ATONEMENT: How to escape from a bloody survival game?

The Red Shoes Chapter 4: Cleverdent Castle

The group of players followed the monk Edmund's guide to the dining room, Theo found out that the expressions of the rest of the players were quite relaxed. They've probably been brainwashed by the blond John, so they'll eat the bread of idleness to pass this round?

Theo noticed the way, but monk Edmund seemed to be going around in circles. Either the castle is too big, or he doesn't want the player to remember the way. Theo pursed his lips, attending dinner first and counting later.

The dining room appears with warm light and a long, glossy wooden table. The food on it is rich, eye-catching, and delicious. There were exactly fourteen seats for fourteen players, but the owner of the castle had not yet appeared.

When all the players were seated, the monk Edmund informed them to wait until the Earl of Cleverdent arrived before the meal could begin. So everyone is in a waiting position, looking at the food.

Theo sat next to Markie, opposite the blond John - who was smiling politely at him. Theo was not rude, so he greeted back, and at the same time, he noticed a strange point.

A large castle has only 7 maids, the monk also acts as a butler. More strangely, there were no guards or any other men except the Earl and Edmund. What about the Countess? Where is she?

“Earl Cleverdent is coming.”

When the monk Edmund's voice shouted, everyone rose to bow in the proper manner of the aristocracy.

Some people said, 'I can't get up’, 'And I can't move my body’. According to acute thinking, in the game, there will be times when the players will be forced to move according to the plot.

Ah, the plot. Excitement surged, Theo couldn't hold back so much that his toes stirred. He always tries to solve all the mysteries in the game.

“Hello Grooms”

Everyone seemed to wake up by the time the Earl had sat down on the chair. An old middle-aged man, with dark sunken eyes, a white beard covering half of his face, and a wet suit. A strong stench made some players cover their noses and want to vomit.

The Earl frowned in displeasure, but he allowed everyone to eat. Monk Edmund brought out a large bottle of wine, but with a musty smell, everyone gave up observing the owner of the castle ensure their appetite.

The players also started to eat the food, the delicious and greasy taste made everyone try to eat more. But just as Markie was about to eat meat, Theo stopped his hand and shook. Markie is not stupid, he regretfully switched to eating vegetables.

This small act was seen by John, he also did not eat meat.

Earl Cleverdent took a large sip of wine and belched loudly, this indecent appearance unlike that of a nobleman. He rudely stuck his fork into the steak on his plate and brought it to his mouth to swallow.

“As you all know, I am Earl Cleverdent. The wedding will take place next Thursday. You have to eat and sleep well, the bride likes big guys."

Theo frowned, aristocratic etiquette was when talking about important events, you must stop all activities. However, the Count's actions showed that he was not interested in this marriage.

The Earl talked while eating, causing the food to splatter, and the players weren't in much of a mood to eat and drink. His image was too much to bear, he didn't look like an Earl at all.

As soon as Theo heard the part 'the bride likes big guys', he glanced nervously at Markie. The big guy next to him was carefree eating and drinking - he didn't care about the bride.

After eating, the Count got up and left sentences before leaving: "Don't walk around the castle at night on your own, remember not to anger the bride. It will snow on Sunday, absolutely do not run around."

Waiting until the dining room was left with only players, the atmosphere was much lighter. Some people have started eating, but Theo only eats vegetables and doesn't touch meat dishes. Because he is poor, he often buys goods at a discount, Theo can distinguish the quality of the food.

Those meat dishes were dark, not fresh

“Dermot, are you a vegetarian?” John opened up but wanted to cause controversy. “Or do you know something that you don't want us to know?”

Markie was angry, he wanted to rush to punch that colorful polite guy. However, his action was still prevented by Theo. A shake of the head for an answer.

- I am mute. The situation before was not convenient to inform everyone.

John smiled politely: “I see. Don't get me wrong, I just want you to share information with everyone. You know, these kinds of games need enough clues to get out.”

The blonde's no-nonsense words successfully made dozens of pairs of eyes turn to Theo.

