Shortly after Nao had left, the four of you walked out of the kitchen and returned to the end of the second-floor landing. In the middle of the corridor, stood a concerned-looking Reko, attempting to comfort the pink-haired woman. You thought that Nao could really use a hug, but maybe this wasn't the best time for one.
Although each door was secured shut, Sara had managed to unlock the two doors on the sides of the hallway. Inside of the black room sat an electric paper shredder, a whiteboard, and one single spotlight. The paper shredder had been filled to the brim with ripped-up documents, but Gin volunteered to go through them with Reko's supervision.
Upon following Sara and Keiji into the white room, a strange scent arose from your surroundings. The lingering smell of something rotting. The room was completely empty apart from a small metal trash can and a chain attached to the middle of the wall.
Keiji glanced around, "Well... this place is no good."
"What do you mean?" Inquired Sara. "I can... sense a bad feeling, somehow. So please, tell me."
"..." Keiji stared at you and Sara with a serious look, "I'm betting... somebody died here." The policeman walked around the room, taking in the smell once more. "I can faintly smell blood," He explained, "Ahhh... And since there's dust, it was wiped a little while ago... I'd put the time around... yeah, maybe the First Trial."
After discovering the true source of the strange stench, your face went pale. Keiji, being a policeman and all, was probably the most informed about the subject of death here, so there was no reason to not believe him. So did that really mean... somebody died here? You redirected your gaze to the floor in order to not imagine whatever gruesome act had probably been done in this room.
Luckily for you, Keiji decided to check every inch of the white room alone, allowing you and Sara to leave that God-forsaken place. With an internal sigh of relief, you closely trailed behind the older girl and exited the room.
Entering the hallway once again, you noticed Sara had stopped walking and was now slightly trembling. You awkwardly stepped closer to her and gave her a small smile in an attempt at comforting her. Sara eventually came to her senses, and the two of you walked to the front of the second-floor landing, where Sou and Kanna stood curiously.
"Hey, miss Sara," Sou gave the teenage girl a friendly wave.
Sara gasped, "Sou! And...-"
"Kanna!" You exclaimed, stepping over to the quiet girl. It was a bit of a relief to see Kanna up and walking around with everyone else.
"Aren't you tired? It's not good to work too hard. You should take some time to rest," Sou advised Sara with a warm smile.
Sara shook her head, "I can't rest... Not while everyone else is working hard."
"I think rest is a valuable choice too, myself," Sou replied, "Still... Who knows who you'll get attacked by... So I know how you feel, Miss Sara."
"..."
"Miss Sara... I don't think you should go to the first floor on your own." The teal-haired man quietly urged.
Sara didn't respond. 'who you'll get attacked by,' The older girl appeared rather taken aback by the job hopper's words. Did he think that someone in your group of trust would betray them? Surely, he didn't mean anything bad, right? After all, Sou didn't seem like the type of person to emotionally hurt someone on purpose.
After Sara and Sou's small conversation, Sou left, ushering Kanna to follow him which irked you a bit since you wanted to talk to her. Sara stared at the beanie man as he walked away with a skeptical look. The teenage girl told you to go find Nao, and that she'd be downstairs looking for a certain someone. You nodded in understanding and walked back to the end of the hallway while Sara returned to the first floor.
You walked to the back of the hallway once again, and found Nao sitting against the wall with her eyes shut. Reko was standing against the doorframe of the black room, watching Gin dig through the electric paper shredder and attempt to piece together different documents.
Taking a seat next to Nao, you took a deep breath and glanced up at the weary pink-haired woman. "Miss Nao...? Are you okay?" You asked, scratching the side of your face nervously.
Nao set a hand on your shoulder and nodded, "Yes... I'm okay Y/N. Now that I've had time to calm down, I'm feeling a bit better. There are just a few things that are still on my mind..." She answered with a somber look. "But...! I'm determined to make it through! With you and everyone else here, I'm sure we can make it out together."
Relieved at the positive change in Nao's mood, you scooted closer to her and hugged her. Nao returned the hug, wrapping you in her warm embrace.
You sat down with Nao for the next few minutes, occasionally talking to Reko now and then, (Gin was too busy going through the paper shredder so you'd just try to talk with him later.) Everything seemed to be going well, when suddenly the large door at the rear end of the hall slowly opened, revieling a bright light inside.
