Cycle of Death - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

If he were dead, I really wouldn’t know what to do.

After all, I knew absolutely nothing about what was happening tonight.

Fortunately, things weren’t that bad.

503 sent another message: “You’re smart. I don’t play with idiots. Join the group; we’ll figure something out together.”

It finally dawned on me-he had been testing me just now.

If I had easily given him my location or said I was going to find him, then…

He would have abandoned me.

Moments later, I was added to a WeChat group.

There were only four people in total. Besides me and 503, there were 308 and 511.

But weren’t there six of us?

Before I could ask, 503 started typing: “Alright, everyone’s here.

“First, let me be clear. We are all behind screens, and we have no idea who is a monster and who isn’t on the other side. Therefore, the number one taboo tonight is: meeting up.

“Anyone who tries to find out your hiding spot should be treated directly as the killer.

“If we want to survive tonight, we have to hide like mice avoiding a cat.

“So, the most important thing is to figure out exactly how many killers there are.”

Thinking of this, I hurriedly typed: “There are three killers, but the problem is, there’s a Police Officer on their side. Whatever you do, don’t call the police again.”

308 seemed shocked and asked: “What? Are you sure?”

Instead of explaining, I simply sent the video I had just recorded.

They all went silent to watch the video.

Strangely, 511, who hadn’t said a word in the group yet, suddenly sent me a friend request.

Naturally, I accepted it immediately.

He didn’t waste any time. His first message was earth-shattering:

“The person wearing the mask in the video is 503!”

I froze and quickly messaged back: “What the hell? The footage is so dark, and he’s wearing a mask. How could you recognize him?”

Training had only started yesterday, and we were all strangers before that. I hadn’t even learned everyone’s faces yet, let alone being able to identify someone in the dark while they were masked.

511 explained: “I can adjust the lighting on my phone. Look at this.”

He sent over a screenshot. The brightness had been turned up significantly, and I could indeed see the top half of the face above the mask.

“Besides, I’ve been with 503 for the past two days. We’re the only two people staying on the fifth floor. Of course I recognize him.

“Isn’t that exactly why he knows so much and warned us ahead of time? Because he’s one of them!”

My mind was a mess.

However, I voiced my doubts: “But if 503 is one of the killers, why would he tell us to hide? Wouldn’t it be better to just kill us all?”

511 replied: “My guess is that he’s their safety net. If someone actually manages to escape, they’ll definitely trust 503 since he sent the warning messages, right? Just like the situation we’re in now.”

I still questioned him: “But look at the video. He had no idea I left a phone behind as a hidden camera. When he talked to the Police Officer, he mentioned 503. That proves he isn’t 503!”

511 continued: “How can you be sure he didn’t find it and was just acting? A phone is pretty big; why wouldn’t he notice it? I think the video you recorded was just him acting along to clear himself of suspicion.”

I fell silent.

511’s absolute certainty made me waver.

But I had a way to confirm if that phone had been discovered.

The reason it had a connection for the video call was that I had inserted a secondary SIM card.

The phone was set to speaker mode, and the volume was turned all the way up.

Unless I was killed and my fingerprint was taken, the killer wouldn’t be able to change that setting.

Without hesitation, I dialed the number. Suddenly-

“You are the most beautiful cloud in my sky…”

A loud ringtone blasted from the cheap speakers, echoing through the silent night.

The call was immediately cut off.

But I had heard it clearly-

The ringtone hadn’t come from the second floor. It had come from right above my head.

As it turned out, the phone hadn’t just been discovered-it had been taken!