Chapter 82

Translated by boilpoil Edited by boilpoil

Season seven of the Killing Gauntlet sure has been the season with the most accidents while being the most thrilling one.

Not to mention the contestants’ individual performances. Just the fact that arson was committed on the grounds of the show, star contestants escaping, a hot contender for the championship attacked in an explosion; any one of those would have been a hit topic for days.

The staff of the show have already become used to intense overtime. They’re all mature adults, and have become able to actively work overtime, voluntarily, passionately work overtime, even work overtime while putting on a weak smile. They first wrote an article that hinged on number 199 passing away, with touching words and tear-jerking discourse. They’ve even planned a remembrance event, edited a video, trying to strike it big while the audience is mourning.

They’ve finally finished it after all the overtime work, then they’re suddenly informed that Bright was alright. At best he suffered some scratches. He can still eat and sleep and be as lively as ever, much healthier than them who had their bodies expended from all these work.

You can read a ‘fuck you’ written across their smiles.

“On another note, at least we don’t have to change the plans for episode eleven.”

“Yep. It’s the sole reason persuading me from committing suicide.”

Just after he finishes speaking, someone informs them they will be having a meeting.

“Director says the plan for episode eleven has to be redone.”

“… Don’t stop me. Let me die in peace.”

Director is not trying to purposefully trouble the staff under him. He can see everyone’s hard work, particularly when there are panda-like black eye bags under their eyes that are quite hard to ignore.

He has a reason for having to change it at all costs. Since it is now common knowledge in Inner City that Butler targeted number 199 for his son, as he is familiar with Gentleman and has analysed number 199 and knows how neither are soft in their hearts, the father and son will have to suffer from their ferocious revenge.

While he did accept the Butler’s payment, if only for the ratings of the show, he will not be biased towards number 56. It’s the opposite, in fact, which means he will try to use the hate of both sides to make a brilliant episode.

The people have arrived at the meeting. Director first encourages them, “when this season ends, everyone will get double bonuses and a paid leave.” Then he lays out the direction for the next episode to take——a duel between number 56 and number 199.

Everyone present is good at reading between the lines, so they realise how big the news is.

Previously it felt like they made a good CP. Number 199 even left the last vial of medicine for number 56 in episode eight. Why have they suddenly turned into enemies?

This is basically an announcement that said number 56 is behind number 199’s ambush!

Amongst everyone, George is the most excited one. He’s both angry and relieved – so it turned out number 56 has been a scum all long! Shameless and detestable, even doing something like this in malicious competition! He’s glad he’s the type of fan that only likes their star alone, and has never endorsed any CP!

It is impossible to keep this a secret.

The rumour of number 56 being behind number 199’s attack has spread through the internet like wildfire. The show did not try to stop it. In fact, they tried to fan the flames further; they need to attract the audience’s attention to increase awareness of episode eleven.

The audience, as expected, are drawn to this topic. Some more extreme fans are even crowdfunding to send a bomb to number 56. CP fans are wailing, telling people they could bury them as is and they’ll spend the rest of their time inside like that.

On the other hand, the contestants react in various different ways. They’ve always been under the monitoring of the show, which needs to know their habits to make incisive schedules and strategies. With encouragement from the show, the contestants all pick sides, splitting into two factions.

Most contestants’ choices are surprising, the most surprising one among them being Ginger. He has expressed his goodwill towards number 199 numerous times, but he has clearly indicated he’s on number 56’s side this time, completely against expectations. Grizzlybear, one of the contestants with the greatest physical prowess, despite having been played off by number 56 before, still chooses his side. While Beauty actually goes against the advice of his protection squad and detached from his little group alone to join number 199 with Old Veteran, Harry, Big Retard and co.

Hopkin has his source of information, and is not particularly happy to receive this news.

The white lotus that went away has been replaced by a man-eating flower instead.

Bright also finds Beauty’s choice odd. He’s not particularly familiar with Beauty, and it can be said that they have almost no interaction in private. Beauty is actually a powerful contestant. Besides his extraordinary physical appearance and physique, his archery is also master-class, able to strike from over a hundred steps away. In ancient times, a good archer is the hardest one to nurture among all types of infantry. Besides dexterity and power, they must also possess a keen eye that can analyse the situation in real-time and also judge whether or not to take an opportunity.

Recalling their previous interactions at the start of the show, Bright is nostalgic, “it’s almost like it’s from my previous life already.”

Hopkin looks at him with a cold expression before telling him Beauty’s background. It’s a simple life befitting an illegal Outside immigrant – sold to the City when young, then living the life in the Sewers, perhaps having tentative contact with Ginger then, before being scouted and picked to join his club, becoming the prima donna step by step. He’s unfortunate, to have had such a harsh childhood, but also fortunate, to have such a good life right now.

Bright finally understands how his archery skills came to be, which is probably related to his experience as an Outsider.

Looking at Bright’s complicated expression, as if his heart was softening by the second, Hopkin provides some extra news, “in episode six, he saw the sharks early on, but did not remind Ginger on purpose.” What he says is the truth. The man is only capable of tolerating his naughtiness and his evil, but not anyone else’s, nor will he allow others to intrude on this.

“…” Bright does not feel any different. In fact he feels like laughing.

Since he has to prepare for episode eleven, Bright ponders a bit before contacting Beauty himself.

Asked about the sharks, Beauty admits it without redress, “yup, the thing with the sharks was on purpose. I suddenly didn’t see eye-to-eye with him so I wanted him dead.”

