[Task Prompt: A new day has arrived. Please watch your step—fresh corpses may still be underfoot.]
As soon as Marco opened his eyes and read the message glowing on his screen, a wave of dread settled in his chest.
"Yeah... today's not going to be a good day."
---
Outside, the cruise ship's waiter moved door to door with practiced ease.
"Good morning, dear guests. A sumptuous breakfast has been prepared for you on the deck. Please join us."
All players slowly exited their rooms—all except Ivy in Room 204, who still hadn't dared step out since the bloodbath began.
Click—
The door of Room 201 opened.
Everyone's gaze shifted instantly.
Lucas stepped out, yawning. His eyes were still heavy with sleep.
He rubbed the back of his head as though nothing had happened.
"When this game's over," he muttered to himself, "I really need to catch up on sleep. Young people who ignore sleep always end up with back pain..."
He looked up—and everyone immediately looked away.
Some stared at the sky. Others pretended to adjust their sleeves.
Anything but make eye contact with the bloodstained man standing before them.
Daniel looked around, then frowned.
"Why hasn't Mark come out yet?"
Still worried for his brother-in-arms, Daniel walked over and knocked on Room 205.
"Mark? Hey, Mark!"
The waiter standing nearby offered a polite, almost cheerful smile.
"Sir, the guests in Rooms 205 and 206 passed away last night. Their rooms have already been cleaned. No new check-ins today."
Daniel's hand froze mid-knock.
His expression stiffened.
Of course, he remembered Lucas's knocking last night... but this... both Mark and Jasmine were gone?!
He turned slowly and looked at Lucas.
And for the first time, Daniel felt cold sweat running down his back.
[Player Daniel suspects Player Lucas of being an indiscriminate killer. Mental value -1, -1, -1...]
---
Though Marco had braced himself mentally, the confirmation still made his heart pound.
He clenched his fists and lowered his head.
"Damn it... this is getting out of control."
The 'good' side was thinning too fast. Too suddenly.
---
Jason, upon hearing the news, staggered on his feet.
"Dead… again?!"
His legs went weak.
For a brief moment, he thanked whatever luck he had that he didn't open the door last night.
---
[Player Daniel's fear of Player Lucas has increased rapidly. Mental value -4, -5, -6...]
---
Trevor and Caleb exchanged a quick glance.
Trevor's lips curled into a grin.
He saw the panic on everyone's face.
And in that fear—he saw confirmation.
Lucas hadn't lied to him. The tide had turned.
Victory was just within reach.
---
: Someone light a candle for Trevor.
: Light a candle.
: No, make it a bonfire. He'll need it.
---
On the open deck, a long solid wood table stretched out, able to seat eight.
The breakfast laid out was exquisite—but no one had the appetite to enjoy it.
Lucas pulled out a chair casually and sat.
The others? They sat as far from him as possible.
Trevor sat opposite Lucas, confidently. Proudly.
When Marco finally stepped in, the only empty seat left was right next to Lucas.
Jason gave Marco a sympathetic glance. As if saying, "Sorry, bro."
Marco's forehead twitched.
Still, he bit the bullet and sat beside Lucas.
The waiter stood at the side and bowed.
"Esteemed guests, please enjoy. Your voyage aboard the Royal Blue State is coming to its end."
---
Across the table, only the sound of Lucas sipping milk could be heard.
Gulp. Gulp. Clink.
He set the glass back on the table.
Boom—
Marco slammed his palms down.
"Lucas!"
He turned, face flushed with restrained fury.
"You killed Mark and Jasmine, didn't you?!"
That was the question on everyone's minds.
But only Marco had the courage to voice it.
Jason and Daniel shrank back in their seats.
Trevor held his breath.
He'd been waiting for this moment.
And then—
"Yes," Lucas said calmly. "I killed them both."
After a brief pause, he added:
"They didn't suffer."
His confession was so smooth, so casual, it almost sounded like he was talking about brushing his teeth.
Everyone froze.
Even Marco, who had been gearing up for a confrontation, was briefly stunned.
He hadn't expected such a clean, immediate answer.
His rage twisted into confusion for just a second.
Then he laughed bitterly.
"So this is it. You ghosts don't even plan to pretend anymore. You're just going to kill the rest of us off in broad daylight?"
Clap. Clap.
Trevor clapped twice.
Everyone's eyes turned to him.
He stood up proudly, smiling.
"Marco, you still analyze everything so well."
"Why don't you guess then—who among us are the ghosts?"
He raised his chin with smug confidence.
His expression shouted one thing:
I've already won.
Marco's face darkened.
Trevor had come out so boldly…
Did that mean there were more ghosts than people now?
Were they… already surrounded?
Marco's heart began to pound harder.
His eyes darted between faces.
"Trevor is a ghost…"
"Lucas too…"
"We're screwed."
Trevor turned to Jason with a grin.
"Alright, Jason, drop the act. I know you're one of us."
Jason flailed, nearly falling out of his chair.
"I'm NOT! Why would I be a ghost?!"
Then Daniel, sitting nearby, timidly raised his hand.
"Um… Brother Trevor… I'm the ghost."
Trevor blinked.
His gaze shot between Jason and Daniel.
"What the…?"
"What the hell is happening?!"
Marco tilted his head, smirking.
"Maybe figure out who your teammates are first before gloating?"
Trevor sat there, stunned. His worldview collapsed around him.
This wasn't the flawless, ghost-dominated win he thought it was.
This was chaos.
Confusion.
Miscalculation.
And behind it all—was one man.
Trevor gritted his teeth.
"Lucas!"
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