisition for the rest of the day, but should she get a claim wrong, the 75% point boost acquisition will become a 75% point boost acquisition in reverse and will only change back when she gets a claim right (should she fail to get it right three times in a row it will not go back】━【In the upcoming hour, Mayabashi Hinagiku will earn 50% of Rikishima Ikkiri's bonus points earned from breaking her point barrier】━ 【Every time Rikishima Ikkiri gets a right claim, 50% of it will be transferred to Lus Sera's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> 9 - Kaneta Tateyana:【14862/20000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 7,500 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: None】━【Number of players killed: 1】━【Recent point history: Lost 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 192 points due to the former contract with Takeshi Kuzan that stated that at the beginning of every judgment round, during the prior judgment round, Kaneta Tateyana had to give 192 points to Takeshi Kuzan】

> Contracts:【The next time Takeshi Kuzan breaks his point barrier; 25% of those earned bonus points will be transferred to Kaneta Tateyana's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> 10 - Daniel Lead:【12961/15000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 6,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: None】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 768 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 1,565 points by making a contract with Hikaru Yulia; Won 2,500 points due to the contract with Hikaru Yulia that states that Daniel Lead will be awarded with half of her bonus point upon breaking her point barrier】

> Contracts:【Has a 50% point acquisition boost for the rest of the day】━【Lus Sera's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over】━【If a claim is correctly guessed five times in a row, the sum total of the points of those five claims will be added】━【Hikaru Yulia's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over; and Daniel Lead will receive half of the bonus points Hikaru Yulia receives the next time it happens】

> ----------------------------------------

> 11 - Hikaru Yulia:【12501/15000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 6,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: None】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 1,565 points by making a contract with Daniel Lead; Lost 2,500 points due to the contract with Daniel Lead that states that Daniel Lead will be awarded with half of Hikaru Yulia's bonus points upon breaking her point barrier; Lost 192 points due to the former contract with Takeshi Kuzan that stated that at the beginning of every judgment round, during the prior judgment round, Hikaru Yulia had to give 192 points to Takeshi Kuzan】

> Contracts:【Hikaru Yulia's turn will be under Daniel Lead's control in the execution rounds until this day is over; and Daniel Lead will receive half of the bonus points Hikaru Yulia receives the next time it happens】

> ----------------------------------------

> 12 - Kyoko Yukishiro:【11300/15000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 6,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: None】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago】

> ----------------------------------------

> TARGET OF THE EXECUTION ROUND: 13 - Nasha Sana:【10002/15000】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 6,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: None】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 5001 points due to the contract with Takeshi Kuzan that stated that if Takeshi Kuzan scored correctly until the end of the prior judgment round, Nasha Sana would be awarded with 5001 of his points; Won 2500 points from breaking her 4,500 point barrier; Won 2501 points due to the contract with Hirakibo Tatsu that stated that if Hirakibo Tatsu got the correct claim guess during the last round of the judgment round, Nasha Sana would be awarded with 2501 of Hirakibo Tatsu's points】

> ----------------------------------------

> 14 - Kitsuya Arkalee:【0/15000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 6,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: None】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 192 points due to the former contract with Takeshi Kuzan that stated that at the beginning of every judgment round, during the prior judgment round, Kitsuya Arkalee had to give 192 points to Takeshi Kuzan; Lost 14983 points because Kitsuya Arkalee transferred those points to Hirakibo Tatsu's account】

> Contracts:【Kitsuya Arkalee's turn will be under Hirakibo Tatsu's control in the execution rounds until this day is over】━【For the next two hours, whenever Kitsuya Arkalee breaks her point barrier; 50% of her bonus earned points will be transferred to Hirakibo Tatsu's account】

> ----------------------------------------

Despite the shocking move from Tatsu, the majority of the players were mostly allured to the newly updated ladder and its new design.

"OH SLICK!! I LIKE IT!!!" Ikkiri expressed her opinion right away "Oh wow..." Lus was taken away for a split second "Hey, you can even see how the points were acquired now! That's great, now I don't gotta use my brain that often just to get to know all the details." Hinagiku remarked "It's convenient." Kawahara calmly admitted "It's good to know how many points I'll receive once I break my barrier..." Yukishiro said "It's too extra! Why do I feel like someone who is authentically extravagant is behind this design as a whole?!" Hyunda threw the question up in the air.

Erigaisi smiled radiantly.

"But why are they able to see it? I thought it was a premium feature? What sense does it make to expose it to the public?" Andrea couldn't understand it "It's a sneak peek, angel! It's called "cultivating interest" which in long term means that that interest will be harvested!" Erigaisi explained as he held his right index finger up high "I see." She was apathetic about it "Well, the ladder aside----what Hirakibo Tatsu just did is..." Skan was more interested in the game's current state "Yes... It's demonic, but considering how far away he was from his point barrier, I don't think he had any other choice." Liyuga shared his opinion "Furthermore, Takeshi Kuzan eliminated the option to swap players... Interestingly enough... If Takeshi Kuzan wanted, he could have swapped Nasha Sana for Hajime Hyunda and had gone for the kill..." He added "That's just greedy and would most likely backfire. Yes, his lead would be immense, but with the option to still be swapped, it would be a matter of time before what happened to Hajime Hyunda in this scenario, would happen to Takeshi Kuzan. It was an excellent choice, I must admit..." Andrea couldn't hide it.

The victim of this entire event was struggling to contain herself as the guards held her arms behind her chair.

"Jesus...!!! She's like a rottweiler!! Tatsu, you're gonna die!!" Tateyana warned him "Sana." Tatsu focused on Sana instead of Arkalee though, despite the grunging noises coming from Arkalee's side as well as an abysmal bloodlust "This is what you get for not obeying my demands. You thought that there wouldn't be consequences, but defiance is not------" Sana could not bear to hear it one more second "Oh shut the fuck up... I'll gladly drop dead if it means I don't get to endure what Arkalee will have to go through... I bet you planned to exploit Akimiyashika in the long run like that too!" Sana turned then to Arkalee "Am I right, Arkalee?! GOOD LUCK BAHAHAHAHA!!!" Releasing a lunatic laughter, Sana set Arkalee further on fire.

There was, however, a necessity to move forward as the millions demanded the momentum to proceed.

Thus, the skull spun as Kuzan and Arkalee were excluded from the round.

