The Zodiac Trial Part #9

Part 9: Taming Whip

We're at one of the final choices that determine what route we're put on. For the route that was voted on, the team we're going to be going with is...

[BGM: Dog Days]

I'll go with Bunny and Dog.

Hey, great to work with you some more!

Whoopee.

I guess that leaves me with Ox and Dragon? Oh no. I should've picked something sooner.

Hey, what the hell is that supposed to mean?

To speed things up since time is now of the essence, I say we should only reconvene at the cafeteria once every two rounds. Sound good?

Sure thing, no one gave a shit about that in the first place.

I don't-

Ox, drop it. It's not worth arguing.

Fine. So is this fine with everybody? This situation works, right?

All good?

This is the final choice that dictates what route we end up on- whether we're content w/ the setup or if we have any concerns. In this particular case, though...

Yeah, let's get to searching! We can totally do this.

Now that's the spirit! Let's kick Brian's ass for thinking we can be fucked with!

Yeah, yeah, whatever, just get to searching. We don't have time for this shit.

And just like that, our four groups of three split up.

So, where do we want to look?

Any ideas?

No preference here.

None here either.

Well, it worked out when we checked the third floor last time, so why don't we try that again?

I'm down to look around the third floor.

Same here.

Alright, I guess we're decided then.

We were decided then. The three of us walked up to the third floor. Then we walked around the area for a while to try and find a place that looked like it might house any items. We came across what appeared to be a commons for students to relax. This was the type of place Brian liked to hide items. And sure enough, it didn't take too long until Bunny chimed in.

Hey, I found something!

He was standing next to a vending machine. Dog and I ran over to him.

What is it?

There, look down in the drop-down area of this vending machine.

The hell is all that about?

Cards, dice, darts... is that a whip?

Seems like a fun time.

There's definitely an item down there as well.

So let's reach in and grab everything!

Something tells me that if it was that easy, this guy would've already done it.

Dog's right. Unfortunately, the drop-down area is blocked off.

As an example, he tried to push his hand through the flap, only for the flap to remain firmly in place.

What? What's going on?

Look down there, there's a blocker.

Again, Bunny pointed into the vending machine. I noticed an extended metal rod pressed against the back of the machine and the flap.

So that's keeping it open.

Yeah. What a pain, am I right?

So what do we do?

I don't know. Maybe we could try shaking the machine?

I think we'd need someone like Horse or Tiger for that.

Wouldn't we be able to dislodge the blocker if we hit it from above?

I mean, if we could hit the blocker, we'd have done it already.

I can see a way.

Huh?

Oh, I get it. We need to order something from the vending machine above the blocker.

Bingo. Those cookies are right above it. If we order one, I bet it'll dislodge the blocker.

Good thinking, Dog!

So, does anyone have $1.50?

Bunny fished around in his pockets.

Sorry, I've got nothing.

I make it a practice to not keep cash on me. Attracts the wrong types.

I've got nothing.

So are we just sunk?

Brian wouldn't set this up only for us to be unable to beat it. If we don't have change, then there has to be cash around here. Let's search these commons!

Look under the couch cushions, under sheets of paper, everywhere! I bet if we work hard and believe in ourselves, we can find $1.50!

Yeah!

Wooh.

Energized, we started looking around for any dollar bills or quarters. It didn't take long for us to find our first lead.

I found a quarter under this couch!

Oh! I found one under this pencil sharpener. Keep looking!

Before long, we had gathered 6 quarters.

Great work team! Now we can stick it to that stupid blocker.

You think this is actually going to work?

It was your idea.

It'll work.

I put in the money and ordered a cookie. The cookie fell down...

And knocked the blocker away!

Score!

All three of us went down and fished around the drop-down area. Bunny picked up some of the game items. Dog got his hands on the cookie. And I pulled out the whip and a tag attached to it.

Woah, what are you doing with that Mouse?

Examining it.

The whip was out of place. If I had to guess, this was the item.

[BGM: Silence]

Sure enough, on one side of the tag the number '3195' was printed. This was an item. I turned it over and began to read the rules aloud.

