Chapter 201 - Russian Roulette (1/2)
Suddenly a suffocating pressure began to emanate from the picture at the end of the room. Everyone, including Wain, felt like they were having trouble breathing.
Then a huge amount of dark energy burst out of the painting, and the mask with an evil smirk flew out of the picture.
No one expected something like this to happen. Finch was about to attack.
White flames appeared in his palms, but they immediately went out, and dark chains appeared around him. They chained him to his chair and prevented him from moving.
”What the fuck is going on here?” Shouted Finch.
The next moment the same thing happened to everyone else, even Dia, who didn't have a chair.
Shackles appeared on her legs, and she was chained to the ground. No one could do anything, not actually Ayla, who was quite strong.
Whooooooosh.
The mask effortlessly passed through the barrier and hovered over the table. The next moment, everyone heard an eerie voice.
”Welcome. It's nice to see this place full of guests again.”
”This mask can talk?” Shocked, Elmar said. The elf was surprised and didn't understand what was going on here.
”Please don't interrupt me. Haven't you been taught the rules of etiquette?” The mask said with a sneer.
”Fuck you!” Said one of Finch's mates. It was the second man in their group.
Whooooooosh.
The next moment, a dark spike erupted from the chair and pierced his shoulder. It was a non-lethal but very painful wound.
”I told you'd better just listen. You have no other options anyway. First I want you to rest and relax. There's nothing like hot tea for that purpose, don't you agree?”
A dark vortex appeared around the mask, and from it came a full tea service and a teapot. Everyone had their cup filled to the brim.
”Please, help yourselves. This tea not only tastes great and has a wonderful aroma, but it also speeds up regeneration.” Said the mask looking at the wounded man.
The situation was extraordinary, but everyone who could get here was an experienced fighter, and they knew not to act hastily at times like this. No one touched the tea, it was too dangerous. Mask, of course, didn't like that.
”Hmm, it's been so long since we've had guests here, but even now, you refuse to drink tea. That's not good.” Said the mask, and a terrifying aura began to emanate from it.
Everyone began to breathe heavily again, and it lasted about a minute until the wounded man shouted out, ”Wait, I'll taste your tea!”
At the exact moment, the pressure eased, and the mask smiled.
”Glad to hear it. Please don't think I'm a mad killer. I've just been waiting too long, and I want to buy you tea before the show starts. I have no reason to lie to you, for you are in my power.”
The wounded man nodded and brought the cup to his mouth.
”Stop! You are idiot! It's an obvious trap!” Finch said loudly.
”No, it isn't.” The wounded man shook his head. ”That mask easily hit my shoulder, and nothing prevented it. If it wanted to kill us, it would have pierced our heads. I don't know what the creature is, but obviously, we have to follow the rules to survive. This area is Purgatory.”
No one said anything. His words sounded logical and plausible.
However, when the wounded man took a sip of tea, Wain muttered, ”Fool.”
”Agh!” The wounded man vomited a mouthful of blood, and foam came out of his mouth the next moment. This tea was a powerful poison, and even one drop would be enough to kill them all.
”AHAHAHAHAHA, he's right there was no logic in my actions, yet this simpleton has completely forgotten what elegance is. Is it beautiful to kill with dirty spikes?” Suddenly the mask laughed.
Everyone became alert, at that moment, they realized that their opponent was insane and not predictable. Their type of thinking was strikingly different, making it impossible to predict the mask's next move.
”However, my actions made sense, now there are six of you, and it's time to get to the fun part.” Said the mask, and the next moment the chains around Dia disappeared.
She hesitantly made her way to the chair and sat in it beside her already dead mate.
”Good, now we can begin. I'm glad you decided to come here and have tea with me, but not everyone can go on. One of you will have to stay here, forever! AHAHAHAHA.” The mask laughed menacingly.
”What are the rules?” Ayla asked.
Despite the situation, she remained calm and tried to find a solution.
”It's simple. You have one revolver and one cartridge in front of you. You will leave here when one of you is dead. Please have one of you take the revolver.” Said the mask.
Everyone was afraid, except Wain. He took the revolver and cartridge in his hands with a calm face.
”Great, looks like someone is interesting among you. Now put the cartridge in the cylinder and crank it a few times. Then put the revolver to your temple and shoot once, then pass the gun clockwise to the next person.” The mask explained the detail.
Wain nodded and did as the mask said. Then he rotated the revolver's cylinder several times so that it was impossible to tell where the cartridge was.
The revolver was a six-shot, which meant that one of them was sure to die by the end of the round.
”Wait, do you really want to shoot?” Ayla asked.
She was surprised that Wain, weak in her opinion, who got here by accident, found the courage to do it. Ayla thought he was scared, but Wain was smiling like a madman, to her surprise.
”Of course, I fucking will! AHAHAHAHA, don't you feel that excitement coupled with deadly risk and hopelessness?”
The next moment Wain put the revolver to his head and pulled the trigger.
Click.
There was a loud click that echoed through the room like thunder and made everyone's heart flutter with fear and excitement.
Wain smiled and blew a club of steam from his mouth.
”Excellent...” Wain muttered and held out his revolver to the next contestant.
Keya hesitantly took the revolver in her hands and looked at Ayla.
”Take it easy. The chances that this step will be fatal are only 20%. Out of the five remaining shots, only one will be fatal. No need to be afraid.” Said Ayla.