Haunted Hotel Game [3]: Napmoth's Deal

"Everyone, split into three groups to get on Adrian's back, we're jumping off the roof"

A brief period of awkward silence followed, everyone's faces filled with shock and disbelief as they tried processing this crazy plan. I glanced at Michelle to take control of the situation

*CLAP

The single, loud clap served it's purpose in drawing everyone's attention and snapping them out of their daze.

"Alrighty, Brock and Freddie will be group one, Leyley and Nicole group two while I'll stick with Adam. Let's escape this place together"

"This is crazy, we're four storeys up, we'll die!"

Male extra 1, Freddie muttered in a panic, holding his head.... right before she grabbed his hand, clasping it in hers as she made deep eye contact with a soft smile.

"We're going to be alright, I promise. This is our chance to escape, but we can't do it without you"

"Y-Yeah"

He replied blushing, and his erratic thoughts seemed to be calming down a bit. Michelle might be a pain, but she's got observation and manipulation down to artform. Group 2 walked past me and got on Adrian's back.

The others were mostly Michelle followers, so her "radiance" touched them all as well. Well, all except the sharp tongued female extra....

"That's all well and good, but my phone's still missing, I can't leave without it!"

"Leyley..."

"Don't call me that, my name's Ashley!"

Female extra 2 was wasting time and Adrian's form will soon wear off. That was a more potent poison, but it'll only last one minute and almost 20 seconds had gone since he'd transformed.

"Just get a new phone!"

I said, impatient and incredibly irritated

"Don't say that like it's that easy! Will you give me the money for it, dead eyes?!"

"I have a spare phone you can use back at home, so let's go, Leyley"

"That's not the point, Michelle. I have irreplaceable things on it, that phone is my lif—"

I grabbed Michelle's hand, and faced the door, preparing to run.

"WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS! If you want to risk your life for a phone, go ahead. The rest of us are running to the edge of the rooftop to make it easier for Adrian when he leaps back up to the roof!"

I ran, holding a flustered Michelle's hand, while group 1 rode on Adrian's back and group 2 ran behind to make it faster once Adrian safely delivers group 1 to the floor—That included the sharp tongued female extra 2.

"A-Adam..."

"You can't risk losing the other's trust by threatening to leave her behind and if someone said so, your persona makes you obligated to reject the idea. Dragging you is the best way to get female extra 2 to move by the bandwagon effect"

"I...see...."

We ran, with freedom in sight, however, while I was focused on Michelle, I didn't notice the shadow that spawned beside me. Up close, it looked like a huge cloth, but it's movements were too life-like to be a cloth.

Another puppet, right in my face and I had no time to react or counter.

I let go of Michelle's hand for it to take me alone, but....

*BUMP

Huh?

The fraction of a second I was mid-air felt like an eternity, and before my eyes, I saw the queen bee who just pushed me out the way get swallowed by that cloth, her soft smile of relief burned into my memory.

"MICHELLEEEE!!!!!!!"

Who said that? It definitely sounds like my voice. Oh? I'm the one shouting. Why? It's not like we're friends or anything, so why?

Why am I screaming like this?

Everyone's attention was drawn to my outburst and froze in place as they watched Michelle King sink into the cloth which wrapped itself into a ball and started rolling away towards the door.

Before I could even think, I got up chasing after the ball and was about to grab it as it was about to reach the door, but then—

*WHOOSH

*THUMP

I was blown back, no, hit by something.... someone, another puppet, a humanoid one this time, and it had friends.

The puppets charged at me on the roof and I staggered to my feet, assuming a futile fighting stance. Adrian leaped over me from behind, impulsively refusing to escape but rather fight.

"What the hell are you doing?! Get out of here! They're all spread out this time and have enough space to counter, you'll burn out before beating them all!"

He didn't listen to me and the outcome was exactly as I said. Adrian transformed back and we were about to be overrun by puppets.

"My, My, A rooftop escape, I'm impressed. I'm sure I had this door sealed, though.... To think you had someone strong enough to break it..."

Who said that?

"....quite a clever ploy, although still well within my calculations...."

I looked around for the source of that voice, and then I saw him— a humanoid puppet, standing above the door, although it was a bit different from the others, if I had to put it in words, it was more... sophisticated.

"The name's Napmoth Hetof Riscmoorum, the owner of this fine establishment. You might be a shrewd little boy, but your intelligence falls short of mine as you can see. This is my victory"

The puppet was tall with chiseled features wearing a black suit with a top hat and cape, reminding me of my favorite phantom thief for some reason.

