“… What?”

“Do I need to repeat myself? Just spill it, if you don’t want to die.”

What the…!

Junsung couldn’t believe that this guy would call this absurd threat a winning method. It was the most ridiculous demand ever. But began to explain what was likely to happen next. “Everyone will find out who the mafia are so the citizens will have control over their lives, while the mafia will also have control over a citizen’s life at night. So, we cannot betray each other. Then we start the winning method, with the doctor’s cooperation.”

“Oh…”

Clearly, the doctor did not come forward because he or she could not trust the mafia. put at the crossroads of life and death, threatening her to bring something to the table. The citizens swallowed hard, silently accepting the threat, whereas looked around with a dumbfounded expression. “Are you serious? The moment I spill, you’re going to just kill me and the other two as well.”

“Yeah, maybe. But if you don’t spill now, you’ll die a hundred percent. Easy to calculate the expected value, right?”

It was a diabolical yet ingenious threat. and rushed to side with .

“This… is really annoying, but he does have a point. Just tell us who the other two mafia members are, and we’ll all be safe. And you’ll be free!”

“Yeah! Just give us the names, and we’ll vote ‘no’ to set you free. Today’s trial will be over, and we’ll be able to operate the winning method!”

There was clearly a huge risk. It was “a little obvious” what the citizens would do once they knew who all the mafia were. also pointed this out. “Sure, I can calculate the expected value. Three people will be killed if I tell you the other two names like you said.”

“Argh, come on. Are you really as useless in both looks and brains like said?”

“Hey, that’s too harsh!”

“This dumbass woman is being so stubborn when she has only five minutes left to live!”

Totally disgusted, shook his finger at and threw a fit. But she remained unfazed even in the face of death. spoke firmly to the nine players. “My stance has remained the same since the beginning of this game. This is a killing game, and we shouldn’t go along with it. I’m definitely not going to spill the beans about the other mafia members, as it would only end up killing all three of us. You can vote however you want. But let me be clear: If you vote ‘yes’, you’re all murderers.”

“…….”

Could that really be a lie?

Whereas appealed to ethics, relied on cold, harsh facts.

“Yeah, right. You’re just a mafia member who gave up on the winning method, and all those voting ‘no’ are followers of the mafia.”

“Hey, that’s going a little too far!”

“Oh yeah? You think I’m wrong? They’re either followers or morons who can’t reach a verdict with the mafia on trial and can’t even calculate the expected values. We’re all risking our lives here. You should accept the consequences of your actions with dignity!”

[Two minutes left. Enough of those persuasions. You’ll miss the deadline to tap the button.]

talk about ending the game was in vain. But no one could blame him, because no one expected to be so determined even when her life was at stake.

Yesterday, would have definitely spilled the beans. Or anyone else, for that matter, except that !

[One minute left. Flip coins or something!]

Like Reina suggested, the players each had to flip imaginary coins in their minds. As they mused on both the consequences and future they were likely to bring about with their decision, the 10-minute time limit ended. There was no respite.

“…….”

Silence engulfed the room.

Nothing happened. was fine, but the shackles continued to bind her to the chair. In that odd state of repose, blew up. “What now? Why the hell did you stop? Tell us the result!”

[Oops… Sorry. Just thinking.] Reina always had ready answers for the players no matter what they asked her. However, now, she was suddenly wrapped up in her own world of silence. Stopping in her tracks, Reina lit up her red light and said, [Do you all know the term ‘simulation hypothesis’? You all probably know that, once this real-life technology is developed, a “virtual reality” that would disturb and gratify the human senses can be created. In other words, if it is hypothetically possible, there’s a chance that this virtual reality has already been created.]

“What the hell are you talking about?”

was outraged, but Reina went on, completely unfazed. [Virtual reality can be mass-produced in a world where it can be created. Then, the number of virtual realities will grow geometrically and astronomically… It’s highly unlikely that our world is the only authentic reality that exists…Which means that we’re just living in one of the many simulations that have been created. This is what that the hypothesis is about.]

Right in the middle of Mafia Game where their lives were at stake, Reina had launched into an explanation of a seemingly unrelated hypothesis about virtual reality. All the players looked dumbfounded. “W-what’s with all that crap? What’s that got to do with this game?”

[Well, I’m just saying…]

Just then, body began to twitch.

[So don’t take it too hard — it’s just one life that ended in one reality.]

body jerked as she made gagging noises.

[Next time, I’ll come up with some words of consolation or something.] Reina kept her word, just as she had said to on the day before. She then presented the result of the elimination vote.

Yes: Intellectual, Janitor, Muscle Man, Old Man, Humanities

No: Christian, Hothead, Schoolgirl, Engineering

Result: With at least 5 “yes” votes, is eliminated

Just by a single vote. Junsung felt guilty about voting “yes.” He was a little disgusted at himself for giving in to fear. I… I just voted so I won’t be accused of being the mafia…!

“The m-mafia…. Artificial… Intelligence… knows…” gasped as her body went limp.