Circus of Horrors (16)
Everyone turned to look at Fu Moyang in shock—everyone except Chen Li, who only furrowed his brows slightly.
It wasn’t that he was brave—he simply didn’t believe it.
No one knew better than he did that Fu Moyang couldn’t possibly be the culprit. He had a perfect alibi—after all, the man had been with him the entire time, even when he was in the shower…
Snapping out of his thoughts, he discreetly touched his slightly warm ear and asked: “Do you have any proof?”
Joker shrugged: “After the first butler died, the only one who stood to gain was him. And now, just before the dart thrower died, he had a bit of a spat with him at the dinner table. Who else could have a motive?”
The other players twitched their lips.
So becoming someone’s steward actually turns out to be profitable too…
Why did it sound like Joker was a little jealous? No, no—that must’ve been their imagination.
Fu Moyang suddenly let out a cold snort: “You’re the one with the strongest motive and the best opportunity to kill.”
Joker’s tone was unreadable: “Oh? Why would I kill my dear employee? He still has to perform tomorrow for the glory of the circus and for the adorable Young Master Rum. Even if I were going to kill him, I’d wait until after the performance.”
He made no attempt to hide his indifference toward the man’s life.
The only reason he’d come here to join the commotion was to annoy Fu Moyang.
If he couldn’t kill him, he’d at least try to drive a wedge between him and his little cotton candy.
Fu Moyang’s expression turned colder: “Because you’re trying to frame me. You’re jealous of me.”
Joker looked like he’d just heard the world’s funniest joke. He repeated the word: “Jealous?”
The tension in the air grew increasingly oppressive.
The Puppeteer silently took a step back with the Magician, ready to bolt at the first sign of a fight.
If those two really started going at it, everyone nearby would get caught in the crossfire.
Just when it seemed like a fight was about to break out, Fu Moyang and Joker suddenly turned their heads in unison to look at Chen Li and asked in perfect sync: “Who do you think the killer is?”
Chen Li: “……”
System 001, ever the chaos enthusiast: [You look like a kindergarten teacher.]
Although that comparison felt absurd when facing two walking weapons of mass destruction, Chen Li couldn’t help but agree with the system. He had no idea what sort of deal the two had struck outside his door that day, but they’d become just a bit—just a bit—more civil since then.
Now that they’d stopped throwing punches and settled for verbal jabs instead, they were acting so childishly that they’d turned a gothic murder mystery into an episode of Detective Conan.
Expressionless, he said: “I don’t think either of you did it.”
Seeing that the two were about to start mocking each other again, Chen Li quickly cut in—worried that Fu Moyang might blurt out something like ‘He was with me when I was showering, so he has an alibi’: “I meant the method of the murder!”
Finally, the two quieted down and turned to him seriously.
Their gazes were almost reverent, as if whatever he said would be taken as gospel.
Chen Li had no idea how things had gotten to this point, but he braced himself and took on the detective role, continuing: “The same person didn’t kill both of them. The killer who murdered the dart thrower was clearly trying to make it look like the same person did it.”
He’d seen both bodies up close. He thought he’d be too scared to recall the scenes, but the image of the butler hanging there was burned into his mind, down to the smallest detail.
Maybe it was because he was used to closely observing things while drawing—he noticed details others had missed.
The dart thrower’s assistant couldn’t hold back any longer and sat up from the floor: “But both of them were hung up the same way—tied by the head to the door.”
He had been paralyzed with fear ever since seeing his cousin’s corpse and had been silent in a corner until now.
Chen Li shook his head: “The method used to kill the dart thrower was very rough. When the butler’s body was found, the wound had been treated very carefully. The blood only started dripping when the body was discovered. But this body was bleeding nonstop before we arrived.”
The pool of blood below was the best proof.
“Also, there were many signs of abuse on the butler’s body. Compared to that, the dart thrower’s wounds are… too… inexperienced.” Chen Li hesitated for a moment before finding the right word.
The other person was probably killing for the first time, and their rushed attempts to cover up the crime weren’t enough to make the act truly ruthless.
The most obvious sign was the dart thrower’s hands. He had simply been tied behind his back, while the butler had had his wrists violently twisted, with his hands bound in a butterfly knot shape. Only crushing or completely removing the bones inside could achieve that.
Thinking back on that scene gave him the chills, but with Fu Moyang beside him, he felt a great sense of security.
The dancer couldn’t help but ask: “Do you have any suspects in mind?”
The guests at the castle had died without the master knowing. Compared to this, the NPC would definitely want to catch the murderer to save face.
This was beneficial to the players whose lives were at risk.
Chen Li coughed softly, suddenly reaching out to tug at Fu Moyang’s sleeve. The man immediately bent down.
The two of them whispered to each other quietly for a while before parting, just before Joker’s face turned completely black.
Fu Moyang: “The young master already knows who the murderer is.”
The Puppeteer asked: “Who?”
