Chương 285: Win To Live

Both contestants have answered correctly. The correct answer was: C - Beastfolks The first question was fairly easy. All of the options had a bunch of species, but Beastfolks absolutely crush the competition in this regard. All animals and beasts have their beastfolk variant, and each of these variants has dozens upon dozens of variants of their own, with the slightest difference qualifying as a separate species. Even goblins can't compete against this.

Especially not when beastfolks include demon-beastfolk as well, doubling the amount by just changing a single parameter. Anyone who knew even a little about the subject could get the right answer. Despite the first question being a simple one, the audience clapped their hands as a few notes of music played. Gilepre rubbed his temples.

Of all things, he hadn't expected to have to play a damn quiz with his captor, who, for some reason, had taken on the appearance of a young woman, despite being an utter monstrosity in reality. Right now, all things she could be doing, she was checking whether this new form of hers was as flat as her true human self–The answer was yes.

"So… How much does Lunovis pay you anyway to do all of this shit? I mean, it is a pretty dangerous gig, you know? A nutjob could abduct you, torture you, and all that business. Surely the compensations are good""My master saved my life, and I owe it to him. He only gives me what I need to perform my missions""So you're getting ripped off? Just because he saved your life once doesn't mean that he owns you. You're getting exploited, Buddy. You should consider just moving to another country and getting an honest job.

You have a pretty weird face, but you're strong. I am sure you'll find yourself a woman without much issue""You don't understand, it is a matter of loyalty""Loyalty isn't something that is gained through a single action. That's like believing that charity and goodwill are the same thing. Lunovis was only charitable to you because he knew that if he turned out well, you would become nothing but an obedient dog.

He only helped you with whatever your issue was because you could provide a return on investment""How dare you badmouth my lord?!"

"I don't hear you denying my claims–Must be because you are afraid of allowing the truth to be discussed any further. You know what? I get it. I've been there too… But you know what? There is a very easy solution to your problem. You just need to go ahead and do one thing. One single thing.

One very simple thing, a mere physical action that requires basically no strength, and will only take a few minuscule seconds to perform""If you do that, you'll break free from your imaginary debt to the owl bastard""And be eternally subservient to you instead?"

"Shoot, you read right through me, didn't you? But hey, I'll treat you better than Lunovis, and anyway, I am sure you would rather serve a woman than a man. You look like you would enjoy that""... How in the hell do you arrive at such a conclusion?!"

"I listen to my guts, and they're never wrong""You are insane""More insane than the guy obsessed with a good-for-nothing nephew whom he should be happy was made to vanish? Do you even know why he's so mad that Hulil disappeared?" Gilepre stayed silent, but his silence made it clear that he knew the answer. He was simply unwilling to share it.

"... I can't help but notice that you speak of Hulil like you had nothing to do with his disappearance" She just shrugged, right as a new question appeared on the screen. What is the full name of the current ruler of Beelmart? There weren't multiple options to choose from this time. They would have to type out the name by hand, and hopefully not make any mistakes whilst doing so. A few moments passed with only the sound of fingers typing being heard.

The correct answer was: BALAYAL AZT MASTRAS Once again, both of them got it right. Though Gilepre heaved a sigh of relief, as he had frankly never seen her name written down before, thankfully, it was written just as it was pronounced.

"You should really consider my offer. Your elemental affinity… It is a good match for our band. Ever considered using your magic to give life to automatons? Have you ever imagined… Becoming something more than what you are currently? What you have seen of my family and servants is very little compared to reality. We are growing in numbers, and soon, I will have developed means to take in new members even more efficiently. You were captive, but Aesther summoned otherworlders, you know?

One of them will soon become my disciple in a more 'official' capacity""I do not care… But I bet that what you are talking about is the same thing you want me to go through?"

"You really are very perceptive, you know that?"

"It isn't too complicated with you""I am being nice with you, Gilepre. I am offering you to join me alive, but you must understand that if you are killed by me or one of my people, your soul will belong to me, and I will be free to turn you into nothing more than an obedient spirit. The likes of you do not receive any sort of freedom as ghosts""Is there a difference between the two options?" The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Of course, you won't actually die with the one I am trying to offer you. You will live forever!"

"That sounds like eternal torture to me""Please, you serve Lunovis. I would have thought that you loved getting tortured""Nonsense…" A third question came. Are incantations a part of energy manipulation, or are they their own unique way of power? A - They are a part of energy manipulation B - They are their own way of power C - All of the above"Don't you think that these questions are a bit too easy?" Gilepre didn't listen and thought for a few moments. The answer was as obvious to him as it was for his opponent.

