The SSS Ranked Villain's Return

"Fewer votes for number 14 than last time. I'm glad you're all changing your minds." The woman clapped as she glanced at Neraxis. "I think you should come up again, as my partner was unfortunately eliminated."

"Sure," Neraxis replied with a fake smile as he jumped up, deciding to reveal some information.

"I'm an Oracle, and each round, I'm able to get some hints regarding this trial," Neraxis announced, earning suspicious gazes from all around. "I'm no leader, but I can, at the very least, tell you what I've seen."

He cleared his throat and began reciting the oracle messages.

"In round four, I was notified that the Whisperer's number is in the double digits, meaning you can clear all the single-digit numbers for the time being," Neraxis stated, narrowing his eyes. "And the latest oracle I got was that in the last round, someone was lying."

—Lying? But who could it be?

—It's obviously number 14. Just look at him!

—But what if it's the Warden...?

He caused some conflict, just as he intended.

During that conflict, it would be much easier to extract information and double-check whether or not his suspicions were correct.

And like he thought, except for the few people who were relatively calm, the others were freaking out.

Of course, the calm ones in question were Liam and two others who were both single digits.

"You know... that announcement puts me in a bad spot because of how you worded it," the woman whispered, causing Neraxis to shrug.

"It's almost like I didn't intend to make it sound like that," he replied flatly and looked directly into her golden eyes. "It's you, isn't it? You're the Whisperer?"

"I'm not," she said, shaking her head. "But I can tell you one thing—you're making a mistake."

Neraxis raised a brow, amused. "I guess we'll see in a few moments."

Finally, the panic was interrupted by the messages.

<Everyone, get to the cells matching the numbers on your bracelets.>

<If you haven't entered your cell when the timer runs out, you shall be eliminated.>

<00:30>

<00:29>

No one even spoke a word as they headed back to their cells.

However, there was some mutual agreement that had been reached.

Out of all the people who spoke in round four, the woman seemed the most suspicious.

Second in line was Neraxis, but since he pinned the blame on someone else, it was only natural the attention was taken off him, even if just a little.

<Vote on who to eliminate>

<00:15>

<00:14>

<Someone has voted for you!>

<Someone has voted for you!>

<Someone has voted for you!>

Only three this time, Neraxis remarked inwardly and pressed on numbers 30 and 28.

As he did, he realized there was one more spot left, which made his brows furrow.

He quickly gathered his thoughts and began to think.

Out of every single person in that room, Emma seemed to panic the most, even mumbling some bullshit.

Even though she was a part of his 'group,' Neraxis's survival was what mattered most.

Therefore, he took a deep breath and pressed on number 29.

<Votes Cast>

Neraxis waited patiently, and to his surprise...

<Climber #18 Eliminated>

<Climber #30 Eliminated>

<Climber #29 Eliminated>

Both Chloe and Emma were eliminated.

But that was not all...

<Role Distribution: 1 Warden; 20 → 17 Citizens; 1 Oracle; 1 Whisperer>

Neraxis froze upon seeing that.

The woman wasn't the Whisperer.

I need to talk to Liza, Neraxis thought as he stormed out of his cell, flashing a glance toward the new messages.

<Round Six Started! Find the Whisperer!>

<01:30>

<01:29>

<Oracle: The Whisperer is number 12.>

What...? Neraxis's eyes widened.

This time, it straight up told him who it was.

However, if Neraxis were to say it outright, no one would believe him after the previous round.

If anything, the likelihood of him being eliminated in the next two minutes was at least 99%.

He swiftly approached the middle of the prison, where both the shocked Liza and the absentminded Liam stood.

"You're both—"

Neraxis's words were cut off when, all of a sudden, a new system message fell—one slightly different from the rest.

<Solaris Tower - 4th Floor Elite Mode: Trial of the Twin Suns>

<Phase Two: Killing is allowed.>

The moment he saw that message, Neraxis immediately thrust his hand forward, and before Liam could even react, his throat was ripped open.

[1x (B- Ranked Human) Slain! Reward: Stigmata 81.82% → 81.83%]

<Climber #12 Eliminated>

<Role Distribution: 1 Warden; 17 → 16 Citizens; 1 Oracle; 1 Whisperer>

What? Neraxis's eyes widened in shock.

