True Terror Chapter Sixteen: Courting Death

As Mo Han successfully secured the majority of votes to become the sheriff, the Joker announced which player had been the werewolves’ first target during the night.

“Player number six was killed last night. The witch did not use the antidote,” the Joker’s mechanical, icy voice declared, revealing Du Xinlan’s grim fate.

Du Xinlan’s face turned deathly pale, her eyes pleading for help as she looked toward Mo Han and the others. Under the Joker’s mysterious power, both she and her chair were swiftly dragged into the darkness. Through his phone screen, Jiang Li saw a faint, shadowy figure behind Du Xinlan, pulling her away.

But those not part of the “Ghost Archive” nor the apartment’s residents could see any of this—they simply assumed the production team had taken her backstage.

A terrified scream echoed from the darkness, and those participating in the task with Mo Han blanched instantly.

Their gazes met, each hopeful look settling on Mo Han.

At the outset, Mo Han had told them that since he and his sister were facing the final task of the first stage, this round was far more difficult than any before. Even he and Mo Yan couldn’t guarantee survival, and it was rare for new participants to join in the fourth task—few newcomers made it through such dangerous trials.

Now Mo Han found himself troubled by this mode; the odds of survival were much slimmer than usual.

After all, no one could be sure they wouldn’t be killed by a werewolf during the night. Up to this point, Mo Han had drawn the Seer card but had only verified one “golden” identity—and that was his own sister, which brought him a measure of comfort.

With a solemn expression, Mo Han nodded, meeting the hopeful eyes of the group. He was the kind of passionate youth who always did his utmost to help newcomers survive each event.

“Now, as sheriff, I’ll determine the speaking order.”

Mo Han glanced around and decided to have Su Zheyuan speak first, proceeding in order around the circle and ending with himself.

“This is… Player Number Three… speaking,” Su Zheyuan stammered, clearly nervous.

Mo Han and Mo Yan offered him encouraging looks. Steadying himself under their supportive gazes, Su Zheyuan’s words became more fluid.

“This is Player Three. It’s the first day. Apart from knowing Player Six was killed on the first night, there isn’t much information to go on.”

“I’ll lightly suspect the later speakers who ran for sheriff,” he continued. “Their statements seemed a bit evasive. That’s all from Player Three.”

During each speech, the TV showed a sixty-second countdown beside the Joker’s image. When it wasn’t your turn, no matter how hard you tried, your words could only be heard by yourself.

“Alright, this is Player Four.” Sun Jing spoke as she tried to calm her nerves.

“Player Four agrees with Player Three, especially regarding Players Ten, Eleven, and Twelve.”

“They barely provided any useful information. By position, there must be at least one werewolf among those three.”

“So I’ll also lightly suspect the three at the end of the order. That’s all from Player Four.”

“This is Player Five. I don’t entirely agree with Player Three,” came the next voice, “but the later positions are definitely playing it safe—I agree with Player Four’s assessment.”

“Other than knowing Player Six was the first kill, the only thing we can be certain of is that there’s definitely a werewolf among Ten, Eleven, or Twelve.”

“That concludes Player Five’s statement. Awaiting the final judgment.”

With Player Six out of the game, it skipped to Player Seven, Wei Yi.

“Player Seven speaking. The Seer hasn’t revealed yet. I agree we should focus on the later positions and lightly suspect them. I have a good role.”

“But…” Wei Yi suddenly changed tone, glancing at Mo Yan.

A malicious thought lingered in his mind.

“At the moment, I’d also like to lightly suspect Players One and Two. I have reason to believe that one of them is a werewolf. So today, I want to challenge the sheriff’s identity.”

“Player One is not the Seer, so there’s no competition for sheriff now.”

“What’s more, One and Two are siblings—there could be one on the sheriff’s side and one voting to cover for the other.”

Hearing this, Mo Han’s eyes grew cold. Targeting him was one thing, but trying to drag his sister down too was truly unforgivable.

Mo Yan remained expressionless; to her, Wei Yi was already a corpse that happened to be breathing.

Su Zheyuan, who had a good relationship with the siblings, was furious. Still too young to mask his feelings, his emotions were written plainly on his face.

Liu Jing and Zhang Ling’er looked at Wei Yi as if he were a fool.

As for Players Ten, Eleven, and Twelve, who had been accused, they saw an opportunity to shift suspicion onto Mo Han and Mo Yan.

“Alright, that’s all from me,” Wei Yi concluded, then closed his eyes to rest, ignoring Su Zheyuan and Mo Yan’s hostile stares.