"Better start snacking, this round will be LOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!" Bryce started to take some of the cake slices that were on the table in front of them "Most likely. They are all looking for benefit, so killing Nasha Sana could prove to not be the best choice." Liyuga told "I think they'll buy new players, no?" Krale asked "I'm not sure, actually... Because the current lowest ranked player has 0 points and even if you buy a new player, they should actually have the advantage over Kitsuya Arkalee because her point barrier is far away. How will they deal with this for their benefits?" Liyuga replied "Uhh... Maybe they'll pick the option that increases the number of rounds again?!" Bryce proposed "It's a possibility... After all, thanks to Rikishima Ikkiri picking that option in the last round, it resulted in three deaths... That's how devastating it was..." Andrea dreaded "And what's worse is; nobody got awarded for their points upon their deaths. There was like over 10000 points combined, I think... What a waste!" Seok showed intelligence for once "You guys are so INVESTED!!! One of you should enter a round of this game, I'm telling you!!" Erigaisi didn't give up on his idea "Nonsense." Andrea brutally rejected the idea.

Eventually, it landed.

"Lus, YOU'RE UP!!!" Basara didn't look at her, but instead looked at Daniel as he announced that "That's not where I am!" Lus felt offended, despite knowing why he did that "Why are they all----Oh, right! You have her turn! You get to choose whatever option you want for her!" Yulia came to the realization "Correct." Daniel had the option to see through the screen and he already had in mind how many points he wished to forfeit on Lus' stead "W-Wait...!!" Lus felt the need to talk to Daniel, so she grabbed her crutch "Just wait, please!!" Lus had to say her words no matter what, even if it meant walking down half of the table just to go where Daniel is, though limping in pain from her right knee.

He greeted her with a cold glance.

"What are you doing? Go back to your seat, Lus." He told her "Wh------" His words hurt her, out of nowhere "Look...!! Don't use my points recklessly!! Remember that the option to adjust the point barrier is gone, so don't invest big, that's all I'm gonna say!" Lus was resolved to go back to her seat now "That's not up to you anymore." He paralyzed her movements "YOU------!!!!" Lus snapped as she turned around "I'll forfeit 100 points!" Since Daniel had no arms, or hands for this matter, he had to spell everything out.

And thus, the wide sea of options appeared, with some other options that made their entrance, but for the majority, the usual ones remained.

"Daniel, DON'T YOU DARE!!" Lus warned him "Go back to your seat, you're overreacting." Daniel told her "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?!" Lus violently asked him "Hey!" Her voice reached Lus as she got up from her seat "You're being mean to Daniel for no reason! He saved you, didn't he?! Why are you doubting him?! Show some respect, would you?!" Lus felt tarnished as she had to endure Yulia's unwanted criticism "Big talk for a COCKSUCKER LIKE YOU!!!" Lus decided to retaliate and Daniel sighed as he saw their clash "I HAD NO CHOICE, I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT!!!" Yulia defended herself "I'll forfeit 100 points." Midst their dramatic clash, Daniel told the screen that and the sea of options appeared "YOU HAVE NO HONOR, CHARACTER, OR PERSONALITY, SHUT YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH, YOU FUCKING FAKE!! THE ONLY REASON YOU ARE EVEN RELEVANT TO THE EQUATION IS BECAUSE YOU'RE HIS------" Daniel didn't like her tone "Lus, shut your mouth or I will pick something you definitely won't like." Daniel coldly glanced at her ".......!!!" And Lus felt brutally hurt.

There was a heavy lump on her throat as her expression became conflicted; not a word could come out.

"Leave." Daniel calmly said "!!!!!!" The feeling turned into rage as she gave Yulia a death glare instead "?!?!" Alarmed, Yulia retreated three steps back in fear from her potential actions "...Alright, Daniel... Have it your way... But don't be surprised when she doesn't keep her word... Who knows..." Lus started to slowly walk back to her seat "After all, she is different from the person you------" Daniel had enough of her words "GO AWAY!!" His loud shout made Lus retreat as she felt deeply ashamed "YOU FUCKING MORON...!!! DON'T YOU REALIZE I'M THE ONLY ONE ON YOUR SIDE?!?! THAT WHORE IS JUST DECEIVING YOU FOR THE SAKE OF POINTS, NOTHING SHE SAYS IS GENUINE!!!" Tears started to emerge on the upper corner of her eyes as her eyes became slightly red "Yulia, sit." Daniel looked at her, still serious "Please?" But he gently smiled to her, showing compassion "...Sorry..." Yulia felt like she needed to say those words to him, since he showed a rasher side of him "It's alright, I'm not mad. I just need silence, so just wait a bit..." Daniel said as he concentrated on choosing which option would be the most beneficial in this case.

There were about thirty seconds left for Daniel to choose his desired option out of the hundred options.

"Daniel." The voice from the central chair reached out to him "What is it?" Daniel was still analyzing the options that obeyed the pattern that he was specifically searching for "You can't save her. You already failed once and you will fail again..." Completely given up on her life, Sana would only speak out of spite "To you, that-----faker-----who is impersonating my best friend and the only person I ever respected truly..." Her dead eyes pierced Yulia's soul "That bounty, which is placed on you, will be the seed to your death. Enjoy your time while you can, because YOU WILL DIE BY THE END OF THIS!!!" Yulia crawled back on her chair "WHAT THE-----I'M NOT A FAKER, I ALREADY SAID THAT!!! I AM YULIA, I AM HER!!!" Yulia defended herself "Oh fucking God. I can't take this shit anymore... I'm legit gonna throw up. This has got to be a nightmare, I'm convinced at this point." Sana sighed as she began to smile amidst her darkest hour "Daniel, put me out of my misery. Your plan is as obvious as her lies." Sana told him.

Daniel stopped glancing at the option as he became decided.

"Option 9." The decision was set in stone "And it's a wrap." Kawahara acknowledged "I'm surprised, usually there are so many options to let it slide the kill, but he really is going for it." Yukishiro was stunned momentarily "Of course he is. It's all in his hands. And he is not about to let the same tragic incident befall again!" Hyunda's smile started to grow "Ahhh... You are so..." She felt more and more entangled with each segment of completion "Ahhhh, wait, wait... I just gotta say a few words, if you don't mind. So hold out while you can." Sana told Daniel as she twisted her head to the southwest side, where Hyunda is.

