Chapter 128: Freys Maneuvers

Chapter 128: Frey's Maneuvers

At the edge of the sheer precipice, the slightest shift of a person's feet made them feel like they were walking inside the clouds. Frey stepped right to the brink of the cliff, his movements challenging the very boundaries of death.

Looking down, the rugged rock face resembled the carved body of a giant, marked only by sparse, scar-like patches of vegetation. Through the swirling mist, the valley floor, dominated by a raging torrent, was barely visible.

A single accidental fall would inevitably result in being smashed to a pulp. Even with a spell to stave off instant death, the person would quickly perish from grievous injuries and the inability to move.

Frey stood there. He gazed at the cliff face, seemingly observing something in silence, or perhaps he simply didn't know what to do next. After all, anyone standing behind him knew there was nothing of substance to observe on that cliff!

Everything about the situation spelled cruelty for the challengers. Even though the Detective had previously gathered the occupation information written down by each challenger, doing so in plain sight of everyone, it had been a private exchange. There was still no information upon which to base a deduction.

The Traitors' disguises were flawless. If no progress was made now, they would have to wait until the Traitors made a move to achieve their objective tonight. Only after engaging in a bloody confrontation could they hope to seize a crucial clue and advance the investigation.

In such a passive position, if the Detective was killed on the very first night, it would spell total disaster. Yet, even if the Detective survived, it was highly probable that someone else would meet a gruesome end tonight.

Fear gripped everyone's hearts. They finally abandoned any lingering wishful thinking, realizing with certainty that this Shadow Realm scenario would be a grueling, soul-crushing ordeal that lasted five days and five nights.

Two full minutes passed in this manner. The challengers watched the Detective, wondering why he remained standing before the cliff for so long. Could he truly be a fool with absolutely no ideas?

Finally, the young master from the Kingdom of Cambella couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Detective, what should we do now...?"

In fact, Frey's earlier conduct, prioritizing sheer efficiency to inspect the castle's structure at top speed while quickly glossing over anything that might have served as a clue, had already left many feeling anxious or skeptical.

Upon hearing this, Frey studied the cliff face for a while longer. It was as if he had finally confirmed something. He turned back, looked at everyone, and asked, "Alright, you all told me your occupations earlier, right? Is there anyone who wants to change theirs?"

Frey's question made everyone's hearts tighten.

The roles associated with these professions were exclusive to non-traitors. They provided ordinary challengers with a modicum of intelligence-gathering capability to counter the Traitors.

Among the eleven people who had previously conveyed their role descriptions to the Detective in the library, two must have been lying. After all, Traitors possessed neither the roles nor the abilities bestowed by the Shadow Realm.

They had no idea what Frey was planning to do. While a person's role was indeed a crucial factor for deduction, the problem was that roles came with both advantages and disadvantages, creating too many variables. The mechanics of the Shadow Realm made it impossible for Frey to deduce any flaws in their claims simply through conversation on the very first day!

However, looking at Frey's confident demeanor now, it seemed as though he was on the verge of finding the answer. As everyone nodded briskly, confirming the accuracy of the roles they had reported to him, Frey took off his coat, tied it around his waist, and shouldered his pack.

"To prevent human organizations from forming underground resistance movements, the vampires maintain extremely strict control over the populace... I recall that the Lawyer mentioned that everyone must register their identity details upon entering the city-state. That implies that, prior to the start of this Shadow Realm scenario, everyone's role and profession would have been officially recorded within the city."

Frey smirked. "I'm going to go down this cliff, scale the opposite face, and head straight to the city-state. Once I check if your claimed professions match the official records, I'll know exactly which two of you were lying."

The greatest detectives often employed the most straightforward, unadorned investigative methods. The sheer power radiating from him, combined with his agile, athletic physique, made it clear he wasn't joking. He intended to use his superhuman strength, stamina, and rock-climbing prowess to reach the city-state and uncover the truth firsthand!

Hyperion stared at Frey. The other challengers stared at Frey. The students watching the live broadcast on the giant outdoor screen at the Gela Memorial Plaza stared at Frey.

One student shouted, "Holy crap, Frey!"

Another asked, "Is a strength-based Detective the ultimate strategy?"

Cheers erupted from the students watching the match in the real world. They finally understood something. While both Lance and Frey possessed unconventional ways of thinking, it was Frey whom the Shadow Realm had deemed the most likely candidate to expose the Traitors! After all, the odds of that guy Frey identifying the Traitors were practically 100%. He only needed to go up and down the mountain!

On the screen, Frey was at the edge of a sheer cliff. A powerful wind gusted up from the depths of the valley and whipped at the hem of his clothes, as if trying to lift him into flight.

As he turned to scale down the cliffside, Frey addressed Lance and Hyperion with absolute certainty, "Give me two days, and I'll return with the answer."

Lance met Frey's gaze, the corners of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly. "Mm, go ahead. Don't worry."

Their eyes locked, resembling two silent, still lakes. They reflected the mutual trust they held for one another. Then, without a moment's hesitation, Frey vaulted over the edge and rapidly descended, vanishing amid the rocks, thorns, whistling wind, and thick fog.

The other challengers were momentarily struck speechless, words caught in their throats. They wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin after seeing Frey's audacious actions.

Finally, the young master from Cambella couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "As expected of Mr. Detective! He's truly incredible!"

It was as if he had momentarily forgotten the danger, filled instead with the excitement of having found a savior. The other challengers also seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Eccentric as this detective might be, the nature of this terrifying, bloody game of slaughter had changed from this moment on!

It was no longer the challengers who needed to be on edge. Now, it was the Traitors who would be breaking into a cold sweat. In two days, the great Detective would return to the ancient castle with the answer.

The Traitors would also have no way to kill him, for he had effectively vanished from their area of control. That left the remaining eleven of them. There was no longer any need for suspicion among them. The atmosphere instantly turned harmonious.

Whoever tried to flee, harbored murderous intent, or acted suspiciously at night...those people were the Traitors. The two-day countdown to doom now hung directly over the Traitors' heads!

Under immense psychological pressure, they would have to resort to the most aggressive and risky tactics to complete their objectives before the Detective returned, or else all would be lost!

Furthermore, outside the Shadow Realm, at the Gela Memorial Plaza, all of the students watching the match knew something the Traitors themselves likely hadn't realized yet. What was truly terrifying was that they would be living under the same roof as Headmaster Lance in this mansion, spending two harmonious and friendly days and nights together!