Chapter 28: The Autumn Rain Is Blood (1)

The Guardian and I went silent. The Demon King’s reward would send me to the ninety-ninth floor right away. I read the reward description over and over, and it kept circling in my head.

—It’s a trap. Zombie, it’s gotta be a trap. Don’t fall for it,

the Guardian firmly said, trying to stop me from getting any ideas about it.

I...know. It’s definitely a trap. For sure...

I mumbled in my head.

It was obvious.

There’s no way the Fucker wouldn’t have chosen the Demon King’s reward. He’s the type of person who doesn’t have a problem killing other Hunters. But...he only got to the fortieth floor, not the ninety-ninth floor, which means...

I had a great example named Yoo Soo-Ha, the Fire Emperor and the psychopath of the century.

I calmly analyzed what I knew.

...The Demon King’s reward is definitely a trap. The Fucker would have probably chosen the Demon King’s reward the first time, but he regressed after realizing that it was a trap. I’m not sure what kind of trap it is exactly...

However, my heart was still pounding.

...It’s so tempting. This is the chance to get the Skill of the ninety-ninth floor’s boss monster.

Even if the Demon King’s reward was a trap, there was one big difference between the Fire Emperor and I. Unlike him, I didn’t have to defeat the boss monster. I benefited if I just walked in and got killed by it.

The ninety-ninth floor’s boss monster would be the strongest, aside from the hundredth floor’s...

I would be lying if I wasn’t feeling greedy.

Ninety-ninth floor...

If I used conventional methods, how long would it take me to get to the ninety-ninth floor? One year? Five years? A decade? It would take a lot longer than that. Even the Fire Emperor, who had been butchering people like a psychopath, had taken a decade to reach the fortieth floor. However, the reward was saying that I could skip all the waiting.

—Gong-Ja. Don’t do it.

The Guardian locked eyes with me. He sounded nothing like he usually did.

—Look at me. I’m the Sword Emperor. I actually got to the ninety-ninth floor on my own before I failed, and I’m telling you that this is a trap. It’s a disgusting, nasty trap. You’ll likely fail to kill all ten High Rankers. Even if you pull it off, you’ll still have problems. You’ll never surmount the ninety-ninth floor’s wall. Give up on that reward and don’t ever think about it again.

I felt silent. The Guardian was very persuasive; he was the only one in this Tower who had gotten to the ninety-ninth floor.

Is that how strong the ninety-ninth floor’s boss monster is?

I asked the Guardian.

—There isn’t one.

The Guardian frowned.

Pardon?

—There is no boss monster on the ninety-ninth floor. It’s much more— Ah, fuck. That suddenly reminds me of the old years. Anyhow, it’s a trap!

The Guardian sat with his back to me, like a sulky child who didn’t get to eat his candy.

I was a bit perplexed.

What in the world is waiting on the ninety-ninth floor? You’re scaring me. This is the first time I’ve seen you react like this. Is there a Demon God or something?

—Hmph, I’m not telling you!

I stood corrected. He

was

a child.

—I don’t want to admit it, but you’re doing a good job, Kim Zombie. Keep it up and you’ll clear the ninety-ninth floor eventually.

I fell into contemplation. My hand unconsciously moved to the grip of the dagger on my belt. It had helped me when I had been killing myself over four thousand times. I had also used it at the time I had killed Yoo Soo-Ha. It was a cheap dagger, but feeling it helped me calm down.

Alright,

I decided.

I’ll ditch this try.

—You will?

The Guardian furtively looked back at me.

Yes, I’m going to choose the safest route by giving up both rewards. I’ll use this try to see how things turn out.

—Give up both rewards...? Wait, you aren’t even going to receive the goddess’s reward? Why? Aren’t you playing it too safe?

It’s okay. It’s a strategic retreat to guarantee my victory.

As they said, haste makes waste.

“Excuse me, everyone,” I slowly said, gathering the attention of all of the Hunters in the audience chamber. “I have a system window about the eleventh floor’s rewards in front of me right now.”

