Werewolf Survival Vol 1 chap 2

Werewolf game, start!

As I positioned Usagi protectively behind me, Count examined the soiled cloth in my hand, “Can you see the hair adhering to that cloth?"

Indeed, there was something akin to dog hair scattered all over the cloth.

“That's the hair of a werewolf. Orihara was assaulted by the werewolf that lives here," he pronounced distinctly.

“Wha—, what?! W, Werewolf?!" Yamane began surveying the room anxiously.

“Yes, a Werewolf. Consequently, we will initiate a game to uncover this werewolf – are you familiar with the Werewolf game?"

Silence fell over everyone.

“Then before we proceed... please examine this," Count said while tossing a white object in our direction.

Whoosh

After slicing through the air, a piece of paper landed in each of our hands.

---

RULES

• This is a game where the players must find the werewolf hidden among all participants.

• Every day at 8:00 pm a ballot will occur. The players must vote to eliminate whoever they suspect to be the werewolf.

• The players may cast a vote on themselves, but cannot vote for players who have already been eaten;

• If the players discover the werewolf's true identity, all participants will be released;

• In the special case where the players don't find out the werewolf's identity, the most voted participant will be eaten. If there's a tie between two or more, the tied players will be eaten;

• If all the players have been eaten, it's your loss;

• When voting, the players' badges and the ballot box must be used. The results will be announced by Count;

• If the players have returned to their room by 8:10 pm, they won't be attacked by the werewolf, with the only exception being the most voted participant;

PROHIBITED CONDUCT

• The players may not exercise any type of violence against other players;

• Until the game has finished the players may not leave this building;

• The players may not hinder the game in any way (for example, by concealing others' badges and/or breaking the ballot box);

• The players must vote by 8:05 pm;

• All participants may vote once each day. If the player has already voted, they cannot change their choice;

• The players must vote once each day;

※ If any of these rules or prohibitions are breached, the violator(s) will be eaten by the werewolf.

---

“As you can see, it's a straightforward game. Inside this manor, there's only one werewolf. After eating the adults, it's disguised itself as one of you. Hence, your objective is to discover its identity," the paper had unfolded in our hands while we listened, absentmindedly, to Count's words.

“It's your victory if you uncover its disguise, otherwise it's your loss."

After his statement, our mouths were wide open. We couldn't utter a word or make sense of anything.

“I don't understand... Both Ori-san and Imako-san were eaten by this werewolf?" Tsubame asked resolutely, " And if that's the truth, wouldn't you as its owner be charged with murder by the police? Shouldn't you try to escape?"

“Correct little girl," Count said with a smile fixed on his face, "if anyone comes here I'll be in a serious predicament."

Then he pointed at the windows, and suddenly, a bright flash of light crossed out followed by a deafening roar — CRACK! — lightning had struck somewhere nearby. The windows were rattling due to the strong force.

“Nonetheless, if not a soul can reach this place, who would impose a sentence on me?"

He was right.

The road has been closed since the landslide; the weather was pandemonium left and right, and helicopters can't fly in this crazy climate too. Nobody will come.

Tsubame couldn't refute his words.

“Umm... But I can't make sense of this, a werewolf? And he's disguised as one of us?" Leaving my back, Usagi stepped forward.

“Hmm," Count responded.

“'cos, y'know, it's an animal. How can it hide its fur or move just like a human being? Also, does it speak human words?"

“Are you implying that I'm lying to you?" Count said, still using his characteristic smile, "If that's the case, you could try out breaching one of the 'Prohibited Conducts'."

Prohibited Conducts!

If you breach it you'll become a violator. Like, for example, if you use violence against others or try to escape from this manor. If Count's words are true, the violator(s) don't even need to play the game or participate in the ballot, they'll be eaten right away by the werewolf.

“I'll not stop anyone from breaching any rules. Seeing as this type of player won't make the game fun," Count proceeded.

“So it's true then? There's... a werewolf here," Gyukaku muttered.

While confused we were all glaring at each other's faces, scrutinizing for any unusual behavior or feature. But we couldn't spot a tail or any type of fur. Everyone's teeth were ordinary as well and no one grew scary fangs.

“It's a lie, it has to be... We all spent three days together!" I despaired.

“Me and Hayato have been friends since we were two. It has to be... a misunderstanding!" Usagi muttered.

