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

The Net Closes In

The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating, as Taufeq wandered the dimly lit hallway, lost in his thoughts. The quietness of the school building was unsettling, with only the faint echoes of his footsteps bouncing off the cold, hard walls. His mind raced, trying to piece together the fragmented clues that could lead him to the truth. Who were the remaining werewolves? How could they end this nightmare once and for all?

As he turned the corner, he bumped into someone. Startled, Taufeq instinctively stepped back, only to realize it was Firdaus.

"Oh, Firdaus… you scared me!" Taufeq laughed nervously, his heart still racing from the sudden encounter. "What are you doing here?"

Firdaus stood silent for a moment, his face pale, eyes distant. It was as if he hadn’t fully processed his surroundings. "There’s nothing, really… I was just thinking about last night… about what I did." His voice was heavy with regret. "I didn’t think I had it in me to kill Ijan... with my own hands. The knife... it felt too real. I can still feel the weight of it in my grip."

Taufeq gave a small nod, sensing the guilt that weighed down on his friend. "You did what had to be done," Taufeq reassured him, though his own stomach churned at the thought. "None of us wanted this, but we don’t have a choice. Don’t regret it. But how did the knife get to you in the first place?"

Firdaus looked down, slowly pulling the blade from his pocket and showing it to Taufeq. The gleaming edge reflected the dim light, and it sent a shiver down Taufeq's spine.

"This knife," Firdaus began, his voice soft, "was a gift from my father. He gave it to me when I was young, said it would protect me from any danger I might face in the world." He let out a shaky breath. "But last night… I used it to kill Ijan. And the way he looked at me… the way his body trembled as I stabbed him. I can’t forget it." His voice cracked as he spoke. "I feel bad for Mirul. He lost his closest friend because of me."

"I see," Taufeq said, taking a deep breath as he tried to find the right words. "Yeah, I feel bad for Mirul too… But I think the best thing we can do for him now is to finish this game. Then maybe, we can make things right and bring some peace to all of us, including Mirul."

Firdaus gave a weak smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "That’s a good idea... But Taufeq," his voice dropped to a whisper, "we need to know who the other werewolves are, or we’ll end up just like Ijan. We’re running out of time."

Taufeq’s expression hardened. He knew Firdaus was right. They needed answers, fast.

Meanwhile, in another part of the building, Tasha found herself rummaging through an old, unused classroom, searching for something—anything—that could help them survive. Her movements were hurried, and her heart raced with a sense of urgency. She knew the stakes were high, and every moment wasted could mean the difference between life and death.

But as she searched, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"What are you looking for, Tasha?"

She spun around, her body tensing as she faced Dzarep, who stood in the doorway, his eyes sharp and calculating.

"Looking for items that are useful to us," Tasha replied curtly, keeping her gaze steady, though she could feel the weight of his suspicion.

Dzarep raised an eyebrow, stepping further into the room. "Useful for *us*, or useful for *you* alone?"

Tasha froze, her heart skipping a beat. She turned slowly to face him fully, her eyes narrowing. "What are you trying to say?"

Dzarep’s expression hardened. "Don’t play dumb with me, Tasha. I know exactly who you are." His voice was low, dripping with accusation. "You can’t hide it anymore... *Werewolf*."

For a moment, Tasha felt her pulse quicken, but she quickly steeled herself, not allowing Dzarep to see her fear. She met his gaze head-on, her eyes burning with defiance. "Stop playing mind games with me, Dzarep. Your tricks won’t work. I’m not afraid of you."

Dzarep smirked, but there was no humor in it. "You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. But your time is running out. The others will find out soon enough."

Tasha’s fists clenched at her sides, her mind racing for a way to turn the conversation. "Why are you doing this? What do you gain from accusing me without proof?"

"Because I don’t need proof," Dzarep said, stepping closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’m the Seer, Tasha. Not Ijan. *Me.* I saw you for what you truly are last night. And now, I know."

Tasha’s heart dropped. Dzarep wasn’t bluffing—he *knew*. But still, she wasn’t ready to back down. She wouldn’t let him control the narrative.

"You think knowing my identity will save you?" she asked, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "You think the others will believe you just because you say you’re the Seer?"

Dzarep smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "Oh, they will. They always believe the Seer, Tasha. It’s only a matter of time."

With that, Dzarep turned and left the room, leaving Tasha standing there, her mind reeling from the confrontation. She knew she had to act fast. Her identity was on the line, and if she didn’t play her cards right, Dzarep’s revelation could end everything.

Back in the hallway, Taufeq and Firdaus continued their conversation, unaware of the brewing storm.

"We need to gather the others and figure this out," Firdaus said. "We’re not safe, Taufeq. Not until we know who the real enemy is."

Taufeq nodded, determination settling in his eyes. "Let’s move. We can’t let this game go on any longer. It’s time to finish it."

With that, they headed down the hallway, their minds set on uncovering the truth. But as they moved, the shadows seemed to grow darker around them, the weight of the unknown pressing down on their every step. Time was running out, and they could feel it in their bones.

Somewhere, hidden in the labyrinth of the school, the werewolves were watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

And the real game had only just begun.