“Is that so? That’s good,” the Black Witch responded. Perhaps she hadn’t seen what the rewards of the goddess and the Demon King were. Her expression was blank, as usual. “I was starting to get bored waiting for the quest to arrive. Once you choose your reward, we’ll also get to pick our reward in the order of our rankings for clearing this stage. Take your time.”

“Yes, I already made up my mind. I won’t choose any reward,” I declared in front of the High Rankers.

The Inquisitor and the Viper—who had been playing cards—looked up. The chamber was utterly silent for one, two, three seconds...

The Black Witch frowned. “What?”

It was already too late though.

[You haven’t chosen any stage reward.]

[You will be unable to choose from the twelfth floor’s special classes.]

[If you give up on your reward, you can choose a special class only after your arrival on the thirteenth floor.]

[Are you certain about your choice?]

My mind was set.

“Yes; I, Hunter Kim Gong-Ja, will not choose a reward.”

The system windows in front of me shattered. A divine voice spoke in my head, then a gloomy one.

[The Goddess of Protection questions your choice.]

[The Demon King of Autumn Rain laughs quietly.]

The Hunters were dumbstruck.

“Mr. Kim Gong-Ja? What in the world did you do...?”

The Sword Star narrowed his sharp eyes; they were scanning something in the air. In terms of the ranking for clearing the eleventh floor, I was in first place, and the Sword Star was next. It was the Sword Star’s turn to learn about the rewards of the goddess and the Demon King.

“...I see. I understand. You made the safest choice.” The Sword Star eyed me. “But did you have to give up your reward, young man? I’m pretty sure I’m worried about nothing, but I can’t help myself to tell you this. Being too cautious might hold you back instead.”

“Thank you for your concern. However, I don’t regret it.”

“Well. That’s good to hear...” the Sword Star grunted.

The other Hunters watched our conversation with confusion. Without seeing the rewards themselves, they didn’t understand a single thing.

“...I still think it’s too passive to give up the rewards. I’m sorry, young man.” He shook his head. “I’ll choose the goddess’ reward and pick the role of the Aegim Empire’s imperial knight commander.”

The audience chamber’s door opened as soon as the Sword Star made his decision, and a group of knights in shiny silver armor marched in. When they arrived in front of the Sword Star, they went down on one knee.

“We swear loyalty to the empire’s most honorable sword!”

The Sword Star looked down at the knights with interest. “Ah, so this is what happens if you choose a role.”

The Inquisitor was in third place, so it was his turn now.

“Hmm? Aha?” He tilted his head in confusion for a moment before letting out a sigh of realization. “I see. I also understand it now! Haha, it’s similar to the game mafia[1].”

Besides me, the Sword Star, and the Inquisitor, the other Hunters were still confused.

“I have no idea what you people are talking about,” the Black Witch said with her brows furrowed.

“Don’t worry! I’ll tell you!” The Inquisitor opened his arms and infused aura into his fingers, allowing him to engrave letters on the smooth marble floor. “All of you can take a look!”

The Hunters rushed toward him and peered at the floor.

Goddess of Protection

Description: The guardian goddess of the Aegim Empire is moved by your devotion and has decided to appoint you to an important position in the empire.

...

The Hunters began to discuss among themselves.

“What?”

“The ninety-ninth floor? Is this for real...?”

They hadn’t shown any particular reaction when they read the goddess’s reward, but their demeanor changed drastically after they got to the Demon King’s reward. Their expressions darkened, and they were visibly shaken.

The Black Witch looked particularly grim. “This is...”

“Yes! It’s similar to mafia! For convenience, I’ll call those who chose the goddess’s reward heroes, and the one who picked the Demon King’s reward will be called the traitor.” The Inquisitor smiled. “The biggest difference from the game is that this game is much more disadvantageous for the traitor! There are nine heroes, but there’s only one traitor. On top of that, we have the assistant leader of the Watchmen League!”

