Chapter 39

* * *

“A simple question. So the answer should be even easier, right? Candidate, you… you knew what that monster was going to ask, didn’t you?”

The moment that question came while I was in Daddy’s arms, I thought, Ah, here it comes.

Even though I didn’t want to answer, the words slipped out. That’s what brainwashing does.

‘I’ve got to get out of here, fast.’

Thankfully, Daddy seemed to notice something was off and stepped in.

Before he and Usher could get into it, the trial resumed.

As the proceedings resumed, I had a thought.

‘So that dog-head thing is a monster that’s willing to negotiate?’

As long as fairness is maintained, it seems like anything goes with it.

I glanced over at Usher and then scanned the remaining teammates one by one.

It wasn’t just Usher who was a concern. That spy, Antonio—going by an alias—with his face wrapped in bandages, bothered me too.

‘Still, he’s not as bad as a fanatic.’

And I was still under brainwashing, to boot.

‘The right to refuse an answer? It might as well not exist.’

Refusing would basically be the same as revealing part of the answer.

In short, staying here with that thing was not a good idea.

So.

“Your Honor, with all due respect, may I offer a negotiation for this next trial?”

— Negotiation?

As expected, the judge—who had already taken an interest or a liking to me in the last round—readily agreed.

Or at least, I thought it had.

— But I’ve changed my mind.

The judge flipped the script.

— If you want to send your teammates out, that condition won’t do. Sacrifice one of the hostages instead.

— Then I’ll let them go!

…Eh?

I blinked in confusion.

‘Wait… that condition’s actually better?’

I quickly covered my mouth.

To hide the grin that had almost escaped.

Originally, I’d planned to propose a condition myself to get the team out of here.

‘But this… this works out even better for my plan.’

If someone saw what I was doing right now, they’d probably go, What kind of garbage human is this? But I didn’t care.

Game Category [Post][Casual Chat]

~Paranormal Class~

“The Judge’s Law”

(Excerpted)

To avoid falling into a trap, one thing is essential: preparation.

“By the way, Your Honor, I have a question.”

I cupped my hands around my mouth like a whisper, and the judge, arching its eyebrows, leaned in close.

— What is it?

— What’s your question?

“You said earlier, when Team 1 sacrificed a hostage, one teammate could leave the trial… but that was a lie, wasn’t it?”

— …

— How do you know that?

— Yeah, how?

— Did we say that?

— Did we?

They never said it out loud.

But come on. Didn’t you see that weird hand pulling Garrick—Gidehme’s Guardian—into a portal?

“The blue portal that took one of Team 1… it looked suspicious to me.”

— Hmmm… well, fine.

— That doesn’t apply to your team.

— Because we offered the deal, right?

So the rule where the sacrificed hostage also dies—looks like that can be bypassed this way.

‘It’s tricky, though, since you have to bait the dog-head into suggesting it first.’

Game Category [Post][Casual Chat]

~Paranormal Class~

(Excerpted)

The judge has the authority to alter the rules of this place to some extent.

As soon as the negotiation succeeded, I nodded and glanced back behind me.

I couldn’t help but smile.

Teammates, did you hear that? I just pulled off one hell of a deal.

I’ll even send you out in a luxury limo.

“Alright. I’ll sacrifice a hostage.”

Dad’s face contorted in shock. Usher, who hadn’t even opened his mouth, was staring wide-eyed like he’d just been slapped.

Somehow, that made it feel even more satisfying.

‘Sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to shock you.’

But this was the only way.

— Oh my, really?

— You mean it?

— You’re abandoning the defendant?

“Yes. That’s right.”

The three dog heads looked at each other. Behind them, shadows stirred like they were laughing along.

Then came—

— Heh, kehh, khahahaha!

Ruff! RUUFF! RUFF RUFF RUFF!

What else would you expect from a dog-headed judge? As it laughed, the air filled with what could only be described as monstrous barking.

It wasn’t dog barking, exactly. More like some huge beast from the canine family, or a rending, unnatural sound.

‘Jeez, can’t someone report this noise pollution?’

In the game, you could just turn the volume down. In real life, it pierced straight into your ears like a dagger.

