-chapter one-hundred-

FINN

There are about seven players in that table, all of them holding their lives on the line.

"This is their third round." Marcella stood next to me, watching the players tremble in their seats. "From betting 10 coins, they raised it to 50. Ngunit nagsuggest si Billie, my member, na itaas na sa one thousand. She didn't know the consequences and agreed even when the dealer confirmed it thrice. Now, everyone at that table is betting their lives."

"Will they..." sumama ang timpla ng mukha ni Louise. "Iisa lang ang mananalo 'di ba? Will the rest..."

Hindi niya matapos-tapos ang sasabihin.

"They will die." Kairo supplied, the word in leaving his tongue ruthlessly. "Damned fools, they are."

"Pero paano kaya mangyayari 'yon? May mahuhulog ba na asteroid sa kanila o bigla silang sasabog sa isang malaking apoy? O parang may papasok sa mind nila and they will be controlled to kill themselves? O mawawala lang sila?"

No one could answer Eura's question. Hindi ko alam kung nakikinig man sila at naguluhan sa mga tanong niya. But I'm sure that neither of us has the tiniest idea about what will happen.

"Well, that would sure be another hellish pain." Dierran cracked his neck with a grin. "Amnesia's death was already too much, and now we'll lose Marcella's right-hand."

Gulat kaming napatingin kay Marcella at sa kaniya nang marinig 'yon. There was the question in our eyes, but no one from the Reaper's Oath dared to ask the question. Wala din namang interes si Maki na sumali pa sa alliance drama nila, kaya tumahimik din kaming Lone Wolves. We have already ruined the reputation of Blood Vanguard back at the Territory Wars.

Wes stepped beside me, taking almost everyone's attention. "She leads the alliance when Marcella is absent. Kagaya ng ginawa ni Sapphire nang hindi makalaban si Theodore. In a normal guild, they are the vice-leader."

Kairo hummed, eyes fixed at the lady. "Hm. I've never seen her before though. I thought she's one of the nameless members in Marci's guild."

"I kept her away from you because of your habit to torture my members."

I briefly remembered a conversation with Kairo about that. I think we were talking about benefits with Oliver when he mentioned playing with Marcella through the player he captured.

Kairo chuckled. "So you did feel the pain?"

"If it's from the lower-ranked members, it's more of a throbbing pain." paliwanag ni Dierran. "Kapag mas aktibo sila sa alyansa, mas sumasakit. Amnesia felt like a stab on our bodies, while Marcella, when fighting with Finn, makes us shiver because of the shadows. It's more haunting than wounding. The worst is when we clash with others because the pain is doubled, but we have learned to mute it. Unless it's from the officers in our alliance, like Marcella, Billie and Wes."

"I've always thought you were the right-hand. Parang ikaw ang spokesperson minsan." komento ni Oliver.

I observed him. After knowing about the true nature of Caspian's death, he was awkward around Marcella. He always makes sure to stay away from her, dismissing her presence most of the time. There was rage the first time, but the longing and desire to move on made him accept things. Nandoon pa rin ang galit pero kaya niyang makipag-usap ng maayos.

Mahinang tumawa si Dierran. "I just wanted to play like a normal player, but sometimes when there is no voice of reason, I need to be."

That's true. Even if he stands in a different alliance and should show himself as a higher enemy, Dierran has an open mind in battles. And during the times where Marcella and I shared a deep hatred, Dierran was the buffer.

"I assumed the voice of reason will be your strategist." Kairo said, almost mockingly.

His friends sighed but Wes chose to ignore him. Kanina pa si Kairo naghahanap ng away dito. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pa siya sumama o sumali sa usapan.

Dierran laughed. "Minsan nawawala itong si Wes kaya dapat may sumalo rin sa role niya. I wonder where he's off to every meeting though. Thankfully, our leader doesn't care that much."

Kairo's smile fell and a sour look replaced his teasing mood. Umismid siya't binigyan ako ng mabilis na sulyap bago tuluyang tumingin sa malayo.

I looked at Wes who seemed unbothered. Ito rin ang problema ko sa kaniya kaya ayaw ko siya maging ka-alyansa. When we were in the same guild back then, he was active, only missing some events due to his busy student life. Pero dito, halos iwan na niya ang alyansa. I've never seen him hang out with his alliance a lot, unless Dierran is there or Marcella called for him.

Dumaan ang tingin niya sa'kin at sandaling nanatili. Our exchanged stare answered my curiosities. I remembered his vow— his promise to me. That I would be his top priority and the others wouldn't matter. Like a loyal knight, he kneeled and promised I'd be his queen.

I hurriedly looked away, finding Marcella's eyes studying us. Walang may nagtanong sa sinabi ni Dierran at hindi ko rin ito kinonpirma. I set my focus on Marcella's right-hand, walking toward their table and observing the cards they've placed.

Since we were only audiences, we could see their cards. We are forbidden from helping them either win or lose, kaya wala ring magawa si Marcella habang nakikipaglaro sa kamatayan ang kaibigan niya. Their cards were decent, but they're not high or good enough to call such a high bet. Did they want to win this by bluffing? Treating their cards as royal flush even if it doesn't reach three-of-a-kind?