The Inquisitor pointed at the Paladin, who was examining the writing on the floor calmly.

“Think about it! Miss Paladin has the

Lie Detector

Skill

.

She’s like the Police from the game. It’s okay even if one of us chooses the Demon King’s reward! Miss Paladin can quickly find out who the traitor is!”

“Umm... You’re right.” The Paladin slowly looked up. “That is, if all of you will trust me.”

“In any case, this game cannot be more advantageous for the heroes! Mr. Kim Gong-Ja, I think it was completely unnecessary for you to give up the reward!”

The Inquisitor adjusted his hat. “It’s not everyday that you get to clear the eleventh floor as the Rank 1 champion, but you still didn’t choose any reward. Hmm! That is a decision that I cannot imagine making. You have my respect. I shall choose to be the Aegim Empire’s grand general!”

The door to the audience chamber opened again, admitting the general’s retinue. They stopped in front of the Inquisitor and saluted sharply, their red capes fluttering behind them.

“We swear our loyalty to the empire’s most honorable flag!”

“Ahh, marvelous. Nice to meet you!”

The NPCs lined up behind the Inquisitor. This was the final blow that convinced the rest of the Hunters.

“

Tsk.

I hate mind games. Anyhow, what you guys are saying is that it’s better to choose any reward, right? Then I’ll choose to be the imperial guard captain,” the Viper decided.

“I’ll become the foreign minister,” the Paladin continued. “It looks okay.”

“...I’ll be the prime minister,” the Black Witch said. “Please, please do not choose the Demon King’s reward. The reward will disappear on its own if no one chooses it. It’s the wisest choice. Please keep that in mind, everyone.”

“Don’t worry,” the Countess assured her. “Well, I think it’s only right for me to choose the finance minister.”

All of the Hunters chose a reward except for me. The audience chamber was filled with NPCs now. The imperial knights were lined up behind the Sword Star, the imperial knight commander; on the other hand, the Black Witch—now the prime minister—had civil servants behind her.

—Whoa.

The only empty region in the vast audience chamber was behind me.

—You’re really the only one who didn’t pick a reward. Are you sure about this, Zombie? You did say you’re going to throw this try, but isn’t this overdoing it?

the Guardian asked.

No, this is the right answer.

I had a feeling. Maybe it was my instinct as a Hunter. I had to know when I should rush in and dig my dagger into my prey. However, there was also a time when I had to give up and retreat. I believed it was time to take a step back.

[All of the top ten champions have made a choice.]

[The rewards have been finalized.]

[Kim Gong-Ja, the Sword Star, the Inquisitor, the Viper, the Paladin, the Black Witch, the Countess...]

The Hunter exchanged glances whenever the voice called their names.

[The number of people who have given up the rewards: 1]

The Hunters looked at me. I was the only one who had publicly declared I would forego my reward, and the voice was my proof. For a brief moment, the Hunters looked surprised that I actually hadn’t received any rewards.

[The number of recipients of the goddess’s reward: 8]

Their faces rapidly hardened.

[The number of recipients of the Demon King’s reward: 1]

The Hunters looked at each other.

[Announcement.]

[All of the top ten champions have made a choice.]

The audience chamber became silent again.

[The number of people who have given up the rewards: 1]

[The number of recipients of the goddess’s reward: 8]

[The number of recipients of the Demon King’s reward: 1]

The silence lasted for a long time.

[May luck be with you.]

***

The sound of the Black Witch’s teeth grinding together finally broke the silence.

“You fools...! I told you not to choose the Demon King’s reward, but...some idiot still chose it!”

The Black Witch radiated bloodlust. Her expression was not so dry now; her face was painted with hatred, contempt, and anger. She glared at the crowd, her face twisted into a vicious rictus.

“Well, there’s no talking sense into an idiot. Fine! As the leader of the Black Dragon Guild, I promise you that although I may not know who dared to betray us yet, I promise I will bring them the most painful death imaginable.”

