Vol. 6 Ch. 42

Rosvisser’s elimination signaled that the ghosts had officially begun their slaughter.

Time was running out for Leon and his team.

The situation grew more urgent with each passing moment. If they couldn’t unmask the culprits and escape the castle before another player was eliminated, the ghosts would claim complete victory in this game.

In the game’s control room, the staff gathered to discuss the odds of victory for both sides.

“Even though the game is designed to give the ghosts an initial advantage, most players in this mode focus entirely on finding the ghosts. They assume that being a ghost is a huge disadvantage and prioritize searching for clues instead.”

“This approach gives the ghost players room to exploit. While the good faction is busy solving puzzles, the ghosts can quietly stockpile item cards and build up their strength, preparing for an even match in the final battle.”

“Still, in a game centered around solving mysteries, the good faction tends to have a higher win rate. The last session was so skewed in favor of the good faction that the ghosts barely stood a chance.”

“But in today’s session, I doubt the Silver Dragon Prince and his team can turn things around.”

“True, it’s hard to see how they could possibly win at this point.”

Constantine and that blue-haired girl still had the Stealth card. As long as they periodically emerged to recover and then hid again, they could simply wait for their elimination cooldown to reset before acting decisively.

“This strategy is so smooth. Honestly, I feel like I could pull it off myself,” one staff member joked.

Even though the game’s outcome seemed almost certain, with the ghosts on the verge of victory, the staff still marveled at the players’ ingenuity.

Constantine’s unconventional, almost counterintuitive approach had captured their attention, making it hard not to root for his perspective.

“Ah, the ghost duo has already completed their designated task, but there are still over two hours before they can eliminate someone again. That’s plenty of time.”

“Let’s check in on the Dragon Daughters’ progress. I love their dynamic—it’s so fun to watch!”

“Got it, switching views now.”

The Dragon Daughter Special Ops Team was making rapid progress.

The dual pressures of the ghosts’ periodic eliminations and the race to find the plague source before the ghosts pushed the girls to unlock their full potential.

Even the usually laid-back Moon was visibly tense. While searching a corner of the castle, they stumbled upon another critical task.

“It’s a puzzle. Start with the corners first. Okay, then… this piece goes here, and this one… oh, over there…”

“This blue piece…”

“Here! Put it here! Quick, quick, Sis!”

“Got it.”

“Wait, we’re missing one piece again?”

“It’s here!”

The pink-haired Muse came running in from another room, waving the final puzzle piece in her hand. “We need to complete another task to unlock it. Here you go, Big Sis.”

Noa took the piece and carefully slotted it into the puzzle. The image that formed was a slightly blurry portrait.

As soon as the puzzle was completed, the portrait sank into a mechanism beneath the display stand. Moments later, a hint card was ejected from the mechanism.

Noa picked up the hint card and, after reading its contents, led the team to the next task location.

Every step they took felt like it was synchronized with the ticking clock. The cooldown for the ghosts’ elimination skill was rapidly approaching its end.

Among the group, no one was more determined to turn the tide than Noa.

She had inherited her father’s unyielding competitive spirit. This drive made her the most focused and serious when it came to completing tasks.

And in her heart, the fact that her opponent was her best friend only strengthened her resolve—there was no way she could allow herself to lose.

……

After completing several more rounds of tasks, Noa and her team had gathered an abundance of item cards and hint cards.

“It seems like the game is finally entering its final phase,” Noa said in a low, steady voice.

“Yeah, the hint cards are all used up, Big Sis. We need to split up; otherwise, we might not have enough time,” Aurora suggested.

Noa glanced at the game map in the second-floor hall. The basement area was still grayed out, with a one-hour poison restriction and a two-hour cooldown. If they stuck together, they indeed wouldn’t make it in time.

After thinking for a moment, Noa withdrew her gaze and looked at Moon, then at Aurora. Finally, she spoke:

“Alright, we’ll split into two groups. I’ll go alone, and Aurora, you’ll stay with Moon and the others.”