Tumigil ako sa likuran ni Billie. Her hand was the worst of all. They were low numbers with different ranks, never having any pattern at all. Bluffing would be impossible now that their lives are forsaken and her trembling is shown to the whole table. One look at her face and anyone would see how terrible her cards are.

Stares were directed at me, probably weighing my reaction. But I willed no emotion to show on my face.

Nahagip ng mata ko ang nag-uusap na grupo. The bored Kairo has already sat in one of the game tables, playing cards with a foxy grin. Eura has already dragged Gavin in a slot machine and were now flying curses at each other. Sa likod nila ay si Louise at Fern na naglalaro rin ng cards, kasama sina Maki. Oliver preferred to watch for now, choosing the right game for him to play. Ang natira doon sa kaninang tinatayuan namin ay sina Wes at Dierran na nag-uusap.

They are my friends— past guildmates who helped me here. Dierran silently offered his support and understanding. Wes remained close to me, content to watch and observe, but is always ready to help me escape. I don't want to imagine the pain they'll suffer if Billie is killed. Ngunit totoo rin iyon sa ibang lumahok sa laro. They have their own families and friends concerned for their well-being. And if they are present here with me, I know we share the same sentiments.

We don't want to lost another friend, or see them broken and pained.

But what can I do? Hindi naman ako pwedeng sumali at i-ensure na mananalo si Billie, because what of us who will lose? Aside from that, they're already in the third round that joining wouldn't be accepted. I clenched my fists as I surveyed the room. Surely, there is a way to help them—

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita si Theo. His eyes were almost closed and his lips were parted as he obviously slept. Hindi ko alam kung anong laro ang sinalihan niya at pwede siyang matulog ng ganiyan. He doesn't even notice how his seatmate was straining his neck to see his cards and plan his next move.

My breath was caught on my throat at the realization. Suddenly, Theo was holding my gaze, awake. Na para bang alam niya kung anong iniisip ko at susunod na gagawin.

"Loophole." I muttered.

Marcella whipped her head to me, brows furrowed. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

I challenged her stare. "Cheating is allowed."

She blinked, surprised. Kami na nasa labas ay hindi pwedeng tumulong. Hindi namin pwedeng sabihin sa kasamahan kung anong mayro'n ang iba upang manalo. Sharing information willingly is prohibited, but cheating is another.

"It wasn't in the rules. Kaya din pala may mga nakikita ako kaninang tumitingin sa baraha ng katabi nila. Cheating is allowed, as long as it happens between the players."

Tumango ako sa sinabi niya. And just as she's heard my silent realization, so did the players in that table and the next. Nagkaroon ng pag-asa ang mga manlalaro. Lowered heads raised up to study their cards and the next. Everyone had their guards up but were also wary and cunning to cheat.

"Pero... mukhang mas magiging malala lang ang sitwasyon nito." Marcella noted.

I heard her. But I couldn't take my eyes off the NPC in Billie's table. Nang magshift ang mood ng players dahil pwede nang magshift, there was a smirk present underneath the mask. Na para bang ini-expect niya ito at masaya siyang nangyari na.

Have we just walked into a trap?

Isang kalabog ang nagpalingon sa'kin. I saw a young girl, almost my age, fell out of her chair and into the solid ground. Her eyes were brimming with tears, terror and anger swimming in its depths. Mabibigat ang bawat hininga niya habang sinasamaan ng tingin ang isa pang babae na lumapit. Unlike her, she looked more confident and victorious. May ngisi sa mukha niya kahit na nababasa ko pa rin ang hindi-maipaliwanag na kaba sa kaniyang mukha. Sitting behind them, the players let out a relieved sigh.

They weren't the victim. The girl is.

They weren't going to die. The girl will.

My heart dropped when I realized that it was another table who bet their lives.

"That's not fair!" sigaw no'ng babae. "I was winning! You fucking cheated!"

"Anong mali do'n? Hindi ba't allowed naman ang cheating dito? I just don't want to die... like you."

There was a brief silence before their heads snapped to my direction. The young girl stared at me with so much hatred that the eyes reminded me of an old friend.

"You-" she hissed. "Kasalanan mo 'to! If you didn't say anything about cheating, I would have won! If anyone asks who my murderer was, it will be you!"

I slightly faltered. I won't be the one to kill her, but I will still be named as her murderer. Because I was the reason, or part of it. Kung gano'n, ilang kamatayan na kaya sa game na ito ang kasalanan ko? Maybe I would rank higher than June and Dylan when it comes to player kills.

"Whether the unspoken rule of cheating was announced or not, there's no assurance you'll win. Do you think everyone in here started to cheat after that? No, they didn't. They were already cheating but the news relieved them. And that girl has been studying your cards and bluff for a while now, if not, you would have won the minute you reached the final round." there was a bite to Marcella's voice.

It was a surprise for everyone. Marcella who would raise hell just to defeat me now stood in my defense. Pero hindi siya nagpatinag sa pagtataka nila at nanatiling bato ang mukha.