“I’m surprised.” The Inquisitor stroked his chin. “The game is extremely disadvantageous for the traitor, but someone chose the Demon King’s reward anyway... The Black Dragon Master is right. It’s a very foolish choice! Haha, it also makes the choice so very human.”

“Ah...fuck.” The Viper scratched the back of his head. “I remember. I remember it now. The tension. The air. This feels just like the time we cleared the lower floors of the Tower... Yeah, I feel a chill running down my back. People are going to die today.”

“I agree. It feels like the time when the Five Guilds were the Ten Guilds.” The Countess fanned herself. Her tone was gentle, but her eyes were as cold as a lion’s. “Many people died at the time, didn’t they?”

“Everyone, shut up! This isn’t time to get sentimental,” the Witch snapped. “Paladin!”

“Yeah.”

“Interrogate everyone with

Lie Detector

right now. All of you! I’ll kill anyone who refuses to answer or doesn’t answer her questions on the spot!”

Everyone knew that the Black Witch meant what she said. Her aura billowed with bloodlust, staining it pitch black. Its color seemed to reject all light.

The Paladin nodded. “I was planning on it even if you didn’t ask,” she agreed. “First of all, let me begin by saying that I’m not the traitor.”

The Paladin turned and approached...me.

“Mr. Kim Gong-Ja,” she said.

“Yes.”

“You didn’t choose a reward, so you aren’t a suspect. It may not be necessary to question you at all, but I’ll still ask. Did you choose the Demon King’s reward?”

“No.” I shook my head.

All the Hunters watched us. After a few seconds of silence, the Paladin nodded again. “It’s true.”

Sighs of relief were heard across the chamber. Meanwhile, the Paladin went on to the next person on her list.

The audience chamber’s floor was marble, so each footstep sounded unnaturally loud.

“Sword Star.”

“Go on.” The Sword Star gestured to the Paladin.

“Did you choose the Demon King’s reward?”

The Sword Star crossed his arms. “I swear on my honor that it was not me. Never.”

“It’s true.”

Tap.

“Inquisitor.”

“Yes! Ask me anything!” the Inquisitor cheerfully answered.

“Are you the one who chose the Demon King’s reward?”

“I’m sorry.” The Inquisitor let out laughter where no one did. There was something slippery about his laughter. It slid down the marble floor and bounced back from the armor of the knights and generals. “But it’s not me! I don’t want to get killed by the Black Dragon Master just yet!”

“It’s true.”

Tap.

“Viper. Are you the one who chose the Demon King’s reward?”

“Fuck no!”

“...It’s true.”

Tap.

“Countess, did you choose the Demon King’s reward?”

“...I didn’t choose it either.”

“It’s true.”

Tap.

The sighs of relief when the Hunters found out that I wasn’t the traitor were replaced with terse silence when the Hunters were declared to be honest one after another. The silence was slowly suffocating us like water filling up the chamber.

The Paladin faced the Black Witch. All of the other Hunters had already been questioned except for her. She was the last one. The Paladin took a deep breath before she began questioning the second strongest Hunter and the leader of the strongest guild in the Tower.

“Black Dragon Master.”

“...Yes.”

“Did you choose the Demon King’s reward?”

The Witch was silent for a brief moment.

“No... it wasn’t me.”

The silence stretched until the Paladin slowly said, “...It’s true.”

Total silence fell over the chamber—we practically choked on it.

“What...? Wait... Then what?” The Viper looked around. “Who the fuck is it then?”

The Sword Star looked at the Black Witch, who turned to the Inquisitor. However, his eyes were on the Countess, while hers were on the Viper, who gave a desperate look to the Paladin. She, however, looked at me in silence.

Everyone was watching everyone else.

“Why is everyone saying no...?”

But no one answered.

“Who the fuck betrayed us!” the Viper screamed.

No one.

1. A party game based on deception, also known as werewolf or The Town of Salem. Similar concept to Among Us. ☜