ATONEMENT: How to escape from a bloody survival game?

The Red Shoes Chapter 5: Today is Sunday!

At night, the old castle appeared broken and burned. Markie followed the assignment carefully to the third floor.

The dark path brought with it a musty and stinky smell, everywhere were cobwebs and dust. He frowned uncomfortably, the third floor looked even wider than the second. There were only two rooms, though, so he'd probably check it out quickly.

The first room was on the left, from the door he saw only rubble, tables and chairs piled up to the ceiling. Markie looked around and saw that the entire interior was badly burned. Looks like this is where the fire started. After a thorough inspection, the room also showed nothing special but ashes so Markie moved to the room opposite.

He was about to push the door in when he heard a noise inside - perhaps a player. With that in mind, Markie carefully pushed it open enough to see inside. But the image that appeared through the dim light of the moon caused his pupils to constrict.

The monk Edmund with his missing foot was pulling out the organs of Count Cleverdent to a bucket. The horrible image of Edmund swinging the rusty ax high and repeatedly aimed at cutting the Earl's body in half.

Markie was so scared that he yelled: “SHITTTTT!” - He quickly returned to the second floor, just in time to meet Theo who had just arrived. Without hesitation, he grabbed Theo into his room.

After a few minutes of silence, no NPC chasing or anything happened, Markie breathed a sigh of relief, he turned to Theo - who was unhappy, handing him the paper.

- Maybe the first night, the player won't be attacked. What about the following nights? You just did something dangerous.

At this point, Markie also realized his mistake, his face darkened, and he returned the paper and apologized in a low voice. At that moment the image was so terrible that he couldn't help but scream. But Theo was right, if he continued like this, he would probably die first.

Theo sighed, patting Markie on the shoulder a few times to reassure him. Then he listened to Theo about the clues he found downstairs and also Anna - the maid whose tongue had been cut off.

Markie's expression changed, Theo's situation was also considered dangerous, but he still calmly collected clues. Is he a new player?

—-----------------------------------------------

—--------------------

When he had told Markie all the information, Theo knew that those clues were not enough. Based on the plot, there will be more changes in the future. Calmly moved to his room, Theo saw the door decorated with the grassland closed slowly.

Guess it could be the blonde John, he has good observation skills but a bad personality. He could guess his form of taking advantage of the player. Theo hadn't seen any of the other players looking for clues since morning. Waiter upon providence? Not a chance!

Theo entered the room and continued to use the table as the door panel, he had a bad feeling about this type of door without a lock.

Overnight, Theo was awakened by the cold in his room, scowling awake. Not very happy, so he adjusted his clothes and went downstairs to have breakfast.

Still, following yesterday's rules, every time he went to the door, there was a maid to guide him, except for Anna who avoided taking care of him, the other maids did not come back to life at night. Why? As for Earl Clverdent, his organs are harvested every night when he comes back to life?

Theo, with many questions in mind, followed the maid Anna to the lobby, when he passed the window he was surprised. It is snowing. That's right, today is Sunday. Snow falling at this time is a bad omen.

In the dining room laughter rang loudly, Theo sighed, it seems that this John man manipulates people very well.

At the dinner table, there were girls around John chatting happily as if they hadn't eaten rotten meat yesterday, and the male players were helping him get food. Theo took a cup of stewed potato soup and a loaf of dry bread then sat down comfortably on a chair.

Without waiting for him to finish eating, John began to interrogate again: “Did you sleep well last night? I heard screaming.”

Theo ignored the polite question, he ate a few tablespoons of soup before he started to write:

- Yes, Markie and I scout the castle last night.

The blond John's eyes seemed to light up for a moment, but he hid them after a few seconds. "Really? I remember the Earl warned against wandering the castle at night, right?”

- I think the first night will be okay. As you said, there were no deaths in the opening round.

Just as Markie entered the dining room, last night Theo reassured him, so he slept well. Now mentally refreshed, Markie picked up a bunch of vegetables on a plate. He wants to eat a lot.

John smiled lightly: "Markie surely okay." He is not in a hurry, this round is very easy, so he will slowly manipulate Theo.

Unfortunately, this thought of his was caught by Theo yesterday, so he definitely won't let his dirty body be taken advantage of like that. Never offer to teach fish to swim.

“Why do we have to work so hard to find clues when we can pass the level easily?”

The words just uttered were from a girl named Jenny - who spilled a stack of plates yesterday and cried. She showed the irritation of the cute lady, leaning against John like a pretty couple. The figure of a beautiful girl, full breasts pressed against John's arm. Beautiful but unfortunately her talking is not very smart.

“So you want to be locked up in this level?”

John looked at Jenny gently, but his cold, emotionless tone made her stammer in fear: “I… I was just joking. We should join to find new clues.” - Then she looked at Theo, attacking him. “You must have found a lot of clues, right? Share with us so we can work today.”