“Big Sis, are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?” Moon asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

“I’ll be fine.”

Noa nodded firmly, her confidence unwavering. “We’re going to win this.”

The sisters knew their eldest sister’s personality well. Once she made up her mind, there was no changing it.

“Alright then, Big Sis, please be careful,” Moon said.

Noa smiled and ruffled her younger sister’s hair gently. “I will. Now, go.”

“Okay!”

The Dragon Daughters split into two teams.

Noa headed alone to the deeper areas of the basement, her footsteps echoing as they grew fainter and eventually vanished into the silence.

Time passed unnoticed, and the three-hour cooldown for the ghosts had come to an end.

It was time for the ghosts to strike again.

As Noa ran through the corridor, she glanced down at the countdown on the Memory Stone in her hand.

“Who will it be this time…”

“Noa.”

A gentle voice called out beside her.

Noa abruptly stopped, turning toward the sound.

At the end of the corridor, a figure in blue appeared.

“Helena…” Noa’s brows furrowed slightly. “So what? We’re still going to win.”

“Noa, your team’s disadvantage is too great,” Helena said softly but clearly. “Uncle Constantine is already close to finding the plague source, while you’ve only just entered the basement.”

Noa narrowed her eyes, her tone firm as she asked, “What do you mean?”

Helena pulled an item card from her bag. On it were the words:

[To Hell With You]

“This card can transform a Good Faction player into a ghost, but it requires their consent.”

“Once transformed, the ghost faction’s victory will also count as that player’s victory.”

“Noa… it took me so much effort to complete the task for this card. Do you understand what I mean?”

As her long-time best friend, Helena knew how much Noa wanted to win.

But fate had played a cruel joke on them when they drew their identity cards, placing them on opposing sides.

Now, with this card, Helena had a chance to give Noa the victory she so desperately wanted. Of course, she would come to her.

“To invite her—to fall into hell together.”

“I refuse.”

“Noa…”

Helena ran toward her, gently grabbing Noa’s hand with a sense of urgency.

“I’m doing this for you. If you accept this card, you won’t have to exhaust yourself completing tasks anymore. Leave the rest to Uncle Constantine. We just need to wait for the game to end.”

Their blue eyes met, low and intense.

Noa’s gaze was resolute, her voice even more so as she repeated,“I refuse, Helena. This isn’t the kind of victory I want.”

“I know, I know…” Helena’s voice faltered. “But—but Uncle Constantine said his next elimination target is you.”

Helena clutched Noa’s sleeve tightly, her voice dropping to a whisper:“If you don’t accept, you’ll be eliminated this round.”

Hearing this, Noa’s expression showed a hint of surprise.

“So first it was Mom, and now it’s me… Uncle Constantine really knows how to play, doesn’t he?”

Noa slowly lifted her head, her gaze locking onto Helena’s. She understood now—Uncle Constantine was methodically eliminating the Good Faction players in order of strength, leaving the weakest for last.

And she was certain that, in the end, he would leave one final “tail” behind—

That would be the showdown the fire-breathing dragon uncle truly wanted.

“It seems today, he’ll finally get what he wants,” Noa thought.

“So you understand now, Noa? I—”

“I won’t accept this deal, Helena, even if it means I’ll be eliminated.”

It was worth noting that Noa had inherited not only Leon’s relentless competitive spirit but also his unyielding stubbornness.

“Victory is tempting, yes. But I want to win as a Good Faction player, as the role I started with—not because of an item card.”

Noa turned her wrist and gently pushed the [To Hell With You] card back against Helena’s chest.

Then, with a soft smile, she stepped forward and lightly embraced her best friend, resting her forehead against Helena’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Helena. Maybe next time, you can be my knight again.”

“Attention, all players: Good Faction player Noa Melkvey has been eliminated.”