A demonic smile erupted from her lips albeit the option would be executed in the midst of that moment.

Option 9 reads as the following: Forfeit any multiples of your points (x192) and add the same number to Nasha Sana's choker's red lights.

Due to the high number of red lights on her choker, only 192 points were necessary for the outcome.

"Your loss, hone------" The explosion caused by the choker's detonation was something that they were growing more and more accustomed to "........" Lus was speechless as she had not yet arrived at her seat but saw her position in the ranking ladder and couldn't believe it "I expected a lot, but this is just absurd..." Ikkiri got somewhat annoyed "She overtook me..." Kuzan was somewhat stunned "She's going to be a problem..." Kuzan admitted to himself "No... The real problem is not Lus, it's..." His eyes traced back to Daniel who was calm and composed "That's a lot of points...!!! All of it just in one kill..." Yulia couldn't help but be impressed "She's almost in the first place too..." Hinagiku found Lus' position to actually be overwhelming.

With Sana's death, as her head rolled on the ground faraway, the round ended and the ranking ladder was ultimately updated.

> ----------------------------------------

> 2 - Lus Sera:【39238/40000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 14,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th and 9th】━【Number of players killed: 1】━【Recent point history: Lost 100 points by forfeiting that amount in order to get 100 available options to choose from; Lost 192 points due to the option chosen, which required Lus Sera to forfeit multiples of her points (x192 per red light) in order to light up red lights on Nasha Sana's choker; Won 10,002 points because Lus Sera killed Nasha Sana; Won 10,000 points from breaking her previous point barrier of 25,000 points; Won 1,536 points via the reward from the bounty placed on Nasha Sana】

> ----------------------------------------

> 3 - Takeshi Kuzan:【39115/40000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 14,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th and 9th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Lost 100 points, 1:46 minutes ago; Lost 5,000 points, 1:04 minutes ago; Lost 15,000 points, 1:25 minutes ago】

> ----------------------------------------

> 4 - Hirakibo Tatsu:【33289/35000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 12,500 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th and 9th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 1,152 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 576 points due to the contract with Ryousuke Kawahara which awarded Ryousuke Kawahara with half of Hirakibo Tatsu's claim's points, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 288 points due to the former contract with Takeshi Kuzan that stated that at the beginning of every judgment round, during the prior judgment round, Hirakibo Tatsu had to give 288 points to Takeshi Kuzan; Won 14,983 points because Kitsuya Arkalee transferred those points to Hirakibo Tatsu's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> 5 - Mayabashi Hinagiku:【22324/25000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 10,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 2,000 points due to the contract with Rikishima Ikkiri which awarded Mayabashi Hinagiku with half of Rikishima Ikkiri's bonus points earned from breaking her point barrier which were 4,000, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 5,000 points from breaking her 15,000 point barrier, 6:45 minutes ago】

> Contracts:【In the upcoming hour, Mayabashi Hinagiku will earn 50% of Rikishima Ikkiri's bonus points earned from breaking her point barrier】

> ----------------------------------------

> 6 - Ryousuke Kawahara:【20140/25000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 10,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: 10th】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 576 points due to the contract with Hirakibo Tatsu which awarded Ryousuke Kawahara with half of Hirakibo Tatsu's claim's points, 6:45 minutes ago; Won 5000 points from breaking his 15,000 point barrier, 6:45 minutes ago】

> Contracts:【For the next hour, whenever Hirakibo Tatsu wins a point, 50% of it will be transferred to Ryousuke Kawahara's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> Contracts:【Has a 50% acquisition boost for the rest of the day】

> ----------------------------------------

> Contracts:【The next time Takeshi Kuzan breaks his point barrier; 25% of those earned bonus points will be transferred to Kaneta Tateyana's account】

> ----------------------------------------

> 13 - Kitsuya Arkalee:【0/15000 points】━【Points earned upon breaking the upcoming point barrier: 6,000 points】━【Zones that are available for purchase: None】━【Number of players killed: 0】━【Recent point history: Won 384 points, 6:45 minutes ago; Lost 192 points due to the former contract with Takeshi Kuzan that stated that at the beginning of every judgment round, during the prior judgment round, Kitsuya Arkalee had to give 192 points to Takeshi Kuzan; Lost 14983 points because Kitsuya Arkalee transferred those points to Hirakibo Tatsu's account】

> ----------------------------------------

"So she was mad... It's alright though. Hm... I can't wait to see her reaction, haha." Hyunda remarked as he saw Sana's head across the room "Another bitch down, three more to go..." Ikkiri was happy about the outcome and started to get up as she stretched her arms out "ALRIGHT BE HERE IN 13 MINUTES!!! DISMISSED!!!" At Basara's command, the 7th round of this deadly game came to an end and most of the players started to exit the room albeit some opted to remain in it for a while "HUH?! WAIT WHAT, IT ENDED ALREADY?!?!" Bryce was in disbelief "...I also wasn't expecting that..." Andrea confessed "Killing is extremely good in this game! Look where a single kill got her!" Erigaisi reinforced "Don't say those words so casually please." Andrea requested "Oh please~~ This is just a game, it's like watching an anime! Sure, some deaths are sad, but do you actually give a shit and does it affect your life? NOPEEEEEEE!!" Erigaisi exhibited a childlike speech "Unbelievable..." Andrea was distraught "....?" Something occurred amidst that.

Andrea took out her phone from her skirt's right pocket and saw that president August was calling her.

"Yes?" Politely she answered, as she got up and started to walk towards the elevator, where she could be absent from the rest as they engaged in their respective dialogues "Hello, hello." The loud sound of helicopter skids was noticed right away by her "On a trip, at this time...?" Andrea already understood and August was indeed inside a helicopter, flying far across the school up in the skies "If it eases your mind, I will be back in a matter of hours though I know not how many." August enjoyed the view of the prefecture of Kagoshima as he looked outside of his window "I understand." Andrea showed respect "Take good care of them while I'm gone. I'm still going to continue to watch it on my phone, but I'll have to inevitably draw away from it when the reunion is at hand. That's all." August settled for those words "Understood. Any further requests?" She asked "No, but preferably, don't let that overly-suspicious Indian entrepreneur manipulate any of you into participating the game. Especially Bryce or Liyuga-----I have a bad feeling that they will inevitably grow a desire to join the fray but we both know that's just foolish." Andrea closed her eyes.