"AAH!" Liza screamed in panic, attracting everyone's attention.

—I knew it!

—Number 14 is the Whisperer! Get him!

People began approaching him, and in the meantime, the only thing Neraxis could do was let out a sigh.

He had been tricked.

It was the simple "two truths, one lie" situation, and he fell for it.

However, the damage was done.

Or so he thought. But out of all the panicked people, he spotted a single person who was calm with a small smile on their face.

But to get through to them, Neraxis had to use some force.

A buff man approached and took a boxing stance before sending a jab toward Neraxis.

But despite not having any mana or access to skills, his body could still easily react to the attack.

Therefore, Neraxis leaned back and sent a thundering kick toward the man's balls, causing him to jump up in shock.

However, this was a situation where if Neraxis didn't kill him, then this person would obviously vote him out.

So, by extending his hand outward, Neraxis grabbed the man's neck and, with all the power he could muster, pulled back.

The moment he did, the man's neck separated from his body, gushing blood all over Neraxis's clean white hair.

[1x (B- Ranked Human) Slain! Reward: Stigmata 81.83% → 81.84%]

<Climber #17 Eliminated>

<Role Distribution: 1 Warden; 16 → 15 Citizens; 1 Oracle; 1 Whisperer>

Instead of worrying about that, Neraxis merely brought his other hand up to his hair and licked a bit of the blood.

He was a vampire now, after all, and by drinking the blood, he was able to boost his power drastically.

But to the outsiders...

—It's a monster!

—Run!!!

As much as Neraxis didn't want to kill them, he had no choice.

Therefore, he kicked off the ground and arrived behind a woman before biting into her neck with his sharp teeth, ripping out her flesh—artery included.

[1x (B+ Ranked Human) Slain! Reward: Stigmata 81.83% → 81.86%]

<Climber #23 Eliminated>

<Role Distribution: 1 Warden; 15 → 14 Citizens; 1 Oracle; 1 Whisperer>

Blood sprayed everywhere, and he absorbed all of it before moving on to the next person—and the next, until finally...

[5x (B+ Ranked Human) Slain! Reward: Stigmata 81.86% → 82.01%]

[7x (B Ranked Human) Slain! Reward: Stigmata 82.01% → 82.15%]

[2x (B- Ranked Human) Slain! Reward: Stigmata 82.15% → 82.17%]

<Role Distribution: 1 Warden; 14 → 0 Citizens; 1 Oracle; 1 Whisperer>

Neraxis took a deep breath and wiped off all the blood from his mouth, taking one glance at the timer.

<00:22>

<00:21>

It barely took a minute to kill all of them. Now, Neraxis made his way to the middle, where two people stood.

Liza, number 5.

And an unknown woman—black hair, black eyes, a sadistic smile.

She was number 25.

Neraxis turned toward Liza, and she immediately flinched before turning away from him.

Her arms were trembling, but he knew what he had to do.

Therefore, he walked up to her and placed his hands around her neck.

But to his surprise, there was heavy resistance, and no matter how much strength he put in, her neck wasn't even budging.

That was until...

<The Warden can't be killed!>

"Well, well, well." A playful voice rang out behind him, belonging to number 25.

He turned around and was met with her crazed look.

But it wasn't directed toward him; instead, it was directed at Liza.

"You're the Warden, right? I'm sure you can start the vote now. It's obvious who the Whisperer is, isn't it?" she said, her tone sounding convincing.

After all, from an outsider's perspective, Neraxis did just slaughter everyone here to save his own ass.

"Y-You're right... I can start the vote." Liza nodded sheepishly as she began clicking in the air.

In the next moment...

<The Warden has forcibly begun the vote!>

<Please choose who to eliminate.>

<#14 #25 #5>

Not even half a second later, he already had his first vote.

<Someone has voted for you!>

It was none other than number 25.

Just as he noticed Liza reaching for the button to vote, Neraxis stepped in front of her.

"Wait a second."

"M-Move!" Liza tried pushing him aside but couldn't.

Sadly, there was no timer, so he couldn't hold her hostage until then.

Instead, he had to figure out a way to convince her.

"Liza, I..."