Chapter 228

Chapter 228

The next day, the town crier roused everyone at around six in the morning, followed by screams and wails. Around seven, Cornelia, full of concern, came looking for the black cat and found only her, inspecting something in the house.

"Is something wrong?" The black cat asked calmly as Cornelia hurried over.

"There's been a major incident in the town!" Cornelia's expression was grave. "A new rule has appeared. Many people have died in their homes, showing symptoms similar to…"

"Just like the Night Watchmen who died at home previously," the black cat said.

"How did you know that?" Cornelia looked astonished.

"That new rule came to us last night too, but we were fortunate enough not to open the door and escape unscathed."

Cornelia was both startled and relieved. "Is that so... I mean, I'm glad you're all right. Does this mean that staying alive is as simple as not opening the door? That would be wonderful."

When Cornelia woke up that morning, she heard the screams coming from the town. Upon investigation, she discovered that several residents had perished in their homes. Clearly, a new rule had emerged, signifying the resumption of the gruesome experiments. To find out how to survive, they'd have to sacrifice more lives, causing her great worry. But now that the black cat and her companions had survived the new rule, it meant they'd already discovered the most crucial means of evasion!

Seeing the unmasked joy on Cornelia's face, the black cat didn't suspect anything amiss. It seemed that the rule that appeared at their door last night wasn't Cornelia, but someone impersonating someone they knew.

"Let's hurry and share this good news with the others. After such a terrifying incident this morning, everyone has been on edge. Thankfully, you both survived and found a way to avoid the danger. I don't even know how to express my gratitude… Eh, what are you doing?"

Cornelia was puzzled as she saw the black cat focusing on collecting a small pile of white powder with a wooden block.

"I'm conducting an experiment, burning some grass leaves to see if it yields the same effect as what we discovered yesterday at the Night Watchman's window…"

"The Night Watchmen? No, no, no, they were killed by the rules in play. This morning, there was another corpse with the same condition as last night, clearly indicating a new rule, only this time, there were two victims."

"Are you sure?" The black cat looked up at her. "Because I'm quite certain now that the Bell Ringer was murdered. Yesterday, we almost chased down the culprit and even found another person's hair."

Confused, Cornelia asked, "How does that relate to the Night Watchmen being killed? Bernie told me that the Night Watchmen had their organs removed, just like today's victims. Could someone have done that without magic? It's impossible."

"Who said they were killed by the one who killed the Bell Ringer?"

The black cat interjected abruptly.

Cornelia: "…But, didn't you say…?"

"In a strict sense, they were indeed killed by the rules, but someone guided them…" The black cat spoke with a hint of depth, "Let me put it this way, Miss Cornelia. Last night, we narrowly escaped a similar fate. We were sound asleep when someone knocked on our door. The voice sounded like yours, claiming there was something to discuss. When we looked out the window, we realized it was already dawn, and we nearly opened the door."

Cornelia's eyes narrowed. "I was alone at home last night."

"I know. Calm down. The fact that we didn't fall for the trick and open the door is commendable, but the situation was indeed deceptive. It almost led us astray. Don't you think it resembles the circumstances of the two watchmen's murders?"

Indeed...

The black cat said, "Think about it. An unlocked door, a dead person inside – doesn't that resemble how the watchmen were found?"

"So it's a rule-based killing," Cornelia said.

"Oh? Really? Right after the bell-ringer's death, exactly two watchmen were killed, and the rule only took those two lives that night?" the cat asked.

Cornelia fell silent. The situation was indeed peculiar, or perhaps too coincidental. If all three had died in the same manner, one could attribute it to the rule killing them. But with one clearly a murder and the other two rule-based, the rule seemed to have assisted the murderer in implicating the entire town. It happened precisely on that night, with all three watchmen on duty.

"But if the same person committed all three crimes, how did they manage to kill at midnight when we're not allowed outside?" Cornelia wondered.

The first rule: No resident of the town may leave their homes at night.

Yes, the bell-ringer's case made sense. The killer could have murdered them indoors and then disposed of the body once daylight arrived. But what about the watchmen? If the murderer appeared at the bell-ringer's post, they couldn't have been at the doorsteps of the two watchmen, and their times of death were different.

"The mechanism can accomplish it, and my companions should be returning soon." The black cat had actually received messages from the Druid and Matcha Milk Green while conversing with Cornelia, revealing the truth behind the case – it was indeed the person they suspected. Now, there was only one remaining issue: Matcha Milk Green had also uncovered additional information.

The black cat gazed deeply into Cornelia's eyes. "May I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Was there once a murder case a long time ago, where the victim was a resident dressed in white who occasionally worked as a cleaner and was often bullied by those in blue uniforms?" the black cat asked. "Or, to put it bluntly, does this town establish new rules every time someone dies?"

Cornelia's pupils constricted as she stared at the black cat in disbelief, but the answer was already apparent from her expression.

"It doesn't matter. I understand that this is a confidential matter for you, and I won't disclose it."

"…Who exactly are you?" Cornelia inquired.

"Hmm," the black cat pondered before replying, "Perhaps a spiritual successor of Randolph Carter?"

...

"Alright!" Seeing Uncle Hao send him an 'OK' message from the real world, YYY's face was flushed with excitement as he eagerly approached Lane. "I'm ready!"

Lane smiled slightly and stood up, offering his seat to Yeye.

Beast rested his cheek in his hand, looking at Lane in confusion. "Do you really think he can beat me? Just so you know, I've been studying this for centuries."

"I've already had a taste of your expertise," Lane replied with a smile.

"It seems you're quite confident," Beast's smile deepened, his eyes turning into sharp cat-like slits. "Then let's begin."

Yeye sat down opposite Beast cautiously, and soon, as Beast made his move, a joyful smile appeared on her face.

In the team chat:

Yeye: It's started! What's my next move?

Uncle Hao: Hang on, I'm inputting the game... okay, analysis done! Go for the third square in your first row!

At that moment, Uncle Hao was in his research lab at Majestic Chess, setting up the exact same position as Beast. He had Yeye's live stream open, matching the moves on the board while a computer program beside him worked diligently.

The small laboratory was packed with players, all watching intently. Kerry, as he adjusted the machinery, couldn't help but look at them in bewilderment at their exclamations, unable to see what they were focusing on.

Feeling suddenly excluded, Kerry: ...