The Hunter's Game - Chapter 2

The dealer, dressed in a black robe and mask, walked to the center of the room.

“Good evening, players. Welcome to the Black Goat Game. I will now explain this round and its rules.” A voice modulator made him sound mechanical and strange.

“This round will take place within the town. The perimeter has been marked with conspicuous signs and barriers. During the game, leaving that area is prohibited. Violators will be eliminated and fined five hundred thousand US dollars. Once the game begins, players may neither leave nor withdraw. Either action incurs the same five-hundred-thousand-dollar penalty.”

No one objected or chose to quit.

We had all been informed of these terms and signed contracts before agreeing to participate.

Everyone here was a true gambler.

“Now for the game itself. The house will lend each player fifty game coins in advance. These coins may be spent during the game to purchase items or trade with other players. Players are forbidden from stealing game coins from one another. Violators will be disqualified and fined five hundred thousand US dollars.”

“At the end of the game, every player must return fifty game coins to the house. Any amount above fifty belongs to the player as profit. If a player has fewer than fifty, the shortfall must be repaid as debt.”

“One game coin is worth ten thousand US dollars. Fifty coins are therefore worth five hundred thousand US dollars.”

“The object of this round is to find the lost cards. Three types—Sun, Moon, and Star—are scattered throughout the town. One Sun, three Moons, and ten Stars can be exchanged together for ten game coins. Remember, their required ratio is one to three to ten. If even one card is missing, no exchange can be made.”

“There is only one way to obtain cards: complete quests issued by the town’s shopkeepers. Once the game begins, you may visit the shops and learn the details for yourselves.”

“In addition to Sun, Moon, and Star cards, the game contains a special Black Goat card. One Black Goat card may be exchanged directly for ten game coins. To obtain one, however, you must trigger a hidden quest. That will depend on your luck and powers of observation.”

“Once you have assembled cards, you may take them to the clock tower at the town’s western edge. The Black Goat Shop occupies its top floor and will exchange cards for game coins. The shop also sells support items that may be useful during the game, and those may be purchased with game coins.”

“The game begins at 9:00 a.m. on October 14 and ends at 9:00 p.m. on October 16, for a total of three days. The rest period runs from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. each day. Be sure to exchange your cards before the game ends.”

“At precisely 9:00 p.m. on October 16, all players will reassemble in this room. The player holding the most game coins wins an additional prize of three million US dollars. In the event of a tie for first place, the prize will be divided equally.”

“The player with the fewest game coins will incur a penalty of one million US dollars. In the event of a tie for last place, the penalty will also be divided equally.”

“Those are the rules. One final reminder: cards may be acquired only by completing merchants’ quests, triggering hidden quests, or trading with other players. Violence, threats, or any other attempt to seize cards is prohibited. All card trades must take place in the trading hall at the center of town. Trades made elsewhere are invalid.”

“Each player has been assigned a room in this villa. Room keys will be distributed shortly. The dining room is on the second floor and serves food twenty-four hours a day. Room and board are free. Rest well tonight. The game begins tomorrow at nine.”

When he finished, the dealer silently retreated. His cold mask revealed no emotion.

The room immediately erupted into noise as the players around me launched into heated discussions of the rules.

I did not join them. I remained in my corner, silent as a ghost.

My mind, however, raced.

It did not take me long to spot a loophole and devise a practical way to win.

Excitement stirred in my chest. I was about to formulate a strategy when three sharp claps cut through the babble.

I looked up instinctively. Snake Nine stood in the middle of the room, a mysterious smile on his face, gazing down at every one of us.

His sudden gesture drew all eyes. The room fell silent.

Pleased with the reaction, Snake Nine came straight to the point.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve just found a foolproof way to win this game.”