[REMASTERED] THE WEREWOLF GAME: THE SIDE OF THE BEAST

The First Victim

All ten contestants gathered in the main hall, hearts pounding after the shrill alarm echoed through the darkened corridors.

“Alright, as outlined this evening, you all have the option to accuse someone of being a Werewolf,” the disembodied voice announced. “However, you can choose to let the night pass without casting a vote.”

“Let’s just wrap up this first night without accusations. We need to see how everyone behaves,” Ashfa suggested, her tone deceptively calm.

“Why hold back? We can see who’s on edge,” Hani shot back, locking her gaze on Ijan. “Isn’t that right, Ijan?”

“Don’t pin this on me without evidence! You’re just trying to shift suspicion!” Ijan’s anger flared, his fists clenching.

As their argument escalated, a shadow lurked just outside their circle, observing intently, plotting their next move.

“Thank you, Hani,” a cold voice echoed from the shadows, “for making my job so much easier tonight. Get ready, all of you. At midnight, you’ll hear the howl before it claims you.”

“Enough!” Mirul intervened, his voice firm as he stepped between the feuding contestants. “We need to keep our heads.”

An hour passed, filled with simmering tension, but ultimately no one was voted out. As they reluctantly retreated to their rooms, the oppressive atmosphere hung thick in the air.

At the stroke of midnight, the first Werewolf convened with their partner, hidden in the depths of the building.

“So, you’re the Werewolf?” the first one queried, his eyes glinting with anticipation.

“Yeah, I’m in this with you. Let’s make sure we win,” the partner replied, his voice dripping with eagerness.

“But who’s our first victim? We can’t just target anyone; we’ll expose ourselves if we act recklessly,” the first Werewolf cautioned.

“I have someone in mind,” the partner said, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

Meanwhile, Taufeq approached Tasha’s room, anxiety knotting his stomach. He knocked softly, bracing for whatever awaited him.

“I’m coming!” Tasha’s voice came through, laced with tension.

As the door creaked open, she hurled a chair toward him in a reflexive panic. “Die, you son of a bitch!” Tasha screamed, her instincts on high alert.

“Whoa, calm down! I’m not the Werewolf! I just came to finish what I started earlier!” Taufeq barely dodged the chair.

“Oh really? You think you can just waltz in here?” Tasha snapped, but her anger was laced with curiosity.

“I know this sounds cliché, but I have to say it: Tasha, I’ve liked you since we were fourteen. I admire your drive and achievements... Would you... be my girlfriend?” His heart raced as he blurted it out, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

“Are you joking? Or are you serious?” Tasha’s expression was a mix of surprise and skepticism.

“Damn, I shouldn’t have said that now,” Taufeq groaned, wishing he could take it back.

“But I understand it’s a lot to take in. I can wait for your answer, but please don’t take too long,” he added, his nerves betraying him.

“Alright, let’s talk after this game,” Tasha said, a small smile breaking through her facade.

“Okay, I’ll let you be. Take care,” Taufeq replied, relief flooding through him as he stepped back.

“Wait—was that a sign of acceptance or rejection?” he muttered to himself as he turned to his own room. But just then, a scream pierced the night, sending chills down his spine.

“AHHHH! IS THAT ASHFA?!”

Eerah's horrified cry echoed through the hallways, drawing everyone to the scene of terror. Ashfa lay lifeless, her body brutally mutilated—a grim warning to the remaining contestants.

“Shit! We need to figure out who the Werewolf is! Or we’re next!” Ijan’s voice was frantic, panic rising within him.

“Isn’t it a bit dramatic for you, Ijan? You seem awfully eager to deflect attention from yourself,” Hani interjected, a knowing smirk on her face.

“Don’t you dare put this on me! If I wanted to kill someone, it would be you first!” Ijan retorted, his temper boiling over.

“Let’s not turn on each other just yet,” Eerah chimed in, trying to maintain some semblance of order. “Who else had a grudge against Ashfa?”

As Tasha surveyed the scene, her eyes landed on Hani, suspicion brewing. “I know what you’re doing, Hani. Trying to pin this on Ijan while protecting your own interests.”

“Interesting theory, Tasha. But let’s see if it holds up,” Hani replied, her calm demeanor infuriating Tasha even more.

The morning light began to seep into the hall, but the air was thick with unease, each survivor acutely aware that time was running out.

As they prepared for the day ahead, shadows loomed larger, and trust had never felt more fragile.