When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 500: Elimination Game Begins

Chapter 500: Elimination Game Begins

Twenty-three players had gathered around the glowing dome, yet the elimination game did not seem to be starting anytime soon.

Some players – such as Ying, Noir, and the ninja – remained calm and composed; some were biting their nails anxiously, cue Gu Luoxin. Ever vigilant players, like Shen Nianzu, seized the chance to discreetly observe the others. And then there was Jin Jiuchi, who was so eager for the game to start that he was literally buzzing on his feet.

"Why are they taking so long, Nian’er?" he asked impatiently before peering into the dome again. "What do you think the game will be? Will they ask us to fight each other or..."

Not only Jin Jiuchi, that was actually the common assumption among the majority. Elimination game— just like the name implied, it meant that winners and losers would inevitably emerge in the end. And what other method could be more simple and cruel than to pit them against each other, like how humans would force roosters or scorpions to fight as a form of entertainment?

"I–Is there anyone who has obtained the revival potion?" a bespectacled woman in her late twenties suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. Slightly flustered, she fumbled to explain herself, "Just... just think about it. Even if this is an elimination game, we don’t have to fight each other to death! We can still work together so that everyone will survive until the end!"

"And how do you suggest we work together?" another sneered, his tone challenging. "We don’t even know what kind of game it will be."

"Damn it, let’s cooperate this one time!" another player burst out with fervor. He was tall and imposing, with a robust physique. Amidst this chilling weather, he was only wearing a tight fit singlet which exposed his toned and muscular biceps. "Who the hell has revival potion? No, who’s the one who grabbed the main reward? You’re the culprit who dragged all of us here, aren’t you? Show yourself!"

Of course, his demand was met with only silence, causing his expression to darken in anger. It seemed like he had yet to be aware that the player who found the ticket ended up not taking it in the end.

Growing increasingly agitated, he roared in anger, "Hey, are you all deaf?! I’m asking you a question—"

"Can you shut the fuck up, for God’s sake?!" a flashy and beautiful female player snapped, flipping her long voluminous hair with an air of disdain. "All bark, no bite. Do you know what usually happens to this type of players? They alwaaays

become the first to die," she added with a derisive roll of her eyes, "pathetic."

"What did you say?!" The beefy player began to stalk toward her, utterly incensed, but he was stopped by a gentle-looking male player who extended a hand in front of him. The player appeared so slender, yet he somehow managed to restrain the beefy man from advancing.

"Wait, everyone. Please calm down and don’t get agitated."

But alas, his composed and pacifying words only served to enrage the beefy man further. Ignoring the calming gesture, he roughly swatted the other player’s hand aside and seized him by the collar. "Who the fuck are you?! Don’t get in the way, sissy boy!" he snarled, his voice dripping with aggression.

The man did not appear offended at all upon hearing the insult. His smile, ever present and inviting, seemed to carry a disarming quality that made people unable to stay angry at him for long.

"Don’t misunderstand, brother," he began, his tone gentle yet firm. "I understand why no one wants to share their revival potions or the tickets. After all, isn’t it our main purpose here in the first place?" Before the beefy man could say anything in protest, he added, "But I also agree with your words. Cooperation can indeed benefit us all. How about this? Coincidentally, I have a healing-type skill card. If any of you are injured, I will try my best to heal you. It might not be as awesome as the revival potion, but surely it counts as something too, doesn’t it?"

Everyone, including Shen Nianzu, was startled upon hearing that.

As far as he knew, there was only one player with healing-type skill card in the entire Nightmare Cycle, and that was—

"Finest Wine in Shangri-la?" the beautiful female player guessed tentatively. Gone was her haughty and disdainful demeanor, replaced by eager curiosity and interest as she addressed the man. "It’s you, isn’t it? The leader of the number one organization, Imhotep?"

The man cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed. "Please, only Shang is fine. I carelessly entered any username when I first started, not knowing that it would stick to me like this..."

Those words might as well be a confirmation of his identity.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the crowd underwent a subtle shift, as everyone naturally flocked closer to him like moths drawn to the flame, their eyes gleaming in excitement and admiration. Even the beefy man seemed to forgo his animosity in an instant and draped an arm around Shang’s shoulders, positioning himself akin to a good brother. Ying, Noir, and the ninja-look-alike player, simply looked over, and they soon averted their gazes.

"Healing-type skill card?" Jin Jiuchi mused with an arched brow. "Is it really that impressive? I don’t—"

"Sshh!" Shen Nianzu cut him off with a quick pinch to his waist. Yet despite his quick reflex, Shang seemed to catch wind of those words, as his gaze brushed past Jin Jiuchi fleetingly before he addressed the crowd around him with a composed and gracious smile.

Before long, the glowing dome began to dissipate from the top, and the atmosphere turned somber once more. When it fully vanished to reveal the interior within, the players’ jaws dropped in sheer surprise and bewilderment.

Before them stood a long table, just like those found in medieval mansions, with forty four chairs in total – twenty two on each side. Spread out on the table were an extravagant array of cookies and desserts, so abundant that it resembled a royal feast. In the matter of seconds, a sweet and tantalizing aroma filled the air, mingling with the warm, soothing scent of tea.

It wasn’t the sight of the spread that shocked them the most, however, but the occupants seated at the table.

Twenty two skeletons occupied one side of the table, and when arranged in a row like this, they presented quite a spectacular sight. Despite their skeletal appearance, they appeared eerily human-like, with a mix of male and female figures adorned in various attire. Some wore tattered top hats and faded bow ties, while some clad in frilly dainty gowns, or suits with worn-out waistcoats.

Together, they looked just like a gathering of humans prepared for a... tea party.

Just like how the players were gawking at them, the skeletons also murmured softly among themselves, their curiosity and excitement palpable in the air.

"Bonjour, guests from afar!" The skeleton sitting at the head of the table stood up to greet them enthusiastically.

His grinning skull wore a faded top hat adorned with tattered ribbons, and its empty eye sockets gleamed with a mischievous light. Clad in a threadbare coat and patched trousers, he waved at the players wildly with its skeletal hands, his delightful laughter echoing through the clearing like the hollow rattle of bones.

"We’ve been waiting for sooo long! Please have a seat wherever you like and welcome..." With a dramatic flourish, he removed his hat and presented an exaggerated bow, his voice dropping to a haunting murmur, "...to the Mad Tea Party of the Damned. I am Mad Hatter, your host for the night, here to provide you with the best entertainment you’ve ever known!"

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Mini theater

JJ: cakes! (╯✧ ∇ ✧)╯