"What?" That's what everyone's expressions look like at the moment. Most were from confusion, but one looks like he is the target of a betrayal.

The latter is Red.

"Whatever do you mean, Fai- miss?" Red asks calmly, yet a blood vessel is visibly raging on his neck. Huh, that's interesting.

However, won't Red only need to stay quiet to avoid self-incrimination? More importantly, why is Orange suddenly doing this? What is her purpose?

Wait.

Can it be?

Orange sighs. "It seems I will have to force the answer out of you, then."

Suddenly, Red slaps something on the back of his neck. Then, it turns into screaming. "What did you do?!" Red shouts at Orange.

Then, we see it. A single mushroom grows at the back of Red's neck, which he immediately pulls out. Unfortunately for him, the mushroom only regrows.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Red pulls and pulls, yet the mushroom only grows more unwieldy. Red only stops doing anything when the fungus finally envelopes his neck. Red is not yet incapacitated. He is just scared to move.

Stopping is for the best since the mushroom's growth significantly slows down.

I have only heard of this mushroom from my fellow officers in the past, yet this is the first I finally see one. It's a Flesh-Eater Shroom. If you cut it or stomp on it, the mushroom will regrow only quicker. However, it needs sustenance. The more it grows, the deeper it eats on the flesh it sprouted on.

At the moment, the mushroom is still small enough and does not have rooted itself too deep. I can only imagine what Red is feeling right now with that thing on him.

"Tell us, weren't you the one who ordered me to drop poison on the pot for tonight's meal?"

"Baffoon! Tell your maid to get this thing off of me!" Red bellows.

Yellow has his own problems, yet I commend him for realizing that Red is trying to avoid answering the question. With the Truth Serum in his system, any answer Red gives will be truth, or in some cases, the person's version of the truth.

Lying has been effectively written off as his option.

"I do know how to remove the Flesh-Eater, but you better give us your answer. Otherwise," Orange drops down to the level of Red's gaze as she runs her hand on her neck and imitates the sound of something breaking as her neck goes limp.

Despite his anger, Red gets scared at the thought. He looks at White and Yellow, asking for help.

None comes.

Realizing that all of his companions have ultimately abandoned him, Red gives his answer.

"Yes! It's me who ordered it. It was the only way!"

What in the world?