"Taming Whip - Use this whip at any time on another untamed player. By doing so, you are challenging them in order to tame them. Once a challenger has begun, a round's timer is stopped. A list of games will appear on the challenged player's tablet. They have the right to choose any game on the list for the challenge. The players will then play the game, with the Jade Emperor observing the play. Any player caught cheating will instantly be executed. Any participant that in any way interferes with the game will be instantly executed.

If the challenger wins the game, they will have successfully tamed their target. In this case, the tamed player's tablet will no longer be active, and a new option will be added to the tamer's tablet which allows them to access the functionality of the tamed player's tablet. With this, the tamer can now control the tamed player's actions. And if the tamer dies, any people they've tamed will die too.

On the other hand, if the challenged player wins, the tamer fails to properly tame their target, and ends up dead. In other words, a failed taming attempt will result in execution for the tamer."

Wow. That seems really powerful.

It seems like it be really useful, doesn't it? If we use it properly as a group, we could-

Dog interrupted Bunny by yanking the whip out of my hands.

Hey!

Dog looked over the whip's tag, then entered a nearby empty room.

What are you doing?!

In response to my question, an announcement played on my tablet.

Attention! Dog is currently attempting to tame Horse. During this challenge, the Round's timer has been paused. Know that any participant that in any way interferes with the challenge will be instantly executed.

As the announcement ended, Dog exited the room.

Dog? What are you doing?

[BGM: Final Squeal]

What does it look like I'm doing?

It looks like you're making big moves against the group without approval.

Yeah, well, that doesn't sound wrong I guess. But I'd say that I'm getting this game under control.

I had a bad feeling about this. Something told me that by finding that whip, I had opened Pandora's Box.

So what's going to happen now?

Well, we're going to have to wait for people to get here. Whatever game Horse wants won't start until he gets here.

And how long's that going to take?

Shouldn't be too long. I think everyone saw us heading up to the third floor. And anyways, it's not that big a school. Let's just wait for them.

Dog was right that it didn't take long for people to come. However, Horse wasn't the first to arrive.

What the fuck is going on here? Dog, what was that announcement about?

It certainly didn't sound like anything good.

Wh-what was wrong with just looking for Minor Trinkets? That sounded like a good plan, it was fun, practical, didn't involve weird tablet announcements.

What a welcoming reception. I'd fill you in, but it's a pain to repeat myself three times. Just wait for the others to get here, then I'll talk.

You'll talk now.

Doubt it. Although by saying that, I guess I proved you right.

Quit playing games!

But that's exactly what I'm going to do when Horse gets here.

It's like you're asking to get beat up.

I wouldn't recommend that. Or did you not hear the announcement?

The fuck?

Dog is referring to the clause about 'not interfering with the game'. It's possible that physically assaulting Dog could impact his ability on the game, and thus you'd be breaking that rule.

Tch. You think just because I'll be executed I won't kick the shit out of you?

Not really, but I hope so.

Dragon just stared Dog down. Before that could continue, however, Horse, Monkey, and Sheep walked in. Predictably, Horse looked very much not happy.

Dog.

Horse.

The hell is this about?

Just trying out a new toy I found. Here, read up.

Instead of trying to explain it all, he just handed the whip over to the group. The new people gathered around and read the rules.

W-Wait, Dog, if you lose, you'll die?

Yup.

Then why would you do something like this?

I want to tame Horse.

Heh. And why is that?

Why not? Figure it might be useful to control your tablet, check your personality, the like. And it gives us extra time to look around, so what's the harm?

I'm supposed to just trust that by putting my life in your hands you'll use it for good?

Nope. That's why you can choose a game you're good at if you like.

Hmph.

[BGM: Ox's Logic]

Horse, are you actually going to try and win this game? Dog will die if you do!

He knew that when he challenged me.

True.

It's on him if he dies.

Yup. Not really a big deal one way or the other.

How is it not a huge deal?!

Pig, Pig. You gotta learn how to go with the flow. Ever considered Buddhist meditation? It really helps.

Oh no you don't, don't try to sell me on some hippie shit. I've already written three separate articles talking about how much psuedo-philosophy and hypocrisy surrounds that scene.