She couldn't agree more as she smiled a bit.

"Leave everything to me. Four criminals just died in this round alone. When you return, the school will be back to normal and it will be just like it used to be." Andrea's expression darkened for a second "I believe so too, Andrea." He terminated the call on his own accord and went back to watching the stream, though by now, the round was over "I must confess that I am dying to know what the worst case scenario is------that he can come up with-----that is-----" He entertained the thought mildly but to no avail.

----------------------------------------

Due to George Kentucky's influence, the female dorm had become the new shelter for the remaining male players who wanted to eat inside their cafeteria.

Every student from class F was present with the exception for Hyunda and Yukishiro, who remained in that room.

The table rows were filled with a variety of plates of food prepared by George and Olivia while the prior round underwent. These plates contain dishes such as: various sushi rolls, steaming hot udon noodle bowls, curry with white rice, onigiris, sashimi, ramen pots, miso soups, yakisoba and many, many more.

"OH YEAH, I'M EATING GOOD ALRIGHT!!!!" Kuzan didn't hold back and kept eating onigiri rice balls, one after another "You bitches had the pleasure of eating this? I'M FUCKING MAD!!" Kawahara devoured multiple sushi rolls at once as well "Much better..." Tatsu murmured as he enjoyed the yakisoba while eating on the same grand rectangular table as the rest, since all of them were eating as well "TATSU, YA BITCH!! I HEARD THAT, WHATCHU IMPLYING HUH?!" Tatsu choked slightly "N-Nothing...! It's great, that's what I meant!!" Tatsu covered himself "WATCH YOUR TONGUE, BOI----YOU ARE DINING IN THE HALL OF THE KITCHEN GOD SUCH AS I!!!" George gave himself an ego boost as he watched from the parallel table to the right side with Olivia on his side "Dear me... Just how many people died in this hour alone...?!" Olivia was thoroughly shocked.

Ikkiri burped abruptly.

"Four!!" She replied while still chewing "Oh yeah, four people actually died, what the hell!!" Tateyana couldn't stop eating from the ramen pot as well as drinking some iced tea "It's all your fault, Ikkiri." Hinagiku settled for a simple udon noodle bowl "Teehee~" Ikkiri closed her right eye and hit herself lightly on the head as if to jest "No, no, you did good." Kuzan told her from afar as they were on opposite ends "The low value players are out, and so the value has gone up!" Kuzan then proceeded to correct himself "EXCEPT NOT!!! TATSU, WHAT THE HELL DUDE?!" Kuzan demonstrated genuine frustration ".........." Tatsu didn't feel like replying to Kuzan's retort.

She was present in the room, but she was consumed with a feeling of wrath as she couldn't even eat.

Arkalee was simply staring at Tatsu and Tatsu had to endure her glare.

"Hey, Tatsu? Why did you make all those unnecessary contracts?" Ikkiri asked her "They weren't unnecessary. You ruined them." Tatsu countered "Oh----you mean Hugo. You bought him and you expected that I would just let you manipulate him into being your slave?" Ikkiri was clearly picking a fight "It doesn't matter." Tatsu was verbally economic "Icky." Ikkiri found him weird "Wait, where is Hyunda?" She realized that he was not present at all "He can't walk, remember? Arkalee over here cut his two feet." Hinagiku told her "No-----but, he could have asked or something. Or is he cheating on me with her? That has to be it." Ikkiri sighed "My list just keeps on growing..." Ikkiri's eyes reflected lament but eccentricity as well.

It was something that she had never experienced. Not only was the food extremely good, but despite the atmosphere being filled with criminals with devious pasts, it didn't feel overly alarming to her. It was magical in a sense, where outside of that room, there was a certain type of harmony.

However, that wasn't what truly had consumed her mind.

No------it was his passionate and silent solemn gaze that he would watch her every action.

Every motion her right hand made. Every time she blinked. Every breath she took. Every time her mouth opened to receive food. Every time she shied away from meeting his eyes.

He was watching her as he sat across her, in front of her.

"How is it?" Daniel softly asked "It's... really good..." Yulia was eating a miso soup and a yakisoba bowl that she was curious enough to try "I'm glad then! Eat all you want, Yulia. Do you need something to drink?" Daniel asked "Umm..." There was already a cup of water in front of her dishes, but she actually wanted some cola "Your arms, I-----" Daniel cleansed her doubt "I can just ask George, you know, the big beefy guy, to get it for me, so it's not a problem~" Daniel smirked "Ahh... Then cola, please!! Um, for two..." Yulia was slightly embarrassed as she said that "Alright." Daniel happily got up and started to walk in the east direction, where Olivia and George would be.

But, as he went on his way, he stopped by Hinagiku and whispered a few words to her ear.

"....Mhmm..." She munched and Daniel got a move on "What did Daniel say to her?" Yulia was watching Daniel the whole time "Hey, sorry to bother, king-----I don't have arms or hands for that matter, so could I get two glasses of cola for my girlfriend and I? Preferably, add a straw for her and some ice cubes. A teardrop of lemon is fine too. Mine can be as simple as possible." Daniel requested "Oi... I'm not your goddamn slave." He disliked Daniel's attitude "Please-----it's the first time my girlfriend is having Japanese food and she says the food is really good! You two are great cooks!" Daniel complimented them "What the------Who are you and what have you done with Daniel?!" George was caught off guard but Olivia was already on the job.

After a few seconds, Olivia was done with the drinks and started to slowly walk alongside Daniel as she carried the drinks.

"Thank you so much, ma'am." Daniel showed respect "It's not a problem, Daniel. But... I'm sorry if this sounds intrusive, but is that really..." Olivia kept looking at Yulia who was not that faraway now "It is her." Daniel told her "........." Olivia knew not how to reply to those dark eyes full of conviction "I see... It's just-----so strange... But I suppose it's not as strange as this event... I have to wonder about my future if you are all gone. What will class F be made of if there is no one here at the end of it?" Olivia made a point "Well, Olivia, it's really simple----if there is no class F, that's the end of class F." Daniel made a cryptic smile.

The wait was over and Yulia was handed her cup of cola specially made for her.