“Player Eight speaking. I think Player Seven is being overly aggressive, so I’m going to strongly suspect Player Seven.”

“Still, I agree there’s definitely a werewolf among the later positions—I know them well.”

“They’re better at this game than I am, and their win rate as werewolves is extremely high.”

“I have a good role. That’s all from Player Eight.”

“Player Nine here. Player Eight is just guessing blindly.”

“I agree with Player Eight—they have an eighty percent win rate as werewolves.”

“And by position alone, there’s definitely a werewolf among the later seats. That’s all from Player Nine.”

…

“Player Ten here. I didn’t reveal my role last round because I wanted to see who’d suspect me. Now, let me say—I’m a good guy, and more than that, a strong special role.”

“Alright, now I want to hear from the others at the end. If their statements are weak, I’ll take them out.”

“That’s all from Player Ten.”

“Player Eleven here. There’s a lot of suspicion on me and Player Twelve.”

“I’m just a plain villager—there’s not much I can do, but I don’t mind being voted out or taking a hit.”

“I’m not a werewolf. That’s all.”

“Alright, Player Twelve here. No idea why we’re being targeted so harshly.”

“I know my own role, and I’m not a werewolf.”

“From Player Three onward, the suspicion has been focused on the later seats.”

“I’m a good guy, and you’re playing right into the werewolves’ hands by letting them sway the narrative.”

“I suspect there’s a werewolf trying to steer opinion among those targeting the late positions.”

“Please think for yourselves; don’t let the werewolves lead you astray.”

“Don’t let a good person be fooled by a werewolf’s honeyed words.”

“That concludes my statement.”

“Alright, so Player Ten has already hinted they’re a powerful special role.”

“I think everyone knows who they are.”

“I’ll vote to eliminate Player Seven this round—they’ve accused nearly half the group.”

“They started by lightly suspecting the three at the end, then decided to challenge the sheriff.”

“This person’s aggression is inexplicable—I’m sure he’s the second werewolf.”

“As for the first, there must be one among the later positions. It’s not clear who yet—hopefully the Seer will check one of them tonight.”

“After Player Two speaks, let’s vote out Player Seven.”

“That’s all from Player One.”

Mo Han kept his face expressionless, but inside he was burning with rage. He was the type who could take attacks on himself, but never tolerated threats to his family.

Whenever his family was involved, the usually gentle, passionate youth instantly became a calculating, vengeful force.

“Enough talk. My role is a regular one. I’ll listen to my brother and vote Player Seven out first.”

“His statements were full of holes—accusing everyone at random. He’s either a villager making wild guesses, or he’s a werewolf with knowledge. The latter is more likely.”

“That concludes Player Two’s speech. Let’s vote.”

“Please vote by selecting the corresponding number card,” came the instruction.

Thus, the reckless Wei Yi was unanimously voted out.

Only then did Wei Yi begin to panic. He’d only meant to annoy Mo Han, to show him that if he didn’t protect himself to the end, Wei Yi would keep shifting suspicion onto Mo Yan, forcing Mo Han to split his attention.

He never expected his plan would make himself the target of everyone’s ire.

Terrified, Wei Yi tried to beg for mercy, but it was too late. No matter how loudly he screamed, no sound came out.

So, under the gaze of everyone present, tens of thousands of online viewers, and Jiang Li, the ill-fated Wei Yi followed Du Xinlan into the darkness.

With Wei Yi’s elimination, the game entered its second night.

“Night falls—everyone, close your eyes.”

Darkness descended again. Mo Han didn’t know how much time had passed before he heard the Joker’s voice and opened his eyes.

“Seer, open your eyes. Which player do you want to check?”

After a moment’s thought, Mo Han decided to check Player Twelve.

The result delighted him: the Joker’s message was “Werewolf.”

“Witch, open your eyes. Do you want to save? Do you want to use poison?”
“Huntsman, open your eyes. Do you want to shoot?”
“Day breaks…”

“Tonight was a peaceful night.”

Upon hearing this, Mo Han’s immediate reaction was that the witch had used the antidote.

If he revealed himself as Seer, he could only hope the guard would be able to protect him.

But if the guard also revealed their role and the witch had already used the antidote, both Seer and guard would be exposed. The werewolves could then simply target the guard first, and if any werewolf claimed to be the Seer, the werewolves would gain control of the situation.

If he had revealed himself as Seer from the start, things might have gone differently, but since no one had claimed the role at the beginning, the risk of doing so now was immense.

—No outline, can’t write outlines. If you find bugs, please let me know. I’ve already revised this many times, but after every new chapter, I end up revising from the start.
These sensitive words are enough to drive anyone crazy.