“What about a physical examination?!" someone suggested, "let's do it! Then, we might find out—"

But it was immediately rebuked, "It'd be meaningless. This is a game where you have to find the werewolf by voting and aside from this method, there's no way to uncover its real form. It would spoil all the fun out of the game otherwise."

“Wait a minute! How can we put our trust in you? You're the one who dictates the rules, you might change them whenever you want, right?!" I was still confused by all his nonsensical words, but even so, I boldly challenged him.

“Hayato! Just believe in his words," Usagi pleaded, “if he's lying, we can all laugh it off later."

She continued, "However, if it's all true we must listen until the end."

My shirt was dampened with cold sweat.

"Hoh, you're a smart one, little girl," still nestled comfortably on his chair, Count slowly stood up and fixed his carefree gaze elsewhere, “I'll definitely keep it fair and square, after all it's not only your game that's at stake."

We were confused by his sudden speech.

“I'm playing a different game with the werewolf and it's a simple game. If he can deceive all the players up until the end, it'll be his win — even if he eats all the children, I won't care at all. On the other hand, if the children discover his true form, it'll be my win."

After a brief pause, he continued, “Thus, in short, I'm the referee of the Werewolf Game yet I'm also a player in a different game."

“In other words, you've bet on who'll win the Werewolf Game?" I asked.

“Correct," Count replied while staring deeply into our eyes.

“I would be favoring the werewolf if I lie or warp the rules. Therefore, I'll assure the game is fair to both sides."

“Well, what if you cooperate with us? In this manner, you'd win easily," Usagi tried her luck.

“Whereas, the purpose of a game is to have fun. Thus, I've to maintain fairness to guarantee this," he slowly explained while staring at each one of us, “Moreover, the objective of this game isn't to make neither you nor the werewolf suffer. It's to have fun playing it."

“We're not havin' any fun here, old man."

“Rather, you just haven't learned yet, there are many ways to have fun. It's just like alcohol; when you taste the thrill of betting your life... I'm certain this game will make all of you understand how good this feeling is."

His words were making me dizzy. I couldn't decide. Were his words trustworthy? I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was strange. That was the only thing I could affirm with certainty.

“I'll give you my word. There's a werewolf here and I'll maintain the fairness of the game. Then, does anyone else have further questions?"

“Were Ori-san and Imako-san really...eaten?" hidden in the farthest corner, Yamane asked timidly. “Also, why are you smiling all the time? People have died!"

“I don't understand the meaning of your question. Rather, for a very long time, every day, we humans have been killing pigs and cows, should we grieve for every cattle slaughtered?"

A simple statement was enough to make everyone quiet down.

Then Count looked over in our direction again and asked, “Any more questions?"

And after a short while, he elegantly sat on his chair, crossed his legs, and raised his porcelain cup, “Therefore, the ballot box is at the main hall, and without further delay... Werewolf Game, start!"

--

So there it was, on top of a table at the main hall. Its form resembled a large mushroom, and the opening was smaller than a tangerine. A metal ballot box.

There was a tiny round table near the wall as well. On top of it, five distinct badges could be seen — they were like jigsaw puzzle pieces as each one had different colors and shapes, respectively: red falcon, black rabbit, blue ox, white rodent and purple swallow.

“What should we do now, Hayato?" I was flustered by Tsubame's question.

“Wha—, what? Huh...Well, it's not like we could just run away, right Usagi?"

“Yeah, we have to play the game and search for the werewolf. I think that's our only choice... you, Gyukaku?"

“Not a single person has grown a tail or fur. I think we're out of options here. Yamane?"

“Eh?! I-I don't know..."

So if we don't want to be eaten like Ori-san, we have to find out who the werewolf is! In addition, we must do it alone, without our parents, the police, or any grown-up's help.

But hold on... I have an idea!!

If Count was telling the truth and the werewolf disguised itself as a human. It's nearly impossible that one of us has been the beast since the beginning. As a result of this, I'm sure that one more person was attacked yesterday.

“I got it! We should compare the memories of the time we spent together bit by bit, and then we'll find the werewolf." I shouted.

“Hmm...it makes sense, by using this method we could unveil something, I think," Tsubame was stunned for a bit.

“It's not me!!"

“Me neither."

Before comparing our memories, we began to scrutinize each other's faces to see through any lies.