"And for the gentleman who had the heart to ask for this~" Olivia placed the simple cola cup that was sufficiently filled in front of Daniel, who was having no dishes "Thank you, Olivia." Daniel was grateful "Ahhh thank you so much!! Your food is really good, you have no idea!! You're an amazing cook, and that mister too!!" Yulia was jubilant "Oh, you flatter me!!" Olivia giggled "I'll let you two have your moment then~" The truth was, although they were all seated in a rectangular table, Daniel and Yulia were incredibly far away from the rest, almost ten seats away "An angel, isn't she?" Daniel asked Yulia as she took a gracious sip of her cold cola "Mhmmm!!" Yulia couldn't help but agree "God, I love cola so much!! You need to have it!!" Yulia was feeling happy "Ah, I really can't though-----" Yulia began to go around and quickly leaped to Daniel's right side by pulling her left leg up a bit "........." Daniel's eyes widened as he was stunned for a split second "It's alright, I'll help you drink it..." Yulia reached out to her own cup, instead of the one in front of Daniel and held up high with her right hand.

Daniel looked at Yulia and saw that Yulia was feeling slightly nervous for some reason.

"Um... It's fine... You can drink it from mine, I'm cool with that." Yulia pulled the cup closer to Daniel's lips "......." He accepted it and started to gulp as the cup was held safely by her hand alone "...I should use this chance to completely seduce him... I feel like if I do, my odds of winning are extremely high and, well......." There was a part of her that didn't want to admit to certain things.

As Daniel gulped, Yulia decided to navigate some strings.

"AHHHH!!" By a slip, Yulia turned the remaining cola liquid to Daniel's uniform shirt and he got soaked "Hm?" This naturally caught the attention of everyone who was eating "What's going on over there?" Kawahara asked "I---I accidentally spilled some cola on his shirt... Do any of you have an additional shirt that you can lend to Daniel?!" The liquid began to run rampant "Yeah, I got another one but it's in the DAMN MALE DORM THAT'S CRAWLING WITH THOSE FUCKING BLACK SUITS!!" Kawahara aggressively replied "It's as he says, we're all given two uniform shirts at the beginning. Sorry bro, you're gonna have to endure------" But Olivia didn't actually agree "Wait, I do have an extra pack of uniform shirts for both genders in the pantry, I believe..." Olivia told them "Eh, seriously?!" Yulia was in awe "Yes, come with me, Daniel." Olivia told Daniel "Sure." Daniel got up from his seat, dripping with cola liquid "Wait, I'll come too! It's my fault this happened..." Yulia put on an apologetic face and the two of them began to exit the cafeteria "........." But there were some curious eyes on the two of them as they suspected their movements.

Inside the pantry, Olivia gave them an update on the matter.

"Oh... It turns out I don't have it after all... How... strange..." Olivia was thoroughly struck "Oh that sucks...!! I really wanted you to be able to get into a new shirt, Daniel!" Yulia told him "It's alright, I can bear with it." He replied "How----?! It's unbearable, I bet! You have to shower at least!" Yulia told him "I can't." He instantly said "........." Olivia had an idea of where this was going "Ah, the youthful..." She began to leave the area and Yulia made her move "...We can go into my room if you'd like... There is a towel there... I can dry you, at least." She proposed "Well then, what are we waiting for?" Daniel smiled as he went along with the ride.

They climbed step by step, while staying on each side.

On the second floor, Yulia began to take out a key that Daniel had long forgotten what it was supposed to be and yet its existence brought forth its memory.

"Who gave you that key, Yulia?" Daniel, with a more serious tone, asked her "Yukis-----What was her name again..." Daniel's expression stiffened "Yukishiro..." He murmured and Yulia glanced at him as he was in deep thought "...Is that a problem? She just gave it to me, out of nowhere." She told him "No, it's not a problem." Daniel dispelled her worry "Oh, ok." And Yulia and Daniel continued to walk forward until they were on the door.

Once there, Yulia looked to both sides of the hall, but saw no one there. And only then, did she unlock the door.

"Come on in~" She gently smiled at Daniel and he smiled back at her "As you wish." Daniel walked right in and Yulia didn't hesitate to lock the door instantly as she tucked her mysterious key inside her skirt's right pocket.

She began by flopping onto the bed that wasn't entirely as organized as before. Her body rotated back and forth, exhibiting parts of her legs that a girl with normal common sense usually wouldn't show off that easily.

"Ahhhhaaaaaaahhhhhh...." She sounded bored "........" Daniel felt like he had entered a new dimension as he had never been in Yulia's room before "Hmmm...." Yulia stopped rotating her head and paused for a second as she looked at Daniel, who was examining the details of her room "Alright tiger, it's time for me to give you what you want out of me..." Yulia became decisive as she got up from her bed and began to approach Daniel from the back.

Her voluptuous breasts adjoined his white shirt rapidly as she embraced his lower abdomen with her hands.

"Yulia?" Daniel called out to her "I... want it." She murmured those words "It?" Daniel asked "Yes..." Yulia whispered to his right ear "Alright. On the bed, then." Daniel compromised "......" Yulia was surprised by his sudden willingness "Okay..." Yulia decided to guide Daniel to the bed by pushing his arm sleeves, which were easy to guide from.

Once there, Yulia flopped onto the bed backwards and exposed all of her body as she allowed her arms to go up freely.

Daniel looked at her but momentarily stopped in order to look at the bottom of the entrance's door.

"........" Daniel halted for a while as he kept on looking to the same spot "Is... there something wrong...?" Yulia timidly asked "Ah, no." Daniel gave up on looking at it and focused on Yulia instead.

One step at the time, Daniel pierced his right knee onto the bed and then dove his face slowly to Yulia's face, where their lips would be extremely close, almost to the point of touching.

Their eyes looked at each other and their breaths could be felt by one another.

"Are you sure?" He asked her "...Yes..." She reluctantly said "Hmpf, alright then." Daniel went for her right side where her ear twitched just by his breath alone "Ahh..." She couldn't control the reaction "Just out of curiosity----how many times did you do it with the others in the place you are from?" He whispered that question "Wh----I... never did it with anyone, Daniel..." She tried to maintain her posture "No, no----" He giggled "I mean, before this body transformation. The real you." Yulia's eyes widened "How many times?" Daniel persisted, while still being near her right ear "I... I don't know what you are talking about, Daniel... This is how I've always been since birth...!" Yulia's breaths began to grow in velocity "So, you have been Hikaru Yulia ever since birth?" Daniel asked "Hm..." She didn't deny it "Where were you born, then?" Daniel asked ".........." Yulia momentarily entered a state of silence "The woman never told me where she was born, so..." Yulia decided to gamble "...Japan, where else?" She answered "Ah..." Daniel chuckled a little bit "You poor, poor liar..." He began to distance himself from her ear and Yulia as a whole with disappointed eyes.

