The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 206: The Death Game
<Someone has voted for you!>
<Someone has voted for you!>
Two more people, making it exactly five in total, had voted for him.
He certainly didn't expect to see such numbers, given that he wasn't exactly standing out that much.
However, it seemed like he was wrong.
<Someone has voted for you!>
Six people... Interesting. Neraxis pondered inwardly.
The chances of something like that happening were definitely there, but it wasn't very likely.
He had been paying close attention to everyone ever since he'd arrived, and he knew for a fact that aside from four of these votes, the others were definitely random.
So random, in fact, it almost made him think that the people beside him were the ones responsible.
Which they were, Neraxis thought with furrowed brows as the timer finally hit zero.
But instead of him feeling pain, he heard a shrill scream from not too far away.
—AAAAAAH!
And, of course, the message.
<Climber #11 Eliminated>
<Role Distribution: 1 Warden; 23 → 22 Citizens; 1 Oracle; 1 Whisperer>
Him, huh? Neraxis thought with a tilt of his head.
It seemed like there were a bunch of people aiming for him, but he had a hunch that wasn't really the case.
Aside from that, the doors swung open, and he let out a relieved sigh, which was soon interrupted by a few system messages.
<Round Four Started! Find the Whisperer!>
<02:30>
<02:29>
<Oracle: The Whisperer's number is in the double digits.>
Oh? Neraxis's eyes widened.
That meant that out of his entire group, the only one he could clear as safe was Liza, since she was number five.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.
But for the time being, he wouldn't dismiss the possibility of the system lying to him as well.
Therefore, he walked back, all smiles, as he finally arrived beside his group.
None of them flashed glances at him, but that wasn't the case for the group opposite him.
They seemed a bit shocked, and it definitely didn't go unnoticed by Neraxis, who shot a glare their way.
But people seemed to have finally realized one thing.
That was...
"Everyone..." A hesitant voice rang out as they began walking to the middle and standing up on the table. "I understand everyone's concerned, and frankly, so am I. I can't trust anyone, therefore, we all need to team up and get to the bottom of this."
It was a scrawny man who had a scar over his eyebrow.
—He must be the Whisperer... Why else...
"You're a bunch of idiots." Another voice said as they jumped on the table with surprising agility. "After the first couple of times, you guys just want to gamble with your life now? Is that it?"
They were communicating beforehand. Ever since round one. Neraxis noted.
This woman here seemed stuck up, but definitely not stupid.
Or so he would assume, but by standing up there, they automatically put a target on their backs.
However, in the next moment, the woman spoke up again, her tone firm.
"I'm the Warden," she stated, looking all around. "This time, nine people voted for Number 11, and in second place was Number 14. With the way it's going, he's going to be eliminated next."
So she can see the votes? Hmm... Neraxis glanced at the number on her wrist.
It was 30, and the man beside her? Eight.
"Number 14, would you please come up here and make your case? If you're truly not the Whisperer, then this is your chance to prove yourself—else they will vote for you again," the woman said.
Neraxis glanced at the people beside him before leaping up on the table, just as agile as the woman, perhaps even more.
He wasn't a very good speaker as the only thing he knew was how to piss people off
Despite that...
"I have no clue how some of you came to the conclusion I am the Whisperer. I was approached first, and ever since then, I've spoken not more than six sentences. Better yet, I barely moved." Neraxis narrowed his eyes specifically at the group that had voted for him."So why exactly did you vote for me, Numbers 19, 28, and 1?"
"Huh? What are these accusations?" Number 1 scoffed. "We didn't vote for you, but if we had to, we would simply do it because of how you look. You stand out too much, and it's only natural to assume someone so flashy-looking was it."
Neraxis's brow twitched, and as he was about to speak up again, he stopped.
<Everyone, get to the cells matching the numbers on your bracelets.>
<If you haven't entered your cell when the timer runs out, you shall be eliminated.>
<00:30>
<00:29>
"Do dumb shit as much as you want," Neraxis said, catching their attention. "I can tell you one thing. The Whisperer isn't me. It's another whose numbers are in the double digits."
"Huh? How would you know that—"
"Shut up, idiot. Get moving, or we'll be killed!" Another voice interjected, dragging the person back to his cell.
Neraxis did the same, calmly walking back to his cell and sitting down on the bed, until finally, the door closed shut.
<Vote on who to eliminate>
<00:15>
<00:14>
Before he could even press anything, the messages fell.
<Someone has voted for you!>
<Someone has voted for you!>
<Someone has voted for you!>
<Someone has voted for you!>
Four in an instant, which meant the same people from last time were still pissed off.
However, it didn't seem to be increasing, therefore, Neraxis quickly chose the number that pissed him off the most.
Number 1.
But the interface didn't disappear. Instead, it was almost like he could vote again.
Puzzled, he pressed on number 30.
<Votes Cast>
Neraxis waited anxiously, until finally...
—AAAA
—AAAAAAH!
<Climber #19 Eliminated>
<Climber #8 Eliminated>
<Role Distribution: 1 Warden; 22 → 20 Citizens; 1 Oracle; 1 Whisperer>
The man who stood up on the table and one of the tougher people from the group who voted for Neraxis were eliminated.
But at the rate this was going, he was likely next.
Therefore, he had to finish this.
<Round Five Started! Find the Whisperer!>
<02:00>
<01:59>
The timer decreased by much more than before.
Nonetheless, just as he was about to head out to the middle, another Oracle message appeared.
<Oracle: One person was lying in the previous round.>
Neraxis thought about it for a moment and nodded his head.
It was either the man or the woman who lied... Thoughts, Evangeline? he asked.
[I think it's the woman...] Evangeline muttered. [She seemed the most relaxed in the situation, and when she introduced herself as the Warden, Liza flinched.]
So you think she somehow made a deal with Liza? But when... Neraxis thought back on it, trying to recall what happened.
Finally, he realized something.
When the trial first started, the woman specifically sought out Liza, and after a couple of exchanges, they parted ways.
But if he could deduce what they were talking about, then it was obvious.
I'll let you live if you help me. Neraxis remarked before letting out a sigh.
Now, how am I supposed to convince those idiots?