"And here I thought you only had one of those vials, to think you had more stashed away someplace else, what a drag"

While I was unconscious, aside from my phone and wristwatch, the vial I showed everyone at the party was taken as well because I left it in my pocket. Lucky for me, the other three were somewhere else, somewhere you wouldn't think to look normally. Since, he wasn't searching for it specifically, he missed them.

Still though, I only have one vial left. Even though it's Liz's most potent poison, I'll only get 2 minutes on it max, barely enough time to get that ball back and escape, and if more puppets show up, we're screwed. Even if I get that ball, I don't know how to open it or if she's still alive in there.. should I forget her and run? What should I do?

"Oh and before you think up some asinine ploy to escape your current situation, I want to give you my word that your friend is alive"

"Huh?"

"Did I stutter? I said the blonde bimbo my trap caught is alive and well"

"GIVE HER BACK, YOU BASTARD!"

Brock growled in a rage and the others supported him.

"Hmmm.....Sure, I'll give her back to you"

"What? Just like that?"

"Ofcourse not! You've got to play me for her"

I took a deep breath and took over the interrogation while keeping my eye on the door, trying to confirm something.

"So you're saying if I beat you in a game, you'll give her back, no questions asked"

"Yes. Not just that, you all get to leave here unharmed"

Sounds way too good to be true

"What's the catch?"

"Catch? I'm simply proposing a deal out of respect for your capability as a player, not just did you clear floor 3, you rose to my expectations and unlocked the bonus stage: floor 4! How have you enjoyed my game so far?"

"What game? I've been flying by the seat of my pants the whole time! There are no ways to find out the rules and it lacks game balance. You suck at making games!"

"Hahahaha, I'll keep that in mind. So, what do you say?"

The gazes of the other humans were on me as I directed my gaze away from the door and at Napmoth

"Something stinks"

"Huh?"

"You have us cornered and yet you're trying to make a deal to get us back in your game, if you really want us to play, why not use force? You're probably afraid of Adrian's wolf form, however, it shouldn't be a problem if you call more puppets for backup. I can only think of one reason why and I've been looking at the door to confirm it"

I looked at the lifeless puppet in his eyes— at least, where his eyes should be.

"You have no backup, all your puppets are on the roof right now"

Adrian glanced at me, ready for action at any time

"The one who's winning here is us, so just hand her over and we'll be on our way. I'd hate to destroy the rest of your toys"

Napmoth stared in silence for a brief period of time before bursting into a huge laugh

"HAHAHAHA..... Impressive!..... That's right, I have no more forces at my disposal"

"So then...."

"However, allow me to propose a deduction of my own"

I couldn't see it clearly, but I felt something akin to an evil smile form on Napmoth Hetof Whatever.

"You only have one of those vials left, am I right?"

He knows?

"So am right! Why else will you give up the element of surprise to negotiate?"

"Tch"

"I'd say we're almost at a stalemate"

"Almost?"

"Even if this fight ends in your victory, one, only I know how to unlock this trap and two, using that vial means you'll have to challenge floor 2 and 1 to escape, can your ragtag team really handle that?"

In addition, that isn't his main body, so even if we beat him, our chances of getting him to tell us how to unlock the ball is zero, and there's no telling what is on the other floors, shit.

"So here's my proposal, you have two choices.... One, escape right now and leave your friend behind,I won't stop you or interfere....or two, beat the bonus stage floor 4 and earn the right to challenge me, then win and claim your girl. However..."

The wind got stronger, blowing his cape and granting him peak aura. Damn, how can a puppet look so cool?

".... If you lose even once, you will die"

"WHAT!"

Male and female extra 1— Freddie and Nicole chorused in fear.

"Can I play alone?"

"No, it's a group deal"

"Sigh— at least give us some time to deliberate"

"Hmmm.... That's fine. Should you choose to play..."

One of the puppets brought a tray with two identical phones and six collars

".... You're to put on those collars, they contain the bombs that will kill you if you fail. Also, your assignments will be communicated to you via text by me so take one phone"

I picked up a phone and the collars while he took the other phone.

*DING

I received a blank text from someone called N.

"What is this?"

"Haha, I was just testing it. If you choose to accept my challenge, just reply with 'start' and I'll send the instructions. Ofcourse, if you're not all wearing the collars when you press it, I'll kill your friend and blow the fourth floor killing y'all and the hostages"

"Hostages?"

"Haha, I've said too much. I'll be on my way now"

He dispersed with his forces, leaving us on the roof. I turned to my supposed teammates, their faces filled with despair

"Alright guys, what do you want to do?"

"Save her, ofcourse!"

As expected from Brock, an impulsive reply from an impulsive dumb jock who probably doesn't understand the situation well enough to weigh the risks. The others were considering it more seriously though.