At a normal pace, Daniel started to look at the door and was starting to withdraw himself.

"...The door is locked..." Yulia reminded him "Not a problem. If I kick it with my left leg, it will easily crumble." Yulia found his words hard to believe "Wh---Why are you doing this?" She couldn't understand his behavior "I'm turned off. Yulia, could you open the door? I have somewhere else to be." Daniel requested "I am not opening the door until you have sex with me..." Yulia got up from the bed "You're too honest, woah. You're way off character. Forget it, I thought you could make it but the personality just isn't there. I guess you can't replace something genuine with plastic, after all." Daniel expressed disappointment once again "What---?! What does that mean?!" Yulia hurried to his location and faced him.

Daniel's face was full of abhorrence and even a hint of disgust.

"It means that even if you were to completely become her under my own supervision, it would ultimately fail. That's why I've been doing this. I thought you could replicate her, but no. You're just a hopeless whore. That's why you're trying to get me to subdue you, because you think that male creatures are nothing more than slaves to their sexual desires. And you would be right about that, actually. I'll admit that I want to do it, but you are so bad at acting that it's just not worth it." Daniel didn't cut any quarters "Open the door, fake." He ordered as his height towered her as well as his pitch black eyes that kept staring into her like a void "He----He knows?! So he wasn't under the delusion that I was actually her all along?! Fuck, I thought he was! He acted like he was, the whole time too!" Yulia gradually became nervous "You have ten seconds or I'm bringing the door down----and, after this, I won't help you anymore. You will be on your own. But of course, a whore like you can just attach yourself to another-----but don't be too surprised about the outcome..." He started to laugh in her face "Ahhh!! No, no, no!! Please, why?! You love me, don't you?! You can't do this to someone you love!!" Yulia tried that approach.

Daniel sighed in her face.

"You're not her." He coldly told her "I AM HER!! LOOK AT ME, I'M YULIA!!" She retorted violently "Yulia was born in Colombia, not in Japan." Daniel told her the truth "Wh-----S-So?!" She was too nervous to understand the implication "So you are just a random person who was made to look like her in order to set me up. Five seconds, by the way." Daniel reminded "I------" Her breath was starting to become ragged "IT WASN'T MY CHOICE!!! I WAS TOLD I COULD BE FREE IF I JUST WENT THROUGH WITH THE SURGERY, DANIEL!! I DIDN'T HAVE AN IDEA TO BEGIN WITH!!" Yulia began to cry out of nervosity "Please...!!! I----I just want to be free and live my own life...!! I'll do anything to get my life back, so please-----" Her face became full of tears as she begged "Don't get mad at me and just tell me what I should do...!!!" Exhibiting an ugly crying, Yulia showed an expression to Daniel that he had never seen before; a genuine human nature of the glimpse of the person behind that mask.

He smiled transiently and decided to kiss Yulia on her forehead, calming her right away.

"That's the way. Now you're getting it." Daniel withdrew his lips from her forehead "Come here, let's talk." Daniel sat on the left corner of her bed as Yulia stood mildly paralyzed "You don't have to tell me who you are, what happened in your past, or any of that------" He reassured "No, all I want to know is what happened that got you into becoming Yulia----everything about that." Yulia turned around, still sniffing "Will you do that for me, Yulia?" His expression reached its seriousness "If you do---I will continue to love you and together, we can not only win this game, but go to heights we never have before----together." Yulia began to walk slowly as she reached out to the seat on Daniel's right "...Alright..." Using her hands, she began to wipe the tears out of her face "Use the back of my shirt, for that. It's not wet from the cola." Daniel suggested "...Thanks..." And Yulia did that.

With five minutes left until the next round, Yulia would tell Daniel all the details, as far as she could remember.

Amidst their conversation, he was being carried like a princess all the way from the room where the rounds are held, to the entrance of the male dorm, that was occupied by the guards.

"This---was not in the script..." Yukishiro continued to carry him, despite her physical strength lacking "Sorry, I have to improvise. It only really works if I get to pick the option but before that, I have to make some preparations." Hyunda apologized to her "Your mood is unpredictable." She remarked "Oh, I know-----and pause me there, right on that mini-stair case" Hyunda told her as he pointed at it with his left hand "Hmmm?!" Ikkiri didn't fail to capture the sight of Yukishiro carrying Hyunda with the destination being the male dorm, as she stuffed a gigantic sushi roll onto her throat "...." Kawahara got up instantly as he saw that Hyunda was up to no good "Where're you going?" Kuzan asked him, but Kawahara didn't reply and simply kept on making his way to the exit.

Ikkiri decided to follow Kawahara as well as they had the same destination.

"Hey, what's going on?!" Tateyana was alarmed "It's those two..." Lus got up and used her crunch to follow the rest "Hyunda and Yukishiro...?!?!?" Arkalee burst into anger fairly quick and decided to also go along "Domino effect, so I have to go as well!" Kuzan joined the fray and eventually, the remaining present players went along as well.

Yukishiro had paused Hyunda onto the staircase which is made of three degrees before entering the main terrace near the entrance of the male dorm.

"Gracias." Hyunda told her as he looked at his calves' ends "Heeyyyyyy, do any of you want to explain why the male dorm isn't accessible? It's been a couple of hours, gents." Hyunda talked to the respective black suits guarding the male dorm's entrance "........." But they remained unresponsive "Oh, alright." Hyunda sulked as he was ignored "I guess you guys don't want to know the secret routes then." The guards were no longer not interested "I'll have you know that the one you guys most likely found out was just one of the many routes------Hm?" Hyunda noticed that he was being filmed by staff members who were nearby on the scene, right inside the male dorm's cafeteria "Ahhh, that saves me the trouble, actually. Uhh, what was his name again?" Hyunda tilted his head backwards and asked Yukishiro.

Meanwhile, most of the others arrived at the scene.

