The Next Prince, Chapter 6 pg2
The Next Prince, Chapter 6 pg2
But for this game... I want our new friend to join as well.” As Samantha finishes speaking, she gestures towards the tall, dignified figure of Charan, who is currently standing, rummaging through his pants pocket with an expressionless face that doesn't reveal any emotions.
“I don't...”
“Don't bother inviting him. He can't play anyway.” Before Charan could even refuse, someone else responds on his behalf, all at once. Khanin glances at the older man for a moment before uttering a sentence that changes the listener's determination. “Or maybe he's just too scared to play.”
“Where should I sit then?” The initial intention to decline is put aside. Charan places his drink on the table and joins the circle, engaging in conversation. In truth, the young man isn't particularly interested in building relationships or playing games with anyone; his main objective now is just to annoy the stubborn kid.
“Here, sit right here.” The others in the circle seem to sense the impending conflict, but for them, it's seen as an amusing event. Charlie opens the circle and invites Charan to sit next to Khanin.
Someone's face displays a refusal to accept the invitation. Khanin is annoyed but doesn't want to appear weak, so he swallows his irritation. He reassures himself that this is just a game, and if he wins, he will become king and use this opportunity to punish the other person severely.
“This game is called King, and it's a game we play regularly at parties... The person who becomes the 'King' has the ultimate power and can order other players to do anything they desire... Have you ever played?”
“Never.” The person being asked replies immediately without having to think for a moment. Charan's face doesn't show much interest, and he only sits there out of courtesy, just to remain within Khanin's sight.
“Okay, no problem. Let me take a moment to explain the game to our new friend, Charan.” Charlie reaches for the numbered cards beside him, then looks at the newcomer.
Do you see these numbered cards? We will distribute them to serve as player identification codes. Everyone must not reveal their card to others until the King issues orders for every number... The person who becomes the King will have the power to order any number to do anything, but if they refuse, they must drink a strange concoction that we have mixed up.” Charlie points to a large glass filled with various colors and smells, so repulsive that no human would dare to swallow it. If they do, they'll likely suffer from severe stomach aches, all because of someone's sock floating in the glass.
It's a fitting punishment for those who refuse to obey the King's command.
“...”
“The king can order anything, but must consider the five rules. First, don't order anyone to harm others or themselves. Second, don't order anyone to break the law. Third, don't order anyone to swallow garbage from the beginning. Fourth, if in that round the king fails to make someone swallow garbage, they must swallow it themselves. Fifth, we won't order anyone to give us money from their wallets... we've already done that. It was Kim who made us set up this rule.”
“Well, at that time I was the king, I just ordered you to serve me... As a king, I can do anything, right?” Kim raised his voice while glaring at Charlie with dissatisfaction.
“Is that called serving? You ordered me to open my wallet and give you almost all my money... Even if you're the king, it's not called serving. It's called clear robbery.”
“But you took revenge on me by ordering everyone around to pinch my forehead as much as the money I took from you.”
“That's why we set up the first rule: not to order anyone to harm others or themselves.” Charlie waved his hand to dismiss Kim, who was trying to speak further, and turned his attention back to Charan.
“...”
Listen, becoming the king depends on who the old king will grant power to. If you become the king, you can take revenge, but you have to watch the reactions of others. If you target someone and they seem strange, you can take revenge immediately...” Charlie glanced at Kim slightly after teaching a small trick to the tall man.
“Alright, for the first time, we'll choose the king by spinning a bottle. I, as the host, will spin it.” The only woman in the group spoke and gestured for Charlie to start distributing cards to everyone in the circle.
Of course, no one disputed Samantha's request. Paul brought a nonalcoholic beer bottle and placed it in the middle of the circle, instantly livening up the atmosphere.
“Last time we played, it was intense. Someone ordered me to pole dance in front of the club downstairs. We never stopped teasing each other.” Someone, whose name Charan couldn't remember, complained from his seat on the left.
“But I remember you ordered me to clip Charlie's toenails. It was disgusting. This time, I'd rather have someone kiss like Jimmy.” Samantha, the party host, commented. She made a face when mentioning Charlie's toenails and looked at Jimmy, who was also making a disapproving face.
“But when I got to kiss, Nin ordered me to exchange tongues with Seymour...” Jimmy looked around.
“Told us to kiss for five minutes until my mouth was sore, and then the short guy next to Charan didn't even look at Seymour's face.”
Jimmy's voice trailed off at the end of the sentence, but the action prompted smiles from the others in the circle.
“But that got you a girlfriend, right?” Khanin, the short man, glanced at Seymour and grinned. “Call it fate, Kim. When I was king, I didn't know I'd chosen you and Seymour to kiss.”
“Khanin always plays like this.” someone commented.
I hope he gets it himself sometime.” Jimmy joked half-heartedly, and then everyone laughed, knowing that Khanin had never been kissed and had never been ordered to kiss someone, even though he often gave such commands.
This is because he is known as the Game Master.
“We'll find out soon enough if he gets it or not. Whoever can defeat Khanin tonight, I'll bow down and salute.” Charlie said, and then handed the bottle to Samantha, who prepared to spin it.
The slim hand spun the bottle vigorously, making it rotate in a circle at the center of the table for almost a minute, creating suspense among all the members. Finally, the bottle stopped in front of Paul.
“Awesome! I'm the king!” The blond guy exclaimed happily. The others secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Paul usually wouldn't give harsh orders.
They all felt like their lives could continue a little longer.
“Alright, so according to the rules, everyone can check their own numbers but don't show your card to anyone until the game is over. Okay?” Charlie, who acted like the host, reminded them once again, and everyone quietly looked at their cards and put them on the table.
“Go ahead, make it challenging since we haven't played this game in a long time.” the dark-haired guy nudged Paul, who was proudly stretching his chest for his newly acquired king position.
“Alright, then. Ahem.” Paul cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. The blond guy seemed excited and pleased because he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
“...” Everyone around the table fell silent as Paul scanned them, thinking for a moment before announcing the order.
“Card number 7, go get a new beer bottle, open it, and chug it all in five minutes.”
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