Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

After Liu Xing had discussed the escape plan from Eins Castle with everyone, their last Private Room session also came to an end. They all knew that the final act of this role-playing game was about to unfold.

Everyone took their places.

Liu Xing didn't wait long in the room before Old Wayne entered, "Mr. Liu Xing, the lord has made all the necessary preparations. Please follow me to the study room on the second floor right away."

Liu Xing smiled and nodded, then followed Old Wayne to the study room upstairs. The study was already lit, with Gary sitting at the desk.

"Mr. Liu Xing, please take a seat," Gary said, the very picture of a gentleman.

Liu Xing responded with a smile and a nod, taking a seat opposite Gary. After Old Wayne served Liu Xing a cup of coffee, he left the study room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

Thus, only Liu Xing and Gary remained in the study room.

"So, Mr. Liu Xing, could you please start by telling me what brings you to Eins Town this time?" Gary asked with a cheerful smile.

Liu Xing took a sip of coffee. Initially, he had been wary that the coffee might be drugged, but then he thought better of it. After all, he was the first one to come up and talk with Gary; if Gary had chosen to take action against him immediately, it would surely raise the alarm among Bai Hecheng and the others. Unless Gary was confident he could take down all five of them in one fell swoop, such a move would be more loss than gain. Thus, Liu Xing believed that Gary was unlikely to harm him first.

"The thing is, I came to Eins Town because I'm a fan of Manchester United. I took advantage of the holiday to watch their game, and then I heard about the Castle in Eins Town. The owner of the Castle, Mr. Gary, you've been so kind as to open it to the public, so here I am," Liu Xing reiterated the backstory assigned to him for the role-playing game.

Gary listened to Liu Xing's account without much reaction, still smiling: "I see, that seems to echo the widely known verse from your country, China. If I'm not mistaken, it goes something like 'Fate brings people together no matter how far apart they may be'?"

Liu Xing smiled and nodded, then complimented Gary, "Mr. Gary, you are truly erudite to even know this verse."

Gary chuckled, then pointed to a bookshelf and said, "Oh, where do I begin? It's simply because I often find myself bored in the Castle and like to read books, especially the classic masterpieces from China, which I have read over and over again..."

As Gary's gaze shifted to the bookshelf, Liu Xing knew trouble was imminent because the very conspicuous roll of parchment that had been there was now in his possession!

Sure enough, Gary's conversation came to an abrupt halt, his eyes fixed on the spot where the parchment had been.

Gary's expression darkened, and he walked over to the spot where the parchment had been, lost in thought.

While Liu Xing was contemplating whether he should seize the opportunity to slip away, Gary turned around and spoke, "Mr. Liu Xing, please return to your room for now. It seems I've encountered some problems here, and I need to verify a few things."

Liu Xing decisively nodded, a smile on his face as he said, "Uh, alright then, I'll head back to my room. If Mr. Gary would like to hear my story after he's finished with his business, he can just send Wayne to fetch me."

Gary mustered a strained smile. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Liu Xing. I shall take my leave first. You can go back to your room on your own."

After saying this, Gary hurriedly left the room. However, Liu Xing noticed that Gary seemed to be heading in the direction of Isabella's room! Liu Xing immediately stood up, ready to go to Isabella's room and prepared to make a quick escape by jumping out of the building if necessary, since he wasn't sure if Isabella would inform Gary of his presence on the second floor. If Isabella did tell the truth, Liu Xing felt he would have no choice but to flee.

Thus, Liu Xing arrived outside Isabella's room and noticed the door was open. He listened intently to the sounds within.

"Since Isabella's door is open and neither Gary nor Isabella seem to intend to whisper, your listening automatically succeeds," Liu Xing thought to himself. He felt KP004 sounded rather bored, which relieved him somewhat. When faced with danger, KP004's tone would usually become schadenfreudic, so this current tone suggested that Liu Xing wasn't in immediate peril of being exposed.

"Isabella, did anyone come to the second floor while I was out?" Gary's voice was tinged with anger.

"No, nobody has been here today, except for Grandpa Wayne," Isabella replied, her voice filled with confusion.

Just then, the sound of dice hitting the floor echoed through the room. Liu Xing knew this was likely Gary employing psychology on Isabella.

"Damn it, Isabella, stop lying to me! I already know you're deceiving me. I'm giving you one more chance—tell me the truth! I know you have excellent hearing; you must know who came to the second floor!" It was clear that Gary's psychology had worked; he had caught Isabella in a lie, and his tone grew even more furious.

Just when Liu Xing thought Isabella would confess the truth, having been caught by Gary, she persisted with her previous statement. "I've said I don't know, and I don't. You should leave now, Gary, I don't want to see you anymore."

With those words, a heavy silence fell in the room.

As Liu Xing was contemplating whether to go in or not, a loud slap rang out—Gary had struck Isabella.

Liu Xing, overcome with a rush of blood to the head, barged into Isabella's room, "Mr. Gary, what are you doing?"

Gary turned around, anger written all over his face as he said to Liu Xing, "Mr. Liu Xing, please do not interfere with our family affairs. You should leave right now!"

With a cold laugh, Liu Xing pointed at Isabella and angrily said, "Mr. Gary, as a man, why would you hit a child? What wrong has the child done?"

Furious, Gary marched up to Liu Xing and shoved him hard. Before Liu Xing could regain his footing, Gary pulled out a handgun from his embrace and pointed it straight at Liu Xing!

A sheen of cold sweat instantly covered Liu Xing's forehead. The dark barrel of the gun was aimed directly at him, and the unique sheen of the metal was a stark reminder that this was no mere toy.

With the gun in his hand, Gary advanced, step by step, while Liu Xing could only retreat. Ultimately, Gary backed Liu Xing out of the door and up against the railing on the second floor.