Theo smiled politely - I can tell but I can't reveal all.

- Alright, Jenny. The clues are a bit long, so please be patient.

This time Markie frowned when he saw the situation, he was not used to seeing them bully Theo. Sitting down, Markie said aimlessly: "Don't waiter upon providence."

The sentence successfully made Jenny angry, fortunately, John spoke up to reconcile: "Don't worry, after breakfast, we will look for clues with you."

Theo spoke slowly about the clues to the castle that had been burned down and the carvings under the floorboards. He also told the others to check their room carefully. Theo elaborates on his meeting with Edmund but leaves out the details Anna told him. He summed up the speculation:

- Based on this, I think at night the people in the castle will come back to life and the monk Edmund is quite dangerous. If anyone wants to investigate at night, beware of him.

- I'm thinking maybe Boss is the bride. Warned about her more than twice.

- The last thing, today is Sunday. It was indeed snowing outside as the Earl warned.

The last line caused many other players to rush to the lobby to see if it was real. When they saw the snow, everyone was surprised, they realized that this game was very strange.

In the dining room, there was only John across from Theo - Markie sat next to him. John smiled comfortably: “I see you as a potential player, can we cooperate? Pass this level and the ones to come.”

Theo didn't pick up a pen, he smiled politely in response.

The atmosphere in the dining room faltered, John still smiled as he waited for Theo's reply. Theo slowly finishes his soup.

As soon as all the players have gathered back to the main points, this is also the time when monk Edmund appears, beaming with joy and shouting:

“Grooms, brothers of this land! Today is Sunday. God has given us eternal peace. And today is thankful to Him, may He bless the good ceremony. I hope everyone participates. ”

As soon as the words finished, familiar sounds and the blue screen appeared in front of the players.

[Ting! Ting! Side quest: Attend the ceremony of thanks to God.

Reward: 5 gold coins.

Yes/No?]

Players were excited, "Do you still have money for participating in side quests?", "Just going to the ceremony will also receive rewards, I like it."

Theo calmly pressed [Yes], how could a poor person like him ignore these 5 gold coins. However, if it's a quest, it won't be easy, maybe there are traps.

Because the rewards are quite generous, all players agree to participate. Monk Edmund announced, “Your vestments have been prepared in the room, the ceremony will begin in an hour. Hope all the grooms are attending.”

After receiving the side quest, everyone happily quickly changed into their vestments, most of them thought that the opening round was simple, and the rewards were easy. This game is not too difficult.

Theo exchanged glances with Markie to make him more cautious, this side quest was so bizarrely simple.

Near the time of the ceremony, the players are led by NPC maids to the corridor on the side of the castle, which extends to the backyard tower. Still the same desolate landscape on the outside as opposed to the interior so is this small cathedral.

The large cathedral is inlaid with many colorful and shimmering paintings, all the seats are made of beech, and above is a very large plaster statue of God.

Theo frowned, which God is this? The sculpture in front of him had a human appearance but had four arms, a pair of large horns, and jagged teeth. No different from the devil. This can't be a God, in the 12th century only worshiped God?!

When all players were in place as planned, monk Edmun changed into a white tunic to look more solemn than usual, he stood on the podium and loudly announced:

“It is an honor to include the Earl of Cleverdent and our soon-to-be bride at today's ceremony. Everyone, please welcome these two distinguished guests.”

Once again the players are forced to follow the plot, all of them bowing to the two guests of the castle.

Theo heard softer footsteps, it seemed the bride had arrived. But the game was controlling the plot so he couldn't do anything but sit still until the ceremony was over.

To be precise, this Thanksgiving is nothing special except for the statue of God above. After a long time, the ceremony ended, and the control was released.

Theo saw Count Cleverdent, still intact, smiling rudely at the priest Edmund, while the bride was slowly leaving. The bride's head is covered with light blue chiffon, her gait is so rigid that her clothes do not move. For a moment, he saw the red shoes walking out but not her face.

A chill filled Theo's mind, where had he seen it before? Those shoes are very familiar, when did you see them?

“Dermot… Dermot… Hey Dermot?” Markie spoke up and pulled Theo back to reality. He and many others were pouring their eyes on him. "Are you okay?"

Theo nodded and looked around in silence, all NPCs disappeared, leaving only the church space for them. He smiled and quietly wrote a few words:

- Let's look for clues in this tower, don't miss anything.

John, standing in the distance, also chimed in with a familiar smile. “That's right, find clues as much as possible. We will be leaving soon.” He felt his words carry much more weight.

A whole bunch of new players, hearing about escaping from this place were very excited. Everyone scrambled to find useful clues.

Theo looked at the chaotic scene and sighed, choosing to check the top of the tower first. It's much quieter there, he doesn't like the hustle and bustle. This tower doesn't look big, the fourteen of them will finish it soon.