Hindi nakasagot ang babae. Lalo na't marami rin ang sumang-ayon sa sinabi ni Marcella. Most players were on my side dahil sa pagprotekta ko sa kanila sa last city at dahil na rin nawala na ang mamamatay na Sparrow sa isipan nila.

An NPC walked towards the two girls, a black pistol in his hand. The sight made me go still. It was similar- so, so similar to the gun my father used. At ang makita ito ngayon para gamitin sa iba, para kumitil ng buhay, parang hindi ko masikmura ang susunod na mangyayari.

"The dealer will be the one to kill." deklara nito. He pointed the gun straight at the young girl's head who sobbed, while the other scrambled for safety. "When you bet your life in this city, we will be the one to take it."

It was a different statement than the other cities. Doon, namamatay ang mga players dahil hindi nila kaya ang task o pinapatay sila. The players are given the choice to kill, be killed, or ignore death altogether. Ngunit dito pinapalaro nila kami ng mga harmless games at kung lalagpas man kami sa nililimita, sila ang kikitil. Is it a punishment for being too greedy? Or to lessen the blood in our hands?

But- whatever it is, I refuse to see anyone die in here. Even if it's the nameless girl who spat her words in hatred or Billie who will be my friend's source of pain.

So I took a step forward, heart beating against my chest. I asked, "Will you play a game with me?"

My voice was soft, controlled, but he still heard anyways. Along with the others who stood near us. Unti-unti siyang humarap sa banda ko, ang kaniyang baril ay nakatutok pa rin sa umiiyak na dalaga.

"A game?" the NPC slowly asked.

"Your choice."

"For what?"

I contemplated for a while, studying him. NPC ba talaga siya? I asked that question to confirm my suspicions. Earlier, the NPC dealer at Billie's table smirked after hearing the announcement. A strange thing to do when they're only a bundle of codes and orders. Lahat ng mga sinasabi nila ay paulit-ulit lang dapat, o mayro'n silang nakalagay na statements depende sa sasabihin ng player. But that NPC who smirked and this one who entertained me, it's like they have a mind of their own.

They can understand me.

"Let them live. If I win, no lives will be taken no matter how high the bet is."

Nakarinig ako ng pagsinghap at mahinang pagtawag sa'king pangalan. The NPC's eyes shone in surprise and delight, but it took him a minute to answer.

"Very well." he said and my heart jumped. "Ngunit may idadagdag ako. We will play a game of my choice. If I win, I will kill the players who bet their lives and you." there were sounds of protests behind me, but I willed myself to look unaffected. "If you win, everyone is free and you only need to accumulate the hundred-thousand chips at the end of 24 hours."

Tumango ako.

"But-" he added, making my breath go still. "If you bring me one of the game masters, I will deliver everyone to the next city, whether the 24 hours mark is finished or not. And if they surrender themselves, without you to forcibly bring them, you can skip five cities."

Walang nakagalaw sa mga manlalaro na nasa loob. No coins or cards made a noise, even the sounds of slot machines have paused. The offer was unbelievable, but the existence of a game master within us took our breaths away.

Kagaya ko ay napatingin sa paligid ang mga tao. Someone, one of us, is a game master— a person who knows the in and outs of this game. Someone who knows the nature of the game and watched players die but remained hidden anyways.

Pero bakit ngayon lang sila ipinakita? Is this a hidden mission for the players? Kahit ba hindi ako nag-offer, dadating pa rin sa punto na hahanapin namin ang game master?

It was tempting. Too tempting. We won't have to consume more time if I catch them, o kung sila mismo ang magpakita, then we can skip five cities. But I wonder what would their fate be if ever captured?

"Anong gagawin mo sa kaniya? Sa game-master?" Wes voiced out my thoughts.

The masked NPC gave a lethal grin. "The punishment of the players who escaped will be served to him."

A death of one or a death of ten. How cruel must they be?

His eyes returned to me. "So? Do you agree?"

Would I be willing to sacrifice a life when I did this to prevent any more killing in the first place? Pero... naisingit na conditions lang naman iyon sa laro namin. I can still try to win the game and let us be free from the killing rule, and if that happens, we just need to do our best to win this city. Together.

They waited for me to decide. But I have made a decision long before.

Tumango ako. I felt Marcella tense beside me but did not voice her opinions. I tilted my head at the masked NPC.

"What game?"

He pointed somewhere and I followed his gaze. There was an aggressive bite of protest from Kairo, who called my name with a warning tone. Naramdaman ko ang pagaalala at kaba nila dahil ako rin ay hindi makapaniwala sa nakikita.

At the end of the casino, right by the staircase, was a small steel table with two revolvers sitting atop. It looked innocent at first glance, if not for the golden roulette behind it, and the neon words that hang upwards.

Russian Roulette, it said.

"That's what we're going to play, rogue."

-chapter end-

OMG OMG WHAT 100 CHAPTERS NA ULIT TAYO HAHAHAHAHA

Why are my game-genre always this long 😭 Help me, pluhease. Pero medyo malapit na rin pala tayo sa ending, hihi. Kaya salamat na nakaabot pa kayo dito. ❤❤