Chapter 12: Wolverine

“Player 6 speaking. Number 6 here is the Witch. Number 11 is clear. As for Numbers 1 and 7, those two claiming Seer—let’s not bother with them for now. One dies, one takes responsibility. I hope the Guard can protect me tonight. Though I’ve used my antidote, I’m not ready to use poison yet. You don’t need to challenge me—if someone counterclaims, I’ll save myself the trouble and just pour out a bottle of poison. That’s all from Number 6.”

Chen Fan finished his first round of speaking with a grim expression—not because he was worried about the game, but because he had accidentally sipped Oriental Leaves tea mixed with cherry-flavored sarsaparilla.

This round, Chen Fan was the Witch. He had planned to stay hidden, but during the daytime when he tried to fake a role during the Seer’s claim, he ran into a brick wall and was harshly called out by the Hunter. Why must the power roles make life hard for each other? Chen Fan had investigated the Hunter the first night, and now, with the pressure of an early speaking position, he was worried he’d be voted out if he couldn’t explain himself. After much thought, he decided to claim directly.

This was a Guard round. As usual, two Seers counterclaimed at the start: Number 1 accused Number 12, while Number 7 gave a “golden water” (clear) to Number 8. Chen Fan claimed Witch, and Number 11 the Hunter received clear water. There weren’t many contesting for the badge, and in the end, Number 7 got it, which Chen Fan found odd—usually, the badge would go to the one with the strongest accusation, so Number 1 should have received it.

“Player 5 speaking. Number 6 claimed Witch early, let’s leave that for now. If there’s a counterclaim, sort it out tonight. Let’s discuss the Seers. I lean towards Number 1 for now, since he made an accusation. Let’s keep both Seers for another round and vote out Number 12, who was accused.”

“Player 4 speaking. Let me explain why I voted for Number 7. I think Number 1 might be playing the wolf-seer-accuses-wolf pattern. Although Number 7 has the badge, I agree with Player 5—we should vote out Number 12, who was accused. I’ll pay close attention to Number 12’s speech; he probably can’t claim a power role. This is Number 12’s round.”

Players 3 and 2 had similar views. Since it wasn’t their round, and they weren’t on either Seer’s badge list, they just stated their allegiances.

“Player 1 speaking. My badge list remains unchanged: first 8, then 5. I’m the only real Seer here. Now you’ve chosen a wolf as badge holder. I get why Number 12 voted for Number 7, but Player 4, I think your role isn’t good; most likely you’re Number 7’s wolf partner. Everyone, vote for my accused, Number 12.”

Number 12 gave a cold laugh. He’d been seated after the badge round and finally had a chance to speak.

“Number 12 is the Guard. Number 1, to me you’re already a wolf. If any wolf wants to bravely claim Guard and get me out, now’s the time. I hope the good guys see the truth. In my view, Number 4, who voted for 7, is good. The wolf den is probably among 1, 2, 3, 5, and the late positions 10 and 9.”

“This guy just happens to be the Guard? I don’t buy it,” Chen Fan said firmly.

Number 11 next to him glanced over and said decisively, “Number 12 is a wolf, searching for the real Guard. I don’t believe it’s just a one-in-six chance to hit the real Guard. If there’s a real Guard after this, don’t claim. This round, the gun role leads and gets Number 12 out. Witch can poison Number 7 tonight.”

Numbers 10 and 9 clung to the Hunter, declaring themselves villagers and loudly supporting the vote to eliminate Number 12 as a wolf.

“Player 8 speaking. I am the real Guard. Believe it or not, this is for the wolves. Try your knife tonight if you want, but I don’t recommend the Witch poison Number 7. I still think Number 7 could be a real Seer. But if you poison 7 and we vote out 1 tomorrow, we can try for a hard push. With so many villagers, let’s vote out the obvious wolf, Number 12…”

“Self-destruct.”

Number 12 flipped his card and self-destructed. He glanced at Numbers 7 and 8 across the table, then smiled at Number 1.

“Night falls. Eyes closed.”

No one counterclaimed this round, so Chen Fan’s Witch role was solidified. As an open-eyed role with the antidote used, he didn’t know who had died that night. Looking around, he also didn’t know whom to poison.