No matter what, I have to protect Usagi!

Argh, my heart beat madly, I couldn't calm it down, Thump, Thump.

I was out of breath as well — panting and gasping for air.

Huff, Huff.

While the tension was at its peak, suddenly,

GROWL!

“Ahem...We should continue after eating."

And under the black hoodie with cute ears, Usagi's blushing face could be seen.

--

The dining room was an extensive atrium and stretched all the way up to the second floor. On the other hand, there was a balcony with a railing along the wall on the upper floor. Yet, there wasn't any path connecting both floors.

This building has many doors all over the place, perhaps if we go to the second floor we can reach a different room.

At a large table in the middle of the room, many types of Western delicacies had been prepared. it was a feast for the eyes, toast, cereal, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, salad, and the list continued. Wherever you looked, food was stacked upon the tray and the dressings were filling an entire part of the table. Also, there were many types of drinks, like milk and fresh juice.

“Vi-ne-gar..." I read out loud while gripping the bottle, I'd never heard of this dressing before.

“Pi-ne?" Usagi was confused too.

“Vinegar is a sour liquid used on food as a dressing. Over there's the Olive Oil, and this here is Tartar Sauce," Tsubame explained after dripping a bit of sauce onto her salad and giving the bottle back to me.

“Also, don't eat too much, else we may fall asleep later on," she added.

Man, Tsubame sure had an extensive knowledge.

Even though everyone here was from the same class, we normally didn't talk to each other.

While sitting near Tsubame, Yamane was only stirring the cake on her plate constantly.

On the other hand, or should I say as usual, Usagi's gluttonous side was showing, "I'm gonna pick up seconds!"

She was really enjoying the food and was trying one piece of every stacked food while using milk to wash her throat.

"Usagi! You're eating too much!" I tried to remind her of Tsubame's warning.

"But I can't help it, everything is delicious!"

I give up. sighing, I replied, "Okay...but still, at least eat the veggies too!"

In the end, when everyone had finished, Usagi was still eating. We had to wait another 30 minutes until she was finally satisfied. Though after finishing, she glanced around restlessly, presumably out of embarrassment.

Shaking her head at Usagi's antics, Tsubame asked, while drinking black coffee, "Then... What should we do now?"

While we had thrown many questions at each other throughout the time we were eating, it was meaningless. We couldn't identify any peculiarity.

The one who doesn't know about those experiences is the werewolf.

In the first place, this approach is wrong. The shared knowledge we have is limited. The teachers' and classmates' names, the things that had happened in our class...it's truly insufficient.

"How about we all search this place?" Usagi suggested.

I agreed with her.

"What do you mean by this, Usagi?" Tsubame asked.

"Well, we're all in a bind here. If we explore the rooms, whenever the werewolf attacks one of us, we'd know where we could hide from it."

"Hmm...It isn't a bad idea," Tsubame was pondering over this suggestion.

Whereas we break whichever rule or lose on the ballot, we may use one of the rooms to escape from danger. Maybe, in this manner, we can avoid the werewolf.

"I, I'm scared... I want to go back to my family!" Yamane was struggling to hold back her tears while trembling.

And all of a sudden she tried to run away! However, Gyukaku grabbed her hand before she could.

"Stop. If you go out, you'll break one of the rules. You'd be eaten!"

"I just can't... I don't know about any werewolf! I just want to return to my mother!" Yamane shouted.

"All of you can finish eating, I'll look for any clues now. We'll meet at the main hall at seven," Tsubame quickly stood up, ignoring Yamane.

"Eh? Wait a minute, Tsubame!! Hey, you too, Hayato, where are you going?!"

"After talking, I've found what I must do right now," I said.

"Well, you're impulsive as ever, Hayato," Usagi noted.

"Let's go together, Usagi. Then again, before going, repeat slowly after me: Quick - Wit-ted'"

Turning a deaf ear to my remark, Usagi faced Gyukaku. "Yamane, Gyukaku, good luck~~"

Following that, she pursued me, skipping.

--

This building is indeed different from our school's; in the first place, there are four floors.

On the first floor is the entry hall, dining room, kitchen, main hall, billiard room, lounge, and, lastly, the garden.

"Say, Hayato, it sure was a ton of food, right? We could even make a big party out of it~" Usagi was really happy she could eat plenty.

