Nightmare Shuttle

Red gold chandeliers hung down from the high dome, and the shining yellow diamonds hanging from the layers of circles reflected on the deep red carpet that flowed north to the west as if it is plated with a thick grand cross.

It wasn't known when, but around the hall statue of an angel cast in white plaster was erected beside the champagne tower. It closed its eyes, holding a divine sword, surrounded by olive branches, looking solemn and divine in the golden-red hall.

"Welcome back players."

Samuel came forward on the dark red carpet wearing a black dress with dark lines on the silver edge, with a golden bird pinned on his collar. He was tall, thin, pale, handsome, and polite, like a housekeeper who had been guarding the house for many years, with a familiar monocle hung on his eyes and long black hair tied behind his head.

If the players still had any admiration and good feeling now they only wanted to beat him over the head. Many of them were killed immediately after materializing in the forest, the Ling Zheng of their game did not wait for their explanation but immediately shot after seeing a suspicious presence.

Some were sacrificed on the pillar and even those who survive later good not escape extinction by the gods who awoke. Everywhere they stopped, there was a pit. Although the dying in-game would not mean real death, they would still feel the pain, despair, and resentment before their life was sucked away from them.

As he bent over to salute, he spoke in a tone of unprecedented joy, "This was the prototype of my newest creation. Although it was a mere inkling of what it should be, I can see from your faces that you very much enjoyed your time spent."

He raised his head, without waiting for anyone to respond, he snapped his fingers and in everyone's hand, a familiar red card appeared in their hands, before anyone could react, the card suddenly dissipated into multiple red lights that sunk into their wrist. In its place, a red rose appeared on the soldiers of their fingers. This way, the card could not be stolen or traded.

Those who wanted to complain quickly shut their mouths like intimidated quails, "For the sake of celebrating this momentous moment, all those who played in this game will be granted access to Black City's annual auction, the Death Store!"

The tower immediately erupted into torrential applause, no matter how dissatisfied the players were, it was still good to pick up a bargain for free!

Samuel twisted the monocle on his left eye and glanced at the man leaning against the pillar in the corner, his smile only got deeper, "Please everyone, enjoy your time. The second phase of the auction will not be today but instead another month, so please–prepare wisely."

He bowed his head and stepped away, well-dressed attendants of the tower, with gloves and silver plates with metal covers, entered and separated on both sides of Samuel. 

Plop!–Plop!–

The sound of liquid dripping on the carpet floors was very light, but with an inexplicable cold chill. Accompanied by the sound of the liquid falling, was a few very light footstep. Chu Yi who leaned against the pillar, in a backdrop of light and shadow suddenly raised his eyes.

When he opened his eyes, something flashed by quietly. If anyone were to take a closer look, they would see that it was a throne.

A majestic throne made up of the bones of different hellish creatures, their bones were delicately chosen and gathered, and then piled up to make the most exquisite craft.

The slender white bone pillars reached straight to the sky, supporting the crisscross ribs that created the back, the long curved beams seemed to have been built with the ribs of legendary dragons and demons.

A twisting and meandering rose vine covered the entire throne. Starting from the ribs, the rose spreads upward to the slender and luxurious pillars, the branches and leaves coil around the glaring white bone.

The deepest memory is trapped in the darkest heart as if a string was gently touched. The indescribable familiarity is like the wheel of time turning slowly. The empty throne stood for millenniums waiting for its majesty to rule once more.

When his eyelids blinked, the image naturally disappeared leaving only the deep red eyes to lazily sweep the floor. 

The room inexplicably became quiet, the sound of fluid hitting the floor was infinitely magnified in the hall.

A man wearing a black suit with an elegant dovetail appeared on the second floor. Half of his face was covered with a strange ghost face mask but the side that was revealed was beautiful and wanton.

The masked man propped one hand on the railing, fixedly looking down at the person below him who had caught his attention from the moment he landed eyes on him, his pupils hidden behind the mask narrowed, and he smiled with strange greed.

Countless eyes wandered back and forth on the two of them.

The man took the lead in retracting his sight, grabbing a glass of wine, and picking up his greeting gift from some of the railings. Humming a strange tone in his mouth, he slowly walked down the spiral staircase down into the hall.

Everyone was shocked, standing still and dare not blocking his way, silently watching his figure getting closer.

Those who recognized him instantly turned pale with horror, those who didn't only felt a chill rise from the bottom of their hearts.

If it wasn't for his pale skin and dark and gloomy eyes, he would be like an ordinary handsome young man.

The man was holding a glass of red wine in one hand, the top coated in a blue flame that flickered on his face, an amorous and wicked smile hung on his lips.

The sound of liquid dripping came from his other hand–

A hideous head was held in his hand, thick red blood was dripping from the incapacitated head, the bulging eyes still seemed wide open in horror and disbelief.

The man went straight past all the players and stood before Chu Yi. He raised the other hand and took a long sip of the wine, the square rose ring on his finger wrapped around the glass shaft flashing brightly. The malicious and greedy eyes slowly fell on the charming face before he let out a deep chuckle, licking away the traces of red on his lips.

"I see, why my younger brother was so interested in you. Chu Yi, you are really.....a wonderful delicacy."

Chu Yi raised his eyes staring straight into the man's face and spat coldly, "Who the fuck are you?"

"....."

".....!"

The air stagnated for a moment and a blank expression appeared on the man's face for the first time. Chu Yi sneered softly, the faintly mocking and disdaining look felt like a heavy punch to the man's dignity.

He coughed and laughed softly, "This is our first time meeting, so I brought you a gift. My name is Arescio and Chu Yi, I think, we will have 'lots' of close contact in the future.."

"To make amends, I brought you this gift for you, do you like it?"

He held up his hands with the bloody head. Chu Yi could recognize it as one of the players that harassed him upon his return to the black city. He didn't know if this was meant to intimidate him or something else but so what?

Since the person he was waiting for did not appear then there was no use staying here any longer. 

He brushed the hair from his cheeks and without another word, he slowly walked away, ignoring the outstretched hand holding the bloody head.

The players naturally parted a path for him to pass and without another look back, he disappeared past the tower gates into the night sky.

"..."

The players looked back at the only party involved in this confrontation with similar disbelief. 

Arescio carelessly raised his glass again, and the servant filled the man with the liquor called "night rose".

He raised the golden goblet and took a sip. Delicious. He carelessly flung the head to the floor, blood stains flying an arc as it rolled to the foot of some random player, wiping his hands against the tapestry, and walked out the door, without care. In any case, he would see him in the next instance after all. 

The Isolated Island.

When he left, a man slowly moved away from the tall shadows. The eyes beneath the golden monocle flashed with an amused mocking light. 

"Fools."

Gloved fingers snapped lightly, all the players who had been talking in the hall suddenly stopped, their eyes rolled as if in a trance, and with synchronized movements they each stepped forward.

In the brightly lit hall, all sounds were forced to press down a halt.

Dead silence.

The sound of a violent, indifferent, tactful, with repelling tunes flowing from the right angle cut by the bowstring on the bow brush. As if being commanded by invisible puppet strings, the players were forced to dance to the strange music.

In the darkness surrounding him, all players were reduced to mere puppets.