My head throbbed.

‘Pretty sure it actually affected my HP bar in-game…’

I’m just a weak little baby, remember?!

I was trembling from the direct hit when a dark blue light enveloped me.

‘Daddy?’

It was Daddy’s divine power.

‘I can breathe easier now…’

— How amusing!

— Delightful!

— A decision like that after such a trial?

Just like when I whispered earlier, the judge came close again. But its expression had changed completely.

‘Damn mutt’s excited now.’

Its eyes gleamed with a slick sheen. The kind of stare that’d be terrifying in the dark.

— We adore contradiction!

— You said you’d sacrifice, right?

— Who goes first?

Without even glancing at the hostages, I replied calmly.

In my mind, I recalled where each of them had been seated.

“The one sitting at the very front… I’ll sacrifice that hostage. Please let one of our teammates return home.”

— Fine!

— Permission granted!

— Bang, bang, bang!!

Simultaneously, a commotion erupted behind us.

“You… how can you call yourself human?!”

“Aaaargh! Get away from me! Get away!”

A hostage floated into the air. Like the last one, they were bound midair—but this time, the situation was different.

“This is your fault! I’m dying because of you!”

He was one of the ones who’d clapped with the back of his hand.

“You little piece of shit!”

Bloodshot eyes locked on me as the man thrashed and spat curses.

“Die! Just die! I’ll haunt you even after I’m dead!”

If I were an ordinary child, I might have been shaken.

A blue portal formed, and the hostage was sucked into it.

— Sacrifice complete!

— This is getting fun!

— So fun!

The judge nodded all three of its heads in satisfaction. Its ears perked up like it was thrilled.

“Your Honor, may I now name the teammate I’d like to send back?”

— Permission granted!

— You may name them!

— They’ll be sent immediately!

I turned my head as their voices buzzed behind me.

Huu…

I let out a long sigh.

‘The youngest teammate has already been sent home.’

Only the adults remained.

Normally, the youngest would be the first to leave. But then what about the others?

From the start, my next move was already decided.

I motioned for the judge to lean in and whispered so only the dog-head could hear.

— Very well! It’s decided!

A red portal appeared next to the team’s space.

I didn’t hesitate and called out.

“Daddy!”

Even with the distance, our eyes met. Like he had been waiting for it.

My chest tightened—just a little.

Then I grinned wide.

“Send that guy!”

Please take care of this trash, Father.

“Huh? Haha, Candidate, you’re joking, right? A useful asset like me?”

Usher barely had time to process what I said.

“W-wait. This setup… it’s familiar… AAAAAAACK!”

Without missing a beat, Daddy grabbed Usher by the collar and hurled him into the portal.

Our eyes met just as he disappeared. I smiled even brighter.

‘Answering every question? You wish.’

Your free ride ends here, bastard.

Starting next chapter, pay up, you prick.

The portal that devoured Usher vanished without a trace.

Everything was over in a matter of seconds, leaving behind a stunned silence.

The judge let out a throaty chuckle.

— A cherished companion, was he?

— Team spirit?

— That’s noble too!

— Indeed.

“Of course.”

I smiled.

“He’s such a precious teammate, I just had to send him out first.”

Yup. Total sarcasm.

‘And just like that, another fanatic threat, gone.’

Now, onto the next step.

“Your Honor. Before we move on to the next trial…”

I put on a calm expression, as if I hadn’t just been grinning seconds ago.

Then said, as nonchalantly as anything,

“I’d like to sacrifice two more hostages so we can send two more of our team home.”

A glance from the corner of my eye revealed Laura in shock and Antonio with a dazed expression.

Especially Laura. I could feel my reputation crumbling in real time.

You ask, Is it right to sacrifice civilians like this?

‘Absolutely not.’

But… what if…

What if the hostages assigned to me aren’t actually human?

What if they’re cleverly disguised, malevolent things?

What if they’re in league with the judge?

‘Then I can send them off guilt-free.’

“What are you waiting for? Let’s get on with it.”

Execute.

Those hostages were exactly that—the deadly trap that always killed off newbies.

“I’ll sacrifice two more!”
 

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Translator: Japchae