"I.... don't want to die"

Freddie muttered, voicing the thoughts everyone had but were too afraid to say out of fear of prejudice. Brock grabbed him by his shirt.

"YOU COWARD!"

"CALL ME A COWARD IF YOU LIKE, PUNCH ME IF YOU WANT, IT'S BETTER THAN BEING DEAD"

"YOU SAY THAT LIKE IT'S A DONE DEAL, WE CAN WIN"

"Like you can contribute anything with your rocks for brains"

"Why you..."

He raised his fist to punch the guy, good grief.

I grabbed his fist and sharpened my gaze

"Enough, let him go"

Brock stared at me intently then sighed. He released his grip and Freddie fell on his butt

" 'If you lose even once'..... that's what that.. "thing" said. That means there's more than one game, the odds aren't in our favor"

He was the only one besides me who caught on to that detail and it showed in the thoughts of the others. Their anxiety doubled instantly. Freddie continued

"It's simple math, we shouldn't risk the lives of six people just to save one"

"Except that one is Michelle! You know she'll do the same for you!"

Brock retorted, clearly frustrated at the extra

"She'll actually have a shot at winning cause she's smart, unlike the rest of us. You couldn't even get out of the escape room"

"Even so, we have to try—"

"Why are you in a hurry to die anyway? You think she'll let you suck her t*ts if you do? Well I guess for an oaf like you, licking her feet is enough to satisfy your miserable existen—"

*WHACK

His head hit the floor instantly, his thoughts, trying to process the kick I planted in his face.

"I told the jock to let you go so stop escalating the situation with your insults, idiot"

I turned back to the others

"That said, his assessment is mostly correct, I can't argue with that...."

"Dead eyes!"

"Not everyone is as impulsive as you, you're not the only one risking your life here so at least show some tact"

"...."

"Let's put it to a vote"

"Huh?"

"That's the best way to decide this. Everyone, state your honest opinion, and if anyone tries to give you grief, I'll deck them myself so don't be afraid. Your life is the most important thing to you, don't let peer pressure make you think otherwise, so consider what you want"

The group fell silent, each waiting for someone else to talk first.

"I want to save Michelle!", Brock said, breaking the ice

"I want to go home", Freddie retorted, getting up

"Alright, we're one for one"

.....

"Well, I wanted to get my phone anyway, so I say we play"

A daring suggestion from Ashley

"Two – one, next...."

"I.... don't want to die. I want to leave!"

"NICOLE! Your her best frien—"

I glared at the flaring Brock, sending a "psychic" message telling him to shut up. His frozen reactions and thoughts confirmed he got the message loud and clear.

Geez, now I have to comfort a sobbing cheerleader

"I'm sorry...."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, you were honest with yourself"

That's simply the bond a queen and worker bee's relationship amounts to in the end. When push comes to shove, they buzz off.

"Adrian, you're the tiebreaker"

"I'll abstain"

"Huh? Why?"

"I'll leave the final decision in your hands, after all, the reason I'm here is because of you"

He had a piercing gaze that felt like he could see right through me— the fact that I was using this vote as an excuse to run from responsibility and just follow what everyone else decided, that I was trying my best to avoid quantifying the worth of the one human being known as Michelle King, that I was starting to re-evaluate my position when I started this mission.

"So, what will it be, Adam?"

"..."

Is the life of one person more important than six? Ofcourse not. We're not lovers, friends or even acquaintances, hell, she's basically an annoyance to my existence.

However, if she hadn't pushed me away, I would've been the one inside that ball. Whether it was genuine or her just maintaining her "good girl" image, I don't know, I doubt she even knows herself.

If I was the one in that ball, we wouldn't be deliberating like this, everyone would've left without a second thought, that's for sure.

If it were any of these drones in there, I wouldn't help as well, no matter how much the queen bee nagged me to. However, the person in that ball is Michelle King, someone I wouldn't help under normal circumstances, even if you paid me.....

"There was only ever one answer for me"

....However, these aren't normal circumstances. Fact is, no one would've saved me if I was the one in that ball, so by pushing me out of the way, she technically saved my life.

I owe her my life, so the least I can do is think a little seriously for a bit

I put the collar on my neck.

"Sigh— I guess we're going bee hunting"

Everyone except Freddie accepted the results so I had to force the collar on his neck. Once the collars were on, I replied to the blank text with 'start'

"Hmmmm"

"What is it?"

Adrian asked right before they gathered around check the reply that had me puzzled

"What.... the hell is this?"

It was a weird string of letters

[wwayalvjyxuitklvdku]