Keiji, Reko, and Gin came out into the hallway, while you and Nao quickly stood up.
"Woof, what is that...?" Gin shakily asked.
"The door opened..." Nao muttered, walking closer to the large entryway.
"N-Nao! Don't get close to that thing!!" Reko shouted. "But, we won't know what it is unless we try, r-right?" Nao countered.
"Yeah, but...!" You frowned, "It might be dangerous..."
Nao turned back towards the door, "Well, I'll just take a quick look around and then come back. Don't worry about me..." Before anyone could argue with her, Nao took a step into the doorway and disappeared.
"Nao! Goddamnit!" Reko shouted, chasing her through the door. "Big Sis Reko, wait for me, woof!!" Gin exclaimed, following the punk lady inside. You just stood there, debating on whether or not to follow them.
Keiji placed a hand on your shoulder and sighed, "Look, whatever that door leads to, I'm sure it's not that bad compared to where me are now. It's our only door left, and I'm sure that woman'll force us in there sooner or later." The blond man explained. "Go ahead and follow them."
Dang, he did make a good point. Oh well, it's now or never. Glancing back at the hallway one last time, you took a deep breath and walked into the doorway. Upon entering, you felt your mind become foggy. Your vision was filled with white brightness, and you eventually passed out a few seconds later.
❖ ❖ ❖
Not long after that, you awoke in a dark room containing a table full of delicious-looking food, and a moniter displaying The Laughing Doll, Sue Miley, on it in a tropical beach setting.
You rubbed the remaining sleep out of your eyes and slowly stood up, looking at the moniter in confusion.
"Eheehee everyone, how are you feeling?" The brown-haired woman smiled, "This is a pre-recorded video... So I'm afraid I can't answer any questions."
"Allow me to thank you, truly, for taking part in the Main Game," She continued.
...The Main Game?!
"This is a waiting room prepared for participants... The Last Supper Room. You may fill yourself with food before the game, or form a strategy. Use it however you please."
You silently stood there, staring wide-eyed at the screen. The Main Game... what does she mean?
"Those who succesfully beat the Main Game can proceed to the next floor! Hooray!" Sue Miley cheerfully laughed, "Note those who do not exit their waiting rooms once the Main Game starts will die as a penalty. Please be aware... Eheehee."
!!!
"I will now explain the rules of the Main Game. Everyone, please take the card you obtained while exploring and touch it to this screen."
Card...? Oh! You shoveled through your pockets for the card you had picked up in the cafeteria. Pulling it out, you shakily held it against the screen.
"You have your card, yes? Now I will begin to explain," The fudge-themed doll spoke, "The basic rules are profoundly simple. One person will be selected by majority vote, and that person will die. That is all."
Simple? That's hardly simple!!
"The vote will be split into two parts. Through the first round, the preliminary vote, half the total will be chosen as candidates. Currently eleven are alive, so this will be five. A final vote will be held using these, deciding the ultimate victim. In short, the victim is decided by gradually narrowing it down from eleven people, to five, to one!"
Sue Miley proceeded to explain the rest of the game mechanics, including the Commoner, Keymaster, Sage, and the Sacrifice cards. If the Keymaster is voted out, then everyone including themselves will perish. The Sage has the ability to find out who the Keymaster is, the Commonor basically does nothing for you, and the Sacrifice will die no matter what unless voted for by majority. If the Sacrifice does manage to get voted out, they are able to chose one certain person to escape with, while everyone else is executed.
"So at minimum, two people will die." Miley continued, "Everyone do you best not to be one of them!"
You stood quietly, uncertain of what to do next. Two people... would die. Q-Taro, Kai, Keiji, Sou, Gonbee, Sara, Joe, Nao, Gin, Kanna, Reko, and even you. Anyone of you could perish within the next hour. This game... this whole thing is sick! How could anyone in their right mind come up with something so horrible like this?! Goddamnit!! You just want to go home!!
After a few minutes of hyperventilating and freaking out, Miley began to speak once again.
"It's now time. Please head to the grounds via the door near the screen, everyone," She grinned, "I wish you luck. Eheehee... Ahaha..."