"Well...If Count and this game didn't exist, it'd be possible to happily eat the food along with everyone," I said with a forced smile.

While we continued exploring this floor, I looked at the garden.

"Hmm... It's a decorative garden, similar to inns. There's no entrance anywhere."

In this manner, we looked around but couldn't pinpoint the staircase to the second floor. “Maybe it's Count's private room. In the dining hall as well, there wasn't any staircase. We only saw the balcony," I pointed out.

“Furthermore, there's also one at the main hall; he can come and go whenever he wants. He might have been using some kind of pathway."

Carry on our search, we went to the third floor, there were the library, exhibition room, and guest rooms on this floor.

“I really really hate books...but the decor using the butterfly collections is superb, I love it!" Usagi was looking at it happily.

“Don't touch it. The glass might break and hurt you," I warned.

"Geez, stop being a worrywart, Hayato."

“By the way, Usagi, don't you think the rooms on this floor are also individual guest rooms?" Currently, we were on the fourth floor, and there were only guest rooms so far.

“All rooms here are huuuge, right? The last one is a storeroom full of cleaning materials. But, I didn't see an emergency exit."

“Moreover, the windows were locked too. Well, even if they were unlocked, it's not like we were going to jump from the fourth floor."

We searched the whole building, but neither of us found anything unusual. The others used different methods — Tsubame investigated only the third floor, Gyūkaku only the first.

Lastly, Yamane was... nowhere to be found.

After eating lunch, we carried on the investigation.

“Usagi..." I was dumbfounded.

As I feared, Usagi ate way too much and said she couldn't move anyhow. Together with Gyukaku, we carried her to the sofa at the lounge near the staircase. And after only a few minutes, she was sleeping peacefully.

“Hayato, after putting the burden down, I was thinking... What if we make a barricade here?" Gyukaku asked.

“A barricade to stop the werewolf? Hmm, it isn't a bad idea—" I was about to agree when a voice barged in.

“You ought to stop these foolish thoughts. Werewolves aren't simple creatures, it would easily destroy a crude barricade." Count's smiling face appeared on the balcony on the second floor,

“I see." Gyukaku readily accepted his warning, but his face was gloomy.

“Well then, could you tell me why there wasn't any path to the second floor?" I tried to probe him.

“I am terribly sorry, however the second floor is my living quarters," he replied immediately.

“That's why there is also a balcony at the dining hall, huh?" I concluded.

Then, Gyukaku asked without delay, “Hey, Count. What did you do in the afternoon?"

“I played other games — Solitaire, Backgammon, Reversi, Chess... Afterward, I was thinking about a new game."

“And you did that alone? Is that fun?"

“It's the best! Whether playing new games or creating rules and fictional worlds, I love every bit of it!"

Then following a brief pause, Count slowly turned his back toward us. “Hence, if you have any questions concerning the rules, you can look for me here on the second floor."

--

In the blink of an eye, day turned into night.

And we were gathered around the ballot box.

“Has anyone found some kind of clue?" Tsubame asked, yet didn't receive a clear answer.

Apart from Yamane — who was standing still — everyone else shook their heads.

“Perhaps it'd be better if we had talked further instead of searching aimlessly," Tsubame continued solemnly.

“I don't think it'd make any difference, we had already talked about things related to school. What else do we share in common?" I replied.

“Tsk, tsk Hayato, there's still something." I was surprised by Usagi's claim. And I wasn't the only one, everyone turned to face her.

“We didn't check the things we did at the camp: what food we ate for dinner, how we set up the tents, what songs we sang at the campfire, the color of the frisbee that Ori-san threw." Gyukaku couldn't hold back and spoke up before Usagi, who just nodded her head and continued after him.

“That's it. And don't forget about the piano last night."

“What? Piano?" I asked with a puzzled look on my face.

But then, following my question, all four of them looked at me.

“Hey, hey, c'mon Hayato, are kiddin'! You know, the piano! Someone was playing it last night. I think the composition was... Für Elise," Usagi called out.

“Eh!? But I didn't hear anything."

Last night... After drinking a glass of water, I immediately went to sleep and I didn't hear any music afterward.

“Are you sure Hayato? The piano was so loud though!"

Then, the look in their eyes slowly changed. Suddenly, I could perceive... the ruthlessness which surged in each one of their eyes.

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