She answered immediately without hesitation, which caused a countdown to start. There was only ample time to think when neither of them had given their answer.

"Damnit, I am pretty sure it's C" The audience applauded. The correct answer was: C - All of the above Incantations are often used in the basics of energy manipulation, or as a way to integrate rules and limitations, but they are also their own unique way of power, where the incantations are mandatory. Once again, both of them were correct. What was the creature in the sewers? A - An 'Anomalous Entity' B - A creature born from negativity C - A nightmare being D - All of the above"Oh, what the hell…"

Gilepre had no idea how he could even know the correct answer to this, especially when his captor didn't seem certain of it herself. He didn't know what she was up to, but she closed her eyes and started waving her arms around. He presumed that 'Anomalous Entity' meant something that had to do with 'Anomalous Energy', which was a kind of energy. Unfortunately, he had no clue what this thing's energy felt like since he hadn't had access to his mana sense at the time.

"All of the above…? How would that even work?" Gilepre rubbed his chin thoughtfully, right as he heard his opponent press a button. Forcing him to hurry up and make a decision. In the end, since that creature seemed to have been spawned whilst he was struck inside of a nightmare, he went with answer C. The correct answer was: C - A nightmare being His sigh of relief was a loud one this time, but once again, they both got it right.

"It's quite interesting that they can manifest in the real world like this, don't you think? I didn't think it was possible before, but I guess now, the right conditions can lead to some being born out of thin air. I get the feeling that part two of the Nightmare Plague will be a fun one""You lunatic-" As he said this, Gilepre felt something. A shallow cut appeared on his face.

"Looks like they found you already""... Shit" Why does Lunovis Boorizar care so much about Hulil Boozirar?

"W-What?"

"Interesting" There were no options to select from. Reminder: The person with the most good answers will win at the end. Reminder: If no correct answer is provided, the correct answer will not be revealed. Gilepre leaned up against his podium, conflicted.

On one hand, he wanted to give himself all the chances possible, even if her so-called bear and coyote had found him, it didn't mean that all hope was lost, but he would need to respond correctly to this question, which she had no way of knowing the answer to–Meaning that he could get one correct answer, and gain some advantage. His nails scraped against the podium.

"... When push comes to shove, your loyalty is shaken, isn't it? Will you be rational and prioritise yourself, or be a fool, and continue serving a master who gave up and forgot you?" She was smiling smugly, but her eyes weren't smiling at all. They were dead serious. He typed an answer, and she soon did the same thing. Only one correct answer. Correct answer given by: Gilepre. The correct answer was: Because Lunovis Boorizar is not Hulil's uncle–He is his father.

"Oh my… Now that's some sweet, sweet information! Lunovis cheated on his wife with his brother's wife? And had a son out of it? It explains a lot""It could cause quite a lot of problems if this information were to leak, don't you think?"

"Good luck to have anyone believe this. Such rumours are par for the course for any noble family. No one believes them at face value""That's definitely true, but judging by the look on your face… This particular rumour isn't the kind to be quickly swept under the rug? I bet the patriarch of the Boorizar family already felt that something was off with his 'son', right? Did the pregnancy occur at a suspicious time? Did Hulil look a bit too much like his 'uncle'? Mmh?

""I won't answer you""You will answer me eventually, whether you like it or not. I admire your hope, but without your magic, you stand no chance of escaping them were you to wake up. You are fighting a losing battle, Gilepre""I didn't go through all of this to give up. Even if it isn't even a quarter of a single per cent, I will take the gamble" She looked at him with a flat expression for a few seconds.

"Heh… Careful with all those hopes and dreams, you're going to make smoke come out of me" Many more questions followed, some relying on raw general knowledge, some favouring one of them over the other, and some being simply nearly impossible to answer correctly. In the end, the quiz ended in a tie, prompting an additional question…

Once the rumour of Lunovis Boorizar being Hulil's true father begins to spread, will Lunovis immediately associate the leak with Gilepre, given that the latter safely survives and escapes his predicament?

A - No, he won't make the association B - Yes, he will make the association and kill Gilepre C - Yes, he will make the association and torture Gilepre D - Yes, he will make the association and imprison Gilepre after tearing out his tongue E - B, C, and D An additional button even appeared for this question, and the answer seemed obvious, but Gilepre froze.

"It should have been obvious, Buddy" He didn't respond and selected an answer. The correct answer was: E - B, C, and D Both contestants gave the right answer, resulting in another tie. The priority of victory is granted to the trial taker. Gilepre wins. Congratulations! The woman waved her arm at him.

"I'll see you soon"