Theo smiled lightly - I know, I know better than you. Goof! - He continued to write the answer:

- I understand. I don't eat meat, because it doesn't seem fresh.

"Can't eat this?" A player sitting in the distance was angry, he ate a lot of meat, and he vomited if he said it was not fresh? "Ahhhh..."

Not a few seconds later, he and a few others cried out in agony. Because all the meat dishes on the table turned to rotting, maggots crawling. Immediately on the table, lots of people bent down to vomit since they had eaten meat before.

Theo sigh - The game officially begins. He looked up at the ceiling out of habit when he discovered that next to the chandelier was a scorching stain that was slowly spreading.

Right now, everyone is panicking, asking for clues has been stopped, so Markie took advantage of pulling Theo to leave the room. The maid Anna continued to lead them, it seemed that the path was shorter than before. Theo also conveniently memorizes this guide.

Back in the hallway on the second floor, Theo held Anna for a moment, and Markie leaned against the wall to wait.

- Anna, did you intentionally take the shorter route?

“Yes.”

- Why?

This time Anna was silent, Theo felt that the maid had her thoughts. He decided to change the question to another:

- The detour wasn't good before?

“Yes.”

Theo frowned, Anna seemed to be one of the key NPCs to solve this level. He continued:

- You hate Sir Edmund, don't you?

Anna was silent again, just as Theo was about to change the question when the maid suddenly raised her finger to her mouth. "Don't make the bride unhappy."

Theo allowed Anna to leave and then invited Markie into his room. The big guy got angry and sat on the bed. "Why are you sharing the clues with them?" - He smacked the ledge of the bed and said loudly, “And that blond guy, fake it as much as he can. The guy triggers for people to hate you.”

Theo calmly sat on the wooden table.

- So why do you think he attacked me?

Markie scratched his head in confusion, he had never been bullied so he didn't know.

- Because I'm set up to be mute. I am weak and difficult to defend myself.

Theo stroked his hair back, being orphaned at a young age caused him to spend a childhood often bullied. However, he always comes home with dirty clothes because of fighting.

Markie got even angrier when he heard the answer, furiously punching the wall. "That cowardly."

Theo tapped the table and brought Markie's focus back.

- I found clues in the room. I need you to search your room too.

Markie nodded but as soon as Theo flipped over the thin blanket and revealed the bedboard with burn marks and fingernail marks. Markie announced he wouldn't sleep in bed anymore. Who can sleep well on this, it's horrible.

Theo also spoke about his thoughts on the catastrophic fire and the carving of sunflowers on the wooden floorboards. He also suggested that Markie should turn the floor up to have a look.

Markie agreed, also saying that his room had a window overlooking the Cleverdent family cemetery. The cemetery gate was so large that he could still see it from the window.

That much evidence is not enough to establish the plot and pass this round. Following quick-thinking Theo suggested:

- Resting first. Tonight we are going to scout this castle.

Surprised Markie: "Didn't the Earl say don't run around at night?"

Because of that, we have to check to see if there is anything out of the ordinary.

The big guy understood, he nodded and returned to his room.

Theo sighed, lying back on the table, he had so many questions - where is the countess? Who is the bride? Why does it snow on Sunday? - Thoughts make him sleep when he doesn't know.

By the time Theo was awakened by a knock on the door, it was already dark. He sat up lazily.

“Dermot… Dermot. It's Markie, wake up."

Theo quickly opened the door, facing the tired, sleepless eyes of the big guy, he pointed at the eyes instead of a question.

“I flipped the entire floorboard, it was scorched everywhere. Even the bed, I can't find a place to sleep." Markie yawned loudly. “…But I couldn't find any carvings.”

Theo nodded - Looks like this guy is also a coward.

- Tomorrow morning I have time to look for you.

Markie was too tired to answer, responding to Theo's thumbs up.

The castle became quiet at night, in the corridor, there was not a single candle or anything glowing to see clearly. Markie pulled from his pocket two small candles and two flints, which he had stolen from the morning party. He also skillfully lit two candles.