"Liyuga, that's his name." Yukishiro softly smiled with a smug expression "Ahh, Liyuga---right, right-----hard to keep track with all the meaningless side characters..." Hyunda brushed his hair slightly "Fufufu---" Yukishiro mildly chuckled "Hyunda, what's going on?" Ikkiri was the first one to confront him "Oh, Ikkiri-----!!!" He couldn't hide his happiness as he saw her "Hi, hi, you seem happy. Too happy, rather." She remarked "Oh, I'm not allowed to be happy?" He retorted "You go about it in a way that's not great." Ikkiri didn't hide it from him "Hey, I'm working it out, I told you this many times." Hyunda replied quickly as well "I have yet to see the effort fruit into something different..." Ikkiri was disappointed "Yeah, yeah..." Hyunda brushed his hair again and decided to cut the chat with her "Gents, can you call Liyuga here? There's not much time for us until the next round and I have something of utmost importance to communicate with him." Hyunda picked his word choices "......." The two guards looked at each other.

Since it was being filmed, it was being transmitted to them, as well.

"Liyuga, what does Hajime Hyunda want from you?" Andrea questioned him right away "...I'm not sure, actually..." Liyuga felt alarmed "I see." Andrea then talked to doctor Hwan "Please communicate to the guards in the front that you would like to know what he means by that." Andrea ordered "And I'm supposed to take orders from ya?!" Doctor Hwan demonstrated a rebellious attitude "Yes, you are. At the current moment, president August is away from the school, so according to the rules of the student council, the vice-president is to temporarily assume the role of the president of the student council in the case of the former's absence." Andrea didn't falter "I take orders from the director, not August." Doctor Hwan countered "But have it yer way. For I am also curious about what this punk has to say..." Doctor Hwan then proceeded to talk to the guards on the phone, while giving them orders.

Their conversation was done as this happened.

"And that's all..." Yulia was thorough and didn't tell a single lie "I see." Daniel judged that she was not hiding anything based on her expression "Do you not believe me...? I guess you don't----" Daniel twisted his head lower and graced Yulia with a smile "No, I do. It adds up and it's possible considering the game's circumstances. Getting a surgery and being able to completely look like someone else is definitely a probability." He reassured her "...Thank God, he believes me... I was worried that he might snap if he sensed that I was lying when I was not..." Yulia felt relieved "And you really don't know her name?" Daniel asked "No, I really don't... All I know about her is that she has long black hair and seemed to be around our age, surprisingly enough..." Daniel's eyes widened.

Furthermore, he received such a shock that he started to laugh as he held his head low.

"HAHAHA-----" His teeth were widely exhibited "D-Did I say something that upset you...?!" Yulia was immensely worried "HAH--Huh? Ah, no, no, no----forget that. Ahh, tell me one thing... Did this woman by some chance talk in a way that didn't seem to be fitting of her age?" Daniel asked a most complicated question to Yulia "Uhh....!!" Yulia was really not sure how to reply to this, so Daniel had to elaborate a bit on this "Someone who speaks like she's from the last century or has old customs. For example, we use slang nowadays and even you can agree that's pretty normal. Did she use any of those?" Daniel asked "Uh... No, I don't think so----Wait, wait!" Yulia remembered something "She actually insulted me a fair bit and told me that I should be more educated in her presence. And-----I'm not sure if this is relevant or not, but she used one sentence that haunted me a bit..." Yulia gulped "Say it." Daniel ordered her "Yes... It was: 'I too know what it's like being lied to. I detest it and harbor it harder than anything else. I never forgive anyone that lies to me, especially the one I love only. So, if he does that to me, he has to pay, therefore I wholeheartedly emphasize with the feeling, my dear...', that was the sentence!!" Yulia told Daniel "..........." Daniel was now 100% sure of it "Wait..." Yulia found Daniel's reactions rather weird.

She even thought of something that she shouldn't have.

"Do you actually know her?" She asked "Nope, I don't. I was just curious, that's all-----" Daniel halted his speech as he noticed a shift in the sound, mostly in the lower bracket of the dorm, that was nothing like the sounds he has heard for a while "...What the..." Daniel got up from the bed and immediately dove into the ground with his right ear adjoined to the surface "?!" Yulia found his movements strange "Yulia, do me a favor and-------" It is necessary to go back two minutes before this.

The orders had been thoroughly given and the guards no longer had a reason to continue the silence treatment.

"You; speak." The black suit on the left approached Hyunda, who was waiting "Obedient hounds, I love those." He chuckled "I need to talk to my dear senior, Liyuga. He's curious about the password, isn't he? Well, who knows... I might just be in the mood to give it to him..." Hyunda spoke enticing words "WHAT?!" And Liyuga got up from his seat "Calm down." Andrea told him "Tell him to be here in less than two minutes or I am not giving him the password and if I'm feeling generous, I might reveal another hidden passage as well." Hyunda became snarky "I have to go----" Liyuga got up from his seat "You're not going anywhere, Liyuga!" Andrea ordered him "But-------" Liyuga really wanted to go "No, you should listen to her, really." Erigaisi, of all people told him.

However, he meant something else in addition.

"The timing is terrible and there are only three minutes until the next round. That's why, I'll be the one to go there!" Erigaisi offered himself "......" Andrea didn't necessarily object to that "And rest assured, I'm just there as a mediator. I'm setting things up, for there is content to be explored to my public!" Erigaisi showed flamboyance and decided to walk at a reasonable pace to the elevator "What... What do you mean by setting things up?!" Liyuga asked but Erigaisi was simply whistling as he marched towards the elevator "Money, money, money..." He clicked his fingers as he got inside the elevator.

With roughly three minutes left, the elevator that Erigaisi rode didn't necessarily go upwards; no-----it firstly had to travel in an horizontal line and only after ten seconds did it start to go up.

The elevator would then open the door and the entrance that was revealed was no other than the chalk board within the abandoned classroom, which would open up sideways----ultimately allowing Erigaisi to swiftly progress forward.

"...Holy sh----!!" Yulia had to take cover immediately behind a pillar as she saw Erigaisi coming out of the abandoned classroom "He was actually right!! Someone would come out of the abandoned classroom!! But how did he know that?! What is he, some kind of genius?!" Yulia was momentarily amazed, but she also noticed on her right side that Daniel was leaving the female dorm and near the entrance of it, there was Hinagiku.

As preordained, Daniel wanted to have a small chat with her.

