Chapter 6: Taking a Firm Stand

Zhou Ji claimed the Witch role in the front position. If no one counterclaims in the later positions, he holds the highest status at the table. The Witch’s attire is not easily donned, especially with a vial of poison clutched in hand.

“I’m confident not to withdraw my claim because I don’t even need to consider whether I could step back. I hope the Guardian will protect me tonight. I’ll save someone from an outside position tonight. If anyone dares to counterclaim in the back positions, I’ll take the poison myself. If you believe I’m a false Witch, hurry up and challenge me. Number 9’s reaction seemed unnatural, but Number 7’s speech wasn’t impressive either. Personally, I lean toward tearing off the badge.”

Zhou Ji thought for a moment—Number 12, who left, was surely a genuine villager. Even if the Seer is eliminated by mistake, it doesn’t matter. He repeated his point, “Good folk, tear off the badge with me. If any wolf teammates try to attack Number 9 and step on me, I’ll see it through to the end. My two potions have been thirsting for action. Number 7, wait and deliver a proper speech. I can’t fully accept you yet.”

Li Peijun kept laughing dryly, never acting properly. “In my view, apart from Number 6, who’s confirmed as good, Number 8 Witch, Number 9 bold-jumping wolf, Number 3 who claims and issues a golden badge, everyone else is evasive. Only the vote will reveal alliances. Today, I’m tearing off the badge as well—hope you’ll recognize the situation.”

Chen Fan followed, “Number 6 here is a good card. Number 7 Seer’s golden badge continues for now; I remain neutral. If Number 9 is a wolf in the police, he’ll likely target an outside position with a water-carrying villager, turning the scene into a villager massacre where wolves lead the knife. So I prefer to vote between Numbers 7 and 9, listening to everyone before deciding.”

Player Number 5’s thinking was similar to Chen Fan’s. In a Guardian game, if it’s tough to distinguish, just go for a blind push—forget about true or false Seers. That’s the usual play style for most.

Number 4 was the only female player at the table, her waist-length ponytail and subtle makeup giving her an air of elegance. “I hold a villager or higher card. Lightly criticizing Number 7’s speech, your attitude doesn’t fit a Seer in my view. Number 9’s Seer speech may be stammering due to being forced to jump. Let’s see where the later positions stand.”

“This girl’s voice is quite pleasant,” was Chen Fan’s first reaction, lost in her tone before considering the game.

“My bottom card is Hunter. Number 8 is likely the revealed Witch. If Number 4 is a divine card, she can only be Guardian, probably a knife-blocker.” He quickly defined her, then changed his mind, “Perhaps it’s a fake divine card, claiming a role to stir up things.”

Subsequent speeches confirmed Chen Fan’s suspicions. Though none stated their positions firmly, the wolf team was definitely pushing votes now. Number 7 Li Peijun’s speech was criticized by several followers, solidifying Chen Fan’s stance.

“Others probably think I’m a water-carrying card, and the wolves won’t knife me tonight. I’ll stand decisively this round, tearing off the badge aggressively.” As long as he wasn’t poisoned by mistake, Chen Fan still had a chance to shoot and chase down the knife. Picking the wrong side didn’t matter; what mattered was daring to take a stand, and Chen Fan felt he hadn’t chosen wrong this time.

After the round of speeches, Number 9 seemed to grow more confident. Number 8 withdrew in the first round, recognizing the Witch, so the kill accusation vanished. He pointed his spear at Number 7.

“In my eyes, Number 7 is a bold-jumping wolf. Number 6 was the first to speak in the police and sounded genuine, but wolf teammates might still create identities. Tonight, I’ll check Number 6. If Number 6 is confirmed good, the badge goes to him; otherwise, to Number 8, the Witch. This round, Number 9 wants to vote out the bold-jumping Number 7. Whether you’re good folk or wolves, be brave and vote—don’t fear making mistakes.”

Number 9’s commanding presence as police chief rang loud and clear, starkly contrasting Number 7 Li Peijun’s Seer demeanor, which seemed to rely only on camaraderie.

But Chen Fan firmly believed Number 7 was the true Seer.

“All players have finished speaking. Please cast your votes.”

Chen Fan glanced at the vote pattern—only cards 1, 6, 7, and 8 voted for Number 9. Except for Number 5, who abstained, all others voted for Number 7.

Li Peijun savored the moment of “wisdom in simplicity,” delivering a brief last message: “From my true Seer perspective, the wolf team won’t backstab now, so I recognize Number 1 as a good identity. I appreciate the Witch standing by me. The rest is up to you—I'll head to the spectator room.”

“Night falls. Please close your eyes.”

“Zhou Ji, the Witch, will probably survive another night, waiting to tear off the badge with double golden cards in the morning.” With eyes closed, Chen Fan calculated the wolf den—after all, the Seer was Li Peijun. If it had been someone like Gu Kai, the master, he would have pointed out four wolves from the start.

“Day breaks. Last night, Numbers 5 and 11 died. Police chief, please choose the speaking order.”

Number 9 frowned, “Reverse order.”

Zhou Ji again spoke first.

“Don’t question why I didn’t use my potion—I prefer a more exciting play. Eight players remain. Number 11 was stirring things up last night, so I poisoned him. If all four wolves are still here, I’ll surrender my card. Divine and villagers, don’t claim roles. Tear off the badge this round. I don’t even care to hear your investigations, Number 9. Pass.”

Chen Fan thought, logically, it should have been a peaceful night. If Zhou Ji poisoned a fool, three villagers and one divine are already dead—a massive disaster.

Was this the same logical, steady Zhou Ji, always striving for rank? Now he seemed utterly confused, perhaps influenced by his own thinking, analyzing the game in a fanciful way.

Chen Fan still didn’t plan to reveal his identity. He used to play the submachine gun, but now wanted to try hiding and taking a lethal sniper shot. “Number 6 here is a good identity. Last round, I decisively sided with Number 7—no matter how you define me, I’ll follow Number 8, the Witch, to vote you out this round. If there are still four wolves, skip the act and push me out directly.”

Number 4 played with her hair, expressing a different view, “I think the situation is clear. I hold the Guardian card. Last night, I protected Number 8, the Witch; today, I protect Number 9, the Seer. He has two more rounds to investigate. Number 6’s speech exploded as a wolf in my view. I think two wolves remain; Number 5 might have self-knifed to trick a potion. This round, vote out Number 6.”

“Hm? Claiming Guardian at this position—is she searching for the knife? Feels like a villager massacre rhythm.” Chen Fan stayed silent, waiting to see if anyone in later positions would stand up to challenge Number 4.

“Number 3 speaks. Number 3 is a blindfolded player, unable to see the situation clearly. Number 8 Witch wants to tear off the badge, Number 4 Guardian wants to vote out Number 6. Let’s see what Number 9 Seer says. I hold a card that can survive to the finals. That’s all—anyway, this round’s focus isn’t on me.”

“Survive to the finals? Is he hinting he’s Hunter? But I’m the Hunter!” Chen Fan pondered the meaning behind the words; he only dared say such things when holding the Hunter card himself.

The next three speeches were much the same. Number 2 said the situation wasn’t clear and didn’t know whom to trust.

Number 1 had stood by Number 7 in the first round and now strongly demanded to tear off the badge, also criticizing the Witch for not using the potion.

Number 10’s speech was ambiguous, circling around without criticizing anyone, finally saying to listen to Number 9’s Seer—seemed like a wolf.

After listening to everyone, the police chief gradually relaxed his tense nerves. “The situation is clear; only two wolves should remain. Number 6 was my investigation last night.”

Chen Fan: “What the heck?”