So much blood was nauseating.
But even so, I couldn't stop thinking, or else I would be next.
I brought my hand to my chin, pondering.
There are new clues.
First, the drawing is not merely illustrative. On the other side of the door, there is exactly what the plaque above suggests.
Second, a wrong answer causes the target to explode. In other words, to be executed.
Third, the traps reset once at least one person makes their choice.
It is important to say that the relationship between the rats and failure is uncertain. There was a clear delay between the failure, and therefore the execution, and the entry into the room.
This leads me to think that this challenge may be more complex than simply choosing a door.
Perhaps there is no right or wrong answer. Therefore, passing the challenge would be the result of some other action.
I need more information.
Suddenly, the drawings above the doors spun on their own axis, revealing a new set of images. This time they were: Minotaur, Cyclops, Medusa, Harpy, and Cerberus.
'They're no longer common animals…'
My mood darkened.
Click
The trap activated once again.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH
Flames poured down at the far end of the room, rapidly drawing closer.
"Time to get back to the subject." Grand announced.
"I'm sure, you don't know how to read this tablet."He said bitterly."You're lying to save your own skin, you're a cowardly liar!"
Crack Crack Crack
Their knuckles cracked as they approached me with bitter expressions.
"You're a disgusting liar and you've crossed the line going against me." Grand said with a grim face. "Do you know what we do to traitors?"
"Oh yes, I know very well," I said, laughing. "You kill, don't you?" I took a step forward, casually closing the distance between us.
There was only an arm's length between me and him.
"So go on, then. Kill me. But don't make excuses to make yourself look better, I've never lied, not even once."
I stared at each of them with a dry expression, waiting for some reaction.
"…"
Burges and Drake looked at each other, waiting for an order from Grand, who only growled in irritation.
"Need some help?" I asked. "I can make it easier for you."
"…"
Grand merely watched, then grabbed another cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
Once again, he smoked.
"Burges, execute him," Grand ordered, turning his back. "Do it slowly. Start by burning his face against a torch, then break his legs, and then throw him into the middle of the room, where he'll be devoured by the fire trap."
He lightly patted Burges on the shoulder.
"I want to hear him scream, a lot. Understood?"
Gulp
Burges swallowed hard, clenching his fists tightly. Thick sweat ran down his forehead.
"Yes, boss. As you wish." He stepped forward with a determined look as Grand stepped back.
Tap Tap Tap
He approached me step by step, his large, heavy body seeming to grow bigger with each movement.
I didn't move.
I just stared at him.
"What are you going to do?" I asked, looking into his dark eyes.
"Kill you," he said. "Do you wish to speak your last words?"
"Kill me?" I chuckled softly. "Even if you grab me with both hands, squeeze my neck until it snaps and make me spit blood everywhere, you're not killing me."
Burges frowned and looked back, where Grand and Drake were talking about the riddle.
"What do you mean?" he asked seriously, sensing the nuance in my words.
"If you kill me, you'll be killing them too and committing suicide in the process." I said directly. "What a wonderful subordinate! Killing himself and his boss!"
His expression tightened even more.
"How?" he asked.
"Isn't it simple?" I said with a smile. "This riddle requires intelligence. You are incapable of solving it, no matter how much you bang your heads against the wall. You know that, don't you?"
"..."
"I've said it once and I'll say it again. I know what I'm doing—and even if I didn't, I doubt there's anyone else here who does."
He snorted.
"But, you couldn't read the archaic tablet," he said sourly. "You're not that smart."
"Who said that? That dumbass?" I asked, holding back laughter. "I already know what's written there. You're the ones trying to execute me without hearing my side."
"..."
"Once again, you just prove how smart you all are. Not that this is a criticism, I just think that in this case you should think carefully about who you follow."
"..."
"Let's be honest, Burges, right? You're all muscle, I'm all brains. Do what I say and things will work out; try to be what you're not, just like your boss, and you'll die."
"…"
Burges' mouth fell open before he turned again to Grand and Drake. Their heads seemed to be smoking from thinking so hard, yet still getting nowhere.
Then he looked back at me.
He took a deep breath before turning to Grand again.
"Boss!" he shouted. "He knows the answer to the riddle!"
Grand and Drake frowned.
"He's lying!" Grand shouted back. "He just wants to save his own skin again!"
I rolled my eyes.
"Just kill him already!" Grand ignored Burges and went back to talking with Drake.
"Smart people at least think before responding."I said dryly."Do you really want to follow a guy like that? He's not stronger, more charismatic, or smarter than you. As far as I understand, you could switch places at any time and nothing would change."
"But if you chose me, things would be different."
"The choice is yours."