Chapter 3: Purged

“Day has broken. Now, will those who wish to run for sheriff please raise your hands.”

Chen Fan had already prepared a rough speech. Before the staff could even finish counting down from three, he impatiently raised his broad hand.

“There are four players running for sheriff: Number 1, Number 6, Number 9, and Number 11. Now, Player Number 9 will begin the speeches.”

Chen Fan glanced around the table. Only four people had raised their hands for sheriff, and all three of his fellow wolves stayed out of it. If the real Seer saw through them, they would be caught instantly.

The player in the ninth seat wore thick black-framed glasses and was dressed like a student, but seemed unfamiliar—probably a rare visitor.

“Player 9 speaking. I am the only Seer in this game. I’ve investigated your card, Number 11—it’s a wolf. Number 11, it’s your turn to perform.”

Next, it was Number 11’s turn to speak. Judging by the state of Number 9, not to mention anything else, he hadn’t even done the basic badge flow—a routine for Seers—which didn’t seem very convincing.

Chen Fan glanced at Number 1 across from him. At that moment, Gu Kai was also observing the candidates and shot him a cold, mocking smile.

“Could it be he checked me? That smile is so sinister.” Chen Fan pressed his hands against his thighs, forcing himself not to tremble.

“Player 11 speaking. In my eyes, your speech, Number 9, is nothing more than an ordinary villager or worse. I’m not afraid to say it: I am the Witch, and last night was a peaceful night. I won’t reveal the silver water for now, but if you, Number 9, can’t clarify your role, you’ll be voted out directly.”

The power of a special role’s speech was undeniable—after all, it came with skills. Chen Fan accepted Number 11 as the Witch and began to worry about his own position.

“This Gu Kai is most likely the real Seer. That wicked grin just now might mean…”

“Player 1 speaking. Number 9, will you withdraw? I think you’re faking your identity, because your investigation just happens to target someone after you in the speaking order. If you withdraw now, I’ll tentatively consider you a good role. I’ll count down: three, two…”

“Withdraw,” said Player 9, adjusting his black-framed glasses. That left only three candidates.

Gu Kai smiled, spread his hands, and said, “The situation is clear now. I am the only Seer. There should only be one wolf among the sheriff candidates, and the other three wolves are hiding below. Last night, I checked Number 6—it’s a wolf. Looking around, when Number 9 claimed Number 11 was a wolf, Players 2 and 7 reacted oddly, as if they already knew Number 11’s identity. So, my badge flow is Number 2, then Number 7.”

After observing everyone’s responses for a moment, Gu Kai continued confidently, “The last wolf must be in hiding. My suspects are Numbers 2, 6, and 7. Today, we expel Number 6 as my investigation result. The Witch can use poison tonight, and tomorrow we can reveal identities and fight it out. I strongly request the sheriff’s badge. I’m done.”

“So he did check me after all. Both players in his badge flow are wolves. Looks like we’re headed for a crushing defeat again. I told Li Peijun to act more convincingly, but he just wouldn’t listen. Should I just self-destruct and take this guy out? No, if the Witch saves him tonight, they’re probably on the same team.”

After some thought, Chen Fan decided to brazen it out and challenge as Seer.

“Player 6 speaking. I am the Seer. Last night, I checked Number 7—he’s clear. My badge flow goes to Number 3, then Number 5. Number 1 has already accused me, so he must be a wolf. Number 9 is likely a wolf as well. I want the badge. I’m done.”

His words sounded shaky, but it was his best performance yet. Last time, he self-destructed as soon as he became a sheriff candidate and the round ended in five minutes. This time, going up against Gu Kai, it was normal to lose, but he hoped he’d improved a little.

“Speeches are over. Players not running for sheriff, please vote.”

Chen Fan didn’t need to think to know the result—the badge would go to Gu Kai, who’d use it to have him eliminated.

“Player 1 is now sheriff, with 1.5 voting power. Last night was a peaceful night. Sheriff, please choose whether to start speeches from your left or right.”

Looking at the vote count, Chen Fan saw all three of his wolf teammates had voted for Number 1, while he himself had received none.

“In speaking order,” Gu Kai said, accepting the badge and looking fully in control.

“Player 2 speaking. First round, I’m going with Number 1’s plan and voting out Number 6, because I’m a good role that isn’t afraid of being checked, so my vote went to Number 1.”

Chen Fan felt hopeless. His teammates had decisively abandoned him, siding with Sheriff Gu Kai. Now he could only hope his teammates would hide well and not get caught.

“These wolf teammates have nerves of steel—knowing they’re in the badge flow yet still voting for him. I’ll just have to see if Gu Kai changes his badge flow later,” Chen Fan thought. “If I hadn’t been accused on the first day, maybe I could’ve struggled a bit longer.”

“Player 3 speaking. I’m a Villager, siding with Number 1. Number 6’s speech was weak, so I’m voting him out this round too.”

Like a street rat, everyone was taking a shot at him. Chen Fan wanted to self-destruct and be done with it—being trampled like this, any fighting spirit he had was being crushed.

“Chen Fan, you can do this. Even if you’re exiled, at least give a good final statement.” Chen Fan wiped the cold sweat from his palms, trying to spot the special roles at the table.

Players 4 and 5 also claimed to be Villagers, each following the earlier logic to step on him. Finally, it was Chen Fan’s turn to speak.

Chen Fan placed his hands back on the table and said calmly, “I am the real Seer. I don’t understand why you all insist that Number 1 is the Seer. I’ll say it again—Number 7 is clear. There must be a wolf among those siding with Number 1. I hope you recognize the situation and fight for the badge with me.”

He felt his speech was better than before, but it still lacked persuasive power and was only mediocre at best—insufficient to turn the tide.

He exchanged a glance with Li Peijun, but in an instant, they were strangers again.

“You’d better give a good speech, kid. I’m counting on you to save me,” Chen Fan prayed silently.

“Hahaha, Player 7 speaking. I don’t have much to say. My behavior matches my role—I’m the Idiot. Number 6, you’re my clear card for now, but I still think Number 1 is more like a Seer. Let’s see what the rest have to say.” Li Peijun laughed brightly, burying his head under the table.

“What are you doing? Claiming to be the Idiot in this spot? If the real Idiot catches on, we’ll both spiral out together.” Chen Fan was at a loss, just hoping to get eliminated quickly so he could play the next round.

Player 8 also kept things vague—after all, he wasn’t a focus this round and didn’t need to say much. Player 9, the one with black-rimmed glasses, was singled out by the Witch and needed to clarify his stance.

“Player 9 here. Seeing so few people run for sheriff, and being the first to speak, I thought I’d put some pressure on the later speakers. I was always going to withdraw, so I tried faking a role. I’m a Villager or better. I trust Number 1 as the Seer and will vote out Number 6 this round.”

The bespectacled player ended his speech with a push of his glasses. Number 10 kept his words short—just said to vote for Number 6 and finished.

Number 11, the Witch, looked grave. The development of this game seemed a bit too smooth, and his frown deepened, sensing that things might not be so simple after all.