“Should I poison a Seer?” Chen Fan wavered between 1 and 7 for a long time before finally signaling a 7.

“Dawn. Last night’s deaths: Number 1 and Number 7. Badge transfer, please.”

Number 7 was stunned at first, then, recovering quickly, said, “To my clear, Number 8.”

“Number 8, you are now the badge holder. Choose to start speeches from your left or right.”

“Right,” said Number 8, raising his right hand.

Now Chen Fan would be the last to speak, and the badge order was correct—Chen Fan would be the final vote decider. After both Seers died last night, only Chen Fan knew the kill pattern.

With all three power roles revealed, only two wolves and four villagers remained—a likely win.

Numbers 10 and 9, in the midst of a chaotic villager role pool, continued to play passively. When it was Number 11 the Hunter’s turn to speak, he seized on this and criticized them harshly.

“Is this how you play good guys? Every round you speak like this, just giving the wolves a scapegoat? I have no respect for passive wolves. If your logic is good and you fool me, I’ll accept it, let you win. But if you just play passively, it infuriates me. This round, pick between 9 and 10.”

“Player 2 speaking. With six villagers here and two wolves hidden among them, we should have enough rounds. If we get it wrong, Guard can consider protecting a villager tonight. Focus on speeches from 3, 4, and 5. 9 and 10’s speeches were worthless—if they get voted out, they deserve it.”

“Player 3 speaking. Even if we get it wrong this round, we have enough rounds. The wolves might knife the Hunter, betting on psychology. If you’re not sure, maybe don’t shoot.”

“Player 4 speaking. I am not a villager—I am the real Guard. But Number 8, you took my role to vote out Number 12, which I accept as a move to shield from the knife. This round, I also lean toward voting out 9 or 10.”

Player 5 paused: “Number 1 was likely killed by the knife, Number 7 by poison. Number 4 is in Number 7’s second badge list. At this position, claiming Guard and having voted for 7 on Day One, though later shifting to Number 1’s side to vote out 12... But since 12 self-destructed, your vote pattern wasn’t visible. If 7 was your wolf partner, he should have passed the badge to you. It doesn’t quite fit. Maybe it’s reverse logic…”

Player 5 went on at length, analyzing both direct and reverse logic until Chen Fan’s head spun. In the end, either argument sounded convincing—it just depended on which the group chose to believe.

At last, it was Chen Fan’s turn. He reported on the events of the night: “Number 1 was killed by the knife, Number 7 I poisoned. So Number 1 was the real Seer, Number 8 is probably good. Wolves rarely give a fellow wolf a clear on the first day, and Number 8’s speeches have been solid—he could make it to the finals. Let’s see where the badge holder leads.”

Number 8, fingering the badge proudly, said confidently, “This round, vote out Number 4. I am the real Guard. Numbers 9 and 10 are probably not his wolf partners. The last wolf is among 2, 3, or 5. Let’s get 4 first, then choose one of the remaining three during the day. I protected myself the first night, then protected Number 6 the Witch the second night, and tonight I’ll self-protect again. Knife who you like, it’s up to you.”

“Number 4 is claiming Guard here, but I don’t think he’s trying to shield me. He wants to scapegoat a villager and then wear my clothes, since Guard is a hard role to prove. He’ll probably challenge me to the end. If you trust me, vote out Number 4. Badge to Number 4.”

Number 8 also gave a detailed analysis of Number 4’s mindset, which sounded convincing to Chen Fan.

Number 11, the Hunter, stubbornly put his single vote on Number 9—wishing he had another hand for Number 10. Between the two, Number 9 was even more passive.

“Player 4 is out. Please give your last words.”

Player 4 heaved a sigh. “I don’t blame you. The wolves played well. But Numbers 9 and 10 really barely spoke. The good guys have lost.”

“Night falls. Eyes closed.”

Chen Fan had used both potions and was now a powerless Witch, likely to die tonight. He skipped further action.

“Dawn. Last night, Number 6 died.”

Chen Fan had already anticipated this. Calmly, he got up and left the room.

As he stepped out, the sound of self-destruction echoed from inside—the game returned to night.

“Game over. Wolves win.”

Chen Fan muttered, “Number 8 really was a wolf—such a Wolverine…”