"There is most likely a way to find a connection in-between the dorms. It's most likely an elevator that has to travel from an unknown place within the school and eventually it crosses the dorms, ultimately landing in the abandoned classroom." Daniel told her "Yeah, no kidding... And why is there an Indian coming our way?!" Hinagiku was disgusted as she saw Erigaisi walk with a full swagger all the way to where Hyunda was "......." Daniel was stunned for a bit as well "Listen-----I need you to do something for me in the next break-----" Daniel began his request "Why not ask your girlfriend? She seems to be fully into you now. You know, even after she----" Hinagiku used her right hand back and forth close to her mouth as if stroking onto something "It's not something that she, or anyone else, for that matter---can hope to achieve. You're the only one." Hinagiku tried to maintain her blank expression "Fuck this guy, seriously..." She had this intrusive thought "So?" Hinagiku sighed.

Yulia arrived at the scene, but Daniel still said the words to Hinagiku in a lower voice tone.

"I have to get something from the lab again, just one last time. After that, I really don't need anything else." Daniel told her "Are you crazy?! The only way to access the lab is through the male dorm----unless there is a connection in the female dorm to it, but even then..." Hinagiku had her doubts "There has to be. It's on the ground floor, I think. Look for places that you think could have an entr-----" Daniel's speech was cut short "Hey..." Yulia greeted them, but had a grumpy expression "Urgh..." Hinagiku couldn't bear what was about to happen and decided to step forward to the main scenario "I demand compensation in the next round, Daniel. I'm not a cheap woman like the others." Hinagiku decided to pick those words as she left, while giving a hateful glance at Yulia "......" Daniel started to think what she could identify as compensation "...What was that..." Yulia felt insecure "Oh, nothing. It's just her personality leaking out." Daniel told her "...She said she demanded some compensation... What was that about...?!" Her expression twitched with rage "Points, most likely." Daniel reasoned "You-----You're awfully friendly with the other girls, aren't you..." Yulia noticed "No, not at all. I only have eyes for you, Yulia. That's why I looked at you the whole time since you arrived, haven't you noticed?" Yulia blushed "Yes, I---did---" She couldn't deny that fact "Then you don't need to think about anything else. You're the only one for me." His words sounded magical to her sometimes.

The main figure arrived at the scene, with nothing to hide, as there were roughly two minutes and a bit left. The black suits which were inside the dorm aligned outside in order to form a line that secured the entire exterior.

"Hello, my friends!" To all the players nearby, Erigaisi greeted them with a smile.

image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/9c3e3c59-8f24-49ce-8a2b-546d1bb52197/dicv3q9-7d5f4f30-52f1-447c-92bf-398d35050c0e.png/v1/fill/w_1036,h_729,q_80,strp/no_context__by_kumokuroro_dicv3q9-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzI5IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvOWMzZTNjNTktOGYyNC00OWNlLThhMmItNTQ2ZDFiYjUyMTk3XC9kaWN2M3E5LTdkNWY0ZjMwLTUyZjEtNDQ3Yy05MmJmLTM5OGQzNTA1MGMwZS5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTAzNiJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.0jwtJyvJL_hJuLL3Dt6LnzaYCSWwX_B-d7DRLIUfRu8]

image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/9c3e3c59-8f24-49ce-8a2b-546d1bb52197/dicv4mm-14cc50ee-35dd-4817-8f6f-5caadbcf4567.png/v1/fill/w_1037,h_725,q_80,strp/no_context__by_kumokuroro_dicv4mm-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzI1IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvOWMzZTNjNTktOGYyNC00OWNlLThhMmItNTQ2ZDFiYjUyMTk3XC9kaWN2NG1tLTE0Y2M1MGVlLTM1ZGQtNDgxNy04ZjZmLTVjYWFkYmNmNDU2Ny5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTAzNyJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.A70bYpULpPbRIyDdQ-kTLP119gLd7DMexqE2s_Tlirc]

"An Indian? I fucking hate them..." Tateyana blurted that out "They are excellent customers though. But I can see where you're coming from." Kuzan found her words unnecessary, slightly "Huh? That's Liyuga?" Hyunda pointed at Erigaisi who was in front of him now "Ahhh, no. I confess that not even I know that person. Nor have I ever seen him..." Yukishiro was skeptical "And you'd be correct to assume that!" Erigaisi clapped to Yukishiro in particular "However, time is very short on the clock and I need you, my friends, to partake in the upcoming round without delay-----so here is what will happen-----whenever the next round ends, you-----" He pointed at Hyunda "You will be present here without fail! And likewise, so will Liyuga, but he couldn't come right now due to the fact that he is attending his class right now!" Erigaisi told "Oh, we're delaying the inevitable, are we? The pacing has been shit lately, you know? The readers are not happy about this..." Hyunda sighed "Readers? I only have viewers! But I do agree." They came to terms fairly quickly "Alright, I'll be here right after the round ends. But I demand to talk to Liyuga beforehand, alright?" Hyunda became serious.

Erigaisi welcomed the suggestion.

"Oh, that's fine. However, you will be surrounded by black suits and your movements will be recorded thoroughly, do you agree, even then?" Erigaisi smiled "I love the fucking attention galore, so let's ball." Hyunda and Erigaisi came to a mutual agreement "Don't be late then! And get going, all of you! I expect great things from the next round!" Erigaisi began to walk in the west direction where the abandoned classroom is located "So he says, but all that's going to happen is that Arkalee will die..." Yukishiro noted "All the more reason to look forward to it." Hyunda added.

Everyone started to leave and went in the direction of block F, where the 8th round would begin, right at the beginning of midday.

"Hey..." He wrapped his muscular right arm around her neck "What do you want?!?!?" Not loud, Arkalee was resentful of Kawahara's approach "What I want? Well, I'm here to offer you a deal, Arkalee. Since you are pretty much dead no matter what you do, you technically have nothing to lose except your life; which is guaranteed by the way... Seriously, nobody will fork over 15000 points for you. Not me, not him, nobody. Which only leaves one option left..." Kawahara knew that Arkalee had the eyes of someone who was willing to do anything for the sake of prejudice "How badly do you want to mess shit up?" The question that should not have been asked to a person like her, was asked "Anything that drowns someone else with me, especially him....!!!!!!" Kawahara profoundly smirked as his plan was starting to grow some foundation with Arkalee as the stepping stone.

Volume 27: Chapter 192: Narcissist's Cradle Arc - Part XX.

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