Chapter Title: The Chessboard Moves
Li Wei stood beside his partner at the door to their room, tension from the mysterious trial still hanging in the air. The darkness he once saw surrounding Xu Jian never left his mind.
Li Wei: "Do you think that man who showed up at the end is the mastermind?"
Li Wei's Partner: "No, I don't think so. If I've learned anything here, it's that nothing is what it seems. That guy looks like just a tool, a piece on the board… not the hand moving the pieces."
Li Wei: "Maybe. Let's get back to the room, we've got a lot to think about."
---
Elsewhere in the facility, Xu Jian sat silently in his room, watching the flickering shadows cast by candlelight on the wall. His mind raced with thoughts about the sinister man, the new supervisor, and the web of mystery surrounding them.
Breaking the silence, his roommate finally spoke:
Roommate: "By the way… I never properly introduced myself. My name is…" (Insert a name that fits the tone.)
Xu Jian: "Hm, and why now?"
Roommate: "Honestly? I've been watching you. Seeing how you move, how you think. If you want to survive here and move forward, you need a smart, strong ally. And I think I've found that in you."
Xu Jian looked at him sharply, then replied coolly:
Xu Jian: "If you think flattery will impress me, you're wrong. I don't trust anyone. But… let's say I'll tolerate you. I need someone who sees things from another angle. Got any thoughts on today?"
Roommate: "Of course. The man who opened the door? Suspicious. He came at the perfect moment to end the situation. Too perfect. His calm was fake. He's hiding something. But I don't think he's the one pulling the strings."
Xu Jian (interrupting): "I know. He's a liar—probably just a mask for someone else controlling the game. Don't trust him… but don't let him know that. We'll keep our eyes on him tomorrow."
Roommate: "Agreed. The threads are unraveling, but we need to move carefully."
---
The Next Day…
Morning in the guild carried the same strange tension. Everyone moved with caution, as if they felt eyes on them.
In the central square, where the new assignments would be announced, Xu Jian and his partner stood silently. Their eyes scanned every detail, waiting for the perfect moment to strike at the truth.
---
Later That Night…
Xu Jian stepped out of the room quietly.
Arthur: "Where are you going?"
Xu Jian: "Just out."
Arthur: "Where exactly?"
Xu Jian: "Hey, I'm not a kid. Stop following me around. Just wait. My game's about to begin… hahaha."
He walked down the long hallway toward the communal bath. The air smelled of dampness and cheap soap. The walls were faded and cracked in places, water stains clinging to the corners. The floor was constantly wet, making every step feel uneasy. Dripping sounds echoed through the space, mixed with strained laughter and splashing water.
Xu Jian (grinning): "A little gathering, huh?"
He watched from the shadows as faces moved through the mist, full of tension and paranoia. Xu Jian held back a laugh, whispering to himself:
Xu Jian: "Sorry for using you."
Inside the bath, Li Wei scrubbed his back as warm water ran over his tense muscles. Steam cloaked the room like a smoky veil. Someone entered—his accuser. Fury and confusion burned in his eyes. The silence was thick with tension.
Others entered, and the air grew heavier with murderous intent.
---
The Alarm Sounds
Everyone rushed to the scene—but it was too late. The body lay mangled and lifeless in the middle of the room. The only one there was Xu Jian, standing calmly with a twisted smile.
Supervisor: "So, you're the one who found the body. What were you doing here?"
Xu Jian (laughing maniacally): "Does it matter? Just point fingers wherever you want… hahaha! Isn't this a fun game?"
His laughter sent shivers through everyone. Silence gripped the air as eyes darted with suspicion.
---
A Few Minutes Earlier – Inside the Bath
Li Wei emerged from the mist, anger pulsing in his veins. No one saw his face through the steam. Xu Jian watched in silence. He knew that pushing the game forward would make things more thrilling. So he acted—without being seen.
The body was disfigured, almost unrecognizable. Xu Jian stared down at it, smirking childishly.
Xu Jian (whispering): "Oh… there were still some features left, so I played a little. So? Who'll you blame now?"
---
Back to the Present
The group stood frozen. The supervisor crouched by the body, inspecting it, then looked up with a cryptic expression.
Supervisor: "The killer is among us… and they'll show themselves soon."
Xu Jian leaned against the wall, his eyes glinting with madness.
Xu Jian (to himself): "Yes… this is the real fun. Let's see where the game goes."
---
Title: The Chessboard Moves
Xu Jian smirked at the supervisor:
Xu Jian: "Oh, why don't you share what's on your mind, supervisor? Won't you delight me with your truth? Come on, be brave. Reveal your secret. In the end… you're just another pawn in my game."
Supervisor (calm, but with hidden menace): "Just as clever as I thought. But even the clever ones often fall to their own arrogance."
He turned to the group, scanning each face:
Supervisor: "Since no one wants to confess, this matter will remain open. But don't think for a second that I'll stop. The killer… will be found."
Xu Jian's eyes glinted with malice:
Xu Jian: "You know something, supervisor? In chess, the king sometimes sacrifices pieces to survive. Maybe I'll sacrifice one now… or maybe, you'll start losing your pieces soon."
---
Later That Night
Xu Jian sat with Arthur beside the fountain, tension from the night still lingering.
Arthur: "Does everything seem as off to you as it does to me?"
Xu Jian (coldly): "Very. I didn't expect the trial to go like this."
Arthur (teasing): "What? You think I'm just some ordinary guy? How'd you know that?"
Xu Jian (smirking): "Relax. I have my sources."
Arthur (cautiously): "If you've got sources, why stay quiet? Share. If we're working together, I need info."
Xu Jian (after a pause): "Fine. But I won't tell you everything."
Arthur (laughing): "Oh, don't play with me, kid… or else—"
Xu Jian (smiling darkly): "Or else what?"
Arthur (serious): "Never mind. I'll take what I need from you. I won't ask more."
---
The Silent Confrontation
Xu Jian leaned against the wall beside the fountain, facing a massive figure cloaked in shadow.
Xu Jian: "Don't play games. I know that murderous intent well. But if you think I launched it, you're an idiot."
Big Man (low, mocking): "If not you, then who?"
Xu Jian (grinning): "Use your brain. Or are you just muscles with no mind? If I were to kill someone… I'd do it in front of everyone. No need to hide. But I'll tell you this: I'm watching three targets. They're my game… and I'm enjoying every move."
His words sent a chill through the man. Xu Jian wasn't just a player—he was the master of the game.
---
Later: Xu Jian & Arthur
Arthur approached him after the confrontation.
Arthur (quietly): "Did you figure it out… the mastermind?"
Suddenly, chaos erupted. A body was found crucified on the wall, a message scrawled in blood:
"Oh, did someone bother you? They're dead now. Who's next?"
Everyone froze in place. Only Xu Jian burst into a terrifying laugh:
Xu Jian: "Hahaha! So, mastermind, trying to pin it all on me? Fine. I accept the challenge. Let's play… and let's see how many people you kill next!"
His laughter was a blade through their minds. War had just been declared.