Bright is thinking… I can’t follow up when you’re so open about it!

“Why?” He asks.

“Do you mean why I didn’t see eye-to-eye?” Beauty sounds a bit annoyed, “he’s a despicable thief. If he takes the story of your childhood as his, even if you did not like that childhood, but he still continuously tells everyone about it in front of you, wouldn’t you be so mad you’d want him dead as well?” Especially when the story is used to garner goodwill to someone you have an interest in, and even more so when it actually succeeded…

Bright knows nothing of Beauty’s mental thoughts, “I understand. Also, why did you choose to stand on my side this time?”

“Looks like you have a good patron, even managing to get news of this and going on to tell you,” Beauty disses him a bit, before continuing, “what other choice do I have? If I entrust my back to number 56, god knows whether he’ll choose to rape me or kill me.”

Bright takes this as an implication that he doesn’t trust Piers. It seems his effort to make himself appear a good person has been successful.

The two talk a bit, and forms a temporary alliance, expiring by the end of episode eleven.

Beauty says in a serious tone, “I hope to see you in episode twelve.” And kill you myself.

“Me too.”

Before hanging up, Bright suddenly asks, “by the way, what is your name?” Beauty is of course a nickname; nobody seemed to have asked about it.

“ Ronald ; but I hate this name. Don’t call me that.”

“… Alright.”

Hopkin looks at Bright’s contemplating expression, thinking he might be unhappy because of Ginger, and shows him his concerned face.

Bright chuckles, telling him he’s alright.

“Don’t worry about me. I don’t feel that way towards him. He’s helped me, and I’ve saved him. We’re basically even.”

It makes Hopkin relieved a bit, but not all the way. He knows Bright has a bit of trust in Ginger——something that makes Hopkin mad——when he and Bright were hostile to each other, and Bright took him away, where he sent him is exactly the residence of Ginger. This indicates the privileged position Ginger has in Bright’s mind.

Hopkin says in spite of himself, “will you really be able to kill him even if it’s evened out? He might have been forced, and did not try to actively antagonise you.”

“I’m not someone kind and soft, dictated by emotions. He must be prepared to face the consequences of making me his enemy, standing in my way. Harming me while expressing his goodwill for me is not excusable by telling me he had his situation. Against my enemies, I will never show any mercy.

Hopkin is suddenly gripped by fear. He projects himself onto his “Harming me while expressing his goodwill for me,” so he asks while pretending to be calm, “I have done bad things to you too. What should I do to make it back up to you?”

“Don’t faint the next time we’re doing it?”

“I’m serious.”

“Me too.” Bright sees how resolute Hopkin is, so he might as well take it for granted, “alright, you’ve given me three electrotherapy sessions, so I want to electrocute you back. Also, since you’ve lied to me, I want to learn about a secret of yours.”

His coat has been removed, and his limbs have been secured on an X-shaped instrument. Bright takes a taser out from a bunch of tools, ignoring others among the pile that is clearly more powerful and better for the purposes of interrogation. He doesn’t even pick the black-gold whip that Hopkin had used on him before.

After everything is ready, Bright does not immediately start tasering Hopkin, but instead tries to relax him as much as possible.

“Hopkin, are you afraid of thunder?” Bright asks in a gentle tone.

“No.” Hopkin tries to maintain his collected expression. He thinks the man is looking a bit scary, not the kind of gory fear that is brought about by a cruel executioner, but a threat that is more suppressed, from deeper within. It’s the complete domineering of him from his flesh to his mind.

“I don’t find it scary either. It’s just annoying, because it’s noisy, and it’s always followed by intense downpours with a dark, depressing sky, making everywhere covered in water.” Bright says slowly. He is examining the taser and measuring Hopkin about with it, but does not use it on him for some reason.

Hopkin does not look forward to the pain, but his body is reflexively defending against the pain that might befall him at any time. Not knowing how intense the pain would be, his mind is highly agitated. He’s anxious, he’s terrified, he’s worried. All these emotions have mixed together with a slight thrill. It’s not a comfortable feeling.

“Sometimes I see lightning flash across the sky, and I wait for the thunder out of my own reflex. I take a guess at how loud it might be. How long it might last.”

Hopkin looks at him with a perplexed expression. Bright finally exposes his devilish desire, “right now this stick is the lightning, and your scream is thunder. Let me hear how loud it gets.”

After saying that he lightly taps on Hopkin’s neck with the stick. Hopkin’s whole body goes stiff, even closing his eyes, but the expected tingly feeling didn’t arrive, so he stares at Bright after opening his eyes.

“I forgot to switch it on.” Bright says with an embarrassed expression.

Before he finishes talking, pain suddenly befalls Hopkin. As he wasn’t on guard against it this time, he screams out, “aaah…” He reflexively bites his own lips to cut the scream short. The pain was light so it is not hard to endure.

It felt like the tingling of static electricity in the winter. It’s light with a little bit of pain, but also exhilarating in some sense.

Bright’s goal was not to make him feel pain; the same as Hopkin’s original motive against him, he wanted him to succumb mentally.

“Don’t… don’t put it inside!”

“Begging for mercy so soon? I haven’t even turned on the electricity yet.”

“Don’t… I’ll die… Aaaaaaaah!”

“I told you, you mustn’t faint. Look, your little snub is quite excited too, isn’t it?”

Author’s notes: Another sweet, loving day~

Three chapters before Hopkin learns the truth!

Read only at Travis Translations