ATONEMENT: How to escape from a bloody survival game?

The Red Shoes Chapter 2: The Wedding

Theo was startled to open his eyes in the minimal space with an unpleasant musty smell. Based on the construction he feels, in his opinion, is confined in a box or… a coffin.

Thinking of this, Theo was a little confused, he reached out and pushed the wood into his head. The blue screen suddenly appeared hovering.

[Ting Ting! Welcome Dermot to Cleverdent Castle]

[The groom has arrived for the young bride. The wedding ceremony will take place on Thursday night.]

[Main quest: Player survives Thursday night's escape.]

[Personal mission: You are a disabled groom. You can't talk.]

[Reminder: You don't look at it.]

Theo frowned - can't talk? Good, I am an introvert anywway. The main mission is also simple to survive after the wedding night is done. As for ‘it’… what is ‘it’?

Theo feels that the game still contains many other mysteries. Holding that question, he memorized the quest table and quickly flipped the wooden lid above him. Staying in this space for so long made him breathless.

The light appeared with the scene of the great dark forest, surrounded by only big old trees. It was cloudy, and a slight cold made Theo get goosebumps. The large iron gate stood before his eyes. Red tile and Byzantine arch architecture, this set belongs to the 12th century.

Theo stood up, looking down, he was in a coffin. The feeling of suffocation was still there, he quickly walked to the large iron gate.

The dark black gave off a strange stench that made his nose prickle. Someone threw something decomposing onto this gate - For example Blood.

The thought ran through Theo's mind so naturally that he no longer felt the horror. Perhaps falling into this game was too weird. Everything that happens here will also be monstrous.

Theo was looking around at the castle when the gate moved. He took a step back with a certain.

A maid stepped out and approached Theo. Her black headscarf covered her face, her callused hand extended to invite him into the castle. The maid didn't say a word, just bowed her head and silence.

Theo nodded and stepped into the castle grounds. As he passed the maid, he glanced slightly, but still couldn't see her face. Theo is not sure if this maid is one of the clues to this level.

Inside the castle is a flower garden withered, it seems that the owner of this place has neglected to take care of the plants for a long time. The dull scenery and the gray color on each brick of the building made Theo shiver. It was like being in a horror movie where he was a backup actor.

The hall opened with warm shimmering light, completely different from the scene outside. The inside of the castle is like a wonderful paradise, with fresh drawings adorning the ceiling and dazzling crystal chandeliers. Stained glass windows with images of angels or gods are true to the design of this century.

It is speculated, based on the costumes and architecture, that this level is probably in the middle of the 12th century, before the Second Crusade.

“Welcome to Cleverdent Castle. You are the last groom.”

The sound brought Theo back to reality. Beside him was a monk with a dark brown tunic, a cross on his chest, and a golden belt.

Theo was about to open his mouth when suddenly remembering his mission, he nodded.

“It is an honor that you have come this far. Thank you for your brave sacrifice. Please follow me."

The monk introduced himself as Edmund, he has served God for 10 years and is going to preside over a wedding at this castle soon.

Theo was led to the room where the welcome party was being held. Not as grand as he had imagined, on the contrary, only thirteen people were standing sporadically in the room. Their expressions were only one, bewilderment. According to the unconfirmed, all of them might be players.

Monk Edmund left Theo behind and stepped onto the high platform, looking down haughtily, excitedly:

“The last groom has finally arrived. Thank you for coming here to attend your wedding. These days the Earl of Cleverdent will prepare a place to eat and sleep. The wedding will be celebrated Thursday night next week. Wishing you all happiness.”

The fourteen people, including Theo, fell silent, looking at each other and then at the monk. The man on the podium seemed to be waiting for them as well.

“Is the bride going to marry all of us at once?”

Towards the last pillar in the room, a tall, muscular man raised his hand and asked loudly. The whole atmosphere stopped as he had just done something dangerous.

"I'm sorry. I didn't make it clear to you. Please forgive this deficiency.” Edmund smiled politely and bowed slightly apologetically. “The bride will choose a groom she likes to marry. Please pay attention, don't make the bride unhappy."

Receiving the answer, the whole room was filled with excitement. The big guy's question seemed to add to the excitement. In the second, a blond young man raised his hand and asked:

"Is the bride the earl's daughter?"

The monk Edmund remained in his crouched position, motionless. Somewhere there is a sigh:

“It seems the bride's identity is not within the scope of the NPC's answer. That could be a clue.”

Suddenly, the sound of crashing was heard. The little girl fell beside the pile of plates, in tight menswear of the century, she sobbed. "Where is this? I want to go home."

Emotions subsided immediately, few people understand, that in this situation, they couldn’t go home.

"Don't cry, please calm down first." The blonde youth stepped forward to help the girl up, holding out her handkerchief like a professional listener. "My name is John, I'm a longtime player, I will explain the rules of the game for everyone to understand the situation."

Waiting for the girl to settle down, John loosened his collar, and continued, "This is a game called Atonement. To be able to pass the stage, everyone must find enough clues and chain the story. However, this is the opening round for new players, everyone has a simple task to live through the time of the marriage ceremony."

The big guy had stepped forward at this time. "I'm Markie" - A slight laugh somewhere, it seems that the ID name doesn't match his current appearance. “I heard that not only Bosses but also NPCs can attack players. So how to avoid it?"

The word attack was emphasized by the big, teeth-gnashing Markie, causing the room to have a few more frightening expressions.

John smiled lightly, this player has a bit of thinking. He sighed: “As he said, don't make the bride unhappy. And for the reason why she's unhappy, we don’t have a clue."

“But this is the opening round, new players should be safe right?”

The little girl who had stopped crying just now, her question was stared at by dozens of pairs of eyes. She continued trembling: "I'm Jenny, I mean we're new players, we'll pass the stage smoothly, right?"

John smiles courteously, and he nods in agreement: “I've never heard of a death in the opening round. Everyone will be safe.”

It seems that the confirmed question from the predecessor made everyone feel much more relieved. As for Theo, an orphan, he is very sensitive to the eyes and gestures of others. John lied.

So this must be a bloody wedding.

"It's been a while since we've been here, how is our room divided?" - John asked a question to the monk Edmund remained in the same position.

“Please follow the servant to the room that belongs to you. May you rest in peace.”

Today's dialogue was completed, and NPC Edmund turned to leave. Everyone surrounds the blond John with the desire to elect him to be the leader. Only Markie and Theo stood alone.

John smiled and asked Markie if he would join, as expected, the big guy waved rudely and went away with the maid.

And last, Theo was being stared at, he signaled that he couldn't talk. 

John was surprised.

“You were cast as a mute?”

Theo nodded.

“Could you at least introduce yourself?”

Theo frowned slightly, John seems to have chosen Theo as his laboratory rabbit.

Because Theo can't talk. Damn personal mission!

People saw his confusion, they thought he was difficult to express. The maid calmly handed over the pen and paper, and Theo glanced at her, it was the maid who had led him in.

Smooth pen strokes, long slender fingers on the paper. Everyone can see his name.

“So will Dermot join us?”

Dozens of crazy eyes looked at him like dogs of prey. Theo calmly shook his head in refusal and followed the maid out to find his room.

“Those two are fine, the level is very simple. Open mouth to wait, you will still win, please rest assured."

John's voice echoed back, making Theo feel disgusted. This game is not that easy.