Fu Moyang raised his hand and pointed directly at the person in front of them—the dart thrower’s assistant.
“It’s not me!” the assistant’s face turned pale. “Why would I frame my cousin!?”
Players are allowed to fight amongst themselves, which is what makes the game so terrifying.
Once out of the game, every player is under the game’s protection and can only kill within the game.
The dart thrower’s assistant wailed: “How could I hurt my cousin!?”
Chen Li pursed his lips and gave Fu Moyang a displeased glance.
The man immediately showed a fierce look: “The castle is full of the young master’s eyes. You still want to deceive people?”
His hand moved toward his waist.
As soon as the long whip was drawn, the threat was immediately palpable.
Full… eyeliner…
He knows everything! This NPC with an unknown ability sees everything, and he’s already been savoring the knowledge of it all…
The dart thrower’s assistant collapsed, unable to even make eye contact with Chen Li, let alone seek confirmation.
Fu Moyang and Joker coldly watched him, and if he misstepped even a little, he would be…
Thanks to the persona Chen Li carefully crafted, where he kept his presence subtle, no one would suspect what Fu Moyang said.
This was exactly the effect Chen Li wanted to achieve.
There’s no need to go through the hassle of gathering evidence. Once a suspect is found, just bluff and reveal it.
Now, he was the master of the mansion. Even if he made a mistake, no one could do anything to him.
System 001 daily sarcastic comment: [So powerful, why don’t you say it yourself?]
In a way, the host is indeed well-suited for the Horror Game.
But that couldn’t be said out loud, or he might get too cocky.
Chen Li proudly responded: [Because I lack confidence!]
He could only let those used to forcing others to follow their way be the ones to bluff.
Seeing the dart thrower’s assistant looking lost and terrified, the other players all understood, showing looks of disdain.
In the game, there are no forced life-or-death situations between players. In fact, most tasks are more suited for cooperation.
But since the game is not protected by any laws, even if a few bad apples exist, once they appear, all players in the game will face unnecessary danger.
No one wants to be betrayed by a teammate in the game. Being cautious of unfamiliar players is basic knowledge, which keeps the atmosphere tense between players.
So, anyone who kills in the game is considered a pest.
The magician questioned: “Why did you kill him?”
The dart thrower’s assistant suddenly tilted his head and, in a burst of frustration, said: “I—I just want to survive. Is that wrong?”
He wasn’t wrong, he was just unlucky to have been found out.
The puppeteer: “What do you mean?”
The magician: “Aren’t you partners?”
“Partners?” The dart thrower’s assistant suddenly started muttering nervously, “I know, I know. The dart thrower’s act is just throwing darts… From the previous shows, I’m sure I’ll be the target tomorrow… I asked him to give me the props, but he refused…”
The male dancer: “But even if you killed him, you still can’t take the props.”
Only props that are truly given as gifts can be used.
Joker suddenly spoke up: “You’re afraid of tomorrow’s performance, so you killed him?”
He smiled as if it were just a casual question.
The dart thrower’s assistant shivered: “Yes.”
“Stupid!” Joker suddenly flew into a rage.
No one expected Joker to lash out. With a loud crash, the dart thrower’s assistant was kicked straight into the wall like a piece of trash.
With a crack, his neck twisted at an impossible angle, and he instantly lost his breath.
He died too quickly.
The female dancer screamed: “Ah!”
Once again, they felt the unpredictability of this circus ringleader NPC before them.
In the previous moment, the wind was gentle and the clouds light; in the next, a life was taken.
Joker didn’t even blink as he withdrew his foot, and his toes were stained with a drop of fresh blood.
He could tolerate internal conflicts among his employees, but he would never forgive anyone who interrupted his performance.
Thinking that killing a companion could disrupt the performance was utterly foolish.
The assistant of the dart thrower never imagined that a single wrong word would cost him his life.
In the silence, the male dancer trembled and spoke: “Captain, what about tomorrow’s performance?”
Both dart throwers were dead, and there was no solution for the performance other than to cancel it.
Joker seemed to have heard something amusing and put on a smiling face: “Of course, we’ll change the performance. Tomorrow, it’s your turn to take the stage, beautiful dancers.”
The female dancer almost screamed again. How did things escalate like this?
Her vision went dark, but the male dancer caught her in time.
Joker pretended not to notice her despair and spoke with great cheer: “Tomorrow will be the last performance. Once it’s over, our contract will be complete.”
The puppeteer and the magician both shuddered and exchanged ecstatic glances.
Once tomorrow’s performance was over, they would have completed their mission.
System 001: [The fear level has increased to 250.]
Chen Li: …I feel like this number is insulting me.
A farce ended hastily in this way, and Chen Li waved his hand to signal everyone to disperse. He turned and went upstairs with a tail following behind.
Tonight was destined for both joy and sorrow.
Author’s note:
Fu Moyang: He stood up for me, he cares for me (confident).