The vast castle area was too large, so it was difficult for two people to find clues. Theo considered whether to pretend to cooperate with the blonde the next day. At least for a few small clues.

While Theo was thinking, both of them had already left the second floor, because of the large space, Theo decided to split up to scout. Markie will go up to the third floor, and Theo will go down to check on the below.

Theo slowly followed downstairs, his candlelight flickering in the dark. Theo did not dare to take risks, this dark space was easy to detect. The great hall gradually appeared with cold air, Theo was a little surprised at the scene here. It seems that the castle will return to its original state at night.

Theo held up the candle to get a better look, the walls and floor were covered with large burn marks. This castle was once hit by a terrible fire. The stained glass windows were broken, and there were cobwebs and dust everywhere as if no one had lived there for a long time.

 So… is this why the Earl doesn't allow players to run around?

No, that is not it - Theo was thinking - There must be something else, the game warned like that. If it is not a Boss, it will be an NPC with the function of attacking the player. Everything is dangerous now, I don't want to face the Boss on the first day.

Follow the old path directed by maid Anna in the afternoon to the dining room. This place is not much different from the hall, the smell of burning permeates everywhere, the tables and chairs are broken, and the chandelier is also broken on the floor.

As Theo considered whether to go somewhere else, a black hand pulled him back, dragging him into a dark corner. The quick action caused Theo to panic slightly, someone quickly blowing out the candlelight.

In the distance, the light flickered towards the dining room, the sound of unintelligible footsteps getting closer and closer. Theo wasn't sure if the danger was next to him or the candlelight coming closer. The next second, Theo had his answer.

The image of the monk Edmund staggered into the dining hall and watched for a long time. Candlelight revealed a burned face, rotting skin, worms swarming inside. Because a small noise sent him whirling in the direction Theo was hiding, from this angle his bony legs appeared, Edmund lost one of his feet. That's why the sound of footsteps was heard.

Theo caught a glimpse of Edmund approaching this dark corner. He was a little worried, the result of being caught would not be good.

Suddenly, a mouse ran out from this side and passed Edmund, causing his action to stop. After a few moments, the monk left, Theo breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing that the danger had passed, the person hiding with Theo gently re-lighted the candle in the hand. The figure appeared startled Theo, taking a step back.

In front of him was a young girl with a badly burned chin, torn clothes, and black hands. Based on familiar costumes, Theo dares to guess, writting.

- Anna

The maid Anna with her short, messy brown hair, she nodded. Seeing Theo looking at her for a long time, she slowly opened her mouth to show him.

Theo looked at Anna's mouth in horror, the part of her tongue that had been cut off. It seems that at night not only the castle returns to its original state, but so do the people in it. Cleverdent's past is brutal. Given the situation, the opening wasn't easy either, he continued:

- So I ask a few questions, you just need to answer simply.

Maid Anna nodded. So it would be better.

- Currently, how many people come to life at night in the castle?

Anna thought for a moment and then raised four fingers on her left and one on her right. Total is five.

Theo frowned, if it was five, why not the same hand?

- Is this fifth creature not human?

Anna nodded happily, seemingly satisfied with Theo's understanding.

- What is 'it'?

The maid startled, she leaned over to see if anyone was watching. Then her mouth said: T.H.E B.R.I.D.E

Theo felt a chill slide down his spine as if the bride was watching them. He took a deep breath to calm down and continued.

- This place was on fire, right?

Anna nodded, she gestured, the fire was huge.

Theo nodded, just as he had guessed, there were only a few survivors left in the fire and 'It' - The Bride.

- Who is talking for you during the day?

Anna was scared again, she mutters: T.H.E B.R.I.D.E

Theo frowned, does this mean that the bride is the boss?

The story could not continue because suddenly the sound of screaming echoed throughout the castle, the maid Anna was scared and disappeared. Theo also quickly moved back to the second floor, at the same time he ran into Markie.

Markie gasped, his face pale, he shivered and dragged Theo to his room.